This Substack, which I began in April 2025, has been growing quickly, but I wanted to take a moment to share what it’s really about, and why it might be worth subscribing.
Since 2015, I’ve been exploring the intersection of natural scent and psyche. Though, to be honest, it all started much earlier with natural soap and skincare. After a few years of experimenting, I shifted into the world of botanical perfumery, which I studied independently for several years.
When I first looked for educational resources on natural scent work, I found the options frustrating. Many were too superficial (and cheap for a reason), others were rooted in approaches I didn’t connect with, and the high-quality ones were often so expensive that it felt unfair, especially considering how costly it already is to start working with natural materials. Between sourcing raw aromatics and buying the necessary tools, the investment adds up fast.
On top of that, many people want to learn at their own pace. I once tried collecting my knowledge in the form of PDF guides and downloadable books, especially on subtle aromatherapy, but it didn’t sit right with me. It felt chaotic. I hesitated for a long time, literally years, before launching this publication. I feared the commitment to regular writing would overwhelm me.
As I continued working, I realised I had so much to share: things I’d learned firsthand through trial, intuition, and research. It began to feel like a responsibility. I know many holistic practitioners can relate to this: that sense of being called to share what you've discovered. I don’t have the space in my life to run live courses or workshops, but writing filed notes, offering rituals, formulas, reflections, that fits and is aligned with who I am.
I’m a curious, eclectic person. I love learning new things. I work best in solitude, immersed in whatever I’m doing. Artistic flow is half of my life. But I don’t always view scent as a tool for self-expression, I see it also as a way to understand and connect with the world: with people, with places, even with objects. I approach scent through the lens of memory and meaning. I live in a permanent state of nostalgia and melancholy, not in a sad way, but because scent always points us back to something: a place, a person, a moment we didn’t know we were missing. I often experience déjà vu moments, those instances that make me pause and reflect. When they happen, I feel the need to express them: by searching for meaning and associations in a book, discovering them in a scent, or simply holding onto the concept for the future.
I love scent even when it’s not there. I love using it only when it’s truly needed. I love its deep roots in history, culture, and ritual. I believe real, authentic scent doesn’t come from lab-created essential oils, it comes from sacred smoke, from anointing rituals, from working with aromatic plants in meaningful, intentional ways.
I don’t follow perfume trends. I’m not interested in traditional fragrance families. I don’t believe in formulas for the sake of rules. What I value is intuition, experimentation, and personal connection. Yes, it’s important to learn the foundations, but your creative path should be your own.
I know some people follow their scent path because it’s something that offers distraction or meaning, especially if it’s a hobby or a second job. For me, scent is all of that, but more than anything, it’s what keeps me afloat. It’s endlessly versatile, you can never truly run out of things to explore. With over 200 natural aromatics already available, and more emerging through new extraction techniques, how much more do we really need?
I’ve never resonated with mainstream perfume, it feels too predictable. But I do appreciate the foundation that early perfumery laid for us. They say it’s harder to work with natural scent, and that may be true, but I also know it allows you to create truly uncommon blends that no one else will be wearing on the street.
If you’re still here, you can take a look at what I share on this Substack.
First of all, this Substack is for anyone interested in natural scent, not just those who work with it practically. You can use the scent knowledge shared here in your creative projects, or simply enjoy the scentscapes and historical perspectives.
I aim to approach this publication in a way that shows natural scent is something anyone can engage with: through ritual, perfume, ambiance, storytelling, or its sensory significance. Scent is a delicate thread still connecting us to our ancestral past.
What You’ll Find Here
This publication explores botanical perfumery, subtle aromatherapy, sacred and subtle psychoactive aromatics, and their use in both ritual practice and psychedelic therapy contexts.
I share scent-based practices to support inner work: before, during, or after meaningful experiences. This includes gentle altered states, moments of reflection, or simply the use of aromatics to deepen presence.
Field notes and reflections on scent and psyche
Explorations of memory, creativity, and emotional life through the lens of natural aromatics. I hesitated a long time before including more personal or philosophical reflections, I wasn’t sure anyone would care. But I’ve come to believe it’s important to share practitioner perspectives, even (especially) when they challenge us to reflect, to agree, or to disagree. That’s how we grow.
Subtle aromatherapy education
Designed to support emotional transitions and deepen self-awareness. Many formulas will come as aromatic lists rather than fixed recipes. I believe formulas are useful for beginners, but this space encourages deeper engagement: understanding materials, building your own scent library, and moving beyond the basics.
Natural perfume education
Foundational to slightly complex blends, with notes on composition, raw materials, sourcing, and historical context. You’re not expected to replicate formulas exactly, though you certainly can. I intentionally don’t include percentages. Instead, I guide you toward understanding structure: which materials to amplify, which to soften. This approach helps you develop your own creative voice.
Scent rituals and practices
Drawn from spiritual traditions, historical formulas, and modern rituals. These are especially valuable for those working with sacred aromatics, including those drawn to witchcraft, ancestral practice, or baneful botanicals. I share restored historical recipes and ways to integrate scent into your own ritual life.
Guidance for psychedelic therapy
Using scent to ground, regulate, and integrate expanded states. This area is still unfolding and is explored more fully in my book, Sacred Aromatics. I distinguish between functional (modern/clinical) and sacred (ritual/ethnobotanical) aromatics, not because one is better, but because each deserves its own kind of attention and respect.
This Substack is also a way to connect with others who care about these themes. I’m continually amazed by how many of you are drawn to the deeper dimensions of scent: its power in perfume, healing, ritual, and plant work.
In an age where everything is subscription-based and physical copies are becoming rare, I understand how hard it can be to make a decision. I am an analogue person myself. I do hope to eventually turn these posts into a book or workbook, but that takes time (and much of it is out of my hands). Feel free to print out important notes or information, but please, for personal use only.
I’ve searched for similar publications to mine, and honestly, I haven’t found anything quite like it.
Scent education takes time, especially because of its practical nature. That’s why I find Substack to be the perfect platform: you can read a few educational posts each month, full of formulas, ideas, and concepts, and then apply them at your own pace.
Meanwhile, keep working with scent in a hands-on way. Take notes in your perfume journal, and train your nose daily.
Honestly, I have dozens of post topics written on little cards and pinned to my magnetic board. There’s so much more I want to share. I can’t wait to keep exploring this with you.
Thank you everyone who supports this work, in any form.
P.S. There’s no option to comment or like posts here, simply because moderating takes time, and I want to focus on writing instead. However, feel free to drop me a line by email (see About page) if you’d like to share your thoughts or have any questions!