Sandalwood & Meditative Alertness

This morning, in addition to Dragon's Breath and Witch's Brew essential oils, I obtained sandalwood essential oil. Sandalwood in Hebrew is אלמוג, from the root למג, meaning to "be rare" and "to stand out". In witchcraft, sandalwood is a feminine essence connected to water. It's used in protection, exorcism and healing spells, to enhance spiritual awareness, and to enhance one's Divine connection.

From Answers.com:

Fragrance Use

Sandalwood essential oil provides perfumes with a striking wood base note. Sandalwood smells are not unlike other wood scents with the exception that it has a bright and fresh edge with few natural analogues. When used smaller proportions in a perfume, it is an excellent fixative to enhance the head space of other fragrances.

Religious Use

Sandalwood is considered in alternative medicine to bring one closer with the divine. Sandalwood essential oil, which is very expensive in its pure form, is used primarily for Ayurvedic purposes, and treating anxiety.

In Buddhism, sandalwood are considered to be of the Padma (lotus) group and attributed to the Bodhisattva Amitabha. Sandalwood scent is believed to transform one's desires and maintain a person's alertness while in meditation.

Sandalwood, along with agarwood, is the most popular and commonly used incense material by the Chinese and Japanese in worship and various ceremonies.

Firekeeping priests, who have maintained sacred fires for centuries, accept sandalwood twigs from Zoroastrian worshippers as their contribution for sustaining the fire.