Helen E. Hansen
2004-02-18 03:45:41 UTC
From the first edition of The Herman Slater Formulary - March 1981
The fact that a specific item is not mentioned does not indicate that I
give my wholehearted approval to it. It only indicates that I have not
included any remarks concerning it in this brief paper. JMH
Page Four Paragraph concerning OILS
... It is held in common by Magickians that the larger number of oils used,
the stronger the effect of the ritual. ...
This is not necessarily so. Oils used in any ritual should
correspond to the result desired from the ritual. This also depends on the
type of magical operation you are using, Ceremonial magic and conjure or
religious magic having different requirements in this regard. The blanket
statement that Herman Slater makes here is not correct. It must be modified
to suit the conditions of the work being done.
Page Seven African Ju Ju powder
Ju Ju is a generic term in most West African nations referring
to the practice of magic or the casting of spells. There is no specific 'Ju
Ju' powder, just as there is no specific European Ceremonial Magical powder.
Aleister Crowley liked to use Galangal as a condiment on his
food. It adds a nice flavor to the taste of plain white rice. Its use in
crossing spells is debatable, as is its use in psychic development.
Page Eight Agarbatti Chandan Incense
This phrase means 'Religiously pure for offering to deities
Sandalwood incense.' Chandan means sandalwood, thus the formula he gives,
of Lavendar (Lavender) Bay and Hyssop is not at all what the incense
actually is.
Page Twenty One CAT's Eye
This is a seashell used to avert Malochia It is never an incense
or any other product but the shell itself. The Shell may be carried in a
mojo bag or worn as jewelry.
Page Twenty Two Chypre Oil
This is a wood oil used as a money drawing oil. It was a
favorite after shave of J. P. Morgan, and made up for him by a New York City
Chemist.
Page Forty Four Thieves Vinegar
This formula is so far off as to be silly. It shows a complete
lack of understanding of the materials of magic. Four thieves vinegar is
vinegar in which Garlic cloves are steeped. Red Wine vinegar is supposedly
preferred, but apple cider vinegar is satisfactory.
Page Fifty Seven Ju Ju Oil and Jua Jua Powder - Both variants of Ju Ju,
which see above. This simply illustrates Herman's lack of an occult
education. A friend of mine made excuses for him saying that he was 'just a
business man.'
Page One Hundred Two War Powder
War powder is rust, preferably scraped from a tool.
War Water is Water in which iron has rusted, leaving a color to
the water and some rust powder in it.
Iron Oxide can be used as the powder, and Iron oxide (Ocher) in
water can be used as war water. It is used in magical confrontations.
Page One Hundred and Three Wishbone Powder
Wishbone powder is used to feed the magic wishbone. This powder
is usually powdered and crumbled mullein leaf. It should be obtained form
the person who made the wishbone.
I think that these are enough examples to warn the prospective
user of this book of the difficulty with these formulas. Herman used a lot
of lavender, as he believed that it was favorable to gay men. It may have
been favorable to him, but I have no idea if it was, as I did not know him
that well.
At Herman's request, I once put my card up in his store, as I also did at
Weiser's Book Store at their request. I was told by someone else that
Herman took the card down as soon as I left the store. All of this was more
than twenty years ago, and had no real reference to those things which
happen today. Soon Herman and Ed B. will be forgotten as the mists of time
close over his activities.
Best Wishes,
John M. Hansen
The fact that a specific item is not mentioned does not indicate that I
give my wholehearted approval to it. It only indicates that I have not
included any remarks concerning it in this brief paper. JMH
Page Four Paragraph concerning OILS
... It is held in common by Magickians that the larger number of oils used,
the stronger the effect of the ritual. ...
This is not necessarily so. Oils used in any ritual should
correspond to the result desired from the ritual. This also depends on the
type of magical operation you are using, Ceremonial magic and conjure or
religious magic having different requirements in this regard. The blanket
statement that Herman Slater makes here is not correct. It must be modified
to suit the conditions of the work being done.
Page Seven African Ju Ju powder
Ju Ju is a generic term in most West African nations referring
to the practice of magic or the casting of spells. There is no specific 'Ju
Ju' powder, just as there is no specific European Ceremonial Magical powder.
Aleister Crowley liked to use Galangal as a condiment on his
food. It adds a nice flavor to the taste of plain white rice. Its use in
crossing spells is debatable, as is its use in psychic development.
Page Eight Agarbatti Chandan Incense
This phrase means 'Religiously pure for offering to deities
Sandalwood incense.' Chandan means sandalwood, thus the formula he gives,
of Lavendar (Lavender) Bay and Hyssop is not at all what the incense
actually is.
Page Twenty One CAT's Eye
This is a seashell used to avert Malochia It is never an incense
or any other product but the shell itself. The Shell may be carried in a
mojo bag or worn as jewelry.
Page Twenty Two Chypre Oil
This is a wood oil used as a money drawing oil. It was a
favorite after shave of J. P. Morgan, and made up for him by a New York City
Chemist.
Page Forty Four Thieves Vinegar
This formula is so far off as to be silly. It shows a complete
lack of understanding of the materials of magic. Four thieves vinegar is
vinegar in which Garlic cloves are steeped. Red Wine vinegar is supposedly
preferred, but apple cider vinegar is satisfactory.
Page Fifty Seven Ju Ju Oil and Jua Jua Powder - Both variants of Ju Ju,
which see above. This simply illustrates Herman's lack of an occult
education. A friend of mine made excuses for him saying that he was 'just a
business man.'
Page One Hundred Two War Powder
War powder is rust, preferably scraped from a tool.
War Water is Water in which iron has rusted, leaving a color to
the water and some rust powder in it.
Iron Oxide can be used as the powder, and Iron oxide (Ocher) in
water can be used as war water. It is used in magical confrontations.
Page One Hundred and Three Wishbone Powder
Wishbone powder is used to feed the magic wishbone. This powder
is usually powdered and crumbled mullein leaf. It should be obtained form
the person who made the wishbone.
I think that these are enough examples to warn the prospective
user of this book of the difficulty with these formulas. Herman used a lot
of lavender, as he believed that it was favorable to gay men. It may have
been favorable to him, but I have no idea if it was, as I did not know him
that well.
At Herman's request, I once put my card up in his store, as I also did at
Weiser's Book Store at their request. I was told by someone else that
Herman took the card down as soon as I left the store. All of this was more
than twenty years ago, and had no real reference to those things which
happen today. Soon Herman and Ed B. will be forgotten as the mists of time
close over his activities.
Best Wishes,
John M. Hansen