“The goal of Blending is to balance the artistic form of the
oil with its designated function”
– John Steele.
ALCHEMY, the secret art of the land of Khem, is one of the
two oldest sciences known to the world. The other is astrology. The beginnings
of both extend back into the obscurity of prehistoric times. According to the
earliest records extant, alchemy and astrology were considered to be divinely
revealed to man so that by their aid he might regain his lost estate in
Paradise.
What is life? What is intelligence? What is force?
These are the problems to the solution of which the ancients consecrated their
temples of learning. Who shall say that they did not answer those questions?
Who would recognize the answers if given? Is it possible that under the symbols
of alchemy and astrology lies concealed a wisdom so abstruse that the mind of
humans of today are not qualified to conceive its principles?
The Chaldeans, Phœnicians, and Babylonians were familiar
with the principles of alchemy, as were many early Oriental races. It was
practiced in Greece and Rome; was the master science of the Egyptians. Khem
was an ancient name for the land of Egypt; and both the words alchemy
and chemistry are a perpetual reminder of the priority of Egypt's
scientific knowledge.
Many interesting solutions to the riddle of alchemy's origin
have been advanced. One is that alchemy was revealed to man by the mysterious
Egyptian demigod Hermes Trimegistus. This sublime figure, looming through the
mists of time and bearing in his hand the immortal Emerald, is credited by the
Egyptians as being the author of all the arts and sciences. In honour of him
all scientific knowledge was gathered under the general title of The Hermetic
Arts.
Alchemy did not actually make an appearance in Europe until
the 8th century when Muslims finally brought alchemical knowledge with them to
Spain. The first European text to mention alchemy appeared in roughly 1050 CE.
Early in the 20th century Carl Jung incorporated
the symbolic language and images of alchemical texts into modern psychology. We
are going to look at some of the aspects of alchemy and place them in the context
of Aromatherapy.
In his History of
Chemistry, James Campbell Brown, late professor of chemistry in the University
of Liverpool, sums up the ends which alchemists sought to achieve, in the
following paragraphs:
"This,
therefore, was the general aim of the alchemists - to carry out in the
laboratory, as far as possible, the processes which Nature carried out in the
interior of the earth. Seven leading problems occupied their attention:-
1. The preparation
of a compound named elixir, magisterium medicine, or philosopher's stone, which
possess the property of transmuting the baser metals into gold and silver, and
of performing many other marvellous operations.
2. The creation of
homonculi, or living beings, of which many wonderful but incredible tales are
told.
3. The preparation
of the alcahest or universal solvent, which dissolved every substance which was
immersed in it.
4. Palingenesis, or
the restoration of a plant from its ashes. Had they succeeded in this, they
would have hoped to be able to raise the dead.
5. The preparation
of spiritus mundi, a mystic substance possessing many powers, the principal of
which was its capacity of dissolving gold.
6. The extraction of
the quintessence or active principle of all substances.
7. The preparation
of aurum potabile, liquid gold, a sovereign remedy, because gold being itself
perfect could produce perfection in the human frame.
Gold was perceived to be the perfect metal, with all others
being less than perfect. The pursuit of the transmutation of lesser metals into
gold was thus also the pursuit of the perfection and transmutation of the human
spirit.
Alchemy then is the philosophy and practice of liberating a
physical substance from its "fixed" physical properties. But the most
important thing to understand is that there can be no external alchemy without their
first being internal alchemy.
Alchemy covers several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia
and several continents, but we can sum it up in this way... Alchemy is the
philosophy and practice of liberating a physical substance from its
"fixed" physical properties.
Like other sciences, early alchemists used scientific processes, in other words
techniques that could be replicated in a lab. But unlike other sciences, you
cannot separate the scientific process of alchemy from hermetic principals and
spirituality. Those principals and spiritual truths are the basis upon which
alchemy stands.
It was believed that without achieving a form of enlightenment or inner
spiritual revelation, the truths of the universe (which would enable you to
transcend temporal reality) would not ever be learned and known to the
practitioner. There would be no hope of you transcending the fixed properties
of the physical dimension so as to transform something like ordinary metal into
gold without gaining access to the higher truths of this universe through
spiritual practice and mastery.
The Great Work of Alchemy is often described as a series of four stages, which
are represented by colours:
Nigredo (a blackening or melanosis), which represents a process of putrefaction
or decomposition. In this stage, ingredients had to be cleansed and cooked
extensively. Internally, this represents a kind of spiritual death and the
confronting of one's shadow aspect.
Albedo (a whitening or leucosis). The washing away of impurities. The physical
subject (such as ingredient) is to be purified and divided into two opposing
principles. Internally, this represents re gaining the original purity and
receptivity of the soul. Symbolically, it represents the process of washing
away the ashes to find the soul.
Citrinitas (a yellowing or xanthosis). This refers to transmutation and the
actual turning of a subject (such as an ingredient) into its highest state such
as silver into gold. Internally, this represents awakening...becoming a
manifestation of the soul. Becoming a walking embodiment of the soul, rather
than a muted reflection of it. It is a process of anything turning into a
higher form of itself.
Rubedo (a reddening, purpling, or iosis). Rubedo refers to the end state;
alchemical success. Achievement of the perfected state... The final state of
perfection of a subject (such as an ingredient). It can be interpreted as
achieving enlightened consciousness and the total fusion of spirit and matter.
This stage is often represented by the symbol of the phoenix.
However one regards Alchemy today as a science or
philosophy, Alchemy provided the beginnings of chemistry, and certainly helped
to develop the apparati of chemistry. It is part of the history of science,
which is the history of human interaction with nature, and humanity's attempts
to harness the power of nature for very human needs and wants.
Was alchemy magic? Was "magic" used in the
processes of alchemy? That question remains. One answer to that question is
that "magic" is anything that cannot yet be explained through science
and/or reason. Certainly, in seeking the secrets of nature, some alchemists
were searching for a greater connection to "God," to the spirit
moving the world. There was also a great deal of astrology at play in the work
of alchemy, as was ritual in the laboratory processes.
Not until Paracelsus in the 16th century was alchemy pulled
away from this stigma of "magic" when he, among others, began
promoting the experimental aspects of it over the philosophical and spiritual.
Many later practitioners of the 17th and 18th centuries were well-known
scientists such as Isaac Newton with solid reputations and who are revered to
this day for their many other accomplishments. Alchemy was just one of many
scientific pursuits for them. There seemed to be less of a focus on the
supernatural and more of a focus on science, as something more recognizable to
modern sensibilities.
The key to alchemy is found in the word transmutation, a word that in its original Latin meaning refers to total change. Physically this denotes a
change of the properties of matter, and thus of substance; spiritually, it
refers to inner transformation—in specific, certain actions to aid in freeing the
spiritual essence that is ‘trapped’ within (echoing the Gnostic view that
spirit is trapped in matter). This idea had its basis in the ancient belief
that within itself the Earth ‘grew’ metals and that, given enough time, these
metals would ultimately become gold. Nature was seen as fundamentally engaged
in a process of evolution, and the essential idea of alchemy was to speed this
process up—in short, to save time.
Alchemy is really the study of consciousness; it's the study
of life, particularly how matter affects consciousness in life.
This is something well understood in Aromatherapy. Smell
alone is a powerful motivator. Our concentration maybe upon the chemistry of
essential oils but our experience shows that a person often has healing via a yet not understood connection
to a specific oil through its aroma alone. The aroma exerts an influence that
when allowed can transform a person
or situation.
Every physical condition reflects our mental, emotional, and
spiritual condition and the reverse. Our thoughts and feelings influence our
experience of the reality, and this applies to the physical body. When
dysfunctional thought patterns, limiting beliefs, or unexpressed emotions are
held long enough in the energy field, often unconsciously, they will manifest
into the physical body as dis-ease.
The original plant too has an energy, it is a being that
goes beyond chemistry. Aromatherapists deal in volatile aromatic material from
distillation to which we shall refer later. However herbalists and alchemists
even today will extract the essence of a plant via tinctures.
Anyone who's made a
spagyric tincture will be familiar with the idea of the wholeness of
maintaining life force. A spagyric tincture is a plant tincture to which
has also been added the ash of the calcined plant. You take some dried herbal
material put it in a jar and then add in very strong alcohol. Alchemy would
require that you make your own alcohol by distilling red wine! The jar needs to
be kept away from the sun preferably in the dark. This then macerates for a few
weeks. Perhaps the difference between an herbalist and an alchemist would be
that the latter would undoubtedly use astrology in the practice.
Likewise some Aromatherapists use astrology in their
practice of making blends of oils. Both Tricia Davis in the U.K and Ixchel
Leigh in the US have written on the subject of essential oils and astrological
connections. They recognize that just as we have biorhythms or certain peak
periods during our day or week so does life and the world we live in. And the
alchemist seeks to understand those peak periods, those peak energetic
impulses, to take advantage of them while making product.
Likewise certain organic growing methods have a
similar practice for planting and for when harvesting takes place. This is
known as Biodynamic cultivation. Those making flower remedies do the same. So
why not Aromatherapy?
Echoes of Alchemy can be found in homoeopathy whereby the
smallest substance can affect the whole and in modern science whereby at such
subtle or sub molecular levels the experimenter can affect the outcome by state
of mind. This modern concept of physics is similar to the key point found
repeatedly within alchemy being the idea that the alchemist can only succeed in
his work if he approaches it with purity of intent, with a heart free of
ulterior agendas (an idea that was mirrored in the Grail myths, where only a
knight of pure heart had any hope of finding the Grail). Likewise with those
familiar with massage whereby healing comes from a pure unification between
giver and receiver and intent is conveyed by touch.
Distillation of plant matter in an alembic is at the heart
of Aromatherapy. The Alembic still is a simple apparatus used for distilling.
It has been used for many hundreds of years, very often related to the study of
alchemy. The Egyptians were the first people to construct stills, and images of
them adorn the ancient temple of Memphis, but it is from Arabic that we get the
word 'alembic' (al ambic) and alcohol (al cohol). The first means the
distillation vessel, and the second kohl, was used to describe a very hard lead
or antimony based powder used for eye makeup, however it also expresses the
idea of delicacy and subtlety, as in distillation vapour. The word 'alembic' is
derived from the metaphoric meaning of 'that which refines; which transmutes',
through distillation.
Distillation can be defined as a method of separation based
on the phenomenon of the liquid-vapour balance in mixtures. In practical terms
it means that when two or more substances form a liquid mixture, distillation
is used to purify them: they only need to have reasonably different
volatilities. One example of distillation which has been practised since
antiquity is the distillation of alcoholic drinks. The drink is made by
condensing the alcohol vapour released on heating a fermented must. As the
alcohol content of the distilled drink is higher than that in the must, this is
characterised as a purification process.
Historians state the alembic was probably invented around AD
200 - 300 by Maria the Jewess, or Zósimo of Panoplies an Egyptian alchemist and
his sister Theosebeia, who invented many types of stills and reflux condensers.
Others state that during the eighth or ninth century Arab alchemists perhaps the
Arab alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan who devised an alembic in an effort to obtain
finer essences for perfumes.
"Ambix” is a Greek word defined as a vase with a small
opening. The vase was part of the distillation equipment.
Initially, the Arabs changed the word “Ambix” to “Ambic” and named the
distillation equipment “Al Ambic”. This was later changed to alembic in
Europe.
Let’s now look at the four elements of Alchemy and the
relationship to distillation:-
Air in the alchemical sense carries the archetypal
properties of spirit into the manifested world. It is associated with the
operation of Separation and represented by the metal Iron.
Earth is one of the Four Elements of alchemy. Earth in the
alchemical sense carries the archetypal properties of manifestation, birth, and
material creation. It is associated with the operation of Conjunction and represented
by the green ore of copper.
Fire is one of the Four Elements of alchemy. Fire in the alchemical
sense carries the archetypal properties of activity and transformation. It is
associated with the operation of Calcination and represented by the metal lead.
Water is one of the Four Elements of alchemy. Water in the
alchemical sense carries the archetypal properties of cleansing and
purification. It is associated with the operation of Dissolution and
represented by the metal tin.
The fifth element Quintessence (Quinta Essentia) is the
fifth Element with which the alchemists could work. It was the essential presence of something or someone, the living
thing itself that animated or gave something its deepest characteristics. The Quintessence
partakes of both the above and the below, the mental as well as the material.
It can be thought of as the ethereal embodiment of the life force that we
encounter in dreams and altered states of consciousness. It is the purest individual
essence of something that is unveiled and understood in order to
transform it.
So when an essential oil was produced it was ephemeral in
the sense that the personality was found in the smell, the spirit. It was
produced by water a feminine aspect, in a sacred marriage or union with fire,
the male aspect that gave this ecstasy of spirit or divine aroma. Here we find
shades of sexual magic which is a form of spiritual exercise found in religions
to induce rapture. The Greek term hieros gamos refers to the sacred
alchemical marriage of male and female energies which takes place between two
human beings during the act of lovemaking. In its true form the union is
arranged, sanctified, shared, and celebrated by the patron god(s) and matron
goddess(es) of the individuals involved. The experience of lovemaking in this type of
union is subtle, extremely intense, and goes beyond purely physical pleasure
into a deep ecstatic merge on all levels (e.g. emotional, mental, etheric,
spiritual, etc.). So as with humans the distillation gave forth something that
was difficult to comprehend a liquid which was manifest in only the sense of
smell which produced effects at all levels of consciousness.
At alchemy's core, it is stated that the cosmos is fitted in
three spiritual substances. They are known as the tria prima, a.k.a. The
Three Primes. The Three Primes are Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt. These
substances were important principles that gave objects their essence and form. They
were not actually the substances but were symbolic. In Alchemy, Mercury is used as the
transformative agent, sulfur is the binding between substance and
transformation, and Salt is the solidifying agent. A very common example of the
symbolic roles these substances play is when a piece of wood is set on fire.
Smoke would be Mercury in this case, flames would be Sulfur, and ash would be
Salt.
Similarly traditional herbalist favour grouping their
medicines in groups of three. The first herb chosen would be to deal with the
direct problem the second and third as supporters of the first. All three are
then blended to ‘heal’ the issue rather than concentrate on one symptom or
problem.
This grouping of three is the basic method of development
with essential oils in Aromatherapy in blending. Let us take an example with a
simple cut and bleeding. The first aspect is to stop the flow for which we
might use Helichrysum and to stop contamination Eucalyptus or perhaps Tea tree,
the next to reduce inflammation could be a Chamomile. This fits perfectly with
the symbolism used in Alchemy. The actual essential oils used would depend
correctly upon the fundamental knowledge of the therapist but also especially
with the supportive essences the therapists intuition should be
considered. Apart from the first essence
the choice of essential oils is very varied and the therapist should have a
relationship with these oils certainly enough of one to look and feel beyond
the chemistry. The proportion is likely to be 50% of the first choice and equal
parts of the other two.
The blend created may now rightly be considered a healing
unity beyond the normal approach which would simply be one of wound cleansing.
This would then be added to a carrier oil or other substance.
The standard blend of essential oils within a vegetable oil
is around 2 – 3% whilst a medicinal blend may reach 5%. And yes depending upon
circumstances neat blends can be used.
Some may feel ill equipped to gauge the proportion of one
oil to another. There is a system called the blending factor which is a sort of
potency scale. It is based upon the perfumers scale and should not be seen as a
hard and fast rule. Knowing and sensing the oils fragrance well is more
reliable. But then you have to know your oils! I have learnt to trust that the
plant shares information with each aromatic conversation conducted with mindful
body awareness and sensitivity. So maybe it is the soul part of the nature of
plants that can speak. Aroma is certainly a powerful conduit of subtle change,
response and reaction. Essential oils are active in their aroma and this should
be remembered, they are not just chemistry to be applied topically.
In and through the process of this distillation the
essential oil undergoes a process of metamorphosis into a more complex
essential oil. Complex because during distillation process a number of new
molecules are formed creating a new spectrum of chemistry.
Our physical bodies are also as we now know surrounded by an
energy field which interacts with the energy fields of the blend of essential
oils we create. We receive this information perhaps as smell and these impulses
we turn into unique messages. Every blend is unique to itself.
The relationship of fragrance to music is not new. Sound as
we understand today is about wavelength and vibration and resonance. The
classification of fragrance materials into top, middle and base notes like
music is being reconsidered by science today. This system originated from
a 19c British perfumer called GW Septimus Piesse who tried to classify each
type of fragrance to a musical chord, unfortunately the system fell out of use,
however the terminology is basic to the present day perfume industry. The
current structure commonly used now to illustrate the stability of perfume
materials is the perfume pyramid, developed by William Poucher in the 1920′s.
Today we should look back to Piesse which is very
interesting for aromatherapy blending. There is a new word Smounds. Smound
is a perception or sense experience created from the convergence of scents and
sounds in the brain. The word is a portmanteau of "smell" and
"sound." The idea that sounds and scents may be linked in the brain
was suggested in 1862 by Septimus Piesse, who said, "Scents, like sounds,
appear to influence the olfactory nerve in certain definite degrees."
Today it is being studied again.
So let us think of this in relation to blending. We all in aromatherapy
after some time have developed a sense of feeling for individual oils. From
this we should be able to detect in any combination a synergy like a symphony or
even a discord as with much experimental modern music or art. This is what I
called intuition above, a sense of knowing what will relate. But I stress the
first choice of oil is one of knowledge based upon need.
Another method of blending is based in the morphology or the
shape, form or part of the plant used. In my earlier days this was the method I
used and proposed. This was developed as a course by Jade Shutes at the
Institute of Dynamic Aromatherapy then based in Seattle USA. It too has its
origin in herbalism and not unlike the Doctrine of Signatures which of course
is discredited but has an uncanny knack of being fairly useful. For example
lungwort resembles lungs so is good for breathing difficulties and is still used
for use in the treatment of coughs
and bronchitis, especially where
associated with upper respiratory
catarrh.
So now we could consider that as seeds represent the beginning of life for a plant therefore they
are equated with the reproductive system as well as the other organs which lay
in the lower area of the body such as the digestive and urinary tracts.
The seed function within the plant is for reproduction and
protection.
So we can translate this into Aromatherapy as being for
growth, the reproductive system and the emotions associated with sexuality.
Nourishment and new birth would be appropriate settings and some would say the
Base chakras.
Examples of essential oils derived from seeds would be
Angelica, Black Pepper, Caraway, Carrot, Celery, Dill, Sweet Fennel and
Parsley.
Roots cannot be
seen as anything less than grounding. Roots feed the plant with nutrients and
water. All things needed for stability and growth. Should we not consider roots then as ideal from
homeostasis?
Roots have three main functions for the plant. They anchor
the plant in the substrate. They give out sugars which fertilise the soil and
take back nutrients for structure. They produce hormones and chemical
messengers within the plant.
So for aroma therapeutic purposes we can refer to grounding
and emotional stability, nourishment and support and maintaining physical
balance i.e. homeostasis.
Look at some of the emotional matters which roots would help
with. Anxiety, coping with change, fear, day dreaming, panic attacks,
overactive thinking or talkativeness from nerves, self-criticism, and insomnia.
There are many states to be considered.
Some root oils are Angelica, Vetivert and of course the
warming Ginger.
Stems and trunks
are not just the structural elements of a plant but are the conduit for
nutrition. Hence essential oils from stems and wood in particular conduct
energy and provide support. Woods induce self-contemplation and can assist the
skeletal structure and muscular disorders which affects the structure as well
as the proverbial aches and pains.
Heartwood is the central structural core of a tree, sapwood
is the outer nutrient bearing layer.
The function of the trunk in a plant or treed is to conduct
water and Water soluble nutrients to the leaves and flowers and to hold the
plant or tree upright.
Translating these aspects to Aromatherapy we can use them to
increase energy levels, to give a core reinforcing support or strength to a
blend. As noted above an inward look at self and of course to address the
fundamental causes of muscular and skeletal problems.
Stems and trunk woods are good for indecision and conditions
that worry causes. To encourage thought and wisdom.
Some woods to consider are Cedar, Rosewood, and Birch.
Trunks also give out resins
which have been used in rituals for centuries in incense.
Resin is the trees healing property as induced by cutting
the tree. And the function is to heal wounds and protect from infection.
So how might we see these in Aromatherapy using the way our
less scientific ancestors would have done? First we could see them as
meditation aids to increase spiritual awareness and certainly in wound healing
and skincare. We may see them as protective both as antibacterial agents and as
psychic agents.
Pleasant resins include Myrrh, Elemi, Frankincense and
Benzoin.
Leaves and needles
represent the lungs of the plant but are also converters of sunshine to create
the plant form. Originating from the stems and branches these too have
structural benefits. However the basic ground cover is from the leaves of
grasses small and tall.
In the plant of photosynthesis is the predominant feature
along with respiration. Leaves and needles too have abilities to prevent water
loss and to secrete matter to ward off insects and fungi.
Translating these to aromatherapy oils from leaves and
needles are used muchly for breathing exercises as well as antibacterial
actions and antiseptic purposes. They would be indicated for hysteria and its
counterpart depression. For infectious disease and fungal infections as well as
for lesions and skin conditions.
Essential oils derived from leaves and needles include
Rosemary, Cypress the Eucalypts, Laurel, the Petitgrains.
Ultimately we come to the flower or flowering top. The ancients always relate flowers to
emotions from love to friendship. They are the plants beauty and sexuality.
The plants purpose is to reproduce and attract pollinators.
Hence there are many forms or vibrancy of colours.
Flower oils represent erotic love, compassion, forgiveness, self-
sacrifice, family feelings beauty and desire and all these are the realms of aromatherapy
treatments. Strangely most flowers do
not easily give up their value by distillation some are macerations or by
enfleurage others are absolutes but all are powerful and should be used with
discretion. It is probably true to say as many have very quick impact that
flowers are overused.
Examples include Rose, Chamomile, Lavender, Ylang Ylang,
Neroli and so on.
Lastly we come to Fruits. By fruit we mean the drupe or
outer flesh or rind which protects the seed. The ‘casing’ is attractive to
animals and birds to spread seed and when rotting to provide a natural
fertiliser base.
For aromatherapy purposes the fruit oils are also attractive
generally considered to be uplifting, cheerful and brightening or put in less
esoteric terms, cleansing and refreshing. Due to the association with the seed fruit
oils may also be welcomed during the menopause in dealing with emotional side
effects. Certainly such oils are good for sadness grief, ill humour and anger.
Examples of these oils obtained from or being the zest and
mostly citrus in origin are Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Sweet Orange and more.
I hope this has stimulated you to think about the shape and
form a plant has. Relating form and plants to health is certainly old fashioned
and brings howls of protest from sectors of science but the idea has been
around a lot longer than modern science. It does require thought and knowledge
and to allow intuition to operate. Intuition requires humility and modesty to
function so I do not refer to the do-gooders of the world always seeking a
cause and becoming a healer overnight.
In using this or any other system do not forget the
alchemical rule of three. The Pythagoreans taught that the number three was the
first true number. Three is the first number that forms a geometrical figure –
the triangle. Three was considered the number of harmony, wisdom and
understanding. We could call it a magical number we
are all familiar with the expression “third time lucky”. In fairy tales three
is often the magical number.
If making a fragrance it is best to build accords based on
multiples of three. So you first build a threesome to which you add another
threesome making six.
Six the first perfect number. In mathematics a perfect
number is when all the numbers divisors (excluding the number itself) are
added, the sum equals the number itself. 1+2+3=6. It is a symbol of good
fortune. Think of the number six as the highest score on a dice. The sixth
sense” refers to extra sensory perception (ESP). It is also common to use the
phrase “the sixth sense” when meaning hunch or instinct.
The next jump would then take us to nine. Nine is the number
of magic and witchcraft. Nine is a sacred number. Nine is the number of completion and fulfilment.
Nine is a symbol of wisdom and good leadership. Nine is the number of heaven. In
Hinduism nine is the number of Brahma, the Creator.
After this you would jump to twelve and you can do your own
numerical research thereafter. It make sense to create this way to blend in
groups as it is an easy to create in the way Septimus Piesse would have
understood i.e. creating something that works added to something that also
works is more likely to produce accord than discord.
To build an aromatic treatment of blends based on morphology
or any other system requires taking the case history thoroughly. Like the
psychiatrist it is best to take notes on the first visit and then spend time
examining the case notes thoroughly rather than rushing to make an immediate
blend. Sometimes too it must be remembered that the aroma of a blend especially
when in an oil base, will not achieve its full aroma for some days after its
first mixing.
J.Kuśmirek© 10.2013
