Whether used as a perfume or an incense, sandalwood spiritual benefits include the ability to cleanse and purify your energy fields of negativity. It can also help to clear out the negative thoughts and feelings that can impede your well-being and keep you from reaching your full potential.
It is an incredibly grounding oil, especially when burned during meditation and exercise. In addition to its calming and soothing effects, it can help you stay focused during your meditation or workout sessions, while providing an invigorating scent that will take you to another level of consciousness.
In many traditions, sandalwood is associated with the root chakra at the base of the spine. Burning it in conjunction with other types of incense can help to open, clear, and balance this area, promoting self-identity and improving feelings of security and stability.
It has long been a sacred wood in Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim cultures. It is carved into complex ornaments for shrines and temples, made into miniatures, and is frequently used in prayer beads.
Sandalwood is also found in Hindu rites and ceremonies, where it is used to consecrate ritual tools. Occasionally it is applied to foreheads in Hindu temples to identify devotees of Shiva and Vishnu.
Red sandalwood is a popular incense, used for healing, protection, and exorcism. It is often combined with frankincense and myrrh in Neopagan spellwork to promote prosperity and success. It is also a popular component of general protection bags.