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SACRED OILS TO SOOTHE THE SOUL FELICITY WARNER: “Aromatic plants have been used for medicine and ritual for many thousands of years.”
THE ancient Egyptians were extremely skilled in the art of preserving bodies, rubbing a variety of aromatic gums, including Cedar and Myrrh, on them before they were mummified.
Felicity Warner is the founder of The Soul Midwives School, which she began over 20 years ago after sitting with hundreds of people at the end of their lives. She lectures at universities and international conferences, and has written three acclaimed books, “Gentle Dying,” “A Safe Journey Home” and “The Soul Midwives’ Handbook.” In 2017, Felicity was named “End of Life Care Champion” by the National Council for Palliative Care at the House of Lords and won an award as one of the “Daily Mail’s” most “Inspirational Women of the Year.” Her latest venture is another book, “Sacred Oils.” Subtitled “Working with 20 Precious Oils to Heal Spirit and Soul,” it is published by Hay House at £10.99. In this specially commissioned article for PN, Felicity writes about the oils, their uses and history. UPLIFTING and fragrant essential oils are used by many of us to soothe a headache or help us sleep, but who would guess that they are also powerful psychic tools? Oils such as Lavender and Rose can be the keys to developing clairvoyance and sharpening spiritual sight when they are used as sacred oils, which can help to develop psychic abilities and heal “dis-eases” of the spirit and soul. I am a “myrrhophore” – or mistress of the oils – and work with aromatic oils in an ancient craft linking back to pre-biblical times. Myrrhophores belong to an esoteric lineage linking back to ancient Egyptian temple traditions where priests and priestesses were both healers and magicians. Mary Magdalene is said to have been a priestess in this work, displaying her skills and knowledge of the sacred properties of oils when she anointed Jesus with costly and precious Spikenard, which is still
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used today to work with those close to transition. Modern myrrhophores use familiar essential oils such as Sandalwood, Holy Basil and Patchouli to work at the deepest level, expanding consciousness and bringing healing and clairvoyance. My apprenticeship with oils began when I was a teenager living in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. I was introduced to an extraordinary woman, Lys De Grasse, who worked with plants, herbs and essential oils. It turned out that she was also a myrrhophore; no wonder I hadn’t heard of one before, as there are only a handful across the world. Lys lived like a recluse surrounded by books, animals and plants. Having heard that I was extremely sensitive to smell and sound and had healing hands, she invited me to tea.
Over time, Lys showed me how to work with the spirit of a plant by attuning to the energy of oils and learning which ones to use for healing. One of Lys’ mantras was, “It is dangerous to have knowledge without wisdom.” Myrrophore work has never been written down and is always passed from master to student and kept out of sight to deflect from the power it carries. Lys observed that I had a nose like a sniffer dog and a snake-like ability to sense vibration. Two essential talents for becoming a myrrhrophore, this was still not enough to for her to decide to begin teaching me. I had to prove that I was physically robust enough to be a vessel for the high energies I would be working with. This couldn’t be taught, but only discovered through a series of initiations and much challenging practical work.
Once achieved, I began my apprenticeship. I was tested to the limits to see how much energy I could “hold” and if I could discharge it when I was full, as holding high energy for too long can make you ill. This was the beginning of a long and sometimes gruelling time, where I would struggle up a level or so and then be totally blocked for a time whilst I absorbed and grounded the knowledge. Like unravelling an onion, there were layers upon layers of understanding the way the oils worked, as most of them are veiled in hermetic and alchemical-like symbolism. As a soul midwife, the oils are valuable healing tools. Using them with those close to the end of earthly life, through simple touch and meditation, I can help to ease fear and anxiety as well as helping people to understand the great mystery of life and death and the rich journey it presents.
The history of oils The myrrhophore tradition grew from celestial medicine and was practised in the temples of Egypt. The concepts of celestial medicine were based on the ritualistic relationship between the signatures of bodily constitution, ailments and remedies, planetary alignment, medical alchemy and celestial anatomy. Aromatic plants have been used for medicine and ritual for many thousands of years. Traces of plants, seeds and resins have been discovered by archaeologists excavating ancient temples and tombs. Nefertum, the ancient Egyptian god of perfume, was also the god of
healing. This inextricable link between aroma and healing spread through many aspects of their culture. One of the best-known uses of oils in ancient times was in mummification. The ancient Egyptians were extremely skilled in the art of preserving bodies, rubbing a variety of aromatic gums, including Cedar and Myrrh, on them before they were mummified. The resins from these gums were antibacterial and fungicidal, thereby preventing bodies from decaying. Jars of essential oils have been found in the tombs of pharaohs. Modern aromatherapy is very different from working with sacred oils. In contemporary clinical practice, oils are used for their chemical constituents, which govern their antibacterial or antiinflammatory properties. New research shows that essential oils may be the next great step towards fighting infection, as bacteria become ever more resistant to antibiotics. Sacred oils are powerful, energetic beings with huge potential and knowledge to share with us. Wisdom and humility are required to work with them. Each oil has distinct energetic codes to be deciphered before you can gain access to the deeper levels of understanding of how they can be used. The oils work with the aura rather than the physical body. They resonate with the energetic frequencies generated by both physical and emotional imbalance and trauma. Oils have specific resonances with certain conditions. For example, Violet oil, which helps people experiencing deeply held grief, resonates with deep emotion
and trauma in a similar way to how homoeopathic remedies work. Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians believed that the sense of smell and the ability to intuit the effect of smell was the most important sensory ability. They knew that the inhalation or energy absorption of oils can increase one’s frequency by stimulating the pineal gland. This gland is thought to be the seat of the soul and the divine connector to enlightenment within the body. It attracts energy from the highest source. Energy carries light and information, and your nous is activated and expanded by this invisible energy. Throughout history, oils have been used to invoke altered states of consciousness and initiate individuals into various spiritual traditions because: • They are powerful and divine intelligences • They are energy and light manifested in matter • They are sacred tools of consciousness • They have energy signatures that resonate with the human soul and spirit • They can help us to project consciousness for use in healing others • They can prompt visionary experiences and take us back into past lives • They can show us the future • They heal the light body Apart from their healing qualities, the oils help us to see into the future by enhancing clairvoyance. In meditation, they can also connect us to loved ones and link us to other realms of consciousness. They may also give insights into past lives and reveal our soul’s purpose. PSYCHIC NEWS | NOVEMBER 2018
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Six oils and their sacred attributes
Traces of this ancient way of working with aromatic oils can still be found in our culture with the practice of anointing. The word “anoint” comes from the Latin unctus, which means smearing with oil, which is making a person sacred, setting them apart and dedicating them to serve a higher spiritual purpose. Whenever a British monarch is crowned, at the climax of the ceremony they are anointed with a special blend of oils to draw down divine sovereignty to the new king or queen. This is such a sacred act that it is performed beneath a canopy out of sight of the thousands of people who attend the coronation or millions watching on TV. Prepared in advance, the special oil is consecrated before being placed in a gold vessel in the shape of an eagle. At the appropriate moment, the oil is poured through the beak of the eagleshaped container into an anointing spoon, which is used to anoint the sovereign’s hands, breast and head. Though the exact recipe for the oil is kept secret, it’s based on one from the 17th century. It consists of Sesame seed and Olive oils, with oils of Rose, Jasmine, Orange, Cinnamon, Musk, Civet and Ambergris. The blend creates a very potent highly energised oil that has an otherworldly fragrance as well as bestowing divine qualities such as wisdom and leadership. Rose, Orange and Jasmine oils all have links to the angelic realms and carry an extremely high frequency. Although sacred oils are relatively easy to buy, especially online, you need to find a reputable supplier, as some cheaper ones may be adulterated with other ingredients. As with many precious commodities, you pay for what you get. If you are tempted to blend oils yourself, be aware that many are highly irritant and shouldn’t be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or high blood pressure, and not by pregnant or breast-feeding women. Some essential oils are toxic and need to be used with great care and expert knowledge.
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Cedarwood
Myrrh
Cedarwood is one of the most spiritually and emotionally grounding essential oils of all. It is used by Tibetan Buddhists as temple incense. Being grounded is an essential skill for healers, otherwise the emotions they intuitively pick up from the people and environment around them could easily knock them off-balance, making them feel vulnerable and eventually even undermining their health. When we are grounded, we are present in our body and connected with the earth, allowing us to feel centred and balanced no matter what is going on around us. This is why Cedarwood is so useful when preparing to undertake sacred work of any kind. It anchors us in ourselves and in the here and now. Cedarwood is also helpful for facing up to and letting go of difficult situations or relationships, especially when we feel they are holding us back. It can help to release negativity in whichever form we experience it. In summary, it helps us to find our power and strength, fosters optimism and hope, and releases negative thoughts and emotions.
Myrrh brings wisdom and spiritual growth along with forgiveness. One of the first steps on the path to spiritual mastery and full empowerment is to learn how to correctly connect to the Source of All. Another piece of this process is the soul’s awakening. This process prompts the deepest questions, such as, “Who am I? What am I here to do? How am I to serve?” Myrrh encourages this and gives valuable insights when used in meditation. It is useful for releasing negative emotions, soul pain and building courage when remembering painful deeply buried feelings. Myrrh also helps in letting go and the forgiveness of sins.
Frankincense Frankincense is all about connecting to Spirit and linking into the divine force. Meditating with Frankincense slows down breathing and deepens breath. When we are born, we come in on a breath and when we die, we go out on a breath. Frankincense carries the mechanism of this energy. Breathing connects the astral and physical body, and ignites the spark of spiritual life. It calms and soothes, steadies restlessness, helps the overactive mind and heals obsessive memories of the past. This oil can be used to counteract melancholy and disruptive thoughts. It soothes inner chaos, helps during a spiritual crisis of any kind and gives spiritual direction when important decisions are needed. It is ideal to consecrate a sacred space.
Holy Basil Oil from Holy Basil can be used for protection before performing a ritual and also help to ease the passage in any situation where the soul is travelling during meditation or dream work. This beautiful high vibration oil links us to the divine life force of the universe. Having a green herby scent, which is reminiscent of cloves, it helps to dissolve difficult relationships and cuts negative emotional ties.
Patchouli Patchouli releases emotional confusion and stops jitteriness after heightened experiences such as telepathy, psychic work and levitation. It will gradually calm the aura when it has been extended too widely and too quickly. With a warm, rich and spicy scent, it grounds and stabilises, helps when recalling past lives, assists if working with high energies, releases emotional confusion and allows us to see the bigger picture.
Sandalwood Soothing, calming and stabilising, Sandalwood helps us to slow down the world when it feels fractious and stressful. It can counteract chaotic energy and provide an etheric refuge from external forces such as negative energies and encroaching thought forms. Sandalwood also opens our inner ears enabling us to hear what isn’t being said. It can give us clarity when we are in muddled situations. Apart from soothing the restless spirit, Sandalwood is useful to counteract stress, anxiety, anger, rage, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, migraines and headaches. Earthy and tranquil, it hushes a busy mind, stops overthinking, urges us to slow down and not worry, and to tune into love, beauty, harmony and natural forces. Sacred oils are powerful and potent, yet gentle in their work. I hope that my new book shows that in these modern, unsettled times, they are still able to heal and offer their spiritual gifts as much as they ever did thousands of years ago. For more about Felicity, please visit www.soulmidwives.co.uk Felicity’s “A Journey with Sacred Oils,” a two-CD set of guided meditations for working with 20 ancient and sacred oils, will be available at the end of January 2019. n