Castor carrier oil

The castor plant’s great hand-shaped leaves earned it the old name Palma Christi, the hand of Christ.

Origin & Traditional Use

This is castor oil, cold-pressed from the seeds of Ricinus communis, a plant grown in Africa, India and the Mediterranean since ancient times. In Egypt the oil was burned in lamps, and in folk magick, especially in Latin American and Caribbean traditions, it is known as Palma Christi and used as a base for protection and blessing oils.

Uses by Tradition

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Use as a thick base for protective anointing oils, steeping rue or rosemary in it.
• Fill a ritual oil lamp with a little castor oil mixed with your other oils.

Hoodoo & Rootwork

• Use as a carrier for home-made protection and uncrossing oils.
• Anoint the hands before handling protection charms.

Ceremonial & Occult Magick

• Use as the base for an oil lamp in long rituals and vigils.
• Use as a heavy carrier when making a consecration or planetary oil.

A Simple Working

• Pour a small amount of castor oil into a clean glass bottle.
• Add a few sprigs of dried rue or a pinch of protective herbs.
• Hold the bottle and speak your intention of protection over it.
• Leave it in a dark place for a full lunar cycle.
• Strain if you wish, then label it.
• Use it to anoint doors, candles and amulets for protection.

Pairs Well With

• Rue, steeped in castor for a protection oil.
• Rosemary, for a cleansing blend.
• Olive oil, to thin a castor blend for candle dressing.
• An oil lamp, for vigils.
• Small glass bottles, for storing your blends.

Lore & History

Herodotus wrote that the Egyptians pressed an oil they called kiki from the castor plant and burned it in their lamps, and castor seeds have been found in Egyptian tombs. The name Palma Christi, used for the plant and its oil in Europe and the Caribbean, comes from the palm-like spread of its leaves.

What You Receive

Castor carrier oil, cold-pressed, in a 8 oz bottle.