Myrrh and Frankincense

Myrrh and Frankincense

by | Aromatics

December is associated with many aromas: vanilla and spices in hot drinks and baking;  evergreens in boughs and trees;  sage and rosemary in dressing for turkey;  myrrh and frankincense for the Christmas story.  Most of these fragrances are familiar to us – except perhaps those aromas associated with the Christmas story. In aromatherapy, these two resin oils are incredible in their healing abilities – on all levels.

Myrrh comes from the Arabic word “murr” meaing bitter. It is the first scented plant mentioned in the Bible, where it was called “bdellium”.  Myrrh was valued from earliest times as the only substance that could provide a powerful and lasting scent.  In countries with water shortages, Myrrh was worn suspended from the neck where body heat caused the aroma to be diffused. The Egyptians burned Myrrh at noon in honor of Ra, the Sun God. For mummification, the stomach of the corpse was filled with Myrrh and Cassia before being sewn up.

According to Joni Keim Loughran and Ruah Bull,
“There is a belief in many spiritual traditions that our greatest teachings are found within our emotional wounds.  Our task is to accept life’s challenges and allow them to teach us compassionate wisdom – a great spiritual gift that enables us to feel compassion for the suffering of others as well as ourselves.  Myrrh helps us get through the trials and tribulations of life. It helps us to understand and cope with our inevitable physical/emotional/psychological wounds. … Held and blessed by Myrrh, we have the capacity to face, feel and integrate some of the most potent earthly challenges.” 

They note occasions for its use:
– When feeling exhausted or overwhelmed by our own troubles or the suffering of others.
– To help us understand, from a spiritual perspective, the meaning of emotional challenges.

Frankincense has one of the longest histories of any fragrance.  The ancients valued it as an incense and the demand for it exceeded myrrh by five to one.  Egyptians sent their prayers to the gods/goddesses upon its aromatic smoke. The Jews adapted the Egyptians’ sacramental use of perfumes and decreed that only pure Frankincense could be used for holy incense.  Herodotus claimed that Frankincense burned on the altar at the Tower of Babel. It is also said to have burned on the altars at Eleutherae in the Temples of Zeus and Demeter.  English lore says that Edward the Confessor donated a portion of the Frankincense offered to Christ by the Magi as a relic for Westminster Abbey.

According to Joni Keim Loughran and Ruah Bull,
“The word for “breath’ also means “spirit” or “life force” in several languages and it symbolizes filling one with life. Many traditions teach breathing meditations, in which focusing on the breath becomes a tool to clear the mind and expand consciousness. Frankincense deepens our breath, calms and focuses our mind and opens our consciousness to make clear, direct contact with the Divine.  It has long been recognized as a sacred essential oil that helps heal the spirit and comfort the heart. It creates a mindful, meditative state in which we can experience and integrate Divine wisdom.”

They note occasions for its use:
–  To ground and open consciousness and to connect with the Divine during meditation.
–  To connect body, mind and spirit on the spiritual path.
– To help in pursuit of enlightenment and grace.

Given all that these two resin essential oils can do, it is no wonder they were presented as gifts to the baby Jesus.  Know that we also  have access to these same oils for our continued health and healing.  Why wouldn’t we want to use them!

Remembrance

Remembrance

by | Life Reflections

During November, we have opportunities for Remembrance.  By definition, this is a time of acknowledging and reflecting upon the past.  People, places, pets, objects, situations from our past come forth to be acknowledged and “remembered” apotheke-zag.de.

The month starts with All Saints Day and the Feast of the Dead.  At this time, it is believed that the veil separating the living and the dead is parted ever so briefly, offering opportunity for the exchange of guidance and prophecy.  On the 11th month, on the 11th day at the 11th hour,  we “remember” those who defended our country and its rights and freedoms. Some came back, some did not. And some came back damaged on many levels from the ordeal.  At the end of the month, our American friends have their Thanksgiving Day. On this day, they reflect upon their lives and give thanks.  Reflections of one’s life require “remembrance” and acknowledgement.

Some people question the importance of remembrance.  It’s history – old news. What is done, is done.  So move on.  Some people don’t wish to remember their past as it holds too many painful memories; they block everything from their past.  Some people tightly hold onto the past memories because they were the best of times; they live in the past instead of the present.  But there is a difference between memories and remembrance.

Whereas memories hold the thought and emotion of the past, remembrance takes that thought and emotion and offers reflection and understanding of how it influenced our life and  life choices since. This is how we can integrate the great and not so great moments in our lives.  By remembering, we can learn.  By remembering, we offer ourselves a chance to not be tied to the past, yet allow the past to be acknowledged for what it was.

The past happened – that can’t be changed.  But our view and reaction to the past can be changed.  But not by denying or clinging to it.  When we face it for what it was and realize that we can choose a more self-helpful way of responding to it, the memory becomes a remembrance.  The emotional power a memory holds over us is softened.  Over time, this emotion is gently released.  And we are left with a remembrance of that memory.  And its lesson.

It is helpful to remember our history. It offers roots and context to our life story. But it isn’t our whole story. We must live in the present.  Having remembrances lets us realize where we came from and where we are now.  Should we need to course-correct in a direction more in alignment with our dreams and purpose, it is our choice to do so.

Remembrance and Memories – crucial steps in our evolution.

Inventory as a Metaphor

Inventory as a Metaphor

by | Life Reflections

While attending to the usual business year-end inventory count, I was struck with how this process can be a metaphor for many things. Who knew that by counting inventory stock and reorganizing it in one’s work space, many other lessons and comparisons could be made?  It wasn’t something I went looking for, but I’m glad I found it!

The process of “taking inventory” is to note what you actually have in stock and how that compares with what you are supposed to have in stock.  Those of you familiar with the process know that what the inventory sheet says you are supposed to have and what you actually physically see and count can be very different.  What you think you have now, is shown to not be true. There is a discrepancy!

Doing an inventory count is a messy business.  Everything gets moved, piled up and put out of its normal place – complete disruption.  A great term to describe the scene is “chaos”.  Nothing is left untouched. But from this chaos came great ideas and new ways of looking at things. Here’s how it went.

As I went through each area and item, I found myself asking many questions:  Why was I holding onto these things?  What purpose did they have?  Are these things that I will likely use with clients over the next year?  Are these things I would use for myself over the next year?  Does keeping this feel like a burden or a blessing?  I found myself being brutal with letting go of things that no longer served the Centre, its clients or me. Don’t look back or second guess – just toss  it!  And those things that were still purposeful and meaningful were given extra attention and care.

Once I had only what was purposeful and meaningful, I cleaned and rearranged the store and the storage areas to be more organized and user friendly.  When all was done, there was a sense of peace and accomplishment that arose from the chaos. I looked around and thought, ” I like this now!”  Everything felt fresh and with renewed energy.

Once I finished the inventory, I realized that life is a lot like this process. The phrases,  “taking stock of a situation”, “counting your blessings”, “spring cleaning” and “analyze this!” had more relevance.  All of these phrases ask us to think about our self and our situation. We ask questions such as: “Is this a blessing or a burden for me?”  or  “Is this for my Highest Good?” We may uncover uncomfortable or painful aspects that momentarily send us for a loop (chaos?).  But after a while, and with focused intention and action, we are able to understand what it is that works for us and what needs to be tweaked.  Then we take action and tweak!

The treasure at the end of this process is a sense of personal accomplishment and satisfaction. The change we make helps us feel good about ourselves and our situation. Improvement, satisfaction, accomplishment, joy and Highest Good.
All from willing to engage with doing an “Inventory”.

Future, Today and the Past

Future, Today and the Past

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

“Today is yesterday, but in its future state of being.”
This is the type of thing a quantum physicist would say – and it can be really trippy to understand! Yet if we pause and think about it, we know this to be true.  By understanding how our yesterdays can influence our todays and tomorrows, we can appreciate how precious each day really is.

Another message to be taken from this is that whatever our yesterday was, it helped create our today.  And today is what helps create our tomorrow.  If we want a better tomorrow for ourselves, we must start with now. Now will soon become our yesterday, our past – so by changing the energy of now to something we wish to have more of in our life, we set our  life course to be more in keeping with what we truly want for ourselves.  And our world.  Therein lies the key.

Projection from the past into the future may seem a far-fetched idea,  yet this is how energy works. Energy can’t be destroyed;  it can only be transformed. Energy is present in our words, thoughts, feelings and actions.  We are encouraged to use positive words and affirmations to describe ourselves and our world, visualize abundance on all levels and in all dimensions, focus on joyful, loving, compassionate, fearless  thoughts and actions towards ourselves and others.  In other words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”  (Gandhi)

It is difficult for some folks to realize that their future really is in their hands.  To accept this would mean to give up a way of living and relating to others that has become familiar, a habit, co-dependent, or too comfortable for them .  It would mean that the mantle of self-responsibility for one’s thoughts and actions, falls firmly on their own shoulders.  It also means that successes and failures in their lives are ultimately their own. For many, this is just too frightening.

We have been given free-will and this is our ticket to freedom of choice or entrapment.  To use free-will wisely requires an understanding of rights and responsibilities that come with being here and participating in life.  It seems there is a lot of talk about freedoms and rights these days,  but if this is not balanced with responsibility towards self and others, then it becomes warped.  It can morph into an overwhelming sense of entitlement that serves only the Ego.  Or it can show itself as victimization -it’s  someone else’s fault for my life.

Many folks re-live and recreate their past traumas and dramas in their daily lives.  These then become their today which will project into the future.  How can anything change if the pattern remains the same?  What would it take to begin to create a different future for themselves?

Love works!  It helps with changing one’s inner critics and  negative self-talk into more loving, positive words and feelings towards self.  This inner shift may be subtle, but it has far-reaching effects.  It is like dropping a pebble into a pond – the ripples go out in all directions and change the surface of the water in that moment.

When we change how we view and feel about ourselves, we act differently, too.  These changes send out a different vibe to others.  These changes also help us to look at the world differently and respond to it differently.  Slowly but surely, we create the changes that our future has been waiting for!

Today is the future you’ve been waiting for.  What ripples will you be sending out into the world now?

Essential Oils and the Summer Sun

Essential Oils and the Summer Sun

by | Aromatics

Summertime – and the sunshine is intense.  Great idea to use sunscreen to prevent sunburn and sun damage;  most people would consider this a no-brainer.  But did you know there are some essential oils that will react with the sun’s ultraviolet rays and create unpleasant and painful skin reactions?  The phenomenon is called
photo-sensitivity – and it can be quite nasty.The aromachemistry of essential oils plays a role in determining which essential oils are safe or not safe to use on the skin during extended exposure times or higher intensity to ultraviolet rays. Essential oils containing a type of Lactone phytochemical called Furocoumarin is primarily responsible for the photosensitivity reaction to ultraviolet rays.  Any essential oil containing furocoumarin can be problematic.  Bergamot essential oil has the highest concentration of furocoumarin in the form of a phyto-chemical called Bergapten.  Because of this, you won’t find it in any stay-on-the-skin products used in the summer months – or you shouldn’t!

What does a photosensitivity reaction look like?  The reaction can be skin burns, skin blisters or serious skin discolouration.  Depending upon the type and amount of essential oil applied and the length of exposure time to the sun, the skin damage can be mild to extremely severe. The risk of having a reaction can be any time up to 12-18 hours after applying the essential oil.  It does not necessarily take alot of essential oil to create the reaction.  Reactions have been documented at essential oil dilution rates less than 0.5%.  Besides the skin reaction itself, the pain that accompanies the reaction can also be a great concern.

The essential oils most likely to create a photosensitivity reaction include most of the expressed citrus peel oils.  Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon and Lime are best avoided.  Mandarin and Tangerine are safer to use as their furocoumarin  content is almost zero. Some researchers say it is safe to use expressed Orange essential oil, while others caution against its use.  Additional essential oils that are problematic include Angelica Root and Tagetes. There are others, but they are rarely used in our daily skin care routines.

To limit this photosensitivity problem, some companies will offer Furocoumarin-free essential oils, or FCFs.  These have been processed to remove the offending furocoumarin phyto-chemicals.  For instance, you will often see Bergamot FCF (or Bergapten-Free Bergamot) available for sale during hot, sunny weather. The removal of the furocoumarins does alter the natural chemistry of the essential oil and, as some would argue, the oil’s full therapeutic benefits. But by removing the furocoumarin, it improves the essential oil’s safety for use on the skin in sunny weather.

Can you use essential oils containing furocoumarins during the summer?  Certainly – but with safety in mind.  Anything that will be washed off the skin immediately (such as soap or shampoo) is usually fine.  Room diffusions are okay.  Room sprays can work, as long as the droplets don’t land on one’s skin when spraying. Evening skin care should be fine, as long as the dilution rate is very low so the essential oil can be gone before the next day’s sun exposure.

Any questions or doubts about the essential oils or aromatherapy products you are using?  Contact a qualified Registered Aromatherapist or Essential OIl Therapist for the safest answers.

Did you know ……

  • HealthLink BC is a government funded tele-health service which provides non-emergency health information to the residents of BC.,  through combined telephone, internet, mobile app, and print resources.
  • HealthLink BC has two dedicated phone numbers:  8-1-1 and 7-1-1 for hearing impaired callers.
  • The website is a good source of health information and contact info for provincial services, agencies and supports  http://www.HealthLinkBC.ca/

If you are dealing with a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1 instead