Myrna Loy reading tarot cards

Perfume has been utilized to alter ones luck for a very long time. Scents and aromatic plants have been associated with money, love, fortune as well as misfortune, bad luck, and the removal of bad luck. Traditional peoples who work with plants from an animistic level are the likely origin of plants used. For millennia plants have been rubbed upon hunters to change their smell, masking their scent and even attracting the animals they wished to hunt. It doesn’t take a huge leap of faith to see how over thousands of years the relationship evolved. We have many superstitions human beings, especially around the idea of luck. Many do not believe in luck, or that we make our own luck, this very well may be true, or it may also well be true that luck is something humans have not really fully understood. Regardless luck is a mystery, as is bad luck. When asking ,”Why do these things always happen to me?!” Its difficult not to lean back into the notion of bad luck isn’t it?

There are two major perfumes used today originating out of the southern american Hoodoo practice, that have been classically associated with luck. Van Van oil, and Hoyts Cologne. There has been much said about Van Van, and Cat Yronwodes web site www.luckymojo.com is probably one of the most comprehensive sources for information on the subject written.  Cat Yronwode, describes its many uses in anointing charms, including the iconic lucky rabbits foot, to clearing away evil, and changing bad luck to good. She also points out that there was a time in New Orleans where the use of the fragrant oil was so commonplace that the streets were filled by its scent. In Folk magic Van Van oil is still used today, and there are many companies that have reproduced the oil, working with its basic recipe, as well as making their own unique alterations. Once such company Rosarium Blends has changed the oil into a natural perfume, working with the same folk magic logic and altering the formula to enhance the money, love “drawing”, and luck “enhancing” properties, replacing citronella, with sweet grass, and adding tonka bean. Tonka itself having a long history in folk magic for its ability to grant ones wishes, and bring one love and wealth.

Another amazingly underestimated classic cologne is Hoyts cologne. Not as popular today as a normally worn scent, its scent has grown slightly out of fashion as scents often do. Primarily today, the cologne is associated with luck in gambling, and luck with money. At one time it is said that pharmacies would frequently sell out of Hoyts cologne on pay day when people would go out gambling after work. The perfume is used as a “luck drawing” hand rub, it is also used to “feed” mojo bags, and other charms used for luck in gambling.

The perfume was originally produced in 1870 by the New York pharmacist Eli Waite Hoyt, as Hoyts German Cologne sold for a dollar a bottle. Within seven years Hoyts German cologne had become so popular Hoyt sold his apothecary to make Hoyts perfume full time. Hoyts business partner Freeman Ballard Shedd, invented a brilliant idea for advertising as well as getting samples out to customers, and idea that would eventual evolve into the common day practice of perfume samples sprayed onto paper in magazines. Shedd began scenting collectable cards showing scenes from a popular play called Toddles. The cards were distributed wide and far increasing their success. One could suspect that the scents advertising on cards may have given way to their association with gambling.

Frank Sinatra Dealing Baccarat at the Sands Hotel

Here we have another fantastic example of a perfume not made for magical purposes but becoming famous as years went on for its use in magic and altering ones destiny in gambling. It drives a certain question when pondered, what is it about this perfume that gives one luck in gambling, or in general? If we are to believe in luck, and that luck can be altered, (which many of you readers may not) how can perfume enhance your luck? I suspect many people to this very day, wear perfume to enhance their confidence and performance, is it really any different than a luck drawing hand rub of Hoyts Cologne? Perhaps the scents association makes us more aware of what Jung called synchronicity… regardless, for many they feel lucky when wearing it.

 

Tell us of a moment where you without a shadow of a doubt believed in luck for good or bad and what you will remember about perfume and luck.  We will be giving away a 4 ml Rosarium Blends Van Van  Want to increase your chance of getting lucky, then like Rosarium Blends FB page here. Draw closes 4/13/2015

–Marcus McCoy, Guest Contributor and perfumer for House of Orpheus

You can follow Marcus on instagram: house_of_orpheus #occultperfume

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize wil be just spilled perfume