What is the scent that you associate with happiness? With love? With peace? With childhood?
Humans have the ability to “smell memories.” Scent is the first thing that we recognize and link. In the United States, for example, the overwhelming majority of people, no matter what class or wealth status, can identify the scent of a wax crayon. These same people linked that scent to early childhood memories.
Aromatherapy, then, is the use of scent to calm, invigorate, or otherwise link positive experiences. It is a highly useful tool in finding and encouraging the SelfSpirit.
Many people use candles to do this, and this approach is highly encouraged. Be careful and safe with the candles, but feel free to find your personal space and arrange it to contain candles that please your eye and send forth aroma to calm you or lift your spirit.
Here are a few scents that are suggested:
Angelica, Basil, Bay, Bayberry, Carnation, Cinnamon, Clove, Coconut, Dill, Dragon’s Blood, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Gardenia, Geranium, Heather, Juniper, Lilac, Myrrh, Narcissis, Sandalwood, and Violet are all “well being” scents, calming and helping to lift spirits.
Many people enjoy “foodie” scents such as apple, cinnamon, vanilla, maple, chai, spice, melon, berries of various sorts, cookies/baked goods, etc. These are also mood lifters, encouraging happiness and joy.
The scent of rain, lavender, violets, rose, chamomile and clean linen are “dreamy” scents, encouraging the sleepless to find rest. These are very good for small children who are unable to calm themselves after an overexciting day as well.
Grapefruit, Melissa, Mandarin, Orange, Coriander, Cardamom, Ginger, Black Pepper are stimulatory scents and are fantastic for those who wish to awaken peacefully but have plenty of energy throughout the day.
SelfSpirit, as a way to generate funds to keep us alive, makes specially scented and shaped candles, oils and soaps. They are natural and inviting and you are welcome to inquire about them.
References: The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Calerie, Ann Worwood, Essential Oils A-Z, Candles, Their Colors & Meanings, The Book of Practical Aromatherapy, Creating An Aromatic Environment, Choosing Essential Oils, Scents & Candles. From the site www.angelicinspirations.com
