The power smell has over us, our intuition and creativity is quite remarkable. It can evoke good and bad memories, feelings of fear or comfort, spark initial gut insights about someone or transport us to another time and place.
What we “smell” can also lead us towards something or away from it, and draw our attention down a new and interesting path of creative exploration.
While we often experience smells, we don’t always stop and think about all of the ways they influence our mind, body, spirit or overall of well-being.
Yet, the power of scent has a really big influence on our actions and reactions, as well as how we pay attention to our intuitive hits and sparks of creativity. Certain scents also act as a tool for helping us feel more open, enabling us to be present in the moment and act as a better observer.
To continue the theme of my blog series on the strong partnership between intuition and creativity and their influence our self-expression, I wanted to explore the power of scent.
Here are some things you may not realize about the power of scent and the role it plays in our intuitive and creative space.
Smell is the first “sense” that’s activated when we are born.
We are crying, confused and pretty much shocked by the cold air outside of our warm little prior home. A sense of smell helps us recognize our mother and find comfort in her familiar scent.
Scents have power over our physical health:
“The olfactory system “includes all physical organs or cells relating to, or contributing to, the sense of smell. When we inhale through the nose, airborne molecules interact with the olfactory organs and, almost immediately, the brain. Molecules inhaled through the nose or mouth are also carried to the lungs and interact with the respiratory system. Thus, inhaled essential oils can affect the body through several systems and pathways.” (Source)
As well as our emotional health through the Limbic system:
“During inhalation, odor molecules travel through the nose and affect the brain through a variety of receptor sites, one of which is the limbic system, commonly referred to as the “emotional brain.”
The limbic system is directly connected to parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance (Higley & Higley, 1998). This relationship helps explain why smells often trigger emotions.” (Source)
And intuition.
“Clairalience, clear smelling, is the ability to sense an odor from which the source of the odor is not anywhere present. While this form of intuition is less common, it is not less important. Our sense of smell can evoke memories we may have long forgotten. One single aroma and you may be transported in time to a favorite location or memory through the sense of smell.”
“In times of sadness over the loss of a loved one, people have reported smelling a scent associated with their loved one though they are alone in a room. Or during times of grief and prayer, people have reported smelling “heavenly scents,” which comfort them as though an roses of angels is looking out for them.” (Source)
On a personal note, I often smell the scent of roses – associated with unconditional love and healing – even when there are no roses present. I also really like the smell of burning sage. It instantly relaxes me, and serves as a great tool for clearing my energy field.
Using Smell as a Tool for Intuition and Creativity
It’s hard not to get immersed in scents we find pleasant and be repelled by those we dislike. It’s very helpful information to notice, especially as we move along a path of inner transformation.
When we indulge in a smell we enjoy and stay present with the influence it has on our body and mood, something really amazing happens. We get in tune with our physical body, relax, ground chaotic energy and can feel inspired. Scents can also trigger a memory of a time when we felt happy, or remind us of a challenge we have overcome – which can be very inspiring and spark new creative insights.
To your body, the emotional experience you feel as a reaction to scent is very real, just like it’s happening again in the present moment. This provides a sense of grounding, love, excitement etc., and can give all your senses a creative boost. In contrast, repelling smells have a hidden gem of information that can be used to heal or release negative energy and thoughts.
The sense of smell also influences how we enjoy in earthly delights like food, candles, nature, and the healing power of essential oils, that can be applied to the skin – our body’s largest organ. There’s is even a way to experience the “scent of color” to help balance the chakras.
No matter how you experience the power of smell, it’s worth experimenting with it to see how your intuition and creativity is enhanced in different ways. If you are drawn to a scent, use or surround yourself with it for a week and see what you notice!
What scents do you find inspiring or repellent? Why?
For additional posts on similar topics, check out Exercise and Expand the Senses to Fire Up Inspiration and Listen to your Creative Calling, Even if it Feels Like you Are Standing Alone. Also check out my podcast Flirting With Enlightenment for additional tips to tap into your inner wisdom. Need a little extra support as you step into your creative sense of self? Connect with me for an intuitive reading.