The High Priestess – A Tarot Card reading with Essential Oils

Posted on October 16, 2013 by suzannerbanks

The High Priestess – II from the Rider-Waite Deck

Listen to your inner voice.

Trust your intuition.

Allow the thin veil of illusion (maya) to fall away between your conscious and subconscious mind.

The High Priestess is the bold feminine, intuitive energy of the major arcana in the tarot. She is a the one who is connected to her emotions and the power of the moon and the invisible cycles. She is calm, contained, and her deep wisdom shines through. She is supported by the twin pillars of Boaz and Jachin, from Solomons Temple (a very long and interesting story there). The pomegranates also appeared on the twin pillars and are adorning the curtain behind the priestess. They represent possibility, sexuality and according to Biddy Tarot, duty.

The High Priestess is about the dark feminine knowledge, the witch, the power of psychic forces and the wisdom of the ages. She is the gateway to the underworld. She is the all-knowing feminine power.

Feminine power - pic via www.beliefnet.com - by Julie Loar

Feminine power – pic via http://www.beliefnet.com –
by Julie Loar

When The High Priestess shows up in a reading she may be asking you to recall ancient wisdom to help you on your present journey. You may need to take a break from the madness of everyday life, be calm and meditate.

You are wise, but at this time you may need to pay attention to your inner world more than your external world. It’s time to develop your intuition and rely on yourself.

Are you looking for a deeper meaning in your life? Maybe you have a new interest in philosophy and metaphysics? The High Priestess will help you with her knowledge of the collective unconscious.

Rely on, and develop your intuition (from curvyoga.com)

What essential oils could help you look within?

1. Scent Your Space

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

“Sacred Space”

Create a beautiful space to meditate in –

Frankincense 10 drops

Rose Geranium 8 drops

Lime 6 drops

Spikenard 1 drop

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“Retreat”

Have a break from the outside world –

Juniper 10 drops

Fennel 6 drops

Mandarin 9 drops

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“Dreams”

Allow your dreams to point the way –

Clary Sage 5 drops

Peru Balsam 10 drops

Nutmeg 5 drops

Lavender 5 drops

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Anoint yourself with pure essential oils

Anoint yourself with 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!

“Psychic River”

Open your psychic channels – anoint your third eye chakra

Basil 1 drop

Frankincense 1 drop

Bergamot 1 drop

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“Speak the Truth”

Let your knowledge flow – anoint your throat chakra –

Sage 1 drop

Myrrh 1 drop

Geranium 1 drop

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“The Heart Knows”

Rely on your intuition which may speak through your heart –

Rosewood 1 drop

Rose 3% 2 drops * see my article for more info on 3% blends in jojoba

Patchouli 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.

Temperance – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

Posted on October 2, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Temperance – XIV from the Rider-Waite deck

My tarot card and essential oil series continues with the lovely card called Temperance. This card is a bit like the Hierophant card for me – gentle, mild and sometimes it just doesn’t jump out at me with gusto. Depending on what other cards are in the reading, I find it hard to translate.

A beautiful Angel appears before us in a calm scene in nature. This card has a feeling of peacefulness and happiness. In the tarot the water represents emotions and also the subconscious mind. In this card the water is supposed to be flowing upward – from the bottom cup to the top cup. The overall meaning of the water symbols in this card, is balance between the subconscious and the conscious mind. It also represents the balance we need to find between humanity and spirituality. The angels toe in the water also reflects the interconnectedness between humanity and the divine.

It's all about balance - pic via www.homelifesimplified.com.au

It’s all about balance – pic via http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au

You may need to consciously work on balance after a big change in your life, or simply be more mindful of taking care of yourself as much as you do with others. This card could be asking you integrate your spiritual side with your human side to become whole and to find a deep richness in your life.

This is not a time to rush and achieve but to be calm and stress less. Leave all your anxiety and tension behind you as this is the first day of the rest of your life – a life of peace and serenity.

Flow with nature and reap the benefits - pic via www.southernwilderness.com

Flow with nature and reap the benefits – pic via http://www.southernwilderness.com

The flow of the water is asking you to become harmonious with nature, and with yourself. It’s a message to acknowledge how far you’ve come and instills an energy of beauty to help you carry on.

There are many essential oils that can help inspire peace, beauty and wholeness:

1. Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

Rose – nurture and love yourself

Fennel – be gentle with yourself too

Orange – inspire sweetness and innocence

Rosewood – enhance the flow of love in your heart

Frankincense – breathe deeply and relax

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!

“Peace”

Allow a sense of peace to fall all around you –

Patchouli 1 drop

Mandarin 1 drop

Frankincense 1 drop

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“Gratitude Gives”

By being grateful you will open up to more beauty and gentility –

Geranium 1 drop

Australian Sandalwood 1 drop

Petitgrain 1 drop

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“Bubbling Brook”

Flow like a little stream –

Cardamom 1 drop

Lime 1 drop

May Chang 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.

Myrrh – A Healing Resin of Old

Posted on September 30, 2013 by suzannerbanks

myrrh resin pic via www.pointsoflight.com

myrrh resin pic via http://www.pointsoflight.com

Myrrh. Whenever I say this oil in my head it sounds like merr-er-er. Just like Steve Martin’s character in the movie “The Man with Two Brains”, Dr Hfuhruhurr. I can’t help it. I’ve created a permanent synapse in my brain, that pronounces myrrh like Hfurhruhurr (except with an M). I don’t really use myrrh very much and maybe this is the reason.

I do however, use myrrh as an oil of abundance – a little goes a long way. Just like frankincense, myrrh is a resin in its natural state and then it’s steam distilled to produce an essential oil. In all bottles of myrrh that I’ve owned, before too long the cap is often stuck to the bottle with the dried oil – it wants to revert back to its original form. This never happens with frankincense which is quite a thin oil. Look how similar the trees are – they are from the same family, Burseraceae, but a different genus. Myrrh is from Commiphora, and frankincense is from the Boswellia genus.

myrrh tree pic via azarius.net

frankincense tree pic via herbsocietyvic.org.au

Myrrh is native to parts of Africa and still revered as a great healer. We know of stories in the bible which tells us that this resin has been used for centuries. Like many of the older plants and oils, myrrh is also noted in ancient Egypt as an important ingredient in the holy incense kyphi, and the temples of Jerusalem in the incense of ketoret. I’ve just written about spikenard (see my article Spikenard – an Essential Oil with a Rich History and a Heady Scent), which appears in the same texts and was also an ingredient in these ceremonial incenses.

With its amazing qualities of healing and preservation you can see why the Egyptians used myrrh in embalming. If it’s hardening on the lid of my oil bottle then it’s working that way when embalming a body!

Egyptian mummy

Myrrh is a great wound healer and works really well with gum disease and mouth ulcers. I would use myrrh in an oil blend with a client to add dimension to the scent and to address fears of lack, and a general feeling of being unsupported. I love myrrh to stimulate healing from past hurts and to help someone gain strength to continue in life.

A drop of myrrh may be all you need

In aromatherapy today myrrh is used for –

* gum disease

* deep cracks n the heels

* chronic wounds that wont heal

* to reduce mucous in coughs and bronchitis

* as a meditative oil to connect to spirit

* to help with period pain and for use in childbirth

Embrace myrrh as an oil to support you in your connection to the divine. Be sparing with myrrh in your oil formulations as a little goes a long way.

Clove – A Healing Oil and Spice

Posted on September 9, 2013 by suzannerbanks

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

* 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

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

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“Chill”

A chill out blend –

Clove 2 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

Orange 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.

The Hanged Man – A Tarot Card Reading with Essential Oils

Posted on July 31, 2013 by suzannerbanks

The Hanged Man - XVII from The Rider-Waite deck

The Hanged Man – XII from The Rider-Waite deck

The Hanged Man – don’t be afraid it’s ok! This card is not about hanging yourself – just look at it a little closer. He seems to be quite ok. He is hanging upside down but is doing so rather languidly. His free leg is bent with his hands behind his back and although we can’t see if his hands are tied, at closer inspection he doesn’t appear to be in any pain or suffering.

When I was learning the tarot I remember my teacher saying he could be hanging around waiting for something interesting to happen. Is that you? Are you just pacing yourself? This card could indicate that it is best to wait for a while for the solution to appear, rather than to force a solution on an issue or a problem.

just waiting…….

Are you stuck and stagnating, or wasting time? Maybe you are too scared to create your life but know deep inside it’s the right thing to do. It could be a time to release these old patterns and fears that are holding you back.

Our man has a halo around his head indicating he is in touch with his spirituality and this card may come to you in a reading if it is time to take the high road, let go of your ego and do what is best for the good of all concerned. So it seems he is hanging here by choice, he is giving up his freewill for the moment. Perhaps it is a time of allowing yourself to open your higher chakras to spiritual growth?

be peaceful, surrender to your spirit

This is not a card that requires action. This is a card of allowing.

Allow yourself to be, rather than to do. Reflect and wait.

essential oils can support you on your journey

So which essential oils and blends could represent The Hanged Man and what he is trying to tell you?

Try these recipes –

1. Scent Your Space

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

“And…Breathe”

Time to take a moment for yourself –

Frankincense 10 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

Lavender 7 drops

Lime 7 drops

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“I am Willing to Change”

To summon the courage to change your circumstances –

Petitgrain 12 drops

Cinnamon 8 drops

Rosewood 5 drops

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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!

“A Higher Purpose”

Change your focus from ego to spirit –

Sandalwood Australian 1 drop

Mandarin 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

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“Hanging Around”

Be willing to wait –

Marjoram 1 drop

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

Myrrh 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.

My Top 5 Oils for Brides – Part 2

Posted on May 15, 2013 by suzannerbanks

a beautiful bride

In my article My Top 5 Oils for Brides, I talk about what oils are best for the pending nuptials. Here’s a recap –

Neroli

Rose

Lavender

Geranium

Frankincense

But how do you use the oils?

We all know every wedding is different and each bride and groom are unique, but the one thing they all have in common is that they all want a memorable experience for them and their guests. Whether it be a simple beach wedding or a lavish affair at a glamourous venue with hundreds of guests, the bride will have some organising to do.

Unfortunately the oils won’t do everything but they will support you on your journey from fiancé to wife.

a happy beach wedding

Essential oils will give emotional support and a scented burst of clarity and calm during the process. You could either use lots of different kinds of oils or pick a couple and make a combination that becomes your signature scent. So let’s look at the best 2 ways to use your oils.

1. Nourishing Body Oil

I recommend making a bottle of your chosen oil blend to use daily as a moisturiser, and more importantly as a connection to your spirit and a tonic to your mind. You will start your day off by paying attention to yourself, centering your mind and preparing for what is to come. And – your skin will look and feel totally amazing! I use oil on my skin every day and it works – my skin feels wonderful and looks good too! When your bottle is finished you can make another combo or stay with the same blend.

For ratios and quantities see my article Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3. Here is an example of a blend in a 50 ml bottle –

“Heart”

To keep the flow of energy in your heart chakra while planning your wedding –

Rosewood 10 drops

Lavender 5 drops

Neroli 3% 30 drops *

Alternatively you could make a blend every day but this often takes up time and is the first thing to be put on hold when you are juggling work, your private life and creating your perfect wedding. If you do want to do this 3 teaspoons of oil should be enough and to that you can add 7 or 8 drops of oil.

“Cool, Calm and Collected”

To breathe deeply and keep anxiety at bay –

Frankincense 3 drops

Cardamom 1 drop

Neroli 3% 9 drops *

* 3% oils need to be used in different ratios as they are already split into a blend with jojoba oil that can be used straight away. See Essential Oils 3% What Are They and Why? for more info on how to use them when making a blend.

a more formal church wedding

2. Mist

This is a great portable way to keep an aromatherapy treatment with you. It is simply essential oils in an atomiser bottle filled with water. There is no need to use any emulsification agents,just shake before you mist. It can be used to refresh your face, cleanse and protect your aura, give your brain a boost and will make you smell like a natural goddess.

50ml mist bottle from essenceofwellbeing.com.au

In a 50ml atomizer bottle add 25 drops of essential oil – use the same ratios of essential oils to water as you would a body oil blend.

“Mother Earth Energy”

To keep a sense of worldliness and compassion on those crazy days –

Rose 3% 50 – 75 drops *

* 3% oils tend not to work so well in a mist as the jojoba may shorten the lifespan of the mist due to oxidisation. I’d still give it a go if you want to use rose, neroli or jasmine; and then use the mist quickly.

It seems like a lot of drops, but once again this is an oil that you will probably buy in a 3% blend (you can buy it pure but it’s quite expensive) and I recommend you use 3 times the amount that you would a pure essential oil.

“I’ve Got the Power”

When you need strength and fortitude, with a smile –

Geranium 10 drops

Mandarin 10 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 5 drops

Remember to treat your self first then everyone will benefit.

Stay tuned for how to make beautiful handmade aromatherapy gifts for your wedding guests.

Frankincense is the Scent of Truth

Posted on March 11, 2013 by suzannerbanks

frankincense tree and resin

Frankincense.

As I finished a treatment last week and I was writing the ingredients of the formula on a label, I said to myself “frankincense’, “frank – incense”. Frank, incense. The scent of truth. I had an immediate understanding of the entire universe all at once.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), has been used for centuries in spiritual rituals and is still used today in Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. It makes an appearance in the bible as a precious gift brought to Jesus and is found in the Middle East and Africa. According to Wikipedia

“Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5000 years.^[6] A mural depicting sacks of frankincense traded from the Land of Punt adorns the walls of the temple of ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, who died in circa 1458 BC.”

It’s also know as oilbanum referring to the process of “milking” the tree for the resin. There are many romantic stories of old about this resin and oil, and it is also linked to to the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem where it was used as a temple offering and incense.

It’s an unusual looking tree, and it is tapped for the resin, which is then steam distilled into an essential oil. The resin droplets that emerge from the tree are called “tears”. The myrrh tree actually looks quite similar.

frankincense resin

You can buy the resin to burn on charcoal too, and it emits a scented smoke that is entrancing to say the least.

frankincense resin burning on charcoal

Frankincense is the oil of breathing deeply and slowly. When you click into a rhythm of deep breathing it not only relaxes you, but also invokes a state of peacefulness and calm – just like when you meditate. Is it any wonder that churches use this resin? It is employed in the church to entrance the congregation into a type of meditation or trance, to access God and higher energies. When we connect with our spirit, we are seeing the truth in all things. We are connecting with the everything else in the universe at the same time – the oneness of all things. This is the truth. This is honesty. When we are being honest with ourselves we are being “frank” and open.

Frankincense has also been used to heal wounds by promoting cell growth and this also makes its a great facial oil. Most aromatherapy book will say that Frankincense is wonderful for wrinkled mature skin to help reduce signs of aging so I often use this in a face mask or add it to rosehip oil for a daily face moisturiser.

Here are some recipes for Frankincense:

For an oil burner or diffuser to help you relax into a divine stateessential:

“Sweet Silence”

Frankincense 15 drops

Orange 8 drops

Cinnamon 2 drops

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For an oil blend for your body to help you relax – especially great around the lungs and chest. Into 3 teaspoons add

“OM”

Frankincense 5 drops

Lavender 3 drops

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For a steam inhalation for congested lungs, or if you find it hard to catch your breath:

In a bowl put 3 drops of Frankincense then fill with boiling water and inhale through your mouth (cover yourself and the bowl with a towel).

steam inhalation

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For a face mask:

In a couple of teaspoons of clay (any colour of your choice) add 3 drops of Frankincense and a little floral water (or just plain water) to form a smooth paste to apply all over you face and neck. Rest for 15 minutes then rinse off. Beautiful! You look 10 years younger already!

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Seekers of the truth – this oil is for you!

Remember to treat yourself first then everyone will benefit.

Oil Blends for ELLEN!

Posted on February 20, 2013 by suzannerbanks

The fabulous Ellen

I’m watching Ellen. She’s talking about multi-tasking while watching TV. So I thought I’d write this article about Ellen, while I’m watching her show. I’m going to create some beautiful oil blends for Ellen and energetically send them through the ether. When you are doing a few things at once maybe these blends could help you too.

She’s dancing now.

“Dance-a-rama”

A sparkly oil blend to garner some energy to dance.

In 3 teaspoons of oil add the following:

Lemongrass 1

Pink Grapefruit 5

Cinnamon 1

Massage into your body, Ellen, to get your dancing vibe going.

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Now she’s got a guest who is about 10 years old, and he’s not really paying attention to her.

“Back to Me”

A formulation to be the star of your show at all times.

Jasmine in jojoba a few drops on your wrists, and any other pulse points you fancy. Jasmine is a sexy, gorgeous oil and even if no one else notices, you will be the star of your own show.

be the star of your life

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And now Dennis Quaid is on and Ellen’s telling him what to do via his in ear microphones. He’s funny and a great sport. I always feel really bad for the person who gets punked!

“Resistance is Futile”

Here’s an oil blend for Ellen to vapourise in the guests dressing room so they will be entranced and do whatever she says.

In an oil burner with water add

Frankincense 10 drops

Bergamot 8 drops

Black pepper 5 drops

Nutmeg 3 drops

Dennis Quaid

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And now Ellen is talking with a double lung transplant survivor. They have already danced.

“I’m in the Slipstream of Thankfulness”

This blend is to deeply connect with your spirit, and always be thankful for life, and keep a circle of philanthropy ever-moving. Thanks Ellen, you really are fabulous and very kind to people. And the guest is starting a foundation to help other transplant patients! Awesome.

In a 50ml mist bottle with water add

Cardamom 5 drops

Orange 15 drops

Sandalwood 5 drops

Mist all around to connect with the oneness of the universe.

our little spot in the big universe

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Snooki and JWoww. Ok. I know they were in that show Jersey Shore but that’s all I know. Ellen is giving them gifts (as usual) and chatting about their lives. Here is a blend for Ellen to maintain her mental alertness towards the end of her show.

“Focus Focus Focus”

On a tissue, or makeup pad add the following drops and have a huge sniff when you start to vague out.

Rosemary 2 drops

Lemon 2 drops

Basil 2 drops

Snooki & JWoww

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So there you have it. Real time recipes for Ellen DeGeneres. Why not try them out?

Thanks Ellen, great show.

My Top 5 Oils for Brides

Posted on February 11, 2013 by suzannerbanks

aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Essential oils are great for anybody to use but there are some stand-out oils for brides. Why? The wedding planning can be stressful and it can also take up a lot of time. Of course it’s different for everyone and whether you have a casual beach wedding or a party in a 5 star resort, you do have to think about a lot of fine details. You are also entering into a contract with your husband, and quite possibly changing your life forever. You are entering a new phase of your life too, with lots of new family members you are required to be nice to. There are lots of issues surrounding your wedding and marriage and essential oils can be your scented support system on the journey.

Essential oils not only smell beautiful, they can help minimise stress, and help you focus on the things that really matter – like your health and happiness rather than the seating plan. Essential oils work in an holistic way with your own energy, emotions and thoughts to provide a connection to the divine spirit within you.

orange blossom = neroli

1. Neroli

Neroli is a traditional oil for brides as it’s best qualities are those of relieving anxiety and tension – the flowers being strewn over the marital bed to ease tension. The word Neroli comes from the name of an Italian princess who brought the oil into popular culture a few hundred years ago. It is therefore quite a new oil to the filed of Aromatherapy, as many oils and tinctures of plants have been around for thousands of years.

It is a wonderful oil to use as a perfume straight from the bottle from the moment your wedding fever kicks in. Use it when you are stressed about something not going the way you want it, or simply as a scent to help you cope with any mild anxiety. it is a beautiful scent to wear on your wedding day to give you a stunning, floral perfume and support your emotions and the butterflies in your stomach. This oil is an expensive oil and usually comes already diluted in jojoba to lower costs. The label will say “Neroli oil in 3% Jojoba.

Men tend to love this oil to as it has a bitterness about it – it’s not too flowery or sweet. Great for men for the same reasons as women – relieve stress! A drop on his solar plexus chakra wouldn’t go astray on the big day.

the beautiful rose

2. Rose

Rose oil is the oil of Cleopatra – the oil of queens. It is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Oils too! Rose is the oil of loving yourself, and others. Whatever you think a Queen embodies – then so does this oil. Not only wonderful for skin, and as a regulator for heat, rose oil will bring a sense of calm and inner strength. This really is a woman’s oil. It is the essence of femininity and strength, of subtlety and fortitude.

As for Neroli, rose will often already be diluted in 3% jojoba. Use it a perfume straight from the bottle, use it in your skincare regime in some rosehip oil and even give some the other women in your life who support you. Nurture yourself with rose oil.

lavender is spectacular

3. Lavender

Lavender is the oil of calming, soothing and grounding. It brings all your scattered energy together. Lavender can be used to help induce sleep, to use in a bath when you a feeling overwhelmed, and to vapourise around you when you need to make difficult decisions. if you could only have one oil in your life it would be lavender as it has so many uses. It is the perfect first aid all because it helps cuts and wounds heal, helps burns lose their sting and is perfect for shock. Take some lavender with you to the wedding and have a huge sniff straight from the bottle to give you a blast of solidarity. Share it amongst the bridesmaids and if anyone has a headache a drop on the temples will aid the pain.

Geranium in my street

4. Geranium

This oil is made from the flower and it very definitely a strong floral oil! Geranium is another good oil for skincare -face and body. It is an oil of happiness and playfulness and is bright and full. I use geranium oil when I feel I need a boost, and when I need a bit of stability in my emotions. It’s great for brides who are quite emotional and teary and will help you on the lead-up to your wedding when you need help looking for the fun and joy in the process. It’s easy to get bogged down in the “doing” of the wedding but it’s just as important to enjoy and be present in this process too.

frankincense resin – the oil is steam distilled from this

5. Frankincense

Frankincense is the oil of breathing deeply. By taking deep, slow breaths you will automatically relax. Vapourise frankincense oil in your home for relaxation and as an oil to help you connect more deeply with your spirit. Traditionally used in the Catholic church to inspire the congregation reach a meditative and spiritual state, it is also used as a symbol of faithfulness to God, a ritual in worship. This oil is also good in skincare and is particularly indicated for more mature or dry skins. Once again add some of this stunning oil into your rosehip oil and use a a facial moisturiser. I use rosehip everyday on my face and I couldnt recommend anything better and more simple. When you add some essential oils to it, it becomes a powerful softening and nourishing treatment.

Stay tuned for My Top 5 OIls for Brides – Part 2 for recipes and a more detailed description of how to use them.

Remember to treat yourself first , then everyone will benefit.

Lavender is the “Little Black Dress” of the Oil Wardrobe

Posted on January 30, 2013 by suzannerbanks

absolutely stunning lavender fields via reddit.com

Lavender is the “Little Black Dress” of the oil wardrobe. The L.B.D. It is. Let me explain.

The other night I was going to a 20’s Prohibition themed 40th birthday party and didn’t really have time to get an outfit together – or really had no idea what to wear. My friend said “oh come on all you have to do is wear a little black dress and stick a flower in your hair”.

Right. Of course. And then the fact that I didn’t own a L.B.D became the issue. Off I went to the new year sales and after hours of trying on dresses I found my L.B.D. It wasn’t what I had imagined so now I realise it may be necessary to own a few. So anyway the L.B.D. is the item in your wardrobe you can take anywhere. You can wear it out to dinner, to the opera/symphony/theatre, to a party, to an intimate evening at home, to lunch and pretty much anywhere. It’s how you accessorise that counts. You can dress it up or dress it down, and mould it into something new every time you wear it. In fact it could just be a little black slip and still work.

the L.B.D via groominglady.com

Lavender is the same. It is a MUST have oil for any collection! Even if you aren’t into aromatherapy in a big way, it’s a must have for any household due it’s amazing first aid properties. Burns, cuts and abrasions, panic attacks, stress, headaches and anything else you can think of. It’s the fortifying oil, the oil of bringing energy together.

Lavender has cell regenerating properties too so it’s great in skincare and haircare, helping scars heal and helping sunburn. Here’s a few body oil blend recipes for lavender:

“I’ll Have a Sour Plum Margarita Thanks”

Take lavender to a cocktail bar – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 2 drops

Ylang Ylang 3 drops

Orange 3 drops

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“I have No Idea What She is Singing”

Take lavender to the dress circle at the opera – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 3 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

Patchouli 1 drop

Nutmeg 1 drop

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“Behind Closed Doors”

Take lavender into the bedroom – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 1 drop

Jasmine in jojoba 12 drops

Sandalwood 1 drop

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dance floor at Sydney Mardi Gras 2007

“I like the Extended Dance Mix Better than the Radio Edit”

Take lavender to the dance floor – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 1 drop

Cedarwood Atlas 2 drops

Bergamot 4 drops

Cinnamon 1 drop

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“I’ll Save Room for Dessert”

Take Lavender to a dinner party – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 3 drops

Fennel 1 drop

Roman Chamomile in jojoba 8 drops

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“What’s the Wi-Fi Password?”

Take Lavender into a business meeting – in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add

Lavender 2 drops

Neroli in jojoba 12 drops

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lavender

Lavender is a fantastic, versatile herb that should never be overlooked. It is powerful!

I hope you have fun with these recipes and please feel free to tell me about your experience of lavender in the comments section.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

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