Anointing oil is a special process by which regular olive oil or special olive oil blends are turned into a spiritual symbol and religious tool. Also called blessing oil or consecrating oil, this process is as simple as it is sacred. Anointing oil should be kept at room temperature so it doesn't get cloudy.
The first step in anointing oil is getting it blessed. Some communities require the blessing to come from a priest or clergyman, specific clergymen, and some communities allow any to bless the oil when they are in a pure state. Some denominations limit the types of oils allowed, and some do not, but all agree that Holy land oil is unique in its properties. Whether you want to use pure olive oil or olive oil with a spiritually significant addition such as myrrh or frankincense, the next step is getting the oil of your choice in a bottle or vial, and praying over it.
The prayer involves asking God to bless, cleanse and consecrate this oil so that it may be used for the sake of His glory. A sample blessing may go something like this: "God, I pray that you anoint this oil in Your heavenly name. I pray that You cleanse it of any defilement in it or upon it and that You make it holy for the work of Your glory. May this be done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen." Anointing oil has no powers of its own, it channels God's spirituality and purity, allowing it to be a powerful spiritual tool for cleansing and purifying things and people, making them holy vessels of God's faith.
The biblical source for anointing oil is the holy anointing oil used to anoint figures of import in the bible, as well as ordinating priests and high priests, and use on the tabernacle. Ever since these origins, it has been used ceremoniously to anoint things and people wished to hold God's glory and blessing, or consecrating them to be involved in a holy plan.
Today, anointing oil can be used in the home, on yourself, and on others. You may want to anoint a new home, or a place that faces a spiritual threat. Anointing a home turns it into holy ground, purifying it from the evil that may have lurked there, and blessing it in God's name. A home is anointed only after the remnants of evil have been removed, and once that has happened, each doorpost in the abode is anointed with the oil to cleanse the space inside and out. You can anoint yourself, to purify yourself for prayer, as well as to spiritually heal you when you are sick or troubled. The common way to do this is to anoint your right hand's thumb and draw the sign of a cross on your forehead while saying this: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” After the anointing, one would pray for healing, thanksgiving, repentance, or any other pure cause. If you are ill or injured, you'd anoint the area that is unhealthy with a cross of anointing oil and pray for healing. You can also anoint others, in much the same way as you anoint yourself - anointing them with the right thumb in the shape of a cross and saying "I anoint you with oil in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then praying over them for whatever reason they are in need of anointing. Anointing oil such as those available here is a unique opportunity to have the added purity and holiness associated with the Holy Land of Israel incorporated into your anointing oil. It makes a wonderful choice for your own use as well as a meaningful gift.
