Aromatherapy and SpiritAre aromatherapy and spirit connected? Learn about the spiritual applications of aromatherapy in the following article or in Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils.
Aromatherapyby Danny Siegenthaler and Susan Siegenthaler |
In China, incense was burned to purify the atmosphere and rid the environment of evil spirits; in India, incense was and is used in all temples of all persuasions to sanctify the devotions; in Mexico, incenses were used in rituals to induce trance-like states in the participants to make them more accepting in their role of living sacrifice to the Gods; in Northern Europe, the Druids used incenses which were sacred to the Earth Mother.
The Greeks and Romans also used essential oils and fragrant herbs in all aspects of their daily lives, and many of their practices were learned from the Egyptians and Mesopotamians who were without doubt, the absolute masters in the "Art of Aromatherapy."
The first people to dispense aromatics as medicines in Ancient Egypt were the priests - they were the first aromatherapists. As the use of aromatic substances became more common, they were also used by the physicians.
At Heliopolis, the city dedicated to Ra the Sun-God, incense was burned 3 times a day: sunrise, noon, and sunset. This incense was called Kuphi or Kyphi and contained 16 ingredients including Cassia, Calamus, Citronella, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Pistacia, Juniper, Acacia, Henna, Cypress, Myrrh, Raisins, Frankincense, and Morning Glory.
Aromatherapy was used in the healing temples in both Egypt and later in Greece, which also incorporated the use of color healing using solar light. Great glass windows of various colors were built into the ceilings of these temples at specific points, corresponding with the journey of the sun across the sky. The patient was placed in the stream of colored light and incense was burned or oils applied to the patient as need dictated. This form of healing is called Heliotherapy.
Even as recently as the Middle Ages in Europe, fragrant herbs were known to possess special healing properties by virtue of their fragrances, and were burned in the streets to counteract the odor and ill effects of the poor hygiene of the times. During the time of the Great Plague this method was also used to antisepticize the air.
  |
Essential oils can help us have a more positive, relaxed, or energetic mood, help us to concentrate better, develop our "psychic awareness," and act as a bridge to help us access "deeper" or "higher" levels of consciousness. This function of essential oils overlaps with the effects oils have on the brain, but it must be remembered that the Nervous and Hormonal Systems are the physical "translators" of the Etheric dimensions.
The use of aromatic plants as incense in religious and ritual practices is based on this knowledge. Incense purifies, acts as a libation or gesture of respect to higher intelligences, and gives us a "doorway" for entry into the astral realms.
It is believed that essential oils, when used in the form of "incensing," are signals to those other dimensions where we find our Guardian Angels, Spirit Guides, Gods and Goddesses, and states of pure "Cosmic Consciousness." Essential oils form a means whereby we can show our intention or willingness to open our consciousness to those realities. The result is that these Beings are able to communicate with us or through us more easily.
By developing our sensitivity to other levels of energy/being and other levels of our own consciousness, we are better able to develop our healing powers and accelerate our own personal/spiritual growth.
Because we are conditioned from birth to relate primarily to the physical plane of existence we tend to have some degree of difficulty in shifting to the spiritual levels without some assistance. Essential oils can help us with this.
The Sense Of Smell and Etheric Energy
From an energy point of view, the sense of smell relates to the Element called AKASHA or ETHER. This is the Universal and all-pervading element, the element of Spirit, and it has the ability to transform itself into anyone of the forms of Elemental Energy. It is also closely related to the Element of Air, which is related to the sense of taste.
The human sense of smell is not as acute as that of a dog or a moth, however, it is never the less quite acute, and humans are capable of distinguishing many thousands of odors. The exact way in which odor perception takes place is still quite a mystery to medical science. There is sound knowledge of the structures involved in odor perception, but the function itself still has many unanswered questions.
By developing our sense of smell, we can then use essences and aromatic substances to create a mood, a feeling, an atmosphere, or a change in our state of being to one which is more in harmony with our True Selves, and which aids the development of our higher senses.
Most people think of incense in the context of joss sticks. To many people, incense is something that gives a nice fragrance to an environment and little more. But the act of burning incense is more than this, and fragrances have quite profound effects.
Perfumes and aroma have a great power to influence the mind and to lift the consciousness. They can arouse memory and distant recollections, as well as soul memories (past lives). Use of incense sharpens the perception beyond the ordinary and encourages better powers of discrimination.
When we decide to extend our consciousness we must first pass through the different layers of our own psychological makeup. Incense helps ease the passage through these layers of self to the Universal light, creating a link or channel between us and the formative energies of the Universe and our own Being.
When essential oils, resins, or gums are burned, their substance ‘etherealizes’ and passes to the subtler planes opening the way for the return flow of energy.
By being consciously aware of the incense or oil we are using, and by being aware of its properties, and in tune with our intention, we can work more effectively and more powerfully, whether it is in healing or meditation techniques.
Essential oils form a bridge commonly used by Auric Healers to set a communication link between the physical and etheric bodies. The radiations from natural aromatic substances also nourish our natural energies and spirit. Odors are known to give off vibrations, which fit into the known electromagnetic scale and are thought to vibrate in the infrared end of the color spectrum.
Colors and odors are said to have a parallel, also odors and music, and odor and shape. The notes of the Diatonic Scale (A,G,C,B,D,F) have been correlated to odors, and various compounds in aromatic molecules are known to have certain shapes; for example, round molecules tend to have a camphor-like smell, disc shapes to have a floral odor, and wedge shapes to have a Peppermint fragrance.
These facts present a definite argument in favor of the Vibration theory, and the way odors have an effect on the "Sixth Sense." Taking these correspondences a little further, it is of interest to note that some essential oils are pigmented, which often relates to their therapeutic properties, for example:
- Benzoin is red and is used to promote healing.
- Bergamot is green and is used in the treatment of urinary tract disorders.
- Lemon is yellow and is used in the treatment of the digestive system.
- Chamomile is blue and is used against inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes of the body.
These colors also have therapeutic applications in color therapy, in which red is considered an energizing and warming color, green is balancing and harmonizing, yellow stimulates the digestion, and blue is relaxing and cooling.
Essential oils also have Yin and Yang properties:
YIN being those characteristics of passive, contracting, inwards looking, empty, dark, cold, moist, sedating, inhaling, venous blood, parasympathetic nervous system, fear, caution, and the color blue.
YANG being those characteristics of active, outward going, expanding, opening, full, light, hot, dry, stimulating, arterial blood, sympathetic nerves, also anger, courage and the color red.
The qualities of Yin and Yang represent the forces or energies of opposites in the natural world.
When using essential oils and aromatic substances in meditations and Psychic Healing, be aware of your breathing. This can be accomplished through the practice of simple breathing techniques, in which you can calm your thoughts and emotions by slowing and deepening your breathing cycle.
Also, choose oils that will enhance your experience and balance your energies.
When using oils as incense, remember that the incense becomes charged with your personal energy. Purity of motive and purpose, and sincerity are essential requirements. Clearness of intention is also important.
About the Author
Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.
Learn more about aromatherapy and spirit with online courses.
| Search for any product or keyword. |
 |
