The third and final part of this three part series on Aromatherapy and Essential oils deals with more esoteric aspects of Essential oils. There is a long history of Essential oils being used for spiritual purposes and in rituals. Incense is just one example of essential oils being used in religious ceremonies and for inducing a 'spiritual' environment. c. The Way Essential Oils Effect Etheric Body or Psycho-spiritual Level
The historical use of aromatic oils and resins goes back many thousands of years in human history and traverses many cultures and civilizations on our planet.
In China, incense was burned to purify atmosphere and rid environment of evil spirits, in India, incense was and is used in all temples of all persuasions to sanctify devotions; in Mexico, incenses were used in rituals to induce trance-like states in participants to make them more accepting in their role of living sacrifice to Gods; in Northern Europe Druids used incenses which were sacred to Earth Mother; 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 Egyptians and Mesopotamians who were without doubt, absolute masters in Art of “Aromatherapy”.
The first people to dispense aromatics as medicines in Ancient Egypt were priests - they were first Aromatherapists. As use of aromatic substances became more common, they were also used by physicians.
At Heliopolis, city dedicated to Ra 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 healing temples in both Egypt and later in Greece, which also incorporated use of color healing utilizing solar light. Great glass windows of various colors were built in to ceilings of these temples at specific points, corresponding with journey of sun across sky. The patient was placed in stream of colored light and incense was burned or oils applied to patient as need dictated. This form of healing is called Heliotherapy.
Even as recently as Middle Ages in Europe, fragrant herbs were known to possess special healing properties by virtue of their fragrances, and were burned in streets to counteract odor and ill effects of poor hygiene of times. During time of Great Plague this method was also used to anticepticise air. Essential Oils, via their own innate LIFE FORCE ENERGY , can help change energy imbalances in our Aura (Etheric body). They can adjust way in which we perceive, feel and think about both ourselves and our environment working from Spiritual Level ‘downwards’.
They 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 effects oils have on Brain, but it must be remembered that Nervous and Hormonal Systems are physical “translators” of 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 Astral realms.
It is believed that Essential Oils, when used in 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” and form a means whereby we can show our intention or willingness to open our consciousness to those realities. The result being 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 physical plane of existence we tend to have some degree of difficulty in shifting to 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, sense of smell relates to Element called AKASHA or ETHER. This is Universal and All-Pervading element, Element of Spirit, and it has ability to transform itself into anyone of forms of Elemental Energy. It is also closely related to Element of Air, which is related to sense of taste.