Sandalwood is considered to have a very high vibration, ideal for devotional and angelic magic. It is popular in blended incense and combines well with the sacred resins Frankincense and Myrrh. It is believed to have cooling and soothing properties, and to direct one’s attention toward the divine realms.Īs Sandalwood made its way westward, its holy associations carried over into Ceremonial Magick. The wood is carved into prayer beads, ground into powder to make paste for anointing the forehead, and reverently placed on funeral pyres. In India, the scent of Sandalwood wafts through nearly every Hindu home and temple. The scent is believed to be one of the most pleasing to the gods. Early on, people observed that Sandalwood was never attacked by termites, which may have led to its reputation as a protective wood. Sandalwood’s magickal career began in India, where it has been used as a holy incense since the beginning of time. Sandalwood oil is very potent and is usually diluted with a neutral carrier oil. Pure essential oil does exist, but it is pricey-up to $200 an ounce-and comes with serious conservation concerns. (The sapwood is generally used for carving.) The overall yield is low. Sandalwood essential oil is steam-distilled from the roots and heartwood of the mature tree. Sandalwood-scented candles, incense, and bath products are readily available. That heavenly blend of Sandalwood and and florals, Nag Champa, is the most popular incense fragrance in the world. A Sandalwood aroma acts as the base note and fixative in many fine perfumes. Like Frankincense and Myrrh, the chips must be burned over charcoal to fully release their aroma. Sandalwood is available as wood chips, powdered wood, and carved items. Red Sandalwood has little scent of its own-it is most often used as a carrier and coloring agent in natural incenses. The fragrance profile varies depending on the plant: Indian Sandalwood is softer and smoother than the earthy, spicy fragrance of the other varieties.Īn unrelated species Pterocarpus santalinas goes by the name of Red Sandalwood. In recent years, suppliers have ramped up cultivation of ( Santalum paniculatum), a white-flowered type that grows in Hawaii. As stock declined, producers switched to Santalum spicatum, found in Australia. “Chandan” and “Mysore” are other names for Indian Sandalwood. Satalum album (“True,” “White” or “Yellow Sandalwood”) is found only in India, and is endangered. There are three species of Sandalwood that are commonly harvested for their perfume. Trees that are planted today will not reach their aromatic peak for two generations. The concentration of scent in the heartwood increases as the tree ages. Sandalwood trees can take up to 80 years to reach full maturity. Sandalwood is labor-intensive to propagate, as it requires both a host tree and adequate sunlight to nourish itself. It has a long history of use in the spiritual practices of both the East and West. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, Sandalwood is one of the most expensive woods in the world. Sandalwood is a slow-growing wood with a rich, complex scent.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |