Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends (32 page)

About the Oil

The chemical constituents of thyme vary widely according to where it is grown, which is why you will find many types of thyme oils. They are designated with CT meaning

chemotype. Thyme has about six or seven chemotypes, each with different therapeutic

86. Wilson,
Aromatherapy
, 126

228 Essential Oil Profiles

properties. I suggest using
Thymus vulgaris
CT linalool, which is known to be very gentle.

Designated as one of the white thyme oils, it is often used for people who are sensitive to the stronger types.

The first distillation of leaves and flower tops produces an oil called red thyme. This is because the color can be reddish, reddish-brown, or reddish-orange. Distilling the plant material a second time results in white thyme oil, which is clear or pale yellow. Linalool is a product from the second distillation and has a herbaceous, slightly sweet scent.87

Strength
: 4

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves & Flowers

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; may cause skin irritation; avoid with high blood pressure; use in moderation; may cause sensitzation

Magical Uses

Although thyme is a very common herb, it is a powerhouse for magical purposes. Thyme is well-known for its purification properties making it ideal for preparing ritual space and consecrating altars. Use it to stimulate energy for divination and psychic work as well as any type of work involving the fairy realm. Also use it to clear negative energy in general, and to enhance awareness for clairvoyance. Thyme boosts strength and courage, and provides protection during contact with the Otherworld. Use this oil to increase the effectiveness of spells involving love, luck, and money. As a healer, thyme fosters personal growth and well-being. It also aids in dealing with sorrow and helps bring happiness to the home.

This oil is also associated with confidence and renewal.

Magical Correspondences

Zodiac:
Aries, Capricorn, Libra, Taurus

Solar System:
Venus

Celebration:
Walpurgis

Elements:
air, water

87. Linalool is a type of naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in many essential oils. It was named for the oil from the linaloe tree.

Essential Oil Profiles 229

Turmeric

Botanical Name
:
Curcuma longa

Family
:
Zingiberaceae

Also Known As
: curcuma, haldi, Indian saffron, Indian yellow root, yellow ginger Sporting dull yellow flowers, turmeric has lance-shaped leaves on three-foot tall stems that grow directly from its thick, orange root. Native to southern Asia, this herb is a cousin to ginger and galangal and its history of culinary and medicinal uses date back to the 7th century BCE. Its common name comes from the Latin
terra merita
referring to a yellow mineral pigment that resembles the one produced from turmeric.88 In addition to dyeing priests’ robes, dabbing a little turmeric paste to the hem of a new garment was believed to make it auspicious. Turmeric pigment was also used in Hindu rituals especially women’s life-cycle ceremonies for puberty and weddings. With the belief that supernatural beings and evil spirits did not like the smell of burning turmeric, it was used to test whether a person was an ordinary human or a ghost.

Oil and Blending Information

A yellow-orange oil with a slight blue fluorescence is produced by steam distillation of the rhizomes. It has a fresh, spicy-woody scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: base

Plant Part
: So Below/Roots

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; may cause skin irritation; use in moderation; may cause sensitization

Magical Uses

With strong powers of purification that enhance the flow of energy, turmeric can be employed to protect a magic circle or to clear ritual space. It is also useful for breaking hexes as well as grounding and centering energy. Turmeric’s uplifting energy builds confidence and courage, which is particularly useful when connecting with the Otherworld. Inviting 88. Johnson and Foster,
National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine
, 36

230 Essential Oil Profiles

stability and longevity, this oil’s healing energy fosters a general sense of well-being. Turmeric is also associated with passion and secrets.

Correspondences

Solar System
: Mars

Elements
: earth, fire

Valerian

Botanical Name
:
Valeriana officinalis

Family
:
Valerianaceae

Also Known As
: cat valerian, common valerian, garden heliotrope, vandalroot

Despite the plant’s odor, which prompted Greek herbalist Dioscorides to name it
Phu
, valerian was a valued medicinal in the ancient world. Its common name is thought to have come from the Latin
valere
meaning to be well, and during the Middle Ages it was known as all-heal and blessed herb.89 It was also used as a culinary ingredient in soups as well as a sachet herb to scent clothing. Attractive to cats and rodents, it is believed that the Pied Piper of Hamelin used valerian to lure the rats away from the city. The name vandalroot comes from the Swedish
vändelrot
, a reference to its use by Teutonic tribes known as the Vandals.90 Indigenous to Europe, this five-foot tall plant has dark leaves and clusters of purplish-white or pink flowers.

Oil and Blending Information

The rhizomes are steam distilled producing an oil that is olive to brown in color. Its scent is warm, woody, and balsamic.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: woody

Perfume Note
: base

Plant Part
: So Below/Roots

Warnings
: use in moderation; may cause sensitzation

89. Chevallier,
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
, 146

90. Tucker,
The Encyclopedia of Herbs
, 498

Essential Oil Profiles 231

Magical Uses

Valerian’s powers of purification are useful in consecrating new ritual tools as well as ritual space. It aids in breaking hexes and provides protection for the home bringing peace, stability, and happiness. This oil opens the lines of communication for resolving problems as well as connecting with Otherworld spirits. Use valerian to support love and money spells. As a healer, valerian boots vitality and longevity, and keeps energy grounded during emotional turmoil. It is helpful for getting into a creative frame of mind. Use it to access knowledge and when seeking the truth within secrets. Valerian is also associated with cycles and kindness.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Scorpio, Virgo

Solar System
: Mercury, Venus

Elements
: earth, water

Goddesses
: Epona, Kupala

Vetiver

Botanical Name
:
Vetiveria zizanoides

Family
:
Poaceae

Also Known As
: vetivert, khus khus, moras

Native to southern India and Indonesia, vetiver is a grass with long, narrow leaves and straight, tufted stems that can reach six feet in height. Although its species name means that it resembles wild rice, vetiver oil was known as the oil of tranquility.91 Fans woven from this grass served double duty for cooling as well as imparting a delightful, soothing fragrance. This practice was quickly adopted by women in the southern United States

when vetiver was imported to America.

Oil and Blending Information

The roots are steam distilled producing an amber, olive, or dark brown oil. It has a rich, woody-smoky scent with sweet undertones.

Strength
: 5

91. Neil,
Gardener’s Latin
135

232 Essential Oil Profiles

Scent Group
: woody

Perfume Note
: base

Plant Part
: So Below/Roots

Magical Uses

Vetiver amplifies connection with the earth helping to ground and center energy as well as connect with the Underworld. Use it in defensive magic to amplify personal power as well as to break hexes. Vetiver is also effective in spells dealing with luck, love, and money.

It can bring both prosperity and protection to the home and family. Vetiver is a source of stability and strength for dealing with problems as well as emotional turmoil. This oil supports spiritual development and promotes balance between the spiritual and mundane. It is also associated with longevity and secrets.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Capricorn, Libra, Taurus

Solar System
: Jupiter, Saturn, Venus

Elements
: earth, fire, water

Goddess
: Yemaya

Yarrow

Botanical Name
:
Achillea millefolium

Family
:
Asteraceae

Also Known As
: blood wort, devil’s nettle, milfoil, nosebleed, thousand leaf Native to Europe and Asia, this herb has dense, pink-white flower heads atop three-foot tall stems. The ancient Chinese removed the branches of lacy leaves and trimmed the stems to use as
I Ching
divination sticks. They also considered yarrow a sacred plant because of its balance of yin and yang energies. To the Greeks, yarrow was an important medicinal herb which they named for the hero Achilles who reputedly used it to heal the wounds of his fellow soldiers. Although the Romans also used it to staunch bleeding on battlefields and called it
herba militaris
, it was more widely employed for common things such as nosebleeds. 92 The nickname devil’s nettle comes from the belief that this plant 92. Chevallier,
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
, 54

Essential Oil Profiles 233

was dedicated to Satan. It was used in spells and charms as well as strewn across doorways to keep witches from entering households.

Oil and Blending Information

The whole plant is steam distilled into a dark blue or greenish oil with a sweet herbaceous scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: N/A

Warning
: may cause sensitization

Magical Uses

Yarrow’s grounding energy clears away negativity, releases hexes, and banishes anything unwanted. Use it to purify ritual space and consecrate tools. It aids in stimulating intuition and psychic abilities (especially clairvoyance) by opening awareness to higher universal energies. This also makes yarrow a powerful ally for dream work and divination. Use yarrow in animal and defensive magic, for success in love spells, and to attract fairies. It also provides psychic and spiritual protection and aids in communicating with the spirits of loved ones who have passed. Yarrow engenders fidelity and longevity in marriage leading the way to happiness and well-being. It supports friendships that lead to emotional healing and growth. Additionally, yarrow provides the confidence and courage to tackle big problems as well as spiritual issues. It is also associated with abundance, beauty, beginnings, changes, fertility, and luck.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Cancer, Gemini

Solar System
: Venus

Elements
: air, water

Gods
: Achilles, Cernunnos

Ylang-Ylang: See The Cananga Oils

C H A P T E R 9

Carrier Oil Profiles

Almond, Sweet

Botanical Name
:
Prunus amygdalus
var.
dulcis

Family
:
Rosaceae

Some botanists believe that the sweet almond was a natural hybrid of wild species from western Asia.93 This tree has a bushy, round crown and finely-toothed, lance-shaped

leaves. Its peach-like fruit produces the familiar edible seed. Evidence of human use has been found in Bronze Age (3300–1200 BCE) sites in Greece and Cypress. In Greek mythology the god Attis was said to have been born of the almond. By the 14th century almonds were an important trade commodity in the Mediterranean region, which the

Knights Templar capitalized on by requiring almonds as tithes. For medieval magicians an almond branch was
the
rod of choice, and in Tuscany they were important as divining rods. Throughout Europe almonds symbolized good luck and were given at weddings for

long life and happiness.
Dulcis
in its name means sweet or mild.

About the Oil

Produced from the nut kernel, almond is considered an all-purpose carrier oil.

Scent
: faintly almond, nutty

Color
: pale yellow

Approximate Shelf Life
: 12 months

Plant Part
: As Above/So Below—Seeds

93. Rosengarten,
The Book of Edible Nuts
, 4

235

236 Carrier Oil Profiles

Magical Support

Sweet almond is instrumental in opening awareness for clairvoyance, divination, and connecting with spirits. Use it in spells when seeking abundance, knowledge, and prosperity as well as for finding your true love. It is especially helpful in blends for blessings and consecrating ritual space. Almond boosts protection spells and aids in bringing happiness and peace. It also aids in creativity and communication. Almond’s link with cycles and beginnings makes it a powerful carrier oil for springtime blends and any time renewal or change is sought. This oil fosters beauty, hope, and well-being. Almond is also associated with balance, fertility, longevity, luck, money, and wealth.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Gemini, Virgo