Rituals for Smell when you’re autistic

Elinor Rowlands introduces you to the ritual of smell particularly when you’re autistic.

Part of eating is also about smell so this whole blog is dedicated to smell which can be very stressful when you’re autistic.

I can smell the most powerful smells, and it can be a nightmare in the cinema if someone begins eating next to me, I’ve had to disappear across the room when someone eats nachos and melted cheese, or even sushi! (in a cinema!! ARGH!) Don’t even get me started on the noise of people munching in the cinema….

I’ve also had to stop taking public transport due to the noise and smell which has become far more stronger and overwhelming for me with age. It’s just incredibly overpowering and difficult to manage and no one will understand the absolute stress it is like living with super heightened senses unless you’re as hyper sensitive too.

Rituals for Smell for Autistic Women

A strong smell can be overwhelming for autistic people: using aromatherapy, gentle or soothing potions can be calming and don’t have to be irritating.

Photograph by Annie Spratt

• Weleda products are gentle and I love using them but they can sometimes be a little expensive.

• Other products I recommend that are both gentle and soothing are:

• Lavera products are cheaper than Weleda and are still natural and gentle.

• The deodorant I love to use is no longer available, but this appears to be an excellent replacement: Natural Deodorant  and at the moment I’m using Weleda Rose Deodorant.

Here are some ideas for creating your own aromatherapy oils. These can be added to baths, massage oils or sprays for face and hair or even your cushions before you sleep!

Materials:

Either a dropper, a small bottle or a spray bottle. These materials can be bought on Naturally Thinking.

These essential oils can be added directly to a bath but for a massage oil then you need to add them to a carrier oil.

Carriers oils can be coconut oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil etc. All carrier oils can be found here.

Further, I recommend that for sprays for hair and pillow to add Rose water or floral water to all the diffusers/potions below.

Bath Rituals are essential for clearing energy, cleansing the body, awakening dreams and refreshening the mind. 

— MAGICAL WOMEN

#1 SENSUAL, SEDUCTIVE BATH RITUAL

For the diffuser:

5 drops Neroli
3 drops Rose
2 drops Jasmine  
2 drops Bergamot  

For the bath:

3 drops Neroli, 3 drops Rose, 2 drops Jasmine and 1 drop Bergamot

As you add the drops to the bath,

say the affirmation out loud or to yourself

while you drop dried or Fresh Rose Petals into the bath.

Mantra:

I am Sensual.

I am aligned with my sensuality.

I ignite my inner Goddess. I am magic. I am music.

I am playing with all the notes and keys in my heart.

Unlock my heart, unlock my song, I sing it with you. I sing it with you.

The time is now. I am beginning. I am beginning again. Anew.

#2 TENDER, ROMANTIC BATH RITUAL

For the diffuser:

2 drops Rose  
3 drops Ylang Ylang
1 drop Sandalwood  

For the bath:

3 drops Rose, 3 drops Ylang Ylang, 1 drop Sandalwood

Mantra:

I am Tender. I am Romantic.

I am shining with light and beauty.

I ignite my inner Goddess to love and be loved.

I am a Goddess of love, of peace, of light.

I am a Magical Woman.

I am like a wildness, I am the wild of the flower, the breeze, the storm,

the rain, the ocean, the waves. I am flowing. I flow.

Photograph by Sharon Mc.

#3 EUPHORIC Bath Ritual

For the diffuser:

10 drops Jasmine 
3 drops Ylang Ylang  
2 drops Bergamot  

For the bath:

6 drops Jasmine, 3 drops Ylang Ylang, 1 drop Bergamot

Mantra:

I am Eurphoria. I am Eurphoric.

I am You. You are me.

I am brighter than the shining star and I am reflecting with moon shine,

Remembering where I found my shine.

Thank you stars, thank you moon, thank you world.

I embrace you.

#4 PURE PASSION Bath Ritual

For the bath:

3 drops Patchouli
2 drops Rose  
2 drops Sandalwood  
1 drop Ylang Ylang

Mantra:

Jewel in the lotus. Hear me Say. Om Kama Devaya Vidhmahe, Pushpa Vanaya Dheemahe, Thanno Kama Prachodayath.

#5 BLISSFUL SENSATIONS Bath Ritual

Photograph by Amy P.

Photograph by Juliana Aruda

Photograph by Ju Desui

For the bath:

2 drops Jasmine  
2 drops Sandalwood  
1 drops Bergamot  or 2 drops Sweet Orange

Mantra: I am Radiant and I am experiencing bliss. Every phase and every transition in my life is valid. Tonight I enter the sacred space of a new world and a new life. Today I am blissful. Today I go deep within the sanctuary of my soul and I let go to the dreams you want to fill me with.

Sometimes, pre recording this mantra in your own voice and repeating it several times, then playing it while you’re in the bath can help you to refocus your mind into your soul purpose and be with blissful feelings of being alive, and being gracious in your experience of asking for the divine goodness that will support you during troubled times. I will try my best to record these mantras for you to enjoy - but said in your own voice is the boldest of them all.

#6 Calm during Covid 19

5 drops Geranium
2 drops Patchouli
2 drops Ylang Ylang or 2 drops Lavender
2 drops Bergamot
1 drops Chamomile

It’s essential you stick to the number of drops for this bath. Do not exceed the number of drops. If it feels better, put the number of drops into a diffuser instead, or within your normal shampoo or conditioner.

If you’d prefer it as a body cream or massage oil, add this soothing blend to coconut or almond oil or flaxseed oil and add to your body. It is a nourishing and warming blend that will bring you calm and strength.

Essential Oil families

Essential oils fall into one of 8 aroma families:

1. Citrus

2. Floral

3. Herbaceous

4. Spicy

5. Woody

6. Earthy

7. Resinous

8. Camphoraceous

And now back to food, to create a truly delicious potion…

Magical Women’s Miraculous Green Soup!

This vegan soup boosts your immune system and if you’re already sick. It will make you feel better because is so delicious, warming and nourishing. In addition, the ingredients have amazing health properties.

If you don’t like spicy food, omit the cayenne powder, although is so helpful if you want to remove mucus or you can’t breath properly. Choose to add more ginger in place of cayenne pepper.

Enjoy the smell of this soup before you taste.

Prep Time - 15mins, Cook Time - 10 mins

ingredients

2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 chopped onion, 1/2 chopped leek, 1/2 cup frozen peas (60 g), 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (about 2 cm), 1/2 head of broccoli, chopped. Discard the stem (180 g), 3 handfuls of fresh kale or spinach (60 g), 400ml can coconut milk, 1/2 tsp of coconut oil, 3 cups water or vegetable broth (750 ml), 1/8 tsp cayenne powder, 1/8 tsp tumeric powder, 1 tsp sea salt, Ground black pepper to taste, the juice of half a lemon

instructions

1. Place all the ingredients in a saucepan, except the lemon juice.

2. Bring the soup to a boil and then cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes.

3. Pour the soup into a blender, add the lemon juice and blend until smooth.

4. Serve the soup in a bowl and add your favourite ingredients on top. I highly recommend pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and toasted almond flakes or some fresh basil leaves.

5. If you’d like to fill the soup - cook pasta or rice separately and then add the soup on top!