Ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe

As you will have seen last week the signature oil for Scorpio is Patchouli, however as this oil has already been addressed on the blog September 3, 2008 , (scroll down the page)so I'm going to look at one of the other oils listed under Scorpio.

You can read a mini profile on Ginger on the website.

Ginger has been used for thousands of years as both a spice and a medicinal remedy. The Greeks treated stomach disorders with ginger and administered it as an antidote to poison while the ancient Egyptians incorporated it into their cooking to ward off epidemics. In the East, Chinese doctors used ginger as a heart strengthening tonic, as well as to strengthen the constitution and relieve head congestion. They also treated any illness associated with cold, damp conditions (colds & flu, rheumatism, headaches and muscle tension) with ginger.

Ginger root is available as both a steam distilled oil and a CO2 extraction. The CO2 extraction has a marvelous yummy smell just like real ginger, however it is much more skin irritating that steam distilled Ginger so it is best to use the steam distilled Ginger in topical applications and reserve the CO2 version for inhalation products like diffusers, inhalers, misters etc.

On a subtle level Ginger helps to open up the inner eye which allows one to perceive the shadow self and befriend the inner child within. This in turn can lead to transformations and healing. Ginger brings strength and promotes courage and confidence. It invites abundance by helping us to tap into the richness of the universe. It also helps with the belief that one deserves to experience abundant life. Ginger is used in sexuality, love, courage and money attracting blends.

Use in low concentrations as this oil can cause skin irritation.

With American Thanksgiving just a month away and Christmas a little under two months away, now might be a good time to start thinking about creating some special gifts for those you love. You can find lots of recipes in the e-book Aromatic Gifts for all ages and for all seasons.

Aromatic Astrology - Scorpio

Scorpio is the next sign of the Zodiac and is generally considered to be October 23 to November 21.

Ruling Planet: Pluto
Element: Water
Quality: Fixed
Symbol: A Scorpion
Polarity: Feminine
Physical Correspondence: The genitals and bladder
Stones: Topaz, agate, ruby, garnet, carnelian, amber, coral, obsidian or Apache tear
Flowers: Heather, thistle, geranium, chrysanthemum
Colors: Russet, red, maroon
Herbs: Basil, catnip, sage, coriander, honeysuckle, nettle, onion, elder, garlic
Bach Flower Remedy: Chicory
Essential Oils: Patchouli is the signature oil for Scorpio. Basil, clove, ginger, myrrh, pine, vanilla, violet leaf.
Positive Traits: Powerful feelings and emotions; a sense of purpose; highly imaginative, discerning, subtle; persistent, determined.
Negative Traits: Jealous, resentful, stubborn; obstinate and intractable; secretive and suspicious.

Patricia Davis classifies Patchouli as the signature oil for Scorpio so once again I will use that as the anchor oil in both the blends. Patchouli has been used to traditionally treat bites from snakes and poisonous insects and Scorpio is the sign with a 'sting in its tail'.

For Lord Scorpio I will combine patchouli with basil, which traditionally has been used to treat scorpion stings and clove, which has the themes of secrets and hiddenness. For Lady Scorpio I am combining patchouli with myrrh, which is specific for the water element, and ginger which allows one to perceive the inner child that dwells deep in the secret recesses of the heart.

Lord Scorpio
Patchouli 2 drops
Basil 1 drop
Clove 1 drop

Lady Scorpio
Patchouli 2 drops
Myrrh 1 drop
Ginger 3 drops

A few quotes from famous Scorpios:

"Those who know don't tell and those who tell don't know."
Zen Proverb
"When you seek it, you cannot find it."
Zen Proverb

"Who is it that hears this?"
Bassui's "Essential Zen"

"It is the stars not known to science that I would know, the stars which the lonely traveler knows."
Henry David Thoreau

Mini Profiles of Patchouli, Basil, Myrrh and Ginger can be found on the Articles page of our website.

Have you come up with different Astrological Blends? Love to hear about your choices and why.

Canadian Thanksgiving - October 13

The Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend is coming up and I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful weekend. A time to reconnect with family and friends and count our many blessings in a world that is just a little chaotic right now.

Perhaps you'd like to create a special Thanksgiving blend around the themes that are most important to you and your family right now. There is an article on my website Your Own Special Blend , which will give you lots of ideas of oils to choose for this.

Looking at this I'm thinking that I will focus my Thanksgiving Blend around the themes of Courage, Harmony and Transition, with a touch of Serenity and Wealth to round it off.

I've created two Thanksgiving Blends:

Blend 1
Black Pepper 1 drop
Neroli 2 drops
Orange 6 drops
Vetiver 1 drop

Blend 2
Cypress 5 drops
Ginger 3 drops
Orange 6 drops
Vetiver 1 drop

Thanksgiving

It's the time of year when we're reminded to give thanks.
Instead of waiting until next year to be reminded,
Let's make every day one of thanksgiving;
After all, each day is a unique gift.
So, give a hug for no reason;
Say I love you, just because;
Share a smile with a stranger;
Take the time to count your blessings;
Don't take anything or anyone for granted;
And end each day with no regrets.
Thank you, my friends and family,
For sharing, caring, laughing and crying with me.
I'm truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life
And I am thankful you have allowed me
To be a part of yours.
May you and yours have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving.

Author Unknown

Spearmint - Mentha spicata

I had thought that I would follow each Astrological Blog with a blog on the oil that is considered to be the signature oil for that sign but as it turns out I have already written a blog on Geranium on June 4, 2008 , (scroll down the page) I had to choose a different oil. The oil I have chosen is Spearmint.

There are many different varieties of plants belonging to the genus Mentha, with peppermint and spearmint being the best known. While there are some similarities between the two oils they are also different. Some authorities suggest that spearmint might be a better choice for children than peppermint, however when looking at the chemical profile of the oil I ask myself whether this is in fact correct. Certainly aromatically spearmint is more gentle in aroma than peppermint, however when looking at their chemical profiles:

Peppermint: 6% Esters; 30% Ketones; 6% sesquiterpenes; 7% Oxides; 6% Monoterpenes and 42% alcohols
Spearmint: 3.5% Esters; 55% Ketones; 3% Sesquiterpenes: 2% Oxides; 12% Monoterpene and 22% Alcohols.

one sees that spearmint has a larger ketone content than peppermint which would indicate to me that the same cautions should be used when applying either oil to children and that perhaps peppermint might be a better choice for children after all.

The genus name is said to have been derived from Greek mythology. There are two different legends around this: the first being that Hades, the god of the Underworld seduced the nymph Minthe so in her jealousy, his queen Sephony turned her into a plant, mint; the second was that Minthe was a numph beloved by Pluto, who transformed her into the scented herb after his jealous wife took umbrage.

Spearmint, also known as English Mint, is a hardy perennial herb with bright green, lance-shaped leaves; pink or lilac-colored flowers and spreads quickly via underground runners. It flowers from July through August producing pale purple, aromatic flowers that are arranged in loose, cylindrical, terminal spikes. It is these flowers that give Spearmint the rest of its Latin name spicata (i.e. bearing a spike).

Mint has been cultivated for its medicinal properties since ancient times and has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1000BC. The Japanese have been growing it to obtain menthol for at least 2,000 years. In the Bible the Pharisees collected tithes in mint, dill and cumin. Charlemagne, apparently was very keen on herbs and ordered people to grow it. The Romans brought it with them as they marched through Europe and into Britain. They apparently added it to them milk to prevent it from curdling. In Athens it is said to have been used to perfume the underarms. The herb mint is best used fresh, although it can easily be dried, frozen or preserved in oil or vinegar. Mint leaves can also be crystallized. There are several recipes for this in my e-book
Aromatic Gifts for all ages and for all seasons.

On a subtle level, Spearmint helps establish integrity. It also aids one to take responsibility for one’s actions and decisions and be true to one’s feelings.

Avoid in pregnancy and with young children.Generally considered to be non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.