The Perfect Essential Oil for Your Enneagram Type

When I stumbled upon the Enneagram for the first time, I was completely uninterested. Highlighting my biggest weakness? Um, no thanks! But my friends wouldn’t stop talking about it and eventually I succumbed to the magic of the Enneagram, too. If you find yourself in love with essential oils and the Enneagram, keep reading--you’re going to love this!

The Ennea-huh?

The Enneagram is an ancient spiritual discipline (it’s been around since the early first century) that helps people heal from childhood wounds and become wholehearted gifts to themselves and the world!

Where personality tests help us find strengths and weaknesses, the Enneagram helps us uncover and then heal our harmful tendencies so that we can bring our full, joyful selves to life.

How Do I Find My Type?

There are nine basic Enneagram numbers or types. They’re represented on a wheel to show that no type is better than any other types--but they’re all powerfully connected.

If you don’t know your type yet, you can find quick online tests but the best way to learn your type, is to study all nine and find the one that you most identify with. Nobody can tell you what you are -- you know yourself best!

A Magical Pair

There’s no particular magic when it comes to pairing essential oils with the Enneagram, but as we all know, aromatherapy is a powerful tool to stimulate our brains, remind us of important truths, and create a sense of ritual.

You can diffuse essential oils for your Enneagram type while you set an intention for the day, practice mindfulness, work, or while you meditate or journal towards gratitude and self-growth.

If you love an oil, go for it, no matter your type! But if you’d like to be intentional about pairing oils with your Enneagram type, here are nine fantastic places to start:

 Type One

Type Ones are rational and idealistic and committed to excellence. They can struggle, however, with perfectionism and imposter syndrome and sometimes need help tapping into their inner spontaneous, in-the-moment selves.

Try: woodsy, earthy scents like cedar, patchouli, and frankincense can invite you into nature, which can be incredibly grounding for Ones. Try our Wanderlust blend to tap into a healthy love of adventure!

Type Two

Type Twos are known as nurturers and givers--they’re the type most likely to rush to your aid if you need help! The flip side of that, of course, is that Twos can get so wrapped up in caring for others that they neglect their own needs.

Try: spa scents like eucalyptus, lavender, and cedar will remind you to tend to your own self’s needs with the same love and attention you give to others. Our Eucalyptus + Lavender blend is perfect self-care scent for 2s.

Type Three

Type Threes are natural achievers! If you need a job done, hand it to a Three--they’ll get it done! Threes can easily get caught up in the rat race, though, and sometimes need help relaxing and believing that they’re worth love, even when they’re not being productive.

Try: cozy, warm scents like orange, cinnamon, patchouli, clove, and cedar are strong enough to stop Threes in their tracks and remind them that joy and love and human connection don’t have anything to do with productivity. Try our Orange + Clove!

Type Four

Type Fours are the creatives. They’re also expressive, sensitive, and sometimes withdrawn. Fours have beautiful perspectives on life that others often miss, but can struggle with communicating these superpowers with the rest of the world.

Try: Rosemary + Lemon is a natural pairing for Fours. Lemon is invigorating and mind-clearing, while rosemary is grounding and naturally uplifting. Together, they help a Four lean into their uniqueness.

Type Five

Type Fives are often called investigators. They’re intensely cerebral and can even be secretive and isolated. These are types you want nearby when you need to make decisions (they know a lot about a lot), but sometimes Fives need help connecting with and trusting the world around them.

Try: patchouli, frankincense, cedar, and orange are both nurturing and calming while also being uplifting and invigorating--a perfect pair for a type who loves to think! Our Moonglow scent is an easy choice for 5s.

Type Six

Many Enneagram experts believe Sixes are the most common type, and that’s a good thing--Sixes are loyal, responsible, and committed! They keep our world running, but they can also fall into anxiety over it.

Try: lavender. Lavender is the ultimate anti-anxiety essential oil. It also brings sweet dreams (it’s been proven to help with insomnia) and pairs beautifully with lots of other oils. Lavender + Mint is a wonderful, calming scent for 6s.

Type Seven

If there’s a party somewhere, that’s where you’ll find the Sevens! Type Sevens are fun-loving and spontaneous, but they can struggle to maintain focus. Sometimes they need help leaning into their gift of enthusiasm to finish a task.

Try: grapefruit, bergamot, and spearmint will help snap your brain into focus! These uplifting scents are like sunshine in a diffuser, no matter what the actual sun is doing outside…. Our Grapefruit + Spearmint blend will keep 7s cheerfully focused!

Type Eight

Type Eights challenge the status quo and injustice--and they have the strength and power to make change happen! These powerhouses need reminders, however, that it’s ok to let go and relax every now and then.

Try: Lavender + Cedar is a terrific combination for Eights. Lavender is calming and loving, and cedar is grounding with a sweet undertone. Both help Eights find their center without feeling weak or unloved.

Type Nine

Type Nines are peacemakers, bringing a reassuring, easygoing vibe to every place they go. They are self-effacing and agreeable, but can get lost in other peoples’ thoughts and opinions. Nines sometimes need reminders of their own amazing gifts.

Try: a really unique blend like Midnight Garden can remind Nines that they, too, are unique, vibrant, and beautiful!

Thanks to the Enneagram Institute for type descriptions.

Sarah Guerrero
Sarah Guerrero is a freelance writer and contributor to Slow North. She has a degree in international business from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and writes about sustainable business practices and ethical living.