helarctos

Tezcatlipoca is definitely a *power* scent. It's like Centzon Totochtin without the wine/foodiness, or Greed without the sweetness. It has an exquisite resinous drydown.

For me this starts out as overpoweringly sweet -- the syrup from a can of peaches or pears. There's a bitter undertone -- the vetiver? -- that comes out on the skin, and tempers the sweetness. It adds a complexity but doesn't work well on me.

Inferno smells of maraschino cherries and meerschaum smoke. Gorgeous, though not something I'd wear as a personal scent.

Manila smells like candy! Pineapple and banana candy. Yum. In the drydown, a scent like tobacco emerges -- is this the banana leaf? -- and complexifies the fruity aroma, but doesn't quash its sweetness. I'm not a foody-scent person but I really love Manila and I think I'll try it in an oil burner. What I really wish is that I could get this scent in a soap or shower gel. Maybe it's time to experiment with BPAL and unscented stuff...

The closest scent to which I can liken the Uranus blend is that of the powdery residue that Dentyne cinnamon-flavored gum leaves on its wrapper.

Peace definitely smells of fir.

I really did not enjoy the scent of Catalyst. The notes I took read "unpleasant earthy herbs." It is possible I have some sort of allergy to something in it, though, as I had a headache afterward. So other people may find it more congenial than I did. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

Temple: Greek smells of cloves, olives (?), and a peppery spice I can't quite identify. Very evocative. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

The scent of TAL Oshun to me is heady, sweet, somewhat fruity. And really beautiful. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

Helping Hand smells of sugared mint. It reminds me of a sweet mint tea, something soothing and refreshing at the same time. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

To me, Bastet's Laughter smells of "tropical punch"-flavored Kool-Aid. I agree that it smells similar to Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo, which I have down in my spreadsheet as having reminded me of Hawaiian Punch. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

Eleggua is PEPPERMINT! (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

Aunt Caroline's Money Bag smells like a fragrant orange pomander, well-seasoned and freshly prepared. It's very sweet. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

Temple Daoist smells to me very grounding and grounded, a bouquet of wood and earth. (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )

Interesting ... to me Lionheart smells of baby powder! (Disclaimer: This review was written in a circular swap, so I did not use the oil for ritual purposes. I can only report here on its scent. I believe this is valuable information so people know if they will find the oil physically/aesthetically uncomfortable when they use it for its intended purpose, BUT I do not believe TAL oils should be used as simple perfume. )