HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Wishing each of you a very happy EARTH day! The earthiest of our perfumes are Terrestre, created on Earth Day and Figure 1: Noir. Read more about elemental earth here.

For a bit of validation on just how magnificent Mother Earth is, check out this video. As you may have heard, I will be a presenter as this Autumns Aromatherapy Conference up in Seattle. My talk is titled "The Tree of Life: A Mystical Approach to the Art of Aromatherapy", this video gives you a clue as to why I choose the tree as my archetype.

Loved into Being

 "A garden, where one may enter in and forget the whole world, cannot be made in a week, 

nor a month, nor a year; it must be planned for, waited for and loved into being."

~ Ancient Chinese Proverb

Today I am continuing work on the Figure 1: Noir LookBook. Tomorrow is Earth and Honey Bee Awareness Day which will find me at the Backwards Beekeepers booth at Santa Monica College from 3- 5pm, in their brand new Organic Learning Garden.

Here in our native plant woodland garden the sacred white sage (Salvia apiana) is blooming along with many others and the spectacular Matilija poppies (Romneya coulteri) have big bulbs ready to open soon.

Back when we removed all the non native invasive plants from our yard and decided to plant natives we didn't know what we know now. So much learning comes from doing. The reason our native garden has been so challenging is first our own limitations back then of understanding native plants and how they grow. The other two factors which took awhile to figure out is that the front slope besides being clay soil also contains large amounts of fill and some toxins given off by the non native eucalyptus tree roots. Slowly but surely, with determination, the front slope is finally starting to take shape. We still have more planting to do.

Summoning Earth

Elemental earth is grounding and supportive. In contrast to the other elementals like air, fire and water the earth is stable. The external associations are found in dirt, rocks, caves and the ground which we walk on. The aroma is most prevalent in such pure plant essences as Patchouli, a polarizing fragrance that has become emblematic with the 1960's.



I was born in the 1960's in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thus I have none of the smell associations that many attribute to Patchouli. My introduction to it came in the nineties, I wasn't fully conscious or much appreciative of it until aromatherapy entered my life. During my induction into aromatherapy, I was surprised to learn that patchouli essential oil is derived from leaves, due to its musky aroma and ability to ground mental energy I had been convinced that it came from roots.

The perennial is native to Asia where the leaves were placed with fabric as an insect repellent with the added benefit of scent. The essential oil is is distilled from the scalded, dried leaves of Pogostemon cablin. Viscous and amber in color the aroma has a rich fragrance, sweet herbal notes weaved with wood, spice, musk and earth. The essence "ages" spectacularly, softening edges and revealing deep balsamic, floral notes.

In aromatherapy as well as natural botanical perfume patchouli is an important essence to have in an aromatic palette. For aromatherapy work the essential oil works on several systems of the body, most importantly offering considerable value for psychological balancing. As our culture has moved into cyber space and places huge worth on mental performance patchouli brings us back to elemental earth, to the here and now. The fragrance not only grounds us but also uplifts and arouses our creative energies.



Although patchouli was part of the Asian pharmacopoeia (defined as a book of medicinal preparations) the distilled herb did not enter into the west until the mid 1800's. In perfume work, the essence is particularly important to the genre of spicy oriental formulas. The aroma of patchouli provides a valuable affect on other floral essences within a composition and excellent fixative properties.

The natural perfumer is fortunate to now have a variety of patchouli essences to work with. In addition to numerous varieties of the essential oil, we now also have an absolute, a C02 extract and beautiful vintage bouquets featuring a floral note.

Now, just about fifteen years since I was introduced to patchouli, I use the essential oil almost daily in my face oil and under my arms as a deodorant. This vital plant distillate has become a staple in my beauty routine and perfumers palette. I've also come to realize, during custom perfume consultations, that if an individual experiences the aroma without "knowing" what it is, they are more apt to not have objections. This is especially true of the aged essential oil.

Patchouli is one of the many earthy elemental essences that were utilized for constructing the natural perfume Terrestre. The journey began with the construction of a "dirt" accord for a client requesting a custom perfume. The accord was further developed during the three hours between the East and West coast of Earth hour with the perfume finally released on Earth day. The word Terrestre is French for "of the Earth".



Elemental Earth is the home of our connection to the here & now. It is related to the base chakra, the place of manifestation, control & restraint and grounded in experience. Home of the Male, strength and ability to create magic. The spirit medicine of Snake dwells here with the ability to move swiftly, above and below the ground, to shed what no longer serves and be born anew. The lesson of earth requires us to let go and break free of constraints and the compulsion to control. We are asked to be present here within our bodies, feeling our feet upon the ground.

Three hundred sixty five days have brought us back to the day we celebrate Mother Earth. What have the two legged humans learned in that space of time? Have we deepened our awareness of our selves and this planet on which we dwell, or do we still wander in darkness?

Remember, always, the debt we owe to the Earth. Without her we have no home to dwell upon, whether that is the ground beneath us or the physical body that houses our spirit.

Peace on Earth

“Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness
should be waiting for us in our graves - or whether it should be ours here and now
and on this earth.”
~ Ayn Rand

Peace + Earth = Peace on Earth

The scent for this day celebrating the Earth is a little alchemy, an aromatic equation. I have layered Terrestre solid over the the liquid perfume devoted to Peace, thus producing Peace on Earth!

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,
and no culture comparable to that of the garden."
~ Thomas Jefferson

Seems extra fitting on this day to wear a perfume constructed from the organic, natural materials of the earth. The grounding affect of the aromatherapy essences contained within Terrestre facilitate the "here and now" while the perfume devoted to Peace imparts elevation and serenity. Layered together a synergy is born with the whole being far greater than the sum of it's parts.

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair." ~ Kahlil Gibran

Earth Day was the brain child of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson forty years ago. Thanks to visionaries, 40 years later, Earth Day is a prominent event across the planet. What are you doing today? Take at the very least a moment to be in the garden or park and experience the beauty and bounty of the Earth. Perhaps, beginning today, that intention will manifest for more citizens of the Earth and we can truly begin stirring our beloved Spaceship to greener pastures.

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
~ Galadriel from Lord of the Rings

Images:
Peace Perfume bottle ©Roxana Villa
Tombstone photo ©Greg Spalenka
All other photos © Eve Neuhart

Nom de Plume

The Earth Perfume Name Game has ended and produced a lovely name for our solid perfume! Thank you so much for all those who participated, from the those who contributed names to all those who voted.

Terrestre (french for 'of the earth') shall be the new name for the solid botanical perfume devoted to our Earth. This nom be plume was contributed by Felicia who will now be sent a Terrestre solid perfume as her gift for winning this game.

Here are links to the original post about the creation of the fragrance and the name game I and II.

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same.
~ Walt Whitman

Terestre is available at the Illuminated Perfume boutique on Etsy, including mini sizes.

Contact

Dr. Kent Clark: Nice to smell you again, Mr. Kitz.
Michael Kitz: You too.
Dr. Kent Clark: [aside] Wouldn't have pegged him as a Polo man.

On Twitter a few weeks ago I read a tweet by friend and fellow artist Dave McKean. He mentioned watching the film Contact with his son. I had forgotten about the film and decided that the next opportune moment I would watch it with my daughter Eve.

The first time I saw Contact was in a theater when it was first released back in 1997. I remember being so inspired that I came home and started sketching. The sketch soon tuned into a painting that is now beloved by many and hangs in our home.

Greg, Eve and I all watched Contact this past Saturn evening. (Saturday is named after the planet Saturn.) This film has a terrific story, is extremely well crafted and superb actors, all of which make an equation for excellence. Here are a few of the quotes that stood out for me and really touched deep into my heart.

~

Executive: We must confess that your proposal seems less like science and more like science fiction.
Ellie Arroway: Science fiction. Well you're right, it's crazy. In fact, it's even worse than that, nuts.
[angrily slams down her briefcase and marches up to the desk]
Ellie Arroway: You wanna hear something really nutty? I heard of a couple guys who wanna build something called an "airplane," you know you get people to go in, and fly around like birds, it's ridiculous, right? And what about breaking the sound barrier, or rockets to the moon, or atomic energy, or a mission to Mars? Science fiction, right? Look, all I'm asking, is for you to just have the tiniest bit of vision. You know, to just sit back for one minute and look at the big picture. To take a chance on something that just might end up being the most profoundly impactful moment for humanity, for the history... of history.

~

David Drumlin: I know you must think this is all very unfair. Maybe that's an understatement. What you don't know is I agree. I wish the world was a place where fair was the bottom line, where the kind of idealism you showed at the hearing was rewarded, not taken advantage of. Unfortunately, we don't live in that world.
Ellie Arroway: Funny, I've always believed that the world is what we make of it.

I've chosen Earth Solid Botanical Perfume as the scent of the today. We are currently in search of a name for this perfume. At the moment Terrestre is winning in the poll. Please stop in and vote at this link, if you have not yet done so. Thank you so much to all those who have.

Painting detail at top from Sol y Luna ©Roxana Villa
Merkaba painting ©Roxana Villa

The official website for the film Contact
Dave McKean on Twitter
A list of quotes from the film Contact

Earth Perfume: Name Game Part II

Thank you to all those who dropped on in here at the Illuminated Journal to leave a suggestion for the Earth Solid perfume name. I'm so grateful for your suggestions. As I mentioned in the original Earth Perfume: Name Game post, naming a perfume is tricky due to trademark. I have selected five for you now to choose your very favorite. It was really tough to choose just five! A few were knocked out because other perfume artist's are utilizing the name. Please vote for one which you feel best represents the Earth Solid Botanical Perfume. Only one vote per person. NOTE: I've been alerted that there is a cosmetic company using the word Avani. Thus, since I can't seem to alter the poll, please do not vote for the name Avani, although it is a great word for this botanical perfume. Thank you.



Voting will remain open until Thursday, May 7th. The winning name will be revealed on Friday, May 8th. Along with the name, of course, there's the illumination that will accompany the fragrance. I have illustrated this post with a beauty from Maestro Gregorio's available imagery. The image may change depending on the new name.

Thank you so much for your creative input and many thanks to Lillyella for the inspiration to conduct this Name Game.

Earth Perfume: Name Game

“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance;
they make the latitudes and longitudes.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

The newest solid in our stable of pure, botanical perfume needs a name. Inspired by my inspirational friend Nicole of Lillyella and her monthly Name Games, today we begin our first and very own Name Game.

The Earth Solid Botanical Perfume fragrance has a grounding, warm quality with chocolate gourmand notes. There are 19 essences total in the composition including: Patchouli, Vanilla, Labdanum, Benzoin, Vetiver, Saffron, Myrrh, Rose, Cepes (Mushroom), Cedar and Bergamot. Comprised primarily of base and middle notes the longitude evolution is a hum, like a giant OM. Besides the Gourmand fragrance category this perfume treads lightly the latitudes of Chypre, Leather and Incense.

Our planet Earth is a dynamic living organism which is continually evolving. This fragrance is also in the evolutionary phase. I am currently tinkering with it just a bit. Mainly I will be adding infused oils and a few more top notes. If you would like to add your suggestions as to what notes or themes you would like to experience in this perfume please let us know.

Perfume names are tricky because of trademark. Unlike a painting, a film or a book a "perfume" name can be owned. Thus, the ideal with naming a perfume is to find a name that no other perfumer or cosmetic company is utilizing.

This fragrance is currently available as a solid perfume mini and in the antique finished compact. The color vibration is a dusty, rose brown. (See picture) I may create it as a liquid or a body butter in the future, not sure yet.

How to participate:
Embark in this game by reading the blog entry here about the Earth perfume titled The Scent of the Earth, for further inspiration order a sample so that you can have an experience with the scent. If you have suggestions please leave a comment on this post with your name idea(s) and contact information. We will select the name we like best that also does not appear to be utilized by any other perfume(r). If the name you submitted is the one chosen for the fragrance, you win the Earth solid perfume compact! Maximum number of name entries per person is ten different names, entered all at once or sporadically during the competition. We will then conduct a poll with the top five names entered.

The first phase of this contest ends at 10pm PST on Thursday, April 30th with results being posted Friday, May 1st (May Day!). Feel free to e-mail me, roxanailuminatedperfume.com, if you have any questions.

Thank you to Nicole for inspiring this game!

Seeds of Manifestation

" We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
we borrow it from our children."
~ Native American Proverb

Happy Earth Day! What seeds of manifestation are you planting today? Make sure to water those little embyros with lots nourishing thoughts. We can take the lead by following Mother Nature, by emulating her ways. Most seedlings require the elemental forces to manifest themselves, take the mighty oak for example. The acorns fall to the ground and first needs the assistance of a squirrel to come on over and give it a nibble. The squirrel takes a few bites and then spits the acorn out because it tastes something bitter. He plants the seed to return later when he's REALLY hungry and the bitter taste won't matter so much. That bite is exactly what the acorn needs to begin it's journey, by the squirrel burying the seed in the ground, this furthers the process. Then we have step three: rain, water element. Slowly the acorn germinates and sprouts sending roots down into the earth and shoots up towards the heavens. In about fifty years that little acorn will turn into a great tree providing shade, homes to many creatures and yet more acorns.

Early this morning while the air was still slightly chilled, I watered my little native plants. One day they will cover our rather barren slope and manifest into a beautiful and inspiring native landscape. The garden will require little to no water, foster biodiversity, provide food to song birds and homes to a few native creatures.


Perfume of the day is a toss up between Rosa, dedicated to the California native rose and Earth Day Solid. Hmmm, perhaps layering these, yea that's it!

What are you planting today for the future of Earth?

Green Thing

In connection with the Earth Day Giveaway over at the Modish Blog, Cosa Verde has been blogging about the different artists who contributed to the event. Roxana Illuminated Perfume is one of the featured artisans today. Make sure to head on over to Modish and enter the giveaway for some terrific eco and handmade treats.

Cosa Verde Blog
Modish

The Vespertina Giveaway at Scent Hive ends tomorrow, Earth Day, head on over to enter for your chance to win a 1 gram sample of Vespertina in liquid and/or the upcoming solid format.

Scent Hive

The Scent of the Earth

On March 28th, as Earth Hour began on the East Coast, I began an "Earth Hour" accord for an "Earth Day" perfume here on the West Coast. Knowing that I only had a three hour window until all the electricity was to be switched off, I configured and formulated an earthy, dirty accord. According to the Earth Hour website hundreds of millions of people in over 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries voted Earth by participating in this event. All that intention for the Earth, along with mine, is bottled up in this new solid perfume.

Notes considered "earthy" according to An Introduction to Perfumery by Tony Curtis and David G. Williams, are those of sunbaked earth after the rain (Mitti Attar), freshly turned over soil, and woody-vegetative notes.

Everyone will have there own olfactory experience of "earthy"...this domain seems to rich far and wide. After all there is the flowering of the earth as we experience in the Spring which will have more floral and green notes than the the sunbaked earth of the desert or the very vegetative and indolic earth of the tropics.

Notes that I tend to classify as having an earth quality are:

• Mitti Attar: This is an essence that comes to us via India. It begins as earth just after the first monsoon rain, collected and formed into patties, sunbaked in the sun and then co-distilled into Sandalwood. The aroma is not necessarily earthy, however, it is literally distilled earth and thus is placed into this catagory.

• Vetiver: A very thick and resinous material that comes to us from the roots of a tropical grass. Based upon the aroma one would never suspect that the source is roots of grass. The fragrance is deep, heavy , sometimes slightly sweet with a vegetative quality. Depending where the essence comes from the aroma will have a variety of odor qualities. While studying aromatherapy I use to wear this as a single note perfume, one of my friends once commented that I smelled like a camp fire.
  

• Patchouli: Dominant notes of Wood and Herbaceous/Camphoraceous with a back note of Green/Vegetal and a subsidiary note of Spice. Other earthy notes include: Mushroom absolutes, sometimes called Cepes, Lovage, Myrrh, Spikenard, Oakmoss, just to name a few.

In aromatherapy essential oils that are grounding and facilitate bringing one into the NOW with feet firmly planted on the earth are Vetiver and Patchouli.

My interpretation of Earth for this fragrance contains over ten different essences including:
Labdanum, Cedar, Precious Oud, Vetiver, Patchouli, Indian Rose and Bergamot.

The aroma is more along the realm of parched desert earth with a tad of sweetness and green. There is a progression which (on my skin) moves from dry and woody to sweet, green floral and a soft, woody, amber dry down. Off course this will vary on each individual as the solid mingles with the ultimate base note...your skin. Let me know how the scent progresses on your skin.

For a limited time I am offering FREE mini samples of the Earth Day perfume with any orders made on my website or my shop on Etsy. You may also choose this perfume in the solid trio and five pack solid sets.

I need a REAL name...so I thought we would conduct a game here on the blog where the individual providing the BEST name wins a full size version of the fragrance. Stay tuned for details on the upcoming name game.

Image above is by the luminous Gregory Scott Spalenka, ©Greg Spalenka.

Better to Give

“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”

~ Albert Einstein

Giveaways are in the air. Now that the website and blog are once again running smoothly, we will resume our regular scheduled Etsy Artist spotlight and giveaway in the morrow.

Today head on over to Modish who is facilitating an EarthDay giveaway with the eco-friendly marketplace CosaVerde. I've contributed a liquid perfume sampler for the event.