Advanced Certificate Workshop in

Aromatic Energetics and the Five Elements

An Introduction to Oriental Aromatherapy™

with Gabriel Mojay MIFPA,MBAcC,MRSS
Institute Principal and author of Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit

What is 'Aromatic Energetics'?

Traditional medical cultures such as the Chinese explain the properties of medicinal and aromatic plants partly according to their taste and aroma. It is easy to see how, for example, a citrus, lemony scent is considered to have a clarifying and therefore focusing effect psychologically — just as the rooty-resinous aroma of Vetiver has a grounding, consolidating one. Such interpretations fall within the study of aromatic energetics — the vital properties of individual aromatic qualities which include the rooty, woody, green-herbaceous, fruity, floral, spicy, citrus, resinous and camphoraceous.

The energetic effects of the primary fragrance notes are related in Oriental medicine to the Five Elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. From a precise therapeutic viewpoint, the twelve main aromatic energies are also understood to influence the flow of Qi-energy in specific Organ systems. The effect of the pungent, camphoraceous aroma of essential oils belonging to the Eucalyptus genus, for example, stimulate the Metal Element and invigorate the Lung-Qi. These vitalistic actions in turn help to account for their ability to 'open the chest' and counteract feelings of oppression, withdrawal and melancholy.

This Module I workshop in Gabriel Mojay's Oriental Aromatherapy™ Workshop Series establishes a basis for the full appreciation of essential oil energetics by facilitating an in-depth study of the energetics of fragrance — i.e. how specific aromatic qualities reflect vital actions on the body and mind. At the same time, it introduces to participants one of the most important pillars of Oriental medicine - the theory of the Five Elements - and how the Five Elements may be applied to both aromatic energetics and Psychological Aromatherapy as a whole.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To consider the energetic and psychological effects of the primary fragrance notes of essential oils, and how these effects are inseparable from their basic properties and uses.
• To relate these effects to the Oriental Five Elements and principal vital organs, and to explore their application in holistic clinical Aromatherapy through Five Element diagnosis.
• To explore from these and other perspectives the in-depth energetic and psychological properties of 25 essential oils, in a way that will expand and deepen the understanding of those with both a basic and advanced knowledge of Aromatherapy.
• To establish, for those who wish to go further, a foundation for a deeper, more comprehensive study of Oriental Aromatherapy™ as facilitated by Modules II and III of this workshop series.

COURSE TOPICS

• What do we mean by the principal active quality of a natural remedy or essential oil?
• The Oriental and Ayurvedic interpretation of the herbal effects of the various tastes.
• The energetic effects of the main essential oil fragrance notes.
• An introduction to Yin and Yang ~ their relationship to essential oils and to Aromatherapy as Energy Medicine.
• The Oriental Five Elements and their associated vital organs.
• The basic energetic functions of each main organ and how they may be supported through the therapeutic use of essential oils.
• The five main aspects of the mind and spirit.
• What is meant by therapeutic intention?
• The energetic and psychological properties of 25 essential oils ~ their principal chemical constituents, therapeutic indications and contraindications.
• Alleviating nervous tension, anxiety and depression, worry and 'overthinking', and other psychological problems.

The course incudes detailed printed notes and numerous photos of aromatic plants will be shown.
An Advanced Certificate is issued on completion.

Entry Requirement
• Entry onto this course requires a prior aromatherapy qualification.

LOCATIONS, DATES AND FEES

Location: Regent's College, Regent's Park, London NW1.
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, May 16-17, 2009 (2 days).
Times: 9.30 am to 5 pm daily.
Course Fee: £150 incl VAT, payable on booking.
Tel: 01638 741296 for further info, or to make a debit/credit card booking.

Accommodation: For overnight accommodation near Regent's College, our course venue, we recommend that students visit the following website featuring several reasonably-priced small hotels:
www.hotels-london-hotel.com/hotels/marylebone/cheap