Essential oils are usually used to anoint (you, a candle, a tool, etc.), but they can also serve as replacements for incense (for those sensitive to smoke) and used in homemade bath salts (or added straight to bathwater). You can mix them together to form your own blends. Essential oils are oils extracted from a plant or herb, whereas fragrance oils are synthesized scents that mimic an essential oil or create a new scent blend. In magick (as well as aromatherapy), essential oils are used; the spirit of the plant, as well as its powers, are present in the oil. Fragrance oils are not used, except when replacing incense to create a “mood;” fragrance oils shouldn’t be used to cleanse, consecrate, anoint, etc., as they don’t contain the power of the original plant.
When choosing an oil to use for magickal purposes, keep its correspondences in mind. Using an oil that’s energy is in synch with your intention can make your magick more powerful, while using an oil that’s energy is contrary to your intention can confuse your magick and possibly change the results.
You can make your own blend of essential oils, your own anointing oil, and your own bath salts using essential oils. For recipes, visit the Recipes page.