No aarti is performed without camphor. Camphor burns itself out completely, when lit, without leaving a trace.

Camphor represents our inherent tendencies or vasanas. When lit by the fire of knowledge about the self, the vasanas burn themselves out completely, not leaving a trace of ego.

Ego is responsible for a sense of individuality that keeps us separate from the Lord or consciousness.

In addition, camphor, on burning, emits a pleasant perfume. This signifies that as we burn our ego, we can only spread love and nothing else.