by Lin Barrett

Created on: May 27, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2009

Essential oils are both truly magical in mundane ways, and quite useful in magical workings.

Essential oils are not at all oily - they are in fact water-based emulsions of the scenting chemicals plants produce in their blossoms, leaves, fruit, or roots. Sometimes bark is also processed to produce the oils.

Essential oils may in some ways be regarded as the "soul" of the plant. As many of the magically-inclined know, the plant kingdom has great help to offer us in our magical workings.

How can essential oils be used magically? Their primary gift is scent. Its effect on us is only partly the work of the plant itself; we bring to the equation our personal chemistry, which affects our perception of scent. (Don't believe it? Go on a walk through your neighborhood with a friend, separately sniff any flower you encounter, and describe to each other the scent. The variation in the descriptions will amaze you. Both of you are right - just different.)

This working partnership with another life-form varies from person to person. If you truly adore a scent, it will prove to be powerful for you. If you dislike it intensely, it's probably not the best choice for your work, no matter how many people tell you it's the greatest.

Essential oils can be used to dress a candle, and if placed in the little pool of liquid wax at the base of the wick, will scent the area around the candle. They can also scent the entire area with a diffuser powered by electricity or a votive candle. Set these up about 15 minutes before your working begins. A pot of hot water will also diffuse the scent - place the pot on a heat proof surface and dribble six to twelve drops of oil onto it just as you begin.

You may also drop essential oils onto those expensive, specialized blocks of charcoal that never seem to burn down completely and sometimes won't light or stay lit (obviously not this writer's diffuser of choice). Word of warning - never use BBQ charcoal in an enclosed space. It's sprayed so heavily with igniting fluid that its combustion creates lethal levels of CO2.

Essential oils can be applied to the skin, but dilution is the better part of valor here. Cinnamon oil, for one, is very likely to give you a nice red rash. Add 5-6 drops of oil to 2 tblsp/30 mL of unscented moisturizer or petroleum jelly.

Oils can also be applied to one's tools to cleanse (lavender), dedicate (rue), or purify (copal). Apply only where lips and food or drink won't contact the oil.

Which oil you choose for

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