We journey now to Ancient Greece, leaving behind the lands of the Sun and riding on the back of Pegasus across the Mediterranean Sea. This is a land of giants, centaurs, minotaurs and titans — a place where the gods of Mount Olympus were both worshipped and feared, and where goddesses of hearth and home were honoured with fresh flowers and fragrant woods.
Here, myth and medicine intertwined. The Greeks absorbed much of Egypt’s aromatic wisdom, blending it with their own rituals, philosophies and healing traditions. Oils, resins and incense were used to purify the body, honour the gods and guide the dead into the afterlife.
The Greeks believed that fragrance carried prayers to the heavens. Before offering sacrifices — often a goat or sheep — worshippers anointed themselves with oils and burned incense to purify their bodies and spirits.
When someone died, cypress wood was burned to help guide the soul safely to the halls of Hades. Incense was also used in rituals dedicated to the Olympian gods and goddesses, each scent chosen for its symbolic and energetic qualities.
Folk Name: Tree of Death
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Magickal Element: Earth
Aromatic Element: Earth
Cypress has long been associated with death, rebirth and the eternal soul. In Ancient Greece, the cult of the cypress spread from Crete to Cyprus and into mainland Greece, where it became a divine symbol of the soul’s descent into the underworld.
Magickal Effects
Longevity • Healing • Protection • Comfort • Eternity • Immortality
Ancient & Modern Uses
Cypress remains a powerful ally for grounding, grief support and spiritual transition.
The Greeks worked with many aromatic plants for healing, ritual and devotion. Among the most important were rose, lavender and marjoram — each carrying its own mythic lineage and magickal purpose.
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Magickal Element: Water
Aromatic Element: Water
Rose is the eternal symbol of love, beauty and divine femininity. It was sacred to many deities, including Hathor, Demeter, Isis, Adonis, Eros, Venus and Cupid.
Magickal Effects
Love • Healing • Protection • Luck • Psychic Powers • Divination • Peace • Beauty
Ancient & Modern Uses
Rose remains one of the most beloved oils in aromatherapy for emotional healing and heart‑opening.
Folk Names: Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Magickal Element: Air
Aromatic Element: Air
Lavender was burned in Greek temples as an offering to the gods and goddesses. Its calming, cleansing energy made it essential for ritual and healing.
Magickal Effects
Love • Happiness • Peace • Chastity • Purification • Longevity • Protection • Health
Ancient & Modern Uses
Lavender remains a cornerstone of modern aromatherapy for relaxation and emotional balance.
Folk Names: Joy of the Mountain, Knotted Marjoram, Mountain Mint, Sweet Marjoram, Wintersweet
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Magickal Element: Air
Aromatic Element: Air
Marjoram was sacred to Venus and Aphrodite, symbolising love, joy and gentle protection.
Magickal Effects
Love • Happiness • Protection • Health • Wealth • Money
Ancient & Modern Uses
Marjoram remains a comforting, heart‑warming herb in both culinary and magical traditions.
In Greece, aromatherapy was woven into every aspect of life — from temple rituals to healing practices, from love spells to funerary rites. Plants were seen as gifts from the gods, each carrying divine purpose and energetic power.
Through Cypress, Rose, Lavender and Marjoram, we glimpse a world where scent was sacred, beauty was divine, and the natural world was a living expression of the gods.
If you missed it click here for the previous chapter in my aromatherapy series
©Alison SpiritWeaver 2026 – www.alisonspiritweaver.co.uk