Mon, 31 Oct 2011

Category: General

Witches, Magic and the use of oils

Its Halloween again so discover a little about how witches have used scents in times past!

Oils have played a part in witchcraft and paganism and have often been used in ceremonial contexts. The ceremonial events celebrated times of change on the wheel of the year, changes in people´s lives, as well as specific working rituals.

Spiritual Oils were associated with the hidden fifth element of Spirit and witches considered that they would help reach out into the unseen ether and summon from it the forces with whom they wished to communicate. There are several kinds of oils that you might encounter in Witchcraft; these include ritual oils, condition oils, aromatherapy oils, essential oils and handcrafted oils.

Ritual Oils — a general term for oils used to anoint candles, ritual tools, material, furniture, money etc. When used to anoint the body these were referred to as Anointing Oils.

Condition Oils is a term found only in Hoodoo and Conjure practice; it refers to all anointing and dressing oils that are utilized in rites, rituals, or spell-craft to address or remediate an unwanted condition or to bring about a desired condition.

Handcrafted Oils and Herbal Oils were blends made up for specific ritual or magical purposes. They were individually prepared with the addition of magical herbs, roots, flowers and other natural ingredients to a simple oil base and then ritually charged with intent.

Spiritual Oils have been historically used in numerous ways. Candles, crystals, amulets, talismans and other charms were anointed with Spiritual Oils which witches considered changed simple mundane items into items of magical power and energy.

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