Aromatherapy is said to be therapeutic for a number of things: enhancing memory, reducing anxiety, and inducing relaxation, to name a few. (source) It is even said to have a positive effect on the cognitive function of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. (source) Scent travels through our olfactory system and to the limbic system of our brain, which has a variety of functions: epinephrine flow, emotion, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and the sense of smell all together. (source) With that being said, it’s not a surprise that a certain smell could possibly trigger a memory or pattern of behavior.
For magickal purposes, we can use scent and aromatherapy to induce a particular state of mind, whether it be happiness, focus, relaxation, and many more. It’s up to you to decide which scent ignites a particular feeling, but here is a list of common essential oils, including both their magickal and practical uses:
Anise - Psychic awareness, clairvoyance, purification, calming
Balsam Fir - Energy, strength, courage
Basil - Relaxation, happiness, peace, prosperity
Bergamot - Peace, relaxation, happiness, restful sleep
Camphor - Purification, cleansing
Cedarwood - Spirituality, meditation, self-control, healing, cleansing
Chamomile - Calming, relaxation, meditation
Cinnamon Bark - Warmth, energy, protection, psychic awareness, prosperity, healing, comfort, love
Clary Sage - Euphoria, calming, dreams
Clove - Healing, memory, protection, courage, energy
Cypress - Healing, blessing, consecration, meditation
Dragon’s Blood - Protection, purification, love
Eucalyptus - Healing, purification
Frankincense - Spirituality, meditation, relaxation
Geranium - Happiness, protection, energy
Ginger - Energy, love, prosperity, courage
Grapefruit - Purification, joy, energy
Hyssop - Purification
Jasmine - Love, calming, peace, spirituality, sleep, psychic awareness
Juniper - Relaxation, calming, restoring
Lavender - Healing, love, peace, relaxation, balance, cleansing
Lemon - Energy, happiness, balance, healing, love, purification
Lemongrass - Psychic awareness, purification, energy
Lime - Purification, physical energy, protection
Lotus - Spirituality, healing, meditation, opening, elevating
Marjoram - Peace, sleep, calming, relaxation
Mugwort - Psychic awareness, psychic dreams, astral projection
Musk - Prosperity
Myrrh - Spirituality, meditation, healing
Nutmeg - Energy, uplifting, warmth
Orange - Happiness, joy, energy, love
Oregano - Purification, comfort, warmth, energy
Patchouli - Prosperity, energy, love
Peppermint - Healing, purification, meditation
Pine - Healing, purification, protection, balance, energy, prosperity
Rosemary - Memory, love, healing, purification, energy
Rose - Love, peace, happiness, beauty
Sage - Memory, wisdom, prosperity, purification, meditation
Sandalwood - Spirituality, healing, purification, relaxation, meditation
Spearmint - Healing, protection, purification, balance
Tangerine - Joy, energy, well-being, happiness, balance, purification, relaxation, inspiration
Tea Tree - Harmony, peace, healing, meditation
Thyme - Purification, cleansing, mental clarity, balance, uplifting, empowering
Vanilla - Love, energy, warmth, happiness
Vetiver - Protection, prosperity, uncrossing
Wintergreen - Protection of animals, good luck, prosperity, uplifting, energy
Wormwood - Clairvoyance, spell-breaking, love, divination
Ylang Ylang - Love, peace, relaxation
