Our journey continues eastward, leaving Egypt behind as we cross the sands of the Middle East and enter a land steeped in ancient wisdom, ritual and aromatic magick — India.
India is often called the Mother of Fragrance, a place where incense has been burned for millennia as an act of devotion, purification and spiritual awakening. Temples across the subcontinent perfected the art of hand‑rolling incense, creating scents that carried prayers, mantras and intentions into the unseen realms.
Even today, the famous Nag Champa incense continues this lineage, its spirals of smoke rising like serpents of kundalini energy, awakening the senses and connecting us to higher consciousness.
India’s aromatic heritage is vast, but three plants stand out for their spiritual, medicinal and magickal significance:
Each carries its own vibration, deity associations and energetic purpose.
Folk Names: Sandal, Santal, White Sandalwood, White Saunders, Yellow Sandalwood
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Magickal Element: Water
Aromatic Element: Water
Sandalwood is one of India’s most sacred scents — calming, cooling and deeply spiritual. It has been used for thousands of years in temples, meditation, healing and sensuality.
Magickal Effects
Protection • Exorcism • Wishes • Healing • Spirituality • Visualisation
Ancient & Modern Uses
In India, sensuality was seen as sacred. The Kama Sutra describes oils used to soften the skin, awaken the senses and nourish the mind, body and soul.
Sandalwood was also offered to Dhanwantari, the Ayurvedic God of Healing, who governs health, medicine and divine wellbeing.
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Magickal Element: Water
Aromatic Element: Water
The Lotus is India’s national flower and one of its most powerful spiritual symbols. It represents purity, enlightenment and the unfolding of consciousness.
Magickal Effects
Protection • Lock Opening • Love • Good Luck
Ancient & Modern Uses
In the East, the Lotus was believed to be the centre of the universe, a cosmic symbol of creation and divine order.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Magickal Element: Fire
Aromatic Element: Fire
Associated with Venus and Aphrodite, cinnamon is a spice of passion, power and prosperity. It was also used in Egyptian mummification to smooth the soul’s journey into the next life.
Magickal Effects
Protection • Lust • Love • Healing • Spirituality • Psychic Powers • Success • Power
Ancient & Modern Uses
Cinnamon is both a sacred spice and a powerful energetic catalyst, connecting us to Mother Earth and her vibrant community.
India’s relationship with scent is ancient, devotional and deeply spiritual. Incense, oils and aromatic plants were used to:
This is a land where fragrance is prayer, where smoke is offering, and where scent becomes a pathway to the divine.
If you missed it click here for the previous chapter in my aromatherapy series
©Alison SpiritWeaver 2026 – www.alisonspiritweaver.co.uk