LUSH Devil’s Nightcap amidst LUSH bottles via LUSH website

In the bleak midwinter we would do well to dance with the Druids. Whatever joy we can cull from this annual period of latency, contemplation, and drawing inward is most certainly welcome. To this end, I’d like to muse with you upon a delightful and mystifying fragrance which is readily available and unusual: LUSH Devil’s Nightcap, created by the father and son team (at that time) at LUSH (in 2012), Mark and Simon Constantine.

 image of Mark and Simon Constantine- (Simon now has his own brand ånd fragrance (image from our archives)

 This quirky perfume was inspired by the national landmark Agglestone Rock, which is situated in the midst of vast Godlingston Heath in Dorset. The Devil’s Nightcap has been a source of fascination for many generations. Even the genesis of the name Aggleston is debated: one branch of thought ties it to the Anglo -Saxon words hagge, meaning ‘witch’ and stan, meaning ‘stone.’ Another explanation originated in the 1800s, from the altered name Adlingston: ’holy home’, after the Saxon halig-han.

Agglestone Rock via wiki

There exist several origin stories regarding the Devil’s Nightcap, but a popular one suggests that the Devil threw the rock from The Needles on the Isle of Wight with the intention of hitting Corfe Castle (in Dorset), Bindon Abbey or Salisbury Cathedral. The rock missed its mark, landing instead in Godlingston Heath. Due to its singular shape, this ancient sandstone rock formation is often referred to as The Devil’s Anvil, as well as the Devil’s Nightcap – and was said to have been used as an altar by the Druids (having had a flat surface prior to falling over in 1970). It is thought to be 56 to 33 million years old, having been formed during the Eocene epoch.

 

Corfe Castle in Dorset

LUSH Devil’s Nightcap’s list of olfactory materials may appear meager to the eye, but its impact is pronounced. Reverential awe for the Druid’s beloved oak is readily apparent in an abundant use of both oakmoss (inky, earthy, sylvan, moisture-laden) and oakwood itself (smoky, fruity, leathery, and balsamic): traditionally, the oak symbolizes strength, wisdom, longevity, and it has a correlation to the spiritual world. The oak is considered a sacred tree, a portal between the physical and spiritual spheres. Imagine, if you will – these earthy elements conjoined with the flowering herb known as clary sage, long associated with vision, meditation and visionary states. Clary sage was employed in love spells, to ease childbirth, and relieve anxiety; it’s a glory of herbal/floral intricacy with tea-like underpinnings. There’s no use denying the alchemical combination of such magical plants; whether or not their deeper significance was intentional, I derive pleasure from ruminating about their sympathetic alliance. Wiccan wisdom points to ylang-ylang’s associations with the planet Venus; it is said to possess the ability to harmonize both masculine and feminine aspects of an individual by affecting the heart chakra.  We haven’t yet delved into the magical aspects of orange blossom, which has long been considered a symbol of purity, fertility, and virtue. Were you aware that abundance, luck, and positivity are associated with these pungent white flowers? They are included in composing love spells as well.

 wikimedia image tuft of oakmoss

LUSH Devil’s Nightcap is a bit of an aromatic odd bod in that it’s difficult to pigeonhole – which is a large portion of its attraction. Equal parts light and shadow, we experience the sunniness of sultry ylang-ylang and orange flower, with their indolic and softly glowing good nature. This is juxtaposed with a murky, smoky forest floor aspect punctuated by the complexity of clary sage and its camphoraceous, herbaceous, fresh tobacco notes (some observe that a touch of nuttiness is present). Throughout its development, Devil’s Nightcap fluctuates between both ends of a scented spectrum, anomalous and enchanting; it keeps one guessing which visage will appear next. As incongruous as it might seem, it is this disparity which fascinates: in addition, it is a tenacious fragrance with good sillage. In years past, these older LUSH perfumes were quite affordable – and today they have become much more expensive, in keeping with current trends and competitive pricing. Often, one may find bargains online. If you want to dance with the Druids, this is a perfect place to start. Any avowed lover of oakmoss will adore it.

Notes: oakmoss, oak wood, orange flower, clary sage, ylang-ylang

Bottle is from my personal collection. My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Ida’s LUSH Devil’s Nightcap

I am happy to offer a small decant of my LUSH Devil’s Nightcap for one reader in the continental USA. The draw is for registered readers only, so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what sparked your interest in Ida’s review and where you live. Draw closes 1/13/2024

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