2016 Year of the Monkey – An Aromatic Insight

Posted on February 10, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello my friends, I hope you’re all well and excited about the Year of The Fire Monkey. Read on to find what’s in store for you this year, and how essential oils can support your quest.

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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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Chinese horoscopes - pic via www.ibtimes.co.uk

Chinese horoscopes – pic via http://www.ibtimes.co.uk

If you’re not sure which animal you are, here are a few years to help you out:

Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971

from China Highlights which has some fun info on the Chinese Zodiac.

Monkey – pic via freedesignfile.com

The Year of the Monkey in General

We have a year of fun social times ahead of us, and it is relying on solid base of friends and family that will get us through difficult periods. The monkey is a social creature without inhibitions so get ready for the year to go quickly with lots of laughs.

Flexibility is the key as work and career opportunities may pop up suddenly and if you’re to prosper, act quickly, seize the moment. This is a year of innovation and fortune favours the bold.

It is a time to move forward with your plans and ideas, when at other times it may have seemed risky. Go ahead by trusting yourself to succeed.

My oil for the Year of the Monkey is LEMONGRASS. Lemongrass is great for energy, can help you be more flexible and is an oil of happiness. It is also an oil loved by many people, which could be a key ingredient to your own success – get everyone on your side.

Hanging lanterns

The Monkey Year for Your Sign

Rat

Keywords: success; resourcefulness: parties

Oil: palmarosa

Keywords: sharing; study; try new things

Oil: rosemary

Tiger

Keywords: mindfulness; commitment; acceptance

Oil: frankincense

Rabbit

Keywords: seek advice; romance: use your judgement

Oil: fennel

Dragon

Keywords: new ideas; talents emerge; cooperation

Oil: bergamot

Snake

Keywords: take care; alertness; new role

Oil: peru balsam

Horse

Keywords: priorities; action; home

Oil: black pepper

Goat

Keywords: communication; group activities; new horizons

Oil: ginger

Monkey

Keywords: decisions; openness; potentiality

Oil: petitgrain

Rooster

Keywords: organization; change; family life

Oil: basil

Dog

Keywords: be enterprising; travel; friends

Oil: cedarwood Atlas

Pig

Keywords: new projects; variety; be with others

Oil: sandalwood

Cheeky monkey

******** What’s your sign and your oil? How is 2016 shaping up for you? ***********

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Be The Queen of Your Life

Video

Hello natural beauties! I have just done a couple of live TV shows on TVSN in Sydney, as Brand Ambassador for Springfields Aromatherapy, and their beautiful skincare. This week we featured the Rose Collection, so it was easy to talk about beautiful organic Bulgarian rose oil.

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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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My dressing room for the day – feeling nervous

Live TV is nerve-wracking! The presenters are professionals and can turn it on quite quickly. I, on the other hand, found it challenging to be succinct and precise while going with the flow. Anyway it’s over now – phew!

I talked about rose oil as being “the Queen of Oils” due to its complex molecular structure and the fact that it is a “premium” essential oil. It is very expensive because the production of the Attar of Roses, or Rose Otto (meaning steam distilled rose oil), is very labour intensive. It can take 5000 kgs to make 1 kg of essential oil – or more – depending on the harvest, the size of the flowers and other variables. After all this is a natural product and we are subject to the ebb and flow of nature.

Rose is the Queen of oils

Using the Queen of Oils sends a positive energetic message to your soul – I am the Queen of my life. When I treat myself as a Queen, I am not the only one who benefits. I have more to share with others when I acknowledge my divinty.

My good friend Darryl, The Vitalist, took a sound grab from the TV. Thanks Darryl:

In my practice I use rose oil:

help the body deal with excess heat
help dry, mature, and sun damaged skin
help a client deal with grief
help a client process difficult emotions
allow the heart to open
acknowledge a client’s success or fears around a challenge ahead

More beautiful roses from my recent trip to New Zealand

As rose oil is expensive it is usually sold in a 3% blend in jojoba which is perfect to use straight on your skin as a perfume. If you are fortunate to have a pure rose oil then even 1 drop can be enough to soothe your soul, uplift your emotions, clarify your mind and help you feel abundant in many ways.

Me and Sarah on set

After the shows I was met by Springfields owner Rodney, with chocolates and flowers from the new Springfields garden. I hope to follow this story more closely as time goes on as Rodney has started the process of preparing the garden, which will grow the plants that will be hrvested to make botanical extracts for the skincare products. I’m excited about that!

Rodney from Springfields with dahlias and lavender from the new garden

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Have you ever used rose oil? What are your experiences?

Botanical Inspirations from Oz- A Photo Essay

Posted on January 27, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hi there my scented friends! I’m really enjoying summer on this beautiful land and here are some lovely plants and flowers I’ve seen lately. I hope you are as inspired as I am with the lovely colours and shapes of nature.

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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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Eucalyptus or gum nut flowers

Where: the Inner West, Sydney

I feel: happy and grateful for the warmth of Australia

Scent: a very mild honey scent which brings bird life

Pine cones

Where: Sugar Pine Forest, Batlow. NSW,

I feel: quiet and abundant

Scent: not particularly scented but the environment of the pine forest certainly was!

Muraya paniculata

Where: the Inner West, Sydney

I feel: beautiful, dreamlike and sensual

Scent: a very heady citrus/jasmine scent that permeates the air all around Sydney

Sunflower

Where: a friend’s garden, the Inner West, Sydney

I feel: connected to the universe through the golden ratio

Scent: mild herbaceous scent

Frangipani

Where: the Inner West, Sydney

I feel: tropically delicious as if I’m on holidays

Scent: a sweet honey floral

How does your environment make you feel – how are you inspired?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Are You an Everyday Aroma-Hero?

Posted on January 20, 2016 by suzannerbanks

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

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

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

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!

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 Persian Garden – Cruising on the Celebrity Solstice with Eucalyptus Oil – Video

Video

Hello friends! I missed a post last week all caught up in summer in Sydney, parties with visiting DJ’s and singers, and the beach. This week I share a moment in time on the cruise ship the Celebrity Solstice, where I was excited to discover a eucalyptus infused steam room and sauna, sailing home from New Caledonia.

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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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The theme of this little video is “aromatherapy is easy” …

And just to prove it here is a pic of my good friend DJ Wayne G (DJ WAYNE G) from San Francisco, playing tunes on New Years Day:

Me and Wayne at the start of a party

And me with other incredibly talented friends, singer and recording artist Peyton (Peyton Music) and travel writer and blogger Amanda (Adventures All Round). It was dark so I had to do a few little adjustments including some stars and fireworks too …

Friends

Thanks for your time! Have you been to a spa on a cruise? I’d love to hear about it.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

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 ..

Paradiso majorana

Stone totems protecting a scared site in St Maurice Bay

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!

Posted on December 23, 2015 by suzannerbanks

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 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

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La Verité

Bergamot 5 drops

Geranium 2 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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

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Forgive

Orange 10 drops

Palmarosa 8 drops

Lavender 4 drops

Patchouli 3 drops

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

Posted on December 16, 2015 by suzannerbanks

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

Vanilla Weddings in the South Pacific – Video

Video

A vanilla wedding in the South Pacific? How about hundreds of them every year? Forge on to discover how organic vanilla is grown on the tropical island of Lifou in New Caledonia, with my mini movie and gorgeous pics!

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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

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

The vanilleraie on Lifou

On my recent trip to New Caledonia I found a small organic vanilla plantation in the Botanic Garden on the island of Lifou. Watch the story unfold ….

In a nutshell:

Mexican vanilla was introduced by the missionaries in the 1800’s
The plantation is growing each year as more vines are planted – cuttings are taken from the original vines
It takes about 7 years from planting to produce beans
The plant flowers in October to November
The flowers are not scented
This is the beautiful vanilla flower
As the plants are an introduced species the local insects and birds do not pollinate the flower – this has to be done by hand
The male organ in the flower is gently touched to the female organ – this is the pollinating process
Pollinating must be done in the morning as the flowers close in the afternoon
Once the flower has dried and died, the vanilla beans grow

The young vanilla bean

When the time is right the beans are picked and plunged into boiling water for 3 minutes
The beans are dried in both sun and shade for 3 months then placed into aging boxes to develop – just like wine
Lifou currently sends all its harvest to Noumea but is aspiring to export worldwide when the crops are more bountiful

My wonderful guide

It was so hot and the tour continued onto other beautiful sights, like a tribal hut and he Cliffs of Jokin. I wish I had asked a few more questions but the tour party pressed on. And I can’t believe I forgot my guide’s name. The heat got into my brain!

The Cliffs of Jokin

The picture does not do the water justice – it was a stunning turquoise blue. We also spotted a shark swimming around.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks 2015

Essential Oils and their Keywords – Part 2

Posted on December 2, 2015 by suzannerbanks

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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

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

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

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 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

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

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Patchouli

Peppermint

Petitgrain

Peru balsam

Pine

Rose

Rose geranium

Rosemary

Rosewood

Sage

Sandalwood

Spearmint

Spikenard

Tea tree

Thyme

Vetiver

Ylang Ylang

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Ginger

Grapefruit

Jasmine

Juniper

Lavender

Lemon

Lemongrass

Lime

Mandarin

Marjoram

May chang

Melissa

Myrrh

Neroli

Nutmeg

Orange

Palmarosa

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