LesTout: The Use of Fragrance in Spiritual Rituals

Fragrance has long been connected to many spiritual traditions and beliefs throughout the world. In spirituality the sense of smell is connected with the element of Spirit which is the universal or all-pervading element and is also closely connected to the element of Air. Experiencing the fragrance of various botanical aromas can assist a person in forming a greater connection with the Divine and with their own inner-spirit. This is most commonly done through the use of incense or the use of aromatic, essential oils.

The scent of aromatic plants when used in incense can act as a purification or be seen as an act or gesture of respect to a Divine being or higher intelligence. Incense can also sharpen your powers of perception and help you to have better powers of discernment during your spiritual rituals. Essential oils can also serve these purposes but they can also assist you in opening up your consciousness to Divine energy or to a particular Goddess or God, depending upon your spiritual beliefs. Simply put, fragrance can assist you in shifting from the more common physical plane to a more receptive spiritual level.

When using fragrance in spiritual work, whether it's meditation, prayer, divination, spiritual dance, etc., it is best to form a clear intent or purpose before hand. For example, do you want to feel more connected with the Divine or a spirit guide? Do you want to feel more peaceful? It's always important to form a clear intent before any spiritual ritual, but it's especially so when using fragrance to assist you because the fragrance itself becomes charge with your own personal energy.

Another important thing to keep in mind is to only purchase high quality essential oils and incense. This is not only because they are better for your spiritual experience but poor quality incense and oils can possibly have harmful effects on your health. Here are a few things to watch for when purchasing essential oils.

Avoid buying oils that that say "fragrance oil" or "perfume oil" on the label. These are not true aromatherapy essential oils and often are filled with chemicals and perfumes.

Do not purchase oils that are sold in clear glass or plastic bottles. Clear glass allows in light that can damage the properties of the essential oil. If stored in a plastic bottle the essential oils can dissolve the plastic and over time this will contaminate the oil.

Look for vendors that list the botanical (Latin) name of the plant the oil is taken from, the country of origin or the method of extraction.
When purchasing incense look for words such as pure, high quality and all natural.

Essential oils can be used as an anointment during your spiritual ritual or used in a diffuser.

A note of precaution: Never apply an essential oil directly to the skin as this can cause irritation. If you do with to apply the oil to your skin as an anointment during your spiritual work, always dilute it with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil. If you are prone to allergies, are pregnant or have a chronic illness, be sure to consult your doctor before using essential oils or incense.

The following are some common fragrances along with their spiritual and healing properties.

Cedarwood- Comforting, calming, protective

Cinnamon- Empowering, stimulates creativity

Frankincense- Protective, purifies, aids meditation, promotes receptivity

Jasmine- Raises vibrations, promotes spiritual love, enhances dreams

Lavender- Protective, promotes inner peace and balance, strengthens

Lemon Grass- Promotes psychic energy. Refreshing and invigorating.

Lilac- Promotes peace and harmony, enhances memory and concentration

Musk- Strengthens personal focus and attraction

Myrrh- Protective, enhances spiritual reception, stimulates the crown chakra

Rose- Strengthens the heart chakra and the inner-spirit

Sage- Cleanses, balances and strengths. Helps to promote inner wisdom