There is often a feel of magic in the air as Halloween approaches, and all things supernatural seem possible. Whether you are a tricker or a treater by nature you may feel the urge to bring a little magic into your love life, and short of parading around town in that sexy nurse costume, want to find a way to attract that special someone. Dating back to ancient times men and women alike have sought out love spells.

Folklore has suggested everything from taking the earth from the footprint of the man you love and putting it in a pot and planting a sunflower in it so as the plant blooms so will your love, to finding a triple-yolked egg and frying it up and feeding it to him to walking naked in the moonlight scattering rose petals behind you to attract a new lover. One charm was known as "cockle bread" where a young country lass would knead bread with her inner thighs then serve it to the man she wished to fall in love with her. (This gives a whole new meaning to dough "rising."). A man in search of love was advised to seek out a yarrow plant which was growing on a young woman's grave and put it in a flannel bag under his pillow every night then he would see his lover in a dream.

Start With Yourself

But what really is a love spell about and how does it work?

Sarah Lyddon Morrison explains in "The Modern Witch's Spellbook", "The trick is to explore the powers of the mind – to control and strongly focus them and then attain seemingly impossible goals with them." And certainly for some, finding true love does seem like an impossible goal. However, this is not just about putting a spell on someone
Morrison cautions, "Any power that's used injudiciously, haphazardly, and without careful thought eventually snarls back around and trips him or her up." Indeed in Wicca, which is the formal term for witchcraft, the motto is, "If it harms none do thou what you will."

According to Scott Cunningham, (yes, men can be witches too, not warlocks), you should picture yourself in a mutually satisfying relationship although he advises, "Don't create an image of that man you saw at the office yesterday or the cute woman down the hall. Do not visualize a specific person. See yourself and another human being in a happy relationship." There is a strong belief in the Wiccan community that you cannot interfere with another person's free will and put a spell on a specific person to fall in love with you. What if that's not ultimately the right guy or gal for you and now you can't get rid of them. (Sounds like the next Adam Sandler movie.)

Elisabeth Brooke in "A Wisewoman's Guide to Spells, Rituals, and Goddess Lore" explains, "Magic is best used for the general good or for self development. If your relationship with yourself is wobbly, do spells to like yourself better; no one can love you unless you love yourself." She also feels strongly about being too specific and tells the story of a woman who made a very detailed list of what she wanted in a beau and he did turn up having all of those qualities…as well as a wife. Oh, yeah be sure to mention that you want someone truly available.

Thoughts Are Energy

"You definitely are what you think about!" says Silver Ravenwolf who was putting out this message long before anyone watched "The Secret." She says in her book "To Ride A Silver Broomstick", "Your overall outlook on life is important not only to your physical and mental health. To be successful in any endeavor you have to 'think' success. This is why when witches perform magic they act and speak as if the positive outcome has already taken place." Diane Stein also points out in the "Women's Spirituality Book", "To go a step further, thoughts are not only things that affect the self, but are things that affect others."

So if this is about attitude adjustment and putting it out into the universe that you are ready for a fantastic available new love, how do you get there?

Creating A Ritual

Gerina Dunwich lays out the importance of the focus of ritual in "Wicca Craft", "The moon and its phases are the most essential part of magic. A waxing moon (the time from the new moon through the first quarter to the full moon) is the proper time to perform spells that increase love." She also points out that you can't be successful if your energy is low or your mind or body is clouded with drugs or alcohol. She also suggests rituals for love to be performed on a Friday which is ruled by Venus where pink candles are lit and sandalwood and rose incense or oil is around to stimulate the olfactory senses.

Famed aromatherapist Robert Tisserand has a formula for an aphrodisiac bath which has one drop of ylang-ylang oil, four drops of sandalwood oil, and one drop of jasmine oil which can be combined in oil like grape seed or jojoba. He says, "Aromatic baths affect us in a number of ways in addition to the scent which is pleasing to the nose as well as the spirit. There is the physiological action of the essence on the nervous system and the rest of the body, which takes place even though only a very small amount of the oil is absorbed through the skin."

Scott Cunningham also writes about the power of true essential oil scents (don't buy the cheap synthetic version) and suggests a few great love oils:

Magnetic to attract men: Gardenia, Jasmine, Lavender, and Neroli
Magnetic to attract women: Bay, Patchouli, and Vetivert

Good Vibrations

Cunningham works with the herbs as well as the oils and speaks of a subtle influence on a subconscious level. He lists a number in his "Encyclopedia of Magic Herbs" including: Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Geranium, and Rosemary. He explains, "No one will walk up to you and say, 'Hi. I just couldn't help but notice your love vibrations.' Instead love herbs will place you in a situation where you will meet people, help you overcome shyness, and communicate that you are more than in the mood for love." The way it works is to run your fingers through the herb and visualizes your goal chanting your intention. Then he suggests that you place the enchanted herbs in a bag and take it to a wild place and with your hands dig a small hole in the earth and pour in the herbs into the earth. He also gives the option of taking the herbs to the sea shore and while visualizing your need, with a sweeping motion, scatter them into the water.

Practitioners advise that you can customize your love spell ritual and bring in elements which hold meaning for you whether it is roses or your favorite book of poetry or a statue of Aphrodite. Pick that Friday with a waxing moon, get your body, mind and soul on the same page with a relaxing aromatic bath, light white and pink candles for protection and romance, and visualize your image of true love. Use the power of that thought to put your positive vibration out into the world. Then all you have to do is smile and believe.

And heck, if all else fails, there's always the sexy nurse outfit.