For aromatherapy purposes, there are 2 species of sandalwood that are popular. The white sandalwood has a much stronger scent than the red. The sandalwood is a small tree that grows native in southern Asia. Sandalwood oil is used medicinally to treat skin infections, and the powdered wood is a common base for loose incense.
Latin: Santalum album (white) or Santalum rubrum (red)
Common Names: Red Sanders
Sandalwood is another of those herbs (well, it's a wood actually) that are used for a wide range of magickal purposes. And since sandalwood is a wood, you can get it in either chips, powder or oil. Both the red and the white varieties are used in magick.
I would say the primary magickal uses for sandalwood is to aid in astral projection, divination, and working with the chakras and with spirits. Sandalwood can also promote psychic dreams. And the scent of sandalwood inspires spirituality in any form.
If sandalwood is not available, cedar makes a good substitute.
In Indian mythology, the God Ganesha was created by Parvati from sandalwood paste that She had rubbed over her body before a bath.
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Associated Deities: Ganesha
