u/graidan

(this is a post I made years ago on a now dead sub.)

Magical oils became THE THING in the last several years, especially as essential oils became more and more popular. To be honest, I like the idea myself, but don't really care about the execution, which seems to prioritize pretty smells over magical or spiritual power. I mean, I look at some recipes out there, and it seems like the same 10 ingredients in various combinations. Not super impressed.

So I created my own. I use it for anointing the third eye for insight, applying to new bones, stones, and other divination tools. I often anoint my cards (Tarot, Lenormand, and others) too - but do it by running an oiled finger along the edge of the whole deck. If you anoint the faces of the card, they'll become oily and unpleasant to use. And sticky! But on the edges, you still get the influence, but without those negatives.

There is definitely something to be said for the pretty-smelling recipes, but I'm more interested in the practical magic and energetics of it. I've given my preferred recipe, but with lots of substitutions for each. I hope you can take my ideas and run with them to determine your own go-to recipe. You definitely should adapt to your own aesthetic and locale.

Graidan's Divination Oil

• Oil: Olive as a general oil is always a great choice,
  • Substitute: Almond is also good for / associated with / ruled by Mercury and the element of Air. I don't personally use it for those reasons - I use it because I often have it on hand. Jojoba is another, but only because it lasts forever (it's technically a wax, not an oil).
• Eyebright: This plant gives bright eyes to see the truth and understand it. It improves concentration, memory, and psychic powers.
  • Substitute: Rue (thought to improve eyesight and give second sight), Carrot (improves eyesight), Thyme (used in Scotland for second sight), Lily of the Valley or Morning Glory (both associated astrologically with divination), Geranium, Lapis Lazuli, Azurite, Clear Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Cat's Eye
• Mugwort: An herb that has been anciently associated with protection, cleansing, and the psychic arts for ages. It amplifies psychic powers, induces visions, trances, and prophetic dreams.
  • Substitute: Bay Leaves (used by the oracles at Delphi), Cannabis, Morning Glory, Labradorite, Opal, Larvikite
• Yarrow: because it's been such a powerful tool for divination, used in the Yi Jing (aka I Ching).
  • Substitute: any materia used in divination; Beans are common, rabbit or sheep poo (used on the steppes of Mongolia in Kumalak divination), Tea leaves, Coffee grounds, Moonstone, Selenite
• Orange: for clearing the mind of distractions and improving the mood (the sweet of Orange is particular good for sweetening the mood)
  • Substitute: Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Lemon, Bergamot - all of these are citrus or have strong citrus notes, Coral, Topaz, Carnelian, Mica, Merlinite
• Spearmint: for focus, activating the mind, and improving attention to detail; be careful with this - you only need a tiny bit because it's very strong
  • Substitute: Peppermint, Catnip, Camphor, Menthol - all have similar intense scents and powers, and also need only a little bit; Coffee grounds (again!), Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Emerald, Herkimer Diamond, Mother of Pearl
• Althaea: attracts beneficial spirits and helps communicate with them
  • Substitute: for spirit communication, and for good spirits in general; Jasmine (used everywhere for good spirits), Aspen (for spirit communication in general), Angelica (for Angels, of course), Chamomile, Sage, Rosemary, and Juniper are all said to banish negativity (i.e. only let the good spirits near), Aqua Aura, Chalcedony, Opalite
• Dandelion: has been long associated with the spirits of the dead and communication with them.
  • Substitute: for ancestral spirits; Star Anise (associated with the sacred in Asia), Vervain (connected to the Celts and Druids, and also good for connecting to the Underworld), Ammonite (an adder's stone, also associated with the Celts), Cowrie (associated with African ancestors), Jet, Obsidian, Apache's Tears (black for ancestral spirits, and also for Native American ancestors)

How to Make It:

1. Get a clear jar and put a pinch or two (or more, follow your instincts and intuition here!) of your chosen herbs in. You could also add a few drops of essential oils (in addition or instead).
2. If you use a stone, a tiny chip is all you need.
3. Add none/some/all of the items below to the jar too. It really depends on how big your jar is and how much you plan to make.
4. Add oil to at least cover the ingredients. Filling the jar is also acceptable, depending on the strength and quantity you want.
5. Say a prayer or enchant over the jar, if you're so inclined.
6. Let it sit for at least a week (or a full lunar cycle, if that feels more correct to you) so that the oil will be effective on any day of the week.
7. Charge under the midday sun, or the dark moon, if you'd like. Keep on your altar. Add a dropper of vitamin E or grapefruit seed oil to preserve.

Other possible ingredients:

• a charm: a card, crystal ball, hourglass, eye, hand for palmistry, owl, etc.
• a piece of / ashes of a Tarot card (High Priestess, the Moon, the Star would be good ones)
• a domino (used for divination)
• a piece of a playing card, or ashes: Queen of Hearts maybe, or the Ace of Spades
• the ashes of an astrology chart
• a small clear sphere (a crystal ball, of course!)
• a cowrie: used in numerous african divination systems
• astragali / tali / ankle bones: precursors to dice and used in Shaggai divination
• A rune: Ansuz as the voice of the gods or possibly Perthro or Laguz
• hazelnut: for knowledge, from Celtic traditions
• salmon charm, fin, or bone: wisdom, also from the Celtic tradtions
• a tiny prism, to split the light up into all its components
• a seashell or piece of shell, especially gathered from low tide, to represent digging up the hidden
• a bit of silver, connected to the moon and subtle energies
• a little pendulum
• an angelica root: get a lot for cheap at an Asian market spice isle
• a muskrat jaw: for communication (and any animal would work, but they're small)
• an owl talon or feather, for wisdom and insight
• a spider: as weaver of Fate, the spider is patron of all the divinatory arts
• something for St. Agabus (Feb 13) or St. Lucy/Lucia (Dec 13), patron saints of divination and fortune tellers
• Something for one or more of these deities of divination (Wikipedia is your friend): Apollo, Hermes, Themis, Pan, Prometheus, the Moirae, Nanshe, Carmenta, Anteverta, Postverta, Porrima, Janus, Asteria, the Parcae, Nyx, Orunmila, Ifa, Egungun-oya, Alaunus, Sulis, Odin, The Norns, Frigg, Dorje Shugden, Samdzimari, Thesan, Agwu Nsi, Datin, Kuhimana, Kumugwe, Ravgga, Svetovid, and so on....
• anything else that you associate with divination

This can become a powder (just the herbs, powdered) or a spray (some of this mature oil with a little alcohol and distilled water, in a spray bottle) or... the sky's the limit.

(Note that my own approach to herbs and crystals and such is very... different from the usual stuff. If you disagree with my understandings, feel free to replace! It's about what works for you, and your relationships with those beings, and not what me or anyone else says, after all.)

I would love to hear about your recipes for oils / powders / potions relevant to divination - please share!