Aromatherapy: Cultural Considerations

Some fragrances are rooted deeply into a particular culture or a particular magical tradition. While some examples of this may be seen through connections to various gods and goddesses or through the mythology and folklore of a specific country or geographic area, others that are commonplace in certain practices may never appear in the local legendry.

These scents gain a place of extreme importance within their designated cultures through popular usage.

Consider, for example, the American capital of voodoo practice—New Orleans. Along with visions of spiritism and Mardi Gras, one might imagine the sweet fragrance of magnolias. This scent appears in many of the traditional love oils that originate in New Orleans.

This scent was made popular by the women who earned their livings in the New Orleans brothels in the 1800s. Not surprisingly, it is an especially commonplace ingredient in magical formulas directed toward the arousal of passions in men.

If we direct our thoughts to the Caribbean islands, we may think about the smell of coconuts, bananas, and limes. It’s no wonder that the use of limes in essential form or in raw fruit appears in many of the Caribbean rites of Santeria magic.

Patchouli is a popular scent in Mexico. Sage is common among the magical practices of Native American shamans. Vanilla is a magical staple of African practices. In the Orient, willow is the scent of friendship, renewal, perseverance, and humility, while thyme, to the ancient Greeks, symbolizes courage.

Buddhists favor sandalwood as an incense to be burned during funeral rites. This is the continuation of a popular usage established in ancient times. It is interesting to note that sandalwood originates from India and China, two of the great lands that are home to Buddhist practice.

Muguet is an essential oil produced from a certain species of lily of the valley that grows only in a small area in France. It is no wonder that this scent was favored as a highly valued scent by exclusive French perfumers.

Its use in magical formulas may also originate specifically from France. Although it is not a common ingredient to most blenders of magical scents, those who know how to use it find it invaluable.

Considerations of popular usage are also imperative to the creation of appropriate scents for specific magical purposes. As an example, there was a request submitted to me for a specifically Celtic oil for use in rituals of Celtic-based pagan practice.

The way I created this was to find ingredients that suited the purpose of enhancing ritual work but were also native to the lands that were inhabited by the old Celts. There were two different formulas that were developed out of this research. Each is very specifically for use in Celtic ritual. Each has a specific purpose, and each is highly effective.

In addition to capturing the magical properties of a given scent, it is possible to utilize its origin and the history of its popular usage. To capture specific properties or isolated virtues in preparing a magical blend is but one level of working. Through careful study and consideration it is possible to capture the nature of an entire culture or race of people within a blended formula.

The resulting fragrance is the embodiment of the mentality, heart, and soul of a society, or group mind of a people. It is the essence of their thoughts and beliefs and approach to spirit, virtue, and everyday living.

Without intending to undervalue the blending of magical essentials by traditional properties and effect, it should be noted that there are different ways to approach the magical blend. In looking to the religious, mythological, cultural, and social aspects of scent, we are working the magic at its deepest, most secret heart of truth.

We are pushing quality to its maximum extent and creating the most effective combinations possible. On one level, it could be said that this full scope of recognition allows us to excel in the art of essential magic.

On another, considering the knowledge of the hidden magical arts as a divine gift, we do the greatest honor to the gods and goddesses who are our benefactors in granting us access to this arcane knowledge. The more attentive we are to the depth of our art, the greater the tribute we offer for this gift.

These are general classifications of influences. Between the overview of properties offered in this chapter and the tables included in the appendix, even a novice aromatherapist should be able to understand the basic workings of the fragrance arts.

There are so many formulas included in this writing that have been field tested and proven in effectiveness that, if the general blending instructions are followed, the result should be an effective blend.

The more advanced practitioner will be able to enhance the effectiveness of his or her blends by virtue of developed knowledge and experience. But even newcomers to the art of aromatherapy should experience some significant successes with the included blends.

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