The Chariot – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Chariot - #7 in the Rider-Waite tarot deck

The Chariot – #7 in the Rider-Waite tarot deck

 

I. Love. This. Card.

Power!

Strength!

Will!

Destiny!

And sphinxes!

I love it when this card comes up in a reading because it’s about going out into the big wide world and creating your life. It could be about getting a new job and diving into it wholeheartedly. The card could be asking you to make decisions about how you want to be in the world – how do you see yourself functioning? Do you want to be successful (whatever that means to you), do you want to use your creative genius to drive you life or maybe you need

to garner the energy to move forward in your life?

The Sphinx - pic via toptravellists.com

The Sphinx – pic via toptravellists.com

The twin sphinxes – I’m not sure about them but I interpret this very strong image as being a representation of polarities – positive and negative, black and white. To go out into the world and be confident and successful we do need a good sense of ourselves and be able to balance our positive and negative sides.

This is a card about action and desire. Dream it. Do it! Use your mind and brainpower to create your life the way you’ve always imagined it to be. If this is a new way of doing things for you then it requires an unwavering confidence in yourself – and sometimes that’s hard. Fake it til you make it! With the energy of the Chariot card you will make it by acknowledging all the different sides of yourself and moving forward anyway.

Black pepper - a great oil to represent The Chariot

Black pepper – a great oil to represent The Chariot

I have formed a strong connection with black pepper oil and The Chariot. It’s hard for me to think of one without the other. Here are some recipes to invoke the energy of The Chariot:

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Black pepper – warmth and courage

Ylang Ylang – love yourself and release resentment

Lavender – strength and solidarity

Rosemary – activate your mind

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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!

“Forward, Ho!”

Have the courage to do it –

Black pepper  2 drops

Petitgrain        1 drop

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“Run Don’t Walk”

Get cracking NOW –

Basil       1 drop

Lemon    2 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“Clear the Path”

Inhale and make way for new things –

Peppermint   1 drop

Orange          1 drop

Geranium      1 drop

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

nourish your skin with oil blends

nourish your skin with oil blends

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”

“Warm Up”

Get limber for your journey –

Black Pepper        3 drops

Jasmine 3%         9 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“Release”

Allow nervousness to float away –

Neroli 3%     15 – 20 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

—————————————————————————————————————————————

 

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

Palmarosa – Soft Skin and Happiness

palmarosa pic via choicehealthmag.com

palmarosa pic via choicehealthmag.com

I’ve used this lovely oil with clients a few times in the past couple of weeks. It blends well with so many oils and adds a green, fresh and slightly rosey scent to a formula. This is a relative newcomer to aromatherapy and doesn’t really have a rich colourful history like the spice oils, but is a wonderful addition to a collection. This gorgeous grass originally hails from India and is sometimes known as East Indian geranium. It’s also grown in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. Although I can’t really find out a lot about this lovely oil I assume, like lemongrass, it has been used in India as a part of their Ayurvedic lifestyle and natural way of treating disorders in the body.

Palamarosa (Cymbopogon martini) is a grass like lemongrass and citronella, and belongs to the same family – Graminae (or Poaceae). This is the family of ‘true grasses”. There’s also a gingergrass plant that creates an essential too, and that is quite close to palmarosa as it is a variation of the plant – Cymbopogon martini var. sofia. One of my suppliers offers gingergrass oil and although I don’t use it therapeutically is has a beautiful soft scent. Maybe I’ll do a story on that oil soon.

Back to palmarosa – which is an oil often used in cosmetics and soaps to enhance the scent and add an inexpensive rose scent to the product.

Rosa centifolia - another rose used to make essential oil

Rosa centifolia

I’ve always used palmarosa as a skin conditioning oil and one of it’s main components is geraniol so that may give you a hint too, as geranium is a great oil for the skin. However it’s interesting to note that geranium only contains about a third of the amount of geraniol than palmarosa! And while we are on the geraniol track, lemongrass has a high content of geranial – a different molecule with slightly different carbon bonds (with a similar function).

In aromatherapy today palmarosa is used for

* hydrating the skin and hair

* as a stimulant for skin cell growth therefore working well on scar tissue and the uneven appearance of skin

* as a tonic to the digestive system

* as an insect repellent – just like lemongrass and citronella

* I use it as an oil for happiness and for flexibility in the emotions and thoughts

Try these combo’s –

Scent your space

Scent your space

1. Scent Your Space

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

“Aperitif”

Get your house in the mood for a lovely dinner

Palmarosa      10 drops

Mandarin         8 drops

Juniper            7 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“I’m Going to be Flexible on this Issue”

Palmarosa      8 drops

Rosemary       5 drops

Geranium       5 drops

Siberian Fir     7 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

nourish your skin with oil blends

peru balper nourish your skin with oil blends

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”

“Sweet and Soft”

Soften up your skin and add a little sweetness –

Palmarosa      3 drops

Peru Balsam   3 drops

Lavender       2 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“Gettin’ Vibed Up”

An oil blend to refresh and send you into the day with gusto –

Palmarosa     2 drops

Cinnamon     2 drops

Lemon          2 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

The Hierophant – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

 

The Hierophant - V in the Rider-Waite Deck

The Hierophant – V in the Rider-Waite Deck

I must say when I was learning about the tarot I never really got a strong vibe for this card when it came up in a reading. Perhaps it was the religious imagery I didn’t like, even though the main figure seems quite kind and placid. The monks in the foreground are being blessed by the priest, holding a triple cross – religious overload! As with all tarot cards there are many symbols embedded in the image that spark reactions and hint to meanings of the card in general.

graduation - pic via celebrationandpartyblog.com

graduation – pic via celebrationandpartyblog.com

Anyway, The Hierophant is here to let us know that if we are studying, learning anything in any form, we now have the power to take it to the next level. It could also mean we need a deeper understanding of our spirituality and this could be the sign we need to take that step. This card also represents marriage ordained by the church and religious elders.

Are you being challenged by an authority figure or feeling controlled by an institution? If so, The Hierophant will show up helping you to release your feelings of being blocked by others. Maybe this is a time to keep your continuing spiritual practice (going deeper within) and allow others – who appear to have authority – continue on their path. It may also indicate that this is a time not to rock the boat, but to abide by the rules and laws that govern us. It indicates the opposite to having free will and being totally creative.

pic via radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com

pic via radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com

It is a great card to meditate on now for those who are demanding marriage equality. We need balance with the relationship between the people, those in power, and our growing need for a deeper spiritual connection between us all. So I suppose this card is also about fairness and equality.

What essential oils could embody this card? The issues are fairness, marriage, deeper spirituality and the balance of power. Hmmmm.

 

Just use any mist bottle you can find

Just use any mist bottle you can find

1. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“Will You Same Sex Marry Me”

Propose now, why wait?

Sandalwood Indian       8 drops

Petitgrain                       10 drops

Ylang Ylang                    4 drops

Rose Geranium           3 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“My Own Mantra”

Release the bonds of traditional religions and find a deeper spirituality –

Cypress                    10 drops

Orange                    10 drops

Cedarwood Atlas    5 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“I’ll Agree to Disagree”

Follow the rules this time to make it easier –

Lavender      8 drops

Ginger          8 drops

Lime              8 drops

Vetiver          1 drop

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

 

2. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

German Chamomile – instant relaxation

Palmarosa – being flexible with inflexible rules

Spikenard – a deep connection to spirituality

Juniper – release the old and unwanted

—————————————————————————————————————————————

 

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

 

 

 

Clove – A Healing Oil and Spice

Cloves - interesting little things pic via articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Cloves – interesting little things pic via articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Aw look at these cute little things! They are classified as “calyxes” and come from a larger pod from an evergreen tree hailing from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and probably India too and other tropical islands like Madagascar. Originally they were only found on the “spice islands”  The Maluku Islands or Moluccas, and were traded worldwide in the 1600’s and  1700’s by the Dutch East India Company. They are basically part of the flower and when we get the clove it has been dried. This tree belongs in the same family as eucalyptus another scented tree along with guava and feijoa too!

By now you would have caught on to the fact that spices have a rich interesting history and clove is no exception. The Greeks and Romans used the clove bud as did ancient Chinese medicine where they were used as a warming tonic, and a stress relief treatment also great for high blood pressure. Records even show the use of cloves in 3BC in China where they were chewed to freshen the breath. In Ayurveda cloves are used for swelling, nausea and to help prevent colds.

We all love a good story and Wikipedia claims

“… the clove trade is also mentioned by Ibn Battuta and even famous One Thousand and One Nights characters such Sinbad the Sailor is known to have bought and sold cloves.”

Go Sinbad!  Arrrrrrrrr the spice trade of the high seas!

So now we come to modern aromatherapy and the use of clove oil today. Even if you haven’t used it yourself, you may now of clove oil’s use in reducing dental pain. It has an analgesic effect and I often put some clove oil in a formula for a client if they are experiencing physical pain.

Clove buds on the tree pic via namastenutritionist.com

Clove buds on the tree pic via namastenutritionist.com

* It is great to reduce swelling and inflammation in arthritis and in muscles too.

* Vapourised to kill air-born germs to prevent the spread of viruses – due to its high content of eugenol which is a strong antiseptic. Eugenol is also found in cinnamon, allspice, bay, basic, rose, jasmine, and carnation plants and oils.

* As a warming tonic to the souls who is unhappy or depressed

* As a calming agent to the digestive system

Clove is one of those oils that you don’t want to overdo so be mindful when blending. Try these recipes –

sniffing bottle of oil

sniffing bottle of oil

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Clove – relax, unwind, calm nausea, warmth

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”

“Soothe Me”

A formula for helping pain and swelling from arthritis –

Clove         2 drops

Lavender   2 drops

Fennel       2 drops

Marjoram   2 drops

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

“Chill”

A chill out blend –

Clove                2 drops

Frankincense    3 drops

Orange             2 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

The Magician – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Magician - I in the major aracna from the Rider-Waite deck

The Magician – I in the major arcana from the Rider-Waite deck

This card is great! You can feel the power just by looking at him. He’s an alchemist in the most natural, original state. He is number 1 in the major arcana of the tarot which signifies he is the first energy of physical manifestation we see. The Magician will come to you in a reading if you either greatly need his energy, you need to hear his message or you are experiencing this at the present time. And of course, this is true for all the cards.

He is using all the elements of the tarot – swords (air, mental), cups (water, emotional), pentacles (physical, earth) and wands (fire, spirituality). He is also calling on the energy of heaven and earth (the universe) to bring everything together to create instant manifestation. So this card is acknowledging your power to use the resources at hand to change your life, create a new business venture and/or see the fruition of your hard work towards a project.This card is telling you you can do it! You have everything at your fingertips to create what you want and the time is now!

You have the power to create via mysciencetees.spreadshirt.com

You have the power to create via mysciencetees.spreadshirt.com

You have hopefully come through challenges previously so this is not a time for delay. This is not a time for study or gathering information, it is a time for action. Add your intention into your resources and will and you will have no option but to succeed. The flow of energy around you can be harnessed as you are in the flow of life and connected to everything around you.

Lets look at some oils and formulas you could use to support your quest for manifestation –

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Cypress – a quick cleanse and connection to your spiritual self

Rosewood – open your heart chakra to allow the flow of love of the universe

May Chang – you are the alchemist of your own life

Palmarosa – be flexible too

—————————————————————————————————————————————

oil burner

scent your space

2. Scent Your Space

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

“The Time is Now”

This is the right time to go for it –

Black pepper    8 drops

Pine                  6 drops

Orange            11 drops

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

“Finally”

Congratulate yourself for doing the hard work and seeing the results –

Spearmint       8 drops

Palmarosa      8 drops

Petitgrain        9 drops

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

3. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“More Please”

Allow yourself to create what you want –

Myrrh            5 drops

Clary Sage    5 drops

Cinnamon     5 drops

Lime            10 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“Thanks”

Give praise for all the great things you have created –

Bergamot           10 drops

Cedarwood Atlas  8 drops

Geranium              7 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

 

Dear Clary Sage, I’m Sorry xoxo

Flowering Clary sage pic via bellasugar.com

Flowering Clary sage pic via bellasugar.com

Dear Clary sage, I’m sorry I haven’t called on you in a while but I promise to consider you for my next client.

It’s not that I don’t like you, your scent is very heady and strong, and so much more sweet than sage. I realise you are very closely related and come from the same family – but I don’t favour sage over you – in fact it could be the other way around.

I like the fact that you are an expansive oil and for this I like to consider you as a very spiritual oil, as you relate to the crown and third eye chakras. You have the ability to open my mind, and that of my client too, and I suppose looking back over the centuries you have often been employed to help people over come depression and melancholy. You inspire, and can be considered an oil of euphoria – thank you. You are wonderful in allowing us to connect to the creativity of the universe too!

The essential oil is made from the flowering tops and the foliage

The essential oil is made from the flowering tops and the foliage

I love the way you work on excess oil on the skin and in the hair!

Another thing I am grateful for is that you are so powerful as an analgesic particularly in regards to period pain. I have used you on pregnant clients in preparation for labour and even in oil blends in a birthing suite. You are also great for older women during menopause to calm many of the very boring symptoms. Not only are you a very spiritual and creative oil you also help with pain.

I’ve even read you could help with lung spasm in bronchitis and asthma because of your relaxing effect on the muscles and bronchii via the hypothalamus and thalamus. You contain some similar functional groups to lavender and that’s why you are great for relaxation.

Clary sage and a rose at home in mooseycountrygarden.com

Clary sage and a rose at home in mooseycountrygarden.com

You inspire us to connect to the dream dimension – day dreaming and night dreaming – which can help shape our lives.

Here are some formulas for people to try so they can also experience your magnificence –

2. Face Mask

For oily skin –

2 teaspoons of white clay add 3 drops of oil

Clary sage      1 drop

Orange           2 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

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!

“Come In Please Creativity”

A blend to help release fears and invite in creativity to your life or a project –

Clary sage     1 drop

Lemongrass  1 drop

Mandarin       1 drop

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

“Cool Calm and Collected”

Keep cool when you are hot flushing like crazy –

Clary Sage         2 drops

Rose Geranium  1 drop

—————————————————————————————————————————————

nourish your skin with oil blends

nourish your skin with oil blends

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 article “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“Oh Lord Help Me”

For period pain –

Clary Sage   2 drops

Peppermint  2 drops

Marjoram     2 drops

Lavender      2 drops

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

“Even Stevens”

To clarify and tone oily skin –

Clary Sage                     2 drops

Sandalwood Australian  2 drops

Bergamot                      4 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

The World – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The World XXI - from the Rider-Waite deck

The World XXI – from the Rider-Waite deck

Ah this is a lovely card and you don’t have to be a genius to know it has a good vibe about it. It is the last card – 21- in the Major Arcana which signifies completion, success and happiness. The journey through all the other cards has been up and down and you have come a long way through all those trials to a happy ending.

If The World card comes to you and you don’t resonate with success then maybe you need to look back at where you were last year and celebrate the little achievements along the way. It could mean that you are about to finally see success manifested in your life.

The World may also mean an era coming to an end with new beginnings in sight, or just over the horizon. It is a happy card and our lady is surrounded by a never-ending wreath which could also indicate winning. The wreath is tied at the top and the bottom with a lemniscate which is the infinite flow of life. This is a time to rejoice and acknowledge yourself.

Infinity - also called the Holy Lemniscate

Infinity – also called the Holy Lemniscate

It is not a time of reflection or change, it is a time of celebration. Maybe you are actually going out into the world to travel, or launch yourself into the world with new skills that you have acquired.

Rejoice, be confident have a party.

What oils could embody the feeling of The World card? Maybe you want to invoke this feeling or you could be in this moment right now. Here are some oils and recipes to try along side this powerful card –

sniffing bottle of oil

sniffing a bottle of oil

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Cedarwood Virginian – you are living your dharma

Cedarwood Atlas – connect to the abundance of success all around you

Lime – woo hoo you are happy – acknowledge your efforts

Petitgrain – if you are not feeling outwardly successful this will help connect to the potential of manifestation

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

4. 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’ve got the Power”

Success!

Black pepper  1 drop

Mandarin        1 drop

Melissa 3%    3 drops

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

“The Little Engine that Could”

You’re almost there – you can do it!

Sandalwood Australian  1 drop

Geranium                       1 drop

Peru balsam                   1 drop

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

essential oil diffuser

essential oil diffuser

3. Scent Your Space

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

“Thank you, Me”

Give yourself praise for all the little things you’ve achieved –

Lavender         8 drops

Bergamot       12 drops

Palmarosa       5 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

“Let’s Have a Kiki”

Celebrate with a party vibe in your home –

Orange             10 drops

Ylang Ylang       5 drops

Pine                   5 drops

Rose geranium  5 drops

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

Melissa – Pretty Name, Pretty Scent – A Wonderful Essential Oil

Melissa officianalis

Melissa officinalis

Melissa is also called lemon balm. It belongs to the same family as lavender, marjoram, peppermint, sage, patchouli, rosemary, thyme, oregano and more. You can see how the leaf looks similar to some of the other herbs too, and it’s sometimes difficult to tell them apart just from a photo.

Like many plants that create essential oils, Melissa extract is used in Naturopathy extensively for calming nerves and anxiety. This is what the essential oil is good for as well. It has a lemon scent but is more refined than lemongrass, more subtle than lemon and more delicate than any lemon scented eucalyptus or tea tree.

many lemon scented plants exist in nature

many lemon scented plants exist in nature

And once again this plant has an interesting history in healing through the past centuries. The standout landmark for this lovely plant is traced back to the Carmelite Monks of France during medieval times, but this magical herb is recorded as far back as 550BC with the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus – and ancient Greek city now in Turkey. Then we have the founders of modern medicine talking about this herb; 40—90 AD with the Greek physician Dioscorides, and with the Roman naturalist and philosopher of the same time, Pliny the Elder. Thank goodness there are really brainy people who have looked back through ancient records and delivered the information to us.

So it seems as though this gorgeous little herb has the healing powers of the universe within its little green leaves.

Back to the Carmelite monks……… or was is the nuns of another Carmelite origin in the 1200’s? Melissa has been noted way back to the 800’s as a herb of great healing properties, and it seems as though the healing water made with melissa originated in the 14th century (or even earlier) but became more well-known when the Carmelite friars were granted patents by the kings Louis IV, V and VI of France under the name “Eau de Melisse de Carmes”. During these times the herb water was both drunk as a tonic and used as a cologne to wash away the stench and dirt of the streets – and the stink of the general population who did not wash frequently! The balm water also contained other herbs and was used as a panacea. Both original recipes of Benedictine and Chartreuse (the liqueurs from monastic origin) contained melissa but not sure if they do now.

Chartreuse

Chartreuse – a lovely green herbal colour with over 100 ingredients

Our beautiful melissa lost favour as more herbs and plants were discovered for healing but it is still prized in Naturopathy and Aromatherapy today as a soothing balm for the emotions. In Aromatherapy we use melissa for –

* uplifting emotional states in depression

* soothing anxiety

* on the skin as an anti-viral – topically for cold sores

* vapourised in a room of sickness to help with nausea and to limit the spread of a virus (it seems that a lot of the lemon scented plants have a great anti-viral effect and I’ve always recommended vapourising lemon in the home if you have a sick person to reduce the spread of the virus or bacteria)

* on the stomach to reduce cramps

melissa flower - pic from dr.hauschka.com

melissa flower – pic from dr.hauschka.com

Melissa – also called balm and lemon balm – is best used to soothe the soul, mental anguish and to inspire happiness. Just take a whiff straight from the bottle.

It is a very expensive oil so you will probably find it in a 3% dilution ready to use straight from the bottle as a perfume, anointing oil and skin treatment for lesions. For more info see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba.

I hope you love melissa as much as I do!

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

The Devil – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Devil - XV from the Rider-Waite deck

The Devil – XV from the Rider-Waite deck

Ah yes the Devil! Number 15 in the Major Arcana of a tarot deck.

As INXS sings “devil inside, devil inside, every single one of us the devil inside”.

We have good and bad within us. We have “God” and “The Devil” inside us. As we move through life and experiences we align ourselves with certain feelings and emotions – even archetypes. So what would it mean if The Devil showed up in a reading?

At first it’s a little scary. As with many of the tarot cards we need to look further into the symbols and art to see what the card is trying to tell us. This card could easily represent your addictions which could include drugs, smoking, being addicted to a type of person or relationship that is not good for us. It’s about the addictions we know are not good for us, but we allow them to rule our life because of the short term gratification. In the card to people stand with the half man-half goat (the devil) with chains around their neck. The chains are loose, and they could actually remove the chains themselves and walk away. But they don’t. They have lost their own power to the devil (or addiction).

Are you addicted to something? via perthnow.com.au

Are you addicted to something?
via perthnow.com.au

It’s a card about exercising your free will and choice. When the devil comes to you it could mirror your addiction, or be the message that makes you see you need to let go of the toxic things in your life.

A general feeling of unhappiness and helplessness could surround you, as you feel you have lost your way and have no idea how to create positive change in your life. Once again it’s about empowering yourself to be able to make the changes you want and to stop blaming things or people “out there”, and start a detox regime to let go of toxins. Add some self-love into the mix and you will be able gain the momentum you need to realise you have ultimately had the power all along.

You have the power to release addictions and choose via mysciencetees.spreadshirt.com

You have the power to release addictions and choose via mysciencetees.spreadshirt.com

Like The Hanged Man this card is also trying to tell you to look for where you are stagnating in your life. be assured you can overcome this feeling of being stuck but you must exercise your will!

Try these essential oils recipes to release addictions and unhappiness –

1. Scent Your Space

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

“Happy Happy Happy”

Get some good vibes going –

Orange                10 drops

Rose Geranium      7 drops

Lemongrass          8 dropsspiken

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“I CAN Do It”

Have a little faith in yourself –

Spikenard             5 drops

Peru Balsam       10 drops

Mandarin             10 drops

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“Start New”

Tomorrow is a new day so start it with some good intentions –

Petitgrain          10 drops

Black Pepper      8 drops

May Chang        7 drops

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sniffing bottle of oil

sniffing bottle of oil

2. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Basil – open your mind to a new you without addictions or pessimism

Rose – nurture yourself

Ylang Ylang – release resentment and anger

Cedarwood Virginian – allow the flow of harmony in your life

Remember The Devil is about choice – you have this – so don’t be afraid to use it!

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

copyright suzannerbanks 2013

The Empress – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

The Empress - III The Rider-Waite Tarot

The Empress – III from the Rider-Waite deck

Awww beautiful! This card makes me feel good. It’s about youth, potential and being connected to nature.

This young Empress is surrounded by the bounty of nature with the pattern of pomegranates on her robe. When I was learning the tarot I was told the Empress is pregnant and is the archetypal earth mother. Some translations don’t necessarily see her as pregnant but when you look at her quite closely she does seem to be with child. It could also indicate a new idea or birth of a business too.

The card is number 3 of the major arcana and is placed there because she carries an important message. She is the High Priestess personified – the actual mother figure that nurtures everything and everyone around her.

The Empress asks us to explore our feminine side – even if you are a man! When she shows up it may mean you need to pay more attention to nurturing yourself, or simply experience the joys of nature. Maybe you need to get out of the city and allow the energy of mother earth to balance you?

Mother Earth - NY street art

Mother Earth – NY street art

It’s a card of the abundance of nature and the feminine power that drives birth. This card is governed by Venus which is the planet that involves love, beauty, enjoyment and the joys of living in this amazing world. It’s about the good stuff! The Empress will come to you if you need to remind yourself of the beauty of life.

It’s time to awaken to the world around you and to experience what life has to offer you. Use all your senses and express your creativity. There’s nothing more creative than making a baby, starting a new business or simply making art. Do it now!

Abundance is a state of being

Woo hoo live it up

Scent is part of the beauty we have at our fingertips so let’s have a look at what oils could help you embody The Empress energy:

1. Personal Aura Cleansing Mist & Room Mist

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

“Goddess of Love”

Bring Venus and The Empress into your aura and personify love –

Geranium       6 drops

Patchouli        3 drops

Rosewood     8 drops

Bergamot      8 drops

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“Balance”

Bring the outdoors to you –

Siberian Fir            10 drops

Orange                  10 drops

Cedarwood Atlas    5 drops

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“Sensuality”

Allow yourself to be sensual  –

Ylang Ylang    8 drops

Sandalwood   6 drops

Mandarin      11 drops

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sneakily borrowed from informedfarmers.com

sneakily borrowed from informedfarmers.com

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 article “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“I Wanna Create!”

Get your creative juices flowing –

Basil                  1 drop

Rosemary          2 drops

Lemon               3 drops

Rose Geranium  1 drop

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“Sensory Stimulation”

Remind yourself you are here to experience –

Peru Balsam      2 drops

Lavender           2 drops

Petitgrain           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