As a Theologian, I am interested in different beliefs about different things. I particularly took an interest in understanding different beliefs about smells. In 2022, we visited a Perfumery Museum where we interacted with different people as we learned about the scents.
One group of Africans and Arabs amazed me when they explained their beliefs about Frankincense and Myrrh. We asked them to help us understand their beliefs about smells further.
I later decided to research the topic by reading the Bible and articles and consulting religious and spiritual people. So last week, we were discussing relationships in our online diverse beliefs group, and one lady said she knew her new relationship was meant for her after she continuously smelt coffee out of nowhere.
She diverted the discussion as many people asked a lot about the smell and the meaning. However, the questions were overwhelming for her.
Since I had done thorough research on the topic, I offered to help and answered each question. So, what is the meaning of spiritual smells?
Spiritual smells are the smells that are not physically present in the environment, but a person is believed to smell them from the spirit world. In the Bible, some spiritual smells mentioned include Frankincense and Myrrh. According to the book of Matthew 2:11, they were presents given to Christ at His Birth, and Many Christians believe they mean intercession and deliverance, respectively. There are also spiritual smells in other religions and cultures, like the sulfur smell, among others. Sulfur smell is believed to mean heightened spiritual senses, among other beliefs.
So, join me in this in-depth article where I explore the meaning of a heightened sense of smell that is often called clairalience. I will also discuss the different fragrances in the Bible, how they were used, and their spiritual meaning in Christianity. Lastly, I will also write a list of spiritual smells with their different meanings.
Read on to find out more.
What are spiritual smells?
Spiritual smells are believed to be the scents and odors that communicate spiritual messages into a person’s consciousness.
The sense of smell is important in both physical and spiritual aspects. Many believe that the spiritual world sometimes decides to use the sense of smell and send messages through smell to a person.
This often happens, as suggested, when a person smells scents or odors that do not come from their surroundings. For example, a person can smell coffee, yet they are not anywhere close to coffee products.
This type of smell is believed to be a spiritual smell.
What is the spiritual meaning of heightened sense of smell/clairalience?
Willie, a Spiritual writer, defines clairalience as a psychic ability to smell an upcoming situation. A simple definition is clear smell ability.
A person with clairalience abilities is believed to have a great capacity to invoke the future, emotions, and memory by smelling.
A good example of clairalience is, for instance, how people smell scents of their deceased loved ones after they have been long buried. It also means a much heightened sense of smell, for example, smelling diseases before someone becomes sick.
Many suggest that a person has spiritual clairalience by comparing with the people who are around them. If the person is the only one who has a sense of smell and the rest are barely smelling anything, then it is believed that the person has clairalience abilities.
Also, other people suggest another way of knowing that a person is a clairalience is when they are the only one who is smelling the signature smell of a deceased loved one.
Often, it is believed that the smell comes once, and it is comforting. In addition, others believe that it comes with Angels and the Spirit of the departed soul.
Also, many believe that clairalience happens when they sneeze continuously in a row. Many suggests that to prove it is clairalience, a person should try and look out for any allergies that make them sneeze.
If they cannot point out any natural cause, then they suggest that it is clairalience. Also, others believe that someone is a clairalient if they continuously smell smells that they cannot even tell what they are or describe vividly.
Biblical fragrances and their meaning
Most of the fragrances in the Bible are accompanied by fragrance oils, and they have prophetic meanings as well.
Frankincense and Myrrh
In Biblical times, Frankincense and Myrrh were very famous, and they were among the gifts that were gifted to Christ at his birth in Matthew 2:11. Apart from being present, the Bible states in Exodus 30:34-38 that God asked Moses to add pure Frankincense in the incense.
Since it was burnt, it produced a frankincense fragrance, of course, combined with other fragrances from other spices. Since the incense was used in God’s altar, Many Christians interpret the fragrance as a fragrance of intercession.
Myrrh had many use in the Bible, but the most significant was how it was used on the Body of Christ. It is a spice that has a fragrance that serves dead bodies well.
In the book of John 19:38-40, it is written that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the Body of Christ with Myrrh and linen. From this, many Christians believe that the fragrance of Myrrh symbolizes deliverance through Christ’s atoning.
Therefore, many Christians suggest that the fragrance of Myrrh and Frankincense are the best to be used during prayer and deliverance.
Cassia
Cassia is also a fragrance mentioned severally in the Bible, and many believers say that it carries the meaning of devotion and dedication.
In the book of Psalms 45:8, the prophetic description of the garments Christ is given. The Bible records that Christ’s garment smelt like Cassia, Aloe, and Myrrh. It is a fragrance that comes from the back of the cinnamon tree.
Some Christians say that the fragrance represents devotion, which means letting go of pride and being set apart to have a heart of a servant.
This is the common interpretation because it was used on Christ’s garment, and He was humble and dedicated as a servant.
Cedars of Lebanon
This fragrance comes from a huge tree that is often called the king of all trees in the Bible because it is 90 feet tall. This fragrance wood was used to build the houses of King David and King Solomon.
The fragrance of this tree is believed to represent strength and protection. This interpretation comes from Psalms 92:12, where the Bible compares a righteous man with Cedar. The righteous man grows strong like a Cedar.
Hyssop
Some believers believe that Hyssop’s fragrance means purification. The fragrance is extracted from Hyssop herbs that grow in semi-arid areas. It was referred to as a Holy Herb because Hebrews used it for their rituals.
In Exodus 12:22, they were instructed to mix the blood with Hyssop before smearing it on their doors during Passover. Also, in Numbers 19:6, the Priest is instructed to add Hyssop, among other ingredients, into the heifer that burns as a sacrifice.
From these verses, many Christians believe that hyssop fragrance represents purification.
Fragrance of Pomegranate
Some Jewish traditions believe that the fragrance of pomegranate denotes righteousness. Pomegranate fragrance is extracted from the Pomegranate flower petals.
However, the belief is associated with the fruit that has 613 seeds. The 613 seeds correspond to the Torah commandments.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also a fragrance mentioned in the Bible, and it is believed to be a denotation of passion and courage. In the book of Exodus 30:23-26, Cinnamon is mentioned among the Spices that were used to make the anointing oil that was used to anoint the Ark of the Covenant.
Some believers believe that this verse shows that cinnamon fragrance denotes the boldness and passion of being a believer no matter the situation.
Spikenard
Spikenard is a fragrance mentioned in Bible, and it is believed to symbolize worship and praise. It is mentioned in the book of John 12:3, where Mary of Bethany poured the oil on Jesus’ feet, and the fragrance filled the whole place.
Some believers believe that this verse shows how spikenard symbolizes adoration, worship, and praise to Christ.
18 spiritual smells and their symbolic meanings
Peppermint
Peppermint smells like menthol, but it is sharper and fresh. It is mostly used in cosmetic products, culinary industry, and medical industry. Some of the symbolic and spiritual meanings of smelling it as a spiritual smell include;
Future love
Peppermint is believed to have a spiritual message that is always about the future. Many believe that when they smell peppermint out of nowhere, they are about to meet someone who will date them.
They suggest that the person often has his or her things together.
Protection from evil
Many cultures believe that when a person smells peppermint, they are being protected from evil. They explain using common traditions and beliefs about peppermint; peppermint was used by their ancestors to protect their people from evil.
Healing
Many suggest that smelling peppermint is a sign of healing spiritually. The best explanations for this belief come from the traditions of different cultures.
Many cultures used to use peppermint to heal sick people suffering from digestive and metabolism problems. Others still use peppermint to help pregnant women with morning sickness.
Therefore, for its healing abilities, they suggest that smelling it out of nowhere is a spiritual message of healing.
Maple syrup
Maple syrup smells like sugar and fat that is getting caramelized, something close to Aunty Jemima Syrup. When you smell maple syrup, you are either receiving a spiritual message or you or someone around you is suffering from Maple Syrup Urine Disorder MYUD.
If you are smelling it out of nowhere, it’s better to confirm if you might be ill or if it is a spiritual message. If it is spiritual, it is believed to mean the following;
Many people believe that smelling maple syrup means that there is going to be renewal. They must explain that maple syrup has abilities to hold memories from autumn, nature, and harvest.
Therefore, they believe it is a spiritual reminder that each day comes with new beginnings. They take the smell as a spiritual meaning to start over without fear.
Coffee
New opportunities
One famous belief about smelling coffee is that a person is going to receive new opportunities soon. Often, it is said that opportunities bring major changes in a person’s life, which a person gets afraid of pursuing.
However, many suggest that if the interpretation resonates, there is no need to fear as the spirits know better.
You need to change.
Different people believe that smelling fish signals communication from the spirit world that a person needs to change. Many suggest that the change is often related to environment or work.
Love and relationship
Some people believe that smelling coffee means a person is going to find the love of their life. Many suggest