The Traditional Relationship between Astrology & Aromatherapy
Astrology and Aromatherapy have an age-old relationship. Early herbalists traditionally associated botanical plants with a particular zodiac sign as part of their diagnostic practice since they were often astrologers too. They also assigned a ruling planet to each medicinal herb, a trait which is notable in the works of Nicholas Culpeper. Each astrological sign offers a blueprint of different possibilities rather than a set of fixed characteristics – so aligning a natural fragrance with your zodiac sign can help reinforce the positive aspects of your personality while balancing some of the more difficult aspects. In this way, it is possible to connect certain essential oils to a particular star sign to help you nurture and take care of both your emotional and physical wellbeing. And since your zodiac sign can have a unique impact on the fragrance that you are likely to prefer or respond to – much in the same way as different people are drawn to various perfumes, such as oriental, floral or fresh scents – so we are governed by our innate personality to feel aligned with certain botanical fragrances.
Matching your Star Sign to Essential Oils
By matching your star sign with a particular essential oil, you can not only create a conducive atmosphere that reflects your unique personality, but you can also boost your natural energy and confidence – for example by using your signature essential oil as a pulse point perfume or for bathing regularly. Essential oils and aromatic blends matched to your astrological sign can also be utilised in a whole array of different ways – for example as a natural room fragrance, using either an electric vaporiser or a traditional oil burner, for facial or body oils and massage or by making aromatic blends tailored to your specific zodiac sign.
Always do a patch test before applying an essential oil to the skin and follow any safety warnings when using an essential oil for the first time.
An Ideal Aromatic Personalised Present
If you are looking for a personalised present this Christmas for friends or family, simply select their star sign and their signature scent from the guide below or create a personalised blend, based on their personality traits. These are my suggestions based on personal experience:
♈︎ Aries: 21st March – 19th April
Signature Scent – Rosemary
As a fire sign and ruled by Mars, Aries are often known for their bold and energetic personalities. They tend to be natural leaders, courageous, ambitious, confident, and good organisers but can be stubborn or strong minded.
Recommended Essential Oils: Rosemary, black pepper and all the spice oils will help support their fiery nature while peppermint and sweet marjoram are excellent for cooling their hot temper.
♉︎ Taurus: 20th April – 20th May
Signature Scent – Rose
Taurus is an earth sign that values comfort, stability and luxury. Reliable, determined, loyal and home loving – they are sensitive and appreciative of beauty and pleasure, thanks to being ruled by Venus.
Recommended Essential Oils: Rose is the classic compliment to those with a Venus nature – patchouli and ylang ylang are also scents that matches their sensual nature, while rosemary and citrus oils can help uplift and revitalise them.
♊︎ Gemini: 21st May – 20th June
Signature Scent – Bergamot
Gemini is an air sign ruled by Mercury that values communication, curiosity and versatility. Quick witted and excellent at problem solving, they tend to be versatile so are good at adapting to new situations.
Recommended Essential Oils: Bergamot, geranium, basil and all the citrus oils are fresh scents that match the lively personality of this star sign, helping to promote mental clarity and creativity, while reducing any anxiety and tension. The earthy effects of vetiver, ginger and frankincense can help ground them when they get too ‘heady’.
♋︎ Cancer: 21st June – 22nd July
Signature Scent – Sweet Orange
Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is a water sign that values the emotions, family and home life. They are caring, nurturing and gentle and often have a keen intuition, enjoying both material and emotional comforts.
Recommended Essential Oils: Orange and mandarin are warm, sweet scents that match this star signs home loving nature. Chamomile and lavender are also good matches as they create a calming and soothing atmosphere whilst promoting emotional balance and support.
♌︎ Leo: 23rd July – 22nd August
Signature Scent – Frankincense
Leo is a fire sign ruled by the Sun that values creativity, confidence and passion. Born leaders, they often have magnetic and extrovert personalities and tend to be very loving but can be easily hurt.
Recommended Essential Oils: Frankincense, myrrh and resinous oils, such as benzoin, are all warm and spicy scents that match the rich, bountiful energy of this star sign, promoting growth and emotional balance, while reducing stress. Rose is also recommended for healing a sore heart.
♍︎ Virgo: 23rd August – 22nd September
Signature Scent – Lavender
Virgo is an earth sign ruled by Mercury that values organisation, health and purity. Intelligent, practical and down to earth, they tend to have a strong sense of duty and responsibility for those around them, so have a propensity for worry and stress.
Recommended Essential Oils: Lavender is a calm, clean scent that matches their practical nature whilst promoting mental clarity, and helping to reduce stress. Sandalwood, chamomile and melissa are wonderful oils for soothing feelings of overwhelm or an overworked mind.
♎︎ Libra: 23rd September – 22nd October
Signature Scent – Geranium
Libra is an air sign ruled by the Venus that values balance and harmony. Charming, romantic, diplomatic, thoughtful and sociable, they make wonderful friends. They hate violence and confrontation, preferring to keep the peace at all costs.
Recommended Essential Oils: Geranium and palmarosa perfectly match their love of harmony and balance. Frankincense helps nurture a sense of self-support and well-being while rosemary helps boosts confidence to stand one’s own ground.
♏︎ Scorpio: 23rd October – 21st November
Signature Scent – Patchouli
Scorpio is a water sign ruled by Pluto that values intensity, transformation and power. Passionate, perceptive, determined, intuitive and deeply emotional, they also tend to be sensitive and sensual – but sometimes have a sting in their tail.
Recommended Essential Oils: Patchouli, ylang ylang, jasmine and neroli nurture their sensual side while sandalwood and clary sage can help ground and soften the darker aspects of their nature.
♐︎ Sagittarius: 22nd November – 21st December
Signature Scent – Juniper berry
Sagittarius is a fire sign ruled by Jupiter that values adventure, freedom and insight. They love travelling and have an independent spirit and are generally optimistic, idealistic and enthusiastic.
Recommended Essential Oils: Juniper berry, eucalyptus and pine are refreshing aromas of nature inviting new journeys. Cedarwood and cypress are woody, earthy scents that match their explorative nature whilst helping to balance their over idealist tendencies.
♑︎ Capricorn: 22nd December – 19th January
Signature Scent – Vetiver
Capricorn is an earth sign ruled by Saturn that values ambition, stability and tradition. Logical, practical and ambitious, they have the will to succeed and are hard working. They have a good sense of humour and make loyal friends but can suffer from overwhelm.
Recommended Essential Oils: Vetiver and frankincense are deep, rich scents that support their focussed nature, while chamomile, lavender and sandalwood are useful for times of ‘burn-out’. Bright citrus oils like may chang, lemongrass, lemon or grapefruit can help lighten their spirits.
♒︎ Aquarius 20th January – 18th February)
Signature Scent – Neroli
Aquarius is an air sign ruled by Uranus that values innovation, independence and humanitarianism. They tend to liberal, idealistic and fun-loving – also intellectual and creative, they like to be different and do their own thing.
Recommended Essential Oils. Neroli is a fresh and floral scent that matches their progressive nature. Petitgrain and jasmine are also perfect matches for Aquarius, as these oils help stimulate the mind and enhance creative thinking.
♓︎ Pisces (19th February – 20th March)
Signature Scent – Jasmine
Pisces is a water sign ruled by Neptune and Jupiter that values compassion, gentleness and spirituality. Intuitive and insightful, they are often easy-going dreamers, creative and artistic with a vivid imagination.
Recommended Essential Oils. Jasmine is a sweet and exotic scent that matches their creative nature while melissa enhances optimism and intuition. Grounding oils such as cardomon, black pepper and vetiver can help balance their dreamy nature.