Essential Oils for Magick – A Series by Tricia Hachick, The Oily Witch
In this series I will be sharing about the magickal uses of essential oils, mainly relying on information from the awesome book by Sandra Kynes called “Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Aromatic Alchemy for Personal Blends” and one or two other sources I have come across. In this first post I am going to lean heavily on a section from “The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews” by Scott Cunningham as well as some additional bits from his other book “Magical Aromatherapy: The Power of Scent’. So sit back, relax and let’s start our journey together by listening to what Scott Cunningham has to say about the magical power of oils. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
PURE VS SYNTHETIC OILS
The first thing I want to emphasize, which Scott Cunningham points out various times throughout the commentary below, is the necessity of using 100% PURE Oils. Synthetics just will not get the job done. He goes into much more in-depth detail in his book, Magical Aromatherapy, by calling Essential Oils “Living” and that they are the “Life Force” of the plant. Because of this they have a direct connection to Nature and the Earth which gives them the unique advantage of being able to add their power and energy to our magical workings and rituals. On the other hand Synthetics are just that, Synthetic. They are not “Living”. They have no “Life Force”. They are created in a lab. There is no connection to Nature or the Earth; therefore, there is no power or energy for them to loan to our workings. Reading this was an A HA moment for me!
Before recently starting down my new oily path, I had for years tried oils many times for Physical, Mental and Spiritual reasons but never got the results they promised. I was always disappointed and stopped using them. I just thought they were all BS and someone out to make a quick buck. So I have been leery of them ever since. The honest truth of the matter was I was buying the cheapest oils I could find at drug stores and Wal-Mart and expecting them to work. Reason #1 – I was cheap AF, reason #2 – I really didn’t know any better, after all, the label said 100% Pure, Therapeutic Strength didn’t it???? LMAO! Now I know that I have to research, read the ingredients, check out the company, etc. But doing so is definitely worth it. I also know that I will have to pay a little more but in the end my health, emotional well-being and my MAGICK are so worth it!!! But as with everything you do you. If you are happy with the results you are getting using Synthetics, by all means keep using them. 😃
NOW, ONTO THE GOOD STUFF!
The following is an excerpt from “The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews” by Scott Cunningham. It will be followed by a note by me about safely using essential oils in the bath.
“It has become quite popular to use essential oils for magical purposes. Blends such as Controlling Oil and Come to Me Essence are in daily use by many practitioners of Voodoo-flavored folk magic.
Such practices, often thought of as being ancient, do indeed date back thousands of years in one form or another; but not until recently were the true array of synthetic botanical oils available for ritual purposes.
Scented oils were used in antiquity. These were created by heating fragrant plant materials in oil or fat. The plant’s scent was transferred to the oil and thus was fragranced…
BUYING OILS
Numerous companies off oils for purchase. Some of these sell only genuine, authentic essential oils – i.e., those extracted from the natural botanical materials after which they’re named (Lavender Oil made from Lavender, for example). Many others sell blends, compounds or bouquets, which reproduce a specific scent by mixing various true essential oils (see Chapter 4 for examples of bouquets). Most companies offer partially or totally synthetic oils, though they are never labeled as such.
It’s best to use only genuine, authentic essential oils in magic. These contain the sun of the plant’s magical energies and so are the most effective. True, they aren’t cheap, but they last longer because only small amounts are necessary. It is expensive to build up a good stock of genuine essential oils, but this is necessary to create quality magical oils.
I have worked with synthetics for years. Some of them are effective but pale in comparison to the aromas and power of true essential oils. Remember not to be fooled by the “essential oil” tags which manufacturers often attach to synthetic scents…
…I know that some of you will continue to use synthetic oils. However, if my words convince a few of you to make the great leap into the world of truly natural magic I’ll be happy…
BLENDING OILS
There’s no magic secret to blending and mixing magical oils. Here’s the basic method:
Assemble the essential oils (and bouquets) called for in the recipe
In a clean, sterilized glass jar, add 1/8 cup of one of the following vegetable oils
- Safflower Almond
- Sunflower Hazelnut
- Coconut Grapeseed
- Apricot Kernel Jojoba
I’ve found jojoba is the best to use. Because it isn’t truly an oil but a liquid form of wax, it never becomes rancid and can be kept for longer periods of time
Using an eye-dropper or the convenient single-drop dispensers which are included in virtually every bottle of true essential oil, add the essential oils in the recommended proportions in the recipes that follow.
Swirl the essential oils into the base oil, don’t stir. Gently rotate the oil clockwise.
Finally, store all oils away from heat, light and moisture (not in the bathroom) in airtight, opaque or dark colored bottles. Label and keep for use.
AN EXAMPLE – FAST MONEY OIL
We’ll make Fast Money Oil – here’s the recipe:
Ingredients Needed:
- 7 drop Patchouli
- 5 drops Cedarwood
- 4 drops Vetivert
- 2 drops Ginger
While visualizing my magical goal – MONEY – I add 1/8 cup jojoba oil to a sterilized glass jar. In front of me on the table, I’ve placed bottles of Patchouli, Cedarwood, Vetivert and Ginger essential oils – not synthetics.
I visualize money. I add seven drops of patchouli to the jojoba and swirl to mix it in with the base oil. I sniff. The fragrance has overpowered the light scent of the jojoba oil.
Visualize. Add five drops of cedarwood. Swirl. Sniff. The fragrance is building.
Four drops of vetivert follow. While visualizing, swirl. Sniff. The aroma of the magical oil in the making deepens as the three fragrances and their energies mingle.
Finally, the ginger essential oil. This is such a strong, heady scent, that only two drops are required. I mix again, smell again, visualize again. After a short empowering rite, the Fast Money Oil is ready for use.
It is a rich, evocative scent. Used with visualization it will be effective in manifesting an increased cash flow.
Could I make this with synthetics? Of course. Would it be as effective? No.
USING OILS
Oils are used in innumerable ways in magic. Remember: Always use oils with visualization and with power.
Most often, they are rubbed onto candles which are then burned in ritual. The magical goal determines the type of oil and the color of candle used. The oil’s power mix with that of the color and the candle flame. All these energies are further boosted by the magician’s personal power and are sped toward the magical goal through visualization.
Oils are also simply used to anoint the body to bring their energies within. Thus, rubbing a Love Oil onto the wrist, the neck, and over the heart infuses the magician with love-attracting energies. Courage Oil similarly imbues her or him with the strength to forge ahead in the face of adversity.
A simple bath can be transformed into a ritual by adding several drops of oil to the water. Slipping into it and inhaling the fragrance, the magician once again brings the oil’s energies inside.
Talismans and amulets (often termed “charms” or “sachets”) may be anointed with a few drops of the appropriate mixed oil. This is done, of course, with the specific magical goal in mind.
Quartz crystals and other stones are also rubbed with oils to boost their energies during spells and rituals. The stones are then worn, carried or placed in mystic patterns to bring about specific magical goals.
Other ritual uses of oils will become apparent once you begin using them.” – The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews, Scott Cunningham 1989
MY TWO CENTS WORTH CONCERNING USING ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE BATH SAFELY.
I have taken quite a few Aromatherapy Courses and Classes and have received a few certificates so I feel comfortable in speaking about this. Please do not ever just add essential oils directly to your bath water. Pure Eos are NOT water soluble which means that they will NOT mix with your bath water that way, they will however float around on top and possible cling directly to sensitive parts of you as you get into the bath causing severe irritation especially as the hot water opens your pores! Fear not! You can safely use Eos in your bath by combining them with a water soluble substance such as Epsom Salts, Vegetable Glycerin, Carrier Oil, even Milk, BEFORE placing them in the water. Use your head and make logical choices. As I said, the hot water is going to open your pores and most of your body is going to be submerged in the water so think about what oils you want in that water because they ARE going to be intensified. Do you really want to be sitting in a bathtub full of peppermint, eucalyptus or wintergreen or any of the “Hot” oils???? I know I certainly wouldn’t! If you really want peppermint – try adding some dried peppermint leaves – I haven’t had an issue with them so far other than they can be a bit messy lol! A word of caution concerning anointing yourself should be heeded as well. You know your body. You know what you should and should not put on it. Cinnamon, Clove and many others are considered “Hot” oils and can cause irritation in many people. When it comes right down to it, common sense rules the day.
IN CONCLUSION
Please remember, just because a Spell calls for a certain oil and tells you to put it on yourself doesn’t mean you should. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips – google it OR message me and I will see what I can do to help you figure it out. Use your intuition whatever it takes just be safe. Essential Oils are amazing, powerful allies but just like anything else in Witchcraft and in Life, one needs to have knowledge and understanding before using them. I hope to help provide that with this weekly series.
Łøvɇ, Łɨǥħŧ & Ƀɍɨǥħŧɇsŧ Ƀłɇssɨnǥs, ŦɍɨȼɨȺ – Ŧħɇ Øɨłɏ Wɨŧȼħ🌛🌕🌜
