Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends (26 page)

renewal. Additionally, this oil can help to manifest abundance and success in all areas of life.

Correspondence

Element
: water

Lovage

Botanical Name
:
Levisticum officinale

Family
:
Apiaceae

Also Known As
: common lovage, garden lovage, Maggi herb, old English lovage

Lovage gets it nickname Maggi herb from Swiss miller and inventor Julius Maggi (1846–

1912) who created the first instant, ready-to-use soup with it.55 Native to southern Europe and western Asia, lovage has dense foliage and greenish-yellow flowers. It can grow to six feet tall. The stalks, which look like giant celery, have been used as a vegetable since ancient times. The Romans adored it and used it for flavoring while the Greeks used it medicinally. In the Middle Ages it was known as loveache and love parsley. In England and eastern Europe it was used as an aphrodisiac as well as a deodorant. Lovage was both food and medicine for English colonists in America.

Oil and Blending Information

Two oils are produced from lovage.

Steam distilling the leaves and stalks creates a pale yellow oil with a spicy scent that has sweet-floral undertones.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: N/A

Warnings
: may cause photosensitivity; may cause sensitivity; avoid during pregnancy The steam distilled roots produce a light yellow to amber colored oil. It has a spicy scent with hints of celery and angelica.

Strength
: 4

55. Pauwels and Christoffels,
Herbs
, 59

184 Essential Oil Profiles

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle to base

Plant Part
: So Below/Roots

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; may cause photosensitivity; may cause sensitivity
Magical Uses

Lovage is instrumental in attracting a lover as well as promoting romance and passion.

It is also instrumental in magic related to sex. This oil can be used to activate energy for psychic and dream work. Use it for purification and clearing away negativity when seeking justice. Lovage can keep you grounded for divination and provides stability when connecting with the Otherworld. Lovage is also associated with cycles, longevity, renewal, and secrets.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Pisces, Taurus

Solar System
: Sun, Venus

Elements
: earth (
root oil
), fire

Mandarin

Botanical Name
:
Citrus reticulata

Family
:
Rutaceae

Also Known As
: European mandarin, mandarin orange, true mandarin

Cultivated for about 4000 years, the fruit of this small tree has been used medicinally throughout Asia. This native of southern China has glossy, oval leaves, white flowers, and easy-to-peel fruit that can be orange or yellow. The species name comes from the Latin
reticulate
meaning netted, which refers to the white net-like pith underneath the peel. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that mandarins were introduced into Europe.

Oil and Blending Information

The peel is cold pressed producing a greenish-orange oil with a sweet, almost floral-fruity scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: citrus

Essential Oil Profiles 185

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Fruit

Warning
: may cause photosensitivity

Magical Uses

Mandarin is well known for fostering prosperity, success, and well-being. It clears negative thoughts bringing clarity and inspiration. Use mandarin to strengthen your defenses when engaging in divination and magic work. It provides a boost in confidence that can increase the effectiveness of spells. Mandarin can also help manifest abundance when not used selfishly. In addition, this oil promotes spiritual development and aids in transcending the mundane. It is also associated with happiness and kindness.

Correspondences

Solar System
: Sun

Elements
: fire, water

Marjoram

Botanical Name
:
Origanum marjorana
, syn.
Marjorana hortensis

Family
:
Lamiaceae

Also Known As
: joy of the mountain, knotted marjoram, sweet marjoram

Marjoram is a bushy herb with dark green, oval leaves, and clusters of whitish-gray flowers. It it indigenous to the Mediterranean region. The Romans called it the herb of happiness and gave it to couples on their wedding day.56 The Greeks believed that marjoram blooming on a grave meant that the deceased had found eternal happiness. Marjoram was sometimes planted in graveyards to foster peace for the dead as well as their mourners.

Additionally, this herb was associated with longevity. During the Middle Ages marjoram was used for divination by anointing oneself before bed to encourage dreams of one’s future partner. It was also used to break witches’ spells.

56. Wilson,
Aromatherapy
, 91

186 Essential Oil Profiles

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling the flowers and leaves produces a pale yellow or amber oil with a

spicy-herbaceous and slightly woody scent.

Strength
: 3
Scent Group
: herbaceous
Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves & Flowers

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; use in moderation

Magical Uses

Marjoram is effective at Samhain or whenever there is a death, to bring comfort to the deceased and send them on a peaceful journey through the afterlife. For the living it eases sorrow, supports healing, and helps retain memories. Use it before ritual to balance personal energy and release negativity as well as to cleanse magic and ritual tools. Marjoram supports defensive magic, averts black magic, and protects the home. It also provides protection from hexes. This oil provides focus for psychic work and promotes the development of these skills. Use it to bolster sexual attraction and in dream work to help find your lover. Where marriage is concerned, marjoram aids in creating a foundation for security and happiness. Use it to initiate change and growth that brings prosperity and renewed purpose.Marjoram is also associated with beauty, fertility, vitality, and well-being.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aries, Gemini, Libra, Virgo

Solar System
: Mercury

Celebration
: Samhain

Element
: air

Goddesses
: Aphrodite, Kupala, Venus

The Mint Oils

Botanical Family
:
Lamiaceae

Mint was associated with Demeter who, according to legend, ate a puree of mint, flour, and water before pursuing Persephone into the Underworld. This mixture is said to have been used during the Mysteries of Demeter rituals at Eleusis. The genus name for mint comes from the nymph Menthe in Greek mythology who transformed herself into a plant

Essential Oil Profiles 187

to avoid the advances of Hades. In other versions of the story it is Hades who transforms her to evade the wrath of his wife Persephone.

Peppermint

Botanical Name
:
Mentha x piperitaAlso Known As
: balm mint, brandy mint With serrated leaves along stems crowned by tight whorls of tiny purple flowers, this annual herb is a mainstay of many gardens. Peppermint is a naturally occurring hybrid between spearmint (
Mentha spicata
) and water mint (
Mentha aquatic
). Its species name comes from the Latin
piper
because the taste of this herb has a hint of pepper.57 Peppermint was used medicinally and in the religious ceremonies of the ancient Greeks and Romans. By the 18th century it was widely used for medicinal and culinary purposes throughout Europe and North America. In 1879 mint-scented candles became enormously popular after the
British Medical Journal
noted that menthol relieved headache and neuralgia.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling peppermint leaves produces a pale yellow or greenish oil. Its scent is minty and camphoraceous.

Strength
: 5

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Flowers

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; may cause skin irritation; avoid if you have high blood pressure; not compatible with homeopathic treatment; use in moderation

Magical Uses

Peppermint stimulates the mind bringing clarity and focus while promoting inspiration and creativity. It increases psychic awareness and strengthens divination skills as well as prophetic dreaming. Use it to activate spells for attracting money, luck, and love. This oil can also be used to enhance sexual stimulation and lust. Banishing all forms of negative energy, peppermint’s powers of purification help to release memories and emotions. In addition, it is an aid for healing and for bolstering self-worth as well as for overcoming 57. Rose,
375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols
, 21

188 Essential Oil Profiles

problems. Peppermint is also associated with beauty, changes, fertility, and increasing vitality.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Virgo
Solar System
: Mercury, Venus

Elements
: air, fire
Goddesses
: Demeter, Kupala

Gods
: Hades, Pluto, Zeus

Spearmint

Botanical Name
:
Mentha spicata
, syn.
M. viridis

Also Known As
: green mint, lamb mint, our lady’s mint, sage of Bethlehem

The species name of this herb comes from the Latin
spicate
meaning with spikes.58 Similar to its cousin peppermint, spearmint has tight whorls of pink or lilac-colored flowers atop spikes of bright green leaves. This plant originated in the Mediterranean region. In general, mints were considered aphrodisiacs by the Greeks who also sprinkled spearmint leaves in bath water for restorative soaks. For certain festivals in ancient Rome, people wove the plants into garlands called
Corona Veneris,
crown of Venus.59 Spearmint was used by the Spanish as a strewing herb in places of worship while the Mayans used it to induce labor.

Oil and Blending Information

A pale yellow or olive colored oil is produced by steam distilling the flower tops. It has a spicy-herbaceous, minty scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: top

Plant Part
: As Above/Flowers

58. Neil,
Gardener’s Latin
, 115

59. Heilmeyer,
Ancient Herbs
, 92

Essential Oil Profiles 189

Magical Uses

Spearmint stimulates the mind strengthening concentration and memory. Use it to purify ritual objects as well as to increase spiritual awareness. Its protective powers are especially useful for the home because it fosters security and a sense of trust. Spearmint is stimulating and especially useful in spells for attracting love, luck, and prosperity. This oil is an aid for increasing vitality, promoting healing, and encouraging growth. Spearmint is also associated with beauty, changes, clarity, and fertility.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Gemini, Libra

Solar System
: Venus

Elements
: air, water

Gods
: Hades, Pluto

Goddesses
: Demeter, Kupala, Venus

Mugwort

Botanical Name
:
Artemisia vulgaris

Family
:
Asteraceae

Also Known As
: armoise, felon herb, St. John’s plant, wild wormwood

Named in honor of the goddess Artemis, protector of women during childbirth, mugwort was prescribed by Dioscorides and Hippocrates as a sedative to aid in the birthing process.

Roman soldiers also found this herb useful in their sandals to keep their feet in good condition while on long marches. Medieval pilgrims employed mugwort medicinally as well as an amulet for protection against beasts and demons. Additionally, it was believed that mugwort under the pillow would encourage prophetic dreams. In England its uses ranged from making beer to keeping moths out of clothes. This five-foot tall, branching perennial has dark green leaves, purplish stems, and yellow to reddish-brown flowers. Mugwort is native to eastern Europe and western Asia.

Oil and Blending Information

The leaves and flower tops are steam distilled producing a colorless or pale yellow oil. It has a bitter-sweet herbaceous scent that is slightly camphoraceous.

Strength
: 4

190 Essential Oil Profiles

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves & Flowers

Warnings
: abortifacient, avoid during pregnancy; orally toxic; hazardous if used on the skin
Magical Uses

Mugwort is instrumental in honing divination skills, especially scrying, as well as for purifying and consecrating divination tools. This oil enhances awareness as it aids astral projection and dream work. With strong defensive powers, mugwort protects against spells and provides excellent protection for the home. It supports the ability to see spirits as well as to contact spirit guides. Mugwort is particularly potent for energy and psychic work, and clairvoyance in particular. It can help you define your purpose for spells to attract or banish energy. Mugwort’s healing potential helps to release old baggage and encourage growth as well as invite happiness and beauty into your life. Additionally, this oil is associated with animals, beginnings, fertility, love, and strength.