Essential Oil – Hyssop

Botanical name: Hyssop officinalis

Color: Very light amber

Consistency: Medium-thin

Perfumery note: Top/middle

Related Planets/Deities: Jupiter/Moon/Apollo/Protection Deities

Aroma: Sharp, relatively light, airy, with hints of Lavender and Camphor

Energetic Properties: Purifying, protecting, sanctifying, engaging.

Aromatherapy Properties: A colorless to pale yellowy-green liquid with a sweet, camphoraceous top note and warm spicy-herbaceous undertone. It blends well with lavender, rosemary, myrtle, bay, sage, clary sage, geranium, and citrus oils. From Western Europe, the herb Hyssopus officinalis is an ancient aroma that was used to purify and consecrate churches and other holy places. 

Spiritual Uses: Hyssop is routinely used in ceremonial magick, and is an excellent choice for both special and commonplace ritual purification. 

Blends well with: Lavender, Camphor and Bergamot for mixes that are spiritual and mentally engaging. Hyssop also pairs well with other sharp, woody scents, like Rosemary and Clary Sage, and with citruses such as Sweet Orange.

History: Hyssop has a very long history of use as an agent of purification and protection, both of the self and sacred spaces such as churches and temples. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, and Jews reportedly used it in the purification of the First and Second Temples. It is used in the Roman-Catholic Church to fill the ritual Aspergillus. In the Psalm Miserere, a Psalm of King David, it is written, “Thou shalt purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean.” Sicilians still use Hyssop to ward off the Evil Eye, and it is used by present-day Pagans to cleanse their homes. Hyssop is an ingredient of the famed liqueur Chartreuse, made by Carthusian monks.