Digital Scent vs Analog Scent

Posted on January 20, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Analog clock – great for planning ahead

Well I’m not sure if I can use the analog/digital signal to describe scent but I’m gong to anyway. It is usually applied to sound recording and clocks at a very basic level so check out this description:

“The difference between analog and digital technologies is that in analog technology, information is translated into electric pulses of varying amplitude. In digital technology, translation of information is into binary format (zero or one) where each bit is representative of two distinct amplitudes.” diffen.com

Something stuck in my mind a while ago when I was talking to someone about my need to use an analog clock while I was doing treatments so I could plan as I was working. For example I always look up at the clock to note in my mind how long I’ve been massaging the right leg and how much time I need to spend on the back, or do I need to leave more time for the face and head, and so on. He said analog is great for planning ahead whereas digital is about right now. I loved that description!

Digital clock – the time is now!

So with analog we can quickly see what has gone before and what is to come. It shows us a range of past, present and future (but of course that is an incorrect description because we know in quantum physics all those possibilities exist at once).

With digital we see only now! That’s cool because in quantum physics that’s all we have.

Smelling an essential oil could be an analog experience – pic via plantlifeworld.com

Ok so here’s my application of signal to scent:

Essential oils come from a natural source even though they undergo a process of some sort. They are made up of molecules that have been present in a living organism and carry an energetic force. This magic that they hold can be used a tool to access higher consciousness via the brain and can also effect the body this way too. Scent is a powerful mechanism that can transform our physicality and our spirit and sub conscious too, and with essential oils we are treated to the divine scent of mother nature.

When I first started using essential oils after a weekend workshop with two amazing Australian aromatherapists, I was shocked to hear that neither of them could use perfume anymore, after using essential oils. This was 20 years ago now and of course I am exactly the same. This is because essential oils carry this invisible life force and they are undeniably powerful. They give us a range of scent from the first whiff to the lingering notes on our bodies. They connect us to past experiences and allow us to see potential for the future. They give a complexity of scent that only exists in nature and that can never be replicated, even by the masters of chemistry (according to Luca Turin a master Perfumer).

To me essential oils are ANALOG. They have range and are complex. They are old school.

Perfume is digital - pic via bubblews.com

Perfume seems to be digital to me – pic via bubblews.com

Perfume is still absorbed through the nasal cavity into the brain and can also connect us to experiences of the past, present and future – as can any smell. Perfumes that are available today will be mostly made up of molecules that have been created in a lab, and that are quite precise in their scent. So you may have hundreds of different molecules that go into a perfume and it’s the master perfumers who will conduct this symphony of scent.

People all over the world love perfume but I don’t. I don’t like the alcohol as a base. I don’t like cold feeling it gives me and the way there seems to be too many conflicting ideas in one spritz. There are, of course, some perfumes that are way better than the dross out there. With perfume there are many precise notes blended to create the scent – but usually it’s too many.

To me perfumes are a DIGITAL scent. They are precise and do not have complex ranges, as they have many digital signals mixed together. There doesn’t seem to be any expansiveness or invitation to connect with the universe.

Hey, but if it’s digital it must be about NOW, which can only be a good thing. They are modern and contemporary, and fall in line with our digital era.

There’s a place for both in our world – let’s never lose the analog!

Expand Your Consciousness with 10 Natural Pulse Point Perfumes

Posted on January 13, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

If you’ve been with me the past couple of weeks I’ve been talking about 2014 being a year in which we are called to seek the truth and expand our consciousness. This will not only help you evolve and grow but in turn will send your ripples out into the universe to join with others in the necessary and imminent jump in consciousness for humanity. Look I know it may sound heavy to newcomers of the revolution but it’s easy really – just be mindful of your purchases and know where all your food comes from, be kind to people and animals, voice your opinion and champion the cause of the underdog, stand up for the planet and use essential oils.

One of the easiest ways to use essential oils is to make a little perfume to dab on your wrists (to sniff during the day), your heart (open to the love), your third eye chakra (see the truth) and anywhere else you fancy.

Chinese tea cup – perfect for a little perfume magic

Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix essential oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras. Use 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil (almond, sunflower, grapeseed, jojoba) – always patch test first!

Here are a few recipes to make a quick difference in your life –

“I Once Was a River”

Flow with the space-time continuum –

Cardamom 1 drop

Rosewood 1 drop

Lemongrass 1 drop

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

“Tiger’s Eye”

See clearly and try to be objective –

Frankincense 1 drop

Clary Sage 1 drop

Orange 1 drop

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

“I’m Lovin’ Myself Sick”

Love yourself, it just gets better when you do –

Rose 3% – use it straight from the bottle

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

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

“No More Nervous Nelly”

Reduce the amount of cortisol in your body by chilling out and stressing less –

Neroli 3% – use it straight from the bottle

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

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

we are one

“Meditate More”

Says it all really –

Lavender 1 drop

Mandarin 1 drop

Vetiver 1 drop

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

“Intergalactic”

The truth is out there (it’s in here too) –

Basil 1 drop

Petitgrain 1 drop

Juniper 1 drop

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

“The Black Peal” pic via crystalinks.com

“Seek”

You are the seeker – what will you find? –

Sage 1 drop

Lime 2 drops

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

“Macro to Micro”

We are a star, an ocean, the wind …….

Sandalwood Mysore 1 drop

Lemon 2 drops

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

accept everything good

“Amazing Opportunities are Coming My Way”

It’s all about pure potentiality –

Petitgrain 2 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 1 drop

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

“Lions and Tigers and Bears”

Be courageous –

Black pepper 1 drop

Black Spruce 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

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

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

5 Essential Oils to Get You Started with Vigour in 2014

Posted on January 8, 2014 by suzannerbanks

Happy shiny people - pic via www.breathezy.com

Happy shiny people – pic via http://www.breathezy.com

Christmas is over.

New Year celebrations are over. (Except we’ll be having another party for Chinese New year when we celebrate the year of the horse).

The year has started.

I’m lagging a bit behind and found it hard to drag myself out of bed this morning so looked to my trusty friends (my essential oils), to get me vibed up.

My last article 2014! The Universal Number of 7! was all about this year and its intrinsic number of truth. To seek the truth of your existence here on earth, you will need a bit of curiosity and of course some energy to keep you going. Some essential oils will open your mind and stimulate the frontal cortex, and other essential oils will give you body a bit of a kick start.

Flowering rosemary

1. Rosemary

Stimulate your mind with rosemary. Remember with rosemary. Study with rosemary, warm your body up and help sore muscles release tightness. It is an easily accessible and inexpensive oil with a long history of medicinal uses.

2. Lavender

Lavender will always be on every list of oils I create. It is a relaxing oil but also an oil of solidarity and bringing your energy together. It’s the stalwart – loyal, reliable and hard working.

Lavender can ground your energy, help induce a state of calm, help with pain relief and generally be a medicinal oil of great standing.

Black pepper

Black pepper

Forward ho! Black pepper is the spice that can warm your heart, open your mind and also be a warming tonic to your body. It is a great oil for finding your dharma and taking your unique brand of evolutionary energy into the world. Even though the spice itself is quite piquant, the essential oil of black pepper has a magical sweetness about it.

Lemongrass

I think this oil may be one of the most loved oils in the world. It has so many uses but I’ll always use this oil for a client who is lacking energy. It’s lemon scented goodness is backed up with a deep grassy green scent that represents freedom to me.

Need physical energy? Use lemongrass!

Basil

Basil

Oh you just can’t keep a good herb down! The herbs are so wonderful for healing and have been used for centuries. Basil is an oil for opening your mind and stimulating your brain. It is expansive and great for maintaining fluid thought and allowing universal intelligence to come through your crown chakra. Basil is for clarity and can be used on your body like lavender, as it has a high content of linalool which is an active ingredient in lavender.

How can you use these oils to stimulate your energy?

* try taking a whiff straight from the bottle

* put a few drops in the bottom of the shower (cover the drain for a minute with your foot or a cloth) and inhale

* make an oil blend for your body – for a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”.

* it will be best to use a combination of oils rather than just 7 drops of the one oil as, for example, black pepper is slightly sensitising and could be too strong for some people

* as a hint, use lavender and a citrus oil to one of the oils above to make a lovely blend

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

2014! The Universal Number of 7!

Posted on January 6, 2014 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

2014! The Universal Number of 7!

7 – pic via jakhongirshaturaev.wordpress.com

I met a numerologist the other day when she came into a pop-up shop I was a part of – I was selling handmade body washes, face mask kits, oils and other scented things. I asked her about the way she practices numerology as there are a few different techniques. Well I got loads of quickly downloaded information with the one prominent theme being 7. She said that 2014 had the universal vibration of 7 and that I must remember and write about this in particular. It was very important she said. Write about she said. So here goes …….

This year our collective vibration is a 7. Clearly we have assigned this number to our lives as somewhere along the track, as the study of numbers in numerology has evolved to a practice that combines maths with consciousness. So we are moving into a 7 to help us evolve to the next level. My numerologist friend talked about ‘the universal vibration of the year 2014’. I had never looked at numerology this way, so it’s opened up a new level of meaning for me.

Basically there are a few different ways of calculating someone’s number or life path, cycle year and other things. I’ve always stuck to the basics which is add up all the numbers in your birth date and that’s the life path number. Add up all the numbers in the year you are in, plus your birth date to get to a cycle year. There are 9 numbers but some people read double digits like 1/1 or 1/0. And then there’s this simple way of looking at a year and what it may hold for us.

In other numerology too, different numbers are assigned to letters and then your number is calculated according to the letters in your name, but that is a bit too difficult for me because I haven’t studied that technique.

The truth – what is it? pic via theyogablog.com

I always remember 7 being about truth, seeking the truth and embodying the truth. It is the number of looking for the hidden meaning in things and usually has a spiritual undertone. It is also about the big picture and how things fit together. 7 is searching for the underlying meaning of things. 7 is philosophical. 7 is about the why? 7 is about the mystical and magical powers in the universe and collecting all the scientific information and combining it with the spiritual truth.

So that’s pretty exciting I reckon. Combined with starting the year off with a supermoon I’d say 2014 will be a cracker of a year. Come on people let’s make some oil blends to support our search for the truth.

1. Scent Your Space

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

“Mulder and Scully – The Truth is Out There”

Connect to the truth of the universe –

Frankincense 12 drops

Rosewood 6 drops

Juniper 6 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

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

“I’m on a Quest”

Don’t be afraid to start searching –

Black pepper 8 drops

Lime 8 drops

Lavender 9 drops

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

“Look Within”

Macro to micro – it’s all the same

Cypress 10 drops

Cedarwood Atlas 8 drops

Mandarin 7 drops

—————————————————————————————————————-

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 Have a Dream”

Dream big – we need you!

Basil 1 drop

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

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

“All Knowing”

You already know everything so embrace it –

Nutmeg 1 drop

Pink Grapefruit 2 drops

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

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

New Year – New Moon – Oooooooo powerful!

Posted on January 1, 2014 by suzannerbanks

The new moon – pic via photo.accuweather.com

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

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

The new moon can stimulate us to –

* think about who we are as a person

* connect to the emotions of our life

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

* why am I here?

* what is my purpose?

* how may I serve?

* how can I evolve?

* what do I want to create?

* what can I release?

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

? – pic via biodagar.com

And……

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

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

He defines them as:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s some essential oils to help you:

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Open The Bottle and Take a Huge Whiff

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

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

Petitgrain – potentiality, new beginnings

Juniper – release unwanted emotions

Fennel – be kind to yourself as you detox

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

Clary Sage – dare to dream, open crown chakra

Lemon – refresh, reload

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

Thank you.

Cleanse Your Space with Essential Oils – Prepare for a New Year

Posted on December 30, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Orange And Lemon Peels - pic via www.mindbodygreen.com

Orange and lemon peels help cleanse and clean your space – pic via http://www.mindbodygreen.com

As we are coming to the end of another year on earth it is a wonderful ritual to do some cleaning and get organised, so new energy and abundance can flow into your life in the new year. Even if it’s just cleaning out the kitchen cupboards it can have positive flow-on effects. I’ll be cleaning and tidying my bedroom in detail, and doing a good tidy-up all around.

And what better little helpers to employ but essential oils? Once your tidying is done the most fun part starts – the cleaning (ugh)! I add essential oils to warm soapy water to do all the surfaces and objects, and do the same with the water for mopping. It’s like having an aromatherapy treatment while you clean. Most essential oils will work well but there are a few that are standouts when it comes to cleaning. These oils will have an energetic cleansing effect as well as a great scent, and will help dissolve dirt and collect dust.

To a bowl of soapy water just add some essential oils – pic via mossymossy.com

Eucalyptus – a good oil remover, dissolves sticky stuff, helps you breathe deeply and works against stuffy sinuses. It breaks down unwanted, thick energy and has a clarifying and stimulating scent.

Tea tree - pic via www.eranurseries.com.au

Tea tree – pic via http://www.eranurseries.com.au

Tea Tree – wonderful for an anti-bacterial wash on surfaces. This fabulous Australian native as an enlightening cleansing effect on the soul, and has been used by some Aboriginals in smoking ceremonies, which purge the bad spirits.

Juniper – a light, spicy oil to clear teary emotions and any type of sadness hanging around. I love using this oil for surfaces in the bedrooms because of it’s enchanting and clear scent.

Lemon – can be used from kitchen benches to the bathroom to give you a bright, happy feeling to your home. It is such a simple oil but has so many great qualities for cleaning, including a lightness and sweetness that appeals to everyone. Or you could just use the lemon rind or whole lemon with some bi-carb soda or salt for benches and bathrooms.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass – another lemony scented oil to wash away the old. It’s a lot stronger than lemon but when you mop and clean with this oil you’ll be keeping away the insects too!

Grapefruit – pink or white grapefruit will work but the scent is very subtle. It’s hard to vapourise this scent well too, as it is so light it will fly away. Remember the energy is still there and grapefruit is the classic cleanser oil. I use grapefruit mostly in body oil blends for this purpose – when someone needs a gentle cleanse.

Pine – fresh, clean and a little herbaceous too this oil is a great cleaner, and makes room for more inspiration to come flooding in. To be creative in your new life next year you’ll need to allow inspiration to come to you, and when you have a clean home you have a clean mind too!

Thyme

Thyme – when you need the big guns of anti-bacterial oils thyme is your friend. Along with oregano these oils are a great disinfectants but beware USE WITH CAUTION because the scent is so strong. Mix a little thyme with some lavender and orange and you are in business baby! In fact I’m going to use that combo this arvo (Australian slang for afternoon. “This arvo”, or even “s’arvo” mean “this afternoon”).

Lavender – use it liberally as it will work as a cleaner and will also bring a sense of solidarity and calm to your space. In the wars of the past some hospitals in France used lavender and thyme to clean everything. And of course they worked amazingly!

Don’t worry too much about quantities of oils to soapy water I just chuck them in. You really only need to be careful when you are using them on your body and for those ratios see my latest article here.

I was speaking with a cleaner at a wedding last month and we got talking about essential oils and cleaning. She wanted some advice about how to use them in her work with the specific intention of her clients being able to smell the essential oils when they arrived home from work. She was particularly interested in orange oil because she had seen it in supermarket brand cleaners. I explained to her that they may disappear before the client comes home – just because they are natural doesn’t mean they will be long-lasting – in fact it’s the opposite. The citrus oils will tend to disappear first as they have simple molecular structures so it’s good to mix them with a heavier oil like lemongrass or even cedarwood. Don’t be afraid to use lavender either that will work well with the citrus oils.

Happy New Year my friends and thanks so much for connecting!

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

Are you Living Your Dharma? Countdown to a New Year!

Posted on December 25, 2013 by suzannerbanks

The Buddhist Dharma Wheel – pic via rceezwhatzmore.blogspot.com

What is dharma and why is it important?

“In Hinduism, dharma signifies behaviors that are considered to be in accord with the natural order.

In Buddhism dharma means “cosmic law and order”, but is also applied to the teachings of the Buddha. In Buddhist philosophy, dhamma/dharma is also the term for “phenomena”.

In Jainism dharma refers to the teachings of the Jinas and the body of doctrine pertaining to the purification and moral transformation of human beings.

For Sikhs, the word Dharm means the “path of righteousness”. Wikipedia

I’ve been fortunate to hear many spiritual people speak on this subject and I interpret dharma as living your true purpose. Are you in a job you don’t like just to survive in this world? Are you in a job that you love where you don’t make much money at all? Do you work for yourself? It’s actually not really about your “job” but it’s definitely about your “work”. What it is that you have been brought here at this time on earth to do to help the evolution of the human race?

Meditating in NYC - pic via www.wellandgoodnyc.com

Meditating in NYC – pic via http://www.wellandgoodnyc.com

You don’t have to give up all your worldly goods and meditate all day, but if it’s part of your dharma, then to fulfill your purpose in life that’s what you’ll do.

For those who are unsure about this topic or who have never considered it, it’s about asking yourself the question – “What is my purpose in life?”. It may take you years to work it out whereas others around may know exactly from a young age. Remember it’s not about your job, it’s about how you are going to help the world evolve.

Change is a good thing pic via wix.com

Come on people there’s no time to dilly-dally it’s almost 2014! It sounds so futuristic but the future is now! We need to get more pro-active on this subject and each person has a duty of care to the rest of us to live and breathe their true purpose in life.

Essential oils will help you in your quest because they have a magical way of moving through the ether, your physical and energetic bodies and your mind, to help you access the fundamental truth of the universe. It is in this field of quantum potential that we can find the answers to that which we are seeking. What are you seeking and how can you help others achieve their dharma too?

Take a huge whiff to change your focus in seconds

Take a huge whiff of essential oil from time to time to open the emotional energetic gate in your mind, to open your third eye and crown chakras, to expand consciousness. See my article Change Your Focus in 3 Seconds for more about sniffing essential oils.

aaahhhhh essential oils

What oils? Here’s a few to get things rolling –

Frankincense – the scent of truth, induces calm and slows the breath

Sandalwood – both Indian and Australian Sandalwoods – grounding, spiritual, see the oneness of the universe

Black Pepper – stimulating, go out into the world and seize your destiny

Sage – wisdom, speak the truth

Orange – innocence, happiness

Cinnamon – loving what you do, ding what you love

Petitgrain – potentiality

Palmarosa – flexibility

If you are not sure how to start your quest, then try motivating others and you’ll be amazed at what a great effect this can have on your soul.

Go for it! Thank you.

Festivus for The Rest of Us!

Posted on December 23, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Festivus for the Rest of Us! pic via thewordzombie.com

I’ve always loved Seinfeld (the comedy show), and its whacky way of looking at the world. This is one on the hundreds of moments that have stayed with me, and Wikipedia sums it up perfectly:

” Festivus, a well-celebrated parody, has become a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 which serves as an alternative to participating in the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas holiday season.

Originally a family tradition of scriptwriter Dan O’Keefe working on the American sitcom Seinfeld, the holiday entered popular culture after it was made the focus of a 1997 episode of the program.The holiday’s celebration, as it was shown on Seinfeld, includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum “Festivus pole,” practices such as the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength,” and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.”

The episode refers to it as “a Festivus for the rest of us”, referencing its non-commercial aspect. It has also been described as a “parody holiday festival” and as a form of playful consumer resistance.”

So whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or any other tradition that I don’t know about; or you prefer not to celebrate any of these, there is always Festivus to bring us all together. It’s nearly the end of the year so basically let’s all come together and celebrate that.

So here’s a few essential oil recipes to scent your home and which I feel reflect the true meaning of Festivus.

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

The Festivus Pole

1. The Festivus Pole

Inspiration: clean lines, modernism, clarity

Petitgrain 10 drops

Black Pepper 8 drops

Clary Sage 2 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 5 drops

Happy Festivus! pic via thewildheartrocks.wordpress.com

2. The Airing of Grievances

Inspiration: truth, honesty, flow of energy, detox, communication

Frankincense 10 drops

Sage 4 drops

Cardamom 4 drops

Orange 7 drops

Feats of Strength – Festivus isn’t over until someone gets pinned. pic via zazzle.com

3. Feats of Strength

Inspiration; strength, fun and games, masculinity, flexibility

Sandalwood Australian 8 drops

Geranium 5 drops

Lemongrass 5 drops

Palmarosa 7 drops

I hope you have enjoyed this year on earth and you better get ready for 2014 because we are called to make a difference, to evolve. In the words of the great Bob Marley:

“One world, one love, let’s get together and feel alright”

The 12 Days of Christmas – Essential Oil Recipes for Your Home Part 2

Posted on December 18, 2013 by suzannerbanks

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

Amazon USA Amazon AU Amazon UK

The 12 Days of Christmas – Essential Oil Recipes for Your Home Part 2

The 12 Days of Christmas folk song – pic via wikipedia.org

We’ve covered the first 6 days of Christmas so strap yourself in for the last 6 days! And I’ve just realised that I haven’t used the classic Christmas oils of frankincense and myrrh. As with part one I’ve taken each verse and created an oil blend for you to scent your home. To scent you own space I recommend 25 drops of essential oil, and you can use a traditional oil burner with a candle, an electric vapouriser, or for a quick and easy result put 25 drops of oil into a bowl and pour boiling water over it and leave it to stand – instant aromatherapy!

The song continues …..

7 Swans swimming by Tracy Watt - pic via www.redbubble.com

7 Swans swimming by Tracy Watt – pic via http://www.redbubble.com

7. On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans-a-swimming serenely in a lake. I’ve always imagined the swans to be black, regal, beautiful.

“Seven Swans a-Swimming”

Inspiration – serenity, flow, calm

Frankincense 12 drops

Lavender 6 drops

Clary Sage 3 drops

Bergamot 4 drops

8 maids milking – pic via staceyreid.com

8. Then on day eight the maids finally got some fresh milk so we could all have coffee and hot chocolate and make cakes and Christmassy things. These gifts from my true love just keep getting better!

“8 Maids-a-Milking”

Inspiration – nurturing, warmth, sustenance, compassion for our animal friends

Fennel 7 drops

Myrrh 4 drops

Nutmeg 4 drops

Rosewood 10 drops

Ok this is where it gets tricky. Some versions say its 9 drummers drumming, others say its 9 ladies dancing so I’m going to go with the majority of all the English versions and say it’s the drummers. Most of the American versions seem to have the drummers up last but it makes sense because the drummers are starting to call the tribe to dance. From verses 9 – 12 it’s all quite different. My Mum also thought it was 9 drummers drumming but my Dad didn’t know. As Janet Jackson says in Nasty Boys – “Give me a beat”. The party has started!

Wikipedia says

The gifts associated with the final four days are often reordered. Most often, this involves placing the ladies and lords earlier (on days nine and ten), and the musicians later (on days eleven and twelve).

So I reckon the music must come first!

The Drummer - was there 9 or 12? pic via www.krinklesonline.com

The Drummer – was there 9 or 12? pic via http://www.krinklesonline.com

9. Clearly my true love wanted to dance because the drummers came along to start the party

“9 Drummers Drumming”

Inspiration – rhythm of life, coming together as one

Tea Tree 6 drops

Clove 6 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 6 drops

Mandarin 7 drops

Pipers are piping – pic via stmatthewsyear5.wordpress.com

10. And now that the drummers have given us a beat, come in pipers! (Even though the American version says it’s 11 pipers piping, I’m sticking with the English version).

“10 Pipers Piping”

Inspiration – harmony, party, fun

Lemon 15 drops

Geranium 6 drops

Peppermint 4 drops

11 ladies dancing - pic via www.ffmcontheweb.com

11 ladies dancing – pic via http://www.ffmcontheweb.com

11. Ok it’s all gone haywire now. The ladies have hit the dance floor (or is it the drummers or the pipers or the lords?)

“11 Ladies Dancing”

Inspiration – femininity, celebrating the sisterhood, release of the old

Petitgrain 15 drops

Spikenard 4 drops

Thyme 2 drops

Rosemary 4 drops

Lords are leaping -but how many? pic via www.neatoshop.com

Lords are leaping – but how many? pic via http://www.neatoshop.com

12. And once again it could be 10 lords that are leaping, but I’m going with 12 this time around. At any rate – let them leap! Let’s all leap into a wonderful end of year celebration, so whether you’re into Christmas or not, please be thankful for this interesting life. Bring on 2014 (sounds SO futuristic).

“12 Lords-a-leaping”

Inspiration – carefreeness, freedom, comradeship

Basil 8 drops

Citronella 8 drops

Lime 9 drops

Get your essential oils working for you this festive season, they will bring charm and kindness into your life. They will allow you to open to the infinite wisdom of the universe and help others to do the same.

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

Natural, Scented and Flavoured Christmassy Things to Make

Posted on December 16, 2013 by suzannerbanks

Oranges and cloves a classic Christmas goodie - pic via jessicalozanointeriors.blogspot.com

Oranges and cloves is a classic Christmas goodie – pic via jessicalozanointeriors.blogspot.com

Christmas is not always cold! It’s hot in many countries so here’s a list of “cold Chrustmas” and “warm Christmas” things to make.

Hot and Cold Christmas

1. Hey I love the cloves-in-the-orange decoration! It’s an old classic and works for both a southern and northern Christmas. If you’re in a hot Christmas climate this works really well if you hang your orange in a window so the stinking hot southern sun acts as a vapouriser for the cloves and orange rind – instant aromatherapy! If you’re having a cold Christmas hang them near a fire or a heater for a similar effect.

Method: get an orange and stick lots of cloves in the rind. The more cloves the better!

2. Use some the whole spices as a decoration on your Christmas tree – nutmeg (use fine jewelry wire to tie them on), star anise, cinnamon sticks and cassia sticks. Or layer them all in a slim vase for decoration.

Star Anise pic via es.wikipedia.org

Hot Christmas

1. For a summer Christmas try using fresh herbs in a vase instead of flowers – you may also be more inclined to use them in your cooking if they are out on display. Corriander and mint are cooling herbs – isn’t nature marvelous?

Gorgeous herbs in vases pic via lornaslist.com

2. For a refreshing, hydrating drink try cold sparkling mineral water, a pinch of sea salt, a piece of lemon and a good splash of rosewater or even orange blossom water. It tastes wonderful!

Add a splash of rosewater to a gin and tonic too – yum! Rose oil and rose water help the body deal with heat – have you ever had a rosewater lassi in India? Why not try and make a rosewater lassi yourself?

Rosewater lassi – pic via ayurvedicwellnesscentre.com.au

Cold Christmas

1. Eggnog – I never really got into it but, not only are you having a nutritious and warming drink, you are also having an aromatherapy treatment at the same time with all those lovely spices! Your house will smell fantastic when you make this traditional drink.

Eggnog - a warming drink best with all the great spices! pic via www.localnomad.com

Eggnog – a warming drink best with all the great spices! pic via http://www.localnomad.com

2. Mulled Wine – same as above. Spices and fruit rinds in wine – doesn’t get much better than that! All the essential oils will infuse into the wine to give you a scented home and a lovely beverage.

Mulled wine – pic via winemonger.com

Both these drinks are traditional winter drinks that have been around for a long time. They are cold tonics for the body and all those lovely spices and foods combine to act like medicine. Remember our medicine today is a far cry from the original medicines from centuries ago that were all natural substances!

So this Christmas wherever you are remember to gather all your natural herbs and spices, and flowers, and use them in your cooking so you are creating a culinary AND scented extravaganza!

Aromatherapy doesn’t have to be difficult – scented delights are all around you!

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

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New Year – New Moon – Oooooooo powerful!

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

He defines them as:

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

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

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Natural, Scented and Flavoured Christmassy Things to Make

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

He defines them as:

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

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

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