That’s a very interesting topic to explore. The psychology of scent and memory is closely linked because the anatomy of the brain allows olfactory signals to reach the limbic system very quickly.

The limbic system is responsible for emotion, learning, and memory, so smells have the potential to elicit both old and traumatic memories

Exploring the psychology behind scent and memory.

Some of the factors that influence how strongly a smell can trigger a memory are the intensity, familiarity, and emotional valence of the odor2. For example, a pleasant smell that is rarely encountered may evoke a more vivid memory than a common or unpleasant one.

The memories associated with smells also tend to be older and thought about less often, meaning the recollection is more surprising and impactful when it happens.

Researchers have been studying the power of scent in triggering memories and how it could be used to treat memory-related mood disorders, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. By exposing people to specific smells that are linked to positive or negative memories, they hope to understand how the brain processes and stores these associations and how they can be modified or enhanced.

WHY ARE WE ATTRACTED TO CERTAIN SCENTS?

Have you ever picked up an essential oil and been blown away by its smell? Or walked past a bouquet of flowers, only to feel delight in its fragrance? Conversely, how about catching a waft of a budding aroma that makes you recoil?

The truth is, there is no great science behind why We are attracted to certain scents and repelled by others. We are attracted to scents based on what our mind, body and soul need. We are attracted to them based on how we feel. The smells that we are most drawn to are smells that can alter our physical and emotional states.

THE NOT-SO-SCIENCE BEHIND SCENTS: Here are a few good articles about scent.

Many of us experience some of the mental afflictions that we deal with on a regular basis like stress, misery, anxiety, and depression, especially in this fast-paced world which demands so much of us. Finding ways to keep our senses happy is a great way of maintaining balance and inner peace, regardless of what is going on around us.

USING AROMATHERAPY

Delighting the sense of smell can prompt happiness and relaxation, and the more we do it, the greater the long-term effects. Aromatherapy is one way of doing this. Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways; you can drop a few of your favourite drops in the bath (diluted first with a teaspoon of carrier oil such as coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil) and enjoy the aromatic scents as you lounge in the bathtub.

One very effective way of utilizing the power of scent is the put about ten drops of your favourite oil into a bowl of bowling water and then inhale deeply for about ten minutes. This can be done at any time of the day, but is particularly effective just before bed when you need to wind down for a good night’s rest.

THE COMFORTING SMELLS OF COOKING

And don’t forget the powerful smell of cooking! Have you ever just been baking or cooking in your kitchen and suddenly felt this bubble of happiness well up inside you? A pleasant memory that may have previously been hidden deep within the subconscious may have suddenly be triggered.

These happiness moments may only last for a few moments, but they are essential to your overall well-being.

STOPPING TO SMELL THE FLOWERS

Flowers are also wonderfully potent when it comes to keeping your sense of smell happy, as is nature in general. Bringing flowers into your home can trigger happiness chemicals in your brain, so it is well-worth looking around the flower store for some time and browsing around the tulips, roses and carnations to see which ones call out to you and which scents are most pleasant to you.

Similarly, walking among a freshly cut lawn that smells strongly of green grass or being by the open sea can delight the senses; taking time every week to spend a substantial amount of it among nature is both healing and therapeutic for you.

Candles

Candle Color Meanings and How to Use Each Type and Color of Candle

Once a means of creating light during the night, candles have taken on a different meaning since the invention of electric lights. Today, many people enjoy selecting candle colors to complement home design and aesthetics. More than a decorative item used for interior design, candles are often burned to create a sense of calm or a place for meditation.

Beyond a basic focus on prayer and reflection, candles have often been used in rituals for divination, to find a divine spirit or larger meanings from random facets or elements. More than attempts at fortune-telling, divination often has a deeper social or religious context. Commonly known as candle magic, this practice is also known as lychnomancy when it involves three identical candles laid out in a triangle. A variant that seeks divine meaning from flames from an oil lamp or torch is lampadomancy.

The color of a candle is an important attribute for those who seek deeper divine or spiritual meanings from candles, whether they are lit or unlit. Various colors reflect different energy forces, and those who practice lampadomancy become thoroughly versed in how different colors possess, store, and emit different variations of energy.

Candles combine the natural elements of air, water, earth, and fire. By igniting the candle, all four of these elements come into play. The physical wax (earth) transitions after flame (fire) is introduced to the wick. The atmosphere (air) surrounding the candle allows for this process, and the liquified wax (water) dripping from the candle completes the cycle of these four basic elements.

This guide offers an overview of how the color a candle possesses may have deeper spiritual significance or a divine nature to people who practice candle magic. Learn connections between candle colors and the calendar by understanding how certain colors congregate on the calendar on different days of the week. The type of candles, how they are used, their colors, and the way they create flames may have deeper significance.

Whether you are beginning to learn about candle magic, a longtime practitioner, or somewhere else along the spectrum, understanding the role that colors play in the use of candles is an important aspect of candles as tools of divination.

What is Candle Magic?

Candle magic is a popular practice for those who see deeper spiritual meaning in candles. This ritual also places values on the color of these candles, how they emit flames, and other characteristics. Depending on the type of candles selected, candle magic may also focus on the dressings of the candles, oils, herbs, and other accompaniments.

Sometimes known as “candle magick” by those who consider this more of a traditional spiritual practice than an avocation, many who embrace this practice see it as an alchemy with the transition of matter including all necessary elements. The wax represents the earth, the flames are fed by the air, the fire represents the flame, and the melted wax corresponds with liquid water.

A practice that has existed for a long time, candle magic allows individuals to have interactions with elemental energies, the world surrounding them, the broader universe, and their powers within. Whether performed as a simple act or as part of a much more complex ritual, this experience involves witnessing the process of transformation through the element of fire. Through the practice of candle magick, people channel energy in ways that promote and speed up changes taking place in their lives.

Those performing candle magic may either keep the candles unlit or light the wick. An unlit candle, like a sentinel that does not need to engage, offers a positive presence. A lit candle may take an active role in spells, rituals, prayers, or practices. Many believe that the act of burning the candle is an ideal way to forge a connection between the spiritual realm and the world in which we live. Those who choose not to burn their candles may also promote a particular color’s energy by adding various colors to accent the home or sacred space.

There are varieties of candle magic practice. What inspires one person may be taken to a different level by someone else. Some may simply put a candle in a location where it is ritually visited every day, at a certain time, as part of a meditation or other spiritual practice. As the candle burns, the observant person may pay particular attention to the flame, its intensity, and other characteristics.

Candle Colors and the Days of the Week

Most candle magick practitioners believe that certain colors align ideally with different days of the week. According to them, energy levels and the impact of your efforts will increase if you properly select the ritual, candle color, and day of the week.

A couple of examples offer guidance. A person looking to improve their networking skills may select to burn a yellow candle on Wednesday. A person with romantic or love interests may choose to burn a red candle on Tuesday or a pink candle on Friday.

Here are the colors often associated with different days of the week:

Sunday: orange and gold
Monday: white, gray, and silver
Tuesday: brown, red, and shades that offer the perspective of autumn
Wednesday: gray and yellow
Thursday: deep rich shades of blue and purple
Friday: lighter shades of blue, pink, green, and a variety of copper hues
Saturday: black, maroon, and darker shades

Types of Candles to Select

Besides colors, there are also several different types of candles to choose from:

Double action
Reversible
7 Knob
Colored figure
Adam and Eve
Witch candles

Those who are just beginning to practice candle magic may wonder if they should select a particular type of candle. Some believe that any type of brand of candle will suffice. Most, however, believe that practitioners should refrain from using scented and decorative candles.

Spiritual and botanica vendors offer an obvious source for those who wish to purchase candles. Taper or glass candles are frequently selected because they tend to burn for a longer amount of time.

When selecting candles, attention should be given to all aspects of the candle that are important for the magick. Is a candle selected because it is made of soy or plant products since they are a top choice because of their low impact on the environment, or is the authenticity of the source that provides the candle important enough that a person only selects candles from an apothecary, witch, or other expert practitioner?

Important considerations for those selecting candles include the following:

How fast the candle burns.
The length of time the candle will burn.
The quantity of smoke the candle emits.
The movement of flames as the candle burns.
Determining the amount of residue that is acceptable.
The money available for purchasing the candles.

Ways to Use Different Candles

Different candles may be used in various ways based upon the goals and intentions of the practitioner. The creative nature of candles is influenced by an individual’s intention, the practices and behaviors the individual engages in to meet the intention, as well as the physical characteristics inherent within the candle.

In this way, candles are similar to other tools used in divination. Dice, beads, gems, tarot cards, crystals, and many other tools used for divination are often evaluated by their physical characteristics, including their color. Simply collecting candles will not provide guidance about the future or any supernatural powers.

The practice requires more than the mere presence of candles; it requires the involvement of the practitioner and an understanding of the significance of different colors, as well as an awareness of the days when particular colors may have the greatest impact.

The way to use different candles involves steps that begin long before the first candle is lit. Here are the common steps that candle magick includes:

Select the Inspiration for Your Focus: Consider what you wish to set your intentions upon, the reasons you have an inspiration to act at this time and why making this decision is important right now. Inspirations should be simple rather than complex, and each candle should have only a single intention at a time. Clearly define your objective or intention for each candle. It may be helpful to write it down, as well.
Find a Place You Can Dedicate to Your Candle Magick: This dedicated space should be clean, have some sacred meaning to you, and be a place where you want forces of energy to work in your favor. Avoid crowded or noisy areas of your home. Instead, select a place where you can feel comfortable engaging in meditation in nearly all circumstances.
Select Candles that Match Your Intended Colors and Energy Needs: The significance of particular colors is outlined later in this guide, and some colors have more prominence at different times of the week. Carefully select the candle that has the needed attributes you desire on the day you plan to use it.
Connect with the Candle: Before lighting the candle, treat it as an item with energy or spiritual significance. Many who practice candle magick include certain steps within this ritual, such as holding the unlit candle so it is near your heart. Others chant or write their names on the candle to ascribe the elements and energies within them, rather than on other individuals who may be nearby.
Safely Light the Candle When Ready: After lighting the candle in your dedicated space, spend time watching and trying to make connections with the flame emanating from the candle at the same time that you think carefully and completely about your intention. Watch as the flames extend your intention to the larger universe. Meditate, appreciate the moment, and end your session with gratitude for the opportunity to partake in this experience.
Combine and Match Different Colors, If You Choose: Some people elect to burn multiple candles as a way of seeking to address a desire or intention with a more complicated, nuanced character or multiple dimensions. The interplay of multiple candles of different colors may carry a deeper meaning that combines more than one intention.

Using the Right Types and Colors of Candles Based on Your Intentions

Based on specific candle color meanings and types, these can be used for the following affirmations and intentions.

To Draw Good Luck and Wealth and Remove Negative People

Double action black or green candle.

To Attract Love

Double action red candle.

To Enhance Spiritual Energy

Double action white or black candle.

To Attract Good Spirits

Reversible black on the outside and red on the inside.

To Get Success, Win, or Acquire a Job

7 Knob green colored candle.

To Bring Peace at Home or in Business

7 Knob white candle.

To Bring Passion to a Relationship

Adam and Eve candle in a red color.

To Add Power or Make Written Affirmations More Powerful

Red witch candle with written text on a paper placed underneath the candle.

What Do Different Candle Colors Mean?

Different candle colors have different characteristics and meanings. Selecting a candle based upon its color is a conscientious effort, rather than an arbitrary decision, for those who value candle magick as a spiritual focus. Whether you seek a new relationship, self-improvement, or to build your social skills and ability to network, there are specific colors for the candles that you should select.

Rituals may include a combination of colors, either created with one candle transitioning to the next or with more than one candle being part of the ritual at the same time. Understanding the various meanings ascribed to each color allows you to make the best decision for the type of candle you wish to buy.

Red

This color offers a sense of magnetism based upon human attraction, and may represent passion, love, and sex. A color often associated with energy, red may represent anything from trading fear for confidence to an intense sense of passion and lust. Words commonly associated with the color red include romance, love, desire, loyalty, passion, action, energy, motivation, assertiveness, creativity, courage, power, strength, and survival. Red is the root chakra.

Orange

Often associated with creation, expanding your horizons, and building upon your ambitions, orange may span from healing within to creativity others see on your outside. New relationships and connections are associated with this color, as well as establishing or building upon friendships that tend to have very strong emotional connections. Other traits ascribed to the color orange include courage, adaptability, justice, freedom, meeting goals, travel, strength, discipline, celebration, money, positivity, independence, and reconciliation. Orange also represents the sacral chakra.

Yellow

This profound color is often associated with caution when on a traffic light, but has a different meaning on a candle. Rather than calling for slowing down or proceeding cautiously, yellow encourages a person to consider new career directions, focusing on social or networking activities, or expanding a person’s skills. Other traits for yellow candles, whether lit or unlit, include intellect, wisdom, knowledge, gaining skills, expanding intuition, traveling to expand horizons, communication, business knowledge, engaging in action, and experiencing travel or other stimulation. Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra.

Green

A soothing color, green can heal the heart and soul or help a person find a path toward prosperity. For those who hope to move forward or ascend to the next level, green is the color of a candle to choose, as well as the color associated with money. Other traits associated with the presence of green candles include acceptance, beauty, the environment, prosperity, peace, fertility, agriculture, creativity, abundance, longevity, healing, harmony, and change. Along with pink, green is often considered part of the heart chakra.

Blue

Hues across the blue spectrum are often associated with healing, including the repair of emotional wounds. Lighter blues address truth and acceptance. Darker blues and shades of indigo that transition toward purple offer a color full of perception, intuition, and transcending illusion. Within the family of blue colors, common themes include trust, communication, wisdom, honesty, study, the pursuit of justice, sleep and rest, marriage, pregnancy, leadership, and the desire to fulfill career objectives. A color sometimes associated with dreamwork, light blues are generally coupled with the throat chakra, while indigo and darker blues correspond to the third-eye chakra.

Purple

The depth of the purple tone has long been associated with the expansion of spiritual healing and enlightenment, psychic abilities, creativity, and the dream world. Commonly thought of as a color aligned with accessing knowledge and intuition, purple also has a tradition of being related to wisdom, power, emotions, writing, imagination, pursuing the truth, gaining greater enlightenment, seeking authority, gaining independence or influence, and overcoming fears. The astrological and psychic dimensions of purple should never be underestimated. This color is associated with the crown chakra.

Pink

Considered a top color for romance, pink candles encourage and promote opportunities for love. Along with expanded opportunities for love with another person, pink heals through the promotion of self-love and self-care. While red is often associated with love and romance, pink has an even stronger association with love, due to its merging of red and white. Red focuses more on lust or physical aspects of love, while pink offers a deep connection that is emotional, as well as physical. Other traits associated with this heart chakra include sensuality, passion, marriage, femininity, kindness, healing, nurturing characteristics, fidelity, family, affection, friendship, compassion, and seeking reconciliation.

Brown

This earthen tone implies a connection with grounding intentions. An emphasis is placed on the resources a person possesses, such as their courage, endurance, levels of energy, the health they enjoy, their pet companions, and their personal possessions. These are often associated with different shades of brown. This hue covers areas such as stability, having a good grounding, demonstrating courage and balance, showing endurance, doing hard work, protecting possessions, and having an affinity with animals. Those interested in interacting with ancestral magic or planetary connections should choose this color.

Black

The depth of darkness offers psychic protection. Not effective if used excessively, black candles are appropriate for use during a given period of time to protect a person from a specific thing or matter, before these candles are put away for use when needed at some point in the future. After banishing the things that need to be released or reversed, this candle should be set aside. Other characteristics often associated with black candles include acceptance, self-control, strength, security, determination, release, persistence, patience, and justice. In some instances, the color also takes on a darker focus and breaks from traits associated with anger, secrets, death, banishment, negativity, loss, endings, and the afterlife.

White

In contrast to black, white offers an emphasis on peace and serenity. A way to make angelic connections, this color offers a different way to reach the spiritual realm. Creating a clean path, white candles may be lit to encourage a fresh state, new beginning, or aura cleansing. This color, often associated with tranquility, purification, and peace, may also promote healing, guidance, grounding, protection, balance, willpower, truth, clarity, optimism, innocence, and a desire to find a path to reach a higher self or better workplace situations. A flexible color often tied into the crown chakra, white is also a perfect substitute candle color that can do the work for other colors you do not currently have.

Silver

The soothing color of silver may represent a path toward divination, purification, or the pursuit of psychic powers. For those wishing to find a sense of awareness, seek their hidden potential, find a path to success, or develop a plan to enjoy stability, silver is a color to consider. Sometimes associated with feminine energy and fertility, this healing color implies intuition and aspects of the goddess, along with star magic.

Gold

Gold is a goal-setting color, and may be used in conjunction with other colors to amplify their impact or to focus on them as goals worth pursuing. Specific traits coupled with gold include positivity, ambitions, fame and fortune, abundance, and luxury. In addition, golden candles may enhance bonds with money, influence, power, persuasion, creativity, divination, happiness, and masculine energy.

Meanings of Flame Colors

Interpreting the meaning of flame colors is an important part of candle magick. Below are some of the common colors associated with flames.

Blue on the Veil and Base

The base of a hot burning candle may have a blue color. In this oxygen-rich area, molecules begin to separate and vaporize at the temperature approaching 2500° Fahrenheit. This area of molecule concentration at the base may also be accompanied by a veil that is around the rest of the flame. This phenomenon occurs due to the concentration of oxygen.

In candle magick, the presence of dark blue implies the existence of a spiritual presence that may also offer protection and safety. With an angel watching out for you, they remain near your heart, bringing you positive energy, wisdom, and a greater sense of self-awareness. If you detect a lighter blue, this color, often associated with Aquarius, indicates the presence of calmness, peace, and inner harmony.

Orange and Brown

Often most present in the area immediately above the blue flames, this is the area where “crackling” noises may emanate as the fuel within the candle loses oxygen due to the presence of the flame. Temperatures reach up to approximately 1800° Fahrenheit.

The brown areas help an individual focus on important matters,

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Plug in Air Fresheners

Do you use them?

Types of Plug-in Air Fresheners There are four basic types of plug-in air fresheners: heated oils and sprays, wax warmers, essential oil diffusers, and air purifiers. Each provides varying benefits and offers differing levels of convenience, longevity, and additional features. Heated Oil and Spray

Plug in air fresheners for homes

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Types of Plug-in Air Fresheners

There are four basic types of plug-in air fresheners for unpleasant odors: heated oils and sprays, wax warmers, essential oil diffusers, and air purifiers. Each provides varying benefits and offers differing levels of convenience, longevity, and additional features.

Heated Oil and Spray

These standard plug-in air fresheners are energy efficient, emitting a fairly strong fragrance while using a minimal amount of electricity. They feature cartridges filled with a wide variety of scented oils, which are then aerosolized and sprayed into the room. Most models are compatible with any refill cartridge from the same brand. Each cartridge lasts between 30 and 60 days, though longevity varies from brand to brand.

Some folks find the fragrance from this type of air freshener to be overpowering, but there are products that let you control the level of scent emitted, adjusting it to room size or user preference. Be mindful of standard plug-in air fresheners when it comes to children and pets, because heated oils and sprays are dangerous if ingested.

Wax Warmers

Wax warmers act as a safer alternative to burning candles, relying on either a light bulb or a warming plate as a heat source instead of an open flame. Bulbs for plug-in wax warmers range from 25 to 40 watts, and various models may emit soft, ambient light to mimic a candle. While some models may come with wax, it can also be purchased separately.

These products feature a heat-resistant bowl where users place wax melts or pucks that come in various natural and synthetic fragrances. The wax takes several hours to cool completely and should not be accessible to children or pets. Each wax melt lasts for up to 10 hours.

Essential Oil Diffusers

Essential oils are natural, plant-derived substances said to have a number of aromatherapeutic benefits. Essential oil diffusers heat essential oils to break them down and dispense the smaller particles into the air. Most models also use water to provide both a humidifying and air- freshening effect.

While the water reservoir must be refilled daily, only a few drops of essential oil are required. Some oil diffusers are sold with essential oils while others require that you purchase them separately. Essential oil diffusers should only be used for half an hour at a time because prolonged exposure to essential oils may have negative health effects.

Air Purifiers

Air purifiers actually eliminate unpleasant odors rather than simply covering them up. Not only that, but they also improve air quality by removing dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander. They are the ideal choice for reducing airborne contaminants that aggravate allergy symptoms and cause respiratory issues. They draw in odors and particles from the air, then use filters to purify the air before recirculating it into the room.

The highest-quality filters are known as HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters. They have been certified to trap 99.97 percent of all particles that are 0.3 microns or larger in size. HEPA filters must be changed every 3 to 6 months.

When choosing an air purifier, consider the size of your space. Most manufacturers will stipulate the ideal room size for their product and provide an air change per hour (ACH) rate, which lets users know how many times per hour it will filter all of the air in the room.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Plug-in Air Freshener

A number of factors and product features may affect a plug-in air freshener’s scent, settings, aesthetic, convenience, and overall quality. Keep reading to learn important considerations when shopping for the best plug-in air freshener for unpleasant home smells.

Location

When choosing an air freshener, first consider where it will be placed. While a stronger fragrance may be a great choice for a large open space, it may be overpowering in a small bathroom. Also, consider any pets or young children in the household, and be sure to place the plug-in air freshener out of their reach.

Note that your vehicle may also benefit from a plug-in product. Some are designed to be plugged into a car’s 2-volt outlet, while others use a USB cable. They’re convenient for covering up the smell of fast food or stinky sports equipment. They typically power on when the engine is running to avoid wasting the car’s battery.

Scent

One of the primary considerations when choosing an air freshener is whether to go with a scented or unscented version. Standard air fresheners, as well as essential oil diffusers and wax warmers, feature a wide variety of fresh scents that can be swapped out seasonally or depending on your preference.

Decide whether natural aromas from essential oils or synthetic scents are the better choice for your household, keeping in mind that some artificial smells may act as irritants to allergy sufferers. Also remember that air purifiers eliminate odors without emitting any additional scent.

Settings

Each type of plug-in air freshener can feature a range of settings.

Some standard air fresheners allow users to control the level of fragrance emitted based on how strong they want the smell to be. Others feature night-lights that are convenient for late-night bathroom trips.
Essential oil diffusers may include timers, ambient light settings, and auto-shutoff features that detect low water levels.
Air purifiers often feature different fan settings, timers, and filter change indicators. They may also include smart technology, allowing users to control them remotely via a smartphone or a tablet.

Aesthetic

When choosing an air freshener that will be placed in a visible location, the product’s appearance is a key consideration.

Heated oil and spray air fresheners typically have a simple plastic design and display the color of the oil or liquid.
Wax warmers vary widely in appearance, with options to suit a number of different decor styles. They may have either a natural, a contemporary, or a bohemian aesthetic.
Essential oil diffusers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and feature casings made from plastic, wood, glass, and terra cotta.
Air purifiers often feature streamlined modern designs that help them blend in with existing decor items.

Convenience

Some shoppers may prioritize convenience when choosing a plug-in air freshener. Air purifiers offer optimal convenience since their filters only need to be changed a few times per year. Essential oil diffusers, on the other hand, need their water reservoirs filled daily.

When shopping for a standard plug-in air freshener, look for a model that is compatible with both vertical and horizontal outlets that can be plugged in upside down if necessary.

Our Top Picks

The following recommendations take into account the abovementioned factors and features for choosing the best plug-in air freshener, in addition to overall quality and value. Check out these top options in a variety of categories for eliminating unpleasant odors and controlling the air quality in your home.

BEST OVERALL

Febreze Odor-eliminating Plug Air Freshener

IN CONCLUSION…

Remember, every sense that we possess is there for a reason; to help, guide and strengthen us.

We are no different to animals at heart and the more we nurture our senses, the stronger and more able we become. The sense of smell is there to help keep us moving and shaking in this ever-growing, fast-paced world; it is there to help keep us sane and grounded, as well as warn us of potential dangers.

Keeping our mind, body and soul happy by providing ourselves with scents that are personally pleasing and beautiful to us can help combat negative thoughts or energies that can be brought on by our circumstances and environment. So, go out there and find the scents that work for you!