Florida Water is an Eau de Cologne or Cologne Water. It is known for its refreshing citrus smell with undercurrents of spicy and floral essential oils such as cloves and lavender in a water-alcohol base. It is the most popular perfume in the world, and it's named after the fabled 'Fountain of Youth,' which is purported to be located in Florida, as well as the 'flowery' nature of the scent.
Florida Water was first introduced in the United States in 1808 by the New York City perfumer Robert I. Murray. Although Florida Water has water in its name, it should be noted that its base ingredient is alcohol - unlike such products as Willow Water, Rose Water, Orris Water, and Orange Water, which are made from distilled water with added botanical fragrances. It is sold in botanicas and even in some pharmacies and is said to cure headaches, soothe fever and relieve muscle pains. Its strong magical and healing properties have made it a staple in Hoodoo and other Afro-American traditions. It is one of the commercial perfumes or toilet waters, along with Kananga Water and Hoyt's Cologne which is widely used among conjure practitioners. Nevertheless, Florida Water was never used in Hoodoo until Santeria's heavy immigration of Afro-Caribbean practitioners got in on the scene.
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Kwong Sang Hong Two Girls Florida Water.
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Popular brands of Florida Water are Murray & Lanman Florida Water Cologne and Kwong Sang Hong Two Girls Florida Water.
- Cleansing floor wash - Add Florida Water to your cleansing solution to add extra blessings of protection and good fortune.
- A foot bath or foot wash - Take a small stainless basin, add warm water and a splash of Florida Water and dip the feet for spiritual cleansing.
- Head wash - Place a cap full of it with your shampoo or hair conditioner to bless your head.
- Ritual or spiritual bath – Draw yourself a bath, add a dash of Florida Water, a handful of blessed salt, and 3 drops of Van Van, Uncrossing, or Jinx Killer oils.
- Laundry rinse – Add a dash of Florida Water to your fabric softener or final laundry rinse to bless and protect your clothes from cursing dust and powders.
- Libation - Use Florida Water in the cemetery or ancestral shrine to honor the ancestors or at the crossroads to open your path for opportunities.
- Spray or mist - Use it as a mist by mixing spring water and drops of selected essential oil and spraying it around your place to clear the air of any static and interference to allow for a peaceful and harmonious environment.
- Blessing - Sprinkle and wipe down all items on your altar with Florida Water to cleanse them of any negative energy and bless them to receive messages from the spirits and ancestors.
- Scrying - Scent bowls of blessed water for ink scrying, set out for spirit communication.
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| A scented bowl of water for scrying. |
Here are some well-known formulas of Florida Water one may use to make his own cologne:
FLORIDA WATER #1
- 3 oz of oil of bergamot
- 1 oz of oil of lavender
- 1 oz of oil of lemon
- 1 1/4 drachms of oil of cloves
- 2 1/2 drachms of oil of cinnamon
- 1/2 drachms of oil of neroli
- 6 oz of the essence of jasmine
- 2 oz of the essence of musk
- 8 pints of alcohol
-1 pint of rose water
Mix and, if cloudy, filter through magnesium carbonate.
Source: "Fortunes in Formulas For Home, Farm, and Workshop" edited by Garner D. Hiscox, M.E. and Prof. T. O'Conner Sloane, A.B., A.M., Em., Ph.D. (The Norman B. Henley Publishing Company, 1937)
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| Murray and Lanman Florida Water Soap and Cologne. |
FLORIDA WATER #2
- oil of bergamot 3 fluid ounces
- oil of lemon 1 fluid ounce
- oil of ylang-ylang 1 fluid ounce
- oil of lavender 1/2 fluid ounce
- oil of cinnamon 20 drops
- oil of cloves 12 drops
- oil of neroli 10 drops
- alcohol 1 gallon
- rose water (or distilled water plus light rose scent) 1 pint
Source: catherine yronwode from Lucky Mojo Curio Co.
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