Rootworkers know just how important and essential Florida Water is for almost every foundational practice that we do in our tradition from cleansing to sweetening to spiritual baths and head rogations to feeding our ancestors. Florida Water is a staple across not just hoodoo, but also many other Africana and Latine religions and folk traditions. You can read more about it here.
While it’s possible to buy Florida Water in botanicas, on Amazon, and even in Walmart these days, any rootworker knows that homebrews are usually the best. There’s plenty of recipes out there, but here’s one of my favorites adapted from Roots, Stones, Sticks, and Bones by Stephanie Rose Bird.
Ingridients:
16 ounces of fresh water
¼ cup 100-proof vodka (for ages 21+)
6 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops clove bud essential oil
8 drops bergamot essential oil
Tools:
Measuring cups for the water and vodka
A dropper for the essential oils
A clean glass jar, bottle, or another container
A clean bowl
Instructions:
1) Pour some water into a clean bowl. Freshwater from a natural, local source like rain or river water is ideal, but if you use non-tap water, make sure you filter it and boil it so that it’s as clean and sterilized as possible.
2) Bring the bowl of water even to your face so that you can speak your ashe (energy and intent) over the surface of the water. Recite Psalm 25 or any other prayer that relates to cleansing, blessing, and/or protection. Let your voice resonate over the water.
3) Add the other ingredients to the bowl starting with the alcohol and then each of the drops of essential oils. Concentrate on what you intend to use the Florida Water for as you mix in each ingredient. Gently stir clockwise until thoroughly mixed and blended evenly together.
4) Pour the contents of the bowl into your glass jar, bottle or container for the Florida Water. With the alcohol, it’ll be highly flammable so make sure to store it safely away from heat, candles, and flames.
5) Now you can use your Florida Water! Check out these 19 different ways you can incorporate it into your practice. If you have an ancestor altar, you may want to ask your ancestors to bless the Florida Water for you and leave the fresh batch on the altar for a few days before using it.
