Rooted

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light."

~ Theodore Roethke

It's root vegetable season, very evident at the Santa Fe farmers market. In California, where the growing season is all year long for the most part, you don't witness the shift that occurs in the plants as much, a shift which humans also experience on a much more subtle level.

Roots are very dense in nutrients since they absorb lots of beneficial earth based components as they grow underground. These nutrients are then turned into antioxidants, vitamins and iron that help support and cleanse our systems. Other benefits include slow-burning carbohydrates and fiber, good for nourishing our interior life during the cold winter months.

It's as if roots are fuel to keep our inner light flickering. This idea reminds me of other concepts, related to the opening quote by Theodore Roethke, a perfect illustration of how plants are great symbols for us of how to live and thrive in the world.

We begin our lives as tiny seedlings, nestled in a dark, watery womb where we are nourished via a root-like cord. After emerging into the world, we first receive nutrients from our mother milk and eventually get teeth so that we can chew our own food and begin to embody/in body our own self as an independent being.

The light from the sun (Fire) helps us to blossom, to push through the earthly (Earth) mantel, into the open expanse (Air) and receive those drops of life force from the heaven above (Water). Through this constant, repeating pattern, we grow and hopefully learn, keeping that inner light—the spark of life, alive and constantly tended.

As you may have noticed, at this journal I highlight our connection to the plants, how we are like the different representatives whether the flowers, the trees, the elementals and how by getting back to those roots we can perceive the light.

The Arrival

It has arrived, palatable to all the senses, but most to the physical body. The weekly adventure of rising at dawn, sometimes before any light is due to arrive for hours, has presented itself. Tic-toc, we have arrived at the rhythm of the school year. Soon the cool air of the autumn with golden leaves will become evident.

I look toward the new season with excitement, but, also dread the early mornings and the forced schedules. Gone are the languid mornings, the drives through Topanga Canyon toward the ocean and late night art soirees.

Time for sleeping beauty to awake. The firelight energies of the new season with the oncoming harvest are upon us.

Artwork: Enchantment ©Greg Spalenka. Greg created the illustration above for the book cover Enchantment by Orson Scott Card.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume™
Greg Spalenka
Orson Scott Card

A Perfume for Lughnasadh

Summer's lease hath all to short a date.

~ William Shakespeare

The Celtic high holiday Lughnasadh is named after the fire god Lugh. Sometimes referred to as Lammas, Lughnasadh marks the celebration of the harvest and the end of summer. Here in the City of Angels this holiday hits a bit early and doesn’t quite align with what is taking place on a tangible level. Perhaps that is why I am tardy writing about it?
This past Friday marked the first day of August as well as first day of the Sun’s descent. The day light now slowly begins to diminish as we move into the dark of winter.

Festivals revolve around the harvest where the Green Man is honored for his cycle of death and rebirth.

The harvest theme is a good place to begin gathering inspiration to create a sacred scent or perfume for Lughnasadh. Fruit, such as berries and vegetables were used at altars. In the botanical perfumers palette we have a few gourmand essences that could work such as; cranberry absolute, hay, wheat and hazelnut. Other materials could be tinctured and infused. Many of the traditional herbs of Lughnasadh are also available in essence: Fenugreek and Frankincense. Herbs which evoke the Sun, Apollo and Fire have an apropos feel: Helichrysum, Cade, and Saffron. Pepper, Orange and Ginger for top notes.

Another theme that would take a completely different direction would be a composition based on the Green Man or John Barleycorn. I would begin this formula with a warm amber accord to represent the sun and the harvest. From there contemplate elements which are most representative of one of the two mentioned gods.

Once you have finished your scent apply it with gratitude in your heart for the abundance in your life.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume™

Gratitude

In the United States today we celebrate Thanksgiving, another holy day that started with a great premise but has turned rather surreal, in my opinion. The masses seem to view this day more about food and football than gratitude. Sigh. However, I have learned that instead of focusing on what I dislike in others, I focus on what I would like to create. Thus...

I intend that on this blessed day of Thanks giving we all tune into deep gratitude for all the bountiful beauty and love in our lives. The tradition of Thanksgiving began with the early settlers and the first native people in America. In the US we call them Indians or Native People, in Canada they are referred to as First Nations People, which makes more sense. After all, the word Indian isn't really appropriate since Columbus thought he was in India when he used that term. The word Native doesn't apply either, there are a lot of natives to the US that are not from the lineage of those that dwelled here when the Europeans arrived on their ships. Thus, what is the appropriate/politically correct word? Until I discover it I will use the term Native Indians. I have a tremendous respect for the Native Indians and would like to send out a blessing to them and that we may hear the wisdom that they have been sharing with us since the Europeans first arrived on this continent.

I am grateful for so much in my life and feel truly blessed.

Image above: "Blessings" ©Greg Spalenka, oil paint and mixed media on board. www.spalenka.com

Samhain ungent

Samhain, is one of the high holidays marking the end of summer. Another turn in the great wheel of the Earth, transitioning from the light to the dark. Indeed, some say it is a celebration of the dark, a time to turn inward. The actual date is October 31st, marking the Celtic New Year on November 1st. I will be part of a sacred circle of women celebrating Samhain in Topanga.
For the evening festivities I am creating a special Samhain unguent. The word unguent comes from the latin unguere, meaning to anoint. It is also known as ointment, balm, solid perfume or in this case an anointing balm.
Samhain celebrates the last harvest and the time of the season where life begins to slow down, as nature hibernates during the cold months. This evening marks a time when the veils between the world are thin, there is magical power in the air and it is said that the spirit world is near. This is where Halloween, also known as All Hallow's Eve or Old Hallowsmas, gets its name. The Celtics, as in Mexico, refer to it as The Day of the Dead. This is where the idea of communicating and honoring our dead ancestors originates. It is said that the realm of the Fey, fairies, are very active on this evening, which is why people in the past would dress in white or wore guises to fool the nature spirits.
The story of Arthur as he sails his ship Pridwen to the underworld is a good metaphor for this season. He returns from his journey with a cauldron of plenty.
What are your intentions for the season, what will you plant and give birth to in the Spring?

Iconography of Samhain includes:
The cycle from rebirth to death
Acorn and Oak
Fey, faery folk
Ancestors
Seaweed (for those who dwell near the sea)
Deities: Morrigan (the triple Goddess), The Dagda
The harvest
Pumpkin, sage, apple and turnip

Tarot suit of Pentacles
Direction: West
Colors Black, orange, white, silver and gold
Stone: Obsidian
Fruits: Apple & Pomegranate
Animals: Cats & Dragons

What iconography will you use?
Look for essences associated with rebirth and death, deepening psychic powers and the harvest in your part of the world,

My Samhain ungent will include the following in honor of the harvest:
Essences from roots
Hazelnut C02
Apple blossom concrete
Pomegranate
Hay absolute
For the ancestors some sacred copal infusion as well as an infusion of acorns and Quercus lobata from my beloved oak grove. A magical chord for the fey realm, a drop, or dilution, of choya for the bonfires and something to increase psychic powers.

As I work I will hold the thought of my departed friend Jillian in my minds eye and in my heart. She will be one of the ancestors honored during Samhain celebrations.

"Commutatio" © Greg Spalenka