A Conversation with Hayley Zammit, Founder of Oracle Altar
Oracle Altar was born from a belief that incense has the power to transform ordinary moments into meaningful rituals. Founder Hayley Zammit shares more about the brand and herself.
Before Oracle Altar, what were you doing?
I was and still am a meditation guide on meditation apps like Insight Timer and Aura Health. I am also doing some writing / work other creative projects.
I love bringing the visions that I have into physical form, and I allow myself to do this in various ways, not limiting myself to one form or brand. But right now, Oracle Altar is my main focus and is what I am most passionate about!
Was there a moment when you realised Oracle Altar needed to exist?
Oracle Altar came to me a few years before it actually came into reality. I remember being pregnant at the time and getting the intuitive message that "a new creative expression is ready to come through me". I allowed myself to remain open and receptive to whatever it was going to be.
When my daughter was a newborn, the idea for Oracle Altar came through. It did not necessarily need to exist - It was born through a meld between my love for incense (I would light a stick every day), my curiosity around what was actually in it / was it safe to have around my baby, and also through my time as a meditation guide. I knew many people meditated because they needed support for the stress and overwhelm they were feeling and desired more peace, grounding, and self-connection, and incense was a physical tool that could help with that. Incense was a sensory tool that could be used on its own or utilized with other practices, too.
I knew I wanted a high-quality incense that was mostly natural, and also the box needed to be so much more than the standard paper pouches or flimsy cardboard boxes that get ripped and damaged so easily and don't exactly look very aesthetically pleasing. I wanted incense boxes to be able to sit out on your altar, desk, coffee table, and look so beautiful and like a part of the home decor - I had never seen (and still haven't) seen any incense brands creating reusable incense boxes with magnetic closure with gold foiling for the text, custom wrapping paper etc and really treating it as art or a treasure box holding a sacred ritual tool. That's what Oracle Altar became.
What does incense mean to you personally?
To me, incense means it's time to pause and connect with myself. It's an anchor that helps me drop into the moment, my body, and come back to my heart, my calling, my truth, my authentic self as a human, but also with my divinity.
When I light an incense stick, it is a signal that this is time for me and everything else can wait. It is a daily ritual for me that not only smells amazing, but I feel my body and mind relax with ease.
I think scent/fragrance is a very underrated tool that we can utilize in modern life to support our wellbeing - and it is so simple, fast, and effective. Unlike candles that are more about ambience and are lit for many hours, I feel incense is more intentional; its fragrance is ancient and allows a sacred window (approx 45mins) to go deep, tune in, and receive the peace, calm, grounding, and self-connection that we need in life. And how we spend that time will be unique to each of us.
You often use the word "ritual." What does ritual actually mean?
To me, a ritual is a very intentional act. It's not like routine, where things are often just done automatically without any real conscious effort or connection. A ritual is more deep, more personal, more of a conscious choice to do something, and you are directly present with the experience. Feeling, sensing, choosing to soften and have an open mind and heart. It's ultimately done for increasing wellbeing, whether that be mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, or relationally.
Whether we are aware of it or not, I think when we take part in a ritual, we are honoring a deeper part of ourselves, and we are showing up to cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves. Whether someone has an incense ritual or something else they do, such as journalling, meditation, yoga, skincare ritual, tea ceremony or something else, it will elevate them in mind, body, and spirit; it will bring them back to themselves; it will be an act of love and presence, which brushing our teeth or doing another mundane activity may not have (unless we choose to become more intentional with it).
I believe a ritual does not have to be associated with religion or be done in a traditional or specific way; it can be unique and personal to each individual. We can incorporate daily rituals into our modern-day life, and they can change and shift as we do.
What inspired the three fragrances?
I did not want to release an incense collection focussed around the specific fragrance, e.g., lavender, that most incense brands do. I wanted a collection that was focused around daily rituals first and foremost - incense for morning meditation and journalling, incense for a midday rest or family gatherings, incense for evenings so when you come home from work you can light incense and relax and wind down before bed.
Those different times of day then inspired the specific scents that I wanted them to be. For example, Morning Lumina is rich and grounding - perfect for a deep meditative morning. Noon Botanica contains wildflowers, so it is more floral and uplifting, which is just what you want in the middle of the day to elevate you for the rest of the day. Evening Reverie contains patchouli, which is a wonderful grounding and relaxing scent, just what you need to support you in having a great night's sleep.
Before I had my daughter, I used to always light incense and meditate and journal in the mornings, but now, since she wakes up around 5 a.m, things have shifted to support my new lifestyle. I will either light incense and meditate when I get home after dropping her off at kindy before getting into work, or I will do it in the evenings after I have put her to bed. I have learnt to be flexible and compassionate towards myself, knowing that lifestyles will shift and change depending on life circumstances, but there always is a window where it is possible to take time for myself, so that also inspired these fragrances. No matter what season you are in, there is an incense option for you!
How would you describe Oracle Altar in three words?
Intentional. Beautiful. Elegant.
What do you hope someone feels when they light Oracle Altar incense for the first time?
A softening. A return to themselves. They can exhale. They feel their body relax and mind slow, and they feel more connected to themselves, even if just for a moment.
~ Hayley Zammit, Founder of Oracle Altar
Thank you for taking a moment to step behind the brand and into the story of Oracle Altar.
This is only the beginning. As the collection grows, so too will the conversations, rituals, and inspiration that shape it. We look forward to sharing the journey with you, one slow, intentional ritual at a time.
Explore the Daily Ritual Incense Set thoughtfully designed for morning intention, midday reset, and evening relaxation. Whether you're new to incense or creating a daily ritual, each fragrance is crafted to bring calm, beauty, and presence to your everyday life.