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Perfumes, Planets & Plants - Wanda Sellar

Planets & Aromas

Aromatics may play a part in perfumes and even aromatherapy, but is their involvement in astrology a mere fancy? Not according to William Lilly (1602-1681) who in 'Christian Astrology' designates an aroma to each of the planets. He actually calls the 'aromas' - savours but should we quibble about a word?

Offering aromatics to various deities, usually in the form of incense, was a tradition common to many religions. Most early societies thought that disease was the gods' punishment for wrongdoing. The Egyptians burned Myrrh and Frankincense to their Sun god Re encouraging his re-appearance the following morning. The Greeks and Romans were convinced that perfumes were of a celestial nature and who but Venus should be the goddess of perfume? Though it was actually Aeon, one of her nymphs, who revealed the secret of perfumery to man. No doubt she was punished for this!

Aromatic woods and incense were thrown on hot coals and the perfumed smoke ascended heavenwards as if greeting the gods. The word 'Perfume' is derived from the Latin 'Per Fumin' meaning 'through smoke'. Perfumes were also extracted from plants, which in ancient times was carried out by a form of maceration, that is placing plant material in animal fat and later in fixed oils such as olive, sesame or moringa. The resultant oil was pleasantly aromatic producing a natural marriage between health, aesthetics and mysticism.

Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654), the herbalist and astrology was guided in his successful healing practice by the planetary rulers of plants, but it was Lilly, as mentioned earlier who assigned an aroma to each of them. The Sun for instance, has 'a mixture of sour and sweet together, or the aromatical flavour, being a little bitter and stiptical (contracting) but withall confortative and a little sharp,. In short the Sun gives us a sweet yet piquant aroma. Just smell the zest of an Orange and see how it mirrors the scent of the Sun - sweet and piquant. Rosemary is also a Sun ruled plant, totally different to Orange, yet still fulfilling the Sun's aromatic description, sweet and piquant, as do Juniper and Aniseed. Not so Camomile, whose aroma does not conform to the properties of the Sun, its ruler.

The Sun rules the heart and circulation: Aniseed has been used in cardiac fatigue, Juniper purifies the blood. Rosemary raises low blood pressure and Orange has a reputation for bringing down high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

The Moon gives us no aromatic delights, for as Lilly says the Moon is 'fresh or without any savour'. Such watery plants as Cucumber, cabbage, Melon and Gourds typify the Moon's smell or lack of it. Could the Moon's deficiency in smell have anything to do with it being a 'dead' planet, having no light of its own? The Moon rules the fluids in the body.

On the other hand, Mercury, according to Lilly, doth ' quicken the spirits,' is 'subtle and penetrative'. Obviously, the scent is piercing, clear and refreshing, stimulating the brain cells. Lavender and Marjoram seem typical of that pervasive aroma and are known to be very calming on the nervous system. Another well-known Mercury ruled planet, Valerian, has been used as a nerve sedative for centuries. The aroma is repugnant but since it has a camphoraceious top note may also typify the aroma of Mercury.

Venus, of course, is 'pleasant and toothsome (delicious smell)' according to Lilly, 'usually moist and sweet, or that is very delectable; in smells what is unctuous (oily charm) and aromatical, and incites to wantonness.' Venus therefore, has a sweetly, seductive, almost cloying aroma. Do we see this in Rose, Geranium, Narcissus and Violet? Perhaps we do, but it is not so evident in Birch, Myrtle and Yarrow. Yet all these plants, to a greater or lesser extent, have an effect on the glands, hormones and the womb - the province of Venus.

What else can we expect from mars but to be 'bitter and sharp', or so Lilly tells us. No wonder we are seduced by the oily charm of Venus and often repelled by the astringency of Mars. Beware the bite then of Pepper, Garlic and Onion. Other Mars ruled plants like Basil and Broom still have the bounce but less of the bite. Mars rules muscles and the blood stream and these plants are helpful in this regard.

The greater benefic, Jupiter, is very much like the smaller benefic, that is sweet. We certainly find this in Linden Blossom and Jasmine and to some extent in Nutmeg and Clove, though the latter two seem to incline more to the forceful Mars with his more 'spicy' note. The sweet aroma of Jupiter is a little more 'ethereal' than that of Venus and perhaps not so inclined to wantonness. Jupiter rules the liver and the lungs and Clove and Linden Blossom have always been helpful for bronchial problems.

Lilly makes no bones about Saturn's aroma: 'Sour, bitter and sharp'. Unfortunately, Cypress and Cumin are just that. Interestingly, Cypress restricts- a good old Saturnine word - the water in the body. In other words it controls haemorrhages, oedema, heavy menstruation and copious sweating. Cumin seems to warm an aroma really for Saturn, but since the Greeks and Romans put it in the graves of their dead, it might have some connection to the traditional Lord of Death.

Decumbitures

Planetary rulership of plants is most useful in Decumbiture charts which give an indication of possible medicines, as shown by the 10th House. Decumbiture charts are erected for the time the patient takes to his or her bed. If that time is not available, the chart is set up for the time the patient takes his urine to the doctor. Ultimately, a consultation decumbiture is just as useful, set for the meeting of patient and physician.

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