Alchemical Oils: an In-Depth Interview

Synopsis

The talk explores the use of essential oils as tools for personal development, self-work, and connection with others. The discussion covers the history of oils, their magical and alchemical properties, and their practical application in perfumery. Emphasis is placed on intuition, contamination (both intentional and unintentional), and the role of scent in evoking memory, emotion, and subtle energetic shifts.

Summary

The conversation opens with Kelly Rivera recounting her introduction to essential oils in the 1980s and her evolution into perfumery. She describes essential oils not just as fragrances but as tools for self-work, transformation, and connection with others. Applying intuition, experience, and minor theoretical guidelines, she creates custom blends for individuals, often guiding them toward scents that align with their personal growth.

A major theme in the discussion is contamination—both avoiding unintentional contamination among oils and embracing "intentional contamination" as a way of introducing people to the alchemical gold oils and the school’s teachings. The conversation covers how a person's skin chemistry, diet, and emotional state influence the way oils interact with them. Specific practices, such as the Marsteller diet, are noted for heightening olfactory sensitivity.

The talk touches on the connection between scent and memory, describing how particular essential oils can serve as reminding factors, triggering deep emotional and psychological responses. It also discusses how perfumery relates to ancient magical and spiritual traditions, with references to Egyptian and Roman practices.

Finally, the practical aspects of working with oils are discussed, including the differences between perfumery and aromatherapy, the methods of burning oils, and the importance of maintaining a "feminine space" to facilitate open exchanges. The conversation concludes with reflections on perfumery as a work practice and a business, emphasizing that the true value of the oils lies in the transactions and connections they enable, not merely in their scent.

Keywords & Key Phrases

• Alchemical gold oils
• Intentional contamination
• Perfumery as self-work
• Marsteller diet
• Olfactory intuition
• Elemental correspondences in scents
• Scent as a reminding factor
• Freestyle blending intuition
• Ancient Egyptian perfume rituals
• The perfumer as a medium
• Harmonization of scent notes
• Scent-induced memory unlocking
• Atmospheric transformation through oils
• Energetic cleansing with incense
• Feminine space in work
• Personal atmosphere crafting
• Learning through perfumery practice
• Perfume as a life transition marker

Graphic Prompt

A mystical perfumer’s workspace, surrounded by ornate glass bottles of various shapes and sizes, each filled with glowing, alchemical liquids. Wisps of scented vapor rise from incense burners alongside ancient scrolls and botanical specimens. The perfumer, a figure cloaked in deep indigo robes with silver embroidery, meticulously blends oils under the warm glow of candlelight. A celestial map is etched into the wooden table, faintly illuminated as if reacting to the essences being mixed. The atmosphere is one of deep concentration, mystery, and magic, evoking an ancient yet timeless tradition.