May Chang – A Princess or an Essential Oil?

Hello natural beauties! This oil has been popping up in my mind and in my oil collection lately so I thought it was about time (again), to have a closer look at May chang (Litsea cubeba), the sunny little oil that could.

 

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Buy my 100% natural and organic botanical perfumes, and paperback book here: suzannerbanks.com.au

Digital downloads of my book Revelation! Reveal your Destiny with Essentials Oils:

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The flower of Litsea cubeba – pic via ec.europa.eu/europeaid/

 

May Chang   Litsea cubeba

This gorgeous, sparkly essential oil is made from the berries of the tree which is native to China and south-east Asia. I was first introduced to it when a friend brought some back from her holiday in Thailand about 20 years ago. It’s part of the Lauraceae family which also holds cinnamon and rosewood. May chang, and these oils too, have a subtle peppery note about them too.

It is a lemon scented oil and is high in neral and geranial which is are monoterpenoid structures within the oil. It is however, more than that. It smells like bubbly lemonade. It has a 3D effervescence about it, and that’s probably not possible – can you smell effervescence?. Well I reckon you can in this lovely oil.

Mainly used for fragrance in soaps, May chang does have therapeutic properties in Aromatherapy and other modalities. In traditional Chinese medicine according to Salvatore Battaglia:

 

“….May chang is used to treat dysmenorrhoea that is relieved with heat or pressure, stomach aches, lower back pain, chills headaches and muscular aches from external conditions.”

 

So from this we can see that is has a warming quality to it, which you would expect from the local name of ‘mountain pepper”.It’s also described as a great oil for respiratory issues like asthma is it also being used in heart research in China.

 

Litsea cubeba berry- pic via /www.bellabaci.com

 

I call it a happiness oil. Here’s an excerpt from my book

“Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils”

Chines

“If you search for May chang on the internet, you may come across images of a super-cute, young Chinese princess from the Chang clan in the Xing Dynasty. She is a fictional character in a Japanese manga series. Her quest is to seek the grand alchemist who will help her fine-tune her skills of making elixirs, master the art of chi to cure ailments, and bring her back to her clan back to its former glory by finding the secret to immortality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Princess may chang – pic via http://vsbattles.wikia.com/wiki/May_Chang

 

…. I use it to call in the energy of the sun into my heart and maintain a sense of purity, innocence and lightness…. It seems the creators of Princess May chang took into the account the uses of the oil and transferred its healing properties into very essence. Perhaps one of the secrets to a long life is happiness?”

 

If you haven’t tried this gorgeous sunny oil yet please do – and let me know how much you love it!

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

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

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

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

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

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?

 

copyright 2016

 

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

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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

 

An Essential Oil Guide to Opening Your Heart Centre This Valentines Day

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 a Kindle and Paperback

 


An Essential Oil Guide to Opening Your Heart Centre This Valentines Day

Open your heart to possibilities

Open your heart to possibilities!

 

Our hearts are wonderful little powerhouses that physically keep us going – yay! So why do we talk about our hearts in more expansive terms?

We relate to our hearts in much more emotional terms and make the distinction that we feel emotions in our hearts and we think with our brains. Of course everything is interconnected, and probably much more elusive than we really believe.

So if I say the heart centre or heart chakra, I am referring to our emotional centre, powered by the heart, in a very intuitive way.

If we are closed to sharing our emotional self we may have thoughts and feelings that tell us love is dangerous. We may also feel physically blocked to love – constricted around the heart.

Release the cobwebs in your heart

Release the cobwebs in your heart

Having a flow of energy throughout the body can keep you on the road of well-being. If we don’t have a flow of energy through the heart we may feel:

* stressed

* unhappy, even depressed, unable to enjoy life

* unwell, even to the point of having physical heart problems

* unable to relate to others and could become a loner

* have a feeling of “blah” – everything is grey

* no one understands us

hearts to you

hearts to you

 

Which oils can help the emotions flow freely and lift the veil of ordinary?

Bergamot – calm and connected, from what is to what if?

Rosewood – helps create a wonderful flow of loving energy in your heart chakra, giving and receiving

Rose – the Queen of oils to help with grief, moving forward, loving your self and accepting divine love

Fennel – licorice love – be kind to yourself and good things will happen

Patchouli – peace and nurturing

Palmarosa – flexibility and new ideas about love

Sandalwood – opens the base chakra to ignite passion throughout the body

Jasmine – sensuality

Ignite your heart

Ignite your heart

So this St Valentines’s Day, whether you are in

* a romantic relationship that’s fabulous

* a romantic relationship that needs renewal or help

* if you are single but really want a significant other

* or you are single but are looking for more meaningful relationships

* or if you’re single and you love it (so basically everyone)

treating yourself with beautiful essential oils will open you to the divine love of the universe, and expand your views on life. Know on this day you were brought here to experience, and one of those things that gets overlooked is interconnectedness. I am you, you are me. Release your heart from restrictions, and really live!

Your heart knows no bounds

Your heart knows no bounds

How Can You Use These Oils for the best Benefit?

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

2. Put A few Drops Of Oil into the bottom of the Shower

This works in a similar way to just taking a whiff straight from the bottle, but if you’ve got an extra minute, it will give you a completely different experience. Your whole body will be immersed in an essential oil steam. Just cover the drain with a cloth or your foot for a couple of minutes and breathe in the medicinal goodness.

3. Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix some oils and anoint your heart – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

4. 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”

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copryright SR Banks 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Chakras, Colours and the Oils to Support Them

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Chakras, Colours and the Oils to Support Them

This post is dedicated to my friend DJ Wayne G

Chakras, their colours and Sanskrit names - pic via www.peacefulmind.com

Chakras, their colours and Sanskrit names – pic via http://www.peacefulmind.com

My friend has been painting his new apartment lots of different colours.  When I asked him if it was too much I realised in that same moment he would reallybenefit from colour therapy. A friend had already commented on his red kitchen cupboards, and how it “would be good for his chakras”, so this post is for Wayne, with some additional essential oils to match.

red

1. Base or Root Chakra/ Muladhara/ Red

Keywords: basic needs met, safety, survival, connect with Mother Earth

Oils:          lavender, patchouli, vetiver

orange 3

2.  Sacral Chakra/Svadisthana/Orange

Keywords: creation of something tangible, sexuality,connecting with another

Oils:           sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine

yellow

3. Solar Plexus Chakra/Manipura/Yellow

Keywords: wanting good things for ourselves, confidence in the world

Oils:           black pepper, bergamot, lemongrass, fennel

green

4. Heart Chakra/Anahata/Green

Keywords: love, compassion, empathy

Oils:           rosewood, rose, petitgrain

blue

5. Throat Chakra/Vishudda/Blue

Keywords: truth, expression, creativity

Oils:           sage, ginger, lime, palmarosa

indigo blue

6. Third Eye Chakra/Ajna/Indigo

Keywords: intuition, psychic abilities

Oils:          clary sage, cedarwood, rosemary, black spruce

violet

7. Crown Chakra/Sahasrara/Violet

Keywords: knowledge of the divine, connect to universal intelligence

Oils: basil, frankincense, cypress

 

I have kept the essential oil associations minimal so as not to over-complicate things; but remember when you use your intention with any essential oils and combinations, they can be used for anything you desire.

By infusing your own energy into your oils and your formulations, you are creating your health, and your future so please be mindful when you’re in your scented zone!

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

copryright SR Banks 2014

Abundance

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK

 


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

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

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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

 

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

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

Amazon USA      Amazon AU      Amazon UK


 

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

Justice – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

Justice - XI from the Rider-Waite deck

Justice – XI from the Rider-Waite deck

Justice is number 11 in the major arcana and speaks for itself really. It looks a lot like the Hierophant and also The Emperor. This is the last article about essential oils and the major arcana so be on the lookout next year for a free e-book to download!

The Emperor - IV from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

The Emperor – IV from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

The Hierophant - V in the Rider-Waite Deck

The Hierophant – V in the Rider-Waite Deck

It’s a card about balance and justice for all, and if this card shows up in a reading it could mean many things. This could be a time for you to be making a decision that involves others and you are called upon to be fair and just. It’s important here to use your life experience, your mind (the double-edged sword) and your intuition (the scales). Use all the tools at your disposal to bring about the right outcome.

It could mean that you are one of the people having to accept a decision that has been made that affects you directly. Are you in the midst of a court case, a challenge or a dispute that requires mediation? You must accept this decision and carry on with your life.

A decision has been made

A decision has been made

Perhaps this card is letting you know that you are in this place in your life because you have made good decisions throughout your journey. Maybe you are rising to a position of authority and this card is telling you to always remain fair, just and kind.

Anyway you get the drift! Kindness, fairness, good decisions, use your mind and your heart in all you do.

What essential oils could we use to embody this card?

? sneakily borrowed from biodagar.com

? pic via biodagar.com

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Rosewood – flow of love in the heart chakra

Rosemary – stimulate your mind and memory

Basil – open your crown chakra to the wisdom of the universe

Ylang Ylang – release frustration and anger toward others and yourself

Classic oil burner with a twist pic via top3.com.au

Classic oil burner with a twist pic via top3.com.au

2. Scent Your Space

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

What better way to help you make big decisions than to vapourise oils in your space?

“Heart and Mind”

Blend these two areas of power –

Rosemary         8 drops

Palmarosa       8 drops

Orange             9 drops

————————————————————————————————————————————–

“Empathy”

Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes –

Lime           10 drops

Petitgrain     10 drops

Geranium     5 drops

————————————————————————————————————————————–

“Flow of Energy”

Ask the universe to help you get the right flow going –

Cardamom           5 drops

Pink Grapefruit    20 drops

Lemongrass          5 drops

————————————————————————————————————————————–

Nourish your body with a beautiful oil blend - pic via redbookmag.com

Nourish your body with a beautiful oil blend – pic via redbookmag.com

3. 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”

“Ok Concentrate….”

Be clear in your mind by waking up your body too –

Ginger        3 drops

Lemon       4 drops

Basil           1 drop

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“Made with Love”

Use your heart’s intelligence –

Rose 3%                6 drops   * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Cedarwood Atlas    3 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

Marjoram – A Must-Have Essential Oil for the Scent Enthusiast

Marjoram is a dainty herb with a big scent - pic via thelastrevelation.com

Marjoram is a dainty herb with a big scent – pic via thelastrevelation.com

Ah marjoram. I’m not sure if I’m addicted to this very strong, herbaceous, hardy oil but rarely a week goes by that I wont use this with clients, friends or myself.

I have written an article generally on the herbs “Essential Oils from Herbs are Spectacular”, but I think we may need to go deeper into each one.

We’ll start with marjoram because I just felt like talking about it. Often when I go to have my treatment, my aromatherapist also uses this oil frequently with me as it has some great indications for the body and spirit too (of course)!

Marjoram (Oreganum marjorana) belongs to the herb family called Lamiacae, and the genus of Oreganum. It may now be more obvious why marjoram and oregano (Oreganum vulgare)  look very similar and sometimes it’s hard to tell the fresh herbs apart from each other.

Great pic comparing oregano and marjoram - pic via cookthink.com

Great pic comparing oregano and marjoram – pic via cookthink.com

Herbs are the ancient medicinal healers of our world and when I make a blend for a client that has a few herbs in it I always say to myself silently “ah the herbs’ and feel like I’ve created a very traditional therapeutic blend. This herb was used by the ancient Greeks and according to Salvatore Battaglia, the name marjoram means “joy of the mountains”. Aw lovely!

In aromatherapy marjoram is used for:

* aching and sore muscles

* general body pain

* as a warming tonic

* to help someone deal with grief

* to help with falling asleep

* to counteract stress

* as a sedative for distraught emotions

* generally for calming and soothing

* to reduce coughing

I use marjoram for all these things too, and particularly love the way it blends so well with all the other oils. I like marjoram and use it a lot along with lavender because they are so beautifully calming. Who doesn’t want to chill out when they have a massage? We all need a little help de-stressing from the ups and downs of daily life so in this respect it’s a great oil.

a client's oil formulation

A client’s oil formulation with marjoram

Here are a few recipes –

1. 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”

“Release the Day”

Release the stress of the day by putting this all over your body after a shower –

Marjoram   3 drops

Bergamot  4 drops

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 “Oh My Aching Legs”

Apply to aching legs and rest with your feet elevated –

Marjoram     4 drops

Lavender      2 drops

Rosemary     2 drops

(ah the herbs)!

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils in a little carrier oil

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!

“I’m Ready for You Now Sleep”

Induce relaxation –

Marjoram     2 drops

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

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“Phew I’m Glad That’s Over”

Marjoram       1 drop

Rosewood     1 drop

Lemongrass   1 drop

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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