Presentations began Friday morning opening with an
insightful view of the global landscape of Aromatherapy delivered by Dr. Kurt
Schnaubelt, who had us all chuckling as he retold the creation story from the
perspective of aromatic molecules.
The oration was compelling and mind
expansive as he pointed out how corporate science limits our perspective of the
effects of essential oils.
David Crow, my first teacher of aromatics, enchanted us with
a dialogue on Cosmic Chemistry challenging us to a collective awakening with an
intention of creating a sustainable spiritual culture. In the presentation he
included footage of growers and distillers of Helichrysum italicum that he has been working with in Corsica.
Although the region is known for abundant amounts of the golden flowering shrub
the plant is suffering due to ecological factors. David shared how even the smallest shifts in a culture can have dramatic affects on the plants. For example, helichrysum is happiest when it has lots of space and is alone. If the sheep are present, they will eat all the shrubs and weeds that grow around helichrysum, giving her plenty of room to branch out while remaining in solitude. However, the goat and sheep herders of Corsica have now taken on work as tour guides rather than herding thus the plants that use to be cleared by the animals now infringe on the helichrysum impending her abundant growth.
On Saturday afternoon I presented “The Tree of Life: A
Mystical Approach to the Art of Botanical Perfumery” a rather esoteric
impression on art, alchemy and perfume, offering an alternate perspective on
learning. I began with the history of botanical perfume, going all the way back
to the 1
st scent molecules produced by the conifers progressing to
todays modern botanical perfumers which holds the seeds of aromatherapy, art,
herbalism and alchemy. The tree, with its abundant use in spiritual and
philosophical doctrines became the anchor emblem as I took the audience on a
Delphic journey. The piece was somewhat
theatrical in its delivery with a moving feast of imagery orchestrated by Greg.
Following the lecture I shared my process on how to create a botanical perfume
using the systems highlighted in the slide show.
Here is a portion of the lecture which Greg graciously labored many hours into to make it into a video.
“The audience was delighted, almost stunned,
by the beauty and power of Roxana’s presentation.”
On Sunday, the last day of the conference, I was able to
catch two morning presentations. “Staying Healthy through the
Seasons with Aromatherapy and Ayurvedic Principals” was the first, which included an introduction to the Five Element Theory of
Ayurveda followed by a four page questionnaire to ascertain our particular
dosha. Most of us were a combination of two, such as Vata/Pitta.
Next ,was one of my personal favorite authors in the field of
Aromatherapy, Gabriel Mojay with Aromasophia: The Symbolic Meanings and
Traditional Medicinal Uses of Key Aromatic Plants; The Aromatherapeutic Value
of Such Study. Gabriel took us on a very in depth overview of Rosemary and Rose
from the arcane to the scientific, with gorgeous imagery to accompany his
voice.
There were a total of fourteen lectures and six workshops
during the three days, along with an exhibitor area and lots of opportunities
for conversation. On Monday, following the conference Cathy Skipper from France
led a post conference workshop titled “Looking at the way essential oil’s
different layers of action help to heal the ‘whole’ person.” which had students
in the evergreen forest that lines the campus of Bastyr.
Each attendee of the conference was given a organic hemp
shopping bag containing a variety of goodies including essential oils,
hydrosols and a plethora of wonderful bath and body products. My personal
favorite has been the Rasayana Body
Oil by Lady of the Lotus.
The fragrance industry is a vast, dynamic landscape of
products labeled as perfume, articulated by variances in the raw materials
being utilized and how the scented items are formulated. Adding more complexity
is a varied spectrum of business models from large fragrance houses (some of which
have existed over one hundred years) to the uber niche perfumers hand making
items in their kitchens. Never before, in the history of the field of
fragrance, have we had such a range.
Aromatherapy is a branch of the Tree of Herbalism aligned
with those practicing botanical perfume, a segment of fragrance makers consciously
choosing to work with a restricted palette of whole ingredients without
isolates and/or animal product.
The Beyond Aromatics conference was such a powerful yet sweet event, compromised of healers and those working directly with plants. I feel so extremely grateful to have been part of this community and the opportunity to share what I have gleaned as an artist and promoter of nature. It was also a thrill to be amongst my piers and authors I’ve admired since 1996 such as Valerie Cooksley and Gabriel Mojay.
Photos: Roxana Villa, Gergely Hollodi, Gabriel Mojay and Greg Spalenka
