Anointing Oils Humans have been utilizing anointing oils for thousands of years. Since ancient times there has been a sense of particular physical essences containing the spiritual power/essences of its source as well. These essences are usually fat-based and are often aromatic. For example, in East Africa people will smear themselves with lion fat to transfer the courage and power of the lion to themselves. Yak milk and butter are used by Buddhists to consecrate items and the fatty-based oils of plants are still popular ways of transferring plant essences and properties to objects and people. Aromatic or sacred waters are also used across the world to anoint and bless. Anointing has a long history and is still used by practitioners of nearly every faith tradition across the globe. The word 'anoint' comes from the Old French "enoint' meaning "smeared on". It is believed the first anointing oils arose from the use of oils and fats to heal wounds. As people became healed from these oils, they began to want to bring this healing power into other areas of their lives. Recognizing the physical properties of the oil as well as the spiritual properties/divine blessings that came about through healing, oils began to be used as a way to convey not only physical, but spiritual blessings. Many times, the healers of a community were the educated class and were therefore also the priests/priestesses, further conveying the relationship between the spiritual realms and physical healing. All forms of healing were thought to be a divine blessing, transferred by the essence of (the then-always) natural elements. Anointing came to be seen as a way to introduce the divine into any daily or ritual practice. By smearing on natural substances, the person, object or event became infused with holy powers. Fragrant-smelling anointing oils were/are especially prized as aroma was/is thought to carry the spiritual essence of its source, as well as being pleasing to the Divine and mentally/emotionally/spiritually powerful to the receiver of the aromas. Ancient Egyptian papyri contain formulas for hundreds of spiritual as well as physical uses of oils. Temple walls depict Pharaohs being anointed with oil by the Gods and husbands being anointed with oils by wives. In India, people, animals, instruments and statues are anointed by herb-infused waters, milk or oil. Buddhism incorporates anointing rites in ritual practices, especially for statues representing Divine powers. Indigenous people the world over still anoint themselves with flower-infused waters and perfumes to bring love, healing and good luck into their lives. There are at least 300 references in the Jewish and Christian bibles concerned with anointing oils. Biblically, anointing oils are used to consecrate people and items for holy purposes. Some of these oils were only allowed to be applied by the priesthood, while others were allowed to be used by lay-people. Clearly, anointing oils have been used in nearly every culture through nearly every time to mark something as special or sacred. They have been and still are a way to transfer Natural, Divine energies into yourself, your environment or your spiritual work.   The use of essential oils in anointing oil practices originated in ancient Egypt. Oils of myrrh, frankincense, cypress, sweet flag, spikenard, rose and others were used extensively both for physical and spiritual practices. Many of these oils continued to be used by the ancient Hebrews. The distillation of essential oils was perfected a thousand years ago by the Arabic physician Avicenna and they continued to be incorporated in the use of anointing practices. The term 'essential' oil comes from the belief that they are the 'quinta essencia' or essence/life force of the plant. By using essential oils in your anointing practice, they help to further focus and enhance the energies you are seeking. Each plant has special properties exhibited on many levels. This is evident if you think of how certain scents immediately calm or stimulate you emotionally and physically. After living and working with plants throughout our entire evolution, we have come to experience these plants' specific qualities. These qualities can help us to achieve a vibration or feeling to support our personal and spiritual work. They can help us focus our intent and bring in Natural, Divine energies. When formulating anointing oils, it is customary to make them at 1% or less dilution. To make them stronger would impart strong, physical reactions from the essential oils. This is helpful when wanting to physically heal a problem, but distracting when wanting to heal or connect spiritually. At 1% there is plenty of plant essence in the blend to allow it to be physically present for the anointing, but it is light enough to mainly interact on the mental/emotional and spiritual levels. Keep in mind that most oils still operate physically at this level and they do so quite well. In fact, some essential oils work better when they are below the threshold of scent, interacting with your olfactory senses at even the most minute amounts. Therefore, you will still enjoy some physical benefit from using anointing oils; not enough however to cause concern for health or reactions. Do discontinue using an oil if it causes any sort of irritation though-physically or spiritually! To make a 1% dilution from an essential oil bottle, you would add 9 drops of total essential oil from your bottle to one ounce (2 tablespoons) of carrier oil. Or, 1-2 drops total of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Some essential oils, especially cinnamon bark, are extremely potent and if you will be applying them to your body, they should be at .25% or 2 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. The carrier oil you choose is just as important as the essential oils you put into it. It should be all-natural. Traditionally olive oil and fats were used. Some people prefer to use Jojoba oil as it will not go rancid, thereby allowing your anointing oils to last a very long time. You may feel drawn to use carrier oils that have special meaning to you, like sunflower oil or goat milk (which would need to be used right away). Follow your guidance and do what feels best. Below are some correspondences of essential oils and their spiritual properties, derived from historical use as well as personal experiences. For further information, we recommend "Aromatherapy Anointing Oils: Spiritual Blessings, Ceremonies & Affirmations" by Joni Keim Loughran & Ruah Bull.     Essential Oils & Their Spiritual Correspondences for Anointing   Black Pepper "Understanding & Releasing Anger" Cedarwood "Strength" Cinnamon "Welcoming Wealth" Clary-Sage "Dreaming Inspiration" Cypress "Support through Changes" Frankincense "Divine Connection" Geranium "Nurturing Stillness & Inspiration" Ginger "Power & Purpose" Jasmine "Acceptance of Self" Juniper Berry "Letting Go" Lavender "Balance" Lemon "Cleanse~Clear~Clarify" Orange "Joy" Palmarosa "healing & Wholeness" Patchouli "Sensuous Being" Pine, Scotch "New Growth" Rose "Let in Love" Rosemary "Mindfulness" Sandalwood "Expanding Awareness" Spikenard "Compassion" Vetiver "Ground & Center" Ylang-ylang "Calm Confidence"     How To Make Anointing Oils Intention is the most important aspect of making and using anointing oils. As Loughran & Bull state: "..anointing is a spiritual practice-uncomplicated, easy and natural. It captures and embraces a spiritual focus, much the same as we do in prayer or meditation. It is done with a special substance, in a sacred space and time, in a certain way, for a specific purpose. Each act of anointing, as a symbolic action infused with intention, provides an opportunity to give and receive blessings, as well as to visualize and manifest goals for personal and spiritual growth." To begin, first decide what your intention for the oil is. Is it to help overcome a challenge? Heal a spiritual or emotional wound? Attract abundance? Let go of the past or move forward? Be more confident? Sexy? Powerful? Peaceful? Whatever you goal is, get it clear in your mind. Then, decide which essential oil can lend its energetic support and vibration to your desire. You may find a corresponding oil from a book or website. Or, you may just ‘feel’ like an oil is what you need. It may make you feel how you want-strong or gentle or fearless or calm and grounded. Let yourself smell a few oils and see how they affect you. Once your oil (or oils) is chosen, you need to pick a carrier. If the anointing oil is to be kept for a long period, it is best to us a long-lasting carrier such as Jojoba Oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil. If it is to be used for only a few times, you can add the oil to milk or special water or any vegetable oil you have. Also, choose a container for you oil. It can be an ordinary jelly jar or bottle or it can be an elaborate perfume bottle, whatever you have or want to use is fine. Once all your materials are gathered make your area as peaceful and open to Spirit as possible. Some people like to light a candle, listen to music, light incense, drum or chant to align themselves with their Higher Selves and Spirit. You may want to call in any God/desses, ancestors, angels or Nature/Plant spirits for their blessing and help in creating your anointing oil, but it is not necessary. Your intention for the oil is most important. Next, blend your oil together, stating its purpose and visualizing your desire the entire time you are blending it. Sit with your oil for a little while, holding it and thinking of all you’d like for it to help you accomplish. When you are finished, thank all Those who helped you and put your oil in a special place. It is now ready to use. You can use it only on special occasions or you can anoint yourself or others whenever you want to align with a sacred purpose, connection or desire.     Some ways to use anointing oils   -in the morning to set your intent for the day and bring in spiritual energies -before dreaming or meditation -anoint yourself or a loved one to recognize a major change in life (new job, divorce, birth, spiritual goal) -anoint candles before lighting them to infuse them with specific energies that can be released as the candles burn (anoint with oils for happiness before a gathering, romance, wealth, peace, compassion etc etc.) -anoint statues or representations of your divine connections to bestow them and yourself with a sense of love, appreciation and devotion -create an anointing ceremony with friends focused on the same purpose; gather together, set sacred space, share your hopes and goals and then pass the oil around, each person anointing the person to their left until all have been blessed with the anointing oil and with the friendships gained from a shared, beautiful experience -anoint doorways or corners of a house/room to bring in specific energies -anoint the parts of you body that need healing or the chakras to attune to love and healing     Historical Anointing Oil Quotes Priestesses richly adorned, Anointed with myrrh, perfumed with lotus, Their heads garlanded with wreaths, All together drunk with wine, Fragrant with the plants of Punt, They danced in beauty, doing my heart's wish, Their rewards were on their limbs." -Tomb of Wennefer M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Vol. 3 "O King, I have come and I bring to you the Eye of Horus which is in its container(?), and its perfume is on you, O King. Its perfume is on you, the perfume of the Eye of Horus is on you, O King, and you will have a soul by means of it..." Pyramid Texts, utterance 687 Raymond Oliver Faulkner, 1910, The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts, 2004 "This is the way to act toward the Hall of the Two Truths. A man says this speech when he is pure, clean, dressed in fresh clothes, shod in white sandals, painted with eye-paint, anointed with the finest oil of myrrh." "The Book of Going Forth by Day" (papyrus known as "The Egyptian Book of the Dead" 1100 BCE [carvings earlier]) "..wearing divine garlands and robes, anointed with divine perfumes and unguents-a god made of all wonders, boundless and facing in all directions" Bhagavad Gita "Dipping the tips of his fingers in the oil, the anointer must let seven drops fall on the ground, as a libation in honour of these seven personages. After that he may anoint his head in the usual manner" -Hindu manners, customs, and ceremonies by Abbe J. A. DuBois "My dear child," answered Eurynome, "all that you have said is true, go and tell your son about it, but first wash yourself and anoint your face. Do not go about with your cheeks all covered with tears; it is not right that you should grieve so incessantly; for Telemachus, whom you always prayed that you might live to see with a beard, is already grown up. I know, Eurynome," replied Penelope, "that you mean well, but do not try and persuade me to wash and to anoint myself, for heaven robbed me of all my beauty on the day my husband sailed" The Odyssey by Homer (800 BCE) The word "Messiah" is from Hebrew and Aramaic meaning "anointed" 'This shall be for Me, oil of sacred anointment for your generations.' [Shmos 30:30-31]. (The Torah) "The Lord said to Moses, "Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil." Exodus 30:22-25 "You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment." Luke 7:46 "Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, "Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage." 1 Samuel 10:1 "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:14 "And anoint him with this balsam near his heart; and if there is life in him, he will arise through the efficacy of this balsam. Then watch what he will do." -"The Lady of the Fountain from the Mabinogion (Medieval welsh text) "..anoint the market’s Eshu pillar each day with palm oil" -from Yoruban spiritual practice