Ambergris
Intensely
fragrant, this scent is usually associated with Jupiter or the Sun because
it gives one a feeling of well being and expansiveness, but to me there
is a lot of Venus in it. In the Kabbalah,
it is the perfume associated with Kether, the First Sephirah. Ambergris is traditionally considered a powerful
aphrodisiac (and indeed its fragrance is quite sensual, so it's good for
love magic). It is also
used to increase psychic ability, especially divination through dreams.
This
faux ambergris does not come from whales, but it has nothing from a chemical refinery
in it either. Almost all the "amber resin" you see that
smells very strongly includes synthetic ingredients. I know that
mine is all natural because I make it myself. My ambergrist gets its sweet, lush, flowery fragrance from resins,
essential oils, absolutes (the non-fibrous part of scented plants), and
some spices.
It's a combination of sweet beeswax and the plant fragrances of labdanum,
cypress, patchouli, benzoin, vetiver, tonka bean, cumin, pine moss, palmarosa, rose,
and seaweed. Some of the
ingredients, especially the rose absolute, are quite
expensive and difficult to work with, but they are worth it. The final
result is a waxy, wonderfully scented stuff that you can use in
good conscience wherever ambergris is called for, and you won't have to worry about
negative physical or spiritual reactions to a synthetic either.
Ambergris is nice for pomanders, mixing with potpourri or sachet ingredients, and combining with resins for incense. Melt gently and add five parts oil of your choice, and you will get a nice cream perfume, or just warm some in oil to scent the oil--many customers have told me they use it to make amber oil this way (or you can just get my own all-natural faux ambergris oil). You can also mix it with candle wax for an ambergris scented candle.
If you are looking for amber that is the semi-fossilized resin of pine trees, click here. Please note: I am not interested in acquiring "real" ambergris, nor will I be selling synthetic-soaked "amber" in soapstone containers in the future.
Faux Ambergris
20 g jar $12.00
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Dreamwork
Love
Magic
Kabbalah Incense
Protection Spells
Incense of Jupiter & Sun
© 2004, 2009 Alchemy Works; No reproduction without permission