Calendula Flowers & the Sun

The calendula seedlings I purchased at ReUnity Resources on April 30th are blooming abundantly! It makes such a difference to purchase vital, organic plants, especially here in the high desert, where conditions can be challenging. We also want to be supporting local and small businesses as much as possible. I also look for companies/organizations that are not selling items that pollute, destroy bee colonies and have integrity, even in their personal lives. Santa Fe is such a small community that its super easy to know what's going on, for example, if a business owner is cheating on his wife, then I won't support that business.

The alchemical path teaches us to look beyond, to observe and dive into a deeper understanding of essence, the vibration of a plant, object, human being. We are beckoned to "feel" into meaning, perceive patterns and symbols....beyond the thinking mind.

In plants we observe the color & shape, as well as where it grows, to determine its healing attributes. As you can see, calendula (Calendula officinalis) has an affinity with the sun, notice the circular bright orange flowers with petals that radiate outward. I am also observing how they look very lion-like, especially in the photo below.

The sun, related to elemental FIRE, home of our beating heart and the constant drum beat within, home of passion, warmth, and direct knowing. Home of the Child, youthful abundant energy, and motivation. The spirit medicine of Lion dwells here, providing strength and courage.

As the center of our solar system, plants associated with the sun re-mind us of who we are at a core level, empowering a strong sense of self and shining bright where clouds may have obscured lightness of being.

Sunny calendulas nourish on so many levels, specifically where there is a loss of vitality and wounding. This is why calendula is so wonderful for dry skin and used in salve making. The youthfullness of their vibrant appearance calls to our inner child to come out and play, have fun in the sun and be free.

Working with plants ground and bring us into the sacred moment. By mimicking and being in harmony with nature, we then flow in the current of the cosmos.

Related posts: Doctrine of Signatures & The Principal of Correspondence

Photos & words ©Roxana Villa. alchemical image: The alchemist who has achieved illumination, from Andrea de Pascalis, Alchemy: The Golden Art. The Secrets of the Oldest Enigma

The Doctrine of Signatures

I've been infusing calendula flowers at the perfumery. Each time I work with these sweet flowers I am reminded of their star signature, the celestial imprint that they are encoded with.

Plants retain and transfer the vitality of the Earth to us, facilitating an upgrade to where it is most needed. Calendula flowers have an affinity to the sun, as we can witness by their Doctrine of Signatures, which acts as a mode of communication without words, where the plant shows us through its shape & color what it's star signature is.

In a recent review of the Green Knight fragrance, a couple internet trolls, hiding behind their fake names, attacked the concept of the Doctrine of Signatures. The trolls remarked that the Doctrine of Signatures isn't real, not even a little bit and that its a bunch of yogababble.

We each have the lenses we use to perceive the world around us. The ancients, throughout all traditions, observed plants to understand the non-linear language being communicated, it is a very right brain mode of perception, where we observe patterns and archetypes.

For individuals who have become very "land locked" within the left brain, functioning in a narrow, mechanistic paradigm, these concepts are completely out of their sphere of perception. Instead of opening themselves up to new ideas, they automatically move into their reptilian brain and attack.

As I contemplated what was occurring, it became clear that this challenge was a manifestation of the tale of The Green Knight, playing out in the comments of the review. When we bravely share ideas, concepts and our creativity in the world it can sometimes feel like we are the Green Knight offering our axe to others to cut off our head. What they don't realize is, in that act of cutting of my/our heads, they have accepted the challenge of having their heads cut off.

As above, so below / As within, so without

Thank you to Eli, one of my students in Spain, who posted this little nugget in the comments of an instagram post where I mentioned this challenge.

"In the human spirit as in the universe there is nothing above or below, everything demands with equal right a common center that manifests its secret existence through the harmonic relationship of all the parts with respect to it. All disputes of the ancients and of the moderns, up to the most recent times, are born from the separation of what she has produced unitarily in her nature. We know quite well that in singular human natures, the predominance of any faculty or capacity is habitually imposed and that a unilateral way of representing things is necessarily generated from it, since man knows the world only through himself and, therefore, naively. presumption, he believes that the world is built according to him and his wishes." 

- Goethe

How to Make a Plant Infusion

A plant infused oil, called an infusion, is a process used to extract properties from a plant matter which is sometimes referred to as our Prima materia. In plant fragrance making and aromatherapy we use infusions for salves, solid perfume and oil bases.

First thing to consider is your end purpose, what is the intention of your herbal oil? Is it scent, therapeutics, flavor, magic, color? If you are not quite sure of an intention and just want to experiment, than let yourself be guided by the plant that presents itself to you, it may be in a dream, from your morning pages or perhaps witnessing a plant waving to you.

For making infusions you can use either fresh or dried material. If fresh make sure your material is completely free of moisture by placing the plant matter on or between paper towels, tying up bundles and hanging them upside down from a rafter or by laying them out on a screen. Depending on the climate where you live, allow the plant matter to wilt for approximately 5-8 hours or more,

If using plant matter that is already dried double your quantity.

PLANT INFUSED OIL

There are just two basic ingredients to creating an infusion: plants + carrier oil. It is important to consider your end result when selecting the carrier oil. For example if its for flavor than an organic extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil well be perfect. For a perfume, that option may not be the best because of the scent, thus I would suggest jojoba oil, which is actually a wax and does not go rancid.

Other options:
A 'preservative' for your infusion such as benzoin or Vitamin E Oil

Supplies:
Glass jar with airtight lid or canning jar
Muslim clothe
White wine or a high proof alcohol

Directions:

Step 1: If using leaves make sure to remove wood and hard stems, unless you want those as part of the infusion. With flowers use the 'petals', not the inner regions such as calyx. In the photo below, after drying my sage I removed the leaves from the stems.

I don't worry too much about follow a specific formula, I am more concerned with documenting what I am doing so that when I go to make it again I can either follow exactly what I did or make adjustments depending on past results.

Here is a basic formula if you want guidelines:
15 gm dried herbs or 30 gm fresh herb
1 cup oil

Step 2: Place your plant matter in a glass jar, then pour oil over them, taking care that all of your plant material is covered. Cap with a tightly fitting lid. To help breakdown your plant material add 1 tablespoon of white wine or a high proof alcohol.

Step 3: Leave the jar in the sun, some individuals move the jar in the evening to warm spot. I like to leave mine in the window to observe the night energies which include stars and moon. The length of the process varies with each material, check in on it after for 2 weeks to see if it is to your liking.

Step 4: Remove the top and strain the oil. If you feel you would like it stronger then repeat the process using your infusion as the oil.

If you used a canning jar, remove the top, pop out the inner metal circle, layer the top of the jar with muslin, attach the outer screw rim of your the lid and strain your oil.

There are many other tricks of the trade and ways of working, for example you could plan your infusions according to astrology, if using flowers replacing them every few days is the best way to get a strong scent. The main thing is to do it and learn each time.

Perfume Illuminated: Lime

Perfume Illuminated is back with zesty and cheerful Lime! Might as well return in style with the marvelous little accent this green fruit offers to both fragrance and flavor.


Originating in the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia the Citrus aurantifolia is a small spreading tree similar to other citrus bearing plants of the Rutaceae botanical family. Bright, glossy green in color with neon yellow green pulp Limes can either be sour or sweet depending on the soil condition and climate of where they are grown. Limes were introduced to the West Indies via Spanish explorers in 1493, arriving to the shores of America in the 16th century.

Known as to prevent scurvy along with Limes sibling Lemon, the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases document these vitamin rich fruits facilitate the prevention of arthritis.

FRAGRANCE

In herbal folklore Limes are associated with clearing negativity from a space, which might include ones head. For aromatherapy and botanical, natural perfume we have Lime essential oil, steam distilled or expressed from the peel or zest of the fruit. The green to pale yellow, clear essence has a jovial, uplifting quality. Lately I have had a bit of an obsession with Lime in fragrance and flavor. I have a new aromatic item appearing in the E-shop shortly which features this note, stay tuned!

The most valued essence of Lime is the expressed, also termed cold pressed, from the rind of the fruit. Extracts from different varieties and countries exist offering quite a diverse lime palette to the botanical perfumer. In culinary circles lime is used to boost and or bring out the flavors of other ingredients. The same property is also applied to Lime in natural and botanical perfume. Use lime with other citruses to boost and modify the citrus note. Lime also offers nice affects when paired with conifers, coriander, spearmint, rosemary, clary sage and an interesting contrast to an amber base.

LIME INFUSION

For today's associated DIY project let's make a Lime Infusion, sometimes called a Phytol. Infusions start with raw plant material, in the case of lime we will use the rind of the fruit where the bulk of the essential oil in contained. Since so many citrus fruits are covered with waxes I suggest obtaining organic fruit to avoid unwanted additives in your phytol and the food chain. Use a zester if you have one, or a grater to remove the skin. Make sure there no water content in the zest. Place the zest into a glass jar. Cover the rind with an oil such as jojoba, sunflower or olive and secure with a tight fitting lid. Place the jar outside in the full sun or next to a sunny window and shake everyday. After one to three weeks, or one full menstrum, strain the oil through cheese clothe to remove the plant matter and wahlah your phytol is now ready to use as a massage oil or a base for other aromatics goodies. If you make this infusion with olive oil it will serve as a delicious addition to salads and/or fresh bread. Store the infusion in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, preferably in a cool dark location.

FLAVOR

Lime flavoring in food is used throughout many different cultures including Southwestern dishes of the US, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand and Persia.

Now, off you go to the Goddess of flavor Beth Shreibman Gehring at the Windsphere Witch blog for her culinary magic illumination with Lime.

Images: Lime Postcard by Roxana Villa thanks to my great grandmothers postcards and the Lime photo by Darwin Bell, Exclusive crate label via CrateLablesonline, all other images by Roxana Villa.

Aromatic Journey: Vanilla

I am so thrilled to announce that I will be a regular contributor on the blog Lillyella. The series we have devised is called Aromatic Journeys. My first contribution went up today. It is a step by step lesson in creating an infused Vanilla oil which can be applied to other materials. An infused oil base has a wide application in botanical perfume, aromatherapy and the culinary arts. Please hop on over and leave a comment if you fell inspired.

Nicole of Lillyella is a talented, inspirational artist I met in the Etsy community. Perhaps you have heard me mentioned her here at this journal before. I consider her a muse in the realm of marketing, she is quite brilliant as well as being creating really pretty jewelry.

Aromatic Journey: Vanilla Infused Oil Base

Lunatics

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon,

my soul expands in worship of the Creator"
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Lunatic tidings of the Aquarian kind are now upon us with this new moon phase. Aquarius, the astrological sign of the humanitarian, beckons you to step into your power as an individual to facilitate the dawn of a new Era. This is most aptly illustrated in the Trilogy Lord of the Rings when Galadrial, the High Priestess of the Elves says to Frodo:

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

This current full moon goes by the name "The Corn Moon" and coincides today with the Celtic Tree Month of the Hazel.

The Moon, called Luna by the Romans and Selene or Artemis by the Greeks embodies the divine feminine aspect and is associated with clairvoyance, divination, maidenhood, cycles, fertility. Other deities linked with the moon include: Aine of Knockaine, Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, Alcyone, Alphito, Anahita, Anat, Andraste, Anu, Aradia, Arianrhod, Asherah, Atargatis, Callisto, Cerridwen, Ch'ang O, Chons, Circe, Coatlicue, Coyolxuahqi, Diana, Don, El, Hathor, Hekate, Hera, Inanna, Ixchup, Jana, Juno, Kali, Khensu, Kuu, Rhiannon, Siva Somantha and Tlazolteotl

Some of the symbols that have been utilized in creating mythologies associated with the Moon include the fact that it is like a lantern in the evening heavens that provides us with silvery light and has an affect on our ocean. The waning and waxing of the moon is also in harmony with a womans monthly cycle and is similar to the ten moons of pregnancy.

What symbolic aspects do you associate with the Moon? In botanical perfume, as mentioned in previous journal entries, consider creating an infusion of lunar plant material. Plants ruled by the Moon are often used for potions relating to all things lunar, such as: compassion, dreams, family, fertility, gardening, healing, love, peace, prophecy, prophetic (or psychic) dreams, psychic awareness, sleep, and spirituality. How to spot a Moon plant? Begin by noting the color of the plant, moon plants are usually white, silver or blue: Jasmine, Tibetan Blue Poppy, Blue Hibiscus and Morning Glory. Many times you will note that Moon plants have a watery aspect to them or association with the Ocean: Cucumber, Oyster and Seaweed. Moon plants sometimes are shaped like the moon: Banana and Melon.

Moon related essential oils, absolutes and C02 extracts of the following material includes:

• Clary Sage
  
• Chamomile
• Cepes (Mushroom)
  
• Juniper
• Jasmine
  
• Lotus
• Mugwort
• Seaweed
• Orris

A lunar perfume would contain a "watery" aspect with sweet notes, the affect upon inhaling would be calming, impart psychic awareness and promote sweet dreams.

Image: Circe Invidiosa by John Waterhouse

the SUN

Today we honor Fathers and Summer Solstice. Rather auspiciously one of the symbolic aspects of the Sun is the Male, the father. Where as the Moon is associated with the Feminine, the mother.

Known as Midsummer and Lilith, Summer Solstice marks the official first day of summer, an extended day of light for those of us in the Northern hemisphere. Where as in the Southern hemisphere, like in Argentina where my father is, they will be celebrating the Winter Solstice, albeit in a different manner than how we celebrate it in the North. If you are in the South and celebrate Solstice, please share with us how you celebrate, we'd love to hear!


The Sun, the largest star in our solar system, has been personified in many myths including Helios by the Greeks and Sol by the Romans. Since all is revealed in the light on the Sun, we find Truth as one of the iconic aspects associated with this ball of fire traveling through our heavens. According to Biblical stories the Sun was manifested on the fourth day of creation. I guess God was working in the dark on the previous days. The Sun also plays a role in Dogon, Hebrew, Japanese, several Native American and South and Central American creation myths.

In Germanic traditions the Sun is the embodiment of the feminine where the moon is masculine. This is a great illustration of how the people of the earth will create their own mythologies to suit their needs.

Some of the symbols that have been utilized in creating mythologies associated with the Sun are include the fact that it is a huge orange ball in the heavens that provide us with light and warmth, resulting in the growing of our food. The rising in the East and the setting in the West is another key aspect that is focused upon, like the god Helios and his firey chariot pulled by four horses.

What symbolic aspects do you associate with the Sun and the Solstice? In botanical perfume, as mentioned in previous journal entries, Sunflower oil as a base for an "solar" infusion of "solar" plant material. Solar plant material includes:

• Amber
• Benzoin
• Broom
• Calendula
• Everlasting
• Frankincense
• Labdanum
• Saffron
• Rose
  
• Spices (relaxing)
• Citrus
  

The ancients derived these associations by observing several factors: the color and shape of a plant, how it makes you feel, plants that show signs of being affected by the sun (Sunflowers), plants associated the circulatory system and where the plant grows. Today being SUNday makes it an even more potent day for honoring the sun and beginning or creating a vital aromatic Solstice elixir.

More posts at this journal which focus on Summer Solstice are these:

A Summer Solstice Perfume
Summer Solstice

Art Heart image ©Greg Spalenka, www.spalenka.com. The second image is a detail from the Art heart. The third image has been created by me, Roxana, utilizing layers of imagery in photoshop. See the photos of how Greg created this image here.

Prosperity Accord

Continuing on from yesterdays post on weaving magic into botanical perfume formulation I will share some of the methodology utilized in the magical accord within the Sierra solid perfume. To read the initial post on the Sierra solid perfume from November 8th click here.

I began by looking at the planetary associations and influences with prosperity. I choose:

SUN = PROSPERITY
EARTH = MANIFESTATION

Then I looked at numerical associations. In researching numbers I decided on 4 since it is associated with the Earth. I choose to infuse four materials in oil that I would leave in the SUN for four days and bury in the EARTH for four nights. Alternating between the SUN and EARTH to impregnate the energetic’s of both into the raw material with a blueprint of SUN and EARTH. I began the infusions on SUNday.

Next I looked at plant materials associated with the SUN and EARTH. I made a list of what I discovered:

SUN

• Amber
• Benzoin
• Broom
• Calendula
• Everlasting
• Frankincense
• Labdanum
• Saffron
• The Red Tincture: Ceonathus Root, also called Red Root

EARTH

• Mushrooms
• Patchouli
• Sage
• Spruce
• Vetiver

Somewhere I had read that Tonka Bean is associated with prosperity, so I included Tonka Bean on my list. At another source I read that Vervain is used to make dreams come true, so I added it. I also included Myrrh because of the association with the gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh to the Christ. I added Champa for its warm SUN-like quality. Oakmoss was on the list, however, I did not have it diluted in oil, so I did not use it. Black Musk smells extremely EARTHY to me so I added it as well.

My four tinctures, begun on SUNday, over a period of four days in the SUN and four nights in the EARTH, I used the following materials:

• Benzoin: SUN
• Tonka Bean: Jupiter is the planet of fortune
• Onycha: Elemental water for flow
• Red Root: This was my substitution for the “Red Tincture” listed for the SUN. I liked that it was from a native plant and a root, roots are associated with EARTH.

During the formulation I found the synergy got a little overly EARTH smelling, which I choose to correct so that there would be an equinox of Earth and Sun.

I add a drop of this accord when creating the Sierra Solid Perfume. My suggestion is to anoint yourself with the perfume while envisioning what prosperity means for you. Consider beginning with gratitude, I have been told that one of the paths to prosperity is gratitude.

Special thank you to Harry of Alchemy Works for his input on the formula and very useful website.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume™
E-Shop where you can find Sierra Solid Gold in a few sizes.




Opening image: Expand Your Vision ©Greg Spalenka

Recipe of the Day: Infusion

An infusion, is similar to a tincture, however we utilize oil instead of alcohol. The definition for infusion is defined as: Prima materia (plant or other material) placed into an alcohol base to extract its aroma or medicinal properties. Ideally a high proof alcohol without additives. Bay Rum and Bacardi is the alcohol base in the Bay Rum Aftershave. In Botanical Natural Perfumery we use infusions in our solid perfume and oil based perfumes.

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light" —Roethke

INFUSED HERBAL BASE OIL adapted from Eva-Marie Lind, Aromatiques

Base ingredients:

An excellent, 'extra' virgin, cold pressed olive oil
Fresh Botanicals (Dry out well, 6 hours is a general rule. Layering petals and leaves between unbleached paper towels works well.)
or Dried Botanicals (Only use the 'petals' of flowers. Not the inner regions such as calyx of the bloom.)
Other optional ingredients:
A 'preservative' for your product. Tincture of benzoin or Vitamin E Oil
Other supplies:
Glass jar with airtight lid or canning jar
Muslim clothe
White wine

Directions:

One of the easiest and most fun methods for making an infused oil is the Solar Method. If using fresh herbal plant material always double your quantity used when incorporating dried herbs. When using fresh herbs it is best to allow the herbs to wilt for 5-8 hrs to reduce their water content.
This can be done either by tying a bundle of herbs and hanging upside down from a rafter or by laying them out on a screen which allows airflow above and under your product. Allow to wilt in a dry-air, open area.

To begin:
15 gm dried herbs or 30 gm fresh herb
1 cup oil ~ preferably virgin cold pressed olive

The quantity of your herbs can be adjusted for strength. Place herbs in a canning jar and pour oil over them, taking care that all of your plant material is covered. Cap with a tightly fitting lid. To help breakdown your plant material add 1 Tbspn of white wine. Leave your jar to sit in the sun all day and at night remove and place in a hot water cupboard. Maintain this process for 2 weeks. Remove the lidded area of your canning jar and replace with 3-4 layers of muslin, attaching this tightly with the screw on rim portion of your lid. Strain your oil. To have a stronger aromatic oil, repeat this process until you have obtained product pleasant to your nose.
In Aromatherapy we use infusions in bath salts, face and body oils, soaps, balms and salt scrubs. Some makers use a very highly concentrated Calendula infused grape seed oil for facial products. Instead of creating your own infusions you can also purchase them from reputable sources for your handcrafted beauty products. Jeanne Rose, an early pioneer of herbalism and aromatherapy has several books published with recipes.

Images above ©Roxana Villa

Recipe of the Day: #2 Bay Rum continued

Here is an alternate t0 the Bay Rum Aftershave recipe published in yesterdays post. Instead of placing the herbs and spices in rum you can place them in a pure grain or grape alcohol. This process is called tincturing. A tincture is defined as: Prima materia (plant or other material) placed into alcohol to extract its aroma or medicinal properties. Ideally a high proof alcohol without additives. Bay Rum and Bacardi is the alcohol base in the Bay Rum Aftershave. In Botanical Natural Perfumery we use tinctures in our perfumes as a base or in addition to your base alcohol (AOL). An alternative would be to grind the bay leaves, allspice and cloves and place them into a pure AOL in a clean glass jar. Record the names and exact weight of all your materials in a journal or binder. Allow the prima materia to marinate for as long as possible, ideally a full menstruum (30 days) or longer. In some cases material is changed everyday utilizing the AOL over and over so that a strong concentration is achieved. Shake your preparation everyday. When finished, refrigerate and then filter using an unbleached coffee filter until clear. This method can be done with all sorts of material, I encourage you to experiment. To this tincture you can add essential oils to enhance the aroma. For a Bay Rum aftershave or cologne add bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) or bay leaf (Pimenta racemosa) essential oil. Add approximately 60 drops of essential oil to 15 mls or 1/2 oz of AOL. Adding a drop at a time is the best way to access how many drops is necessary. Remember to document your work. Other essences that may work nicely with the bay are spices, woods and citruses. Want to learn more? E-mail me about upcoming classes. (roxana at illuminatedperfume dot com)

"Pilgrims are poets who create by taking journeys." —Richard R. Niebuhr

Here is yet another fun item to create with spices.

LAYERED SPICE OIL by Aztechan Pettus

1) Layer dried seeds and berries in a mason jar
2) Pour cold pressed virgin olive oil to cover
3) Bask in Sun and Moonlight for one month
or Simmer on stove top or crockpot
4) Strain through filter, such as muslin clothe
5) Add essential oils, if necessary
6) Add this mixture to sea salt or other product or Use as an accord in a solid perfume.

This process is called infusion.

Sunrose Aromatics
Sunburst Bottles

Top image: Photograph of bay leaf tincture. Middle: Bowl of dried bay leaves from Santa Cruz. Bottom: Assortment of Roxana's infusions and tinctures.