We have traditions that relate to the sights, the colours, the sounds and the symbols of this sacred season of Christmas and the birth of Christ. All these traditional practices that appeal to us are retained in some degree, whether it is the ornamented fir tree, the nativity symbols, the star of Bethlehem, the candles, the carols, and of course the feasting. We choose to follow the customs in our own special way.

However it is only the church that retains the myrrh and frankincense in the ritual censing in church ceremony to give us the olfactory reminder of the sacred occasion as we inhale the aromatic fumes and bathe in the atmosphere that stirs our spiritual aspirations.

In the home it may be difficult to imbue the activities of feasting and food preparation with the spiritual thoughts associated with the birth of Christ and our recognition of the spiritual reality of His Being and His teachings. We need quiet moments to meditate upon the deep significance of the message and the need for simplicity, love and the aspiration towards perfection of our nature.

Apart from church attendance, we can find ways to increase our pleasure and add the special Christmas scents and sounds by injecting frankincense and sandalwood and other uplifting aromas into our home atmosphere. We can play and enjoy traditional hymns and carols and favourite sounds of beautiful classical music- in particular, the Gregorian Chants. In this way we create our own special atmosphere for Christmas and help to keep alive the essential spiritual quality of the celebration of this time of year that has long, long association with the spirit of joy and new life.

To the aromas of the Christmas fir tree and the feasting, we can add at appropriate times the scent of frankincense by burning it in our incense bowl or by dabbing a little of the essential oil on our bodies so that we can have constant enjoyment of its fragrance throughout the day.

But because perfume is particularly potent in awakening our senses in our own personal way, we may choose to add other perfumes that have their own special magic and power to uplift our spirits. The scent of orange blossom, captured in the essential Oil of Neroli is a favourite choice. So, enjoy!

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In the growing science of osmics and the healing profession of aromatherapy there is continual expansion of knowledge of the curative powers of essential oils. These applications relate to both physical symptoms as well as mental disturbances. The information here applies to 2000 and is yet to be updated. It will be of general interest to those working with aromatic substances.

As certain artificially produced scents can be harmful when inhaled, they are not recommended for use in either aromatherapy or for meditation. Only essential oils, resins or other plant material is safe to use in aiding meditation.

Agreeable aromas induce deeper, slower inhalations which benefit the nervous system directly through relaxing the solar plexus, and reduce nervous tension. Offensive odours inhibit the depth and rate of breathing.

There are an estimated 80,000 plant species in the world. However, pleasantly perfumed plants are rare. Only about one tenth of the known species are suitable for providing us with the aromatic resins and essential oil required in the production of perfumes.

Scented gardens are a delight and encourage vitality through the stimulus to inhale deeply.

In beginning to build up a range of pure natural essential oils at home there are some useful ones to purchase as a basis, as they have health value, many practical applications and all people find their scents are delightful to inhale.

When using essential oils as remedies for personal health reasons, we must be guided by the science of Osmics as well as being sensitive to our own responses to a perfume. In addition to some oils being sedative and others more stimulating, each has a specific chemical make-up and offers unique properties in healing.

The subtle nature of perfume is beginning to be appreciated through the science of Osmics. Aromatherapy is now a common therapeutic option and is included as one of the modalities used in natural therapies and entering tentative application in orthodox medical science and psychology.

Whereas in the past, perfumes were used to attempt to cover up the smells of poor sanitation, this is no longer of vital importance. The focus has shifted to the need to cover ups the chemical stenches resulting from commercial and industrial manufacture and the effluents that are involved as by-products.