Rather than making New Year resolutions this January, I have found myself having New Year reflections instead. The start of the year is always a time for creating new daily patterns and I found myself thinking about the influence that certain plants and scents have on our lives … and how we can utilise them to create new healthy, everyday rituals. Aromatics have been used in sacred rites since ancient times within different cultures across the world: the aroma of frankincense, subliminally reminds us that we are creating a calm space for meditative practice; applying a favourite perfume, such as rose or jasmine helps impart a sense of joy in our personal identity; while the smell of a particular flower, such as lavender, may transport us back to a nostalgic memory from our childhood, instantly and unexpectedly.
Throughout our lives, the scents that we encounter acquire specific emotional meanings and once these are established, they are inextricably linked to us. This means that whenever we encounter a certain smell, it brings back specific memories and associations. Our other senses can also help shape these impressions: an odour can be associated with a particular person; a place; a piece of music; an experience of touch, or it can even bring back the memory of a whole scene from our past. When this is positive experience, then our association with that particular scent can be used to recreate and reinforce our feelings of well being connected with that mood and moment.
Apart from our individual associations, our cultural heritage also feed into these links via our sense of smell in very important ways. When I started to look more deeply into the traditional associations and symbolism connected with botanical fragrances, I was amazed how very familiar they seem, often because they are so ingrained within our culture, through literature & folklore. Here is a summary of the symbolism of some the most common aromatic plants & oils presented as a compilation taken from folklore; their symbolism and emblematic significance; the herbal tradition including the ‘Doctrine of Signatures’ by Paracelsus and the ‘Language of Flowers’ – a clandestine means of communication used in Victorian England, where certain plants were given a particular emotional significance.
- BAY LAUREL – Success; Glory; Victory; Fame; Ambition
- BASIL – Protection; Dispels Negativity; Promotes Self – Expression
- BLACK PEPPER – Endurance, Warmth, Tenacity, Strength
- CARDOMOM – Alertness, Aphrodisiac; Vitality; ‘Fire of Venus’
- CEDARWOOD – Strength, Resourcefulness, Steadfastness, Fertility; Abundance
- CHAMOMILE – Childhood Innocence; Simplicity, Calm; Kindness; Gentleness
- CORIANDER – Lust; Adventure; Carefree; Immortality
- CYPRESS – Mourning; Transition; Courage; Rebirth
- EUCALYPTUS – Clearing; Purifying; Healin
- FENNEL – Cleansing; Dispels Negativity; Longevity; Strength; Courage
- FRANKINCENSE – Spirituality; Meditation; Insight; Freedom; Inspiration
- GARDENIA – Secret Love; Good Luck
- GERANIUM – Harmony; Balance; Gentility; Determination
- GINGER – Warmth; Grounding; Comforting
- GRAPEFRUIT – Cleansing; Refreshing; Vitality
- HYSSOP – Cleanliness; Sacrifice
- JASMINE – Sexual Passion; Creativity; Desire; Seduction; Aphrodisiac; Wealth; Optimism;
- JUNIPER – Purification; Protection; Prayer; Youthfulness
- LAVENDER – Cleanliness; Happiness; Devotion; Peace; Nurturing
- LILY – (White) – Virginity; Purity; Majesty; Beauty; Peace
- LIME & LEMON – Vitality; Well-being; Healing Panacea; Refreshing
- LOTUS – Enlightenment; Wisdom; Purity
- MARJORAM – Clarity; ‘Joy of the Mountains’
- MELISSA / LEMON BALM – Sympathy; Calm; ‘Elixir of Life’
- MIMOSA – Chastity; Sensitivity
- MINT – Fresh; Invigorating; Purpose; Sense of Direction
- MYRTLE – Love; Fidelity; Emblem of Marriage
- MYRRH – Healing Panacea; Preciousness; Inspiration
- ORANGE – Cheerfulness; Happiness; Contentment
- ORANGE BLOSSOM / NEROLI – Innocence; Eternal Love; Marriage & Fruitfulness; Serenity; Good Fortune
- PALMAROSA – Adaptability
- PINE – Hope; Self-Worth
- ROSE (Red) – Love; Desire; Passion; Compassion; Femininity; Healing the Heart; Spiritual Attainment, ‘Queen of Flowers’.
- ROSEMARY – Remembrance; Fidelity; Vigour; Protection
- SAGE (White) – Sacred Protection; Wisdom; Respect
- SANDALWOOD – Serenity; Majesty; Contemplation; Masculinity
- THYME – Willpower, Strength; Endurance
- VALERIAN – Readiness; Relaxation
- VETIVER – Grounding; Stability; ‘Oil of Tranquillity’
- VIOLET– Modest; Faithfulness; ‘I’ll Always Be True’
- YARROW – Healing; Inspiration
- YLANG YLANG – Aphrodisiac; Euphoria; Marriage; Never Ending Love; ‘Flower of Flowers’