Recipe for Planetary Healing Alchemy Oil Blend

I began using essential oil blends for planetary healing while living at DiamondHeart in Anchorage, Alaska.  After moving to White Sage Landing, this technique became much more prominent in my tool bag.  I was guided to use beautiful and exotic oil blends to anchor new energies and intentions into the Earth grids of our area; and to support healing and balance for the consciousness of the area.  

I found that, when poured onto stones or directly on the earth, these Alchemy Blends can create profound shifts and healing for human, animal, and plant inhabitants of the area.  The Nature Spirits can carry the frequencies into the areas and dimensions where they are most needed, and they respond to this kind of offering with often miraculous results!

Today, I was guided to do a Balancing ceremony for the new cosmic energies that entered our Sun during the Thanksgiving holiday, in the form of the Comet Ison.  The guidance was to use 2 amazonite stones and 1 serpentine stone to form a triangle in the center of our Medicine Wheel.  They were placed to represent the Technologies of the Past, Technologies of the Future, and Earth Mother.  To balance these three points, I then made a prayer, and poured the following Alchemy Blend onto each stone.  

Finally, I placed a crystal from Peru in the Medicine Wheel with the intention to receive, amplify, and radiate the new frequencies, information, and intention that came into our solar system with Comet Ison; along with the frequencies that will assist in the easy assimilation of this new information into our human and planetary grids.  (Although I have done this ceremony once already, the Nature Spirits have asked that I repeat it with another layer of intention).  

Then we ended with a prayer for Fukushima and the new technologies that will enable humanity to clean up our mistakes, move through our growing pains, and come to a new level of healing from the events that have unfolded there. 

The whole time through the ceremony, the sweet aroma of this Planetary Healing Alchemy Blend moved around me in gentle waves, as if it was adding its own essence and intention to the ceremony.  

Here is the recipe, in case you would like to use it yourself.

Alchemy Blend for Planetary Healing
Unfiltered coconut oil:  15 ml
Amyris essential oil:  15 ml  (Vetiver or sandalwood could be substituted)
Blue Lotus absolute:  14 drops
Violet leaf absolute:  2 drops
Frangipani absolute:  8 drops

Allow the blend to age for 3 months or longer.  At 7 months, its aroma is heavenly!  It also helps to shake it every week or two as it ages.  This makes a fine temple offering as well, and can be used on points, wrists, or energy centers of the body to ground high intentions into the physical form.

Cataplexy/Narcolepsy and Natural Healing Methods

A member writes:  

I am working with someone who has cataplexy/narcolepsy.   I have seen that  this person has had much trauma in her life.  When it becomes more than she can bear, she removes herself from her body (either she astral projects or goes to her subconscious mind). 

She is very psychic and sees auras and pictures from people.  It is difficult for her to be around more than a few people at a time.  She has little or no control of her emotions or fear responses.  I have begun teaching her to control her mind through breathing, meditation and mental exercises.  She is a very gifted student.  

She has children and they are each presentingvarying degrees of the same symptoms.  There has been much progress in a very short time.    As we have begun eliminating fear and they are learning to control their emotions.     

However, the mom, who has the most severe symptom of cataplexy/narcolepsy, is taking very strong medication.  The neurologists have given her prescription GHB (the date rape drug) to go to sleep at night and then theygive her Aderol, a strong amphetamine, to wake up and stay awake during the day.  

I have seen her on and off the medication and they do lessen thesymptoms and number of episodes.  But they are taking their toll on her mind and spirit.  She has a sincere desire to heal this entirely.

I am asking for any suggestions you might have for oils or herbs that might bridge her building the self control to learning to sleep at night and wake up in the morning that would let her get off the GhB and Aderol.  

I do have a few possibilities to suggest after reading this.

Essential oils that may help her bridge this transition include, 

• Combination of Lavender & bitter orange--inhaled from an inhaler; lavender to relax and decrease anxiety and bitter orange to get her insides moving; restlessness on the outside often indicates internal stagnation, or inner paralysis, which this combination would help.

• Rose and styrax, can gently help to open the mind, and restore the senses to a neutral place.

• Borneol is a Chinese remedy for opening the orifices; helping to clear when we have blocked the senses due to trauma and we no longer choose to see, hear, touch, taste, smell everything that life has to offer. Thyme ct borneol may help greatly to awaken the desire to be alive again, and help dissolve the original trauma that originated the moment of choice to "escape". It should be used intentionally, and not for a long period of time. It could be a wonderful oil for applying to the energy centers or to the body, when the time is right to help release this old traumatic causal pattern. I would suggest blending it with rose and styrax (or whatever spirit guides you to use), to support and balance its effect if using it as a body oil during this type of healing.

There are some other points that are important to add. One is SUPPORT; as you know, this person has not experienced real support in life, and can not let it in. An herbal tonic will help her receive what she can not receive from humans and the world at this time.

It should be formulated to provide both nourishment and support for her spirit to come all the way into the body and live there; she may also need toclear heat and restlessness from all the internal organs--which will help her sleep. See the recipes below.

I found a couple of these recipes from colleagues who have worked with this type of condition. Two are my own recipes from working with people who were prone to seizure like episodes, as a means of leaving their body to control what they experience. In both cases, it manifested as a response to a violent trauma from the past (in one case, repeated violence in the home), which initiated the agreement with this dis-ease.

• To promote restful sleep during transition: Inhaler with lavender, bitter orange, and maybe even one of the other insomnia essential oils, to be used just as she gets into bed, and kept by the bedside to use in the night if she needs it.

• To create a new climate in the digestive system so that she can "digest and metabolize" life's experiences, and the information received through the senses: Eat at least one tablespoon of fermented foods with every meal. She can try any fermented foods from the health food store--miso, Veggie Delight, Sauerkraut, Bubbies pickles. If she is the kind of person who will want to make her own, here is a link to a great website with lots of recipes: http:// nourishedkitchen.com/   She may also explore taking Five-lac or RAW Women's probiotic--not permanently, but just for several months as she makes this transition.

• To nourish and support, provide the body with extra nutrients not available in our foods, and the energetic support to leave her old friends (the drugs): 3 different recipes to try:

◦ Clearing Anxiety and Anchoring Spirit Formula: With 2 quarts of water, simmer these Chinese herbs, 2 teaspoons each of bulk herbs: Poria (Fu Ling); Polygonum multiflori root (He shou wu); Coptis rhizome, Gardenia flower, Pinella rhizome (Ban xia); Polygala; Sweet flag. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and add 4 drops of bitter orange or clementine orange (second choice) essential oil and 3 Tablespoons honey after the formula has cooled. Store in refrigerator for up to 10 days. Take 4 oz. daily.

◦ Dissolve Seizure Pattern Formula: Follow the same procedure, using these herbs instead. Skullcap rt. (Scutellaria); Chamomile flowers; Pueraria (Ge gen); Passion flower; Oats; Gotu kola (Centella); and Concentrace minerals-20 drops, added with honey and 2 drops each of lavender, orange, and cassia essential oils.

◦ Another recipe from a colleague for the same condition: Make a decoction of St. Johnswort; Kava kava; Oats or Ge gen; Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcii); Scull cap; Chamomile flowers; Shizandra berries; Vanilla and Bitter orange essential oils. This one can be really helpful if sleep is also disrupted.

◦ And yet another recipe: Bupleurum; Skull cap; Pinella (Ban xia); American ginseng; Oyster shell or coral calcium; Cinnamon bark or twig; Poria (Fu ling); Red jujube dates; Gardenia flower. No essential oils were added to this one.

◦ Each of the above can be used for months at a time, as they are mainly tonic herbs that nourish the organs and systems. Dosage can be around 4 oz. daily. Only use one of these formulas, and if one is working keep using it. If you are not satisfied with the results, try another recipe. I would definitely test her body with muscle testing, or have her hold each herb and get a psychic read on its energy--somehow bring her into the process so she can begin to trust herself and know that she has control and choice over what she is taking in.

I know that this seems like a lot of expense for one's recovery, yet I sincerely believe that she should not try to wean herself off of the drugs without providing all of these pieces and getting them in place before she does it. They will make a huge difference in ease and potential for success!

Another piece of the puzzle to consider, (which I am sure you are already putting in place), is to have her go through a completion process with the drugs she is taking. In my eyes, these drugs (although potentially very damaging!) have become her friends and helpers--probably the only beings that she could rely on to help with these symptoms until she found you, and began to reclaim her health.

She may want to acknowledge all that these friends have done for her, and the service they provided, AND state her choice to move on and take over the responsibility for her health. She can ask for their help through the transition, in knowing how to gradually let them go, what to replace them with, and how quickly or slowly to proceed. This way the drugs have been honored on a spirit level, and there is more likelihood that she will have ease in the process of letting them go.

There was quite a bit more to this story, which has been edited out to protect anonymity. I believe that readers can get a good idea of the situation and SOME of the steps to healing this condition. If other readers have worked with cataplexy/narcolepsy or any similar seizure conditions, please do share your comments.

Many blessings! Kathryn

Essential Oils of the Season

As the oils began to arrive at White Sage Landing, it felt like the arrival of a group of old friends, bringing gifts and the Solstice spirit!  Each oil is quickly removed from its aluminum shipping container, and placed into Miron violettglass bottles, with the fivefold intention to Enhance, Purify, Catalyze, Harmonize, and Stabilize their inter-dimensional frequencies.

According to the guidance that comes in with each oil, it may be placed in one of the activated healing energy spaces on the land, supported by a large crystal grid that extends throughout our 15 acre lot, for 11 hours and 11 minutes.

Some oils ask for a deeper process; including special crystal layouts, or prayers for the clearing of any toxic energy that might be lingering from their journey through the international postal system; or prayers for the continued care of the plant community  that gave these gifts.

In a few days, the co-creative activation process is complete, and the ceremonial ritual of pouring the oils can begin.  As I meet and greet my old friends, the oils often reveal a special intention coming with this year's harvest;  maybe a new idea for using the oil for healing; or a planetary intention the oil is holding that will be integrated by those using the oil.

Sometimes prayers come as I am pouring,  and this time I made an agreement with myself to remember some of them to share with you here on this blog.  The Pouring Ceremony is a very personal and powerful communion with the plant spirits for me; yet I know that I can share their communications after the ceremony, and others may find some benefit.  So here goes!

Kamala Attar played with me as I poured--it has such a playful lightness to its spirit this season!  As a true representation of the feminine principle, it played with mystery;  I first opened the bottle and smelled--almost nothing.  Only a faint aroma of indefinable nature.

Then I remembered that many of the very feminine aromatics do not choose to reveal themselves until they are removed from the bottle.  I diluted some of the attar and took a tiny drop of dilution onto my wrist.  Like jasmine and other florals, it came alive only after being diluted, into a gentle yet pervasive mysterious aroma.  Like the lotus it is made from, it feels abundant with inner strength and self confidence.

The aroma stayed with me all day, cycling through periods of being strongly present, and moving to the background.  Kamala Attar showed me that it can assist us in perceiving divine timing, and trusting it.  It will help us relax and wait when patience is needed.

If you are intending to blend with it, it can be a marvelous aromatic base for a fine perfume, by adding other florals, vetiver, sandalwood, etc.

If you want to change any oil blend created, you can add just a drop or two of Kamala, and it will mysteriously show itself, no matter what oils you have used;  it is soft, yet always its voice is heard in any crowd!  What an example of feminine beauty...

This year's Cypress came with a vision of Comet Ison's journey into the sun on Thanksgiving Day of this year.  This is an event for which the indigenous consciousness on Earth Mother has been waiting for countless generations.  It has been described by some Native American elders as the sperm that fertilizes the egg of our solar system.  With this fertilizing comet came new information from the cosmos that is now radiating every day in the sunlight that shines on all of our planets in the solar system.

It heralds a time of the blooming on Earth Mother--what the Mayan and Hopi call the Age of Flowers.  The new information it brings will facilitate a renaissance of culture, beauty, and harmony with the Earth that we have never seen up to this point.

We as humans represent the nervous system of our planet, and we must integrate and activate this new information, and gradually bring it forth into our consciousness and co-creations.  Cypress, being the ancient teacher and stabilizing force that it is, has volunteered to assist in the integration of these new cosmic energies.  It will have a special calming and balancing effect on those who are struggling with moving forward, or bringing the expression of who they are out into the world.  It will also be a potent helper in manifesting new forms and experiences of abundance in our lives.

I am personally using it as a bath oil and applying it to my heart and solar plexus for this purpose.  I will also be using it in ceremony, as an offering to the Earth when I visit cities that may receive assistance in integrating.  The prayers that came with Cypress are for ease in the integration of past, present, and future; and for stabilizing the human emotional body and the planetary emotional body.

And I would like to add an update on the intentional aromatic recipe in the last paragraph of this November post.  It is called Inner Beauty, and I have been working with it now for a few weeks.

It is especially helpful for women, those who may not feel or know their own beauty.  It helps us appreciate our own beauty, and see it clearly.  It also helps us become willing to be seen by others, and release fear around projecting beauty into the world around us.  I am just loving it, and seeing how quickly it is impacting the confidence of the women who are using it!  Please make your own, and let me know what your experiences are...

In Love and Gratitude,

Kathryn

Oh, and word about the gift you will find in your order this season; it is very sacred purple heartwood from one of the ancient Juniper trees on Kaibab mountain.  It is perfect for burning in a fire ceremony to welcome the new year; or for using as a smudge.  Thanks to Michael who received the gift from this ancient one, and prepared the wood for you, and especially thanks to the ancient one who gave the gift.

Questions from A Member

Recently a member wrote:

Hi Kathryn, can we get Arnica essential oil? Or do you recommend something else?

How come many herbs seem to be used in the leaf (or cut root) form but not in essential oil form, for instance: aloe, comfrey leaf or root, oak bark, gravel root, mullien, lobelia, marshmallow, skullcap and walnut bark? Is there a reason that you do not seek these out in essential oil form? I am looking at a bone, flesh and cartilage regeneration formula made by Dr. Christopher.

Thank you!

Thank you for this very good question.  As part of my answer, I would like to tell a quick story.  

Back in the 1990's, Michael and I decided to purchase a distiller, in order to gain more understanding of our local wild herbs, and to produce our own essential oils.  My very first candidate was a plant that we had planted in our garden for its medicinal qualities; Comfrey.  

Imagine my surprise when Michael and I had completed our first distillation, going through around 10 gallons of water in five hours, only to find out that only a small trace of viable essential oil could be skimmed from the hydrosol, not even enough to fill a 5 ml bottle!  

Of course, we discovered that the hydrosol was the real gift in Comfrey distillation, and used it for healing everything from broken bones to skin diseases, internally and externally.  It became a staple in many skin care recipes and internal tonics.

And this is an illustration of the fact that, many healing herbs do not produce enough essential oil through steam or water distillation, to make it a profitable venture.  Some plants, like aloes, carry mostly water-based components; others simply do not let go of their oils easily.  And some have a very small percentage of aromatic components  in their make up.  Which, again, makes it impossible for distillers to spend the many hours required to distill them, and be able to compensate their time and energy expended by selling some of the oil.  Oils produced from these plants would have unbelievably high prices.

In a case like arnica, this plant gives up its oil very easily;  so easily that the plant has been extracted as an infused oil (like a sun tea, with olive oil in place of water), by herbalists and wild crafters for many generations.  Because it is so widely available and easy to make yourself,  it is unlikely that the essential oil could command the price it would need to in order for someone to make money producing it.   

There are many plants in this category;  so many species that no one has yet invested the time and energy into exploring the possibility of distilling them.  Maybe someday we will have so many people distilling at home that most medicinal plants will become available in essential oil form.  I do believe that will take a long time to become a reality!

Infused Oil 

If you want to use these plants mentioned above, which are not available in essential oil form, there is at least one solution that I can think of immediately.  This is to extract the oils through infusion. 

 If you are working in co-creation, you will first want to connect with the plant spirits and ask permission for this process.  I like to place an offering somewhere outside; by a tree or plant, or in a place that feels right to you.  Pay attention to the ideas that pop in at the last minute when you are working this way; they are often coming from the plant spirits to help you with the process.

• Place some of the dried (or fresh if you have access) plant material into a pint ball jar.  Use as much plant material as you can, more is better in this case.  
• Fill the remainder of the jar with cold-pressed olive oil (Costco sells a good quality for this purpose).  
• Set the oil in a location where it will get full sun for several hours a day, and let it sit until the color changes and (if you are a dowser) it dowses complete.  Otherwise use your intuition in whatever form you use it.  The longer you allow the oil to soak, the stronger the essential oil content will become.
• Strain the plant material out before storing the infusion permanently, in a cool place and in light protected bottles.  Be sure to label your oil.

For hard, tough plant material such as bark and roots, you may want to accelerate the process by processing the herbs before you place them in the sun.  One way to do it is to place them in with the oil, into a Vita-mix or high speed blender.  Process on medium first, then go to high speed until you do not hear big chunks anymore.  This will change the clarity of the oil;  in many cases it will become less transparent and more cloudy, which is okay.

Another way is to bring the oil and plant material to a boil in a small sauce pan before pouring it into the ball jar.  Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, then proceed as before.  You will want to experiment with these methods to find out which one works best with the plant you are extracting, and produces the best oil for your purpose.

Blessings for a happy production!

Kathryn

Kamala Attar & Ruh Juhi Dilutions

One of the members wrote: (My answers are in BLUE).

Hi Kathryn,

I am making my order and have a couple questions.

I am thinking of getting the largest coconut oil. Is it very stable and not needing refrigeration?

Yes, the filtered coconut needs no refrigeration and can be kept for months or even years without going rancid.  I store my personal bottle in a cool dark place, such as a basement, pantry, or a cool closet.

About the Kamala Attar and Ruh Juhi. Is this Kamala Attar the same as the one you once gifted to us in the small vial?    Yes.  The bottle says just “Kamala” but there is not much room to write.

Would the Kamal Attar @ 35% dilution be a nice perfume in itself?  Yes--it is still amazingly strong, and actually has a more well-rounded aroma than the pure Kamala.  The dilution brings out more of the elusive florally top notes.

Would the Ruh Juhi @ 25% dilution be a nice perfume in itself?  Yes.  This one can be even diluted further, and still have a nice scent--like a cologne.

If you were offering these as perfume gifts, would you suggest additions or leave them as is?  They are both perfect as they are--especially the Kamala, which is such a well rounded aroma on its own.    I would definitely use the Jasmine Ruh Juhi in a blend if you prefer blending--it blends so well with others.   

This morning I awakened with a recipe "whispered in my ear"--it was 4 drops of Kamala Attar,  5 drops of Rose Otto, and 1 drop of Ruh Juhi, added to a 5 ml bottle of filtered coconut oil.  I am going to give it a try today and see how it blends. (My intention for the blend will be "Allowing Inner Beauty to Emerge"). 

Thank you!

Miron Glass Bottles

One of our members wrote:

I have a question about the Miron glass bottles. Do you have any tricks for knowing how much oil is in a bottle? They are so dark that you cannot see through the glass.

Thanks for asking.  You may have some success by holding the bottle up against a very strong light, especially if the oil is dark in color.  I have had more success with this method with the larger bottles--the 5 ml and 30 ml bottles are the most difficult to "shine through".  After years of measuring and estimating EO's, I have developed a pretty good skill at guessing, by shaking the bottle and hearing where the oil surface is.  The other possibility, if you need to know a more exact figure, is to purchase 5 ml disposable pipettes.  You can then squeeze the bulb, draw the oil out of the bottle, and measure what you have. 

When filling Miron Violettglass bottles, I have come to use a 5ml Pipettor, which looks like a big plastic syringe.  (Note:  You must also purchase disposable tips, if you are thinking of purchasing one of these.)  In this way, I can eliminate guesswork, and hold a very tight measuring unit.  It also saves a lot of time, if you are filling many small bottles.

We will be placing an order for Miron Bottles during the current Winter order.  Some of the prices that some of you have asked about include:  

NEW PRICES as of 12-02-2013

• Spray caps for 100 ml bottles:  $1.35 each ($14.85 / dozen)
• Miron violetglass bowl:  $24.00  (Note:  Holds 100 ml--about 4 ounces+).
• Apothecary bottle, 250 ml:  $16.50
• Wideneck jar, 50 ml with black cap: $2.55 ($28.05 / dozen)

Honoring Joan

Hello,

Today I would like to honor a dear friend and member of the Buyers Club, who made her final transition into the Spirit World early yesterday morning.  Joan Johnson was an amazing teacher, friend, and world-bridger.

All who knew her, from classes and events held at DiamondHeart, here at White Sage, or through her teaching career and the many other things she was involved in, know of the wisdom and compassion that she gracefully carried in her life.  She will be loved and missed by many, as we honor her crossing.

Michael and I express our deepest gratitude for her presence in our lives.  We send our heart felt blessings to Heather, Paul, and everyone in her family at this time.

Aho, my friend.

Kathryn

Angelica, Oil of Angels

One of our buyers club members recently wrote:  

I just heard from one of my customers about the Angelica Oil she ordered from me.  She said:

" .. my son had a bad tumble on the Thanksgiving week-end.  He was taking a walk on a rainy evening and he tried to jump a railing and slipped.  The railing impacted his chest.  I went to my office and was guided to use the Angelica oil I got from you.  It kept him in a state of peace and comfort while I released many large currents of trauma.  It was like having a team of angels around him!"  

(She is an energy healer in Canada, and gave permission for us to reprint this on the Blog).  

Thanks again for sharing this great story!

Kathryn

Herbal Treatment for ED and Prostate Issues

I recently received this e-mail:  

 I’ve been asked if there are any natural remedies to take the place of E D drugs.  This person has had prostate surgery due to cancer.  Since I’ve never dealt with that I googled/binged it without much success.  My standard, EarthClinic.com, had some info but they are a big supporter of ACV, cayenne and garlic.  I’m sure most of it is a circulatory issue, but I’m a little hesitant to suggest experimentation.  I doubt I could hurt anyone, but a bit nervous about it, but would like to see them off the drugs. Any suggestions?

My response was:  

ED has various factors, all of which need to be addressed before a new paradigm will kick in!  First--hormone levels--they are  always out of balance.  Herbs that help correct this include epimedium, a Chinese herb.  You can read a little bit about it here on WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-699-EPIMEDIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=699&activeIngredientName=EPIMEDIUM

Epimedium does not have any known interaction with the drugs that treat this condition, and should eliminate the need for them over time.  I must caution you that epimedium can create other imbalances when used long term, if it is not properly combined with other herbs.   If you decide to try epimedium, you must also prepare it with balancing herbs that will build yin and consolidate jing, and bring the energy balance back up gradually, over time.  One possible combination: Dioscorea root (wild yam root); ganoderma (black), and ginseng powder. Other combinations will work too, but this one is my current favorite.  Adding these herbs together with the epimedium balances the formula so it can be used over a longer period of time without any harmful effect.  Here is a great source for CLEAN bulk Chinese herbs, which are hard to come by:  http://www.eastearthtrade.com/ganodermalucida-4ozblacksliced.aspx

Second--the energy level is usually lowered.  This can be addressed using the same formula, as epimedium addresses this too.  And the changes I am about to recommend next will do wonders for a person's energy level by helping him assimilate more of the nutrients from his foods.

Third--nourishment is an issue, because this is a sign of depletion.  Nourish this person's digestive system with daily doses of fermented food!  He should be drinking 8 ounces a day of kefir water OR kombucha; and include 2 Tablespoons of kim chee, sauerkraut, Veggie Delite, or Bubbies pickles types of ferment, daily.  I would also recommend a probiotic for him, for about 2 or 3 months, until the foods begin to take over the job.  One probiotic I have had success with for men is RAW Men's probiotic; another is Fivelac.  

He will not need to take the probiotics forever, especially once his system gets going with the fermented foods.  I am doing a whole seasonal update on fermented foods this month, so there will be lots more info coming.  

Lastly, I might recommend a series of flower essences or a homeopathic preparation of Cypress or Labrador Tea essential oils.  These could assist the person in clearing the suppressed emotional energy around sexuality, manhood, and loss.  These would be a significant part of the healing for ED, prostate cancer and pre-cancerous conditions.

Lots of Love and Blessings for this healing journey!  Kathryn 

Alchemy in a Bottle

The beauty of Earth Mother's ground cover expanding all around us as the rain becomes more plentiful, has kept us in constant wonder this season.  It has been so beautiful here, that spending days inside pouring the oils became a heavy prospect.  Yet, once I was into the process, my heaviness was replaced by joy as I began to experience the beauty and essence of these oils!

There are a few that I want to share with you, even as they are making their way across country to each of you.

• Mitti attar--Oh my!  I love the Indian Attars, and expected this to be beautiful.  When I placed a little drop on my wrist and went about my day, this aroma came to life with images of dry clay soils, and a feeling of hot wind on my face.  It is truly a remarkable beauty, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

• Garlic oil precautions--Those who have ordered the garlic oil before will remember, and those who have not, please take note.  Garlic has a warm, roasted garlic aroma that is good enough to eat.  The challenge is that it is so concentrated, that it will remain on hands, clothes, skin, and anything it touches, for days.  If you do not want to smell intensely of garlic, I recommend that you take these precautionary measures:  Wear latex or polyvinyl gloves (from Costco) when you are pouring, and immediately take them outside to the trash when finished; Store your garlic oil bottle in an airtight tupperware container, or double Ziploc baggies--we store ours in a different location than all of our other oils; Use paper towels for clean up and dispose of them when you have finished pouring or blending; and if you want to keep your home or work room from smelling of garlic,  open the bottle and do your pouring and blending outdoors.  (I even change my clothes when I have finished pouring garlic oil).

• Argan--food or carrier!  This oil has a warmly toasted aroma that is similar to peanut or sesame oil.  It makes a great addition  to stir fries, and carries lots of healing properties for internal or external use.  I am excited to hear from you about how you like it, as we have not offered it before.  I enjoy the flavor, and like the oil for my skin as well.

• Dill essential oil--fresh and aromatic, yummy herbal scent.  It is a lovely distillation this year, better than I have encountered in many years.  So balanced that it could be easily used in recipes that you would like a dill flavor--such as gravy, sauce or salad dressing.

• Wormwood essential oil--another very high quality distillation this year!  Enjoy a tiny touch in "green" perfumes and herby-floral blends; for clarifying the mind and dissolving old patterns. 
• Last of all, I am sharing a very special little gift with everyone.  Many of the distillers send me little samples of essential oil creations that they have made, in the form of completely natural perfumes.  (I almost do not want to use the word perfume for these, as perfume has come to mean "chemicals" to most of us in the 21st century).  But these are made from natural, living essential oils and attars; and carry the healing properties and consciousness of the oils and the Alchemist's intention as well.  In fact, the only difference between an essential oil blend and a natural perfume, is this:  The perfume has been aged for at least 6 months, up to a year or two.  This allows the different notes of the oils to condense into one aromatic note, and it is much more challenging to discern individual oils from the perfume's aroma.  The perfume I am sending you in a tiny vial, is called "Morocco".  It is made with over 60 natural oils and substances.  The recipe is unavailable, but would be easy to imitate if one wanted to experiment a bit. Hope you all enjoy this little gift!  I have been toying with the idea of teaching a perfume workshop online, if you love this and are inspired to take this workshop, let me know.  I might be able to focus on it sooner if I know how many of you want to take it!   

In Love and Gratitude,

Kathryn

Protecting Your Hair with Natural Products

Swimming can have a real effect on your hair.  Lots of people are switching to Saltwater pools, which is supposed to be better for hair and skin.  But it turns out that salt breaks down into chlorine over time, so your hair and skin are still exposed to the damaging effect of chlorine.

By request, I have researched the most popular and effective treatments to protect hair, then "weeded them out" to find the most natural ones.  Here is the routine that I feel would best protect your hair when swimming frequently.  Please use it, and I welcome feedback on your satisfaction with the results, or any changes you would make.  I am not a swimmer, and have never used this routine myself, so am really looking for feedback.

1. Wet hair before swimming.  Combine your favorite conditioner (please use a natural paraben free formula!) with pure jojoba, at a 50-50 dilution.   Apply this mix to your hair, then put on your cap if you are using one.     NOTE:  Don't comb the conditioner through hair--it will cause more breakage.  Simply work it through lightly with your fingers.
2. As soon as you come out of the water, rinse hair with pure water OR club soda.  The club soda is very clarifying and the bubbles supposedly help to remove chlorine.  
3. Wash with a sulphate free, paraben free shampoo after you are done swimming for the day.  I recommend Jash Botanicals' Morocco Method International shampoos as a great natural cleanser, if you can not make your own.  If you have a favorite brand of sulphate free shampoo, use it.  If your hair does not improve with this program, you will know you need to change shampoo brands.
4. If your hair is already damaged, spray it with Morocco Method's natural Volumizer Mist OR Diamond Crystal Mist , which act as a protectant for damaged hair.  Massage through hair gently and allow hair to dry without rinsing. 
5. When hair is dry, carefully brush or comb through it.
6. If hair is damaged, deep condition your hair weekly.  A number of natural products are available for this procedure--check the Jash Botanicals website above, OR use pure warmed jojoba.

Remember--it will take time to regenerate your hair.  Natural products do not carry the polymers/plastics that coat hair and make it feel smooth and shiny, even though it is stripped of its protective coating.  As you clear old chemicals out of your system, gradually your hair will improve, and you will eventually have hair that is shiny and smooth and strong--naturally, without chemicals.  

Kathryn

Essential Oils and Shelf Life

Recently a member wrote:

I have a question - wondering if you would comment on some information I've been seeing put forward recently that essential oils are only good for a maximum of 2-4 years, even when stored properly.

In some ways, this can be regarded as a trick question.  A great deal of the answer to this is related to the QUALITY of the oils we are working with.

Commercially produced oils, (and this includes MANY brands that are sold as therapeutic quality, organic, artisan distilled, etc.), have been mass produced by distilling at very high temperatures. 

The SOEF's (subtle organizing energy fields) that preserve the energetic integrity of essential oils is compromised by chemical changes that take place at these high temperatures.  My experience has been that the more heat a plant is exposed to during the distillation process, the less energetic integrity it's oil maintains. 

When the energetic blueprint is not as strong as it can be,   
the substance--essential oil in this case--it can begin to degenerate, and the physical oil itself breaks down. I believe this is why the myth about oils breaking down has taken hold in many circles.  

In the case of essential oils:

• That have been stored away from direct light or in light-protective bottles
• That were hand produced with intention for maintaining the SOEF (or "spirit") integrity
• That have been distilled at the low temperatures common to artisan distillation
• That are stored in energetically enhanced surroundings

I have never heard of essential oils breaking down prematurely.  I personally have oils that I acquired in my first essential oils intensive back in 1990.  They are as fresh and vibrant as they ever were.  

I do store my oils in Violettglass, and the bottles are placed on a marble tile. This preserves the vibratory frequency.  I have stored oils for years without ever losing an essential oil to degeneration.  

There was one exception that I recall, years ago.  A chiropractor that I was working with complained that her oils were going bad on the shelf.  I checked them with dowsing and found that there was a spoilage issue.  

She stored her oils (already combined with carrier oil), in a small shelf directly above the chiropractic table where she treated all of her patients.  My belief was that the released energies following treatments of patients was impacting the oils vibrationally.  Sure enough, when she tried moving them to another location, she no longer had the break down issues.  

We need to remember what started this whole renaissance with plant oils and extracts;  the opening of King Tut's tomb in Egypt in the 1920's.  Scientists found a huge amount of balms, essential oils, and plant products that were viable still, after over 2000 years of "storage".  

During the Middle Ages, Crusaders travelled into Egypt and the Holy lands, fighting a religious war. When they returned to Europe, they brought pieces of Egyptian mummies with them.  The essential oils that were used to embalm the mummies, were still potent and viable medicinal oils.  European doctors of the time quickly learned to distill the mummy pieces to get the oils out--to make medicines!  That is how powerfully intact some hand made oils can remain!

*  *  *  *  *

Still the best way to identify whether or not your oils are still viable, is to educate your nose!  Smell them every so often to see if they still have that lovely little spark of energy and light that you feel when you inhale.  If they do degrade, the aroma will become faded first.  Then it can go sour or just simply lose its top note.  

If you leave a citrus oil in a cup or bowl on a countertop, exposed to air for a few weeks, then compare its aroma to the one stored in your bottle, you might get an opportunity to experience how an oil can change as it degrades.  Citrus oils are the most fragile, especially those that have been cold-pressed, so they are a good oil to experiment with.  Always compare oils that are stored differently, to see if they are changing.  Your nose will give you the best information possible.

In Gratitude,

Kathryn