Sexy hexes

A week later on Friday night we meet again. First, we create a simple altar - a special place where we can focus our energies on the spells we wish to cast. We adorn the altar in each corner with representations of the four elements: a candle for fire, a feather for air, a small pot of earth and a small cup of water. We then place the following items on the altar (according to the book, they are basic love-magic items): red and pink rose petals, apples, Brazil nuts, a bay twig and some quartz crystals. Added to these are some bits and pieces specific to our individual spells.

Jo has two delicious smelling roses, one white and one red. On a small scroll of paper she writes a description of her ideal man, then as she rolls up the scroll she places a lock of her hair in the middle. Next, she cuts the flowers in half length-ways and places a white half to a red half with the scroll sandwiched between them; she then binds the lot together with some pink ribbon. We go out into the garden, appropriately lit by moonlight, and watch Jo throw one flower into the pond and bury the other in the earth.

Back in the house, Cara prepares her love-nurturing spell. Bizarrely, she has had to take mud from her partner's footstep, which she has brought with her in a little terracotta pot. The spell instructs her to hum quietly and think loving thoughts about him while planting marigold seed in the soil. The flowers, she tells us, are meant to symbolise loyalty and endurance, which will help to strengthen her relationship over time.

With my partner's blessing (and a little incredulity), I also begin my love ritual. I clear the altar and place on it a red rose (for passion), a pink rose (for affection) and a pink candle. The first step involves taking a long, hot bath and liberal application of rose water, which I did before the others arrived. Next, I have to evoke the four elements by reciting an invocation. I then ask for special help from fire spirits to bring me passion, and from air spirits to aid communication.