re: Australian paganism. Aussie here, I recently got to thinking about correspondences. What do you think about stuff like tea tree oil being used for cleansing? It's got very strong antiseptic properties. Perhaps some dabbed on windows and doorframes. Likewise, the lamps burned to ward off mosquitoes could be used in a similar fashion. What do you think about possible properties for common plants like eucalypt?
Yeah, that's a great idea! I'm so glad to hear from someone else who's thinking about this. Tea tree oil is pretty powerful stuff physically so it makes sense to use it magically! It does smell pretty strong but if you like the smell it's a bonus. Citronella is the thing burned as an oil or incense to repel mosquitoes - personally I only really use it for the actual mosquitoes because I associate the smell with mundane gatherings, but if the association works for you it could be for spiritual warding/protection.
When it comes to Eucalypts I've seen some attempts to classify them with a planetary correspondence, but it's really important to remember that there are more than 700 species of them in Australia and that includes a massive amount of variation, so they need to be considered individually. A scrubby little desert Mallee is going to be different to a colourful twisting Snowgum or a big sturdy River Red Gum. Eucalyptus species are such a major part of the Australian landscape I don't want to reduce them to one association. I do want to experiment with burning their leaves and resin this year though. Also, Eucalyptus oil also has mundane properties that can be analogous to magical ones like you just suggested for tea tree oil, although for Eucalyptus oil I'd think more of medicinal/healing or clearing your mind.
I know of only a couple of instances where people have made extensive lists of Australian plant correspondences:
Australia Bush Flower Essences
Australian Wildflower Oracle
These are a great start but I find other people's lists without explanations leave me a bit cold, I'd really like to start building up my own list of correspondences by learning from my own experiences and looking at the plants around me - I hope I find time for this instead of just talking about it!
One thing that does come to mind though, is that I associate the Grey Gum (Eucalyptus propinqua) with fire and heat, because when it sheds its grey bark it turns a beautiful fiery orange, and this happens in summer when the weather is hot and the risk of bushfires is high.
