Getting Started
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stirred,” for mixing oils we want to swirl, not shake. For most blends, swirl in a deosil direction; however, when blending for banishing, protection, or some other intentions, you may want to swirl the opposite way in a widdershins direction. After a few swirls, waft the bottle near your face to preview the blend. Keep in mind the strength of the oils’ initial intensity, which is important so one doesn’t overpower the others. If all three oils are rated at the same strength, it’s not a problem, but chances are they may be different. If one oil is stronger than the other two, add a drop more of the others. If they are all different strengths, adjust the amounts accordingly. Before taking another whiff, set the bottle aside, walk around the room or into the next room for a few minutes before returning to take a whiff. As with most things related to blending oils, there are different scales for rating the initial strength of oils. I find a simple 1 to 5 works well for me, and it is the one that I have used throughout this book. Table 2.1 Initial Strength of Essential Oil Aroma 1 = light 2 = mild 3 = medium 4 = strong 5 = very strong At this point the blend is in its infancy. Take notes about how many drops of each oil you used as well as your initial impression of the mixture. Don’t be afraid to make corrections. If your intuition tells you that a drop more of an oil would be better, try it. This is the way to learn and hone your skills. However, if the mix seems as though it’s almost right or if you are not sure about it, refrain from adding more. Instead, put the lid on the bottle, wash the droppers, and let the blend settle for a couple of hours before taking another whiff. Unless you are really unhappy with the blend at that point, don’t tinker; instead, take notes about any differences you may detect. Give the blend about two days before doing another whiff test. Again, refrain from making adjustments and let the green world work its magic. Now comes the hard part of waiting at least a week or more to give the blend time to mature. It takes time for the chemistry of the oils to change and develop, as some molecules will break up and re-form new ones with the other oils. You may be surprised to find that something you thought needed a tweak has turned into an aromatic jewel.