Saturday, February 2, 2008

Imbolc


"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
"
~ Anais Nin


Today is Imbolc, also referred to as Candlemas or Oimealg, the Earth Festival associated with Brighid, patroness to poets, healers and smiths. In modern times this day is referred to as Groundhog Day. The festival is devoted to Brighid, the fire kindled at Yule now burns bright in the bellies of the herd animals. The word Imbolc comes from old Irish meaning "in the belly" and is a time to honor the Celtic goddess of fire.

The imagery associated with Imbolc includes: milk, cows, the plough, straw or wheat, corn dolls and crosses woven of wheat. The herbs associated with Imbolc that are also found in the palette of the botanical perfumer include: Angelica, Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Iris, Tansy, Myrrh, Wheat absolute and Violet. This combination would actually make a rather interesting start to a botanical perfume devoted to Brighid and Imbolc.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is it possible to make a perfume from basil ?
Luis

Illuminated Perfume said...

Indeed many perfumes use the fresh, herbaceous, aniseed-like scent of Basil (O. basilicum) as a top or middle note. Most common it is found in Fougere formulations. The fragrance Brut by Faberge is an example of a modern Fougere. Fougere is a French word referring to the english Fern, Dryopterix filix-mas.