It’s my favourite time of year and that means I’m excited to share with you my favourite spooky Halloween essential oil blends! It’s beautiful outside, with leaves changing to vibrant colours of yellow and red, the air is cooler and Halloween feels like it’s coming fast. Pumpkins are appearing on porches. Ghosts find their way into trees and spooky decorations are being placed on lawns. For those who really love Halloween, let’s level up this festive time with a bit of history and some aromatherapy blends and DIY potions that are well suited to the season of Halloween.
In this blog I will be giving you lots of options for spooky Halloween essential oil blends and fun potions that you can make at home.
This time of year is halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is the end of harvest season and the beginning of winter. Time for a party with Halloween essential oil blends! Halloween itself is part of a 3 day festival called Allhallowtide. It includes Halloween, All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead. This is a time to honour the dead.
Dress Up For Halloween
At this time of year, it has been believed that the veil is thin between the living and the dead. Spirits may be able to cross the veil into our living world. Historically, it was thought that if a person were to dress up in a costume to resemble the spirits, the spirits would believe that person was one of them, and therefore pass by them without harm, or without bringing them into the otherworld. Traditions evolved over the years and as the Christian church gained followers, All Saints’ Day, which had previously been celebrated on May 13th , was moved by Pope Gregory lV approximately 837 AD to November 1st. November 2 evolved as the Day of the Dead.
Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet
In medieval Europe, Halloween celebrations included the lighting of “soul fires” and the practice of “souling” and “guising,” where people dressed up in costumes and went door to door, receiving food in exchange for prayers for the deceased.
Carving the Pumpkin
Jack-o’-lanterns are a huge and fun part of Halloween tradition. Their origins trace back to Irish folklore. We begin with the story of Stingy Jack, who was known for his cleaver and deceitful ways. After having a drink with the devil, Jack refused to pay for it. He tricked the devil into turning himself into a coin, which Jack kept.
According to legend, Jack tricked the devil on multiple occasions, resulting in his exclusion from both heaven, who didn’t want to admit him anyway due to his trickery, and hell upon his death. Jack was condemned to roam the earth with only a burning coal inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way.
The Irish began carving menacing faces into turnips and other root vegetables to ward off Jack and other malevolent spirits on All Hallows’ Eve. Over time, this became the pumpkin, and the tradition was brought to North America.
Today, the cheerful and spooky faces lovingly carved into pumpkins symbolizes the protection of homes from wandering spirits. It has become an iconic part of Halloween celebrations, and spawned some workplace competitions too!
However, jack-o-lanterns may also originate from people in small towns carrying home flames from the communal celebration bonfire to relight their hearth at home; a symbol of protection, oneness and community.
Check out our special Stingy Jack Halloween essential oil blends below.
Lighting the Hearth Fire
At this time of year, large bonfires were lit to celebrate, provide warmth, light and protection as the season changes. People would extinguish the fires in their homes and carry home embers from the communal fire to relight the hearth. This would provide renewal, protection and good luck for the year to come.
Get your free Autumn Recipe Printable here!!
Halloween Comes to North America
Halloween was not widely celebrated in North America until the mid 19th century. Pilgrims banned Halloween celebrations due to its Pagan history. But with an influx in immigration from Ireland in particular due to the potato famine in 1845 the tradition was carried over with new life. Halloween has become a much beloved season that mixes many belief systems from ancient Celtic traditions, to modern day festivities.
Halloween Essential Oil Blends
I hope this Halloween, you will try some of the exciting seasonal scents below! Ditch the plug-in scents that still contain questionable ingredients. Even though they may mention they are made with essential oils, they have extra ingredients that may not be health conscious.
Stingy Jack Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
Grapefruit – 4 drops
Orange – 2 drops
Nutmeg – 2 drops
Frankincense – 2 drops
Goblin’s Vault Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
Bergamot – 3 drops
Roman Chamomile – 2 drops
Orange – 2 drops
Lemon – 1 drops
Broomstick Ride Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
Cedarwood – 4 drops
German Chamomile – 2 drops
Siberian Fir – 2 drops
Candy Corn Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
Sweet Orange – 5 drops
Vanilla – 2 drops
Fennel – 1 drops
Halloween Potions to Make the Most of Spooky Season
If you enjoy a bit of hocus pocus and DIY recipes, check out these relaxing potions for a bit of seasonal self care.
Witches Brew Bath Soak Recipe
In the excitement of the season, don’t forget to take time for yourself. Let’s begin with a relaxing bath soak.
Witches Brew Bath Soak Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Spoon for stirring
- 1 Glass jar or airtight container for storage
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Measuring spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1 cup magnesium chloride flakes or Dead Sea salt
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers for a deep red color
- 5 drops orange essential oil
- 3 drops vetiver essential oil
- 1 tablespoon baking soda optional, for added skin softness
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the Epsom salt and magnesium chloride flakes.
- Add the dried hibiscus flowers to the salt mixture. The flowers will naturally tint the soak red.
- In a small glass bowl, mix the orange and vetiver essential oils with the baking soda. This helps distribute the oils more evenly.
- Pour the essential oil mixture into the salts and stir until fully combined.
- Transfer the bath soak into a glass jar or airtight container for storage.
- To use, add 1/2 cup of the Witches Brew Bath Soak to warm bathwater, stirring it in as it dissolves.
Notes
Sleepy Hallows Pillow Mist
We could all use a better night of sleep. Use this pillow mist to help you relax at night.
Sleepy Hallows Pillow Mist Recipe
Equipment
- 2 oz glass spray bottle
- 1 Small funnel (optional, for easy pouring)
- 1 Glass measuring cup
- 1 Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 3 drops frankincense essential oil
Instructions
- Using a small funnel (if needed), pour the distilled water into the spray bottle, filling it about halfway.
- Add the witch hazel to the bottle.
- Drop in the lavender, cedarwood, and frankincense essential oils.
- Close the spray bottle and shake well to mix everything together.
Notes
I hope you love these spooky recipes, and a bit of Halloween history. Let me know your favourite Halloween traditions!
Don’t forget to download your free Autumn Recipe Printable!
