Hydro+sol

Hydro meaning water and sol meaning solution, the term hydrosol is the aromatic water that carries over the essential oil during the process of distillation. In some instances the end product is the hydrosol, the condensate water produced during a plant distillation, while in others the hydrosol is a by-product of the distillation of plant matter to obtain essential oil. This fragrant water is bursting with similar aromatherapeutic affects as the essential oil counterpart but in a water soluble format that is much more subtle.

Hydrosols have many names including distillate water, floral water, plant water and hydrolat, lat referring to the transparent milky color of the water as it initially comes out of the still. In some instances words such as floral or plant water may not be a hydrosol but a water with added scent material.

During the distillation process plant matter gently imprints the water with its molecular trace particles resulting in a fragrant water. Referred to as "waters of life" in the past, hydrosols are considered a lost art that are now circling back as a revolutionary new form of aromatherapy. The distillates have been termed as “the soul of the plant”, with the ability to transmit non-verbal messages, bypassing the thinking mind.

I distill hydrosols with a heart-fulness that begins when harvesting the material throughout the entire process to bottling. I use both a cooper and glass still, depending on the time of year and availability of plant matter.

Hydrosols contain essential oil molecules which help preserve them and in turn offers many of the benefits of the essential oil. I use them for skin care as toners, room & body misters, perfume,  deodorant and combining with other ingredients to make eco friendly cleaners, facial masks, drinks or for flavoring. Since hydrosols have a cooling quality and are said to reduce inflammation, they are especially useful in hot weather, when someone has a fever and when heat rises in the body, such as a hot flash.

In stock at the moment, click here to my website.

Santa Fe Pinon & Santa Monica Mountain White Sage, the word Santa means Holy in Spanish, these are indeed holy, actually “divine” is a better word.

Related posts: Elixir of Heaven, Jasmine sambac Hydrosol

The Sacred Use of Fragrance in Ancient Egypt

On Venus Day, March 8th, John Steele will share his vast knowledge on the spiritual use of fragrance in Pharonic Egypt, this is a very special interactive presentation.

During this era of antiquity, perfume was a magical medium of communication between humans and the gods. Nefertum, god of perfumes and the soul of plants, will be introduced along with his divine parents Ptah and Sekhmet.

Together, our consciousness will expand as we learn the use of fragrance in Pharaonic Egypt through a censorial experience of imagery & aromatic materials assembled over 35 years of research.

Nefertum's iconic flower was the Blue Water Lily symbolizing perfect beauty, rejuvenation and eternal life. For fifteen hundred years, the Blue Water Lily was an archetypal image in creation mythologies, temple art, jewelry designs and contemplative gardens.

Through this beautifully illustrated journey we will also consider the olfactory mysteries of smell in the human nose and its architectural counterpart in the temple of Luxor. For twelve years the Egyptian scholar Schaller de Lubicz analyzed the temple design and inscriptions.

Johns original presentation on The Sacred Use of Fragrance in Ancient Egypt was at the "Psychology of Perfumery Conference" in 1990 at the University of Warwick in England. It is a work-progress through the years to which he is always adding new research from Egyptologists, botanists, and perfume historians.

This is sure to be an extra-ordinary experience!

Date: March 8, 2019

Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm

Cost: $75

Details: Attendance is limited

Location: Private home in Encino, details provided upon RSVP

Register here

Students of the Art of Botanical Perfume live and online course get priority and a special discount code.

John J. Steele is an aromatic consultant, archaeologist, author and thinker. His work, whether with aromas or philosophy, engages questions about the nature of memory, time, consciousness and being. Among other notable thinkers, he has worked with Terence McKenna and Paul Devereux.

While his work is often closely related to the psychology of fragrance, in talks and writings Steele also explores Buddhism, Vedic culture, the great yugas, geomancy and geomantic amnesia, geo-biology, time out of balance, shamanism, the effects of geological formations on human consciousness, cross state retention, and the importance of sacred sites and spaces.

With Paul Devereux and David Kubrin, John Steele is co-author of EARTHMIND: Communicating with the Living World of Gaia (Destiny,1992), a book which explores ways of interfacing with the earth for planetary healing. John Steele also contributed an essay, "Perfumeros and the Sacred Use of Fragrance in Amazonian Shamanism," to the book The Smell Culture Reader, an anthology edited by Jim Drobnick and published by Berg in 2006.

Together with aromatherapy researcher Robert Tisserand, Steele has studied the effects on brain wave patterns when essential oils are inhaled or smelled. They found that calming oils have a sedative, tranquilizing effect and function by altering the brain waves into a rhythm that produces calmness, while stimulating oils work by producing a heightened energy response.[1]

Notes
1. ^ Therapies: Aromatherapy

References
Bowers Museum Press Release (08.27.06) "Sacred Use of Fragrance in Ancient Egypt" http://www.bowers.org/about_us/about_press.asp?PRID=277

Botanical Perfume Classes in March & April

Art of Botanical Perfume

March 2nd & 3rd in Encino, CA

April 6th & 7th in Santa Fe, NM

The Art of Botanical Perfume is a level one class, an introduction to making perfume with plants. In the past this was a one day course that always felt rushed and overwhelming, thus now I set it up over two days that will include these seven categories:

• 1. What is Perfume?
• 2. History of Perfume
• 3. Tools & Raw Materials
• 4. Fragrance Families & Types
• 5. Olfactory Awareness
• 6. Artistry
• 7. Orchestration

For an more in depth description of the workshop look at the online course, although keep in mind that we are squeezing 70 hours into two days. The Art of Botanical Perfume live or online course is a perquisite for the advanced classes. Seating is limited, grab your spot today.

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Chord Construction & Perfume Types

March 9th & 10th in Encino, CA

April 13th & 14th Santa Fe, NM

This two day workshop is for those who have taken the 

ART OF BOTANICAL PERFUME 

class live or online course

DAY ONE : Chord Building A chord or accord in perfume is a term borrowed from music referring to constructing a synergy of notes that will be added to your perfume to create more complexity. In this day long workshop you will learn the notes and essences associated with eight fragrance families, how they relate to each other and how to make them more complex. These are the eight fragrance families we will focus on:

• Green
• Floral
• Earth
• Wood
• Spice
• Gourmand
• Citrus
• Fruit

By the end of the day you will have created a few chords that will be used on Day Two when we construct a perfume within a specific class.

DAY TWO : Perfume Types Perfumes are categorized into categories or types, which are also referred to as classes. This organizational system is based on the overall, universal scent impression. We will learn about these types, the notes that go into their formulation and construct one or more, depending on our time.

• Chypre
• Oriental
• Fougère (meaning fern in French)
• Floral
• Green
• Leather

All supplies & tools are included with the purchase of this class. Please bring a notebook for jotting down your formulas. By the end of the each day you will have gained new insights to add complexity to your botanical perfume formulas and knowledge to continue working with new skill sets.

Seating is limited, thus I recommend enrolling ASAP to grab your seat

The Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Summit

I just completed the pre-recorded call with David Crow, a long time teacher, friend and mentor who invited me as a guest in The Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Summit. My session title is: Through the Looking Glass: Botanical Perfume for Shifting Consciousness. David guided the conversation so beautifully, as we delved into a variety of aspects related to creating perfumes from essential oils such as alchemy, plant totems, correspondences, individual artistry, formulating and more!

Free Online Event

The Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Summit

with Botanical Medicine Expert David Crow

October 23-26, 2018

This first-ever gathering of today’s top distillers, botanical medicine experts, acupuncturists, doctors, educators, clinicians, scientific researchers — including Rosita Arvigo, Kurt Schnaubelt, Arjun Das, Acharya Shunya, Nyssa Hanger, Eric Scott, Jessie Hawkins, Florian Birkmayer, Kelly Ablard, Cha Roberts, Michael Scholes, Kailash Dixit, and others — will be hosted by botanical medicine expert, David Crow.

I’m honored to join 25+ of my esteemed colleagues to share with you insights, practices, and teachings for experiencing the profound benefits of essential oils for your health, wellbeing, longevity, and spiritual transformation.

I hope you’ll join me for this special online gathering presented by The Shift Network.

RSVP here for The Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Summit — at no charge

During this inspiring 4-day summit, you’ll discover:

• How to use essential oils easily and effectively for healing and vitality
• A holistic understanding of essential oils and aromatherapy
• Key Ayurveda aromatherapy essential and base oils
• Confidence in creating essential oil blends from scratch
• How to use oils with specific applications for integration & healing
• The use of essential oils & the power of sacred aromas to unblock the channels of intuition
• And much more!

Plus, you’ll quickly see that working with essential oils and aromatherapy can complement any existing practice and help you achieve greater fulfillment and success in life — for you and (if you’re a health care professional) your clients.

Here’s what just a few of the speakers from this incredible lineup will be sharing with you:

Rosita Arvigo will explain how to use common aromatic plants like basil, marigold, and rosemary to relieve emotional disturbances such as fright, grief, and fear.

Kurt Schnaubelt will reveal why essential oils are effective remedies to fight bacteria, yeasts, and viruses.

Arjun Das will explore ways use essential oils to promote a vibrational protection for yourself when caring for your clients… so you don’t absorb their energy.

Acharya Shunya will highlight how aromatherapy has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

Nyssa Hanger and Sylla Sheppard-Hanger will reveal grassroots data they collected, clearly showing that there are injuries and adverse effects occurring from improper use of essential oils… and they’ll share key points for helping prevent future damage.

Jessie Hawkins will discuss pediatric toxicology, aromatherapy, and how to safely use essential oils to heal your little ones (even the 4-legged, furry types!)

Eric Scott (one of my faves!) will share insights on artisan essential oil distillation and the value of domestic and regional distillation.

Florian Birkmayer will introduce ways you can connect with the wisdom of  aromatic plants to transform life’s obstacles into opportunities.

I had the opportunity to meet David in Los Angeles during the mid nineties when he inspired by his reverence for the plants, knowledge of ancient medicine and razor sharp focus. He has such a vast understanding of nature from the poetic to the scientific, which has helped his empire build Floracopeia. What a tremendous honor and opportunity, I'm truly humbled. Please check out the upcoming summit, as so many of my friends and colleagues are adding their wisdom to the collective. 

Opening photo of David from the Floracopeia instagram feed, most likely taken by his lovely wife Sara Crow, other photos Roxana Villa from NAHA conferences in Utah and Bastyr in Seattle.

Oakmoss

"A rolling stone gathers no moss."

In my palette as an authentic nature perfumer, oakmoss is one of my most cherished base notes. The damp, forest floor quality of this lichen lends a rich, full bodied, earthiness that reminds me of Demeter. As you may recall, she is the ancient Greek Goddess of the harvest and agriculture who governs over the fertility of the Earth and the mother of Persephone.

Oakmoss is also known as tree moss or Mousse de Chene, and goes by the latin Evernia prunastri. Although the name can be deceiving, it is a species of lichen from temperate forests in Northern Hemispheres. The fragrance note is a key component in the composition of historical Chypre and Fougère type of perfumes. I tend to use it in small amounts paired with complimentary resins and woods in chords which are then added to the final orchestration of the fragrance. 

Oakmoss has been used to construct many of my perfumes but is most obvious in Hedera helix, Q, Figure 1: Noir, Terrestre, Figure 5: Bois and GreenWitch. She is quite robust and requires a delicate hand, but, rewards those who can cultivate patience. 

I consider this very dark and viscous material a scent ally for me, especially since moving to the desert. The scent profile has agrestic notes of decaying earth but also a lyrical component which harkens the dwelling where you find the elves of Middle Earth from the Tolkien series. It's no wonder Wendy Froud wrote this after receiving her compact at the San Diego Comic Con.

"I love fragrances and everything that my favorite ones evoke but I was truly captivated by Roxana's Q perfume the first time I experienced it. It evokes something ancient and at the same time very intimate and personal. To me it's a "remembered" fragrance that taps into the green world of Faerie in the same way that a painting or sculpted image can. When I wear it, which is often, I feel closer to that elusive and magical world."

Photos ©Roxana Villa

Elves image from Movie Magic

A is for April & Alchemy!

Since we have gotten an amazing community already signed up for the Alchemy happenings in April, I thought I'd post a few details all in one place, including a FAQ's.

Here is the list of activities we have planned so far, more are in the works! For ALL these events please arrive unscented. Be mindful of laundry, cosmetic and bath & beauty products on this special day. We need to keep our palettes clear and free of odorants and be respectful of the flora and fauna we will be working with.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20th - 7pm

Alchemy Panel Discussion

with Cathy Skipper, Dr. Florian Birkmayer, John Steele and Roxana Villa

LOCATION

Huron SubStation
2640 Huron Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065

FREE
The panel discussion is free and open to everyone who RSVP's in advance

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FRIDAY, APRIL 21st - 3-6 pm

Distill Your Own Hydrosols

with Cathy Skipper and Dr. Florian Birkmayer

LOCATION

Details provided upon registration.

FEES

If you are registered for the Alchemy & Medicine of the Soul workshop this class on distillation is included in your tuition. To purchase la carte the cost is $40.00

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SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 22nd and 23rd

9:30 am - 5 pm

Alchemy & Medicine of the Soul

with Cathy Skipper and Dr. Florian Birkmayer

LOCATION: 

Roxana Illuminated Perfume in the Atrium of  Whizin Market Hall
28914 Roadside Drive, second floor, unit 219

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

FEES
Early bird registration $296
After March 31st, $350

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MONDAY, APRIL 24th

7 pm - 9pm

Hydrosol Encounter

with Cathy Skipper and Dr. Florian Birkmayer

LOCATION: 

Blue Table at  Whizin Market Hall
28914 Roadside Drive

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

FEES

$40 which covers all the expenses, including the very special and unique hydrosols 

we will be sipping and exploring.

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FAQs

1. Can you recommend a hotel in the area?

Homewood Suites by Hilton Agoura Hills

The group rate has expired, but ask just in case: ILLUMINATED PERFUME WORKSHOP

2. How many students will you consider a full class to be?

We are not sure yet, 23 is the maximum my perfumery can accommodate. 

If we get more we may move it to another space.

3. Will you be sending us a list of things we need to bring?

"For the participants in the Alchemy & Aromatherapy 2 day class:

Participants are to bring 2-3 essential oils. This is for the last two exercises. 

Only a few drops (at most) will be used, they will be returned."

4. Any pre-requisites?

Nope.

If you have any more questions or need more details please contact me:

roxana <at> illuminatedperfume <dot> com

or use the contact page on my website.

Alchemy Panel Discussion, Distill your Own Hydrosols & Hydrosol Encounter

As part of the Alchemy & Medicine of the Soul workshop we have three other happenings taking place all within the Santa Monica Mountain area. Please note there is limited space available for some of these events, be mindful to grab your seat while they are available!

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Alchemy Panel Discussion

with Cathy Skipper, Dr. Florian Birkmayer, John Steele and Roxana Villa

April 20th, Thursday evening

The word alchemy is often associated with essential oils due to the transformation of physical matter through the process of distillation. Historical origins of alchemy point back in time suggesting that Hermes Trismegistus, which in Egypt was called Thoth was the father of the art.

Learn more about the different points of view on alchemy and its relationship to essential oils, aromatherapy, botanical perfume, psychology and altered states in this unique panel discussion.

Free to attend with RSVP

Location: Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, CA

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Distill Your Own Hydrosols

with Cathy Skipper and Dr. Florian Birkmayer
April 21st, Friday 3pm-6pm

The process of obtaining the essence of a plant through the process of distillation goes back in History to the early alchemists in Egypt. In this afternoon workshop we will distill native plants personally selected and harvested with Cathy and Florian.

The word hydrosol, ‘hydro’ water and ‘sol’ solution means water solution and refers to the fact that a hydrosol is water that contains plant molecules and is produced alongside essential oil in the process of steam distillation, it is sometimes referred to as flower water.

With a small, portable, inexpensive, copper still, Hydrosols are easy to make, much safer and easier to use than essential oils and have great potential for use both in physical ailments and when working on a subtle, emotional level.

Mankind has distilled plants in order to extract their aromatic core for thousands of years and there is evidence that all the major civilizations used this form of extraction.

Making one’s own hydrosols and being a part of the process from the harvesting to the final product is not only easy with a small home still but also extremely revealing. The plant seems to open up on another level allowing us to come into contact with its healing vibration with ease and clarity, thus deepening our knowledge and intuitive information about it. There is a time for everything and although there are herbalists that have been distilling and using hydrosols regularly for years, I believe that now is the time to integrate their use into regular practice, they do not replace other forms of plant preparation but add a precious element to the medicinal plant tool box.

The one-day introduction to Hydrosols will include:

• Practical distillations
• Learning what constituents a hydrosol
• How to use hydrosols

DATE and TIME: Friday, April 21st in Topanga Canyon, CA from 3pm - 6pm

LOCATION: Details provided upon registration.

Please arrive unscented. Be mindful of laundry, cosmetic and bath & beauty products on this special day. We need to keep our palettes clear and free of odorants and be respectful of the flora and fauna we will be working with.
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Hydrosol Encounter

with Cathy Skipper and Dr. Florian Birkmayer

April 24th, Monday evening 7pm - 9pm, Blue Table, Agoura Hills, CA

As part of the Alchemy & Medicine of the Soul weekend workshop we are offering an evening encounter with hydrosols, led by Cathy Skipper & Dr Florian Birkmayer MD.

During the distillation process plant matter gently imprints the water with its molecular trace particles resulting in an aromatic water that is useful in skin care, therapeutic applications, refreshing sprays and in cooking. Although these "waters of life" are part of daily life in our recent past, hydrosols are one of the lost arts that is now circling back and finding a home as a new form of aromatherapy. The waters that result from distillation have been described as “the soul of the plant”, able to transmit non-verbal messages, bypassing the thinking mind

In this informal gathering at Blue Table in Agoura Hills, we will explore the transformative subtle frequencies of several hydro distilled elixirs. Our focus will be the emotional and spiritual "properties found in the barely detectable aromatic trace molecules which exist in concentrations of parts per billion, bringing the worlds of matter and spirit."

"Drinking exotic plant hydrosols such as Jasmine Sambac, Blue Lotus, Golden Champa and Frankincense is an immersive experience which is exquisite, both in smell and taste. These plant teachers invite us to participate in a subtle, yet often euphoric, aromatic conversation with the natural wisdom of botanical intelligence."

Join us in this profound inquiry into the relationship between smell and higher consciousness — and feel it spark into your own work. Celebrate the extra-ordinary in the moment as you feel yourself elevated by botanical intelligence.

DATE & TIME: Monday, April 24, 2017, 7pm-9pm

LOCATION: Blue Table at  Whizin Market Hall, 28914 Roadside Dr, unit #219, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, find a map here.

Please arrive unscented. Be mindful of laundry, cosmetic and bath & beauty products on this special day. We need to keep our palettes clear and free of odorants.

“With an increased floral consciousness, 

humans will begin to make full use of their ‘light brain’ 

and make more refined and sophisticated use of their ‘smell brain.’ 

The two are portentously linked. 

In fact, they overlap to such an extent that they may be considered inseparable.”

~ Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume 

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FEES

The panel discussion is free and open to everyone who RSVP's in advance. If you are registered for the Alchemy & Medicine of the Soul workshop the class on distillation is included in your tuition. If you would like to attend the Hydrosol Encounter, the fee is $40 which covers all the expenses, including the very special and unique hydrosols we will be sipping.

Alchemy and Medicine of the Soul

Alchemy & the Medicine of the Soul 

The Wounded Healer, A Journey Through the Alchemical Stages & the Sacred Union

A Workshop with Cathy Skipper & Dr Florian Birkmayer MD
Seats are limited sign up here

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“We each have something to contribute to the global healing process, a particular gift or vision, 

skill or song. Individual healing has a lot to do with finding this gift and using it 

for the world’s sake, finding our song and singing it.” 

~ Miriam Greenspan, Healing Through the Dark Emotions

I am delighted to host a spectacular series of events which includes a weekend workshop with two very heartfelt souls and leaders in the transformative power of aromatic plants, essential oils and hydrosols. Cathy Skipper and Dr Florian Birkmayer bring together a knowledge- and skill-set that encompasses French medical aromatherapy, holistic psychiatry, spiritual alchemy and intuitive plant communication.

The pleasure of meeting Florian and Cathy was akin to that feeling when we discover kindred souls, it took place at the first Beyond Aromatics conference in Seattle Washington, at the time Greg and I were rooming next to Florian and the two had not gotten together as a couple. At the conference, both Cathy and Florian presented topics that were perfectly paired for their profound approach to working with plants, essential oils and psychology—which would set the stage for this profound workshop. Florians approach has since evolved further by working closely with Cathy — whose own expertise as a herbalist, aromatic medicine practitioner and workshop leader is the product of decades of experience and study.

Cathy and Florian share their unique insight into the healing potency of essential oils by bringing to bear teachings distilled from spiritual alchemy, Jungian psychology, and their own unfolding healing journey... aromatically infused with plant wisdom from both the blue plateaus of Provence and the sagebrush deserts of New Mexico.

Florian will show how the Jungian understanding of alchemy is a revealing model for aromatic soul medicine, elucidated by his experience of using essential oils to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues in his work as a psychiatrist. Cathy will draw from her long experience of French clinical aromatherapy, plant communication and kinesiology. Both Cathy and Florian have a personal and professional background in ‘healing the healer’ — a central theme of the workshop.

The workshop is suitable for aromatherapists, herbalists, bodyworkers and psychotherapists, and all those working in the healing arts wishing to deepen their relationship with aromatic plants as well as their own healing journey. Join us for a memorable weekend of learning, sharing and aromatic inner healing... but please don’t delay in booking your place, as numbers are limited!

COURSE COMPONENTS

• Distillation with Cooper Alembic of California Native Plant Flora.
• The seven alchemical stages and their relationship to distinct phases within the cycle of growth and healing.
• Identifying the different emotional/energetic states that arise within each alchemical stage and the essential oils that can help to transform them.
• Exercises and experiential work to deepen our understanding of each alchemical stage and the psycho-therapeutic actions of specific essential oils.
• Looking at ways this work can be used with clients in an aromatherapy or psychotherapy practice.

This workshop is intended to:

• Help participants develop a deeper and more personal, intuitive relationship to aromatic plants and essential oils.
• Offer participants a model of transformation that can be used to assist them on their own healing journeys and those of their friends, family and clients.
• Highlight the importance of soul healing in achieving a state of inner harmony, vitality and optimum health.

Cathy Skipper
Workshop Co-Facilitator

English by birth, Cathy Skipper spent her adult life in rural France, where she farmed, trained and worked as a herbalist and aromatherapist, and taught practical herbalism, botany and aromatherapy at the L’Ecole Lyonnaise de Plantes Medicinales in Lyon. She participated for four years in an approach to energetic healing called Life Cell, under French Kinesiologist Caroline Gupta. Her medicinal plant education in France included a two-year course with Claude Lefebvre in Plant Communication. She emigrated from France in 2015 to live and work in New Mexico with her partner, Florian Birkmayer.

Cathy’s work involves building bridges between aromatic medicine and herbalism as well as recognizing the importance of healing the healer and reconnecting with nature. In her teaching she marries theory, practical work and energetics with the intention of helping students develop an intuitive relationship between themselves, the plant/essential oil and the patient, as a poweful impetus for healing.

Cathy’s work with Florian has a core vibration with the work of Carl Jung, the psyche, aromatic molecules, and the mind. She is co-author with Patrice de Bonneval of Aromatic Medicine.

For more info about Cathy follow this link to her blog and this post which delves deeper into this workshop we are presenting.

Dr Florian Birkmayer MD
Workshop Co-Facilitator

Florian Birkmayer is a Wounded Healer and the co-developer with Cathy Skipper of AromaGnosis, which synthesizes Jungian depth psychology and aromatherapy. A holistic psychiatrist, he has an extensive background in trauma and addiction as well as Equine-Assisted Therapy. A bridge-builder between different medical worlds, Florian works closely and respectfully with a wide range of healers.

Florian received his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York. He completed his psychiatry residency at the University of New Mexico. He has previously served as the director of the Dual Diagnosis Clinic at the University of New Mexico Psychiatric Center, and as the director of the Substance Use Disorders program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, USA.

For more info about Florian, visit: aromagnosis.com

LOCATIONS AND DATES

• Friday, April 21, 2017 California Native Plant Distillation, Topanga Canyon
Time and location to be announced

• Saturday & Sunday, April 22 and 23, 2017 (2 days).
Times: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm daily.
Course Fee: Early Bird $296
Please note that the course fee is in all cases non-refundable and non-transferable.
Tel: 818-992-0490 for further info.

REGISTER

To book a place in the course, please submit your contact details and the course fee in any one of the following 3 ways:
• To book in person please contact Roxana to meet at the Perfumery.
• To book by making a credit/debit card payment, please follow the link to the website.
• To book by post, please send a cheque (payable to Roxana Villa) with your name, address, tel no and email address to: Roxana Villa, PO Box 884, Woodland Hills, CA 91365

Accommodations

For overnight accommodations near the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills, we recommend this hotel in the area: Homewood Suites

A Feature and Perfume Course Giveaway

Eden Botanicals has an interview with me on their blog and is hosting a special giveaway of my course with the kit! Details on the giveaway is at the bottom of this post.

Want to learn about authentic botanical perfume, the history of healing and fragrance, alchemy, how to tap into your inner artist and learn to create scented potions from nature? Then don't miss your chance to win free access to the online course, 'Art of Botanical Perfume' created and designed by me for YOU! 

With a value of over $600, this one of a kind, multi-media course was designed with a feast of beautiful imagery along with extensive texts, links to external sources, a slide show, designed handouts, a fragrance wheel, videos and the special kit of 27 essential oils, absolutes and C02 extracts provided by Eden Botanicals.

For your chance to win free access to this course, like EdenBotanicals on Facebook or follow them on Instagram and comment on the 'Art of Botanical Perfume' post on their blog by 12/5/16. One winner will be randomly selected, good luck!!

Word Rant Wednesday

Wow, it's been since last January when I last hopped onto my bloody soap box and preached about correct word usage and definitions in the perfume industry. Thus, before another year arrives without me raging against the dying light, let's get on with it!

A few months ago a friend sent me a link to a blog post that referred to an iconic herbalist having challenges with essential oils. I won't mention the name since its not important. After some exploration I learned that some herbalists believe that we don't need essential oils. From what I was able to discern, this particular point of view argues that since a large quantity of plant material is needed to obtain an essential oil, the end product is very concentrated and thus both wasteful and potentially dangerous.

Different perspectives is a good thing and important, after all, there is no "one size fits all" and variety is what makes life interesting. There are many facets to a diamond, the more facets the more light is reflected.

In fact, after doing my own distillations I can resonate a bit with the "idea" that perhaps the plant material might be better utilized in its whole form and that the amount of water needed might be wasteful. This is particularly poignant here in Southern California where we have a sever drought. However, it really depends on what the plant material is, who is distilling and why, what the end result will be for the item, etc. I personally adore the hydrosols that have been obtained from the plant material from my garden, the farmers market and my other nearby growers. The benefits of the hydrosols have been marvelous and the aromatic waters contain chemicals that are not accessible in the raw plant material, as a tincture, infusion of an essentials oil. Each form will have a different imprint, a specific frequency based on the extraction, and each medium has a different use. For example, I might eat fresh spearmint leaves, use then in a tea, combine them with limes for a refreshing lime-aide on a hot day, or perhaps through them into a soup with fresh english peas. In fact, I have done all of those things in the last thirty days. However, that does not detract from the value of spritzing my face with the hydrosol while typing this blog post, using the essential oil on my temples or inhaling the aromatic molecules from my palms to provide a bit of clarity and energize my thinking or adding a tiny bit of the essential oil into an aromatherapy blend or perfume.

Just like we have many types of aromatics in the palette of perfume, we also have many types of extractions and ways to use them. Throughout history the "Still Room", the distillery room, was a big part of daily life containing herbs from the nearby garden.

"Still Rooms were places where freshly collected plants and flowers were utilised in many ways, and these traditions continued well into the Edwardian period. Herbs could be hung upside down in bunches and dried for household and kitchen use, or pounded to a paste and in their simplest form added to lotions and grease or fats to provide ointments, medicines and poultices, or added to water and allowed to quietly “distill” for bottling as herb-rich medicinal waters. These were strained off into bottles and stoppered with a cork or the fore-runner of today’s “clingfilm” – pig or sheep bladders, stretched tightly to produce an air-tight seal.

Honey-rich syrups were made by infusing herbs previously bruised in a mortar and pestle or by making a strong decoction – both methods requiring heating to reduce the liquid, then strained through muslin and honey added to sweeten. Colds and sore throats were often relieved by a rose-hip and lemon balm decoction with honey added to soothe and heal. In a static display it is difficult to show the process without a fire and bubbling potions reducing away, but we have an old copper full of herbs waiting to be infused with a ladle nearby for bottling – and a couple of completed bottles ready for use."1

According to one herbalist, the case against essential oils is that they are too concentrated and thus cause hormone disruption. This is followed by a reference to lavender oil causing young boys grow breasts. Oh my, really? Please follow this link to a post here at the journal from 2008 where I share insights into this very topic.

Ultimately we each will have to find our own truth, independent from what anyone says, that is the main tenet to the Art of Botanical Perfume course.

“If you meet the Buddha, kill him.”

~ Linji

1 From the The Rye Castle Museum blog post The StillRoom in the Tower

Spiritus

I am excited to share that a beautiful, cooper alembic has been sent to me. I have chosen to name the still "Spiritus", since the word was one of the names given to the first distillates which were made with wine, herbs and citrus.

Now that the course is finished I have been getting my ducks in a row to dive into this very ancient and alchemical art.

Auspiciously, my local friend Monika Peters began her own journey in distillation last Autumn, thus I have a "distillation" buddy! On Friday Monika and I decided to distill, thus Sunday I headed out to her home high up in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Pacific ocean to do some with my still. We had planned to do a distillation and also "prepare"my still that day. Unfortunately Monikas hoses were too small for my still, so that task is set for another day...perhaps this week.

For the distillation I had Greg purchase some fresh picked, organic lavender from Fillmore at the Farmers Market on Saturday, which came with a few sprigs of mint and lemon verbena. During twilight I went out into my garden hunting for something to pair the lavender with, I was considering white sage, when the Artemesia californica caught my attention with her new shoots gently waving at me. I asked, "Oh, would you like to offer your new shoots to be converted to spirit?" I felt that the plant indeed wanted to be part of the endeavor. Thus, very early on Sunday morning, amidst the gentle song of the birds I harvested a bundle of the artemesia and gave the plant a small carnelian crystal in return for the new shoots. One thing that I find interesting about this particular plant on my front slope is that it came up on its own, most likely thanks to a bird or coyote droppings.

I then put the lavender bundles and artemesia into a bucket of filtered water while I loaded Spiritus into the car and all my other gear for the day. As I placed the bucket with the plant material into the car I decided to add a quartz crystal in with the plants to help maintain their vitality.

After determining that we would not be using my still we set up Monikas, which she named Grace. We then decided to gather some rosemary from her garden to pair with the lavender and artemesia. Thus we had a trinity of local plants from the Lamiaceae family.

We assembled all the apparatus and then weighed our plant material. Next we covered the plants with water, keeping track of how much water we used. Meanwhile Monika noted all these details and more on a paper in her notebook, including other items like the date, time, location, temperature of the day, if there was wind, etc. It was a perfect day, sunny, 79 degrees with light wind.

Next, at 1:58pm we fired up the stove! Although we could smell the beautiful aromatics as everything began to heat up it was at approximately 2:10pm we saw the first drip of our hydrosol. An incredibly exciting moment!

During the process we tested the ph and noted the aroma and taste of the water. At 3:11 we decided to turn off the heat and end the process, although later on we realized we could have let it go a bit longer.

Hydrosols, also referred to as floral or herbal waters, were originally called "hydro-lats" lat meaning milk, because of the whitish color of the water as it comes out of the still. The yellow colored liquid floating on top of the water is the essential oil.

The process gave us 16 ounces of a beautiful fragrant water with notes of pinene, camphor, lavender and lemon. Once the herbal water sets for a bit and we separate out the essential oil I will go on a little tasting/smelling journey with the hydrosol and see what she shares with me. Meanwhile, the quartz crystal that I added to the herbs ended up going into the distillation with the plants and seems to have disappeared.

All photos Roxana Villa.

The Big Burning Question

As many of you have already heard, I was introduced to essential oils via a little bottle of Juniperus virginiana, aka red cedar at a sweat lodge. What I haven't shared is that it was by way of a tiny aromatherapy/essential oil MLM (multi level marketing) company called EarthTribe. At the helm was a beautiful lady named Mary Lee who grew up on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota, she was half Ojibwe Indian via her father with a mix of Northern European on her maternal side. 

It was a great introduction into essential oils which is where I met David Crow. Eventually as I delved further into essential oils and aromatherapy I was led to John Steele, the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy and ultimately Jade Shutes. I soon realized that my true tribe was amongst the professional industry, not a multi level marketing company.

Now that I have a somewhat "public space" in Agoura Hills I get quite a lot of people coming in asking what brand I use and or pitching me essential oils from the latest MLM company. It's always a bit tricky how to respond to these people, mostly because I was once a rep for an MLM company, so I know exactly where they are coming from and most of the tactics they try to use on me. Also, when one is devoted to a brand, its a bit like talking to someone devoted to a religion or presidential candidate, reason and reality are not part of the conversation.

Kristine Bauer, the gal behind the aromatherapy documentary Uncommon Scents, wrote a set of three educational blog posts on the topic. Thus, instead of me getting into the nitty gritty, here are her three posts:

Part One

The Big, Burning Question, Answered (Sort of)

Part Two

Essential Oil Suppliers

Part Three

Red Flags

In the Raw

The price of the raw materials necessary to create authentic botanical perfume have been sky rocketing over the last few years. Many of the bottles of Jasmine, Rose, Oud, Frankincense I purchased years ago when first starting in Aromatherapy have run out.


I am committed to ordering high quality essences from reputable suppliers and thus have begun raising prices. I refuse to compromise and begin using lesser quality or borg materials like nature identicals and isolates. The silver lining to these challenges is that it makes me work harder to find creative ways around the perceived darkness. I have already begun several experiments that are proving quite successful. Since so many competitors read this journal that information will remain a trade secret and not be shared here.


Lately I feel like one of those tantric figures from Indian paintings with multiple arms. The amount of projects percolating is quite abundant. Some start off hopeful then fall by the way side when the challenges seem insurmountable. Then, after a period of time, things magically come together.

The biggest challenge right now is that the computer doc didn't have a good prognosis on our two towers, (sad face) and we need to get a case for my internal hard drive that has most of my imagery. This too shall pass. Sharing one laptop is certainly providing lots of opportunity for personal growth.

Today we are taking a little break and going to the Getty Center for some renew time. Wishing you each a beautiful and nourishing weekend!

Perfume Illuminated: Butter

Creamy, delicious butter is our star today at Perfume Illuminated, yum! In today's modern, western culture we automatically think of butter coming from cows, but the origins begin with goat milk. More on the history of butter can be found at this link.

In our home as a child we didn't have margarine, my mother bought real unsalted butter. However, my fondest memory is when we would visit my grandmother in Argentina where we eat real, fresh farm butter. Every morning my grandmother would set out on her various market rounds, which included the butcher for meat, the fresh produce stands for veggies and fruits and the pastry shop for baguettes and mouth watering croissants.

I followed a similar path in the eighties when I lived the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn. I would go to the Fish store for the fresh catch of the day, the Italian deli for fresh pasta, the pastry shop for breads and cookies. For my fruits, vegies and flowers I tended to head to a local farmers market or the little Korean market. There was something so quaint and vital about going to these little indie stores than the big markets.

Ever since watching the film Julie and Julia, which inspired this weekly blogging project, I have come to associate butter with Julia Child. The power of films and stories is truly amazing.

FRAGRANCE

Butter in perfumery appears in a variety of formats. Let's begin with a fairly new raw material for the natural, botanical perfumer Butter c02. Butter c02 is obtained through a molecular fractionation by super critical carbon dioxide. The result is extremely true to the aroma of butter left out in a dish.

This aromatic works best with other gourmand notes like: Cardamon, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, and Cacao. However, interesting and new scent sensations can be achieved by combining it with other butter notes like Tuberose and Wild Ginger Flower. When working with Butter C02 consider how one uses it for cooking, as a base to harmonize flavors. In perfume we have a term called "bridge note" referring to a material with the ability to harmonize and bring other notes together. This is fact how Butter C02 acts when blending, however, the material demands mastery, use it judiciously and you will be rewarded with new and unusual fragrance pairings.

Other butters used in perfumery are those that are derived from plants such as Cocoa, Mango and Shea for example. Here is a basic recipe to make your own Body Butter, which is very similar to creating a solid perfume.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. of one or all of these: Shea butter, Mango butter and/or Cocoa butter
• 4 oz. Jojoba seed or Almond oil. or a combination of both
• Essential oils for fragrance, use approximately 15 drops

Tools:

• Double boiler
• Plastic or Metal spoon with a rubber handle
• A jar for your finished butter

How to:

1. Begin by melting the butter(s) over low heat using a double boiler. When making solid perfume I use a small ceramic casserole dish which works really well.

2. Once the butter has dissolved add the oil and stir well. I use a laboratory glass rod to stir with.

3. When the butter and oil are well combined and the mixture has cooled for a minute or two add in the essential oil, drop by drop and stir.

4. Pour your liquid butter into your jar and allow to set uncovered until solid.

5. Your final product is now ready to use or gift to someone special. Store at room temperature with a tight fitting lid and enjoy!

FLAVOR

#1 Herb Butter with Lemon
Our friends Peleg and Ricki came by for dinner last weekend. Greg prepared most of the meal, while doing so he asked "What shall we serve with the bread?" Since I had been researching butter for this post I exclaimed "I'll make an herb butter!" The basic recipe I followed is in the Silver Palette cookbook, one of my trusty cooking bibles lest over from when I lived in NYC in the 80's. I began by softening one butter stick by leaving it next to the stove top while Greg cooked. Once softened I placed the stick in the Cuisinart with one tablespoon freshly chopped herbs and lemon juice.


#2 Tarragon Butter for Lobster, from the Julie & Julia website
Melt the 1 cup butter over medium-low heat in a small skillet. Stir in the onion, tarragon, parsley, lime juice, salt, and cayenne. Generously spoon some of the herb butter into the tail of each lobster, the cracked claws, and the body. Keep remaining butter warm for serving.

Now, onward to Beth at the Windesphere Witch blog for more buttery flavor musings.

Images: Old engravings cleaned, enhanced and placed on parchment by Roxana Villa.

Snakes & Ladders

We are in one of the two transformative periods of the western seasonal wheel, Autumn, where leaves turn from green to glorious shades of yellow, orange, red and sometimes magenta. I'll never forget the first time I visited Vermont and witnessed the spectacle of Autumnal blaze of color. To me it felt surreal as I gazed on all that spectacular color and texture.

A few weeks ago, verging on a month now, Greg and I were at a party in the Hollywood Hills brewing with visionaries. There was also a psychic hidden away in the dining room where folk had lined up to get readings. I put my name on the list and waited patiently. Lately "Spider" had been manifesting big time in my dreams and my environment. I was curious to get a deeper insight as to what spider was intent on communicating to me. I figured this intuitive fellow would be able to provide a few answers. As people went in and out of the room I spotted a card set on the table with a lightening bolt. There was something about that card deck that called to me.

Finally it was my turn. I sat down and asked about the lightening bolt card set. He told me it was the Animal Medicine Cards. Ah, of course, my dear departed friend Jillian used these as well as the Shaman who I studied with. Perfect doorway into asking about spider. He told me that spider was about creating a sustainable income revenue source, like her web. Hmm, I liked that.

He then did some numerology with my name and birth dates, which indicated ARTISTY. He also told me to speak my truth and that I need to be heard, even if it makes people uncomfortable. Okay, that last one is a reoccurring theme that gets me in trouble. The lesson, in my humble opinion, is to communicate in a gentle but clear and concise manner.

Next he had me choose three cards from the animal deck, one for the past, present and future. The card I choose for the present was snake. His interpretation was that snake symbolized a letting go, shedding off everything I know in order to birth anew. That sounded a bit scary, and exhilarating. Somewhere along this journey I've heard that fear and excitement are the same thing. “Fear is excitement without the breath.” according to the founder of Gestalt therapy Fritz Perls.

Always, always, always, always, always, always,
always do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Snake totem has even more symbolism than just shedding the old though, one friend pointed out that it is the awakening of the kundilini. Duh, somehow I'd forgotten this aspect! The same friend that pointed out the kundalini element with snake also gave me some fabulous suggestions for the next level I plan to take my botanical perfume business.

What aromatic embodies transformation? Snake oil? Snake oil as an essence for natural perfumery does not exist. The original snake oil came from China and was used as a liniment for the joints with primary notes of camphor and spice. In the nineties when I studied Aromatherapy I created a blend for transformation that I remember containing essential oils of Frankincense, Elemi, Grapefruit and Thyme. My little booklet "Aromatherapy for the Family" by Jan Kusmirek lists these essential oils as recommended for Change:

• coping with: Ylang Ylang
• difficulty in adjusting to: Clary Sage
• difficulty in making: Orange
  

At the moment I am working on a cologne/room spray for this season of transfiguration. I'll reveal more shortly with photos. It has been in the works for quite a number of years and finely feels like the right time, especially amidst shifting realities.

Breathing in the deep transformative energetics as we step into Samhain and morphing into my highest, divine self. Please join me, the more the merrier.