Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends (21 page)

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy, may cause skin irritation; use in moderation Oil from the inner bark is pale to dark yellow with a warm, spicy, and slightly woody scent.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: So Below/Wood & Bark

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; hazardous if used on the skin

Magical Uses

Use cinnamon or cassia oil to spark awareness, stimulate psychic abilities, and support astral travel. These oils aid in divination and dream work, and are effective in defensive and sex magic. Also use them to increase the power and success of spells, and to support 29. Neil,
Gardener’s Latin
, 135

146 Essential Oil Profiles

clairvoyance. They are effective for consecrating amulets and magic tools as well as raising energy for ritual. These oils promote balance (
bark oil
), concentration, inspiration, and creativity. Dispelling negative energy, they promote higher vibrational energy (
leaf oil
) for spiritual purification and growth (
leaf oil
). Additionally, use these oils in spells to attract and strengthen love as well as to support protection (
bark oil
) and enhance overall security.

They also increase passion, lust, and desires. Cinnamon and cassia are effective for bolstering healing, longevity, and renewal. Use these oils to strengthen your sense of purpose (
leaf oil
) when confronting problems as well as increasing luck, money, and prosperity in your life. The cinnamon oils are also associated with defense, justice, and knowledge.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries, Capricorn, Leo

Solar System
: Jupiter, Mercury, Sun

Element
: fire

Goddesses
: Aphrodite, Venus

Gods
: Asclepeus, Dionysus, Helios, Ra

Citronella

Botanical Name
:
Cymbopogon nardus

Family
:
Poaceae

Also Known As
: lenabatu, mana grass, nard grass, Sri Lanka citronella

Anyone who enjoys backyard cookouts is familiar with anti-mosquito citronella candles.

The plant was introduced into Europe during the 1800s for use as a room disinfectant and insect repellent to thwart moths in linen cupboards. Cats and rodents are not fond of it, either. Indigenous to Sri Lanka, India, and Java, citronella is a tall perennial grass with cane-like stems and gray-green leaves. For centuries citronella oil was a component in Chinese medicine, but found more popular use in the West to scent inexpensive household soaps.

Oil and Blending Information

The leaves are steam distilled to produce a yellow-brown oil with a fresh, lemony-sweet, and herbaceous scent.

Essential Oil Profiles 147

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; may cause skin irritation

Magical Uses

One of citronella’s strongest properties is purification and it is especially powerful for protecting and purifying the aura for psychic work. It clears negativity and averts negative forces including overcoming hexes by returning the energy to its source. Citronella is instrumental in attracting friends, love, and prosperity. Use it to boost defensive and element magic as well as to ground and center energy before and after magic work. This oil also helps to focus the mind for communication and creativity. Citronella is also associated with growth, knowledge, purpose, strength, and vitality.

Correspondences

Solar System
: Sun, Venus

Elements
: air, fire

Clary Sage: See The Sage Oils

Clove

Botanical Name
:
Syzygium aromaticum
syn.
Eugenia caryophyllata

Family
:
Myrtaceae

The familiar clove is actually a dried, unopened flower bud. On the tree, the buds grow in clusters along with large, bright green leaves. Believed to have originated in Indonesia, this pyramid-shaped evergreen has a species name that means aromatic or fragrant. It was a custom on the Maluku Islands, part of Indonesia, to plant a clove tree when a child was born so he or she would have an indication of their age. In addition to being one of the earliest spices used in trade, it was also an all-purpose medicine. Today cloves are used for medicinal and culinary purposes worldwide.

148 Essential Oil Profiles

Oil and Blending Information

Two essential oils are obtained from this tree.

The flower buds are water or steam distilled producing a pale yellow oil. It has a sweet-spicy scent with a fruity hint.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above/Flowers

Warnings
: avoaid during pregnancy; may cause skin irritation; use in moderation The leaves are steam distilled producing a dark brown oil with a burnt-woody scent.

Strength
: 3
Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves

Warnings
: avoaid during pregnancy; may cause skin irritation; use in moderation
Magical Uses

Clove is exceptional at banishing negative energy and entities, making it a good amulet against harm. Use it to release hexes as well as to increase the success of your spells. This oil provides protection during energy work (
leaf oil
), divination, and clairvoyance sessions.

In addition, it stimulates the mind, promotes psychic awareness, and increases magical powers. Use clove oil in spells to attract money, love, prosperity, and luck. Clove supports emotional and sexual (
bud oil
) healing and encourages personal growth (
leaf oil
). Use it to bind and strengthen relationships, especially friendships in which there have been problems. Because clove improves memory, use it to access ancient knowledge as well as when seeking truth and purpose (
leaf oil
). It can also help bring beauty (
bud oil
), comfort, happiness, and longevity to your life. Clove increases creativity as well as spiritual vibrations making it useful for purifying sacred space. Clove is also associated with beginnings (
bud
oil
), courage, determination, fertility (
bud oil
), inspiration, lust, and wealth.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries, Leo, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio

Solar System
: Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Sun

Elements
: air, earth, fire

Essential Oil Profiles 149

Coriander

Botanical Name
:
Coriandrum sativum

Family
:
Apiaceae

Also Known As
: Chinese parsley, cilantro

Coriander has been cultivated for over 3000 years and is one of the oldest known flavorings. This annual herb has delicate leaves and umbels of white flowers. Coriander is native to southern Europe and western Asia and can grow almost three feet tall. The Chinese associated this spice with immortality and in India it is still used as an offering to deities. In ancient Egypt it was called the spice of happiness and used as an aphrodisiac as well as a funerary offering.30 The Greeks and the Romans used it medicinally and as a flavoring for wine. For centuries European monks carried on the custom of flavoring wine and tonics with it. Coriander is still widely used as a culinary and medicinal herb.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling the seeds produces a colorless to pale yellow oil with a sweet, spicy-woody scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above & So Below/Seeds
Warning
: use in moderation

Magical Uses

Coriander is an aid for clairvoyance, divination, and accessing memories. Use it to find a lover, excite passion, and keep him or her faithful. This oil is effective for element and sex magic as well as to consecrate charms and amulets. Its powers of protection work against negative influences especially for the home bringing peace and security. Coriander is instrumental for healing and well-being on many levels, especially emotional balance. It also supports fertility and longevity. Additionally, coriander is associated with beginnings, changes, cycles, renewal, and secrets.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries
Solar System
: Mars, Venus

Element
: fire

30. Wilson,
Aromatherapy
, 64

150 Essential Oil Profiles

Cumin

Botanical Name
:
Cuminum cyminum

Family
:
Apiaceae

Also Known As
: cummin, Roman caraway

Indigenous to Upper Egypt, cumin was used for culinary and medicinal purposes by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Hebrews. The Romans used it for flavoring and as a preservative. During the Middle Ages in Italy it was a symbol of love while in Germany cumin was baked into bread to keep a lover who ate it faithful. At that time it was one of the most common spices in Europe. Cumin is a small, delicate herb with feathery leaves, pink or white flowers, and ridged, oblong seeds. Its name comes from the Sanskrit
sughandan
meaning good smelling31

Oil and Blending Information

A pale yellow or greenish oil is produced by steam distillation of the seeds. It has a warm, spicy, and slightly earthy scent.

Strength
: 4
Scent Group
: spicy
Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above & So Below/Seeds

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; causes photosensitivity

Magical Uses

This oil is helpful for releasing negative emotions as well as negativity in the environment, and it is instrumental in restoring domestic peace. Use it for protection and to attract prosperity. Additionally, it aids in finding love, keeping a lover faithful, and sparking lust.

Cumin helps bring balance between the spiritual and the mundane, and is useful for purification. Use it to increase the effectiveness of spells as well as to instigate change. Cumin is also associated with beginnings, cycles, longevity, and renewal.

Magical Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries, Scorpio

Solar System
: Mars, Venus

Element
: fire

31. Raghavan,
Handbook of Spices, Seasonings, and Flavorings
, 101

Essential Oil Profiles 151

Cypress

Botanical Name
:
Cupressus sempervirens

Family
:
Cupressaceae

Also Known As
: French cypress, Italian cypress, Mediterranean cypress

Cypress is a conical-shaped, evergreen tree with brownish-gray cones and slender

branches. Its species name means ever-living, reflecting its symbolism of life after death.32

Originating in the eastern Mediterranean region, this tree was highly valued for medicinal and religious purposes since ancient times. In Egypt it was dedicated to Osiris, the god of the dead, and in Greece it was dedicated to Pluto the god of the Underworld. In Greek legend, Cyparissus was transformed into a tree because of his overwhelming sorrow at killing one of Apollo’s stags. Accordingly cypress became a symbol of solace. The Tibet-ans burned cypress for purification while the Phoenicians used the wood for shipbuilding.

Oil and Blending Information

The needles and twigs are steam distilled producing an oil that is pale yellow to greenish-olive in color. It has a woody and slightly nutty-spicy scent.

Strength
: 3
Scent Group
: woody
Perfume Note
: middle to base

Plant Part
: So Below/Twigs & Leaves

Magical Uses

This oil is a powerful ally when dealing with death and loss especially to provide comfort and healing. Use it at Samhain to remember and honor ancestors. Cypress is effective for centering and grounding energy before and after ritual. Use it to consecrate and bless ritual objects as well as for defensive magic. Cypress is supportive of spells that banish, bind, or provide protection. This oil aids in self-work when seeking truth, peace, and knowledge as well as growth and renewal. Additionally, it is instrumental developing awareness, focus, and clarity in divination and channeling. Use cypress for strength and wisdom when seeking justice. It is also associated with balance, changes, happiness, release, and transformation.

32. Wilson,
Aromatherapy
, 66

152 Essential Oil Profiles

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Capricorn, Pisces, Taurus, Virgo

Solar System
: Pluto, Saturn
Celebration
: Samhain

Gods
: Apollo, Cupid, Hades, Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn
Elements
: earth, water
Goddesses
: Aphrodite, Artemis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate

Dill

Botanical Name
:
Anethum graveolens

Family
:
Apiaceae

Also Known As
: dill weed, dillseed, dilly, garden dill

This plant’s common name comes from the Norse
dylla
meaning to soothe and its species name means strong scented.33 Native to southern Europe, dill can reach about three feet in height, has feathery leaves, umbels of yellowish flowers, and small, flat seeds. In addition to being associated with the cult of Dionysus, this plant was used as offerings to Adonis and Bacchus. Later during the Middle Ages, dill was a popular ingredient in love potions and commonly used to provide protection from witches and evil spirits.