Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends (23 page)

Correspondences

Solar System
: Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus

Zodiac
: Aries

Celebrations
: Beltane, Yule

Elements
: air, earth, fire

Goddesses
: Artemis, Athena, Cerridwyn, Cybele, Diana, Frigg, Hecate, Iduna, Inanna, Isis, Persephone, Rhea

Gods
: Adonis, Attis, Bacchus, Dionysus, Osiris, Pan

Frankincense

Botanical Name
:
Boswellia carteri

Family
:
Burseracea

Also Known As
: olibanum

While olibanum was the name used by ancient Romans, the name frankincense dates to

10th century French meaning high quality incense. Commonly burned in temples, frank-

incense was believed to deepen the spiritual experience and open the way to enlighten-ment. Egyptians offered it to the gods while the Romans used it for both religious and secular ceremonies. Since ancient times it has been used in medicines and cosmetics. Originating in the Red Sea region, this small, shrubby tree has dense foliage and white or pale pink flowers.

Oil and Blending Information

The oleoresin is steam distilled producing a pale yellow or greenish oil with a rich resinous, woody scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: resinous

Essential Oil Profiles 161

Perfume Note
: base

Plant Part
: So Below/Resins

Magical Uses

Frankincense has a long tradition and connection with spirituality, inspiration, knowledge, and strength. This oil is instrumental for astral, dream, and psychic work as well as divination and reaching higher levels of awareness. It helps to focus energy and enhance concentration for magic work. Use frankincense to create sacred space and to consecrate altar goods before ritual. As an aid for past-life work, it can break unwanted connections with the past that inhibit personal growth. It is instrumental for clairvoyance as well as communication with spirits. It is also effective for banishing negativity, providing psychic protection, and power for any form of defense. Frankincense promotes healing that supports vitality and longevity. When seeking justice, this oil brings clarity, courage, release, and success. Use if for attracting love and happiness into your life. Additionally, frankincense is associated with balance, comfort, control, renewal, and transformation.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Solar System
: Moon, Sun

Celebration
: Yule

Elements
: air, fire, water

Gods
: Baal, Helios, Ra

Galangal

Botanical Name
:
Alpinia officinarum

Family
:
Zingiberaceae

Also Known As
: Chinese ginger, Indian root, lesser galangal, Low John the Conqueror Known as the mild brother of ginger, galangal is a reed-like plant with white, red-lipped flowers.

This native of southeastern China can reach three feet in height. The name galangal comes from the Arabic
khalanjan
meaning mild ginger.38 Although it is called the lesser 38. Grieve,
A Modern Herbal
, 339

162 Essential Oil Profiles

galangal, because it it smaller in size than
Alpina galanga
(the greater), it is considered more important because of its medicinal applications. In India it has been used for over a thousand years in curries and perfumes as well as in Ayurvedic medicine. Galangal

was introduced into Europe in the 9th century by Arabian physicians. Christian mystic Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) called it the spice of life and by the Middle Ages it was well known in England as galangale.

Oil and Blending Information

The rhizomes are steam distilled into a greenish-yellow oil with a spicy, camphoraceous scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: So Below/Roots

Magical Uses

Galangal is a great ally for psychic and astral work. This oil aids in increasing the power and successfulness of spells, especially those for banishing, and provides protection from hexes. It is also instrumental for protection during magic and healing work as well as consecrating tools and grounding energy after ritual. Use it in spells to attract money and wealth, to overcome injustices, and turn wishes into reality. Galangal’s ability to stimulate can be used for luck, love, lust, or passion. It is especially helpful in returning negativity or enchantments back to those who initiate them. Associated with the Otherworld, galangal heightens awareness which can provide courage and comfort when letting go of loved

ones. Galangal is also associated with longevity, secrets, stability, strength, and well-being.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries, Scorpio

Solar System
: Mars, Sun

Celebration
: Litha

Elements
: earth, fire

Goddess
: Kupala

Essential Oil Profiles 163

Galbanum

Botanical Name
:
Ferula gummosa

Family
:
Apiaceae

Also Known As
: bubonion, galbanu gum

Galbanum was used throughout the ancient world as incense in holy places. Later during the Middle Ages it was part of the incense mixtures used in the Hermetic tradition. To the people of the Middle East and Egypt it was known as Mother Resin and used to ease childbirth.39 Additionally, the Egyptians used it in cosmetics as well as the embalming process. Indigenous to the Middle East and western Asia, galbanum is a large herb with shiny leaflets and small, white flowers. Its genus name means hollow stem.40

Oil and Blending Information

A colorless, pale yellow, or olive colored oil is produced by water or steam distillation of the oleoresin. Its resinous scent is slightly herbaceous with a woody undertone.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: resinous

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: So Below/Resins

Magical Uses

Use this oil to purify and create sacred space for ritual and meditation. Galbanum supports spirituality, divination, and psychic work especially channeling. Its association with death and the Underworld makes it an appropriate oil for connecting with ancestors or others who have passed beyond the veil. Use galbanum for anointing and blessing, and whenever healing is sought. It is also associated with control, cycles, renewal, and vitality.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Libra, Scorpio

Solar System
: Venus

Celebration
: Samhain

Elements
: air, water

39. Illes,
Pure Magic
, 236

40. Neil,
Gardener’s Latin
, 51

164 Essential Oil Profiles

Geranium, Rose

Botanical Name
:
Pelargonium graveolens,
syn.
P. roseum

Family
:
Geraniaceae

Also Known As
: storkbill

Rose geranium is not the familiar garden plant, and in fact, there are more than 700 varieties of geraniums but only a few produce essential oil. With lobed leaves and small, pink flowers, this native of South Africa can grow up to three feet high. Its genus name comes from the Greek
pelargos
meaning stork, referring to the long seed pods that resemble a stork’s bill. The species name means heavily scented.41 The word rose was added to its common name when perfumers discovered that it smelled so much like the real thing

they substituted this less expensive ingredient in their products. In 17th century Europe, it was believed that geraniums in the garden protected the home from evil spirits.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distillation of the entire plant produces a greenish-olive colored oil with a rosy, sweet, and somewhat minty scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: floral

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: N/A

Warning
: may cause sensitization

Magical Uses

Rose geranium is about the self, growth, creativity, and gaining control of life. It enhances focus for astral work and increases psychic energy. Use it for purifying and consecrating ritual and magic tools as well as for elf magic. Geranium provides protection, strength, and success for spell work. In addition, geranium aids in breaking hexes and attracting luck. It is also instrumental when seeking peace, happiness, and security. The rosy aspect of this oil enhances beauty, and the ability to attract love and friendship. Geranium is an aid to healing in the areas of sexuality and fertility as well as the emotions when recover-41. Rose,
375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols
, 204

Essential Oil Profiles 165

ing from sorrow. Additionally, it is associated with communication, confidence, courage, and spirituality.

Correspondences

Solar System
: Mars, Venus

Zodiac
: Aries, Cancer

Celebration
: Walpurgis

Element
: water

Ginger

Botanical Name
:
Zingiber officinale

Family
:
Zingiberaceae

Also Known As
: common ginger, Jamaica ginger

Ginger’s genus name comes from the Sanskrit meaning horn shaped, which refers to the shape of its root.42 This large perennial plant has reed-like stalks, spear-shaped leaves, and spikes of yellow or white flowers. Originating in southern Asia, ginger is one of the oldest known spices and is used worldwide for culinary and medicinal purposes. Early European settlers in the United States used it to make what they called small beers, which resulted in ginger beer and ginger ale.43 Baked into desserts, gingerbread became an artistic medium in its own right.

Oil and Blending Information

A pale yellow, amber, or greenish colored oil is produced by steam distillation of the roots.

Its scent is spicy, woody, and rich.

Strength
: 4

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: So Below/Roots

Warnings
: may cause skin irritation; causes photosensitivity; may cause sensitization 42. Foster and Yue,
Herbal Emissaries
, 93

43. Phaneuf,
Herbs Demystified
, 142

166 Essential Oil Profiles

Magical Uses

Ginger is instrumental for astral work as it helps align the subtle bodies as well as keep the physical body grounded. It is a purifier on many levels but especially for personal energy and emotional cleansing. Use it to purify magical tools, for success in magic work, especially moon or sex magic, and for connecting with the Otherworld. It aids in releasing hexes as well as increasing magical power and energizing psychic work. Use ginger for success in attracting money or a lover. The healing attribute of ginger helps in dealing with problems especially in relationships and sexuality in general. Additionally, it can stimulate vitality bringing stability, longevity, and general well-being. Ginger is also associated with beauty, courage, inspiration, memories, and secrets.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Scorpio

Solar System
: Mars, Moon

Elements
: earth, fire

Grapefruit

Botanical Name
:
Citrus
x
paradisi

Family
:
Rutaceae

Grapefruit is a hybrid of the pomelo (
Citrus maxima
) and sweet (
Citrus sinesis
) oranges.

Pomelos are a fruit from southeast Asia that were introduced into Barbados around 1696.

Growing to about 30 feet tall, this tree has glossy leaves and large, yellow fruit. It is the only citrus fruit native to the Americas.

Oil and Blending Information

The entire fruit is cold pressed to produce a yellow or greenish oil with a sweet and citrusy scent.

Strength
: 4

Scent Group
: citrus

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: As Above/Fruit

Essential Oil Profiles 167

Magical Uses

Grapefruit is instrumental for heightening clairaudience skills and other psychic powers. It fosters inspiration and the ability to connect with one’s inner child. Its powers of purification balance the emotions and restores energy. Use grapefruit to increase overall strength, enhance spirituality, and manifest abundance. In addition, grapefruit’s healing properties promote well-being and a sense of confidence. This oil is also associated with kindness and success.

Correspondences

Solar System
: Sun

Elements
: air, water

Helichrysum

Botanical Name
:
Helichrysum angustifolium
syn.
H. italicum

Family
:
Asteraceae

Also Known As
: curry plant, everlasting, immortelle, Italian strawflower, St. John’s herb With branching stems that have been described as wand-like, helichrysum is a two-foot tall herb indigenous to the Mediterranean region. Its species name means narrow leaved describing their pine needle appearance. Although not used in curry, the aroma of its leaves are reminiscent of that Indian dish. The names everlasting and immortelle come from the fact that its yellow flowers keep their color and do not fade when they are dried. This has made it popular for dried flower arrangements, which is how helichrysum is most widely known today. In the past it was used medicinally to treat a range of disorders.

Oil and Blending Information