Rooted Renewal: 3 Aromas for Navigating Change

Rooted Renewal: 3 Aromas for Navigating Change

Early spring invites us to clear out what no longer serves us, be it thoughts, habits, emotions, relationships, or stuff. While releasing the familiar may stir feelings of loss, it also brings excitement for what lies ahead. Amidst these transitions, aromatherapy can greatly aid in anchoring us to the Earth.

 The Highlights

  • Why being grounded is important
  • 3 Essential Oils to help you ground
  • How do I know the Aromatherapy is opening my Chakras?
  • All things Free Lion containing these 3 grounding Essential Oils. Scroll down for the lists.

Make like a Tree and get Grounded

February 4th, the midpoint between Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox, signaled the beginning of Spring. We are now in the season of Primaverna (“First Spring), also known as Imbolc. The Earth is still in a very Yin phase, hibernating and resting while her creative life force stirs in the ground. 

Being grounded refers to being physically, emotionally, mentally, energetically and/or spiritually balanced and connected to the Earth. This doesn’t mean you stay rigid or unchanging; it means that, like trees, you embrace the flow of the breeze; drink the waters, follow the sun, evolve and grow—all while remaining deeply connected to the earth.  

man with arms outstretched, facing the sun. His feet are tree roots

It is wonderful to be inspired by the vision you have for your year, and in order to actualize or manifest it, you have to be grounded in the here and now. That means not being trapped in depression, guilt or shame about the past; or in worry or anxiety about the future. When you go anywhere but here and now, your creative energies become divided and you may end up manifesting something you actually do not want to experience. Remember, thoughts become things.

This is where Aromatherapy can be so effective. It is a powerful tool for harmonising mind, body and spirit through the use of aromatic botanicals.  By inhaling a plant aroma or applying it topically in diluted form, you can experience a profound sense of rootedness and stability, while navigating Life’s challenges as you create the new for yourself. 

How do I know the Aromatherapy is Opening my Chakras?

We are all different. We have different physiological, psychological and energetic states and frequencies. So how can the same plant oil help us all do the same thing?  While an Essential oil may have a set of properties to help with particular concerns, the way it works specifically for you will depend on your individual state and frequency. 

info graphic: Feeling your Chakras Open

Essential oils work with your limbic system to carry chemicals from the plants through your body, activating your Chakras —centres in your body where energy and frequency converge with your physicality and emotionality. 

Grounding Essential oils have properties that will help activate your Root Chakra, found at the base of your spine. This is your foundation, where survival, security and your sense of self lives in your body. It becomes compromised when you doubt yourself and give your power away. 

When you inhale a grounding essential oil, look for sensations in your body, at your Root Chakra, found at the base of the spine. When it opens, it basically feels like your sphincter relaxing. When you feel your pelvic floor drops, that’s when you’ll know you are Grounded.

If that is not happening right away, breathe into your Root Chakra. Take a deep breath in, hold for 5 seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth. Do two more cleansing breaths. Now, take a deep breath through your nose. Visualise the breath going from your nose, down your spine and into your Root Chakra. Exhale slowly, visualising the exhaling breath going from the base of your spine, down your legs and grounding into the earth. Thank the Earth for supporting you. Repeat this breath until you feel that relaxing sensation happen in your sphincter. Congratulations. Your Root Chakra is now officially open. 

Pay attention to any tingling, tickling or achy sensations. Every essential oil is able to help with more than one issue. Stay with your body sensation and follow it to see where it might go next. This is your body speaking to you. Sometimes it's just telling you where the effects of the oil are landing; other times it may be guiding you to something more serious that requires your attention. 

Cedarwood Oil

Cedarwood oil, with its rich history spanning millennia, offers profound grounding effects on the mind and body. Revered as the "Trees of the Gods" in the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest piece of written literature, Cedarwood holds a significant place in ancient rituals and healing practices. 

cedarwood essential oil in amber bottle on cedar leaves

The Egyptians, Indians, and Native Americans valued Cedarwood’s therapeutic properties, using it in religious ceremonies, embalming, medicinal healing and as a natural bug repellent. Its aromatic power also earned it a place in perfumes, cosmetics, and incense.

Known for its grounding and calming effects on the mind and body, Cedarwood Oil fosters feelings of stability, security, resilience and connection to the Earth. It can help to anchor your thoughts and emotions, while relaxing stress and enhancing mental clarity. Cedarwood Oil’s special sauce is that it helps unlock feelings of confidence and self-assurance. Perhaps that’s why Cedarwood was known as the Tree of the Gods. 

The therapeutic benefits of cedarwood oil in aromatherapy come from its high content of sesquiterpenes, compounds known for their ability to relax and calm by affecting the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain. Additionally, cedarwood oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it effective for skin conditions, respiratory issues, and stress-related ailments.

I love Cedarwood oil for the way it likes to get straight to the point. It helps with almost-instant grounding, in a straightforward, no nonsense way. That’s one of the reasons I like formulating with it. 

You’ll find Cedarwood Oil in many of our Scent Blends: Rose Garden, Sandalwood, Citrus Cedarwood and Tofino Breeze. Try Cedarwood Oil in our: 

Body Butter

Body Lotion

Rose Garden Body Scrub

Our Scents for the Soul Collection which includes Scent oils for Uplit and Wellness, Roll on Perfume, Spritz for Body and Linens

Shea Butter Soaps

Shave Cream

Sandalwood Oil

In the Vedas, the Sandal tree is considered sacred. It is said that it scents all of Paradise with its fragrance. For this reason, it has been used for millennia in sacred ceremony and for purification across many civilizations including including those of India, China, Egypt, and the Middle East.

Sandalwood essential oil in amber bottle standing in red sandalwood chips

Sandalwood is used in Ayurveda for its cooling properties and ability to balance the mind and body's doshas, particularly the Pitta dosha associated with fire and transformation. Similarly, in Chinese medicine, sandalwood is used to promote relaxation, enhance meditation, and support spiritual growth.

In Aromatherapy, sandalwood oil helps ground the psyche, clarify the mind and awaken intelligence in all its forms—mental, emotional, intuitive and spiritual. Its warm, woody aroma evokes a sense of stability, calmness, and connection to the earth. It soothes stress and nervous tension, and uplifts the mood. It is said to revitalise courage, purpose, strength and happiness.

The therapeutic benefits of sandalwood oil come from its main component, santalol, which has sedative properties that help soothe the nervous system and help you relax. Additionally, sandalwood oil stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter known for its mood-regulating effects.

I love Sandalwood oil for the way it likes to move fluidly from earth to sky. It likes to make sure you are properly anchored before taking you on a little flight through the Akash (Sky) where inspiration and higher wisdom live.

You’ll find Sandalwood Oil in our Sandalwood Scent blend. Try Sandalwood in our: 

Body Butter

Body Lotion

Our Scents for the Soul Collection which includes Scent oils for Uplit and Wellness, Roll on Perfume, Spritz for Body and Linens

Shea Butter Soaps

Shave Cream


Agarwood Oil

Agarwood or Oud Oil comes into being as the Agarwood tree's response to having its boundaries crossed. Specifically, the oil comes from the resin the tree produces as a defensive response to being wounded and infected by a parasitic fungus. Over time, the resin and the parasite collaborate to make a most exquisite scent

bottle of agarwood oil

Agarwood holds significant spiritual importance from Japan to India to Europe, where it was used for protection in spiritual practice. It was associated with Krishna, the divinity responsible for sustaining life. The Buddha said Agarwood was the authentic “scent of Nirvana”. The Prophet Muhammad used it to smudge spaces before prayer. Samurai warriors used it to smudge their armour before battle. Louis the 14th had his garments washed with agarwood-infused water. 

In Ayurveda, Agarwood oil is used to to pacify excess vata and kapha doshas and enhance pitta energy. When applied topically, it can help alleviate arthritic pain, calm the nervous system and soothe skin irritation. 

In Aromatherapy, Agarwood Oil can help clarify minds, lift moods, improve meditation and amp up your sex drive. 

Personally, I love the smell of Agarwood Oil. It takes me back to my childhood—to Mombasa where my family went for holidays beside the Indian Ocean; to Friday prayers and festive community celebrations; and to Sundays, when my mother would burn Agarwood on hot coals to smudge the house. 

I love Agarwood oil for the way it first takes you for a flight to the Akash, connecting you with possibility and the Creative Muse. Then it points its nose downward to help you land on the ground and actualize those potentials into your lived reality.

You’ll find Agarwood Oil in our Mombasa Scent blend. Try Mombasa in our: 

Body Butter

Body Lotion

Our Scents for the Soul Collection which includes Scent oils for Uplit and Wellness, Roll on Perfume, Spritz for Body and Linens

Shea Butter Soaps

Sherazad Jamal

Founder, Free Lion Body Care

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