Bay laurel has been sacred to matters of the heart for thousands of years — carried by brides in ancient Rome, burned as offering to Apollo, whispered over by grandmothers who never called themselves witches but knew exactly what they were doing. This spell is simple by design. Simple magic, worked with honest intention, is some of the most powerful there is.
- 1 fresh bay leaf
- 1 red or pink candle
- A pen or pencil
- A small bowl or fireproof dish
- Matches or a lighter
Light your red or pink candle. As the flame catches, turn your full attention to the kind of love you want to call in. Not the face you want to see, but the feeling — the warmth, the safety, the joy of it. Let that feeling build before you touch the leaf.
On one side of the bay leaf, write a simple word or phrase — true love, soulmate, loving partnership. Keep it short; bay leaves are small and so is their patience. If you have a specific person in mind, write their name on the other side.
Hold the bay leaf close to your heart. Close your eyes. See yourself surrounded by loving energy — not longing for it, but already inside it. Feel the warmth of being truly loved and the pleasure of giving love back. Hold that vision until it feels real in your body.
Carefully light the bay leaf from the candle flame and set it in your fireproof bowl. As it burns, speak the words below three times. Wave the smoke toward yourself as you do.
With this smoke my wish takes flight,
bring me love that feels just right.
[speak the name, or simply: Love] — my heart calls to thee.
Love of my life, come to me.
Our union blessed by the power of three —
as I say it, so mote it be.
Let the candle burn down safely, or extinguish it mindfully with the intention of returning to the work. Take the cooled bay leaf ashes outside and scatter them to the wind, or bury them in soil. Return them to the earth and let the earth carry your wish forward.
There is no guarantee this spell will succeed on the first working, and you may need to repeat it. Keep in mind that the powers that be honor free will above all else — this is not coercion but energy pointed in a direction. External factors like distance, blocked communication, or the other person's own heart can slow or redirect a spell's path. And if the one casting doubts the working, that doubt becomes part of the working. Come to this with an open hand and an honest heart, and let what is meant to come, come.