Infused Spell Oils: Ancient Traditions in Modern Practice
- By Hand & Flame, LLC
- Aug 14
- 10 min read
Infused spell oils are a cornerstone of magical practice, bridging ancient ritual with modern spell craft. From the temples of antiquity to today’s witch’s altar, oils have long been vessels of intention and offerings themselves – carrying prayers, blessings, and enchantments into both the physical and spiritual realms. By understanding their rich history and learning how to use them effectively, we can unlock the full potential of these fragrant elixirs in our own craft. In this post, we’ll explore the history of spell oils, their uses today, how to work with them, and how By Hand & Flame, LLC keeps this tradition alive through our handcrafted Infused Spell Oils.
Historical Roots of Infused Spell Oils in Magic
The practice of anointing with oils spans thousands of years and countless cultures. Perfumed oils have played important roles in religious and magical rites throughout history. In ancient Egypt, priests and magicians anointed themselves with sacred oils during rituals – certain spells for the well-being of the dead even called for specific oils to be applied. Oils were believed to carry prayers and offerings upward: for example, Egyptians used oil lamps and scented oils in rituals to send prayers to the heavens.
As civilizations evolved, holy and magical oils remained prominent. The Bible describes holy anointing oils used to consecrate priests and sacred spaces. The Catholic Church to this day uses sacred oils in sacraments like baptism and confirmation. Folk magic traditions around the world also developed their own oils – for instance, Hoodoo and Vodou practitioners crafted conjure oils for love, luck, protection, and more (a practice with roots stretching back to African and Indigenous herbal knowledge). Across Europe and America, wise folk and witches created ointments and oils to heal or to curse, depending on intent.
In modern witchcraft and neopagan traditions (e.g. Wicca), oils have become essential for ritual and spell work. Contemporary witches use scented oils to purify space before rituals, anoint participants during initiations, and dress candles or tools with power. The belief in the power of scent is central – pleasant or potent aromas are thought to please gods and spirits, shift energies, and focus one’s mind on the spell at hand. This thread of belief – that oils carry intention – has remained unbroken from ancient times to the present day.
Modern Magical Uses of Infused Oils
Today’s practitioners use infused spell oils in a wide variety of ways, both practical and mystical. Here are some common modern uses for magical oils:
Anointing Candles: Perhaps the most popular use, oils are rubbed on candles in candle magic. By dressing a candle with an oil aligned to one’s intent (for example, a love oil on a pink candle or a protection oil on black), the candle becomes charged with that intention. As the candle burns, it releases the energy of the oil along with the flame’s light, carrying the spell outward. Many witches carve symbols or words into the candle, then anoint from the center outward – from middle to wick to draw things in, or from middle to base to send things away. The oil helps the herbs or glitter stick if you roll the candle in them, and its scent creates a sensory focus for the spell.
Anointing Oneself (or Others): Anointing the body is a sacred act in many traditions. You can dab a bit of spell oil on your pulse points (wrists, behind ears) or on energy centers like the forehead (third eye) and heart. In folk practice, specific points have meaning: e.g. oil on the forehead for spiritual blessings, on the palms to “lay hands” with intention, or on the feet to bless one’s path. Rubbing a protection oil on yourself before entering a negative environment, or a confidence oil before an interview, can help envelop your aura in that intention. (Always do a small skin patch test to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction, and note that these oils are for external use only.)
Charging Tools and Talismans: Oils can be used to consecrate and empower your ritual tools. For example, a witch might rub a purifying oil on her athame (ritual knife) or a divination oil on her tarot cards. This not only physically cleans and scents the item, but also imparts an energetic charge aligned with the oil’s purpose. Similarly, you can anoint charm bags, crystals, or jewelry – a few drops on a sachet, amulet, or even the corners of your altar will imbue those items with magical intent.
Enhancing Atmosphere: Simply diffusing a magical oil blend (or adding a few drops to an oil warmer) can change the energy of a space. For instance, a lavender-based calming oil can bring peace to a room before meditation, while a citrus and spice prosperity oil might be warmed during a new moon abundance ritual. In traditional witchcraft, oils (or incenses) are often used to “set the stage” by creating a pleasing atmosphere for spirits or deities. Keep in mind, some spell oils are made with herbs that are not skin-safe for broad use in diffusers, so check if the oil is meant for that purpose.
By Hand & Flame’s Infused Spell Oils are designed to support all these modern uses. Each of our blends is handcrafted with herbs, roots, and resins chosen for a specific magical intention – whether it’s attracting love, warding off negativity, or opening spiritual roads. We steep whole plant ingredients in a natural carrier oil, often for weeks, allowing the oil to absorb the potent vibrations and visible herbal power of those botanicals. The result is an oil that carries both the scent and the spiritual energy of its ingredients.
How to Use Spell Oils in Your Practice
Using an infused spell oil is a simple process, but working with intention is key. Here is a basic how-to guide for anointing a candle, one of the most effective ways to deploy a spell oil in ritual:
Set Your Intention: Before you even open the bottle, get clear on what you want to achieve. Spell oils correspond to purposes (e.g. Love Attraction, Protection, Abundance). Choose an oil that aligns with your goal, and take a moment to hold the bottle and mentally affirm your intention (for example, “I imbue this oil with the power to protect my home”).
Prepare the Candle: Take a candle of an appropriate color and size for your spell (a small chime or votive candle works well). If desired, carve words, symbols, or sigils representing your intention into the wax. Carving your candle personalizes the spell – for instance, carve your name for self work or a dollar sign for a money spell.
Anoint the Candle with Oil: Place a few drops of the infused oil on your fingertips. Starting at the center of the candle, stroke the oil toward the candle’s top and then from the center down toward the base. In many traditions, stroking upward (from base to wick) is done to attract or bring things to you, while stroking downward (from wick to base) banishes or sends away. As you anoint the candle, visualize your goal clearly – see and feel the outcome you desire. You might speak aloud, e.g. “As I dress this candle, I infuse it with healing and peace.”
Dress with Herbs or Crystals (Optional): If you have corresponding dried herbs, you can roll or sprinkle them onto the oiled candle (our kits often include herb blends matched to the oil). This further charges the candle. Likewise, you might circle small crystals around the candle or near it to lend their energy (e.g. place rose quartz around a love candle). In our By Hand & Flame kits, the herbs and crystals are selected to harmonize with the oil’s purpose, giving a layered effect.
Activate and Burn: Place the dressed candle in a holder on your altar or a safe surface. Light it with focus and intention. As the flame comes to life, speak your spell or affirmation – this could be a prepared chant or simply a heartfelt request to the universe. Many practitioners let the candle burn completely to release the energy (always observing fire safety!). Others might burn it in sections over several days if it’s large, repeating an anointing ritual each time.
After the Spell: Once the candle has burned down, you can choose to dispose of the remnants in a way that suits the working. For example, burying leftover wax or the candle stub in the earth can symbolize manifesting a lasting result, whereas discarding it in a flowing stream can symbolize carrying away negative influences. However, avoid burying or disposing of non-natural waxes such as soy or paraffin outdoors, as they can take years to decompose and may release synthetic residues that disrupt the soil’s natural balance. If you anointed yourself with any oil during the ritual (such as a dab on your heart or third eye), you might follow up with a cleansing (using salt water or smoke) to close the ritual.
By following these steps, you engage not just with the oil, but with the entire energetic process of the spell. Remember that focus and belief are key – the oil itself is not a magic potion but a conduit for your will. As one occult adage goes, “It’s not the oil, herb, or candle alone that creates change; it’s the energy and intention you pour into them.”
Tradition Meets Craft: By Hand & Flame’s Infused Oils
At By Hand & Flame, LLC, we are dedicated to continuing the legacy of magical oils with integrity and reverence. Our Infused Spell Oils are not factory-made concoctions; each one is hand-blended in small batches as a labor of love and ritual. We combine traditional correspondences (time-honored herb lore and planetary timing) with modern approaches to ensure our oils are both authentic and effective . For example, our Protection Flame Oil includes classic purifying herbs like rosemary and rue, known for their protective vibes in folklore. Our Love Attraction Oil features rose and damiana, herbs long used in love spells to ignite passion. Each recipe is the result of over 13 years of practical magical experience and research, distilled into a convenient bottle.
We take pride in the visible potency of our oils – you’ll see actual whole herbs and petals floating in each bottle, a tangible link to the earth’s magic . This is more than aesthetic; as the herbs infuse over time, they continually charge the oil with their natural power. When you open a bottle of, say, our Abundance Oil, you might catch the scent of cinnamon and basil and see tiny cinnamon stick pieces – reminding you that this isn’t just perfume, but a ritual tool steeped in tradition.
Furthermore, we strive to make our oils accessible and versatile. They are formulated to complement our spell kits or stand on their own. You can use them in any of the ways described above – to dress candles, to anoint your wallet or doorframes for prosperity, to add a few drops in a ritual bath (if skin-safe), or to wear as a personal fragrance when you want to carry a certain energy with you. We even include educational cards or usage suggestions upon request, so you can learn as you work with each oil. Our goal is not only to provide a product, but to empower you as a practitioner.
Finally, we are committed to eco-conscious and ethical practices. Our oils use natural base oils and high quality botanicals, sourced sustainably. We avoid harmful additives – for instance, we choose recyclable packaging and minimal plastic, and we offer options like glass dropper bottles. The art of magic teaches respect for nature and energy, so we extend that ethos to how we craft and package our products .
Infused spell oils carry the wisdom of ages in each drop. When you use them, you are participating in a tradition that has wound through ancient temples, folk kitchens, and coven circles, all the way to your hands. Whether you’re seeking calm, protection, love, or luck, there’s likely an oil for that purpose – and a lineage of wise women and men who have used similar potions before you. By learning the history and proper use of these oils, and by choosing oils made with knowledge and heart, you infuse your own practice with deeper meaning and power.
Embrace the art of anointing and let the magic of oils illuminate your spiritual journey. From our hands to yours, blessed be.
Product FAQs
Do I need to follow a specific direction when dressing a candle?
Use the logic of your own path (draw vs. send). The key is consistent symbolism and clear intention.
Can I blend oils?
Yes—many layer a base intention (e.g., Protection) with a situational boost (Road Opening). Test the scent and energetics first.
Are these safe for baths or ingestion?
Our oils are external use only and not for ingestion or bathing unless explicitly labeled otherwise.
Can I use one oil across multiple workings?
Absolutely. A single well-chosen oil can anoint candles, tools, doors, and be worn before work.
Are these tied to any specific tradition?
No. We keep our language path-neutral so practitioners can adapt to their own lineage or personal practice.
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Brand Notes & Safety Disclaimer
All By Hand & Flame products are spiritual tools intended to support personal practice and self-development. No outcomes are guaranteed; they are not a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice. External use only; keep from children/pets; practice fire safety. This is one example and brief history of these products, and it may not align with all paths. Please feel free to do your own research and adapt what we’ve shared to meet your individual needs. We are not an authority on these topics.
Sources & Further Reading
Occult World. Occult World (Magical Oils and Anointing). Occult World, n.d. Available at: https://occult-world.com
Ralph’s Orchard. Ralph’s Orchard Blog (Ritual Oils and Lamps). Ralph’s Orchard, n.d. Available at: https://ralphsorchard.com
Wikipedia. Holy anointing oil. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_anointing_oil
Art of the Root. Art of the Root Blog (Candle Dressing and Petition Work). Art of the Root, n.d. Available at: https://artoftheroot.com
The Wholesome Witch. The Wholesome Witch (Candle Carving Guide). The Wholesome Witch, n.d. Available at: https://thewholesomewitch.com
Suburban Witchery. Suburban Witchery (Spell Disposal and How-Tos). Suburban Witchery, n.d. Available at: https://suburbanwitchery.com
Cunningham, Scott. The Complete Book of Incense, Oils, and Brews. Llewellyn Publications, 1989. Available at: https://www.llewellyn.com
Le Roux, Elaine. Anointing Through the Ages: Ritual Oils in Ancient Cultures. Arcane Press, 2017. Available at: https://www.arcanepress.com
Hutton, Ronald. The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy. Blackwell, 1991. Available at: https://blackwellpublishing.com
Grimassi, Raven. Old World Witchcraft: Ancient Ways for Modern Days. Weiser Books, 2011. Available at: https://redwheelweiser.com
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