“Dear Ms. Q,
I’ve seen and read
about Van-Van Oil or New Orleans Van Van Oil are they the same? What is it used for?”
Well Dear Readers,
In this post I’m going to cover a basic work horse oil that
is used a lot in folk magic, hoodoo, witchcraft etc. And that is Van-Van Oil. So be prepared for reading a long post.
Now the recipe can also be made into a powder or a few drops
of oil can be added to your bath water, and a drop or two behind the ears can
be worn for effective results, the oil is also used to anoint candles, mojo
bags, loadstones, and “lucky” rabbits foot and other amulets as well as floor
washes.
So what is Van-Van used for and how old is it, well Mrs. Washington came from Louisiana in
the 1930’s and was making and using it,
Mrs. Harcourt knew of it in England but she learned it from an old South
African woman who cleaned houses in her small town in England. And the formula was pretty much the same
with a few exceptions depending upon where one lives and what was
available.
For Mrs. Harcourt before the War (WWII) she and her Mum had
to get what was needed from specialized importers. Mrs. Washington said that
was pretty much the same since New Orleans was a major shipping port, so once a
month her father then later her husband drove her, her mother and some other
ladies that squeezed into their model T Ford, that wheezed and coughed it way
to a particular store that was near the docks to get what they needed, Mrs.
Washington use to make me laugh describing how to communicate with the owner of
the store who spoke in what was called “pigeon English”.
Granny and the ladies would go to a couple of shops in the
old China Town and a shop that was in the warehouse district that was run by an
elderly Portuguese man, and since Granny and Uncle Mannie could speak
Portuguese Uncle Mannie would do the bargaining, as a kid I would go with them
but they never went without my Uncle Mannie because it was a rough
neighborhood.
So how old is the formula? Well that is hard to say, but it has in the
100 plus years been a standard among Hoodoo formulas. Perhaps going as far back as the late 1700’s
to very early 1800’s.
Because some of the ingredients seem to also repel insects
but still smell good, and knowing that in the early days of New Orleans and
Louisiana, the insect repelling properties of these ingredients would not have
gone un-noticed, so by putting it into an oil and even heating it up in an oil
burner it would make sense to early day root-workers that this combination of
ingredients would have magical properties.
So I’m sure in other countries which would grow similar
grasses and flowers there would have been variations of this formula which
eventually condensed down to the one we know today, especially from New Orleans,
which is why Van Van is sometimes called New Orleans Van Van or Louisiana Van
Van oil, etc.
According to Cat Yronwood she has a quote that says ----
"At one time, it is said, a person could not walk down a street in
the Algiers district (of New Orleans) without smelling the scent of Van Van oil.
Prepared from aromatic Oriental grasses, all-purpose Van Van is favoured for
dressing Amulets and Charms and is reputed to Clear Evil from the Door-Step,
Change Bad Luck to Good, and Open the Way to New Opportunities."
Van Van is an old
hoodoo formula for oil, incense, sachet powders, and washing products that are
intended to get rid of evil, provide magical defense, change bad luck to good,
as well as strengthening other charms. It is the most popular of the New
Orleans hoodoo recipes. As a good luck enhancer, it is closely associated with
both the rabbit foot and the lodestone.
[This] …old hoodoo
formula for oil, incense, sachet powders, and washing products … are designed
to clear away evil, provide magical protection, open the road to new prospects,
change bad luck to good, and empower amulets and charms. It is the most popular
of the New Orleans or "Algiers style" hoodoo recipes. As an amulet
enhancer, it is closely associated with both the rabbit foot and the lodestone –
[in the 1940s there would be advertisements for a rabbit foot key chain
charm that was sold with a small vial of Van Van oil] --- from the Lucky Mojo Curio Co. catalogue.
Van Van is one of the most popular hoodoo condition formulas
out there. It has a long history of use in root work, but is especially
associated with the New Orleans and Algiers areas of Louisiana where it seems
to have first appeared.
To reiterate this nearly all-purpose formula effectively
provides spiritual cleansing and jinx-breaking, road-opening to new fortune and
opportunity, protection against negativity, attracts money and business
prosperity, brings good luck, as well as draws love all in one oil. It's often used to powerfully feed mojo bags,
empower amulets, talismans, or other magical tools to keep them working
strongly for their owner.
The oil can be used to dress candles, or can be worn as a
personal power scent for any of the above uses. It can be added to cleaning
solutions in order to cleanse and impart its empowering energies on the
spiritual level as well as the physical. It can be added to nearly any magical
working in order to enhance its overall potency. According to a number of practioners there's
nearly nothing that Van Van can't do. For the frugal practitioner Van Van can
pretty much do a lot of stuff, which makes it an excellent choice or go to oil
in one’s magical cabinet.
Van Van has an unmistakable clean, crisp scent that comes
from the variety of Asian grasses which make up the formula. Lemongrass is the
central ingredient, a plant which brings great magical flexibility to the
table. Lemongrass is linked to the
planet Mercury, (this is more for Wicca information) so one should see quick
results when working with the Van Van formula. It will also help increase
effective communication, so any act should go more smoothly.
Lemongrass in the East, is considered an aphrodisiac, and so
Van Van can be used in love-drawing work as well. This is especially useful for
men who wish to wear a love-drawing condition oil as a personal scent, its aroma
is crisp and gender-neutral as far as fragrances go.
Lemongrass is considered an excellent purifier of spiritual
energies, which makes it great for general spiritual cleansing or jinx breaking
and removal. It not only cleans up negative energy, but it also repels any
incoming negativity, so it is useful in protection work and can be used daily
to keep one's energies clean and clear throughout the day and during difficult
interactions.
The other Asian grasses used to round out the Van Van
formula share a lot of qualities in common with lemongrass, Van Van is related
to other cleansing and luck hoodoo formulas like Success and Eloquence, and
Road Opener.
HOW TO USE VAN VAN
OIL:
Dr. E gives a great description on his web site which I
quote here:
“Van Van Oil is an
effective tool used to cleanse away evil and bring success with love and money.
Apply some Van Van Oil to a lucky rabbit foot and carry it for good luck with
money and gambling. Put a bit of Van Van Oil behind each ear before going on a
date so that you'll have a good experience, keep away troublesome people, and
have good luck with love. Add a bit of Van Van Oil to your mop water before you
mop the house to cleanse away any evil spells or negativity and fill the house
with refreshed good luck. Dress yellow candles with Van Van Oil and burn them
for a successful outcome to your efforts.
How to Use Van Van
Herb Bath:
Van Van Herb Bath can
be used to bathe your body to cleanse away negativity and draw in good luck
with love, money and meeting influential people. You can also use Van Van Herb
Bath prior to any spells you cast to go into it clean and energetically
refreshed.
Brew the Herbs
Start by taking your
packet of Van Van Herb Bath and placing it in a coffee cup. Pour boiling water
over the herbs and allow them to sit for about ten minutes so that they can
release their essences into the water. After ten minutes, strain the herbs out
and save the liquid. You can dispose of the herbs either in the trash, or you
can sprinkle them in your garden around the front door of your house. Pour your
cup of full-strength Van Van Herb Bath infusion into a large washtub or bowl
full of bath-temperature water. It is now properly diluted and ready to use.
Set Up Your Tub or
Shower
Take your bowl of Van
Van Herb Bath into the bathroom. Place two small white candles on either side
of the bathtub or shower so that you cross between them as you enter and exit
the tub. Plug up the tub so that you can capture the bathwater that runs off of
your body (or if you are using a shower, place a bowl in the shower and stand
over it to catch some of the water that flows off of you when you will bathe.
Take Your Bath
Light the two white
candles, disrobe and enter the shower or tub with your washtub or bowl full of
diluted Van Van Herb Bath. Traditionally, hoodoo practitioners will pray the
Our Father and Psalm 23, or you may pray in your own words to remove negativity
and bring luck with money, love and people of influence. Then pour the bath on
your body working your way downward from your head down to your feet. Remember
to get your back side, hands and feet. (Ladies who have recently had their hair
done and don't want to mess up their hairdos can simply bathe from the neck
down, then moisten their hands with the bath and lightly wet their faces and/or
hair.) Set your bowl aside and begin to wipe the excess bath off of your body
with your hands (always wiping downward to remove the negativity). Note that
some of the water that you used was caught in the tub or in the small bowl you
set at your feet. It doesn't have to be all of it, just some.
Dry Off
Exit the bath, walking
between your white candles and air dry. Do not use a towel. If you are cold
stand in front of a heater. Continue to wipe your body with your hands, always
wiping downward until you are dry. At this point you can anoint your body with
some Van Van Oil by dabbing a bit on your wrists, behind each ear, over your
heart and on the bottom of each foot. Dress in clean clothing, preferably light
in color (not black).
Dispose of the Bath
Now take the original
coffee cup you used and scoop up some of the captured used bath water. You
don't have to get all of it, just some of it. Take this outside. Toss the water
over your left shoulder toward the east; toward the rising sun (your back will be
to the sun if you're doing this right) and say "AMEN!" Then walk home
and don't look back at the water you tossed. You can now go about your day
knowing that you are covered with Van Van Herb Bath, and it is working to bring
you success with love, luck with money and draw influential people into your
life.
Ideas for Using Van
Van Sachet Powder:
Van Van Sachet Powder
is a great way to cleanse away evil, draw in success with love and money, and
attract influential people. Add some Van Van Powder to your talcum powder so
that you will always remain energetically clean and have fortunate events
happen throughout your day. Sprinkle business cards with Van Van Powder to draw
influential clients who are willing to hire you and pay you well. Sprinkle some
Van Van Powder across the threshold of your business to have luck with business
dealings and fortunate outcomes. You can also powder candles that have been
dressed with Van Van Oil with Van Van Powder to amplify their effect in the spells
you perform.
How to Use Van Van
Mojo Bag:
Van Van Mojo Bag is
the perfect charm to carry for luck with money, luck with love and successful
outcomes to your efforts. Carry a Van Van Mojo Bag in your purse when going out
on a date to have a good experience and have luck with love. Keep a Van Van
Mojo Bag behind your business' front door to attract customers that are willing
to pay and to have unexpected success in business. You can also carry a Van Van
Mojo Bag when gambling, playing bingo, shooting dice, playing cards or the
lottery for added good luck.
Ideas for Use of Van
Van Setting of Lights:
Van Van Setting of
Lights can be used to remove evil and witchcraft, and for good luck with money
and love. ……dress, bless and light a Van Van Candle on [your} altars along with
your specific petition and photograph……..Van Van Setting of Lights is perfect
for clearing away negativity, drawing influential people, for success with
money, and good luck in love.”
Other Uses:
Used as a sprinkling solution to attract good luck and power
of all kinds when used in full strength.
Add to scrub water to wash down the floor
and steps of a home or business to get rid of negativity.
Put 1 1/2 oz of Louisiana Van Van oil in 16 oz of alcohol.
Shake well before each use. Van Van is
used to prepare a magickal working space and to anoint ritual participants. Add
it to mop water, washrags, and room sprays.
Dab a bit of Van Van Oil on the corners of your bed for a restful sleep
free from any negative vibrations, use it to anoint love petitions and put
under a yellow candle to draw love to you.
HOW DO THE HERBS OR
ESSENTIAL OILS WORK aka what is their purpose?:
Lemongrass (and all citrus grasses) have a powerful “cut and
clear” effect, if you look on the grocery store shelves in the US have you seen how many lemon-scented cleaning agents there
are. They seem to make things cleaner (lemon also has some
antibacterial/antimicrobial properties, and is a potent preservative in small
doses—sliced apples are often treated with a lemon juice extract to keep them
from browning).
Citronella does something similar (think of how citronella
candles, torches, and oils repel nasty insects like mosquitoes). These grasses cut and clear any negative
influences, warding off bad luck.
Palmarosa and
gingergrass (which come from the same plant, in reality, Cymbopogon martine
Palmarosa is from a different pressing) are muskier, and so have a slight
sexual connotation.
If it smells clean, bright, and sexy, it’s not hard to
imagine lucky as well the best description is to think James Bond in a casino.
Vetiver is the
muskiest of all, with strong earthy tones.
Earth has connections to abundance and prosperity fertile black soil
planted with seeds which grow into crops, plus there is that strong sexual
current all over again. Sex + money +
nothing standing in your way I would consider that a lucky combination.
Most of these herbs are not easily available in bulk herb
form, with the exceptions of lemongrass, which can be find at almost any Asian
market and has started appearing in major grocery stores where there is a good
size Asian community and vetiver which is often found in herb or metaphysical
shops.
If you are doing oils for yourself then all of the oils
except gingergrass are readily available from any aromatherapy or herbal extract
dealer. Gingergrass oil can be hard to
find and so is often left out of homemade Van Van recipes, or something else
might be substituted for it. But that
does not weaken the potency of Van Van oil
THE OIL RECIPE:
16 parts lemongrass
oil
8 parts citronella
oil
1 part vetivert
oil ( the dried botanical is also called
“khus-khus” grass in some places--- not to be confused with the food cous-cous)
1 part palmarosa
oil
1 part gingergrass
oil if you can get it
And finish off with almond oil as the carrier. (please read below)
Mix together and let sit for at least week. This is your stock
oil. Do not apply it directly to the skin in this condition, because as uncut
essential oils it can be a skin irritant to people.
Therefor in each 1/2 oz. bottle of VAN VAN OIL to be made
up, put in ---
a pinch of dried
lemongrass leaves
a pinch of crushed pyrite crystals
one full standard
dropper-full of the above stock blend
Then Fill the ½ oz. bottle with almond oil as a carrier to reduce the possibility
of it being an irritant.
The proportions above are merely suggestions, and you might
be able to use just the first three oils and have some pretty solid Van Van
oil, so don’t spend money tracking down gingergrass or palmarosa ingredients unless
you really feel the need to do so, the full formula is for you own information
and if you happen to get lucky and find those two last ingredients then you’ll
know what to do.
The ingredients for Van Van Oil have always varied depending
upon the preference of the practioner, but the absence of any one or two of
the Asian Grass oils will not hurt the
results much, because usually the blend
will focus on citrusy lemongrass and citronella, with only a hint of musky vetivert,
floral palmarosa, and spicy gingergrass.
Adding a pinch of lemongrass leaves helps carry over the potency
from the Master bottle, the crushed pyrite crystals is a money drawer, especially
good for businessmen and gamblers, although pyrite is called “Fool’s Gold”
adding a pinch of Gold dust is prohibitively expensive especially with the
price of gold now a days, so why use
pyrite if it’s called “fool’s gold”?
There is nothing foolish about this mineral. Within its
gleaming beauty is a stone of hidden fire, one that can be sparked to life by
striking it against metal or stone. An Earth element, it also resonates with
Fire energy, symbolizing the warmth and lasting presence of the sun and the
ability to generate wealth by one’s own power. It is masculine in nature, a
stone of action, vitality and will, and taps into one’s abilities and
potential, stimulating the flow of ideas. It brings confidence and the
persistence to carry things through to completion.
As a talisman, Pyrite is a unique protector, drawing energy
from the Earth through the physical body and into the aura creating a defensive
shield against negative energies, environmental pollutants, emotional attack
and physical harm. It also supports one with a spirit of boldness and assertive
action when protecting others, the planet, or in standing up for important issues
of community. It stimulates the Second and Third Chakras, enhancing will power
and the ability to see behind facades to what is real.
Pyrite enhances the protective and assertive male energies
in both men and women. It boosts women’s self-worth and helps overcome
tendencies toward servitude and inferiority. For men, it instills a feeling of
confidence in one’s masculinity and supports the enthusiastic expression of
male eroticism.
Pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral, and iron can attract
things to it as well as repel negativity.
So it makes sense to add crushed Iron Pyrite to Van Van oil.
Additions to the recipe vary by practitioner and
region. For example, in New Orleans, one
might find lemon verbena added to the mix.
This may be how the formula got its name. According to Cat Yronwode, Creole root
workers would sometimes use lemon verbena in their blends in order to
supplement the strong lemon-musk scent of the oil. Verbena—a related herb—was often called
vervain, (Has anyone watched “Vampire
Diaries, vervain was used to weaken vampires in that T.V. show) and that was given a pidgin phoneme of “van
van.”
Some formulas suggest adding patchouli in a small amount but
I’m not in favor of that preferring the cleaner scent.
You can add other lucky things to the master bottle such as
tiny lucky horseshoes or four leaf clover charms. Or anoint such charms with Van Van oil.
Van Van oil does not contain vanilla or rose oil in spite of
the name of some of the ingredients.
After the oil is made as I said it needs to sit for a week,
during that time it should be placed within a triangle of 3 lit glass enclosed
yellow candles also dressed with van van oil and prayed over every day for a
week so that their positive energy is imbued into the oil. Do not leave the burning candles unattended, If at all possible, if you have to leave your home, snuff the
candles out and re-lite with a quick prayer to continue the energy. Then when you are ready to use the prepared
oil you need only add your own prayers or affirmations outlining your specific
intents, in order to get the Van Van working towards your particular goal.
There are variations to this oil and also to its name. It can be called New Orleans Van Van Oil, or Louisiana
Van Van Oil but it’s still the same oil.
Here are a couple:
Zora Neale Hurston in
her research was given this receipe for Essence of Van Van which was:
10 per cent Oil of Lemon Grass in alcohol. Different doctors
specify either grain, mentholated, or wood alcohol, used for luck and power of
all kinds. It is the most popular conjure drug in New Orleans. But according to Cat Yronwood “It is
possible that someone Hurston talked to had mistaken this ubiquitous New
Orleans formula-family for Fast Luck ...or, … Hurston herself might have made
the error. In any case, the Fast Luck i know is the Cinnamon, Vanilla,
Wintergreen one.”
A highly simplified, cheap version of Van Van Oil is sometimes found under the name Henry's Grass
Oil.
HENRY'S GRASS OIL #1
lemongrass oil
a pinch of dried
lemongrass leaves
Put a dropper-full of the essential oil and a pinch of the
dried leaves in a 1/2 oz. bottle and fill the bottle with undyed cooking oil as
a carrier.
I have to say that IS cheap, and I would call it a rip
off. But then who knows? If it works, it works.
Except for Hexing, cursing, or jinxing Van Van Oil has many
purposes and many uses, from cleansing
your home or work area of negativity, to bringing in positive energy, luck,
money, love, protection the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. If you only make a few magical oils this
should be one of them.
Bright Blessings,
Ms. Q
