Origins of Florida water

You ever wondered who and where Florida water came from? Over the year I have seen this 8oz bottle in the hands of my elders and wondered how this bottle you see now available at Walmart shockingly, has so much power and influence in our communities.

Florida Water was created in 1808 introduced as a Cologne, which some of us still use it for this very reason. It was inspired by the fountain of youth in Spain. Florida water was created to be worn as a cologne for its citrus fragrances and to RELIEVE headaches.

Spiritual Uses

Over 200 years, our enslaved ancestors used Florida water to clean their masters home. But I didn't find any specific details as to why we specifically replaced Holy water with Florida water. Only assumptions but my guess is our ancestors knew what significance the ingredients had and set intentions to use it for what it eventually was made to be. Florida water was now and then formally used for spiritual purposes such as protection, purification , and to attract money.

My Florida Wata.

I created my own not only because I love a good DIY day. But also because I said above I saw it being sold in Walmart and there was a Gucci campaign for a new perfume that resembled Florida water to me. Which told me it has been mass-produced and they are about to COLONIZE it. To my knowledge, I assumed POC were the only ones who used the Citrus juju in a bottle. Especially when I heard my Cancer Queen, Solange Knowles, reference it in her song, Almeda. I soon learned that pretty much every “spiritualist” uses the product with the same intentions. Allegedly. Therefore, I created my own because I wanted to keep it scary for me. I am a Cancer and as some of you may not know Cancers attach themselves to sentimental things that remind us of good memories. At least I do. I wanted to maintain the intention of what our ancestors used it for. I feel like many other spiritual tools our ancestors used in times of need are being mass-produced and colonized with wrong intentions. Like Sage, Polo Santo, Hoodoo and so much more. This is my way of taking it back. And I want you all to do the same.

Create your own!

You may take it back too by making your own with some of the ingredients below.

These are not my exact ingredients but some that are commonly used in homemade recipes. Please decide on what herb to use before using some herbs that may not be for you and your peoples!

• Lavender

• All Spice Berries

• Fresh Jasmine flowers

• Rose

• Bay Leaves

• Calendula

• Star Anise

• Orange peel

• Cinnamon

• Vodka

• Lemon peel

• Begaumont

• White Rum

Good Luck

Work Cited

1. About Florida water by Lanman & Kemp. Florida Water Lanman and Kemp. (n.d.). https://floridawater.com/pages/about