The Ecclasian Fellowship - Articles - Litha

Aromatherapy is a way to improve the quality of life on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Aromatherapy is already a part of our lives, although we may not have associated the name with the experience. Everyone has emotional responses, both pleasant and unpleasant, to certain scents. The idea behind aromatherapy is, first, to find the scents, unique for each individual, that evoke positive sensory feelings and emotions; and then to introduce those scents into our mundane life to enhance well-being.. Natural scents keep us connected to the earth sparking memories and emotions.

Herbs, trees and flowers are at their peak during the warm summer months, filling the air with their light, fresh aromas. However, warm weather also presents hazards caused by the sun, insects, heat and humidity. Essential oils and their aromatherapy benefits can help provide relief and enhance our environment, making it easier to survive those hazards.

Essential oils that can invigorate and inspire after a long hot summer day are basil, cypress, eucalyptus, fir needle, ginger, grapefruit, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, orange, peppermint, petitgrain, rosemary and thyme. Odor-fighting oils that can wash away sweat as well as refresh the spirit include all the citrus oils plus coriander, fir needle, juniper berry and lavender. Soothing and relaxing oils that will help combat fatigue from the heat include cedarwood, chamomile, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, rose, rosewood, sandalwood and ylang ylang.

A natural bug repellent is the lemony-fresh, woody-herbaceous aroma of citronella essential oil. Added to the warm glow of flickering candles, it can create a perfect summertime ambiance. In addition to staving off nasty mosquitoes, the lemony fragrance is refreshing and uplifting. It mixes well with other uplifting oils such as most citrus oils, rose and lavender.

Regardless of which essential oils you use to enhance your summer fun, remember to dilute essential oils in distilled water or a carrier oil. Mix them so the essential oil makes up two to three percent of the blend. Remember, oil and water separate, so before applying a blend that includes distilled water, shake the mixture thoroughly.

Try this evocative blend of sweet flowers, fresh herbs and lemon to set a fresh and cheery mood for a barbecue on the back patio. Add the following blend of oils to two fluid ounces of distilled water and liberally mist the air surrounding your outdoor activity.

The most effective way to use aromatherapy is to make the fragrance so subtle that it is barely perceivable. Blend several scents together, as a perfumer does. Use your nose as your guide, and do not be afraid to experiment.

Personally I use what I refer to as the preverbal three-oil blend: top note., middle note, base note and the beginning count of 1... 2... 3.... It's a good jumping off point and one won't get over whelmed with the abundance of so many choices. Another thing I strongly recommend is write it down! Even as you are adding this drop and that drop write it down! It's quite amazing how quickly one forgets just how many drops ended up being added to the end result.

The most refined way to fill a room with fragrance is by using an electric aromatic diffuser, a glass apparatus that pumps a consistent, light mist of unheated fragrance into the air. (If you decide to purchase one, be sure to get a model with a quiet pump.) A simpler alternative is to dab a few drops of essential oil on a lightbulb or, for a more lasting effect, on one of the special ceramic or metal rings designed to be placed on a lightbulb (these rings are available at stores that sells essential oils). When you turn on the light, the heat causes the scent to fill the room Again I personally do not believe in the true "aroma" effect an oil emits after having been heated....after all it is a molecular structure and when like anything else, when heated it's altered, changed if you will. The intended scent, in my opinion has been compromised. Therefore I use nothing but the aforementioned electric glass diffusers.

Aphrodisiac

4 ounces sweet almond oil
10 drops each Lavender and sandalwood essential oils
2 drops each ylang-ylang and vanilla essential oils
1 drop each Cinnamon and Jasmine essential oils

Blend ingredients. Now, lavender is not an aphrodisiac, but is added to make the fragrance more mellow. It can be a relaxing and emotionally uplifting scent. If you love the fragrance of patchouli, try using it in place of ylang-ylang.

Consecration Oil

8 drops Frankincense oil
8 drops Myrrh oil
3 drops Cinnamon oil
A bay leaf
1/2 oz. Carrier Oil

Initiation Oil - Wear for iniation ceremonies and to increase spiritual awareness.

3 drops Frankincense
3 drops Myrrh
1 drop Sandalwood
1/4 oz. Base Oil

Magickal Power Oil

6 drops Dragon's Blood
4 drops Ginger
4 drops Tangerine
3 drops Allspice
2 drops Frankincense
1 drop Vanilla
1/2 oz. Carrier Oil

All-Purpose Blessing & Anointing Oil

2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Clove
2 parts Myrrh
2 parts Frankincense

Sun Self Oil - To find the confidence to know and to follow your own path.

1 part Sandalwood
2 parts Frankincense
3 parts Orange

Full Moon Oil

3 Parts Rose
1 Part jasmine
1 Part Sandalwood

AROMATHERAPY METHODS:

1 drop as perfume
1 drop to scent stationery or handkerchief
2 drops on a cotton cloth in a drawer
2 drops on 1 Tbs rock salt for smelling salts
2 drops per cup water for compress
2 drops on vacuum cleaner or air filter
3 drops to refresh potpourri
4 drops on a lightbulb (or lightbulb ring)
4 drops in a pan of hot water to inhale
5 drops in bathtub
5 drops per quart of warm water for douche
6 drops (1/16 tsp.) stirred in 1 oz. skin cream
6 drops (1/16 tsp.) in 1 oz. aloe vera gel for skin care
6 drops (1/16 tsp.) in 1 oz. aloe juice for skin moisturizer (suitable for spray bottle)
12 drops (1/8 tsp.) in 1 oz. vegetable oil for massage
12 drops (1/8 tsp.) stirred in 1 oz. skin salve
24 drops in cup salt for bath salt
24 drops ( tsp.) in 1 oz. vegetable oil for bath oil

Of all the benefits derived from aromatherapy, the most intriguing in this witch's opinion are probably its effects on the mind and the emotions. There are many ways to get at the mind-body connection by using these aromatherapy techniques. So, in closing, I say sniff, blend and enjoy! Experience life a little fragrantly!