As a person of Irish-American heritage, who also happened to be born on St. Patrick’s Day, I have always been interested in Celtic Mythology. So when I wanted to write a perfume review on St. Patrick’s Day (and my birthday, which I’m not shy about mentioning over and over again), it was an easy choice. I’m going to share five fragrances that I own from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, and all of them are based on fairies from Celtic Myths.
In ancient times and the Middle Ages, storytellers called seanachaithe were important people in Celtic life. The history, laws, and stories of their culture were not written down, they were remembered and retold by seanchaí. Later these stories were retold by authors and poets, such as Morgan Llywelyn, James Stephens, Gregory Frost, and William Butler Yeats. Many superstitions surrounded people’s beliefs in Celtic Mythology, and some of them persist today.
IRISH FAIRY TALES
In Celtic Mythology, the aos sí (or “fairy folk”) are the ancestors, and the spirits of nature. They were supernatural beings which were human-like but had magical powers. They once ruled over the island of Ireland, but now reside in somewhat of a parallel universe. The aos sí were believed to live in underground mounds and in special trees, usually Hawthorn trees. Great care was taken to avoid angering or insulting them, because they could bring all sorts of bad luck and misery to anyone who did. Often they were appeased with offerings, most of which were sweets and dairy products like cream, butter, and cakes.
The fairy folk were known to be fierce guardians of their homes, and for centuries it was considered terribly unlucky to disturb them. Some people still believe that interfering with ancient fairy forts, paths, trees, and bushes, can cause misfortune and disaster. In 1999, during the upgrading of the National Route from Limerick to Galway through County Clare, the entire project had to be put on hold and eventually re-routed to avoid disrupting a single hawthorn bush.
This tree is said to be the meeting point for the faeries of Munster (southern region of Ireland) when they go into battle with the faeries of Connaught (western region of Ireland). Irish storyteller Eddie Lenihan warned that if the hawthorn was destroyed, the roadway would be cursed. Workers downed their tools and refused to work on destruction of the hawthorn. Here is the final road, with the fairy bush intact and protected by a fence.
BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB
For those unfamiliar with Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, referred to by devotées as BPAL, it is an unusual perfumery owned by Elizabeth Moriarty Barrial and Brian Constantine, and located in Hollywood, California. BPAL creates hand-blended oil perfumes (and some other goods) which are inspired by a diverse range of themes such as dark magic, Gothic romance and horror, film and literature, science-fiction, ancient artwork, and even current events. They are irreverent, saucy, racy, and endlessly clever.
I enjoy a lot of BPAL’s scents. They’re thoughtfully created, sustainably sourced, and animal-friendly. Even the ones inspired by the most shocking themes and ingredients are pleasant to smell. They often have low projection and less longevity than mass-produced commercial perfumes. I find them perfect for layering, and situations where a soft scent is desirable. I especially enjoy wearing them to bed. I keep my whole set of BPAL scents right next to my side of the bed, and apply one (or more) almost every night after my bath or shower.
Having a little pagan streak in me, and a love for fairies and moon-gazing hares, some of my favorite BPAL scents are inspired by fairies from Celtic Mythology. For St. Patrick’s Day — and my birthday — I’ve chosen five of them to wear and write about this week. When I write about BPAL scents, I will try to include their “category” so that people can find them more easily on the BPAL website. Having such an extensive catalog, and so much backstory written about a lot of the scents, sometimes their website can be a little slow. It’s worth the wait, though, and I love browsing their new releases.
All of these scents are light and clean, just a bit soapy or powdery, and perfect for fairies at bedtime. I always have wonderful dreams when I’m wearing them.
DANA O’SHEE (category – “Bewitching Brews”)
In Irish folklore, the Dana O’Shee are fairies that are eternally young and beautiful, but they are also vengeful and treacherous. They are fond of dancing, feasting, horseback riding and hunting, and are known for healing the sick and warding off diseases. They are said to play beautiful music, but if you hear even a single chord you will become enchanted by them, and taken back to their realm as a servant or plaything. The Dana O’Shee resembled beautiful humans, but could also shape-shift, or become invisible. Milk, honey, and sweet grains were often left out as offerings to the Dana O’Shee, and that was the inspiration for the fragrance.
Dana O’Shee smells like sweet almond milk and cherries. The opening reminds me of sweet, glossy marzipan. The dry-down is reminiscent of the classic and iconic scent of Jergens original lotion, the almond-cherry one. My husband loves the smell of it. I find it very clean, comforting, and beautiful.
LEANAN SIDHE (category – “Bewitching Brews”)
The Leanán Sidhe were vampiric fairies and dark muses of Gaelic poets and artists. It is said that they inspire artistic greatness, but also drive their victims to madness and early death. In exchange for the inspiration that she provides, she enslaves her lovers, drains their sanity and lifeforce, and drags them off to other worlds.
Leanan Sidhe smells green and soapy, a bit herbal and like bubbles of floral soap. Despite its dark muse, I find it a charming and pleasant scent, it feels a bit dainty. To me, the florals smell mostly like lily of the valley, with broom and nicotania.
BAOBHAN SITH (category – “Diabolus”)
The Baobhan Sith were female vampires that roamed the Scottish Highlands. They looked like beautiful women, and wore long, green dresses to conceal the fact that their feet were actually deer-hooves. They were also shape-shifters, and sometimes appeared as ravens. They would mesmerize hunters with their dancing, then kiss and exsanguinate them.
Baobhan Sith smells mostly like grapefruit and ginger. Its citrusy sharpness and spice is tempered by apple blossoms, and a bit of white tea. It’s a dry and refreshing fragrance that is great for summer nights.
AEVAL (category – “Bewitching Brews”)
Aeval (also known as Aoibhell) was a Fairy Queen who had a magic harp which could kill anyone who heard its music. She also served as judge in a court where Irish women could bring their complaints about their husbands and suitors. The court was said to be particularly concerned with whether the husbands were performing adequately in the bedroom as lovers and to father children for the wives.
Aeval smells like sweet pea flowers and sage. The sweet peas smell like almondy-sweet florals with a hint of spiciness, and the sage gives it a bit of musky earthiness. Aeval has been out of stock for quite a while now, and I just have a little bit left. I hope that it will return to the BPAL scent lineup.
FAE (category – “Bewitching Brews”)
Fae is another name for fairies, or other similar mythical beings and magical creatures.
Fae smells like peaches, Earl Grey tea, and moss. The tea is deep and full of bergamot, and the moss and tea are dry and earthy. A touch of heliotrope adds some brightness and lightness. It smells like a magical mist where the worlds of humans and fairies intersect.
I am looking forward to writing about some of my other favorites from BPAL. Hopefully these fairy fragrances will inspire people to learn more about Irish Mythology and to explore the many fragrances offered by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab through their online store. Their fragrances are very affordable, ranging from $19.50 to $26.00 currently, and they have an extensive sampling program. New scents are always being introduced, and there’s a good chance that you’ll find a scent there inspired by something of interest to you. For more information, visit their website at blackphoenixalchemylab.com.
(I do not work for, or have any sort of relationship with, BPAL, and all of the fragrances mentioned here were purchased by me at full retail price through their webshop.)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
