What Theory Explains How These Work?

[norseman]

Maybe an old friend from a previous turn of the Cycle of Life

[12meadows]

life is all about cycles, isn't it :)

[norseman]

I have memories of one in the Bronze Age and three in the Iron Age plus vague suggestions of the Neolithic. Take your pick

[12meadows]

did you put an effort into remembering, or did it just come to you? :)

Such a fascinating question. How are things imbued with their energetic properties? How do we know what they are? And how are they able to affect our material world?

How Are Things Imbued With Their Energetic Properties

I would posit that the material world organized that way (each 'thing' resonates to a certain vibratory rate that defines functionality) as it dropped into form.

Most traditions start with in the beginning sound in some way - another way of saying vibration - brought form, or individual pieces representing reality as we know it into being - from the Void. The void is just another way of saying matter and energy in its state of pure potential.

Ayurveda has a very clean term for explaining this: Tattvas. Defined "1) Mode of motion. 2) The central impulse that keeps matter in a certain vibratory rate. 3) Thatness: The feeling that creates the feeling of reality. 4) The 5 Great Elements in descending order: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth.

How do we know what they are?

All ancient traditions used 'humours' or elements to organize and understand the organic world. This applies to humans (doshas) plants, minerals, gems (tattvic combinations). They applied bucket lists of traits to each organizational element. Including: temperature, moister level, physical correspondence and energetic profile. So its as easy as studying their traits that are produced due to their elemental nature.

This tradition is carried on by visionaries like; Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt Ph.D, Dr. Chopra & Dr. Miller. All use this holistic way of understanding organic material - such as plants - and how they are able to make authentic change in environment due to vibration! There is much written from ancient to modern on this topic.

How are they able to affect our material world?

A simple theory is Macro/Microcosm. The idea that patterns are reproduced in all levels of the cosmos, from the largest scale (macrocosm or universal level) all the way down to the smallest scale (microcosm or metaphysical level). In the context of Ayurveda, this reflects that when we stimulate an exterior environment (macrocosm), it stirs our personal interior (microcosm), and when we stimulate our personal interior (microcosm), it ripples out and affects the Universe (macrocosm). Once one understands the resonate energies, one can consciously arrange matter both internally and externally.

So for example we can purify our environment by applying a purifying solution to oneself or can create internal harmony by purifying environment.

Here is a good example of using a plant in the Ayurvedic tradition based on understanding energetic properties and how this allows this plant to affect internal and external realities. Even invoke a deity if needed.

"Agarwood Gahuaru buaya

Elements: Ether seed of Water

Catalyst for: Introspection, revelation and deep wisdom

Chakra Correlation: Vishuddha (throat, 5th), Svadhishthana (pelvic bowl, 2nd)

Sacred Syllables: Ham, Vam

Key Vibrations: Gifts: helps one gain an understanding of and access to the akashic field (ether); aids the mind in perceiving circumstance and environment as a gestalt; promotes open-mindedness and positive boundaries. Balancing: for taking inventory of one’s personal reality, with the intent to understand one’s emotions (water) and how they may be detracting from one’s full involvement with life; removing layers of reflexive emotional states to aid one in being able to be present in whatever is authentically occurring in the moment.

Key Concepts: The combination of ether and water gives rise to the energy of Daring. This is an expansive combination that promotes reaching new heights on all levels. This process begins by looking inward. Ether is boundless space, holding all possibilities, while water, seeping ever downward, connects to and purifies the unconscious and emotional aspects of self, seeking the lowest ground to be contained (paradoxically, the “container” is boundless space or endless expansion). Are their any contracted, distorted or unexpressed aspects of Self that need to be explored, purified and allowed to blossom?
From this inward exploration, one can move outward. Agarwood provides the framework for moving outside of your comfort zone, allowing for dynamic new growth. This may mean achieving new levels of personal success, emotional freedom or loosening one’s current bonds and soaring to new spiritual heights.

Deity Archetype: Sarasvati, Goddess of Wisdom
This variety of Agarwood essential oil vibrates to a bright emanation of the divine feminine, Sarasvati, Goddess of Wisdom. This archetypal expression relates to the plant’s elemental arrangement of Ether seed of Water. Priya Hemenway writes that Sarasvati “is a water deity and is symbolic of the pool of knowledge that runs parallel to creation. In the form of a river she runs from the mountains to the sea, moving through and nourishing all the realms of human existence.” (Hemenway, Hindu Gods: the spirit of the divine, pg. 86.)
In addition to being a Wisdom Goddess, Sarasvati is also a virginal goddess in the original context of the term, meaning “unto one’s self.” She never had children and she did not favor being married—in fact, she got the boot from Brahma because she could never rally behind the idea of being a “good wife.” Instead, she devoted her time to the acquisition of knowledge and the development of self and the arts, including speech and the written word (skills that facilitate sharing the wisdom and insight one acquires).
Agarwood’s primary element is Ether, which carries the vibration of sound, expression, and the gift of speech, which are believed to be the very source of creation. This aspect of Agarwood amplifies mantra work (sacred syllables) and the ability to use speech mindfully to create one’s reality.
These qualities make Agarwood an excellent choice for determining which path is worthwhile and ushering in, calibrating, and crystallizing new vibrational patterns. An incredible combination!

Incantation: Sarasvati, uttering your very name helps transform mere knowledge into spiritual truth. I appeal to you to facilitate the expansion of my knowledge into wisdom. Support my desire that my heart, mind, and actions always reflect this wisdom and that I understand and become one with universal truth." -- Divine Archetypes

I love this topic! I am so happy you brought it up and am excited to continue dialog