Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends (27 page)

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Cancer, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius, Taurus

Solar System
: Moon, Venus

Celebration
: Samhain
Elements
: air, earth, water

Goddesses
: Artemis, Diana

The Myrrh Oils

Botanical Family
:
Burseraceae

The word myrrh comes from the Arabic and Hebrew
murr
and
mor
meaning bitter.60 The genus name of these plants,
Commiphora
, means gum bearing.61

Myrrh

Botanical Name
:
Commiphora myrrha

Also Known As
: common myrrh, hirabol myrrh

60. Johnson and Foster,
National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine
, 256

61. Rose,
375 Essential Oils and Hydrosol
, 20

Essential Oil Profiles 191

The Greeks called this thorny, shrubby tree
balsamodendron
, balsam tree.62 Native to northeastern Africa and the Red Sea region, myrrh was in high demand throughout the ancient world as an ingredient for perfume and medicine. It was also used for ritual purification for the living as well as the dead. With the belief that its aroma pleased deities, myrrh became an important temple incense in Egypt. It was used as a midday offering to the sun god Ra and a moon offering in temples dedicated to Isis.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling the resin produces a pale yellow to amber colored oil that has a rich, bitter-spicy scent.

Strength
: 4

Scent Group
: resinous

Perfume Note
: base

Plant Part
: So Below/Resins

Warning
: avoid during pregnancy

Opopanax

Botanical Name
:
Commiphora erythraea
var.
glabrascens

Also Known As
: bisabol, sweet myrrh

Similar in appearance but smaller than its cousin myrrh, opopanax is indigenous to eastern Africa where the scented bark from this tree has been burned as an incense for centuries. Often spelled opoponax, its common name is a source of much confusion. From the Greek
opos
, juice, and
panax
, plant, opopanax came to mean all healing juice and was associated with the gum from the parsnip-like
Opopanax chironium
in the
Apiaceae
botanical family.63

Oil and Blending Information

The oleo gum is water or steam distilled producing a yellow, orange, or olive colored oil.

It has a sweet-balsamic, spicy scent.

Strength
: 3

62. Miller & Miller,
The Magical and Ritual Use of Perfumes
, 46

63. Rose,
375 Essential Oils and Hydrosol,
195

192 Essential Oil Profiles

Scent Group
: resinous

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: So Below/Resins

Magical Uses

Although different in aroma, the myrrhs are powerful purifying scents. Use them to consecrate altars, and amulets as well as ritual and magic tools. The myrrhs enhance awareness and focus for divination, past-life, and psychic work as well as communicating with spirits.

Instrumental for angel, animal, and sex magic, these oils provide strength for manifesting your intentions. They are powerful allies for dispelling hexes and banishing what you no longer need. Use these oils to build a protective shield when casting spells as well as to bolster control and success. Also use them to clear away negativity when preparing sacred space as well as to ground energy after ritual. These oils release emotional and spiritual blockages bringing healing, renewal, and transformation. Fostering balance and well-being, the myrrhs aid in confronting problems. Working with subtle energy, the myrrhs help deal with loss and sorrow when a loved one passes bringing comfort and peace. These oils are also associated with abundance, growth, longevity, and vitality.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Aquarius, Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces, Scorpio

Solar System
: Jupiter, Mars (
opopanax
), Moon, Pluto, Saturn, Sun

Celebration
: Yule
Elements
: air, water

Goddesses
: Aphrodite, Cybele, Demeter, Hecate, Isis, Juno, Rhea

Gods
: Adonis, Ra, Saturn

Myrtle

Botanical Name
:
Myrtus communis

Family
:
Myrtaceae

Also Known As
: Corsican pepper

Native to northern Africa, myrtle was commonly believed throughout the Middle East to be a plant from the Garden of Eden. This evergreen shrub has dark, pointed leaves, white flowers, and purplish-black berries. A symbol of sensual love, passion, and immortality, Greek brides adorned themselves with the flowers for good luck as well as to enhance fer-Essential Oil Profiles 193

tility. While myrtle was also an emblem of peace to the Greeks who dedicated it to Aphrodite, the Romans considered it an icon of victory “through persuasion and negotiation.”

64 In addition, Romans burned myrtle leaves as smoke sacrifice in temples and adorned home altars with its branches. Both the Greeks and Romans used it in honor of poets indicating that their work and fame would live forever. It was also a crown of honor that the priests of Persia wore during rituals. Through the centuries myrtle retained its glamour and in the 1700s it was used in a skin lotion called Angel’s Water.

Oil and Blending Information

Myrtle leaves are steam distilled into a pale yellow or orange oil that has a sweet-herbaceous and slightly camphoraceous scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: middle to top

Plant Part
: As Above/Leaves

Magical Uses

Myrtle is strongly associated with love, marriage, and sexual passion. It also promotes fertility and fidelity, and aids in dealing with sorrow. This oil supports psychic work, particularly communication with those who have passed beyond the veil. It aids in finding peace by releasing emotions. Myrtle is instrumental in attracting abundance and blessings to the home as well as keeping it safe. Use it to bolster energy for creative projects and anything that fosters personal growth. Myrtle enhances determination and provides

strength when defining your true purpose in life. Myrtle is also associated with cycles and prosperity.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Sagittarius

Solar System
: Venus

Celebrations
: Lughnasadh, Mabon

Elements
: air, water

Goddesses
: Aphrodite, Artemis, Astarte, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus

Gods
: Dionysus, Eros

64. Heilmeyer,
Ancient Herbs
, 72

194 Essential Oil Profiles

Neroli: See The Orange Oils

Niaouli

Botanical Names
:
Melaleuca viridiflora
and
Melaleuca quinquenervia viridiflora
Family
:
Myrtaceae

Also Known As
: broad-leafed tea tree, punk tree

Native to Australia, niaouli is a cousin to cajeput, tea tree, and eucalyptus. The niaouli tree has small, pointed leaves and spikes of yellowish flowers. Niaouli oil was originally called Gomenol for the province of Gomen in New Caledonia, north west of Australia where it was first distilled.

Oil and Blending Information

Niaouli is produced by steam distillation of the leaves and young twigs. The oil can be colorless, pale yellow, or greenish and has an earthy-herbaceous scent reminiscent of eucalyptus.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: herbaceous

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: So Below/Twigs & Leaves

Magical Uses

With strong cleansing properties, this oil is ideal for purification of areas and objects. Also waft it in the air before magic work to clear negative thoughts and energy. Niaouli helps dispel mental fatigue, invigorate the mind, and balance emotions. It also boosts protection and strengthens determination. This oil fosters kindness and hope while promoting healing and growth.

Correspondences

Solar System
: Mercury

Elements
: air, earth

Essential Oil Profiles 195

Nutmeg

Botanical Name
:
Myristica fragrans
, syn.
M. officinalis

Family
:
Myristicaceae

With shiny, oval leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers, this tree produces two well-known aromatic spices: nutmeg and mace. Not surprisingly, its species name means

scented. In the 7th century, Arab physicians noted nutmeg’s use as a general digestive remedy as well as an aphrodisiac. By the 12th century, nutmeg was introduced into Europe where it was often worn as an amulet to ward off illness. The tree is indigenous to Indonesia.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling the seed kernels produces a white or pale yellow oil that has a sweet, warm-spicy scent.

Strength
: 4

Scent Group
: spicy

Perfume Note
: middle

Plant Part
: As Above & So Below/Seeds

Warnings
: avoid during pregnancy; use in moderation

Magical Uses

Nutmeg heightens awareness, stimulates psychic energy, and supports dream work. It increases magical energy and aids in turning enchantment back on the enchanter. Use it for protection against hexes as well as to break them. Nutmeg promotes focus for divination and supports clairvoyance. In addition, it fosters mental clarity for accessing memories. Use it to strengthen determination when seeking justice or when you need to release things from your life. Nutmeg is ideal for increasing the power of abundance/prosperity spells as well as those that initiate change. This oil encourages balance and fidelity in matters of the heart. Nutmeg is also associated with creativity, beginnings, beauty, cycles, and well-being.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Leo, Pisces, Sagittarius

Solar System
: Jupiter, Moon

Elements
: air, fire

196 Essential Oil Profiles

Oakmoss

Botanical Name
:
Evernia prunastri

Family
:
Usneaceae

Also Known As
:
mousse de chene
, treemoss

Dangling like Spanish moss, this light green lichen grows mainly on oak trees, hence its name. However, it is often found on pine and spruce as well. The French name
mousse de
chene
means moss-covered oak. Its species name comes from the Latin
pruinatus
meaning frosted over, which is the visual effect oakmoss gives to the trees on which it grows.65 The ancient Egyptians used it to flavor and leaven breads, and left baskets of it in tombs. Even though it is indigenous to Europe, its popularity in perfumes didn’t take off there until the 16th century.

Oil and Blending Information

The entire plant is used to create a pale yellow or olive colored absolute by solvent extraction. It has an earthy, bark-like scent.

Strength
: 3

Scent Group
: woody

Perfume Note
: base

Plant Part
: N/A

Magical Uses

The energy of oakmoss is especially grounding, which aids psychic and spiritual journey work. This oil is effective for honoring loved ones at Samhain and is instrumental in contacting other realms as well as connecting with forest spirits. It supports divination and clairvoyance. Oakmoss adds a boost to magic work helping to manifest your dreams. It is also instrumental in breaking hexes. Use it to attract money and luck as well as security.

Oakmoss is also associated with the emotions and finding one’s purpose.

Correspondences

Zodiac
: Capricorn, Taurus

Solar System
: Jupiter, Mercury, Moon

65. Neil,
Gardener’s Latin
, 86

Essential Oil Profiles 197

Celebration
: Samhain

Elements
: earth, water

Goddess
: Persephone

Opopanax: See The Myrrh Oils

The Orange Oils

Botanical Family
:
Rutaceae

One theory about the word orange is that it comes from the Persian name of the fruit
narang
, which was derived from the Arabic
narandj
. 66 Another theory is that it comes from Sanskrit
nagarunga
meaning “fruit favored by elephants.”67 Whatever the origin of its name, it is thought that an orange may have been the so-called golden apple in Greek myth that Gaia presented to Zeus. Oils from two types of orange trees, bitter and sweet, are included in this book. The bitter orange tree (
Citrus aurantium
) produces three essential oils: neroli from the blossoms, petitgrain from the leaves, and bitter orange from the fruit.

Neroli/Orange Blossom

Botanical Name
:
Citrus aurantium

This type of orange tree has dark, glossy leaves and white flowers. The oil from the orange blossom was named in honor of the 17th century Princess (or possibly Count-ess) Anne-Marie of Nerola, Italy who adored the fragrance, thus making it all the rage throughout Europe. Symbolizing chastity, orange blossoms have been a mainstay of bridal bouquets for centuries. In North Africa and the Middle East these flowers have been used as culinary and medicinal ingredients.

Oil and Blending Information

Steam distilling orange blossoms produces an oil that is pale yellow to coffee brown. It has a light, sweet-floral scent.

66. Wilson,
Aromatherapy
, 101

67. Murray,
Health Benefits Derived from Sweet Orange,
8