Oil Lamp by Bhikku Amitha from Pixaby

What is Hanukkah? During the Hellenistic Period, the great Jewish temple of Jerusalem was conquered by the Greeks, who renovated it to worship their gods and goddesses. Judah Maccabee and his followers fought for several years to retake the temple. In the wake of their victory, the Maccabees sifted through post-battle detritus and found a small vessel of oil they could use to re-sanctify the temple. That tiny amount of oil miraculously burned for eight days, inspiring the 8-day celebration of Hanukkah.

Particularly in comparison with Christmas, Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday. Like Christmas, it’s a festival of lights at a darker and colder time of year in the Northern hemisphere. More importantly, it’s a celebration of triumph against terrible odds.

Many of us are celebrating the holiday season differently in this year of COVID-19. Maybe 2020 hasn’t felt miraculous, but, in the last month of the year, as we look ahead to the start of a new decade, maybe we’re starting to feel a little optimistic.

In the spirit of hope, light, and Hanukkah, here are eight small miracles of fragrance:

Olfaction by Engin Akyurt from Pixaby

The Miracle of Smell: Olfaction is almost a forgotten sense. Many westerners would prioritize “sight” out of the five basic senses. “Taste” is also very popular—food is an eternally popular topic of social conversation, and their countless recipe books and cooking programs. In a deodorized world full of fragrance-free signage and unscented products, it’s a small miracle that so many people continue to nurture their sense of smell, letting it add greater dimension in their day-to-day lives.

The Miracle of The Fragrance Community: The fragrance community, or “fragcomm,” is a small miracle in and of itself. People are connecting with like-minded sensualists through a myriad of social channels, forums, and conferences. Friendships, partnerships, and other relationships are sparked and nurtured by a shared interest in fragrance. It’s a global community that didn’t exist 20 years ago, united by an appreciation and passion for olfactory experience.

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes working on “Poplars and Planes no.2” painting that inspired the perfume of the same name via Dawn© To learn more about Dawn’s art and perfume and her synesthesia please go to TED XMile High here

The Miracle of Synesthesia: The phenomenon of synesthesia has been an increasingly common topic of discussion among perfume lovers. When a synesthete experiences one of the five senses, she/he may involuntarily experience another sense—for example, when someone can “see” a scent. Award winning perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz takes a synesthetic approach to perfume design to create aroma-art expressions.

 Hebrew Blessing over Fragrances 

The Miracle of Chemistry: A key ingredient in any fragrance is the skin chemistry of the person wearing it. Most of us have had the experience of a fragrance that clicks into place and smells extraordinary—or conversely, one that clashes with their skin. This miracle of chemistry fuels the thrill of the hunt, an ongoing quest to find that elusive, highly personal, nigh miraculous cocktail that enhances individual skin chemistry.

The Miracle of Longevity: Moving on to a different kind of chemistry, certain ingredients can deliver an incredible experience of fragrant tenacity. It might be a sample that doesn’t work and won’t wash off. But it can be a more miraculous experience as well—a scarf that carries a fragrance from weeks past, or a shockingly long-lasting fragrance like California Snow by A Lab on Fire that can survive a hot shower to greet you the following morning.

A Scent Memory from Hawaii by The Perfumed Dahlia (Dalya Azaria)

The Miracle of Scent Memory: Scent memory is an olfactory experience in which a specific smell is associated with a person or a place. Photographs or food also trigger nostalgia, but there’s something about olfaction that adds an extra dimension. It can feel like time travel, bringing you back to a long-lost time. It carries an aura of magic.

The Miracle of Emotion: Even without synesthesia or a specific scent memory, fragrance can elicit an emotional response. Creating perfume is an art form, and like a painter, perfumers can sometimes transmit a feeling or mood through their art. Gourmand fragrances might feel cozy, incense might feel melancholy. A recent sample of Vivacious by Hiram Green made me feel very happy.

The Miracle of Sillage:  Last but certainly not least, the miracle of sillage—that fragrant trail that follows its wearer (and hopefully engenders a positive response from other people). Sillage can expand the space of individual experiences, as well as the physical space in which a person’s presence is felt. It can have the effect of inviting other people in, or holding them off. Fragrance sillage can attract attention like a neon color, it can feel like a warm blanket, or it can scream out like a wall of scented sound.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones, however you plan to celebrate this holiday season. Happy Hanukkah to all.

Dalya Azaria, The Perfumed Dahlia, Contributor

Original Artwork for DSH Perfumes A/Embers by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz.©

“As this ashen year comes to a close we’ll find warmth, transformation, and illumination from the golden embers of life”.-Dawn Spencer Hurwitz

Notes: amber, Ambergris,  Birch Tar, Bourbon Vanilla, Bulgarian Rose Absolute, Bulgarian Rose Otto, Castoreum, Ciste Absolute,  East Indian Patchouli,  Elemi,  Fir Needle, Fossilized Amber Resin, Frankincense co2 Absolute, Grandiflorum Jasmine, Incense, Labdanum, Myrrh Gum, Oakwood co2, Orris Concrete,  Pine Needle Absolute, Siam Benzoin, Spice Notes, Texas Cedarwood.

Original Artwork  “A/Embers” by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz.©

Thanks to the generosity of DSH Perfumes we have a 10ml VDP (WORLDWIDE) or EDP (USA ONLY) of A/Embers for one registered reader. To be eligible, please leave a comment about something that caught your attention in Dalya’s article on the eight miracles of Hanukkah, and where you live. Draw closes 12/14/2020

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our blog feed… or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

Editor’s Note: Please welcome Dalya Azaria to ÇaFleureBon as a Contributor.

Since our inception in 2010, we have had a tradition of celebrating Hanukkah and fragrance (Chanukah, Hanuka, Chanuka… I think there are as many ways to spell it as there are candles in the menorah). I wrote our first Hanukkah perfume post on December 1, 2010.  In  2011, it was Tama Blough (RIP), next was Nancy Lichtenstein in 2013, followed by Drew Chafee in 2014, Aaron Potterman 2015, Robert Herrmann (RIP) in 2017, Ida Meister in 2018 and  Alexandre Helwani in 2019.  We have come from all religious backgrounds. Dawn Spencer Hurwitz was the first perfumer (I believe) to create a fragrance specifically for this holiday in 2009: Chanukah Cannelle–Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

There is 20 percent off all DSH Perfumes (with the exception of The Scent of Hope) through January 12, 2021. Please support our Artisan Perfumers

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