Keywords: OPEN. WISE. RESOURCED. ENCOURAGING. SERENE IN A SEXY WAY.
ESSENTIAL OIL OVERVIEW: Patchouliiii. I’ve learned that patchouli essential oil is created from a dried or fermented leaf from the plant. The fact that the oil comes from an older version of the plant tells me this oil is wise! It’s been around the block! It knows itself–it knows it contains multitudes and has complexity. Because it comes from the leaf of the plant, that translates to the human lungs, the part of the body used to breathe. Thus, patchouli could aid in deep breathing and thus, deep calm. It has a gorgeous amber color. To me, it has a woodsy, sweet, citrusy scent. Like damp, autumn woods with a tartness in the breeze. Noted as a “yin/yang” oil in the Gritman Guide to Essential Oils, this means this oil can elicit both calm as well as gentle energy. Truly expansive! In perfumes, it’s used as a base note, as it is strong and long-lasting. To me, in a blend it encourages and promotes the other oils/scents, almost as if it opens the door for them and then is the last to leave, lingering a bit.
PATCHOULI MAGIC: So much magic! As mentioned above, this oil has an “old soul” quality to it, giving wearers a steady, grounded sense of themselves while also encouraging them to be open and to try new things. This oil became especially popular in the U.S. during the “free love” movement of the 60s. Because of this historical connection, to me this says the plant wants to be a community-connector and a mind-opener. It is a conduit for sensual magic, connecting you to your body, your sensuality, your sexuality, helping you to navigate any shame you harbor around these areas. Oh and did we mention the $$ quality of patchouli? I think bc this oil encourages open-mindedness and a feeling of security, it could be a support in opening up to new $$ opportunities or simply seeing everything you already have and feeling that good good resource energy. Lastly, I want to share that I make a mean lotion using patchouli, chamomile, and grapefruit. Not only does this lotion aid with inflammation and encourage restful sleep, but it seems to give wearers a sweet curiosity, a willingness to embrace change…that’s the patchouli working. Patchouli is such a friend when it comes to building self-trust and seeking an alive life. <3
PATCHOULI AFFIRMATIONS:
I CONTAIN AN INNER OASIS.
I FIND RESOURCE ALL AROUND ME.
I DANCE WITH CHANGE.
I TUNE INTO MY INNER WISDOM.
I AM GORGEOUS AMBER, A COLLECTION OF TIME AND EXPERIENCE.
I AM AUTUMN WOODS.
I FOLLOW MY SENSUALITY INTO ALIVENESS.
I AM OPEN TO CONFLICT–I TRUST I CAN NAVIGATE IT.
I REST IN THE EXPRESSION OF MY TRUE EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS.
PLANT AT THE PARTY: Patchouli walks into the party and the other plants immediately feel at ease and warmed in patchouli’s presence and embrace. They seem to glide wherever they go, with a slight smile and twinkle in their eyes. They wear lots of layered, loose clothing full of bright colors and patterns. If the other plants gently pick on Patchouli’s style, they laugh along–they never take themselves too seriously or take things personally. They exude confidence alongside humbleness–to them, its truly a treasure to converse and learn about the other plants. They love learning new things and experiencing the personalities around them. When someone needs a band aid, a snack, a hair tie, etc, Patchouli always seems to have the resource handy in their billowing pockets and folds. But not in a martyr-mothering way–more in a “I’ve got you, no worries” way. They love up on the other plant’s passions, ideas, and will encourage them. Lots of plants leave the party feeling bolstered by Patchouli’s encouragement and support. Patchouli is the one to point out the window as the party is raging along, to be sure the other plants catch the oranges and pinks of the sunset. They also rapturously enjoy the food and drink available, closing their eyes as they enjoy and consume and sigh with pleasure. Cedarwood is their BFF and the two plants often end up sitting on the ground, playing cards, and laughing sweetly together.
PATCHOULI AND THE HOLY FAM: To me, Patchouli captures the serenity of Joseph and the openness of Jesus. Here is a cute fanfic snippet inspired by patchouli for your reading pleasure:
It’s early morning and Joseph looks up from his woodworking project out the window of his woodshop to see a magenta sunrise. Then a shadowed figure crosses the yard, glowing with the magenta: It’s Jesus. In they walk with two steaming mugs of hot coffee and a sleepy smile. “You’re up early,” says Joseph. Jesus hands him the coffee and sighs, sharing that they couldn’t sleep, too worried about the day ahead. The two talk thru Jesus’s worries and Joseph turns up the radio, Kate Bush belting thru. He notices a little chip in his woodworking project and goes to smooth it a bit with some sandpaper. When he looks back over, Jesus is slumped against the wall, snoozing. Joseph covers them with his big flannel shirt and eases them into a laying potion on the bench. The rest of the morning is spent smoothing wood as the sun and trees create dappled patterns across Jesus’s resting form.
PATCHOULI AND HAIL MARY PERFUMERY: Find Patchouli in a bunch of the Hail Mary potions! PRIDE, WRATH, The Carpenter, DYMPHNA, and Perpetual. All will be restocked in the coming week!
Thanks for reading, loves. <3
Your Perfumer,
Mary Adelle