Thrice the brindled cat hath mew’d.

Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.

Bartenders say “‘Tis time, ’tis time.”

Round about the shaker go;

In the lychee liqueur throw.

Vodka, that under cold stone

Days and nights has thirty-one

Lychee flesh and rose sirop,

Muddle first i’ the charmed pot.

Cool it with a baboon’s blood,

Then the charm is firm and good.

By the pricking of my thumbs,

Something wicked this way comes.

Open, locks,

Whoever knocks!

Many of us will be celebrating the end of our working week tonight with various potions and rituals- and if we wish to stay in control of the night rather than letting it control us– we will be wise to whip up a spell to carry us through our social obligations with strength and safety.

Lychee is a very powerful fruit. A good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, niacin, and folates, it is also rich in Vitamin C and contains flavonoids and anti-oxidants that protect from various types of cancers, inflammation and arrests the rapid progress of degenerative diseases.

In ancient China, lychee was the favored fruit in the imperial corridors and very popular with the royal family who would get them transported to the capital at vast cost.

These days they are available in tins from the supermarket so clearly there is something to be said for progress.

The lychee represents protection, good health and high social status.

The significance of using rose will not be lost on anybody, I am sure. Roses are associated with Aphrodite, Adonis and Eros and their petals can be added to charms against the evil eye.

Romance can be an important part of the bacchanalian Friday night celebrations, so here the rose represents love and personal safety.

Vodka is another strongly magical ingredient- disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, rooted in ancient Mongolian shamanic rituals as the agent of connection to a higher form of consciousness, used for centuries as the source of visualisations to strengthen the mind and body, and in more recent times, getting wasted with your girlfriends down the disco.

The combination of lychee, rose and vodka will set you on the path to a satisfying and joyful evening while keeping you safe.

Sociable Potion

Ingredients

1 heavy dash of rose syrup

1 measure lychee liqueur

2 measures vodka- this should be kept in the freezer beforehand, much easier than keeping it under a cold stone for a month as the Weird Sisters advise

2 tinned or fresh lychee fruits

Method

Pour lychee liqueur into a chilled shaker and agitate with rose syrup

Add shaved or crushed ice to your taste- this is more effective than the old method of baboons blood for cooling

Add vodka and shake vigorously.

Decant into a classic Martini glass, chilled.

Garnish with lychee fruits and if you wish, add a tiny pinch of edible confectioners gold glitter to the garnish (Gilding the fruit shows a nice respect to its illustrious history). Note the presence of my familiar Jezebel here.

As you mix the drink, focus your attention and visualise yourself having a wonderful time with your friends.

Imagine the hilarious conversations you will have, and how everybody present will admire and respect you. See yourself as the centre of attention, adored and surrounded by golden light.

Head out to wherever your chosen destination is, and continue to visualise yourself as protected and warmed with golden light.

Happy Friday!