Why Do Hippies Love Patchouli?
Patchouli & The Swinging 60's
Slightly sweet and a whole lot musky, the aroma that permeates descriptions of the flower power era. Patchouli smells like rich earth and is most commonly known for being the hippy scent of choice during the 60’s. While our hippy ancestors appreciated its musky ability to cover unwanted recreationally herbal aromas, the feel good fragrances grounding and magical properties are still being appreciated today by happy hippies and witches alike.
Patchouli oil was and still is the perfume that pretends it isn't. So unlike other mainstream perfume choices that contain a long list of ingredients, patchouli oil is a more ‘natural’ product, a scent straight from the earth and therefore often considered more a more authentic choice and preferred by the hippy culture.
Patchouli & The Victorians
Going back even further patchouli has routes way back to the Victorian eras where luxury shawls and sought after materials imported from abroad were packed with patchouli as a way to stave off moths during their travels. The patchouli flowers, leaving their distinctively earthy scent behind, were then linked to these exotic goods and far off lands forever associating them with luxury and mystery.
Back To Today
Back to the here and now, patchouli is still used as an ingredient in numerous popular fragrances but masked as it is with other ingredients, its unlikely you’d ever know it’s in there. Instead, pure patchouli oils are an authentic way to wear this fragrance and channel your inner flower child. The essential oil is said to bring love and attraction to the wearer. Its inexpensive and a little goes a long way.
Its also easier than ever to immerse yourself in a hippy’s paradise by using incense sticks and fragrance oil burners to fill your home with the smell of the swinging 60's.
We love Satya Patchouli Incense Sticks (£1.50) and Goloka Pure Patchouli Fragrance Oil (£2.99) for oil burners. Particularly beautiful for fragrance oils are the Himalayan Salt Aroma Lamps, which have a space for you place a few drops of a water/fragrance oil concoction and enjoy the cosy glow of the pink salt as the oil warms and fills the room with its heady aroma.
Magical Uses
Whether you’re a practising Witch, Wiccan or Pagan, patchouli’s long past and spiritual significance make it an important addition to your store cupboard. It is known for being an excellent aid in your spells and rituals where you are seeking to attain spiritual growth and mastery for yourself, or another.
It is quite potent when applied as a representative of the element of Earth, or attributes of the star sign Scorpio, drawing those properties and powers into your ritual magic. This versatile plant evokes emotions of nostalgia, passion and relaxation in those who use it.
Incense sticks are an easy way to take advantage of the flowers magical role in your own practices. They can be burned before or during spell work for abundance, love, protection and fertility. The ash can then be collected for spell bottles or used as a substitute for ‘graveyard dust’ in spell work.
Money Magic
Legend tells us that Saturn, the god of hard-work, rewards and limitations, governs patchouli. To honour him, include patchouli in your money spells and perform them on Saturday, the day of Saturn.
Fertility & Love
In fertility spells, patchouli is often added to bathwater or the incense/fragrance oil burned during a ritual bath. Ritual bathing involves using special herbs to absorb essences that are conducive to achieving your desired goal which in this case is love and conception. Spiritual baths have many desirable effects including relaxation of the body and awakening of the inner-self.
To attract new or past love burn patchouli incense sticks or fragrance oil and walk through your home, spreading the powerful fragrance from room to room. Patchouli incense is a soothing presence in any room in which it is burned. As you move through your house, imagine your lover walking through the door. The essential oil may also be worn or used in ritual baths to attract love.
Interestingly, we aren’t the only ones with an affiliation for patchouli. It’s natural, magical qualities reminiscent of soil and the earth are said to be attractive to our Fae friends too. So don’t be surprised if you receive some visitors when using this magical flower.
