Soulful Sunday 106 – Aroma

/ January 20, 2019

This week Soulful Sunday explores the power of aroma.
roses, soul, poetry

Soul Scents

~

sweet aromas rise

awakening the senses

the sent of heaven

~

Aromas have the power to transform our emotional and energetic state. In a fun word association, miracles and gifts are called heaven sent while certain aromas are considered heavenly scents. Smell is our most primitive sense and affects our limbic system and areas of the brain associated with desire, memory, and emotions. If you’re like me, I bet certain food like baked cookies trigger strong associations with family, childhood, and happiness.

Science tells us that aromas can cross the blood-brain barrier meaning that they can quickly enter our circulatory system to impact our body. Aromatherapy is the science of using essential oils to stimulate certain parts of your brain to influence mental and physical health. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their aromas and natural healing powers. In my 30s I discovered the benefits of essential oils to calm, center, heal, and enjoy. Different oils have different properties. Lavender is known for its calming impact while jasmine is a stimulant. Here is a good introductory article on the power of aromatherapy.

Roses have been calling to me lately. Maybe it’s time to stop and smell the roses! As I previously wrote in Ode to a Rose, roses feed my mind, body, and soul. Interestingly, according to Michèle at Michèle’s Organics, rose oil vibrates at a higher frequency associated with love, heart, and spirit. Sometimes I’m transported to another time and place where I become one with their heavenly scent, transcending the moment. I’m very sensitive to aromas (pleasant and not). They affect me deeply and can trigger strong feelings, memories, and sensations. Thankfully, roses always stir up good vibes with their smells. 🙂 I love the smell of many other flowers, including peonies, irises, and mimosa and magnolia blossoms. What smells do you love?

May your week be full of heavenly scents!

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42 thoughts on “Soulful Sunday 106 – Aroma”

  3. So pretty, Brad. I love roses…I love all flowers!! 🙂 (It’s funny, I used a photo of roses in my post today too!)
    I am very sensitive to smells and for sure, they can stimulate memories. Sometimes it can be shocking when the feelings appear so strongly.
    I like your idea that maybe it is time to stop and smell the roses…I think that is a good idea 😉

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  5. Ahhh yes… Daily I’m grateful for my sense of smell. As far as flowers go, lavender is my favorite, but only a certain variety – not all lavenders are created equal. 😉 I also love lilacs and lily of the valley, and like you – roses. There are so many other wonderful smelling things too (to many to name!), and it’s so true that scents evoke emotions and memories. Lovely post, Brad, thank you. ❤

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  9. Hmm, I’m going to have to re-look at rose scents. I don’t have a negative association with them, but I shied away from embracing the scents. It’s time to take another look after reading this.
    I have discovered essential oils now in my 30s. Hehe. They are powerful in their capacity to heal. I am awed by what they can do.
    I hope you’ve had a great weekend! Sending hugs.🤗

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  10. Beautiful poem again, Brad. Also lovely to hear your thoughts on scents and aromatherapy. It’s something I’ve not gotten into. The smell of fresh air outdoors is the scent I like best, lol. But I so agree with you certain scents trigger certain memories and emotions. For instance, the smell of pizza always reminds me of carefree days lounging around, during my youjnger days eating pizza for lunch at university. Hope all is well with you 🙂

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  11. A sent-sational post, Brad! I enjoy essential oils — although my allergies prevent me using many of them, even sandalwood, which I love. Sometimes I can handle a teeny tiny amount of that one. Rose or jasmine, rarely even when used sparingly. So, my favorite is probably rosemary. It wakes up the brain. I find it refreshing. Lavender is one that I use frequently, since I get a lot of headaches. It doesn’t bother me the way most other florals do.
    Have a marvelous Monday. Hugs.

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  12. The second I opened this post and saw the rose, I literally smelled it…strongly enough I looked around the room to see if my wife had picked a rose and had it in a vase. Then I read your post….enough said….it works!

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  13. Great post Brad. I think the science is fascinating. Personal favourite scents of mine are Geranium and Frankincense, and I love the smell of real jasmine, at night, in the Mediterranean. Food wise, it has to be fresh bread, and banana loaf! When i step off the plane and arrive on Crete, it’s the smell of mountain thyme. And open fires – such a special, lingering smell. You’ve caught my imagination! Blessings, Harula x

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  15. Smell is one of our strongest senses that bring us in alignment with spirit… rose is my favourite that reminds me of our true essence of love and joy. I love aromatherapy… as they all help bring us into total balance❤️ beautiful post brad, live Barbara x

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