Fragrant Oils in Magical and Spiritual Work
The power of scent, and the virtues of the oils of various
plants, have been recognized by religious and magical
practitioners since ancient times. Whether through the
inducement of subtle and powerful sensory memory, or the direct
stimulation of the body and nervous system through chemical
reaction, scented oils can help to shift consciousness and
enhance psycho-spiritual well-being.
The ancient Egyptians used a compound called kyphi (the name
means "welcome to the gods"), which was said to induce hypnotic
states. Priests in the City of the Sun, Heliopolis, burned
resins in the morning, myrrh at noon and kyphi at sunset to the
sun god Ra. Kyphi had more than religious uses, however. It
could lull one to sleep, alleviate anxieties, increase dreaming,
eliminate sorrow, treat asthma and act as a general antidote for
toxins. ("Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art" by
Kathi Keville and Mindy Green). In the Book of Exodus,
requirements for the Tabernacle include fragrant annointing oils
and an altar devoted to burning incense (Exodus 30).
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki discusses the psycho-spiritual impact
of fragrance in her book "Highways of the Mind: The Art and
History of Pathworking" as she describes how our brain and
neural systems function while doing spiritual work. "The
olofactory sense is the only one that connects immediately with
the mid-brain, with no kind of transformer between the particles
coming in and the actual organ of scent. Much has been written
about the memory stimulation brought about by different smells.
It is because of this direct contact with the hidden 'Halls of
the Gods' that incense has always been of the greatest
importance in magical work" (p. 41). Whether incense, scented
candles, or scented oil, stimulation of the olofactory senses
can have a powerful impact on any work involving the mind. The
virtues extend to magical, psychic, and healing work, as well as
psychological adjustments and intellectual pursuits.
What types of uses can fragrant oils been put to?
Anointing is a powerful ritual practice which conveys blessings
on the recipient. Even in modern times, priests and sovereigns
are anointed with sacred oil as part of their investiture.
Magical practitioners frequently anoint themselves with sacred
oil as part of self-blessing or purification prior to doing
ritual work. Sandalwood, myrrh and frankincense are among the
oils used for such rituals.
The connection between love and roses doesn't end with flowers
in a vase. Rose oil is used to heal and open the heart on the
spiritual level, and is a primary component in many rituals for
attracting love. Rose oil is used to anoint candles for love
spells, or worn as a perfume to attract a lover or to induce a
more romantic state of mind in the user.
How else can you use oils and incense to enhance your own
spiritual well-being? The possibilities are almost endless.
First, decide what effect you want to achieve. Do you want to
feel more peaceful? Become more prosperous? Balance your
chakras? Commune with angels or spirit guides? Successful ritual
work begins with a clear, specific intention. Once you have your
goal clearly in mind, consult several of the many books and
websites which list correspondences and find out which oils are
associated with your interest. In many cases there will be more
than one listed. For example, mint, patchouli and pine are all
associated with increased prosperity. Select the scent with the
strongest positive associations for you, or experiment with
blends.
Oils work best when coupled with visualization or ritual work.
The scent stimulates the mind and spirit, and the mental focus
and physical gestures reinforce the inherent virtues of the
oils. After the ritual or visualization has been performed,
anointing yourself with the fragrance, putting some on a
diffuser, or using some in your bath can renew the energy raised
and released in the ritual. Just as the smell of fresh-baked
cookies can instantly transport you back to the emotions of
childhood, a ritually-charged scent can trigger the effect over
and over again.