Support for the Season
Once upon a time I would get quite sad and low spirited in the darker part of the year, even to the point of depression so I decided to learn how to embrace the season and recognise its beauty and importance. Samhain is a time to celebrate the darkness, both without and within so what better oil to work with this season than Myrrh? Used since the earliest times in medicine both Eastern and Western and by the ancient Egyptians to embalm the dead as well as in perfumes and cosmetics. It was highly valued as a healing ointment, often taken into battle by ancient Greek soldiers in the form of a paste. I often diffuse it in my treatment room to protect the healing energies and help the healing process.
This wonderful oil Myrrh gives its name to the fascinating ancient lineage of Myrrhophores (women bearing myrrh or mistresses of the oils) who belonged to pre-biblical Egyptian temple traditions. These priestesses, chosen for their sensitivity to esoteric energies, were trained from childhood in the healing of the body and the soul. The earliest soul midwives, the Myrrhphores worked with those approaching death to realign them with their true essence and carry them to the other side. Tuning into the sacred oils they offered themselves as a bridge between the divine and the living (or dying) bringing the gift of healing. The most famous Myrrhophore was Mary Magdelene and the bible has many instances of her work and her sisters work, particularly around crucifixion. We can often find her depicted in art as a woman bearing an alabaster jar of unguent and in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek catholic churches, the third Sunday of Pascha is called the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearers. Clearly, these women held an important and sacred role.
Myrrh teaches us to release and let go of long-held and stuck thought patterns and gives us courage to face painful and deeply buried memories so we can find it in ourselves to forgive ourselves and those who have hurt us. It smells hot, smoky, medicinal and bitter and in my perfumery work, I use it as a base note and like it to “fix” lighter notes. It’s in one of my Hestia’s Flame Natural Candles – Frankincense and Myrrh - compounded to bring calm, clarity of mind and gentle healing. As an aromatherapist, I use it to good effect in treatments and preparations for wounds, chapped or cracked skin, eczema, mature skin, arthritis, fungal infections like athlete’s foot and thrush, respiratory infections, mouth and gum problems, flatulence, regulating the menstrual cycle and to relieve apathy and lack of motivation, replacing these feelings with positivity. You might need to be patient with it - it’s very sticky and might need warming up to tempt it out of the bottle!
Commiphora (meaning gum bearing) Myrrha (from the Arabic “murr” meaning bitter) is from the botanical family Burseraceae and is steam distilled from the naturally exuded oleoresin which hardens into reddish brown tears of the Myrrh shrub or tree. It is native to the Red Sea region and North East Africa and South West Asia.
Its therapeutic actions are:
Anticatarrhal
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Carminative – (relieves flatulence)
Cicatrisant – (promotes healing by the formation of scar tissue)
Cooling
Emmenagogue (stimulates the menstrual flow)
Expectorant
Fungicidal
Sedative
Vulnerary (promotes the healing of wounds)
Stimulant (digestive and pulmonary)
Tonic
It is non-irritant, non-sensitising but must be properly diluted – consult a qualified aromatherapist for proper dilution. Not suitable for use in pregnancy due to its emmenagogue properties
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I’ve had fun learning more about the Myrrhophore tradition recently and have put together this offering for you so you can explore the kindly properties of Myrrh for yourself.
Samhain Sacred Oils Gift Box
Contains the book “Sacred Oils” by Felicity Warner, 100 ml organic Soil brand Sesame oil as a carrier and 5 ml organic wild harvested Soil brand Myrrh essential oil.
For consultations, preparations and treatments, candles or to order the box visit www.hestiasflame.com or email sophia@hestiasflame.com.
Sophia Russell MFHT
