Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Winter Solstice

themes ~ honoring the darkness, welcoming the light

The shortest day and longest nite of the year, Winter Solstice has been celebrated throughout the ages. It is a festive time of year, usually involving much revelry and gift-giving. It feels like the right thing to do... to enjoy ourselves as much as possible during this dark time so that our joy will help welcome the light back into the world.

There are some traditions that focus on the battle between the dark and the light, and we are shown that both are valuable... they live because of one another. So on this, the longest nite, honor the darkness before you call in the light. Recognize and release any resentments, regrets or other unpleasanties that have burdened you this year. Say farewell, thank them, and know they will be transformed.

Create an image representing that which you want to release (words, drawings, etc). Spend a few moments with this image, then bid it farewell by setting it on fire. (safely) Scatter the ashes.

Now breathe, smile and embrace the light of the new season/year without that heavy weight. Create another image (or list) of what you'd like to manifest in the new season/year. Keep it, bury it, do what feels right with that list. Just remember it!

Candles, glitter, twinkle lights, evergreens, rosemary, cinnamon, clove.... (some images and aromas to inspire at this time)


cheers!
~d

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Solid Essences




Solid Essences

Apply to wrists, neck and above the heart. Solid essences are not overpowering and can be worn in combination or even with other fragrances. Blended to provide specific emotional support, these remedies are designed to be experienced by the wearer (and anyone who hugs or nuzzles them).
All natural essential oil blends in a jojoba oil and beeswax base. Made with a touch of fairy magic.

Joy - Uplifting and eternally feminine rose harmonizes with herbal lavender and warm subtle resins. (Limited edition yuletide blend, 2011)

Rose (Bulgarian + Damascena)
Lavender
Benzoin
Labdanum

Serenity - Lavender and neroli calm and soothe, while frankincense and subtle resins provide a mellow tone.

Lavender
Neroli
Frankincense
Benzoin
Labdanum

Monday, October 10, 2011

emollient oils, nourishing butters, etc


Argan oil - Expeller pressed. High in Vitamin E, loaded with antioxidants and omega 6 fatty acids. Anti-wrinkle and moisture-boosting, said to minimize acne and eczema. Great for hair, skin, nails.

Tamanu oil - Cold pressed. Said to minimize acne, psoriasis and eczema. Has antimicrobial qualities and has been used to treat everything from shingles to diaper rash! Works wonderfully heal and fade scars and stretch marks.

Kukui nut oil - Cold pressed/partially refined. (Kukui means "enlightened" in Hawaiian) Contains antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. Used to treat eczema, psoriasis, aging skin, acne. Great for scalp and hair.

Grapeseed oil - Expeller pressed. Great for sensitive skins, lightweight and protective.

Jojoba oil - Cold pressed, unrefined. Similar in structure to human sebum, this gentle oil helps protect and soothe damaged skin.

Coconut Oil - Extra-Virgin, unrefined.

Sunflower Seed oil (calendula, plantain, elderflower infused) - Expeller pressed, partially refined. Rich in vitamins A, B, D & E, unsaturated fatty acids and lecithin. Used to treat and heal dry, damaged skin, eczema and psoriasis.

Castor oil (floral infused - lavender, rose, calendula, elderflower) - Expeller pressed, refined. Works as a barrier to protect and condition dry, damaged skin.

Sweet Almond oil - Expeller pressed. Lightweight and soothing, rich in fatty acids.

Sea Buckthorn oil - Steam distilled. Contains Antioxidants, Beta-Carotene, Vitamins C, A, B & E, essential fatty acids, flavonoids and phytosterols. Helps address aging skin, minimizes wrinkles and aids in healing eczema and damaged skin. Provides UVB protection.

Rose Hip Seed oil - Cold pressed. High contents of Vitamins A & E and essential fatty acids. Rich in linoleic and linolenic acids (which the skin cannot manufacture on its own). Said to fade dark spots (hyperpigmentation) and reduce wrinkles, this oil is well-known for its anti-aging benefits. Aids in healing eczema and psoriasis and moisturizes and repairs dry, brittle hair and nails.

Shea Butter Niloteca - Fair trade, Certified Organic. Unrefined. Natural sunscreen, high in antioxidants and fatty acids. Softens and smooths skin, hair and nails. Anti-inflammatory.

Shea nut oil - Expeller pressed/refined. Shea oil is produced when the shea nut is pressed for shea butter. Although not as emollient it still provides the benefits of shea butter.

Beeswax - Naturally hydrating, soothing and healing. Beeswax helps to bind moisture to the skin quite effectively while softening and protecting.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

natural tints


Using synthetic colors to enhance your natural beauty is so unnecessary... and so very Unseelie. Yes, there are some great arguments for synthetics: vibrant, consistent colors; amazing variety; ease of use. For some folk those are reasons enough. But not for all of us. In these modern times we have re-discovered safe, natural materials to enhance our natural beauty.

These are the natural tints used in Seelie Herbal Remedies.

Alkanet Root - This burgundy colored root has been used for ages to dye all sorts of natural materials, from wool to wood to even wine. The resulting color ranges (plum, red, pink) depending on the method.
It's considered to bring luck, especially in games of chance.... and can help speed the healing of a snake bite.

Annatto Seed - In addition to tinting material a golden-yellow, annatto has been used historically to keep food from spoiling. It has recently been discovered that it also has antioxidant benefits when used on the skin.


Mica - Fine mineral powder that reflects light, providing a shimmery effect.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

floral oil infusions





Organic Red Rose petals.
Organic Calendula blossoms.
Organic Lavender flowers.
Organic Castor Oil.
Sunlight.
Love.
Patience.
~~And a bit of magic

(Also infusing on my windowsill are single flower or herbal oils:
Organic Calendula blossoms in Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic Elder Flower flowers in Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic Plantain Leaves in Organic Sunflower Oil)


Infused Oils are so divine, so effective and so very gentle. Lightly fragranced yet completed imbued with the healing properties of each petal or leaf. The method I choose for infusion is considered the Folk Method, or Solar Infusion. To me it's both logically and intuitively the wisest way to infuse oils. Some herbs and flowers (like rose) are so very delicate that I'm sure applying any heat other than that of our dear star sun would be just too much.

What shall we do with these beautiful oils? Oohhh... the fairies of Seelie Court urge me to use them to create beautifying potions.

I think I shall.

~d

Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumnal Equinox




AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

THEMES: Thanks, Balance, Intuition

Ahh… the long days of Summer are slowly leaving us. The Autumnal Equinox is, like the Vernal (or Spring) Equinox, a time of balance. Both dark and light - day and nite - are equal. Preparing to move into a phase of darkness with the days becoming shorter, we now reap what we’ve sown and use that to sustain us thru the dark times.

The summer is now over, but before we get carried away on an Autumn breeze we should honor the warmth and joy of Summer. Thank the Earth for her bounty, the Sun for his power and ourselves for just being Us. The apple blossomed during spring, turned to fruit during the summer and is now being harvested to sustain us during autumn. What blossomed and fruited for you this year? Is it ready to be harvested? What shall you create with this energy? Maybe you’re ready to take the next step, take a project to the next level – or maybe it’s time to put your skills to use in a new way. What will keep you busy and creative during the long nites to come? Let’s take it over the top with the apple analogy here: think about saving a seed from your apple and nurturing that seed through the winter… readying it for planting next Spring. Yes, everything really is connected – one skill relates to the next, one relationship leads to and prepares you for the next. Gratefulness helps it all to roll along and grow…

Eat, drink and relax. Thank the Earth for her bounty. Give thanks for all the gifts you’ve received this year and for all the supportive friends and family that surround you (they are a gift).

Give some time and thought to the following:

~everything you are thankful for this year

~what you’d like to manifest for yourself or create during the fall and winter

~what you are releasing

~~~(and leave an apple or some other treat out for your local fairies)

Cheers!
~d