Ash Wednesday - Lent

Ash Wednesday, this week marks the beginning of the Lenten Season for many Christians. This is a time that is associated by many people with 'giving up' something pleasurable as a preparation for the coming of Easter. Certainly this is one way to discipline ourselves, however, I believe that if this is all we think of when we think of Lent we are missing the whole point.

My own belief is that from time to time, it is a good practice for all of us to take time to have a closer look at ourselves, at our way of being in the world and contemplate whether we are living our lives in the best way possible. We certainly don't need to belong to any religion to do this, nor do we have to reserve this practice for a particular time of the year. However as Lent is already in most 'Westerners' frame of reference it makes sense to do this at this time of year.

Lent traditionally lasts 40 'fast days', not counting Sundays and interestingly enough the number 40 throughout the Bible signifies the preparation for something special:

• The rain lasted for 40 days in the mighty flood - Noah
• Moses stayed on the Mount Sinai forty days (Ex 24:18)
• Jonah gave the people of Ninevah forty days to repent (Jon 3:4)
• Jesus, before starting his ministry, spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting (Matt 4:2)

You might be wondering what has any of this to do with aromatherapy or the use of essential oils and I am here to remind you of how versatile the essential oils are and how well they can be incorporated into every facet of our lives, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

For those who choose to spend a little time each day reviewing who they are and where they are in their lives each day, the addition of an essential oil or essential oil synergy could be invaluable.

Firstly, there are the oils that facilitate the quietening of our minds and help us connect to that inner place in ourselves where we can commune with the Divine. The article on the main website on Meditation and Essential Oils could give you some ideas on oils to use for this purpose as can the Meditation Blends page.

Secondly, as we are only human, as we look at ourselves and our lives there are sure to be emotions and feelings that come up for us to examine and release. Once again the essential oils can be very helpful in assisting up on this journey. The article on creating Your Own Special Blend lists oils that are helpful for enhancing things like Courage, Serenity, while there are others that will help with understanding other moods and emotions that need to be addressed and released such as Aromatherapy and Anxiety and Anxiety Blends; Aromatherapy and Depression and Depression Buster Blends; Stress and Aromatherapy and Stress Buster Blends.

Workshops for 2010
These are offered once a month, generally the third weekend of the month so follow the link and browse through the offerings for 2010.

February 21
Reiki Level 1
$170.00 plus GST
includes William Rand's book, Reiki, The Healing Touch.
Prerequisites: None

As always the self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses are available. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!

If you don't want something as formal as a course perhaps you'll find what you are looking for in one of our E-books or our Aroma Massage DVD.

E-books currently available:
Infant Massage,
Subtle Aromatherapy,
Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac, an exercise in energetic blending .

The Hawkins Protocol is now available as an E-book.