I mentioned last year in a review of Eris Parfums' Scorpio Rising that I've always been curious about the zodiac, so I'm ready to explore an astrology-fragrance connection now and then. Also last year, the Brooklyn-based indie perfume brand MCMC Fragrances (a longtime favorite of mine) released a collection of "all-natural home and body mists" designed to complement the characters of the zodiac. Okay, I thought, sign (ha!) me up.
As you may not be surprised to learn if we've been online buddies for a while, I'm a June baby (rose is "my" flower) and a Cancer ("the crab"), which translates into being emotionally sensitive and most comfortable in home-like spaces. Some Cancer-themed scents lean into Cancer's "water" category by foregrounding aquatic notes and delicate white florals. MCMC takes a different approach, choosing its notes for their weights and "personalities" in a more cross-sensory way: "Petitgrain creates a sturdy home from which whimsical eucalyptus and sweet grapefruit gently emerge."
Lately I've been spritzing my Cancer mist around my home "office" for a mid-day boost, and spraying my arms lightly when I'm in the mood for something refreshing. I'd describe it as a contemporary take on the classic Eau de Cologne theme — and its citrus-herbal blend would feel perfect on humid summer days, although it's also ideal (speaking from experience) for a winter evening when you happen to be feeling stuffy and cranky with a bad head-cold. Its grapefruit note is rounded and juicy and not excessively tart, and the petitgrain (an oil derived from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree) is green and a touch woody. Eucalyptus, coincidentally, is a smell that has always signified "home" to me, since my mother has always kept containers of eucalyptus branches in the house where I grew up. That connection is serendipitous for me, but even so, eucalyptus's gently bracing, aromatic quality deepens Cancer's citrus and wood notes perfectly. Overall, this mist does feel "safe and comforting, with depth beyond," just as advertised.
Skimming through the list of Zodiac Mists, I'm seeing other signs/blends that appeal to me — Sagittarius (blood orange, rose and ho wood bark) and Capricorn (benzoin, sandalwood and amyris) sound specially good. I happen to have very close relationships with a real-life Cap and Sag — coincidence? Perhaps!
If you knew more about your own astrological chart than I do about mine, you could purchase mists for all three of your signs (sun, moon and ascendant) and create a celestial bouquet for your nose. One (or a pair?) of these Zodiac mists would also make a worthy Valentine's Day gift. The packaging is simple yet chic; I really like the labels' abstract designs and subtly unusual palettes.
If you're interested in astrology, what's your sign? And have you ever found a fragrance that seems to accentuate it for you?
MCMC Zodiac Mists are $38 each for 100 ml at the MCMC Fragrances' website.
Thank you Jessica for the interesting review, fellow cancer here, but I rarely think about it.
Hello, fellow crab-baby!
Nice review, Jessica, and waves from a fellow Cancerian!
👋🏻🦀🌝
This sounds like a great scent, and I’ll at least read about the others.
I am glad they’re veering away from the typical watery florals, which are not really my thing. Cancers are not wimps! 😅
I agree…we have our protective shells! and we appreciate stability. I feel like this fragrance captures that aspect!
This made me curious, so I headed over to MCMC’s website to check things out. However, the link you provided in your article gave me a 404 error. 😞
I’m an Aquarius with Taurus in the moon. Not quite sure what my ascendant is. I really liked the choice for Aquarius that MCMC had: lavender, black pepper and frankincense. Most people get it very wrong with Aquarians. We are not water signs! So please skip the aquatics.
I’m sorry about the link! My error, somehow! I’ll ask Robin to check that.
That blend of lavender, pepper, and frankincense DOES sound good. And yes, you may be *bearing* the water, but you aren’t a water sign! I’ve probably made that mistake before, hah.
Hi I’m a Gemini 20th June and my stellium is all there so I have Mars, Venus, mercury and Sun all together. I’m a bit cancer too.
I adore wooden perfumes and gourmands…but it all has to be experimental.
I don’t know my birth time — my birth certificate is a very simple form, at least, the one I have on hand! I keep meaning to contact my state’s record department sometime to find out whether there’s a more detailed version on file. I want a full chart, darn it!
If you know what hospital you were born in, perhaps they could help you.
Loved to read another review! ❤️ These sound really nice and interesting but unfortunately they are not available in Europe… 😢
Aw, I’m sorry about that! It’s definitely a small indie brand with limited distribution. Next time I’ll review something a little easier to order!
This very interesting review made me go look up my birth month flower. I am Pisces, Daffodil, Jonquil, is my flower. I have no scents with this as a note, but I find classic ambergris always pleasing and most aquatics at least inoffensive. Like with Dune now back on my list of favorites as I savor the little vintage decant I obtained recently, or Jennifer Anniston’s Beachy scent – I like to spray it around my house when we turn the air conditioner on, and the scent holds the sensation of coolness a little longer when we turn the air off.
I like Tarot cards, they are like a Rorschach test with prettier pictures, and I play with them occasionally when I am utterly out of ideas.
Many of the astrological generalities for Pisces fit me well, but personal and detailed readings tend to be veering at best and way off base at worst, so I generally fall back on trusted friends and relatives for advice, an ear to bend, or a reality check.
I’m with you on Tarot!! I enjoy pulling cards for myself. They’re a beautiful visual tool but I don’t really see them as “you’re going to meet a tall dark stranger” oracles.
And you’ve inspired me to spray on some Dune today! What a gorgeous weirdo it is!
Yes, Dune is the perfume that really doesn’t smell like anything…