The Tarot Apothecary: Shifting Personal Energies Using Tarot, Aromatherapy, and Simple Everyday Rituals by Ailynne E. Halvorson

Halvorson’s wonderful book blends together not only awesome and powerfully magic essential oil scents but also some of our favorite things: tarot, aromatherapy, guided journeys, and rituals. Let’s hear Halvorson tell us about her book and then learn what essential oil helps us tap into the energy of the Magician. Enjoy these excerpts from the book:

 

The Tarot Apothecary lays out a magical approach to the tarot that calls in the four wisdoms of tarot, aromatherapy, imaginative journey (the state of allowing your mind and imagination to journey outside of yourself with a pre-determined intention), and simple everyday ritual. This creates a container of magical energies that allow for desired shifts in personal energy. This approach allows you to create your own personal cauldron of magic for movement forward.

This book is designed to be a companion to your personal tarot deck. As we travel through life and through the energies of the cards it is important to learn how to work with, and walk through, the energy of each card. This allows oneself to experience and learn from the message of the card. Sometimes an energy needs to be embraced and worked with. Other times we need to release the overbearing and difficult energy so we can walk through to the other side. In these circumstances, one can ask for support through embracing the energy of a chosen tarot card and working with plant allies to assist on the journey.

 

The Magician’s Essential Oil

Name: Cedarwood Virginian (Juniperus virginiana)

Elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air

Planetary Influences: Jupiter, Mercury

Please see precautions for Cedarwood Virginian in Appendix A

Scent Description: Woody, Sweet, Mellow, Deep, and Earthy

Cedarwood oil is extracted by steam distillation from the wood of the tree. Cedarwood Virginia (Juniperus virginiana) is the oil I recommend because Cedarwood Atlas is on the endangered species list. I find Cedarwood Virginia has a soft woody scent and is a wonderful addition to a blend or used as inhalant all by itself.

I chose Cedarwood to embrace the energy of The Magician for several reasons. In my opinion, Cedarwood relates to all four of the four elemental energies. Perfect for our Magician. Cedarwood’s purifying quality is often used to purify and cleanse. It is also beneficial when working with elemental magic. Cedarwood relates to the Water element in its ability to increase intuition—opening the upper energy channels for vision, dream work, and calling in one’s psychic abilities.

Cedar carries an earthy, beautiful scent. When I smell Cedarwood, I am immediately taken to a forest where I’m supported, grounded, and nurtured. Since Cedarwood is distilled from the wood of the tree, this adds to the solidity and grounding energies of this oil as well as providing a balanced energy for The Magician. Cedarwood is also associated with money and abundance. Hence, it contains the element of Earth. Cedarwood embraces the Fire element with its powerful energies for creating magic and for its purification qualities. Cedarwood is often burned for purification purposes. It brings the energy of courage and strength. Cedar is great for banishing. Think of how we often use cedar beds for its banishing power to keep away fleas and insects in pet beds. We also place important treasures in cedar chests as Cedarwood keeps these treasures safe from pests and the outside environment, therefore calling in the energy of protection. The Air element comes in because Cedar again has been burned, just like Sage, for centuries. North American Indians used cedar to help enhance communication with their ancestors and guides, as well as for purification and sending spells or prayers up to the heavens.

Cedarwood blends well with citrus oils, other woody oils, floral, spicy, and/or herbaceous oils. I suggest you create a blend that carries Earth and Air element qualities for The Magician. It depends on how you want to use the blend. Add a Fire oil to the blend, if you want The Magician’s power of magic. Use an Air element blend for communication. Think of which characteristics of The Magician you need right now and amp up that element in your blend.

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Written by Barbara Moore
The tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore’s personal and professional lives for over a decade. In college, the tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, and history. Later, she served as the tarot specialist for Llewellyn Publications. Over the years, she has ...