The Spiritual benefits of Essential Oils: Essential oils have been an integral part of the spiritual practices of many cultures throughout history. These multi-faceted oils with holistic properties have benefited mankind in numerous ways.
They have special properties that connect us to our higher selves and souls making our spiritual experiences meaningful and special. This is because they heighten our five senses and much more by touching us at a level deeper than our feelings and emotions creating connections far beyond our understanding.
Below are a few examples of spiritual practices where essential oils can be used to bring positive results:
Anointing – Biblical times
In biblical times the oils used were infused oils, either because the process of distillation had not been discovered yet or was not readily available. When the ritual of anointment was performed to bless, purify and empower a person, the right thumb was dipped into infused oil and used to draw a cross on the person’s forehead stating the person’s name and the following statement, “I anoint you with oil in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
Anointment is not just for Kings and saints; you can certainly anoint yourself, someone else or consecrate a space using the same principle. Essential oils to anoint and consecrate are: cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense and myrrh. (Dilute oils properly before applying on the body).
In prayer
When connecting with our Higher selves – the Divine – in prayer to ask for help and guidance, diffusing essential oils help focus the mind and maintain concentration.
Depending on the subject of your prayer, it is advisable to use the appropriate essential oil to enhance your experience. For example, to express thanks, the choice would be uplifting oils such as grapefruit, bergamot and cypress. But, if you are feeling sad over the loss of a loved one, essential oils of rose and sandalwood are more appropriate.
In meditation
Meditation expands and opens our consciousness to be receptive to our inner messages and truths that help us to grow on a personal and spiritual level.
Diffusing essential oils such as Frankincense, cedarwood, myrrh, palo santo and patchouli during meditation, creates the state of relaxation required for us to achieve a state of inner calm and stillness that totally connects us to “Source”. In that state we are refreshed, renewed, and strengthened in mind, body and spirit.
Environmental cleansing
There are many beautiful events in everyday life to experience and savor, but we fail to notice and appreciate the joys of life when we are constantly bombarded by negative influences that drain and deplete us on many levels.
Negative energies and influences such as:
Jealousy… Selfishness…Ignorance… Impatience… Bigotry… Hatred… Manipulation… etc.
We tend to encounter any one of these at least once a day such as:
Deceiptful Family Members…
Overpowering bosses…
Jealous friends…
Uncaring neighbours…
Impatient shoppers…
Lack of care from people in general….
When we come across these kinds of behaviors, we are affected on an energetic level and this can cause negative energy to build up in our aura and the space we occupy. This energy can have an adverse effect on everything we do, our relationships, careers, health and life in general, causing various forms of physical and mental illnesses.
Essential oils have the ability to uplift the spirit, purify the environment and dissipate the negativity that we are faced with on a daily basis. They help us to stay grounded and energized.
To cleanse and maintain a positively charged environment, at home, at work, in your car and even your aura, the appropriate essential oils are: palo santo, sage, cedarwood, juniper, lime and lemon. They can be diffused in a room or used in the form of a spray.
Making a space sacred
Sacred spaces are created for specific purposes of healing or teaching. Shamans open a sacred space for their healing clients and students, by calling upon the “Winds” of the four directions, Mother Earth and Father Sky. Usually, a sage bundle is burnt to assist this process. Essential oil of sage can be used in a spray to consecrate this space, the effect is the same.
Healers, massage therapists, psychotherapists and many other practitioners deal with people’s problems and negative issues on a daily basis. Even after the client is gone, the imprint of the issues they came to deal with lingers in the therapy room. Cleansing a space after each client is essential for a practitioner’s health and well-being. It also, makes it easy for the next client to be in a neutral environment. Essential oils for space cleansing are sage, lemon, juniper, palo santo and lime.
Even better, if the practitioners open a space before their clients arrive, they create an inviting and energized environment for each and every client they see that day. Use essential oils listed below to open a sacred space.
Opening a sacred space every day before work, using sacred essential oils and closing it in the evening after work using cleansing oils will help to create a flow of positive energy that will make your tasks easy and effortless. Essential oils for sacred spaces are palo santo, sage, juniper, lavender, cedarwood, lotus and cedarwood. These oils can either be diffused or sprayed in the room.
