Something needed to change

Then, the dark times of COVID hit all of us.  I was interested in adopting a chemical-free lifestyle due to my long-suffering immune disorder, and this quarantine time presented a good opportunity to re-examine my life and take a small step to study what I can do to live a chemical-free lifestyle.  I started with DIY skincare products, laundry and dish soap, antimicrobial sanitizer, etc., made from natural ingredients and essential oils. I tried many recipes online, but many didn’t deliver the results they claimed. This led me to explore deeper into the world of essential oils. I began with an Aromatherapist certification program to study essential oils, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I soon realized it didn’t fully satisfy my curiosity about why those recipes weren’t working for me. Eager to learn more, I completed an advanced course for clinical aromatherapists and an instructor training course. These courses gave me a much deeper understanding of essential oils and natural ingredients from a scientific perspective. But I still hadn’t found the answer I was searching for. I knew I needed to go on.

Immersion the world of Essential Oil

So, I sought more. I decided to explore the world of herbs, the key ingredients in essential oils, which allowed me to discover the incredible benefits of nature. I gained insight into ancient wisdom by learning how to create herbal remedies. I realized that we are surrounded by remarkable herbs that hold value for people in their own regions and amazing wisdom passed down through each indigenous culture. Most of all, I learned that Nature’s blessing is not manifested in singularity or isolation. We are all connected to everything around us - I mean everything: plants to plants, plants to humans and all living creatures, plants to the environment and the Universe, and the environment and the Universe to humans and all living creatures. The manifestation arises through these complex but beautiful connections.

Herbalism also taught me that all living beings on Earth are influenced not only by the sun but by all the planets in the universe. This led me to explore Medical Astrology, which examines the archetype of the universal energies and laws affecting plants and humans. Ancient civilizations, from Egypt to the Mayans, and sites like Stonehenge, Indigenous/Shamanic cultures were deeply connected to astrology. I realized that I wouldn’t fully grasp our interconnectedness with nature without understanding Astrology. At this point, nothing could stop me from viewing the world from a very different perspective. I began to understand the meaning of transformation through Astrology.   Astrology also gave me greater insight into the Alchemical “Elements” and “Modes,” concepts found in Eastern medicine, Greek medicine, and Ayurvedic practices.

In ancient times, physicians were often also astrologers, chemists, scientists, philosophers, physicists, and artists. Their approach to health was multidimensional, focusing not just on alleviating surface symptoms. Throughout my journey, I explored various mythologies, Kabbalah, indigenous and shamanic practices, and Human Design based on multiple ancient wisdom traditions interpreted in modern times. I am particularly fascinated by the influence of Alchemy on these diverse fields throughout history. (As many of you know, most essential oils are produced through distillation, which is one of the oldest and most significant discoveries in alchemical work.) The alchemical concept of rebirth through catalytic energy has deepened my understanding and perspective on spirituality.

As technology advances, I increasingly notice that the spiritual aspect is being sidelined in various fields. However, the wisdom of spirituality is significant in every area of study I have pursued. The spirituality evident in religions and nature reflects a deep respect for something greater than ourselves, fostering a sense of connection and oneness with an unseen power.  Recent archaeological discoveries have revealed that the values and beliefs of ancient cultures worldwide may not be mere myths or figments of imagination. In those times, the spiritual world was an integral part of everyday life. Yet, as technology has progressed, spirituality seems to have been removed from our daily experiences.  Our ability to use the five senses has become dulled, making it more difficult to access the sixth sense. This sense is fundamental to purposeful living, yet we have distanced ourselves from it.

My journey began with the study of essential oils, which opened the door to a myriad of other learning opportunities. I wasn't sure where this path would lead me, but I was determined to keep exploring. At times, I questioned whether I was heading in the right direction and if I was investing my time and money wisely.  Everything seemed fascinating, yet I struggled to connect all this knowledge in a cohesive way.  I often felt lost in my scattered thoughts.  Despite the logical doubts that tried to feed my fears, I held on to the allure of the unknown, which guided me to explore different realms of knowledge. I’m grateful I did. Ultimately, my journey circled back to essential oils, and now all the pieces have finally come together. I have invested significant time and resources in my quest to understand the universal laws of nature—concepts that are both elegantly simple and wonderfully complex yet make perfect sense.

At one point, I believed I was living exactly as I wanted. However, during this journey, I realized that I had been conditioned by the limited values of the society and culture around me, attempting to become someone I thought I wanted or should be. After my journey, the beliefs of society felt small and constricting compared to the laws of the Universe. When I reviewed my Natal Chart in astrology, I was astonished to see that my past struggles, challenges, destination, and purpose for this life were outlined beautifully. Before this journey, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of this blueprint.

I often wanted to focus on the bright side, but the more I sought the light, the more I felt the darkness, and I didn’t understand why. The darkness seemed to take away my joy whenever I tried to be optimistic, leading me to believe it was my weakness. Now, I realize that my strength lies in recognizing and aligning these dualities I see everywhere to facilitate transformational action through practicality. I needed to understand this process for my breakthrough—my spiritual awakening. My journey was not random or scattered; each experience was meaningful, and the Universe was guiding me every step of the way. Previously, I built my career between two countries: the United States and Japan, where I originally came from. My work revolved around integrating two distinct cultural values and finding a unique way to coexist. Without fully realizing it, I was already laying the groundwork by navigating between these opposites, but back then, I only knew how to balance them. I did not understand the significance of infusing the catalytic energy to evolve two opposites into something more meaningful. The feeling that something was missing and not right was my lack of understanding of this catalytic energy. There is a reason I was drawn to alchemical philosophy, which ultimately integrates all the knowledge I’ve acquired.

Now, I know that there is another way to live - not becoming anyone, but just BEING True Self. By uncovering my deconditioned True Self, I have gained total freedom to live authentically. Initially, I felt I had to become an entirely different person because the conditioned and deconditioned versions of myself seemed like complete opposites. Consequently, my fear of 180-degree transformation intensified my resistance to change.  But I stayed there to decode my blueprint fully. My blueprint showed that I understand the world through the lens of polarity. I’m here to practice life by aligning and balancing them, then find a way to let two disconnected oppositions catalyze to merge into something new and meaningful in practicality.

Most importantly, astrology taught me that we are all uniquely made. No one’s blueprint is the same, and we seem free to choose how to live our lives. Astrology does not dictate our destiny; instead, it reveals archetypes that highlight our unique purposes and sources of happiness in the most natural ways as ultimate Intelligences in an unconscious world. However, we often struggle to see or acknowledge the unconscious world that the Universe has created for us. It is up to us to explore our spiritual awakening, which is the gateway to the unconscious, understand how to integrate the unconscious and conscious, and live by the ultimate intelligence - or not. This perspective has helped me realize why different aromas uniquely resonate with us. No single formula works for everyone, as we all possess distinct blueprints - frequencies -  uniqueness. Finally, I found the answer that led me to this journey, and I’d been searching for why online recipes don’t work for everyone.

I know deeply now that every life on this Earth is interconnected with each other, Mother Earth, and the Universe. Nothing can exist peacefully without these connections and alignments, which are astonishingly balanced and part of the universe’s order. My interest in Aromatherapy has deepened, and I have taken an entirely new perspective. I have come to realize that it is not just a powerful natural medicine; it is also an incredible tool that helps us return to a balanced state and connects us to Mother Earth and the Universe—the ultimate embodiment of the oneness of Body, Mind, and Spirit. The catalytic energy is our own spiritual awakening to understand the unconscious - The True Self.

We are experiencing a fascinating time that embraces a holistic approach to living. Quantum physics and science offer many possibilities and answers that align with ancient wisdom and spirituality in practical ways.

Aromatherapy provides more than just relaxation through pleasant scents; it can serve as a pathway to spiritual awakening. Recognizing the conditioned self in our conscious world and the deconditioned self in the unconscious realm, guided by our unique blueprint, is a key to this awakening. Aromatherapy can lead us into the multidimensional, unseen world of the unconscious, gently helping us understand our true selves and the reasons for our existence.

If any part of what I’ve shared resonates with you, it shows that you are ready to explore a lifestyle enriched by nature’s blessings. This could involve living sustainably - removing toxic and synthetic materials that significantly impact us and the environment - or pursuing a spiritual awakening to live as your true self, or in between. Regardless of the stage you are in, our true joy lies in finding harmony with Mother Earth and the Universe. I am grateful for every opportunity to connect with you and excited to accompany you on this journey.

With Love and Gratitude,

Yumi Hacker