No matter where you are, you are likely being subtly (and not so subtly) influenced by scent. It is believed that an astonishing 75 percent of the emotions we generate on a daily basis are affected by smell. Because of this, we are said to be 100 times more likely to remember something we smell over something we see, hear, or touch.

There have been countless studies about scent, proving that no other sense has the power to influence and transport us the way smell can. The mechanism in the brain that enables us to recreate sensory experiences from memory shows that scent connects with the part of our brain where information about space and time is stored.

Aromatherapy is a centuries-old practice. So, what does this have to do with Vulture?

Vultures have an extremely acute sense of smell. We, as Goddesses, can receive psychic messages through scent. You can smell an opportunity. You can smell a fake. Vulture is asking you to develop and trust in your sense of smell, and also use the power of scent to activate your mental sharpness. Use scent in your prayers and devotion.

Pay attention to smell.

You can have an actual psychic experience with scent. Someone you like might smell like a plate of freshly baked cookies. On the other hand, a person who’s wrong for you may smell absolutely rotten, or their cologne may be so off-putting that you can’t stand it. That’s a clairalfactory signal right there.

Clairalofaction can also manifest as a very deep gut hunch, where your intuition tells you loudly whether or not to move forward with something. It may also surface as visceral, crystal-clear memories—because scent and memory are so deeply linked.

Vulture is reminding you to pay attention to the memories that surface and to trust your gut hunches.