Essential Oils/Aromatherapy
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
“Pleasure
is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume.”
—Jean de Boufflers
Aromatherapy has also been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians were known for their lavish use of scented oils. They were very spiritual in all realms of culture, and to them, scent was sacred. Certain aromas were associated with different Gods and Goddesses, and within their mystery school teachings, the esoteric knowledge concerning the true nature of aroma was taught. They believed that Ra, one of their most important deities, created smells, and that all scents came from him. They practiced the knowledge of using aromatherapy to summon spirit, and they believed the dead traveled through the plant essence, the scent. The sacred art of creating perfumes was taught in the temples, and it was believed that certain scents could enhance one’s energy and power. The magic of plants had to do not with the chemistry itself, but with the spirit of the plant, and these energies could be embodied by special and mysterious alchemical extraction processes. They used a combination of 7 sacred oils in the mummification process, which enabled the spirit to travel, with cedar oil being the most important of these scents. Perfume oils were used to induce trance, aid in relaxation and promote deep sleep, intensify dreams, and bring about more positive mental and emotional states.
Other cultures throughout history have used aromatherapy as well. The ancient Chinese used herbs extensively, and aromatherapy was a part of this practice. They shared the Egyptian practice of using specific aromas, of fresh, extracted, or burning herbs, to connect with the ancestor spirits, as do the Native American people to this day.
Aromas have a unique effect on the human brain. They have the power to evoke very specific memories, to “transcend time,” and transport us to a place of significance to us, from when we smelled this scent in the past. Scents seem to exist “between the worlds,” beyond the boundaries of time and space. Native American healers were, and are, very masterful in their understanding of the importance of essences and vibrational medicine. They use many sacred herbs daily, and this practice includes the burning of sacred herbs such as sage, sweet grass, osha root, cedar, copal resin, and others. These smells are believed to “wake up” the ancestors, and attract them to come and assist and teach the people. The Native American wisdom people understood smell to be a subtle form of energy that exists both here and in the spirit world. The spirits are able to smell, or sense, the aroma, and follow it to this side. The magic of working with these practices involves much knowledge of the energies of the plants, such as that sage clears negative energies, sweetgrass brings positive, sweet energies, and cedar honors the ancestors and brings them calling.
Aromas, emotions, and memories all seem to have a special connection. I have a very powerful association that has been with me since early childhood. When I was about 6 years old, I lived in a house with a big open field next to me, with oaks and other natural life, including lizards, birds, and butterflies. This was a place were my brothers and I frequently explored and played games in. It was our little piece of nature to connect with. That year, in the spring and summer, the land was cleared and developed into an apartment complex. This was accomplished in a short time period, and by mid-summer, the workers were paving the parking lot. We continued to play in this area during the development process, curiously watching the transformation through children’s non-judgmental, wondering eyes. That was the summer of the caterpillars. There were caterpillars everywhere, hundreds and hundreds of them. Now I understand that all the butterfly eggs were hatching, and the places where the larvae normally fed and grew were gone. Then, all I knew was there was an amazing world of caterpillars to explore. We collected them and played with them for a few weeks, but eventually they all began to die from lack of food. Soon there were hundreds of dead caterpillars everywhere, with their phosphorescent yellow green body fluid running on the ground. This was about the time the blacktop was being poured. I thought, then and for years after, that the strong, pungent odor I was smelling was the smell of caterpillar blood. To this day, when I smell fresh blacktop, I think of my friends the caterpillars, as well as that carefree summer of my youth. It is a very powerful association, and it takes me right back to my 6 year old self, to that time and place. Aromas are powerful and subtle forms of energy that can tap into our subconscious, and aromatherapy can be a wonderful tool for healing. Do you associate certain smells with particular people, memories or places? If so, what are your associations?
Aromatherapy has wide applications in healing, either by itself or in combination with other types of therapy. It is a very complimentary modality and goes well with most other practices. The only instances in which aromatherapy may not be appropriate are when flower essences or homeopathy are being used (this is up to the discretion of the healer, and there are differing viewpoints on this subject), or if the client is very sensitive or reactive to smells. Often with aromatherapy, less is more, and very light use of essential oils can provide a more energetic treatment which can effectively align the subtle vibrations of plant and person.
Aromatherapy is also one of the most common forms of healing that people use on their own in their homes. Some of the most popular uses are essential oils in a bath for relaxation or rejuvenation (there are some great products made just for this purpose), the use of potpourri blends, and the burning of scented candles and incense. Though there is a big market that produces a great variety of these types of products, it is very important to buy all natural products which do not contain artificial scents or other harmful ingredients. Products such as those “plug-in” things, where a little dispenser gives off the smell of spring as it is warmed up, are made of manmade chemicals that, far from being healthful, can actually be quite toxic and cause side affects like headache, nausea, and breathing difficulties. This is an extreme example, and most people are somewhat aware that these types of “aromatherapy” products are not good for them. There are even some incenses, potpourris, and scented oils that may seem okay, but are not made with natural, pure plant oils. The best products will most likely be found in metaphysical book stores and health food stores or food co-ops, as well as through many wonderful online sources. They will also most likely be costly, as the extraction of pure plant essences is a very intensive process in which thousands of flowers or other plant parts are used to create a small bottle of pure oil. These oils are very special, and are the earth’s gift to us, to be used sparingly while honoring the source. When approached in this way, you will know this is money well spent!
Aromatherapy is one of the most common complimentary vibrational healing techniques used by a wide range of healers. Many massage therapists use different scented lotions and oils for relaxing or rejuvenation during massage. Many energy healers as well use aromatherapy to enhance their preferred healing modalities. Many counselors and therapists also use aromatherapy to relax clients and increase comfort level. Many healers have adopted the Native American wisdom practice of burning sage to cleanse a client’s aura, or to clear their own energy or the energy within their space between healings, which is very effective. There are also “vibrational sprays,” generally containing pure water and essential oils, which are used for this purpose as well. Just remember if you choose to use essential oils and other aromatherapy products, especially in vibrational healing practices, that you research your source as well as you can, and insure you are using only pure (organic, whenever possible) oils and products made with pure oils and other high quality natural ingredients.