Sage – An Essential Oil of Wisdom and Abundance

Sage is a herb from the Lamiacae family and the genus Salvia. Its soft, furry leaves pack a powerful punch when it is steam distilled into an essential oil. I did touch on the herb oils in this earlier article “Essential Oils from Herbs are Spectacular!”, but they are so important in Aromatherapy I thought I must elaborate!

Sage.

Interestingly this is also the name we give to someone who is wise, shares wisdom and perhaps weaves some magic too. A sage would be someone we hold in great esteem and who holds the wisdom of the universe in their healing hands. So does the essential oil of sage also contain these properties within its molecules?

Yes! Of course. I’ve always used sage as an oil of abundance and as the perfect treatment for a sore throat, sage encourages us to speak truthfully and wisely and opens the throat chakra. When we speak kindly and feel compassion we are able to feel the abundant intelligence of the universe move within us.

Sage -  illustration from Köhler's Medizinal Pflanzen

Sage – illustration from Köhler’s Medizinal Pflanzen

Sage is one of the ancient herbs that has been used for healing for centuries and the Romans named it salvia after “salvare” meaning to heal. According to Patricia Davis the Latin name also indicates the word “salvation” as this plant was seen to save people from disease. During the centuries since then, sage has mainly been used in women’s health to normalise menses and as a stimulant for childbirth.

It is high in camphor and thujone – which has a few contra-indications including the warning not to be used in pregnancy or with epileptics, or kids. I use this oil sparingly and with great respect. Just because something is natural does not mean it is totally safe. Having said that please do your homework and use your intuition when using natural remedies.

In aromatherapy today sage is used –

* to stop milk production in lactating women

* as a diuretic

* to ease sore throats

* to ease rheumatic pain

* to help regulate periods

and sometimes to stimulate digestion and remove catarrh.

sage sticks for energetic cleansing of a space - pic via liveinart.com

Sage sticks for energetic cleansing of a space – pic via liveinart.com

Sage also gives another form of healing in the way of “sage sticks”. They are used for smoking, purging and cleansing ceremonies but are usually made from white sage (Salvia apiana) which is mostly found in north America. It does feel fantastic when you smoke a premises to renew the energy of the space!

Anyway lets check out a few recipes –

a simple hairdressing mist bottle will do the trick for your amazing essential oil mist

a simple hairdressing mist bottle will do the trick for your amazing essential oil mist

1. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“New Start”

When you actually move into a new home or office or to renew your space –

Sage          5 drops

Orange     15 drops

Geranium   5 drops

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“Begone Bad Stuff”

Get your witchy-poo magic happening –

Sage              6 drops

Lemon         12 drops

Peru Balsam  7 drops

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get any cute little dish to mix your oils in

get any cute little dish to mix your oils in

2. 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!

“Wise ol Owl”

Tap into the wisdom of the universe –

Sage           1 drop

Vanilla CO2  1 drop * see my article for more info on CO2 extracts What are CO2 Extracts in the World of Aromatherapy?

Lime            1 drop

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“It’s a New Day”

Seize your chance to have another go –

Sage             1 drop

Cardamom    1 drop

Mandarin       1 drop

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copryright SR Banks 2014

 

 

 

 

New Year – New Moon – Oooooooo powerful!

The new moon - pic via photo.accuweather.com

The new moon – pic via photo.accuweather.com

The new year is upon us – well actually it’s just the linear, calendar kind of new year but this year it’s special. It is special because on January 1st 2014 we have a new moon. It really kicks off the year perfectly as we move into a universal vibrational year of 7. I’ll be writing about that next week.

The new moon (you guessed it), is about new beginnings and planning for the future, and the future is NOW! Sometimes described as quite magical, the new moon gives is some space to momentarily step back from our lives and observe. Meditating with the new moon is powerful because it allows us to connect with the rhythm of the universe and by doing this we can slip into the gap of pure potentiality.

The new moon can stimulate us to –

* think about who we are as a person

* connect to the emotions of our life

* go beyond our personalities and be brave to ask ourselves the important questions

* why am I here?

* what is my purpose?

* how may I serve?

* how can I evolve?

* what do I want to create?

* what can I release?

 

Just asking the questions can shift your awareness and consciousness immediately. You don’t need to know the answers straight away, only be willing to ask the questions.

? sneakily borrowed from biodagar.com

? – pic via biodagar.com

And……

this is a ‘supermoon” in Capricorn. According to earthsky.org;

“The term supermoon didn’t come from astronomy. We used to call them perigee… ‘near Earth.’ An astrologer, Richard Nolle, is credited with coining the term supermoon.

 

He defines them as:
. . . a new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth.

 

“By this definition, a new moon or full moon has to come within 361,863 kilometers (224,851 miles) of our planet, as measured from the centers of the moon and Earth, in order to be a supermoon.”

 

So the energy of this moon is very close to us, almost imploring us to look within.

The zodiac sign of Capricorn - pic via www.buzzle.com

The zodiac sign of Capricorn – pic via http://www.buzzle.com

From what I can gather this new moon is as much about letting go of old stuck energy before planting the new seeds. As Capricorn is quite methodical and systematic, it’s about being methodical and systematic about purging all the crap. Maybe this is why I’ve spent the last couple of days cleaning and tidying my house, shredding old papers, doing all the washing and meditating. See my last article about cleansing your space here. Once all that’s been taken care of it’s now time to put yourself in a place of quite contemplation to plant the seeds of your new life.

Here’s some essential oils to help you:

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Let’s cut straight to the chase and just have a huge whiff straight from the bottle as it can help you change your focus and emotion easily. See my article about changing your focus here.

Frankincense – take deep slow breaths, meditation, contemplation, serenity

Petitgrain – potentiality, new beginnings

Juniper – release unwanted emotions

Fennel – be kind to yourself as you detox

Sandalwood (Australian or Indian) – deep connection to your soul

Clary Sage – dare to dream, open crown chakra

Lemon – refresh, reload

My dear friends it is time to evolve. We are being summoned to take great steps on behalf of Earth and her inhabitants to move to higher consciousness as a group. It is in  your every day life where this evolution takes place so please be mindful about what you are creating.

Thank you.

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

 

 

 

The Fool – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Fool - 0 - From the Rider-Waite Deck

The Fool – 0 – From the Rider-Waite Deck

Ah The Fool! Courage, naivety, adventure, passion and living in the moment is the message of this card. You may have noticed the number of this card is “0” and it can be seen as falling at the beginning of the series of the 22 Major Arcana cards (0-21). As we journey through the major arcana, it is almost as if we are following The Fool on his journey through the material world, and experience the lessons he is learning too.

This card is the card of pure potentiality – anything can happen! If this card comes to you in a reading it may be indicating you need to jump into something wholeheartedly and trust the universe will support you through your ups and downs. Is it a business venture, a new romance, a move overseas? Whatever it is you are being encouraged to try it anyway. The white dog in the picture may represent your animal instincts that can warn you of any dangers ahead so what are you waiting for? Take a leap of faith as The Fool is doing here – let’s face it he’s just about to jump off a cliff without looking!

Have faith you will be supported - pic via abetterdream.com

Have faith you will be supported – pic via abetterdream.com

He’s a happy chap our Fool. He has magical powers represented by the wand but he hasn’t enough experience to use them yet. The only way to discover your own magic powers is to go out in the world and give it a go! You’ve got the power! This card also has a feeling of lightness, and a sense of being carefree. Maybe you need to force yourself to do something different that will get your energy vibed up and allow a feeling of complete freedom.

New beginnings make for a bit of fun - pic via simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com

New beginnings make for a bit of fun – pic via simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com

Just as the fool is starting his journey by walking off the side of a mountain with a smile on his face, you too can have this feeling with adding some essential oils to your life.

 

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Petitgrain – my oil of pure potentiality

Palmarosa – flexibility

Black Pepper – courage

Rose – self nurturing

Frankincense – take a deep breath and do it!

Lavender – consolidate your energy

The classic Duralex glass dish is handy to make oil blends and quick perfumes in

The classic Duralex glass dish is handy to make oil blends and quick perfumes in

2. 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.

***** 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”

“New Beginnings”

Starting things afresh can be a little scary so use these oils to help you –

Lavender        3 drops

Petitgrain       4 drops

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“Leap of Faith”

Take a leap of faith just like The Fool –

Black Pepper   1 drop

Mandarin         3 drops

Cypress          3 drops

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“I’m Never Alone”

The universe always responds to your creative endeavours –

Rosemary     1 drops

Rose 3%      12 drops       * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Lemongrass   2 drops

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Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention.

copyright suzannerbanks 2013