De-Stress

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Chapter 9

De-stress

Another look in between the covers of my book

 

De-stress from distress and be happier

De-stress from distress and be happier

 

Stress in the 2ist century, in Western life, is pretty much the cause all kind of disease.

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”

George Burns,  Actor

There you go – stop worrying and stressing.

Live longer, and prosper.

Live long and prosper, the Vulcan goodbye

Live long and prosper, the Vulcan greeting

By simply using essential oils in any matter, you will give your brain and chance to refocus and change the current vibe.

* Just open a bottle of oil and have a big sniff. Your brain is in charge of your body so by re-calibrating your thought patterns you have a better chance of having a healthier stress-free body too.

* Put a few drops of an oil in the bottom of the shower before and/or after work, or a stressful day, to help you come down off your high cortisone levels. Once again, give you brain and body a wake-up call to release tension on a daily basis

* Chronic stress can lead to chronic (and acute) disease and we often find out too late. Stress and worry won’t help change your situation so you’ll have to change it from the inside out.

* Have a massage or make your own body oil to completely rejuvenate your body and cleanse your aura

What oils are great to use to minimise stress?

Roman chamomile - pic via 3morganic.com

Roman chamomile – pic via 3morganic.com

 

The Chamomiles – Roman and German

Both these oils often come in a 3 % blend as they are more expensive than most essential oils. See my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.  Use these oils straight from the bottle like a perfume, but if you find them as a 100% pure oil just use them in the same ratios as you would with other oils.

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) is soft, syrupy and sweet and is a great oil for cramping and tension.

German chamomile has a dark blue colour and is deeply herbaceous smelling. This oil is good for heat and inflammation.

Marjoram - pic via www.101herbs.com

Marjoram – pic via http://www.101herbs.com

 

Marjoram

Marjoram is second to lavender for me. I use this oil frequently as it has such wonderful properties. Not only is it a great oil for stress and anxiety, it is a must-have for muscle soreness. It has a strong scent but manages to blend so well with all the other oils and it is an ancient herb that has lasted through the ages.

This oil also helps induce sleep, is great for treating grief, and helps calm an overactive mind. It is the oil of relief.

To find out which other essential oils can help you de-stress, click on one of the links below.

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

Thanks everyone.

copryright SR Banks

 

 

Dharma & Work

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

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Chapter 8

Dharma & Work

Another look in between the covers of my book

What we do every day has far reaching energetic waves

What we do every day has far-reaching energetic waves

Have you ever heard the word dharma before? It is a Sanskrit word and it denotes, not only our jobs and work, but where we fit in the world and how we achieve our spirit’s desires.

“It can include religion, social justice, jobs, awareness, thoughts and deeds, and relates to our true place in the cosmic process. It means more than what we do for work, it speaks to the more profound meaning of our souls”

Suzanne

 

To find your true place in the world start using essential oils. The practice of aromatherapy will help you open your upper chakras to divine intelligence, and allow you to fulfill your destiny (by giving you the confidence to move beyond your perceived limits).

If you are actually looking for a new job, add a few drops of essential oils to your job hunting exercises and allow your ego to step back. Add your intention and trust the perfect job is already there for you – just catch up to it!

Black pepper

Black pepper

Black pepper

This wonderful spice makes a beautiful essential oil, and although you may need to take care with the amounts you use (too much can harm the skin), don’t be afraid to take a whiff from the bottle, add it to your vapouriser, or put a couple of drops into an oil blend for your body.

Black pepper is all about taking action. it will help you gain courage to pursue your dreams!


“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives”

Annie Dillard, Author


 

So how do you spend your days? In a job you hate, desperate for each holiday, but you’re hanging in there because the money is good?

Or are you throwing away the demands and expectations of western society and pursuing your dreams, so in turn you may inspire others to do the same? This may sound selfish but in doing this you are adding another extra surge of energy to our evolution.

Petitgrain is a green citrus with an uplifting scent

Petitgrain is a green citrus with an uplifting scent

Petitgrain

Petitgrain is also an oil of happiness as it helps relieve anxiety and tension. To me it is the promise of good things to come.

“When you can be a bit more relaxed about the search for your purpose in this world, more opportunities will present themselves to you. Find new opportunities, new projects, new thoughts and feelings, new rituals and a new outlook with petitgrain”

Suzanne

Please spend your days, or at least some time each day, with your true desires to be revealed to you through your work. Sometimes it may just be the case of renewed passion for the job you currently have – and then its easy! By using essential oils daily, the scent will transform your soul and you will have no choice but to follow your dreams.

To find out what other oils can help you find your dharma, click on one of the links below.

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

Thanks everyone.

copryright SR Banks

Scents for the Spring/Autumn Equinox

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Scents for the Spring/Autumn Equinox

Sorry I’m a week too late for the equinox but it’s never too late to start using essential oils.

So for some of us its spring. Yay for us!

Beautiful spring blossoms

Beautiful spring blossoms

Which oils are our oils?

Jasmine

sweet syrupy floral, deep base scent, sensuality and sexuality, promise of good things to come

This is the perfect oil for spring as it bursts forth heralding the last of winter. When I see the jasmine starting to come alive on the streets of Sydney I get very, very excited. I’m happy because I know the scent will surround me, and I’m happy because winter has gone. Bye. See ya. Don’t come back for at least another year.

The great thing about jasmine oil is that you’ll usually find it in a 3% dilution (mainly due to the fact that is an expensive oil to make). This means use it straight from the bottle as a perfume and bewitch the world with your feminine wiles! See my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.


 

Lemongrass

sticky lemon scent with a grassy twist, energising, happiness, let’s go summer!

I love lemongrass as it’s inexpensive, can be found almost anywhere, and gives us a bit of extra energy. Perfect for shaking of the winter blahs.

The best way to use lemongrass to increase your energy level is to make a 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”)

try

Lemongrass                   3 drops

Cedarwood Himalayan   2 drops

Orange                           2 drops


 

And for others it’s autumn. Yay for you!

The stunning rich tones of autumn

The stunning rich tones of autumn

Which oils are your oils?

Fennel

liquorice type scent, be kind to yourself, self nourishment, warm and calming

Fennel is a beautiful oil to embrace in autumn when the vegetable is in season too. It is an oil that’s great for warming and helping digestion, and for deconstructing chest catarrh. It also has a very soft and calming feel to it and works well with so many different oils.

Try scenting your space by putting 25 drops of oil into a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser.

try

Fennel        8  drops

Bergamot  12 drops

Geranium    5 drops


Frankincense

clear and crisp scent, induces deeper slower breathing, gently calm down after a lovely summer

Frankincense helps us look within and be calm. Take some deep breaths of the cooling autumn air to let your body know winter is coming. It is a time of being thankful for the lovely summer, and to plant spiritual seeds for the future. Invite meditation into your space with an aura cleansing mist containing frankincense.

In a 50ml mist bottle filled with water add 25 drops of oil

(depending on the packaging you have, you may need to use a little alcohol -like vodka- at the bottom of your bottle first, so the oils disperse into smaller drops to prevent clogging the atomiser top. I’ve found sometimes it works just with water, and sometimes it doesn’t – very annoying!)

try

Frankincense      14 drops

Mandarin             7 drops

Patchouli             4 drops


 

 

Lavender is the most versatile essential oil we have and it can be used all through the year

Lavender is the most versatile essential oil we have and it can be used all through the year

And of course use lavender all year round!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks

 

 

Love

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Chapter 7

Love

Another look in between the covers of my book

 

Heart is the symbol for all love

Heart is the symbol for all love

Essential oils for love could be any oil you like really. In my book I have listed some oils in the section for love that inspire and move me to feel more open and compassionate. Love is a small word for a big concept ….

“Any of the oils I relate to love, can be used on any level of intention – personal to universal, micro to macro. And you must remember to use your intention to invoke feelings through the essential oils. This also gives you more of  choice when creating a potion. if you really love, love, love lemongrass oil, why not use it to inspire romance (even if its traditional use is quite different?). ”

 

That’s me quoting myself. Hehehehe

 

So here’s a couple of oils I associate with love.

A jasmine blossom in Sydney - pic by me

A jasmine blossom in Sydney – pic by me

Jasmine

sensuality

Ah the sweet scent of jasmine rides on the promise of spring. The world opens up to us again after winter with this little white blossom that contains powerful data.

“One sniff, one drop, will bring to the surface your desires for love and intimate connection with another.”

 

Yep I’m quoting myself again …….

Jasmine is a very basey smelling oil, and this deep syrupy scent can stir your 2nd chakra – the energy centre for sexual desire. You will most likely find this oil in a 3% blend so it’s perfect to use straight from the bottle as a perfume. See my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.

 

Palmarosa is a grass similar to lemongrass

Palmarosa is a grass similar to lemongrass

Palmarosa

new ideas about love

“If you desire a new romantic partner, but your methods to date are not really working, give palmarosa a go in a mist or moisturiser. Maybe you need some new ideas about love and romance? Perhaps you need to look at how you love yourself, so someone else can too?”

 

Another quote from my book

 

Palmarosa belongs to the Poaceae family that includes lemongrass and citronella. It is very interesting to note that the scents of lemon and rose are quite closely linked. So when you smell citronella you can detect the geraniol in it as well as the limonene. Palmarosa is more rosey scented, but still has a tart undercurrent of grass. When I think of palmarosa I think “flexibilty”.

Mmmmmm sweet love hearts

Mmmmmm sweet love hearts

Love, love, love. It’s a big topic and includes so many aspects and angles. Maybe you are trying to express more love to those around you.

Maybe you need to love yourself more.

Maybe you just want a lover.

Wherever you stand in your life, essential oils will help you open to become a channel for the oneness of the universe.

To find out what other oils I include in the Love chapter of my book, click on one of these links.

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

Thanks x

copryright SR Banks

 

 

 

Abundance

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

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Chapter 6

Abundance

Another look in between the covers of my book

 

Abundant energy sustains us

Abundant energy sustains us

 

Abundance is one of those words that has become very well used in the past few years, along with manifestation and a few others. This is a great thing because it brings consciousness into popular culture, and allows everyday people to get a glimpse at the true nature of life. Not everyone is attuned to higher consciousness, but I’m hoping this wave of awareness will not only continue, but also grow until we have taken a huge leap in evolution.

So basically the way to abundance is through gratitude. When you are thankful, it makes you feel good. When you feel good your energetic presence resonates with happiness, which draws good tidings toward you. When good things happen to you because you have opened your field of focus, you will have more to be grateful for, and the upward spiral of thankfulness allows you to see abundance in the smallest of things.

Be thankful to open the floodgates of abundance

Be thankful to open the floodgates of abundance

 

Essential oils can help support you on your journey to abundance. Well actually, you already are abundant, essential oils will allow you to acknowledge this within and around you. How? Their scent and energy will enhance your ability to see beauty, because they simply exist as beautiful representations of the world around us.

You may choose to have a daily ritual of giving thanks, which will set your entire being into an abundant energy field. It doesn’t have to be long or arduous to give great results!

Fresh clean inspiring pine

Fresh clean inspiring pine

Pine

“abundance through others

 

Pine’s fresh clean scent is exhilarating and inspirational. Have you ever had the experience of standing in the middle of a cluster of pines? It can be a silent, uplifting moment of clarity. Pine offers abundance in every drop. There is enough sunlight, oxygen, love, joy and money for everyone and by having more of these things doesn’t necessarily mean you will be taking away from another. The more beauty you have in your life, the more you will be able to share. I use pine oil when I am stuck; when I need to get moving, and as a way to allow myself to be showered by the abundance of another person. We are not in this life alone, and sometimes abundance may be presented to us by someone else.”

 

Myrrh in its natural form before it undergoes steam distillation to produce an essential oil

Myrrh in its natural form before it undergoes steam distillation to produce an essential oil

Myrrh

“heals deep wounds of the past

 

Energetically, I use myrrh to conjure enthusiasm for life, when I’m finding it difficult to see the abundance and positive flow of energy around me. I use myrrh when I feel like nothing is going my way. Myrrh is the healer of deep wounds of the past, providing a new start to creating your life and rising to your destiny.”

 

Be thankful. Great things will come of it.

 

copryright SR Banks

3 Essential Oils to Help You Stop Obsessing About Something

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3 Essential Oils to Help you Stop Obsessing About Something

 

An over-thinking mind can create even more stress

An over-thinking mind can create even more stress

Have you ever had an argument, an altercation with someone, a problem at work, a nasty email or letter, a bitchy comment on social media? One that you can’t seem to shake?

Sometimes we find ourselves obsessing about these kinds of human issues, and we can’t seem to let go of them. We replay the situation over and over in our minds. This leads to invoking the emotional response all through the body, which then brings back the same angst as if the situation had just occurred.

So then our body hitches a ride with our mind, and they feed off each other leading to a continual circle of stress, elevating all our stress responses in the body; which keep the mind fueled to keep on re-hashing the same thing.

Basically it’s a stress response which is harmful to us as a whole when it keeps going, and going, and going.

Break the chains of stress pic via ww.laffeycomputer.com

Break the chains of stress pic via ww.laffeycomputer.com

Breaking the cycle of stress can be a little easier with essential oils and hopefully you’ll be able to stop yourself from even starting next time. Sniffing an essential oil will change your focus in a matter of seconds, which is enough space for you to take back your power over a detrimental negative state.

Try these oils by having a sniff straight from the bottle. be careful not to over expose yourself to the oils as they can create headaches. Alternatively scent your space with a traditional oil burner or diffuser which will be a more gentle way to come down.

Lavender gives you strength

Lavender gives you strength

1. Lavender

To me lavender is the oil of solidarity. It not only helps relieve stress but its ancient herbal magic can really help you relax, revive and regain strength.

A few drops in the bottom of the shower will help cleanse and fortify you with a little calm thrown in for good measure.

Lavender’s purple colour is the colour of the Third Eye and Crown chakras, opening you to the abundant intelligence of the universe.

 

Lemon - gorgeous simplicity

Lemon – gorgeous simplicity

2. Lemon

Lemon essential oil is simply wonderful. Lemon is light and sparkly and lovely and it’s refreshing too. It helps you reload the page of your mind and refresh the content.

This oil is perfect for a whiff straight from the bottle.

The yellow colour of lemons relates to the Solar Plexus chakra which is the energy centre of desiring good things for ourselves (including good feelings!).

 

The blue of german chamomile looks a bit like this - pic via s296.photobucket.com

The blue of German chamomile looks a bit like this

 

3. German Chamomile

When the petite German chamomile flower is distilled a chemical component is change into chamazulene which gives it a deep blue colour. This chamomile is an anti-inflammatory oil and is often found in a 3% dilution as it’s quite expensive.

This essential oil will help you chill out and it would be perfect as a drop on your wrists, heart or throat so its steady evaporation will keep you stay calm too. You will find a chance here in this space, to release tension and stressful thoughts and feelings. You will be able to be aware of the thoughts you no longer need.

The deep blue of German chamomile relates to the heart chakra, stimulating you to open your heart energy and infuse compassion into the situation you want to release.

yum!

yum!

So if you have one of those moments when you keep replaying that movie over and over again in your mind. Grab an essential oil and have a whiff to help change your focus and reclaim your power and energy from the situation.

If you don’t have an essential oil, sniff a piece of citrus fruit or cut of some of rind and squeeze it all around you to release the essential oils from the skin. Actually why not just eat it first and THEN sniff the skin.

If you can’t find a piece of citrus fruit, smell a sweet flower walking down the street or open some spice jars and sniff the good stuff – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger …………..

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks

 

Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

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and many other stores worldwide as a Kindle and Paperback


 

Hydrosols and Floral Waters – What’s the Diff?

 

A lovely selection of rosewater

A lovely selection of rosewater

Recently one of my wholesale suppliers sent an email lamenting about the short shelf life of hydrosols and how difficult it is to maintain great standards for their customers.

I would have to agree. I absolutely love hydrosols but their scent doesn’t last long and it’s always disappointing when you open up a bulk container to find it has “turned”. The scent goes a bit dull and brownish and it simply isn’t right. So what’s the difference between hydrosols and floral waters?

Hydrosols

Hydrosols are the water left over from the steam and water distillation of a plant or flower. They contain many water-soluble constituents from the plant and therefore have a different make-up to the essential oil they come from. Hydrosols also have the beautiful scent of the plant, but at a more softer, rounder level. They contain minerals, cellulose and aromatic compounds. According to Wikipedia they “contain essential oil compounds as well as organic acids..…. and will include many of the water-soluble plant pigments and flavonoids.”

Hydrosols will be harder to find in a retail environment, mostly everything will be a floral water- either the essential oil infused into the water, or the plant boiled or infused in water. If you can buy a true hydrosol its definitely worth a try.

Hydrosols can be used in skin care and as a therapuetic treatment. I remember taking a weekend class with an Indian Ayurvedic doctor and rosewater was used for an eye bath to soothe the infection and used when any kind of heat or inflammation was present. Rose water has been used in Ayurveda as a treatment for centuries and is also used by woman in their skin care regimes.

If it’s a real hydrosol it can be amazing when its fresh. If it’s not a real hydrosol it could be a floral water.

Floral Waters

The most well-known would be rose-water, orange blossom (neroli) water and pine (kewra) water. Check out this article for some fabulous Oregon scented alcohols.

Pine water (essence)

Pine water (essence)

A simple hand made rose water sneakily holistichealthherbalist.com

A simple hand made rose water – pic sneakily holistichealthherbalist.com

Hydrosols could be called floral waters (because they are), but this usually refers to a water that has been scented with essential oils. The best floral waters use a process that breaks essential oils into tiny droplets and forces them into de-ionised water. In this process no extra chemicals are used and the scent is true to the essential oil. The scent will also last longer and floral waters can still be used for everything that a hydrosol is used for.

If you go into a middle eastern or Indian shop and find a bottle of rose-water, for example, it probably wont be a hydrosol. It will be a floral water made in another way. That’s not to say they aren’t fabulous but always check the label to find if there are any chemical preservatives or nasty ingredients.

You can use your stunning floral water in these ways:

  • Misting your face before moisturising to soften and hydrate
  • Misting your body after the sun
  • Use in place of a facial toner for a more gentle clarifying and cooling treatment
  • particularly lovely for misting kids to help cool them down
  • add to a cocktail for a delicious scented drink
  • add a splash to a glass of water
  • use in cooking with sweets and salad dressings

I’m sure you can think of many more so don’t hesitate to use hydrosols and floral waters in your daily regime.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks

Supermoon Across The World and The Essential Oils that Add to It’s Power

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Supermoon Across The World and The Essential Oils that Add to It’s Power

The supermoon through the trees in my backyard in Sydney

The supermoon through the trees in my backyard in Sydney

Yep it’s been a supermoon frenzy all over the world with lots of amazing pictures of this gorgeous big round thing in the sky. The moon looks so beautiful and luminescent when it is close to the earth and it certainly has the power to get us talking about it. The perigree moon is the scientific name for the moon when it orbits close to the earth, and this full moon we have just experienced, is definitely the closest moon to the Earth this year. We are also in the middle of 3 supermoons in a row, with September being the next and last.

My friend Amanda took this last night in Positano, Italy

My friend Amanda took this pic last night in Positano, Italy

According to some scientific information, the supermoon plays on illusion, how our minds perceive the moon in the sky. One site says that even though we call it a supermoon, it is only about 14% closer that a regular full moon, but it appears much, much closer. Interesting eh? Is this telling us that our lives are an illusion and we must look deeper within to access the real reality? Or is it simply a reminder of the ebb and flow of the stars and the galaxies that we are intrinsically linked to?

My friend Frank took this is NYC the other night - Aquarius supermoon

My friend Frank took this is NYC the other night – Aquarius supermoon

 

In astrological terms this moon is in Aquarius, and I’ve also just read it’s an Aquarius/Leo full moon (as the sun is in Leo and provides the opposing force). As full moons are the culmination of the month, they can be seen as a time of releasing old patterns and energies, and with the supermoon it can be slightly magnified. Or perhaps it’s just an illusion that we are effected more strongly at this time? However you look at it, the supermoon is super gorgeous!

From Molly Hall from Astrology.About.com:

“This is a chance to rebel against deadening conformity, to break free — of ideas about reality, a habitual rhythm, deeply embedded conditioning. Epic ah-has happen at the Aquarius Full Moon, when we bust through our own (often self-imposed) glass ceiling and breathe the air.

 

The good vibes of Aquarius are best received with an open mind.  If it’s time for a radical upgrade in your thinking, there’s often a period of in-between. Aquarius has two rulers — Uranus and Saturn. One is the evolutionary urge, the other (Saturn) shows us how to ground the charge.

 

Being able to see that the way we organize and perceive reality itself, is up for tweaking, can be liberating. This one-two punch of Aquarius Full Moons celebrates out of the box thinking. If you’ve felt at a dead-end, and stagnant, get ready for unexpected plot twists!”

 

 

Beautiful green basil!

Beautiful green basil!

Ok so let’s find some essential oils to break free of our self-imposed limits –

Basil – open the upper chakras and connect to universal intelligence

Rosewood – open your heart and flow with the love energy all around you

Sandalwood – allow a deep connection to the divine to move your entire being to a new paradigm

 

Black pepper - pic via www.seriouseats.com

Black pepper – pic via http://www.seriouseats.com

and radically change our thinking –

Rosemary – stimulate your mind to take action

Petitgrain – the essence of pure potentiality will help you dream up a better way to think

Black Pepper – courage to change and progress

Juniper berries - pic via www.thedrinksbusiness.com

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

and move stagnating energy –

Juniper – release watery emotions

Fennel – dissolve the barriers to releasing – be willing to let go

Lemongrass – get your energy moving!

 

Using essential oils in everyday life will give you a beautifully scented landscape from which you can prosper, grow and help the world evolve.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copyright suzanne

Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

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

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Cure Mondayitis with Essential Oil Shower Steams

 

An essential oil steam in the shower will do wonders for your mind and energy levels - pic via completehealthcircle.com

An essential oil steam in the shower will do wonders for your mind and energy levels – pic via completehealthcircle.com

Mondays keep rolling around.

They finally turn into Fridays. There’s the week gone.

Then suddenly it’s August 2014 and we are in the future!

We can choose to go against the flow of life, but that won’t get us anywhere or anyplace except stressed, and stress is one of the leading contributors to declines in mental and physical health.

I’m writing about Mondays as a return to work for most people on the treadmill of this game of life. But not me! I’ve never been a  9 to 5’er, or a Monday to Friday worker so I have a different view. Mondays represent chillin out to me and even if I work, it never feels like I’m working because do what I love. Sometimes Monday may mean writing a few blog articles and that’s about it. It does make Friday less of a celebration but I can live with that.

So for those having to get up at stupid o’clock on a Monday morning to start a long work week, this is for you.

Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin'

Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin’

There are some essential oils that can wake you up, others that can relieve stress and some that just make you feel a bit happier. The easiest way to treat yourself with essential oils on a Monday morning is with a few drops of essential oil in the bottom of the shower, Cover the drain with a face cloth or even your foot. Allow the oils to vapourise with the steam, breathe deeply, enjoy the scented stimulation of your senses.

Check out these oils and see what magic they can deliver –

Eucalyptus – wake up, cleanse the cobwebs in your mind, embrace the new day with gusto

Lemon – gently refresh and reload your energy onto the new page of a new week

According to living.msn.com this Pantone colour Lemon Zest was a top colour for spring 2013

According to living.msn.com this Pantone colour Lemon Zest was a top colour for spring 2013

Peppermint – enliven your mind, remove headaches and head tension

Rosemary – zap your memory into gear, stimulate your brain

Flowering rosemary in my client's garden

Flowering rosemary in my client’s garden

Basil – open the upper chakras to start channeling new universal patterns and downloads

Orange – inject a little bit of happiness into your Monday morning

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

Oranges and orange oil can make you happy!

Petitgrain – a zingy green start to the day allowing all possibilities to unfold

Lemongrass – energy now! revitalize

Lemongrass

Lemongrass

Ginger – warm your emotions, get the circulation going

Ylang Ylang – release anger and frustration

The spidery, seductive Ylang Ylang flower

The spidery, seductive Ylang Ylang flower

Bergamot – calm your nerves

Cedarwood Atlas – remove ego, come from a spiritual perspective

Sandalwood Indian – be Zen, peace and calm

Raw sandalwood and the powder

Raw sandalwood and the powder

 

And if all that’s too hard, eat an orange or mandarin and throw the zest into the bottom of the shower. Squish it up with your feet. Breathe. Continue with your day.

And during the day if you do have some citrus fruit, save the peel (and/or eat some of it too), and let the zest sit on your desk for some instant aromatherapy in the afternoon.

Happy Monday peeps!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

Intention – It’s Gotta Be Good!

 

Use your intention to create something new (via www.tribalharmonix.org)

Use your intention to create something new (via http://www.tribalharmonix.org)

Often when we are magnetically drawn to essential oils it’s because we may need a little bit of help.  We may need some inspiration and happiness, less stress, les muscle ache, clarity, cleansing, new beginnings and whatever else you can think of. So when we reach for the little bottle of oil we may not be feeling 100%, and that’s ok.

There is a fine line between treating ourselves when we are down, and using good intention for the result. For example:

You’ve been feeling a bit weird lately – unfulfilled, no energy, no inspiration to go on. You finally get the energy to open a bottle of essential oil and you intuitively take orange and geranium. These little powerhouse oils will help you see the lighter side of life, perhaps even be a generator of happiness and allow you some space to reevaluate. So when you make your oil blend, whether it be for your body, or a mist to spritz all over your energetic field, it’s important to bring in your GOOD intention for the blend.

This doesn’t have to take a long time nor does it have to be complicated.   You could simply say to yourself “fulfillment”. When you have your word or phrase for the oil formula, allow it to amplify for a few seconds and gather some energy of it’s own. Breathe. Bring in the POSITIVE vibes, and now CREATE.

This could take 10 seconds. It could take a minute. You may even decide to mediate with the bottle of oils in your hands. Any way you choose to do it, the most important thing is to DO IT!

 

The classic alchemist "The Magician" from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

The classic alchemist “The Magician” from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck

Why?

Because you are more powerful than you realize. You are the alchemist of your own life and you can start to reveal this amazing talent a little bit everyday. By placing your intention (energy) into your oils and your formula, you are communicating with the universe and stating what you desire. The alternative would be to take the bottle of oil, dwell in your negativity, create your oil blend, and hope for the best. The oils will still be beautiful, enchanting and active, but you will have better results when you add your awareness and mindfulness.

 

DON"T try and put a spell on someone else in a negative way

DON”T try and put a spell on someone else in a negative way

Always treat yourself rather than trying to make a “spell” for someone else. If you are faced with the negative energy of someone in your environment it is critical that you make your intention positive.

For example; you have a really unhappy person at work who sits next to you. Yesterday all they did was whinge and complain and you don’t really want to hear anymore today.

Choose your oils – this could be fennel, ylang ylang and bergamot. Add your intention “today will fly by at work in a peaceful and happy way”. Get that vibe going, breathe a few times then add one drop of each onto your wrists as your personal perfume for the day.

DON’T make your intention “keep that negative, whiney bitch away from me today I’m sick of her”.

 

Do you see the difference? Each time you feel yourself being pulled into the negativity of your colleague, take a whiff of your personal perfume on your wrists, breathe and walk away, or pick up the phone, or leave the building.

Go ahead! Start blending with your intention!

Remember to treat yourself first, and then everyone will benefit.

Remember to add your intention to create a meaningful formula.