Oshun, African goddess of all things beautiful and erotic, is a playful, flirtatious coquette and—lucky for us—quite accessible as “she who responds,” so long as appropriate offerings and sincere compliments are bestowed upon her. She rules the “sweet waters” of rivers and streams, protects women, and is entirely irresistible to all who behold her. This alluring seductress does, however, get blue sometimes when she knows that the world is not as beautiful as it could be. Don’t let her down! Adorn a gorgeous, glittering altar of gold and yellow, sing her praises, and for heaven’s sake, take care of yourself. This will make her happy. Letting yourself go will not please her, and who wants a great goddess of beauty to be annoyed with them?
When we think of water deities, we imagine the sea—vast and powerful, contemptuous as it is calm. But there is much magic that resides in lakes, rivers, and streams, even in the tropical paradise where Oshun holds court. In this season of warmth and water, why not create a glamorous altar dedicated to this glittering beauty goddess? She will be most impressed. I’ve brought forth a few offerings of my own for her and for you, filled with the abundance of tropical treasures and all the sparkly things she holds dear: gold, jewelry, sacred amber, bright sunflowers, and that royal phoenix, the peacock. Oshun loves peacock feathers on her altar, but do be kind to our avian guides and take only what has been naturally discarded, or find something dazzling to represent their beauty, like an ornate scarf or a glimmering brooch.
Dedicate your next beauty ritual to this delightful goddess, shine in her glow, and thank her for showing up in your world. She loves the idea of a decadent spa day! Remember to call to her as you concoct the potions, singing her praises, and joyously celebrate the light she brings to you.
SWEET WATERS
FACIAL EXFOLIANT AND MASQUE
Conjures 2 to 3 treatments
1 teaspoon coconut powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin powder, or purée
(not pie filling)
1 teaspoon sunflower oil
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Juice of one thin wedge of lemon
1 amber stone
In a small bowl, blend all the ingredients together, except for the amber, taking care to break up any clumps of powder with a pestle or the back of a fork. Transfer to a beautiful bowl (ideally gold) and place the amber in the middle to absorb its energies. When you are ready for your beauty ritual, apply the potion to a clean face, first gently massaging in small circles to exfoliate, then allowing the masque to rest on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. You can add a bit more if you like before letting it dry. Remove with a warm, wet cloth, then rinse well. Pat dry, and follow with your treatment and moisturizing products. This treatment is divine, mignonettes! The intoxicatingly warm scent of toasted coconut butter cookie is inescapable, and when the potent skin polishing is delivered, you will feel energized, particularly when using both powders—if you opt for purée the masque will be a bit creamier.
Coconut
Ruled by the moon and water, coconut heightens your intuition and psychic abilities as it provides beauty fats for supple skin.
Pumpkin
Abundant and healing, moon-ruled pumpkin is packed with vitamins A and C, two of the most effective anti-agers around. It also has an earth energy to keep you steady right now.
Sunflower
The virile seeds of the sunflower bring love and solar magic alongside high protein, calcium, iron, B6, and magnesium.
Cinnamon
Love, money magic, and potent healing are gifts of this sexy spice, alongside a heightened sense of psychic awareness.
Lemon
It is our luscious lunar light, bursting with high vibrations of vitamin C, antioxidants, and cleansing prowess entwined with love and happiness magic.
Amber
Add a piece of rough-hewn amber to your potion to infuse it with solar magic. Amber has been revered for centuries as a beauty stone, particularly for its ability to circulate the blood. And it is sacred to Oshun, so there you have it!
Beauty Witch Secret:
The powdered version of this masque is actually my favorite and oh-so-easy to travel with, should you feel the breeze calling you. Just add lemon or spring water when you get there. It makes a fab full-body treatment too.
Speaking of nakedness and body treatments (weren’t we?), I have a sweet indulgence for your sun-kissed dry skin that will leave you feeling blissful, renewed, and sinfully seductive.
ÎLE NUE
BODY EXFOLIANT
Conjures 1 to 2 treatments
1 cup Himalayan pink salt
1 tablespoon coconut powder
¼ cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon pineapple juice, or well-mashed fresh pineapple
1 tablespoon sunflower-seed oil
Combine all ingredients and blend well with a whisk. If you are using fresh pineapple, make sure it is well-combined. Add a bit more coconut milk if you desire. Apply to clean skin, massaging in a circular motion. Pay particular attention to the driest areas and even allow it to sit on your skin a few minutes before rinsing. Rinse well, pat dry. Your skin will be soft, but follow with a moisturizer or oil as needed.
In addition to our voluptuous ingredients used in Sweet Waters, two powerful supporting actors join the cast:
Pineapple
Fire-powered pineapple detoxifies, boosts immunity with serious vitamin C, hydrates, supports strong bones, and eases digestion. It carries the magic of healing, love, and protection.
Himalayan Pink Salt both detoxifies and infuses with vital minerals.
And, last but never least, a beauty cocktail to celebrate life, love, this stunning season, and of course, Oshun herself. Feel free to add a splash of gin or rum—though I prefer the health benefits of gin, truth be told, to the sugar of rum. Both are appreciated by Oshun. And I do believe she might enjoy a few saucy giggles with you!
Beauty Witch Secret:
This will last refrigerated for several days and makes a gloriously cool body treat after a long day in the sun.
OSHUN’S POTION
BEAUTY COCKTAIL
Serves two
1 cup coconut milk
¼ cup papaya
¼ cup mango
½ cup pineapple
Coconut nectar or honey, to taste
Juice of ½ lemon
Dash of cinnamon, to taste
In a blender, combine all ingredients until smooth. Taste it. Add a bit more sweetener and cinnamon if you like—Oshun loves the flavor! She adores honey, but of course coconut nectar is an excellent vegan choice. In fact, it pairs incredibly well with fruit. This is delicious served chilled.
Papaya
Fleshy, sweet papaya is a tropical love fruit that casts its spell on your skin with its anti-inflammatory, exfoliating, and moisturizing prowess alongside lots of vitamin C for cellular regeneration.
Mango
Packed with beautifying vitamins C and A, this sweet, substantive love fruit brings sensuality and passion.
Coconut Nectar
This lightly sweet, low glycemic sweetener is rich in beautifying minerals and pairs well with fruit thanks to its citrusy flavor. Naturally, it carries the protective, spiritual, and psychic magic of the coconut.
Beauty Switch Secret:
Make extra—this becomes a decadent breakfast smoothie! Top with sunflower seeds and fresh fruit for a vibrant morning glow.
