A Definitive Guide to Calming Essential Oils, According to Your Star Sign

Whether you’re deeply into essential oils and believe in their supposed ability to alter your mood, or not, there’s no denying they’re a reasonably cost-effective way to try. (They’re a cheaper path to happiness than a new designer bag, that’s for sure.) Personally, I’m a fan. I often reach for one of a multitude of oil blends depending on what ails me, and I've gotta say, I always feel a positive difference. Is this calm the result of a placebo effect? Is it straight-up pretend? Or does the feeling of Zen come from nothing more than the deep breathing I do whilst sniffing the bottle? Who cares. The only thing that matters is it works for me and I enjoy it. And now, I'm sharing with you. Because customising things according to your star sign is hot right now, I’m serving up a list of tailored-to-you essential oils geared towards promoting relaxation. Keep scrolling for your go-to scent.

Aries (21 March to 20 April)

If you are: Driven, curious, optimistic, impulsive and impatient

Try: Peppermint

You may not immediately think of this zingy scent as particularly calming but peppermint essential oil is just the thing to bring a fiery, competitive Aries back to a place of quiet focus. Known for its cooling properties, it does a great job of pacifying overly assertive energy.

Taurus (21 April to 21 May)

If you are: Reliable, patient, practical, logical and strong-willed

Try: Eucalyptus

Said to be effective at tackling mental and emotional exhaustion, eucalyptus is surprisingly restorative – perfect for balancing this empathetic astrological sign. Side note: It also has well-known decongestant properties, making it a good one to have on hand for winter.

Gemini (22 May to 21 June)

If you are: Ambitious, adaptable, quick-witted and indecisive

Try: Bergamot

Gemini’s famously have a duality about them which can show up as either an innate adaptability (good) or a frustratingly indecisive nature (bad). Either way bergamot’s sharp, citrusy scent can help to hone decision making skills, alleviating one’s mental load.

Cancer (22 June to 22 July)

If you are: Empathetic, loyal, intuitive, moody and impatient

Try: Lavender

Lavender essential oil is renowned for its soothing properties, and can work sleep-inducing magic on anyone. (It’s often used in bed time blends for this reason.) That said, Cancerians in particular respond to the scent’s ability to quell anxiety and restore feelings of comfort.

Leo (23 July to 22 August)

If you are: Magnetic, nurturing, confident, blunt and busy

Try: Rosemary

A charismatic and commanding personality is the hallmark of this zodiac sign – Leos know who they are and aren’t afraid to argue for what they believe in. Said to reduce the levels of cortisol in the body, rosemary essential oil is a go-to calmative for the ever-passionate Leo.

Virgo (23 August to 23 September)

If you are: Nurturing, rule-abiding, analytical, critical and shy

Try: Frankincense

Having high standards can be extremely tiring – just ask a typical Virgo. Their tendency towards perfectionism can come across as an obsession with fault-finding (in themselves and others), but sweet ’n’ spicy frankincense is adept at relaxing mind, body and soul.

Libra (24 September to 23 October)

If you are: Balanced, idealistic, indecisive and a people-pleaser

Try: Geranium

Seekers of balance in all areas of life, those who fall under this star sign can get caught up stressing over decision making as well as all manner of things outside of their control. Enter: Geranium essential oil. It’s commonly used to soothe jangled nerves and boost resilience.

Scorpio (24 October to 22 November)

If you are: Passionate, independent, ambitious and suspicious

Try: Patchouli

Scorpios might be biggest contradiction of all the signs – one minute they’re your best friend, the next your worst enemy. And like their celestial spirit animal, they sting when they feel hurt. Patchouli essential oil can help support turbulent emotions, healing distrust and anger.

Sagittarius (23 November to 21 December)

If you are: Energetic, witty, dynamic, big-hearted and impatient

Try: Tea tree

Friendly and enthusiastic, those born under this sign can easily become restless and edgy. Tea tree essential oil is believed effective at promoting serene, rational thinking even in times of stress. A few drops in a warm bath enhances its ability to encourage a peaceful atmosphere.

Capricorn (22 December to 20 January)

If you are: Responsible, disciplined, stoic and a know-it-all

Try: Vetiver

The way Capricorns impose rules and regulations on themselves to get things done takes a lot of will, but the downside to this drive and commitment to achieving can be melancholy. Vetiver essential oil is used to ease the mind, and to supercharge dwindling energy stores.

Aquarius (21 January to 19 February)

If you are: Progressive, independent, loyal, aloof and temperamental

Try: Ylang ylang

Super-creative, these natural visionaries spend a lot of time questioning whether the way they look at the world is serving them. This state-of-mind promotes personal growth but it can also create distance between loved ones. Ylang ylang essential oil can fix this by grounding.

Pisces (20 February to 20 March)

If you are: Artistic, friendly, kind, fearful, and overly sensitive

Try: Myrrh

Myrrh essential oil is a perfect match for the dreamy Pisces who often has their head in the clouds, bringing clarity and calm. (Basically, it plants their feet firmly back on the ground.) The scent is known to inspire discipline – the kind needed to turn wild ideas into reality.

After trying essential oils, try adding these 5 crystals to your collection.