Are You an Everyday Aroma-Hero?

Hello lovely friends! As the years roll by on this blog I’m looking for some new, vibrant energy. Are you someone who loves using essential oils – but IS NOT and Aromatherapist? I’d love to have some fun stories about how you use aromatherapy in your everyday life.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Caught on camera somewhere in Sydney

Caught on camera somewhere in Sydney

 

Perhaps you have kids and some success stories with essential oils?

Maybe you have helped friends with essential oils and would be happy to share?

 

Rose is the Queen of oils

Rose is the Queen of oils

 

Maybe you love taking pictures of scented flowers and plants?

Do you love blending oils and playing around with recipes?

Would you like to share your favourite recipe?

Have you had some epic failures using essential oils?

 

Divine jasmine!

Divine jasmine!

 

In the coming weeks I will introduce a new page which will help you submit your story, so you can be the feature here on “suzannerbanks”. I’ll dream up some questions for you to answer and I’d love a photo of you. I will be happy to include links to your social media and business pages as long as you share the article with your friends and followers.

Do you know someone who would be perfect?

Stay tuned and thanks again.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

The Isle of Pines and Pine Oil

Video

Hey lovely friends, on my recent trip to New Caledonia I was fortunate to visit the tropical island paradise of The Isle of Pines, “Kunyie” in the native language. There were many kinds of pine trees including Araucaria cooki, Araucaria heterophylla, Araucaria columnaris (the pines which Captain Cook named this island after), Pinus pinaster, Pinus radiata and more – up to 14 kinds of pines on the beautiful isle.

So it got me thinking about pine essential oil, Pinus sylvestrus ….

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

And here are my thoughts on film –

 

 

This island is sometimes referred to as

‘île la plus proche du paradis (“the closest island to Paradise”).

Wikipedia

 

Araucaria columnaris or cooki? Not sure ..

Araucaria columnaris or cooki? Not sure ..

Paradiso majorana

Paradiso majorana

Stone totems protecting a scared site in St Maurice Bay

Stone totems protecting a scared site in St Maurice Bay

Araucaria columnaris or cooki? Not sure

Pinus radiata

My tropical island sojourn was one I’ll never forget.

Have you been to The Isle of Pines?

How do you use pine essential oil in your life?

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

FESTIVUS 2015! Aromatic Insights into the Best Holiday in the World!

Festivus is here again and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve created some new recipes to stand alongside the key parts to this wonderful day. What is Festivus you may ask? It’s the holiday that crushes Hanukkah and Christmas, allows a coming together of like minds, and gives a day of fun for those who are not religious. Celebrated by George Costanza’s father, Frank, (from the comedy show Seinfeld), let’s embrace this fabulous celebration!

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Festivus for the rest of us! pic via www.tshirtbordello.com

Festivus for the rest of us! pic via http://www.tshirtbordello.com

To be more precise it’s the family of the writer of this episode who created Festivus:

Festivus was conceived by editor and author Daniel O’Keefe and was celebrated by his family as early as 1966. In the original O’Keefe tradition, the holiday would take place in response to family tension, “any time from December to May”.] The phrase, “a Festivus for the rest of us”, also derived from an O’Keefe family event, the death of Daniel O’Keefe’s mother.
Wikipedia

 


The Festivus Pole

The Festivus Pole

The Festivus Pole replaces the Christmas tree and stands unadorned:

“Frank Costanza cites its “very high strength-to-weight ratio” as appealing. During Festivus, the pole is displayed unadorned. According to Frank, “I find tinsel distracting.”

Wikipedia

I love the simplicity of the Festivus pole and I’m hoping it can inspire you to simplify this Christmas Here are a couple of blends for yourself, to help to feel less stressed and more streamlined.

Method: Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

Silver

Lemongrass                  3 drops

Cedarwood Virginian     2 drops

Peru Balsam                  2 drops

*************

La Verité

Bergamot                     5 drops

Geranium                     2 drops

Vetiver                          1 drop


 

 

The Airing of Greivances

The Airing of Grievances

Ah yes the Airing of Grievances, straight after the Festivus dinner, seems a good way to finish off the year and start the new year afresh. Here are a couple of blends for your space to support this difficult yet necessary part of Festivus.

Method: Scent Your Space

In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil

Release Frustration and Anger

Mandarin         12 drops

Ylang Ylang       6 drops

Marjoram           4 drops

Frankincense     3 drops

**************

 

Forgive

Orange          10 drops

Palmarosa       8 drops

Lavender         4 drops

Patchouli         3 drops


 

Feats of Strength!

Feats of Strength!

The Feats of Strength championship finalises the Festivus celebrations. As depicted above, when the head of the household is pinned to the ground, the day concludes. here are a couple of blends to help you find inner strength this holiday time.

Method: Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

Courage and Endurance

Lavender                1 drop

Black Spruce         1 drop

Lime                      1 drop

*********

Inner Calm

Melissa                   1 drop

Vanilla CO2             1 drop

Indian Rosewood    1 drop


Whatever you’re doing this Christmas season, whether you celebrate or not, I hope you are able to reflect on the good things life can bring – even if they are very small.

How will you be celebrating and which oils are calling to you?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

 

Essential Oils and their Keywords – Part 3

Essential oils tend to be grouped together as to their physical healing properties – but what about the way they treat our spirit and minds too? For example marjoram, lavender and rosemary are great for muscles; rose, geranium and patchouli are wonderful for skin health; fennel and juniper can help relieve joint swelling. Of course essential oils often have more than one quality and the art of aromatherapy allows synergistic combinations to be formulated to expand their individual powers. Read on to discover how I feel about some of my favourite oils.

**************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Patchouli leaf - pic via toptropicals.com

Patchouli leaf – pic via toptropicals.com

Patchouli

peace, earthly: nurture your body

Peppermint

removes resistance

Petitgrain

potentiality

Peru balsam

softness, protection

Pine

abundance through others

Rose is the Queen of oils

Rose is the Queen of oils

Rose

divine love, self-love, self nurturing, Cleopatra

Rose geranium

cheeriness

Rosemary

remember

Rosewood

giving and receiving; flow of love in the heart

Sage

wisdom; courage

Sandalwood

opens the chakras; sacred sexuality

Spearmint

Spearmint

Spearmint

lighten up

Spikenard

chill out, stop thinking

Tea tree

purge negativity

Thyme

detox

Vetiver

centredness; tranquility

Ylang Ylang

release anger & frustration

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

All the oils and their keywords are quotes from my book. You will find the links to buy the book at the top of the post.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

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Like our Facebook page to stay tuned for more info on the inaugural

Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo in Sydney, 24th April 2016

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copryright SR Banks 2015

 

 

 

Essential Oils and their Keywords – Part 2

Essential oils tend to be grouped together as to their physical healing properties – but what about the way they treat our spirit and minds too? For example marjoram, lavender and rosemary are great for muscles; rose, geranium and patchouli are wonderful for skin health; fennel and juniper can help relieve joint swelling. Of course essential oils often have more than one quality and the art of aromatherapy allows synergistic combinations to be formulated to expand their individual powers. Read on to discover how I feel about some of my favourite oils.

**************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Gentle warmth with ginger

Gentle warmth with ginger

Ginger

warm and approachable

Grapefruit

lightness, appreciation; gentle energetic cleanse

Jasmine

sensuality

Juniper

release watery emotions; spontaneous lightness

Lavandula stoechas, my own pic thanks yes it is wonderful

Lavandula stoechas, my own pic thanks yes it is wonderful

Lavender

solidarity; solid foundations, acceptance; regeneration

Lemon

refresh, reload; brighten up

Lemongrass

energising; vitality

Lime

counter-acts negative thinking; a moment of silence

Mandarin

openness; simple choices

Marjoram

relief

May change essential oil is distilled from the fruit

May change essential oil is distilled from the fruit

May chang

a sunny heart

Melissa

softness, communication; soothing

Myrrh

heals deep wounds of the past

Neroli

seduce your soul

Nutmeg

mysticism

Orange

innocence, sweet simplicity

Palmarosa

flexibility; new ideas about love

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

All the oils and their keywords are quotes from my book. You will find the links to buy the book at the top of the post.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

*******************************************************************************************************

Like our Facebook page to stay tuned for more info on the inaugural

Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo in Sydney, 24th April 2016

******************************************************************************************************

copryright SR Banks 2015

Essential Oils and Their Keywords – Part 1

Essential oils tend to be grouped together as to their physical healing properties – but what about the way they treat our spirit and minds too? For example marjoram, lavender and rosemary are great for muscles; rose, geranium and patchouli are wonderful for skin health; fennel and juniper can help relieve joint swelling. Of course essential oils often have more than one quality and the art of aromatherapy allows synergistic combinations to be formulated to expand their individual powers. Read on to discover how I feel about some of my favourite oils.

**************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

I've just planted some basil and it seems to be dong quite well

I’ve just planted some basil and it seems to be dong quite well

Basil

clarity; open your mind

Bergamot

calm and connected; from “what is to “what if?”

Black pepper

go forward and fulfil your destiny

Cardamom

energetic flow

Cedarwood Atlas

abundance in everything

Cedarwood Virginian

dissolve barriers

I've got these gorgeous chamomile flowers in a teapot nest to my bed - sweet dreams!

I’ve got these gorgeous chamomile flowers in a teapot nest to my bed – sweet dreams!

Chamomile German

cool down

Chamomile Roman

less tension more inspiration

Cinnamon

sweetness in work; be sweet with yourself

Clary Sage

dream

Clove

release pain

Cypress

allow miracles; away from ego into spirit

Eucalyptus in the Australian country

Eucalyptus in the Australian country

Eucalyptus

invigorate; clearing, enlightening

Everlasting

immortal beauty

Fennel

licorice love

Frankincense

meditation, truth, preservation

Geranium

cheeriness; feel good

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

All the oils and their keywords are quotes from my book. You will find the links to buy the book at the top of the post.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

*******************************************************************************************************

Like our Facebook page to stay tuned for more info on the inaugural

Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo in Sydney, 24th April 2016

******************************************************************************************************

copryright SR Banks 2015

Essential Oils for Tony Abbot and the Australian Government

Never have essential oils been so essential. If there was an oil to counteract embarrassment over the ongoing bad decisions of a government, I’m sure about half of the Australian people would use it NOW!

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS

PEACE LOVE HAPPINESS

Prime Minister Tony Abbot and the Australian Government have many things to be ashamed about, including the latest decision not to allow a party vote on marriage equality. It’s this, the view and treatment of asylum seekers, inequality for our indigenous brothers and sisters, and inaction on climate change and the open policies that support the coal mining industry, that have me utterly embarrassed to be Australian. I used to be proud to be an Aussie, but it’s getting harder by the minute.

So I’ve decided to treat the government with some essential oils to help them understand the part we play in the evolution of humanity. I’d be happy to come to Parliament House and waft a few oils around.

blue

Australian Sandalwood    Santalum spicatum

This beautiful oil has the base of Indian sandalwood with a bit of the Australian bush thrown in. Let’s spiritually connect to this precious land, like the original Australians do, and then we can move forward in our understanding and treatment of Aboriginal Australians in the NOW! Let’s embrace our rich history with better knowledge of the Dreamtime and be proud to share this ancient, powerful land with our indigenous brothers and sisters.

yellow

Frankincense  Boswellia carterii

Long deep breaths. Oxygenate our lungs. PEACE. Quietly connect to our souls and the collective oneness that exists in the fabric of space-time. Start every day in government with a 15 minute meditation and watch Australia and the world change! Frankincense inspires truth.

green

Juniper  Juniperus communis

Release neagtivity. Release bad energy with light fresh juniper. The parliament could do with a good douse of this oil, so we can start again afresh. Dear Government – stop the fear mongering! There are still a lot of people in this country who are easily swayed by fear and will do anything to protect themselves from external evil. Whatever that is at the time – “boat people”, gay people getting married …….. if only they knew the fear agenda was being actively pushed and used as a control system. Being an eternal optimist I see these issues as the last dying gasps of a world wide system of oppression changing for the better. As the 6 Million Dollar Man tv show said “we have the technology”.

violet

(Australian) Desert Rosewood  Eremophilia michelli

Government front benchers need to open their hearts to the plight of displaced people all over the world. Let’s get better infrastructure happening in rural areas to help home asylum seekers fleeing persecution. Can we have a billet system like we did on school trips? How can we get us all involved in solving the issues of the country. Hey let’s build some wind and solar farms to power the country. It’s a no brainer really. Let’s share love not hate and fear. Let’s get some good energy flowing in our heart chakras.

orange 3

Orange  Citrus sinensis

Let’s get a bit of happiness and joy in our lives. Let’s get Australians dancing and happy. Let’s connect to the sweetness of children who are happy, and refrain from taking away Aboriginal children from their families at a rate that is comparable to to the Stolen Generation. Let’s celebrate life and happiness.

red

Rose  Rosa damascena

Love. Love is all. Imagine if we based all our decisions around the rights of everyone in our community to love. It has to be better than hate and separation. If the Australian Government just legalised gay marriage, or marriage equality, then we could all just get on with life. It won’t hurt anybody. In fact it wont really change anything and I think the issue is being used to deflect people’s attention away from the more important things like renewable energy.


I could keep going here, and I do realise this is just a simplistic view, but sometimes the simplest ideas are the best.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”

Leonardo Da Vinci


Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

Which Essential Oil do You Need Right Now?

Which essential oil do you need right now? Use your intuition to be guided to the heart you love the most – right now! It could be different next week as we are always changing and flowing with life. Using my knowledge,intuition and the messages from my guides and angels, here are your answers …..

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

Hearts and oils

Hearts and oils

 

Test pattern heart

Test pattern heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Playful and colourful this heart also represents the old TV test patterns. Are you testing the waters with a new relationship or are you starting to feel ready to love again? Either way BLACK PEPPER is for you to give you courage to pursue new relationships, new connections, and to give you strength to open up to the big wide world in all respects – not just love. Go forward now and fulfill your destiny. Don’t hold back any longer! Black pepper is a warm, sultry oil which can help you play the game of life with gusto.

 

Key to your heart

Key to your heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Red for passion, but this heart has a key. Are you the keymaster ready to open someone’s heart with your love? Or are you the holder of the heart and key, not quite ready to give your love away. This heart could also represent stagnation and fear, an inability to move forward because you are holding on to the past. JUNIPER is the oil for you, to allow you to release any negativity in your life. Release tears and fears, and cleanse your space with this beautiful oil. Juniper is light yet powerful and can help you start again with a new attitude.

 

Pink and purple heart

Soft pink and purple heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Romance is for you! You are either a romantic at heart or you are about to fall in love. All soft and dreamy this heart will allow you to see the good in everyone, and allow you to be forgiving and accepting to those in your life. PATCHOULI is the oil for you to help you stay more grounded, while enhancing your love of peace and harmony. If this doesn’t seem like you then patchouli will help you acknowledge the power of the one love of the universe that binds us together. Mother nature, faeries and elementals are your friends and you will be able to communicate with them more easily with the very earthy scents of patchouli.

 

Old fashioned ornate heart

Old fashioned ornate heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. This ornate floral heart looks like a door wreath from Victorian times and brings to mind simplicity in its form and colour. Black and white, you can see the world has good and not-so-good elements and can cope quite easily with this knowledge. You are an old soul with varied experiences and ROSE is the oil for you. You may need to soften your heart, or help those around you to see love as a positive force. You have loved and been loved but may have become slightly jaded over the years. Rose will help you treat yourself with softness and kindness and perhaps even attract a new love toward you. You tend to take on others problems, so now is the time for YOU. You are the queen. You are worthy of self love and self care. It’s ok to have a time-out and say no to other people.

 

Blue bubble heart

Blue bubble heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Sparkly and friendly you always attract people who are drawn to your outgoing and fun personality! If this doesn’t sound like you, then what you need is to open your heart and mind to the possibilities of actually enjoying life. PETITGRAIN is the oil for you to keep you buzzing with beautiful, citrus happiness energy or to bring out these qualities you have been hiding from the world. Petitgrain, the oil of potentiality will help you take life in it’s stride and expect wonderful things to happen everyday. Each minute contains a potential miracle and with petitgrain you will smile and be able to allow wonderful things to manifest. We need you to be this bubbly force in our lives, so we can all be optimists!


Take a whiff straight from the bottle or see my article about how to blend and use essential oils safely.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

Hug an Aromatic Tree Today! Himalayan Cedarwood

This gorgeous oil has a distinctive scent – rich, woody and sweet with an almost chocolate undertone. Used in Ayurveda, Cedrus deodora is used to balance the doshas and to counteract depression and help with breathing difficulties.

***************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

I found this tree in Akeroa, New Zealand.

I found this tree in Akeroa, New Zealand.

Usually found growing in high altitudes in the Himalayas I can see why this old tree was thriving in the South Island of NZ. It stood so tall I couldn’t see the top!

I hugged this tree.

And now everytime I use the oil it reminds me of this lovely day, with old and new friends, and a sense of freedom.

Go forth and hug an aromatic tree today, it will connect you to your true purpose, and the fundamental energetic patterns of the universe.

 

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015

 

Juniper Essential oil for the June Solstice, Jupiter and Venus 2015

Yes it’s the June solstice and while many of you are in the height of summer, don’t forget us on the other side of the equator. It’s cold. Dead of winter cold. Game of Thrones Winterfell cold. Well  maybe not that cold, but you get my drift ……

 

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

***************************************************************************************************************

Great diagram by earthsky.org

Great diagram by earthsky.org

As I was wondering what to write about this week, and I noticed the bright stars and planets in the sky with a gorgeous crescent moon, I found out about the special connection Venus and Jupiter are having at the moment. But in my mind I kept stumbling on the word “Jupiter”, and using “juniper” instead. I have been known to accidentally ask for a juniper and tonic once or twice before in bars too!

So I’m going to tell you how incorporating juniper essential into your life will give you an extra push, at this very auspicious time, wherever you live.

“On any night in June, 2015, look for the queen and king of planets – dazzling Venus and bold Jupiter – as these two worlds appear in your western sky first thing every nightfall. They’ll appear in your evening sky throughout June 2015, and they’ll be drawing closer together each evening!

Venus will pass Jupiter in late June/early July, 2015. At that time – especially on the nights of June 30 and July 1 – you can witness the closest Venus-Jupiter conjunction until August 27, 2016.”

earthsky.org

Moon, Venus, Jupiter on June 18, 2015 by Daniel McVey in Silverthorne, Colorad0 - via earthsky.org

Moon, Venus, Jupiter on June 18, 2015 by Daniel McVey in Silverthorne, Colorad0 – via earthsky.org – danielmcvey.comfacebook.photographybydanielmcvey

 

So whether you live north or south of the equator, or in equatorial countries, this planetary alignment is the same and its giving extra special powers to the Winter or Summer Solstice.

“The second major event in June is Venus meeting Jupiter in the sign of Leo, aligning to Prometheus in another fire sign, Aries, promising a romantic, sexy and creative summer, especially for fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries).”

neilspencer.com

I suppose it can be applied to us in winter too, and I did have a very social weekend – normally I’m by the heater for 3 months.

Juniper berries - pic via www.thedrinksbusiness.com

Juniper berries – pic via http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com

So now I’m giving you juniper for Jupiter (the King) and here’s why:

* Juniper is a great essential oil to help release extra fluid in the body including watery emotions. Maybe this means you need to shed any worries, sadness or concerns to take up the creative energy of the planetary alignment.

* It’s an energetic cleanser for you and your space, to help you make room for the experiences you really want – maybe love?

* It’s a light, bright sparkly scent, oozing sophistication. Use it around you to move your thought patterns from dark to light.

* For those in the height of summer, it’s gin and tonics, fun in the sun, laughter and love, and reaping the rewards from seeds you planted last winter. You are able to enjoy the prosperous summer knowing winter is a long way off.

* For those in the calm of winter, using juniper essential oil is a way to shed “stuff’ so you can be exact about what you’d like to come to fruition this summer. You are now on a steady rise to longer days, so commit to your desires NOW!

* For those in places very close to the equator, juniper oil can be a fresh addition to your routine, helping you gain better insight into your dreams for the future.

young unripe juniper berries

young unripe juniper berries

Wherever you are, enjoy Jupiter and Venus, the solstice and the gorgeous oil of juniper.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2015