One of the methods of completing a successful operation of magic is to enlist the aid of divine forces. In addition to their inherent properties, many essential oils take on a special association with a particular god or goddess from the mythology of different cultures.
The use of a scent sacred to the particular divinity invoked for a rite does honor to the divine personage and may be an excellent way to gain his or her favor over the magical quest. The same principle of seeking the favor of outside agents in magic may apply equally in the case of demigods, cultural heroes, and honored ancestors.
Some hint of which scent is sacred to which divinity may be gained from the traditional legends from which we remember the adventures of the divine beings.
This is especially true of the ancient Greek and Roman divinities. In fact, in these cases, many of the associations are easily discerned, for many of the source plants of essential oils are derived from the ancient languages of these cultures and, in translation, speak of the divine being to whom they have special significance.
Consider, for instance, the herb angelica. During the middle ages, when the line of definition between medicine and magic was indistinct, angelica was employed as the first line of defense against the black, plague. Was its use rooted in its curative properties or in seeking the blessings of the angels, as its name suggests?
Rose, a flower and scent beloved of many cultures, is sacred to both the Greek goddess of flowers, Chloris, and her Roman equivalent, Flora. Water lily carries a scientific name of Nymphaea. Originally from the Greek, this name suggests that the lily may be a fragrance sacred to the water nymphs of mythology.
The violet is said to have originated from the tears of the goddess lo, beloved of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods. It is reasonable to assume that this fragrance might gain the goddess’ attention if offered to her honor. Iris is the Greek word for rainbow, and is also the name of the goddess of the rainbow. Bay laurel, according to legend, began as the nymph Daphne. Apollo so loved the nymph that a waft of her scent may gain the gift of his divine assistance in works of magic.
For lack of a specific fable that indicates an association of a scent with a particular divinity, there are some more general principles for honoring the gods and goddesses whose favor we seek. Just as the rose is sacred to the goddesses of flowers, it is a favored fragrance among many of the goddesses of myth.
Pine, often associated with the Greek god Pan, is a likely scent to offer many of the male divinities, particularly those who dwell among the creatures of the forest. Oak, the king of trees, is a fitting scent for the kings of gods in many cultures. It might be a suitable offering to Zeus, Woden, or Jupiter.
Civet, originally derived from feline secretions, could be used to the glory of the Egyptian cat goddess, Bast. Earthy fragrances—flowers, grasses, and herbs—could be a fitting tribute to Demeter or any of the many other earth goddesses.
Frankincense and myrrh, while designated as proper offerings to the Christ child in well-known biblical legends, are scents that have been revered throughout many cultures. These sacred fragrances would be right at home in many temples and churches regardless of religious doctrine, sect, or tradition. These ancient aromatics have been a staple in religious rite and magical ceremony throughout the ages of man, and have survived the rise and fall of many great cultures.
Eastern divinities may favor the aromas that are tied to Eastern culture. Jasmine, sandalwood, lotus, and Chinese musk could be employed for rites of the oriental deities. Sage would be a fitting tribute to the gods and goddesses of American Indian mythology, and patchouli a proper scent for the deities of India.
In many cases, the sagas of deities and heroes that survive in the legendry and folklore of different cultures will dictate the preferences of the various gods and goddesses. There are, however, some catch-all guidelines in choosing a proper scent for religious and magical use. In general, the floral scents are thought to be more female in nature and pleasing to most goddesses.
The more woodsy fragrances are considered more masculine and, therefore, suitable offerings to the male deities. Also, the associated planets of the scents can act as a guideline to determine which essential oil would be most proper and fitting to a particular deity. Looking to the Roman gods and goddesses from which the planets take their names, we find that they each have corresponding deities in other cultures.
Jupiter, for example, is the strong father god. In his nature, he is not unlike Zeus of Greek mythology, Woden of Norse legend, or the Dagda of the Celtic culture. Venus is a spiritual sister of Aphrodite, Freya, and Bridget. There are many crossovers between cultures.
And though the Greek and Roman traditions are the most universally remembered, other cultures have not neglected the realms of the traditional deities though they may appear in different form, their praises sung in different tongues, and their names be other than what is recorded in the classical mythology. And as they share a common nature and a common soul, the deities of many cultures can share the tribute of a shared essential fragrance.