Customer Reviews
Some useful info but a bit fluffy for my taste - By: Thelemite, 19 Sep 2007 
Since everyone else seems to be raving about this book I thought I'd offer an alternative view. I find the whole thing a little fluffy & fuzzy, frankly. That's not to say that there isn't useful information in here, but I'm not sure that one couldn't dig that up with a little searching on the internet.
A lot of the information is either common sense magickal knowledge (he bangs on a lot about focusing on intent during preparation) or could be better found in a book of correspondances such as Crowley's 777 or similar. There were some new correspondances I wasn't aware of, however.
The recipes section is a little odd also. It may give you a recipe & then tell you to not even consider using it, presumably since it contains strong or dangerous substances - perhaps a symptom of a culture of litagy, but nevertheless I found it strange. A simple disclaimer at the beginning of the book would be sufficient, surely? What's more, the recipes don't reallly contain any information other than the ingredients. He never mentions his sources for these recipes & on occasion says - "I've never been able to find substance X so use a substitute", marking out a few recipes as being not his invention. Where traditional recipes exist it would have been useful for them to be marked as such, & likewise where a recipe is simply his own devising.
My final criticism is one that I would level at alll Cunningham's stuff that I've read which is that I find his writing style a little irritating. He has a tendency to point out the obvious & for condecension, & he constructs arguments in a fuzzy manner. I find it a little weak & couched in too much new age fluffiness. Being used to reading Crowley, & being accustomed to that degree of mental alacrity, it is too large a step back to stomach.
All in alll some useful stuff here, if you can stomach the presentation, but little that could not be found on the internet.
Best book on potions etc you can have - By: , 27 Jun 2005 
Wonderful book. I am quite new to wicca & have found this book the most helpful so far for bath brews, oils & insense. Scott cunningham was one of the greats when it came to writing books of the craft & long may he continue to be. You won't go wrong with buying this book.
Excellent book - By: , 06 Jan 2005 This book is great,iv had this for a while now & i use it the most especiallly when i was a beginner,its excellent you can make up your own spells with the information,different oils for different outcomes,which incense to burn for what,how to make bath oils & what oils to mix & make magical oils for spell workings its so good,a full list of oils & what they are used for,its a definate must for any one following the wiccan path or anyone reallly whos interested in oils,and incenses,well worth the money
Brilliant book for everyone. - By: , 09 Jul 2004 I was so happy to recieve this book, it is so helpful & especiallly great for kitchen witches who work a lot with herbs.
To me it's an essential, & i highly recommend to just about everyone, as it also shows how to make gifts such as herbal bath teas, so you can even treat yourself. Well worth it!
Incense, Oils & Brews--Scott Cunningham - By: , 11 Jun 2004 Well thumbed, dirty around the edges & with so many place markings what else can I say!!
Being also an Aromatherapist & with a good grasp of the do's & dont's of the "Oil/Herb World" I found this a very welcome volume to my very extensive "libary".
What ever you believe in & whatever you decide to calll it. It will work.
Good to read with many varied "creams/lotions & potions" they are what you make of them, wether you 'empower'or not, the recipes/concoctions - for want of better words- should be done with love- as should anything that you make for yourself or for others,
So enjoy & take it as it is, an interesting volume well worth the space that it takes in your library.
