Emblems

“Like a long lost cousin to the tarot, these rich images and symbolic stories could become a source for guidance, comfort, wisdom and beauty in your life. Just open the book to any picture and fall into it. Read the motto and story, use your imagination, and let the emblem work its magic” - Mandy Aftel , Symbolorum: The Secret Wisdom of the Emblems It feels surreal to start Season 3 of the podcast talking to Mandy Aftel—an extraordinary natural perfumer and author whose influence on the world of scent and creativity runs deep. As the founder of Aftelier Perfumes, Mandy hand‑crafts her perfumes in small batches in her Berkeley studio, bringing a sense of beauty and artistry to everyone who encounters her work.Her contributions have earned wide recognition: Vogue has called her one of the industry’s “most prolific talents,” Vanity Fair has described her as an “angel of alchemy,” and Forbes has named her among the top bespoke perfumers in the world. She also serves as an advisor at The Institute for Art and Olfaction, which created the annual Aftel Award for Handmade Perfume in her honor, and she is the recipient of the Septimus Piesse Visionary Award for lifetime achievement. And then, of course, there is her micro museum, where you can see, touch and smell the history of perfumery. In our conversation, Mandy dives into the creative journey behind her newest book, Symbolorium: The Secret Wisdom of Emblems. We explore the fascinating world of 1600s emblem books, the historical texts that inspire her, and the deep connections she sees between nature, art, and the craft of perfume. It’s a rich, inspiring discussion to kick off the season. Fragrances mentioned:Patchouli Noir - Mandy AftelPatchouli essential oil Patchouli absolute Oakmoss absolute Book discussed:Symbolorum: The Secret Wisdom of Emblems - Mandy AftelFind Mandy Aftel online hereInstagram: @aftelierperfumeWebsite: aftelier.comTheme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.