Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Mothers

I have missed a couple of weeks of posting to the blog. Sadly, my wonderful mother, Virginia Mary Hawkins, passed on March 15 and I flew back to South Africa to be with my family.

As many of you know in addition to the regular aromatherapy I also do Spiritual PhytoEssencing, which is the formulation of essential oil synergies that are a mirror of the person's soul. If you want to read more there is an article on the Newsletter page of the website Spiritual PhytoEssencing.

One of the things I did the night before she passed was to create a beautiful soul blend that, for me, encapsulated the essence of my mother and in fact the quintessential essence of all mothers. I took the blend with me to South Africa and shared it with the members of my family. I found the beautiful aroma wrapped around me like a Mother's wonderful comforting arms and it was part of the support I needed. I know that I will be able to go back to this blend at those times when things get a little too much. Grieving is so much part of the cycle of life and I know that it is something that needs to be journeyed through but I am so grateful to have the tools that I do to help me on my journey.

I also took along a piece of Rose Quartz for each of us to have - as a comfort talisman. Rose quartz's gentle energy is a wonderful support for all matters that affect the heart and it is a great stone for support in times of loss and grief. It is the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace.

For those of you who might be interested I thought that I'd share some of the oils in my Mother's Blend. These my inspire you to create similar blends for your own mothers whether they are still here on this plane with you or not.

Angelica, Carrot Seed, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Orange and Frankincense.

I'm also going to share a beautiful poem that I have on Mothers. Unfortunately I don't know who the author is but it is one of those poems that makes it way around the email circuit from time to time. If anyone knows who the author is please let me know so that I can attribute the poem correctly.

Mothers
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. She asked, "is this the long way?"

And the elder said: "yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young mother cried, "nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "a little patience and we are there." so the children climbed and when they reached the top, they said, "mother, we would not have done it without you."

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "this is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday i gave them courage. Today, I have given them strength."

And with the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "look up. Lift your eyes to the light." and the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory of stars,
and they guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said, "this is the best day of all, for i have shown my children the great spirit."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and a beautiful land. And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "you will always walk with us, mother, even when you have gone on your journey to the sky." and they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and she walked out of sight. And they said: "we cannot see her, but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Your mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered clothes she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space ... Not even death!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Monthly Workshops

As I announced last week I have set up a schedule to teach regular monthly workshops in class. The full schedule can be found by clicking on the workshop Links on the side of this page, but I thought that I'd write a little more about each workshop as it comes up.

March 28 - Reiki Level II open to anyone who has Reiki I $150.00 for the day.
April 25 - Indian Head Massage open to anyone interested $150.00 for the day.

Massage has always been an integral part of Indian family life. Indian Head Massage evolved from traditional techniques that have been part of this family ritual for thousands of years. It's introduction to the West is relatively new and while Traditional Indian Head Massage was designed to work only on the head, it has been westernized to include other parts of the body that are vulnerable to stress such as the neck and shoulders and upper arms.

Indian Head Massage can be a wonderful way to relieve stress and tension and has a number of advantages including:
  • There is no need for the client to undress
  • Using oils is optional.
  • The session is very cost effective with a full session taking approximately 30 minutes.
  • It can be performed anywhere
  • No need for special equipment
  • Suitable for clients of all ages
  • Clients with special needs (for instance a heavily pregnant lady or someone in a wheelchair) are easily treated.
Indian Head Massage has been found to have many physical and mental benefits. Tight muscles in the neck and shoulders can be loosened and relaxed by this technique. Eye strain and tension headaches are often relieved after a short Indian Head Massage. Mental tiredness can be eliminated and improved concentration is often the result. A great way to bring relief from mental and emotional stress.
  • For those interested in formally studying the use of essential oils there are my self-directed Aromatherapy Courses just follow the link under West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy.
  • Or perhaps you're interested in one of our E-books or the Aroma Massage DVD. Once again the links are at the side.
  • Regular Monthly Workshops! Just click on the link at the side to see what is offered and when.
  • I also offer both the Bach Flower and Spiritual PhytoEssencing Consultations by phone or in person. With all that is going on in the world today perhaps you might be interested in one of these options. You can read all about them by following the links.
  • If you'd like more information on the in person services that I offer just follow the Beverley Hawkins - Treatment Menu link.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Melissa - Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm has such a high water content that when this plant is steam distilled to produce an essential oil, in spite of being highly aromatic, very little essential oil is actually produced, which is why true Melissa essential oil is quite hard to come by and is expensive. It is one of the most adulterated oils around so always make sure you purchase your Melissa from a source that you can trust.

A mini profile on Melissa can be found on the Articles Page of the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy's website.

Did you know Melissa hydrosol is wonderful for taking out the itch of mosquito and insect bites?
My skin always seems to flare up in bit bumps whenever I've been bitten so I always have a bottle on hand on ready to spritz at the first sign of a bite. Of course I do spray my insect repellent synergy around first, but occasionally a nasty little sucker will get through so it's great to have the Melissa hydrosol on hand.

On a subtle level, Melissa is helpful when one is dealing with issues around death. It can promote emotional clarity as well as understanding and acceptance. It can relieve emotional blocks, which are due to grief and it can promote spiritual growth. Use during times of grief.Melissa can help to dispel fear and regret and bring acceptance and understanding in any situation.Melissa is said to help one remember past lives.

Generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. Use in low dilutions not more than 1% as it can cause skin irritations.

New - Regular Monthly Workshops!
Just click on the link at the side to see what is offered and when.
  • For those interested in formally studying the use of essential oils there are my self-directed Aromatherapy Courses just follow the link under West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy.
  • Or perhaps you're interested in one of our E-books or the Aroma Massage DVD. Once again the links are at the side.
  • I also offer both the Bach Flower and Spiritual PhytoEssencing Consultations by phone or in person. With all that is going on in the world today perhaps you might be interested in one of these options. You can read all about them by following the links.
  • If you'd like more information on the in person services that I offer just follow the Beverley Hawkins - Treatment Menu link.