Introduction
Anthroposophical science teaches that plants produce fragrance as a means of absorbing “the soul” of the sun which contains the essence of spirit. Fragrance formation represents an interaction between terrestrial and cosmic forces, and it’s used by the plant as a means of uniting with the spiritual essence contained within sunbeams. Anthroposophy founder Rudolf Steiner states: “Matter is most spiritual in the perfume of the plant. When the spirit most closely approaches the physical earth, then we have the perception of fragrance.” In other words, an essential oil is the most concentrated carrier of the plant’s soul.
This understanding, conflated with a key kabbalistic insight, turned on the light that illuminated for me a practical pathway to soul-level healing. The Kabbalah teaches that the scent of a plant represents the higher consciousness aspect of its soul. Whereas the taste of a fruit, such as an orange, nourishes a person on a conscious level, the scent of its oil provides sustenance for his or her spiritual dimension.
According to Kabbalah, the human soul contains animal-, vegetable- and human soul components. Thus, each of us has the ability to relate to plant souls on a soul-to-soul level. Plants are alive, and everything that lives has a soul. An essential oil, the bonding medium for the soul of the plant, is uniquely suited to act as the physical entity that can facilitate an interface between plant and human souls.
The plant-soul is not encumbered by ego, so it has the qualities of purity and infinity. Thus, an individualized plant-soul combination within an essential oil blend, when proffered to the human-soul, would be eagerly received and infuse the latter with the impetus to move beyond limitation by changing its orientation from the finite to the Infinite.
The soul is the repository of archetypal forms, which, though non-material in and of themselves, give rise to and sustain all of the organism’s tangible mental and physical manifestations. A chakra can be viewed as being a type of archetypal form. Once one identifies which chakras are more influential than others in a person’s mental and physical nature, then oils whose pattern of chakra affinities have a high degree of congruence with that person’s pattern can be selected for inclusion in a personalized blend that encourages soul-level healing. In this way, the blend will serve as a mirrored reflection of an important aspect of that soul’s archetypal make-up. As archetypes reside only within the inner domain of the soul, it is this congruence between the person’s soul’s archetypal make-up and the composite soul archetypal make-up of the oil blend that generates inspires soul-level healing.
Chakras
The Sanskrit word chakra means wheel or disk. In yoga, and Ayurveda, the term chakra refers to force centers (aligned from the base of the spine to the top of the skull), or whirling vortices of vital force (called prana) that serve as interfaces for consciousness and matter. According to the yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, there are seven chakras, which permeate both the physical body and the formative, non-physical, subtle bodies, serving as focal points for the reception and transmission of both physical and higher energies.
These chakras correspond to large nerve centers, major organs as well as an individual’s mental and spiritual states of being. Since life is characterized by movement and death by stillness, the seven main chakras must stay open, adaptable and in a balanced kinetic state.
All essential oils have strong affinities for specific chakras. Accordingly, it is possible to gain important insight regarding the inner nature of a certain essential oil via close examination of its chakra affinities. In this regard, champaca oil due to various plant signatures, therapeutic actions and its synchronicity with the gemstone pink coral (Essential Oils and Gemstone Synchronicities article) has strong affinities for the 2nd (Sacral), 4th (Heart) and 7th (Crown) chakras.
Champaca
Champaca is one of the oils that I described in great detail during the 2017 Spiritual PhytoEssencing Webinar-Based Training Intensive.
Native to South Asia and Southeast Asia (including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam), Michelia champaca (aka Michelia aurantiaca), is a member of the Magnoliaceae family. Found in tropical and subtropical, humid broadleaf forests at elevations of 660–5,250 feet (200–1,600 meters), the tree that can grow to a height of 160+ feet (50 meters).
The tree’s highly fragrant, pale yellow to orange (the species name aurantiaca means orange) flowers powerfully broadcast their scent. When a champaca tree is in bloom the fragrance emitted by its flowers can be perceived at a distance of one hundred feet (33 meters) from the tree.
Champaca is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus and it is often planted in temple grounds and around homes. Champaca is found in sacred groves maintained by Malayali and Paliyani tribal communities of southwestern India. These sacred groves have been maintained with their wild, indigenous plants in tact for the connection of the communities to both the religious deities and nature. Small shrines are maintained within the groves. The larger sacred groves provide refuge for native, often threatened plants and animals.
The tree is great favorite to Hindu gardens, the exquisitely scented flowers being used for Pooja (a prayer ritual performed to host, honor and worship one or more deities, or to spiritually celebrate an event) particularly of the Lord Shiva (champaca flowers are offered to invoke his blessings). In part, it is thought that the beautiful scent of champaca rises up to heaven and attracts the attention of the deity to whom it is offered. In Java, champaca flowers are ritually offered at temple ceremonies to mark holidays, births, or deaths.
In Theravada Buddhism, champaca is said to be the tree used by the seventeenth Lord Buddha named Aththadassi to achieve Bodhi (enlightenment or awakening – the understanding possessed by a Buddha regarding the true nature of things). According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, the Buddha of the next era will achieve Bodhi under the canopy of a champaca tree.
Champaca essential oil is composed of linalool (approx. 62%) as well as beta-caryophyllene, beta-elemene, methyl eugenol. The golden colored absolute, extracted from the golden champaca flowers has an enchanting, delicate, sweet, floral fragrance. In India, champaca it is known as the Flower of Paradise.
In Ayurvedic medicine, champa is considered to be specific for conditions related to impaired pitta and/or vata in general and in particular: general debility; malarial fever; bronchitis; cough; hemoptysis (coughing up of blood or bloody sputum from the lungs or airway); dyspepsia; nausea; skin diseases including those which feature pruritus (itching).
Pitta governs heat production, metabolism and transformation in the mind/body organism. It controls digestion, assimilation, sensory perceptions and discrimination between right and wrong. Pitta governs the important digestive “agnis” or fires of the body.
Vata governs all movement in the mind/body organism including heartbeat and blood circulation, excretion, respiration and the movement of thoughts within the mind.
Perhaps because champa is a very expensive oil, it is not well described in the aromatherapy literature. We can assume that all the therapeutic effects associated with the flowers described above (e.g., diabetes, headache, dizziness, vertigo, ophthalmia, gout, etc.) have varying degrees of relevance regarding the essential oil (which is extracted from the flowers). Additionally, the essential oil has been found to have potential value regarding depression, frigidity and impotence.
On a psychospiritual level, champaca oil aids in the development of higher intuition that enables greater clarity within the domain of the inner spiritual self and reduces a tendency toward indecision. Champaca helps the ego move away from self-centeredness and toward more focus on collective consciousness and the highest world. It can help when one needs to make decisions.
The biochemical composition of champaca oil is more than 60% linalool. A terpene alcohol, linalool has been the subject of numerous studies investigating its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. Linalool decreases aggressive behavior, moderates the stress response and improves the quality of sleep.
CHAMPACA and the INTERACTION AMONG 2nd, 4th and 7th CHAKRAS
As noted, the inner nature of champaca oil and its relevance regarding inclusion in customized personal blends are more clearly viewed via its affinity for the interaction among the 2nd, 4th and 7th chakras.
2ndChakra (Sacral Chakra)
Keynotes:
- Located between the navel (generally 1 to 2 inches below the navel) and public bone at the level of the sacrum.
- Associated with the color orange (champaca flowers are orange); influences the spleen and pancreas, reproductive and urinary systems and the processes of excretion from the lower body. Physical symptoms include: low back pain; sciatica; urinary problems; pelvic pain; sexual dysfunction.
- The Sanskrit name for this chakra is Swadhisthana (meaning “one’s own dwelling place”) for this energy vortex supports the organism’s instinctual responses to fundamental survival issues as well as the creative impulse, sexual drive and sensory pleasure.
- Conflict regarding sexual issues will lead to imbalance in this energy center. As sexual issues strongly influence personal relationships and indeed all levels of being, the pain associated with said conflict can lead to low creative drive, frustration, confusion, indecision, resistance to change, lack of spontaneity, perpetual, yet unfulfilled yearning, a sense of incompleteness and feelings of guilt. These feelings, in turn, may contribute to the development of physical sexual dysfunction.
- There is also an intimate association between sexual drive and the general creative impulse. Thus, inhibition of the Sacral chakra’s energy-flow regarding sexuality often causes a diminution of the general creative impulse.
- Important indications of 2nd Chakra disharmony: feelings of low self-worth; lack of confidence in one’s own creative potential; difficulty relating to others in an open and friendly manner; confusion; lack of direction; jealousy; envy; possessiveness; over-indulgence in food and/or sex; sexual dysfunction.
Champaca oil has been found to have potential value regarding depression, frigidity and impotence. As noted above, the biochemical composition of champaca oil is more than 60% linalool. A terpene alcohol, linalool has been the subject of numerous studies investigating its anxiolytic (reduces anxiety) effects. In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered to be the seat of fear and anxiety. Linalool moderates the stress response and improves the quality of sleep, both of which suggests a calming, restorative action on the adrenal glands (associated with the 2nd chakra).
On a psychospiritual level, champaca oil reduces a tendency toward indecision and self-centeredness. Champaca has a synchronistic relationship with the gemstone pink coral (see Essential Oils and Gemstone Synchronicities article). In general, coral may prove of value for the following symptoms: fear; depression; panic; nervousness; insomnia; disturbing dreams; nightmares; circulatory weakness; weakness of the bones. The kidneys are a crucial component of red blood cell production and the maintenance of blood volume. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that promotes the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow. In Chinese medicine, the kidneys are said to “rule the bones.”
To various traditional cultures, coral symbolizes vital force and the vital essence of blood. The level of vital force within the organism is strongly tied to the relative level of kidney vitality.
Pink coral positively influence organs that are strongly influenced by emotions including the sexual organs. Pink coral has an affinity for the 2nd (Sacral) chakra and so influences the vitalizing aspect of kidney function (primarily Kidney Yang) as well as the adrenal glands. This helps explain its recharging effect on a mind/body complex that has been worn down by emotional stress.
4th Chakra (Heart Chakra)
Keynotes:
- Associated with the colors green and pink, is located physically in the heart and at the center of the chest and at the core of the spirit, is the center of the chakra system.
- Associated with non-egoistic love, boundless compassion, understanding, forgiveness and a loving, I-Thou connection. On a physical level, the 4th chakra vitalizes the blood and circulatory function (and thus, chi and the physical body).
- Emotionally charged occurrences such as romantic break-ups, divorce, grief, emotional abuse, abandonment, etc. wound the heart chakra. A wounded heart chakra undercuts emotional stability and encourages repression of the love instinct. The ‘wounded child’ within the adult is said to reside within the heart chakra. One of the prerequisites for healing the heart chakra is being able to love oneself.
- The Sanskrit name for this chakra: Anahata means “unstruck” or “unhurt,” implying that deep beneath the heart’s emotional wounds there still exists within the heart chakra the potential for the completeness facilitated by compassion and limitless love.
In Ayurvedic medicine, champaca is considered to be specific for conditions related to impaired vata; a study found that the flower extract showed cardioprotective benefits; another study showed a significant level of reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides with increase in HDL similar to statin drug.; Linalool decreases aggressive behavior, moderates the stress response and improves the quality of sleep. The essential oil has been found to have potential value regarding depression, frigidity and impotence.
Astrologically, coral in general is associated with the planet Venus (as well as Neptune). In Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility. Coral, as a ‘gemstone’ helps calm the emotions and encourages a more peaceful inner state.
Coral strengthens the circulatory system. While dark red coral is used to warm and otherwise stimulate the bloodstream, pink coral, while retaining some of this specificity for the circulatory system in general is specific for restoration of harmonious heart function. Pink coral positively influence organs that are strongly influenced by emotions including the breasts (associated with the heart chakra) and heart.
Pink coral has a strong affinity for the heart chakra and aids in the attraction of love. The stone enhances the strength of one’s emotional field and aids in the release of repressed emotional energy from within its bounds, thus fostering freer emotional flow.
7th Chakra (Crown Chakra)
The Crown chakra, located at the top of the head, is associated with the pineal gland, cerebral cortex, central nervous system and right eye. On a spiritual level, the pineal gland serves as the gateway to pure intelligence. The 7th chakra’s symbol, the fully open lotus, represents complete openness to divine light.
This chakra, a vortex for the energy of the higher soul, helps facilitate divine wisdom, oneness with the universe, and unity with the Or Ein Sof (Kabbalistic concept of the Light of the Infinite; synonymous with The One, Self, Spirit, etc.), and thus, the essence of enlightenment. It is that aspect of consciousness that is concerned with perceptions of unity or separation with the transcendent aspect of God, sometimes referred to as the divine Father.
Supposedly, vis a vis this connection, the Crown chakra is inherently involved with one’s connection with his or her biological father. Accordingly, when one experiences estrangement from the biological father, the Crown chakra becomes partially closed down, fostering a sense of isolation and abandonment. Subsequently, one’s thought processes tend to justify and amplify this sense of aloneness.
The Crown chakra is at once a driving force behind self-actualization and the yearning for merger with divine unity. The 7th chakra thus helps one to achieve a balanced state that rests between heaven and Earth and serves as a conduit for grace, inner healing, and spiritual power to the Earth part of that construct.
On the other hand, if the operations of this chakra are inhibited or even blocked, the individual is deprived of sustained experiential connection to the spiritual realm and finds the reported spiritual experiences of others to lack credibility. Those with a blocked 7th chakra are subject to confusion, depression, lack of inspiration and a sense of estrangement or alienation.
As previously discussed, champaca is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus and it is often planted in temple grounds and around homes. Champaca is found in sacred groves maintained by Malayali and Paliyani tribal communities of southwestern India. These sacred groves have been maintained with their wild, indigenous plants in tact for the connection of the communities to both the religious deities and nature. Small shrines are maintained within the groves. The larger sacred groves provide refuge for native, often threatened plants and animals.
The tree is great favorite to Hindu gardens, the exquisitely scented flowers being used for Pooja (a prayer ritual performed to host, honor and worship one or more deities, or to spiritually celebrate an event) particularly of the Lord Shiva (champaca flowers are offered to invoke his blessings). In part, it is thought that the beautiful scent of champaca rises up to heaven and attracts the attention of the deity to whom it is offered. In Java, champaca flowers are ritually offered at temple ceremonies to mark holidays, births, or deaths.
In Theravada Buddhism, champaca is said to be the tree used by the seventeenth Lord Buddha named Aththadassi to achieve Bodhi (enlightenment or awakening – the understanding possessed by a Buddha regarding the true nature of things). According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, the Buddha of the next era will achieve Bodhi under the canopy of a champaca tree.
On a psychospiritual level, champaca oil aids in the development of higher intuition that enables greater clarity within the domain of the inner spiritual self and reduces a tendency toward indecision. Champaca helps the ego move away from self-centeredness and toward more focus on collective consciousness and the highest world. It can help when one needs to make decisions.
The great philosopher Martin Buber held the view that soul growth is a journey of successive crossroads at each of which a decision is required. Hence, stagnancy regarding actualization of one’s true self can be attributed in part to an inability to make decisions regarding choice of direction.
Interaction Between the 2nd, 4th and 7th Chakras
The level of the champaca individual’s physical and psychospiritual vitality varies in accordance to the vitality of the interaction between the 2nd, 4th and 7th chakras. Accordingly, deep-seated physical and psychospiritual disharmony will invariably involve some degree of disorder within this tripartite relationship.
In the brief, the sacral (2nd) chakra is the domain of passions and animal soul-related emotions. It is the seat of the drive for the attainment of pleasure as a basis for intimate physical relationships. The heart (4th) chakra is the center of love, compassion, connection to community and the listening heart. It is the central chakra of our personality energy field and the place where integration of spiritual awareness and physical experience begins. The crown (7th) chakra facilitates one’s relationship to spirit and the perception of the universe as an interconnected, conscious whole. It enables direct experience of how the One is expressed through the diversity of the many.
Thus for example, wounding of the heart chakra (the center of love) may initiate a domino effect wherein the sacral chakra (the domain of passions and the seat of the drive for the attainment of pleasure as a basis for intimate physical relationships) becomes inertially inhibited. In turn, lacking stimulation from these two chakras, the crown chakra’s relationship to spirit becomes more tenuous and inconsistent and estrangement from the One and ongoing exile in a reality that consists entirely of the many becomes the norm.
When considering champaca oil for inclusion in a personalized soul-level healing blend, the decision regarding the relevance of the oil in that case should largely rest upon evidence of entrenched disharmony among the sacral, heart and crown chakras.
