5 Ways to Use Essential Oils in Rituals

Rituals are preplanned activities or repeated activities, formal or informal. Rituals can stand alone or be incorporated into ceremonies. Ceremonial magick is very powerful. Rituals help us focus our energies. Rituals can include many components both functional and symbolic, such as herbs and essential oils.

Essential oils are one of my most favorite ways to work with plants. This form of herbs is versatile and handy to carry and use as-is. Essential oils are easy to add to bases such as salves, lotions, and massage oils or simply diffuse into the air. Most essential oils are derived from steam distillation; although, some, such as citrus based, are derived from cold pressing. Essential oils are undiluted and quite concentrated pure plant oil. Ancient civilizations used essential oils for incense, embalming and offerings to the gods as well as for perfumes and healing. Let’s discuss 5 simple ways we can include essential oils in our spiritual rituals.

1) Dressing candles

2) Anointing

3) Aromatherapy for spiritual connection

4) Components of spell work

5) Altar offerings

1. Dressing Candles

Candles play a large role in ritual ceremonies. Even candle colors often have very symbolic meanings. Dressing a candle relays your intentions to the candle so that it can amplify your intentions when burned. The entire time you are dressing the candle, you are directing the energetic signature of your intention to it. Some people like to inscribe or carve symbols or messages onto the candles first.

You may select essential oils, dry herbs, stones or crystals that correspond with your intention. For instance, herbs representing love or passion, such as rose or cinnamon, could be applied to the candle during a love spell. This can be applied directly to the candle or to the candle holder or candle jar. You do not need much oil; just a dab will do you.

2. Anointing

Anointing is used in sacred ceremonies for several purposes including sacred rites of cleansing or consecration, conveying blessings, sealing an intention, activating a gift or talent, awakening the third eye, cleansing chakras, symbolically conveying authority/designation, healing, and to transfer properties from one entity to another (such as transference of the symbolic property of strength and courage from rosemary or thyme to the anointed). The types of essential oils may widely vary but some traditional ones are frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, cinnamon, and jasmine.

Essential oils can be mixed into water, milk, mud/clay, ashes, carrier oils or used pure. For the anointing, the anointer marks the person or object with the oil or oil mixture as part of the ceremony, normally, by dipping one or more fingers in the anointing oil and applying the oil to any part of the person or object that the ritual calls for anointing. Anointing oil containers can be quite decorative as well, adding an aesthetic component to your rituals and ceremonies.

3. Aromatherapy for Spiritual Connection

When connecting spiritually during a meditation or conducting a divination practice, aromatherapy can enhance your results. Aromatherapy may involve incense or diffusing essential oils. Tiny particles or droplets of the oils become airborne and breathed in. This can activate your senses, invoke a greater inner peace, expand your chakras, open your heart and mind, provide a symbolic component to rituals. Certain essential oils are known for their properties of enhancing dreaming or psychic connection, such as mugwort, damiana, wormwood, rosemary, sage, thyme, blue lotus, patchouli and clove. Essential oil diffusers can also bring an component of lights or colored lights to your sacred space.

4. Components of Spell Work

There are many ways that essential oils can find its way into spell work rituals. First, it may be a component of casting a circle. It can represent one or more of the elements, depending on the herbs selected. Certain herbs are associated with the elements of earth, air, fire, water or spirit. Any elemental magic can incorporate essential oils as part of that representation.

It can be used as a component in spell jars, symbolic of an intention (such as basil oil to attract money) or used as a symbolic seal on the jar. Similarly, amulets, charms or talisman can be crafted with essential oils inside to symbolize intention (such as chamomile oil for protection). It can be crafted inside of a dream pillow (lavender oil) to enhance dreams and recall.

It can be made into a spray bottle when mixed with distilled water and alcohol (such as vodka) for spraying your sacred space and cleansing your spell craft tools. This can be for purification, casting out and protection. Some good oils to use in that type of spray are citrus oils, sandalwood, cedarwood and sage.

5. Altar Offerings

You may have one or more altars in which you can place offerings or place an object to hold space for a manifestation. Essential oils are a good choice because they do not take up much space, are very powerful, add an aromatic component and can be placed in many types of containers.

Essential oils may symbolically represent certain intentions based on the properties of the oils. Also, they may simply be a gift, an offering of good will, to a deity or spirit guide. Certain herbs/oils may have associations with certain deities. You may place in a small decorative bowl, a small vial, mixed with crystals, ashes or soil or as an anointing oil on an urn, candle or other item on your altar.

Correspondence Examples:

These are some examples of essential oil correspondences with intentions that I use. Customize your rituals with the correspondences that resonate with your experience.

Love Cinnamon, Rose, Orange

Abundance Bay Leaf, Roman Chamomile, Clove

Protection Black Pepper, Juniper Berry, Thyme

Peace Lavender, Clary Sage, Patchouli

Purification Lemon, Helichrysum, Peppermint

Earth Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Fennel

Air Lemongrass, Frankincense, Lime

Fire Ginger, Oregano, Rosemary

Water Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Myrrh

Spirit Mugwort, Marjoram, Jasmine

Essential Oil Safety

Safety is first and foremost when using any product. Many people think of essential oils as “safe” because they are natural. But there are risks and key precautions you should review as you journey with essential oils.

Essential Oil as Alternative Wellness

First and foremost, you should consult with your physician or medical professional before using essential oils as part of your wellness plan. Non-physician herbalists are not licensed by a medical board and cannot give medical advice or diagnose or treat any disease. Essential oils are not approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for treating any medical condition or disease. It is prohibited to make claims about herbs or essential oils curing or healing any condition. We can only say that these products support certain systems. Herbs and essential oils can be part of a balanced wellness plan that includes both alternative health solutions and standardized medical care. You should do your own research about the benefits and risks of each herb.

Usage Methods

Essential oils can be consumed internally, applied topically to the skin or diffused aromatically. Certain oils should not be consumed internally. Please review the product instructions and precautions for use. If any adverse reactions occur, you should discontinue use immediately.

Essential Oils and Drug Interactions

Although natural substances, herbs are very powerful and can have adverse reactions when used topically, internally or aromatically. Some herbs can counteract a medication or increase the effect. Either can be dangerous. For instance, Thyme, Oregano, Clove and Patchouli should not be used with anticoagulants. Do not take any chances. If you are taking any prescription medications, research and ask your pharmacist or physician about interactions prior to using any herbs.

Essential Oils and Pregnancy

Some herbs can cause the uterus to contract and may damage the pregnancy. It is important to be extremely cautious when using herbs or essential oils during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using topically, internally or aromatically. Essential oils can be helpful during pregnancy, such as peppermint to support digestion and lavender or wild orange to support stress relief and sleep.

Hot Oils and Dilution

Certain oils are considered “hot” oils and need dilution before being applied to the skin. These include spicy oils like cinnamon, cassia and black pepper and some of the more powerful antiseptic oils like oregano and thyme. It is a good idea to dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil even if it is not a “hot oil” to be on the safe side. Dilute with carrier oils such a fractionated coconut oil. A ratio of 1:5 (one drop of essential oil to 5 drops of carrier oil) is considered a good ratio for adults.

Oils and Children

My children love using essential oils. It is important for parents to monitor their usage and keep out of reach when unsupervised. Children have sensitive skin and should use diluted oils with a ratio of at least 1:10 (one drop of essential oil for 10 drops of carrier oil). Use a lesser amount of the oil than you would use for an adult.

Essential Oils and Pets

Many essential oils may be too strong for pets or cause an adverse reaction. There are certain oils that are toxic to cats and others that are toxic to dogs. And there are some that should not be used with any animal. The don’t use lists are too extensive to list here. Helichrysum, spearmint and cardamom are three that are suggested as safe. Please research and consult your veterinarian before using essential oils or herbs with your pet. For oils that are considered safe, dilute at a ratio of at least 1:100 (one drop of essential oil to 100 drops of carrier oil). Be careful when diffusing essential oils that are toxic to pets and watch for any adverse reactions. Never add essential oils to pets’ food or water.

Photosensitive Oils

Some essential oils can cause adverse reactions when applied to skin exposed to sun or other UV rays. You could experience redness, discoloration, or even blistering.Be careful with the citrus oils: Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Bergamot or any oil blends containing photosensitive oils. Cumin is a non-citrus oil identified as photosensitive.

Got it in My Eye!

It’s happened to us all; touching our face after using peppermint oil and then it migrates into your eye somehow. Do not panic if you have gotten some oil into your eye and it burns. Do not rinse with water. Water drives it deeper. Instead use a carrier oil to flush the oil from your eye. The carrier oil will bond with and dilute the essential oil. Always have some carrier oil handy for such an unfortunate occasion.

What's That Buzz?

Bees and other insects are attracted to some oils, especially citrus oils, and may chase you around! They can fly quite fast. Ask me how I know.