Tree of Life Botanical Perfume Draw

Michelyn of the fragrance blog Cafleurebon has published my review of the Beyond Aromatics Conference. There is a giveaway for 1 gram by weight of Hedera helix or Q in a glass vial as part of the article. Please head on over to this link at Cafleurebon if you'd like to enter the contest.

I chose Q and Hedera helix because they are both part of my Tree Ogham series which you can read more about here. Tuesday, September 30th, is the start of the Tree Month of Ivy, Hedera helix.

Meanwhile...

While most places in the northern hemisphere have been experiencing some form of Autumn weather and signs of the impending season, we continue to have heat and very few visible harbingers except for acorns and pumpkin vendors.

Meanwhile, the jasmine sambac is happily blooming in yet another flowering cycle. I now have two big bottles of tincture, a glass jar of an infusion and an enfleurage all happening at once!

Beyond Aromatics Part Two

Presentations began Friday morning opening with an insightful view of the global landscape of Aromatherapy delivered by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, who had us all chuckling as he retold the creation story from the perspective of aromatic molecules. 

The oration was compelling and mind expansive as he pointed out how corporate science limits our perspective of the effects of essential oils.

David Crow, my first teacher of aromatics, enchanted us with a dialogue on Cosmic Chemistry challenging us to a collective awakening with an intention of creating a sustainable spiritual culture. In the presentation he included footage of growers and distillers of Helichrysum italicum that he has been working with in Corsica. Although the region is known for abundant amounts of the golden flowering shrub the plant is suffering due to ecological factors.  David shared how even the smallest shifts in a culture can have dramatic affects on the plants. For example, helichrysum is happiest when it has lots of space and is alone. If the sheep are present, they will eat all the shrubs and weeds that grow around helichrysum, giving her plenty of room to branch out while remaining in solitude. However, the goat and sheep herders of Corsica have now taken on work as tour guides rather than herding thus the plants that use to be cleared by the animals now infringe on the helichrysum impending her abundant growth.

On Saturday afternoon I presented “The Tree of Life: A Mystical Approach to the Art of Botanical Perfumery” a rather esoteric impression on art, alchemy and perfume, offering an alternate perspective on learning. I began with the history of botanical perfume, going all the way back to the 1^st scent molecules produced by the conifers progressing to todays modern botanical perfumers which holds the seeds of aromatherapy, art, herbalism and alchemy. The tree, with its abundant use in spiritual and philosophical doctrines became the anchor emblem as I took the audience on a Delphic journey.   The piece was somewhat theatrical in its delivery with a moving feast of imagery orchestrated by Greg. Following the lecture I shared my process on how to create a botanical perfume using the systems highlighted in the slide show. Here is a portion of the lecture which Greg graciously labored many hours into to make it into a video.

“The audience was delighted, almost stunned, 

by the beauty and power of Roxana’s presentation.” 

~ Gabriel Mojay

On Sunday, the last day of the conference, I was able to catch two morning presentations. “Staying Healthy through the Seasons with Aromatherapy and Ayurvedic Principals” was the first, which included an introduction to the Five Element Theory of Ayurveda followed by a four page questionnaire to ascertain our particular dosha. Most of us were a combination of two, such as Vata/Pitta.

Next ,was one of my personal favorite authors in the field of Aromatherapy, Gabriel Mojay with Aromasophia: The Symbolic Meanings and Traditional Medicinal Uses of Key Aromatic Plants; The Aromatherapeutic Value of Such Study. Gabriel took us on a very in depth overview of Rosemary and Rose from the arcane to the scientific, with gorgeous imagery to accompany his voice.

There were a total of fourteen lectures and six workshops during the three days, along with an exhibitor area and lots of opportunities for conversation. On Monday, following the conference Cathy Skipper from France led a post conference workshop titled “Looking at the way essential oil’s different layers of action help to heal the ‘whole’ person.” which had students in the evergreen forest that lines the campus of Bastyr.

Each attendee of the conference was given a organic hemp shopping bag containing a variety of goodies including essential oils, hydrosols and a plethora of wonderful bath and body products. My personal favorite has been the Rasayana Body

Oil by Lady of the Lotus.

The fragrance industry is a vast, dynamic landscape of products labeled as perfume, articulated by variances in the raw materials being utilized and how the scented items are formulated. Adding more complexity is a varied spectrum of business models from large fragrance houses (some of which have existed over one hundred years) to the uber niche perfumers hand making items in their kitchens. Never before, in the history of the field of fragrance, have we had such a range.

Aromatherapy is a branch of the Tree of Herbalism aligned with those practicing botanical perfume, a segment of fragrance makers consciously choosing to work with a restricted palette of whole ingredients without isolates and/or animal product.

The Beyond Aromatics conference was such a powerful yet sweet event, compromised of healers and those working directly with plants. I feel so extremely grateful to have been part of this community and the opportunity to share what I have gleaned as an artist and promoter of nature. It was also a thrill to be amongst my piers and authors I’ve admired since 1996 such as Valerie Cooksley and Gabriel Mojay.

The Proceedings of the Beyond Aromatics conference and the videos of each lecture will be available from Naha, check their site for updates and to find an aromatherapist near you.

Photos: Roxana Villa, Gergely Hollodi, Gabriel Mojay and Greg Spalenka

Beyond Aromatics - Part One

In a few posts I'm going to attempt to encapsulate the 7th International Conference of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), titled Beyond Aromatics. The soiree was held on the glorious campus of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington from September 12th-14th, 2014.

Appropriately coined "the Harvard of natural medicine" by author Gabriel Mojay, the University is located within a tranquil forest park near Seattle. The site, with its gorgeous organic herb and vegetable garden, was the perfect setting for a gathering of devotees of nature and wholistic healing.

In 1996, while still working full time as a freelance illustrator and beginning my journey into aromatic medicine, I attended the 1st NAHA conference held at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.  At the time I had already been introduced to essential oils and aromatherapy one year prior via a small amber colored bottle of Juniperus virginiana.

After that first conference in San Francisco I became a member of NAHA and began professional studies of aromatherapy.  My first introduction to aromatherapy was studies with John Steel and David Crow, both active in the vital aromatic community which had sprouted in Santa Monica after the American Aromatherapy Association conference.

When I was invited to be a presenter for Beyond Aromatics it felt like the completion of a circle and the beginning of another. A deep sense of gratitude filled me along with a sense of terror that I choose to ignore. 

The first step was to decide what I would speak on and then write the paper that would be submitted into the Proceedings (pictured above). After those steps were fulfilled I began contemplating how to deliver the information. Normally I prepare a short list of topics to present, then just get up and talk, allowing serendipity and the energy from the audience to guide me. In this case I wanted to be much more professional and make sure I covered all the material.

Thus, I began long discussions with Greg on what might be the best approach, while assembling all the visuals for the slide show. I went back and forth as to how to go about it up until the last minute. I even evaluated and discussed styles of presentations with fellow peers at the conference.

Greg and I arrived to the Bastyr campus late Thursday afternoon via a quick flight from the Burbank airport. After registering and setting up the booth in the exhibit area we wandered over to the student housing where lavender was planted out front of the doorway.

All the presenters and some of the volunteers were housed in the uber green student village on the edge of a forest. Each morning I would rise early and take a leisurely walk through the vast garden on my way to the communal breakfast in the cafeteria.

The congregation in Seattle felt very heartfelt and intimate with a range of speakers and attendees including distillers, health practitioners, educators and many friends.

Continue to Part Two here.

Bastyr Campus photo graciously shared by Gabriel Mojay

Lotus artwork ©Roxana Villa, World of Aromatherapy poster image 2000
Geometric Circle and Illuminated Manuscript via Bibliodessy
All other photos Roxana Villa

Impending Darkness

The night and day of equal length beckons us in the Northern hemisphere to prepare for the shadow, the season of the dark and cooler temperatures. Called by many names including Mabon, Autumnal Equinox and Meán Fómhair, the pagan holy day of the harvest reminds us to be grateful, assess where we are at and begin our inward journey.

The opening illustration by Gustave Doré depicts Archangel Michael casting out the arrogant angels. During this season we also celebrate Michelmas in honor of St. Michael who defeats Lucifer and St. George who tames the dragon, both of these beinging symbols of conquering our shadow side.

The emblem of the five pointed star, also known as the pentagram, is often used to deepen into this season. If we cut in apple in half through the horizontally we will see the hidden star contained within. This image repeats within our body and in nature, another reminder of our perfect one-ness with the Earth.

Today I poured a Cimbalom round tin for a customer and was reminded of the apple note contained within the fragrance. Then, later in the day, I found myself contemplating Greg's Enchantment print hanging in the hallway of our little woodland cottage. Thus, my fragrance this evening is the heavy jasmine inspired floriental Cimbalom, auspiciously heady pink jasmine flowers have five petals.

Opening image: Archangel Michael casts out the arrogant angels. Illustration by Gustave Doré, 1866.

Virtue United is Stronger

Late last night we arrived back in the dry, hot arid climate of the City of Angels after an amazing Beyond Aromatics conference in Seattle. I'll post details and photos from the event soon. In the meantime I need to fulfill the avalanche of orders from the show (after selling out!) as well as all the orders that came in while we were gone.

I'm so grateful for all of your support dear readers and patrons. The Beyond Aromatics conference was a spectacular experience that I am so extremely grateful to have been part of. I plan to upload a video of my talk so that those of you who did not experience it live to can do so via cyber space.

The photo of Greg and I was taken yesterday by our artist friend Tara Larsen Chang who lives very close to Bastyr. If you look closely you will notice that almost all the little tins of solid perfume are missing under the glass domes. This is because after my presentation on Saturday I sold out of all the perfume mini compacts and lockets, and then began to sell the sample tins as we were getting ready to pack for our ride to the airport.

The opening image was used for the Tree of Life presentation at the conference, the translation of the top banner is Virtue United is Stronger.

Solid Perfume Art Lockets are Back!

Three of the solid perfume art lockets are now back in stock. I'm taking these up to the Beyond Aromatics conference in Seattle where I will have a booth. Since they tend to sell out, I suggest not delaying too long to get one.

Summer 2014

Officially Summer is over, although one would never guess by the warm weather we've been having here. For me, it "feels" done when Eve heads off back to college in Vermont, which she did the Sunday before Labor Day.

The weather folks have been deliberating whether this part of the earth is going to be hit with an El Nino this year. First they said yes, then they said no and now it appears they are saying yes again. The rain would sure be helpful for our parched earth, despite mudslides that will most likely occur here within the woodland.

A few of the sign posts indicating the approach of Autumn have become evident by shifting coloration in the oak leaves and the presence of abundant acorns.

Prepping for the Conference

On Saturday, September 13th at 1:45pm, I will be presenting "The Tree of Life: A Mystical Approach to Botanical Perfumery" at the World of Aromatherapy Conference at Bastyr University. I will also have a booth at the trade show connected to the event.

If any of you dear readers is planning to attend the conference and would like to pick up something specific while there please send me an e-mail. Most likely I will be taking along display items and very little stock to sell, thus a heads up is highly recommended.

Model with locket is Minkie of Rogue Minx Clothing located in Portland, her fave perfume from our line is Chaparral.