Coyote: the trickster

As I walked back up the street to our little house Tuesday morning there was a Coyote just in front of me....at 8:30am! What is a lone coyote doing out at that time? Normally I see them at dusk or twilight.

In Native American tradition the coyote is referred to as the trickster. He embodies the archetype of the joker, creating much chaos and mischief. In the tarot this is the card of the Fool. Coyote is in many of the Native American creation myths. In one of my books here I found sixteen different stories featuring Coyote, usually as a very powerful and important being. In some cases he is even the creator of the two leggeds: man.

So, like the nemesis, we learn to embrace Coyote medicine and work with it. It is said that the Divine Trickster is here to teach how to work with others to accomplish great things, similar to the teachings of the Vine. Coyote also teaches us to look inside at the wisdom we hold and how to be in the world balancing work and play. Remember, manifestation comes easily when we are enjoying ourselves.

Follow your bliss and doors will open where there were no doors before. ~ Joseph Campbell

A botanical perfume working with the energetics of Coyote medicine would be interesting huh? I'm going to sit with it a bit and see what percolates up. Definitely some citrus for the playful aspect, elemi for shifting energetics and sandalwood for going within and accessing the Divine.
There should also be a since of the "wild" in the perfume...an animalic quality....mmm labdanum.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume™

The Right Side

In my first year of art school I decided to read “Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain” to help me master representational drawing. Not only did I read the book, do all the exercises but I became somewhat obsessed with the brain. Concurrently my brother began having challenges with his perception of reality and his brain.

Just now, in my inbox, a friend sent over an really inspirational talk on TED. I highly recommend it, click here.

Image above is a pencil drawing which I then took into Photoshop to add other imagery. PhenoHead © Roxana Villa.

{{{ LOVE }}} Nirvana Day!

Happy Nirvana Day!

"To cease blowing" is a close translation for this Sanskrit word Nirvana, used in the Buddhist and Jain philosophical/spiritual traditions. Nirvana, also referred to as Nibanna, is defined a bliss filled state of consciousness devoid of suffering. Buddha transcended the earthly plain on this day, which is why it has been deemed a Holy day festival.

"Matter is the most spiritual in the perfume of the plant."
- Rudolf Steiner

Celebrate this day with sacred essences from the botanical perfumers palette. These include:

• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Benzoin (possibly the "Gold" in the gifts from the Magi)
  
• Sandalwood (Vanuatu or Australian)
• Cedarwood (Sacred in the Native American traditions)

Euphoric essences such as:

• Jasmine
• Rose
• Orange Flower
• Citrus oils (see this journal entry)

The image above is titled "Expand Your Vision" © Greg Spalenka. He originally created it for The Laguna College of Art and Design. Posters are available at his website. The tiny image of the angel is a detail of the larger piece.

Nirvana Day info

{{{ LOVE }}} Bliss

"When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else."
~ Joseph Campbell

A few years ago Greg (my partner) and I were asked to be part of a creative team for Greg Mooers of LifeCamp. We had the opportunity to experience the scope of Mr. Mooers profound work.

What does your soul yearn for?

The answer to that question is what we learned from the time spent with Greg Mooers. It’s like going to a modern day Oracle at Delphi. I gained crystal clear clarity on my life purpose and highly recommend attending a live lecture or listening to the Heart Virtue CD set.

I am committed to authentic self expression. This manifests itself in a pursuit of beauty. Creating botanical perfume from a palette of organic and sustainable ingredients is an authentic expression of nature. Aromatherapists often refer to essential oils as the soul of the plant, thus, botanical perfume is the soul expression of Mother Earth.

Joseph Campbell encouraged us to follow our bliss, are you?

Greg Mooers - LifeCamp
The Oracle at Delphi

The image above was created from an original painting for "The Four Agreements" card deck published by Hay House. "Express Your Love" ©Roxana Villa