Scent & Sensibility: How to Pick the Perfect Candle for Your Mood

Maggie Murphree
May 22
5 min read

...(And Why Your Nose Might Be Wiser Than You Think)

Right. First things first.

Yes, I’ve been away. The Banshee’s been quiet — too quiet — and not for lack of stories or scandal. Life, as it does, has been doing its thing. Between the chaos of candle markets, shipping delays, the dogs eating everything on the counter again, and a mild case of existential dread — the blog went a bit… on the shelf.

But here we are. Back at the table. The kettle’s on, the candles are lit, and my fingers have found their way back to the keyboard — even if my brain is still three cups of tea behind.

Let’s talk scent. And mood. And maybe why your house smells like cinnamon rage when you’re just trying to have a moment.

The Nose Knows

Scent is magic. Not rabbit-in-a-hat magic — real, deeply emotional magic. One whiff of lavender and suddenly you’re six years old again, wrapped in your mum’s cardigan, watching rain slide down the kitchen window. The smell of fresh rosemary? You're back in your granny's garden, pretending to know the names of herbs while secretly looking for biscuits.

Scent doesn't just remind us of memories. It revives them. It puts us right back in the scene — sound, feeling, heart and all.

And the wild part? It’s different for everyone. Our sense of smell is incredibly personal. Just like how a perfume clings differently to one person than another, a candle might bring comfort to you and confusion to someone else. What smells like your granny’s kitchen might smell like someone else’s third-grade science project. We all pick up different notes, tones, and emotional cues based on where we’ve been, who we love, and what we’ve lived through.

And when life gets heavy (and let’s be honest, lately it’s been the emotional equivalent of dragging a soggy duvet uphill), lighting the right candle can be like throwing your soul a life preserver.

Pick The Perfect Candle for Your Mood. Light Your Match.

Here’s your mood-based scent guide, crafted with equal parts culinary obsession and Irish sentimentality. These are candles with character — hand-poured, chef-made, and designed to make you feel something other than “where are my bloody keys?”

💚 Mood: Heart Full, Cup Empty

Try: Hearthstone

Smells like: Warm spice, cedarwood, and emotional CPR.This one’s like coming home — if home smelled like aged peat, musk, bookshelves, and the kind of hug that lets you ugly cry into a cable-knit jumper. Light it when you need grounding, peace, or just to feel like someone put the kettle on for your soul.

🌸 Mood: Fragile, But Make It Fancy

Try: Honey the Honey (Honey Lavender)

Smells like: A gentle reminder that you're not broken, you're just a bit tired.This is lavender, but not the dusty linen closet kind. This is lavender and honey had a baby in Provence. It’s the scent equivalent of being told to sit down and breathe while someone else finishes the dishes.

🌶️ Mood: Fierce, Fiery, Unapologetic

Try: Orange Chili Pepper

Smells like: Ambition, with a side of sass. For the days when you’re ready to burn it all down and rebuild as a spice empress. This scent doesn’t whisper. It shouts, but in a sultry, citrusy tone. Perfect for when your to-do list is terrified of you.

🍂 Mood: Fuzzy Socks & Existential Musings

Try: Apple Cinnamon

Smells like: Autumn, baking, and pretending everything’s fine. This one wraps around you like your favorite cardigan and a mug of something questionable. Light it when you're spiraling into a fall-themed Pinterest board or just need to be comforted by the scent of baking coziness.

🌱 Mood: Fresh Start. Fresh Sheets. Fresh Outlook.

Try: Wild Arugula

Smells like: Spring cleaning for your soul. Peppery, green, and weirdly uplifting. It smells like you’ve got your act together, even if you definitely forgot that Zoom meeting.

🥧 Mood: Sentimental & Snacky

Try: Fig & Rhubarb

Smells like: Poetry with a pie crust. Soft, nostalgic, and just a bit tart — like your favorite aunt who sends handwritten letters and still wears red lipstick. Light it for journaling, memory lane strolls, or when you need something to smell like comfort and complexity.

🪄 Mood: I Deserve a Bloody Vacation!

Try: Mint Mojito

Smells like: Poolside freedom and one-too-many umbrella drinks. Minty, citrusy, and zero stress. Light it when you're done being “on.” This is the scent of “I’m off duty, don’t even try me.” Ideal for pretending your bathtub is a resort spa and your dog is the concierge.

🌿 Mood: Too Much Noise, Not Enough Nature

Try: Rosemary Sage

Smells like: A ritual, a walk in the woods, and five minutes of peace.This is your no-nonsense, clean-slate candle. For when the energy in the room needs a reboot and you’re one bad email away from shouting into the void.

Sniff This: The Perfect Candle Scents for Mood Swings, Meltdowns & Mondays

How to Sniff Out the Perfect Mood Match:

Here’s the Banshee’s cheat sheet:

Feeling anxious? Go for grounding herbs (rosemary, sage).
Low energy? Reach for citrus or spice.
Craving comfort? Choose gourmand or warm fall scents.
Overstimulated? Fresh, green notes will settle your nerves.
Feeling like an absolute snack? Light whatever makes you feel like a snack. No rules, just vibes.

The Heart of It All

Look — we don’t light candles because we like fire (well, not only). We light them to feel something. To set the tone. To tell the world, or just our own brains, that we’re slowing down, starting over, opening up, or simply hanging on.

I’ve had weeks lately where I couldn’t write a word. Where my moods were more scrambled than a breakfast skillet. And what got me through? Friends. A few good mugs of tea. My crazy chef husband creating and lighting candles like a wizard in a kitchen apocalypse. And knowing that coming back to The Banshee’s Table — to the scents, the stories, the warmth — would always feel like home.

So if you’re reading this and feeling a bit off, a bit lost, or just a bit in need of a glow-up… come sit with us. Pick a candle. Pick a mood. Light the match.

Rosemary Sage

Buy Now

At the end of the day, your nose knows. Follow it like a hungry bloodhound after a tray of sausage rolls. And if all else fails? Buy them all. That way, no matter your mood, there’s always a candle ready to back you up — no therapy appointment required.

Now go forth, sniff freely, and light with intention. Your mood (and your house) will thank you.

Got a favorite scent + mood combo? Tell us in the comments or tag us @GluttonyCandles with your pick! We love a good whiff-based personality quiz. 😏