With so much common ground apparent within the spheres of the artistic, magickal, and scientific areas, and with nature at the root of each of the three disciplines, it is natural to wonder the exact difference between these three seemingly different areas of practice. In fact, it is merely a difference of approach. As hard as the purist may argue in defense of his or her own chosen discipline, each area crosses over into the others. The root of an approach of artistry, for example, may be considered the spark of inspiration that initiates action. While in aromatherapy, the faculty of inspired action is invaluable, even the formula that is borne of inspiration must be tested in accordance with the disciplines of the scientist in order to fulfill its purpose. The magickal aromatherapist, as well, must test the oil blend again and again in order to be assured of its effectiveness. No matter how determined the magician may be to see the magickal blend through to a predetermined result, the dedication of the pursuit will be to little avail if the blend itself is contrary to the purpose.
Then, there is the scientist. Armed with an analytical mind and a dedication to sound principles of experimentation, to a scientist the finished product must be a workable blend. It has been well thought out, thoroughly tested through repeated experiments, and its sound design will only be verified in its eventual application. The scientific approach alone seems to be structured as a truly disciplined factor. Yet the truth is that even the most disciplined scientist cannot hold off the influence of inspiration. Consider, for example, the invention of penicillin. There seems to be little scientific reason to utilize bread mold as a basis for a miracle drug. In fact, spoiled food has been at the root of many ailments that plague humanity. What possible basis would any right-thinking scientist have for believing that a substance that is at the root of suffering could be utilized to relieve it? Consider also some of the other medications that have been developed by the investigative hand of science. There are medications that use whale sperm, monkey hormones—any variety Of strange substances. Although the development process may have remained within the rigorous a spark of inspiration that was at the root of the experimentation that led to the many so-called miracle drugs of our time.
The truth is that the approaches of magick, art, and science are merely labels that serve little but the comfort of the individual practitioner. They are not the essence of the practice but the approach toward its process. At some point, each of the disciplines must acknowledge and utilize the benefits of the others. To achieve the highest degree of effectiveness, the scientific mind must learn to be open to the inspiration that moves the artist. The scientist may have to sometimes acknowledge that although there may be no sound scientific basis for a blend to be successful, it works simply because it does. Perhaps it is because it was borne of inspiration or maybe it is inexplicable because its functioning is magickal. The artist must use the instinctive inspiration that drives his or her being as a basis for formulation of a blend, yet must borrow the disciplines of the scientist to ensure that it is effective. Even the magician cannot escape the trappings of the other two practitioners. If a formula is ineffective, no matter how strong the magician’s drive might be to see the success of a magickal operation, the ineffective blend will do little more than to throw obstacles in the path of the ultimate success of the magickal intention.
In essence, the three apparent disciplines of Art, Magick, and Science in the practice of aromatherapy are largely illusions. The differences between the way that individual practitioners think and feel will color their approach to aromatherapy. It will dictate the manner in which any one individual may function best, or most comfortably. In truth, the only acceptable practice of scent working is one that is effective. Whether the individual practitioner chooses to attribute the success of the blends that emerge from aromatherapy to any or ail of these seemingly opposed disciplines is moot; in fact, all three will have to be utilized to some degree if their practice is workable. In your own pursuit of the creation of oil blends, you may consider yourself what you wish—artist, magician, or scientist. The only true measure of the practice is this: Does your created scent find its resting place in successful application? For only then does one become a true aromatherapist.