Review: Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham

I’m sharing Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham, which has a foreword by Robert Tisserand.

This is a fantastic book which merges Aromatherapy with magickal practice. It has lots of useful lists at the back, for example affinities of essential oils with crystals, aromas of the elements, and many more magickal correspondences.

As a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist and Witch I was overjoyed to find this. Robert Tisserand is the founder of the Tisserand Institute, the leading organisation of research and education in the art and practice of Aromatherapy. To find a book by one of my favourite magickal authors and endorsed by one of the world’s leading experts is very special indeed.

I wholeheartedly support the use of essential oils for their many wonderful benefits, but essential oils can also be dangerous if not used properly, especially when used therapeutically.

Using Essential Oils Safely:

If anointing candles please dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before use. Dilution should always be 2% or less.

Never use oils neat on the skin. Lavender and Tea Tree oil are exceptions, but can still cause skin irritation.

Never ingest essential oils unless being directed to do so by a qualified aromatherapist, herbalist or naturopath. Oils that are safe used topically can be toxic, or even deadly, when ingested.

With the exception of Lavender oil, avoid essential oil use in pregnancy (unless being directed by a Clinical Aromatherapist).

Never use essential oils with children or babies (unless being directed by a Clinical Aromatherapist).

If diffusing essential oils do so away from pets. Whilst many oils are safe, many are toxic or deadly to domestic animals.

Never give out essential oil advice unless you are a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist, and always seek professional advice if looking to use essential oils therapeutically. Essential oils have the ability to lower/higher blood pressure, trigger epilepsy, asthma, and depressive episodes; and they can be fetotoxic or phototoxic.

NEXT - Review: Do I Have To Wear Black? by Mortellus 

Media Appearance: Cate Loves Podcast - Witchcraft & Holistic Health

I‘m absolutely thrilled to appear on the Cate Loves Podcast, which is all about holistic health and lifestyle, and explores practical tips and ideas for you to try.

In the latest episode, Cate asks me about witchcraft and my holistic health practices.

Cate is a yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, and zero waste educator who offers one-to-one holistic health sessions. She is also an excellent cook, and you can find many wonderful ideas for an attainable - and tasty! - healthy lifestyle over on her page. @cate.loves.holistic.health

Cate is a good friend of mine from back home, which is evident in us having a good old chinwag! If you have an interest in holistic health be sure to check out the Cate Loves Podcast, available from wherever you get your podcasts, and show Cate some love over on her page.

Thanks ever so much for featuring me Cate!

Natural Remedies: Women’s Blend Diffusion

Use this women's essential oil blend in your aromatherapy diffuser. 

Review: Garden of Chthonia Soaps by Lizzie

Two of my favourite resources on Instagram are the pages run by the lovely Lizzie.

A huge amount of interesting, in-depth, and inspiring information can be found on Lizzie’s Folk Herbalism page ~ @the_wortcunning_wyfe ~ alongside lots of beautiful close ups of the herbs and plants she is talking about. I have learned so much, and her page is an absolute joy!

Over on Lizzie’s other account ~ @gardenofchthonia ~ you can find website details for her amazing lotions and potions. https://www.gardenofchthonia.com/

I have been a customer of Lizzie’s for a while now. In a bid to reduce our plastic waste we switched over to soap bars for washing our hands and showering some years ago, and after trying sooooo many soaps in that time, I can honestly say that Lizzie’s are the best.

I thoroughly recommend that you check out both pages, which are a wealth of information, and take a peek at Lizzie’s website, too.

NEXT - Review: Gaya Candles 

Natural Remedies: Lavender Oil

On Beltane Eve I completed the first step in making Lavender Salve. I’ve shared the recipe for Lavender Salve before, but I didn’t go into much detail in making the oil. This is really easy, with only a few steps to follow.

Step 1 - add your plant or herb (eg. Dandelion or Lavender) to a canning jar, halfway. It’s really important that your ingredients are bone dry, therefore no moisture in the jar, as this can lead to mould.

Step 2 - cover with carrier oil, cap, and leave in a place out of direct sunlight for at least 10 days, but up to 4-6 weeks if you can. You can use any type of oil, but olive oil is safe on the skin and great for infusing.

Step 3 - strain into a clear jar using a strainer or cheesecloth. In a cool, dark, place your oil should keep for up to a year, but you may wish to use it immediately if part of a recipe for body products or cosmetics.

You can repeat the process if you want to make the oil stronger; simply strain and add to a new batch of dried plants. You can add a few drops of Vitamin E oil at the end of infusing to extend the shelf life. 

NEXT - Natural Remedies: Lavender Salve
NEXT - Chamomile Magick: 9 Protective Correspondences
NEXT - Natural Remedies: 15 Ways to Use Dried Lavender

Natural Remedies: 10 Ways To Use Dried Lavender

I grow Lavender here on the cemetery in pots, but we can’t grow much, as we don’t have a garden - the cemetery IS our garden. My mum grew this and kindly passed it on for me to use.

Like Lavender essential oil, there are so many uses for dried Lavender, it’s such a versatile plant.

Dried Lavender Uses:
Sprinkle over floors before sweeping/vacuuming. Your vacuum bag or bin will smell lovely!

Use as an insect/moth/silverfish repellent in wardrobes and cupboards. Hang Lavender bags or make a pomander.

Add to letters and cards for a scented surprise.

Create scented candles by adding dried Lavender and some essential oil to heated wax.

Make Lavender bath salts. Add 1/4 cup dried Lavender to 1 1/4 cups of Epsom Salts, and a few drops of essential oil. Combine and store in a tightly closed jar. Pour into a muslin bag before adding to bath. Keeps 6-9 months in a cool, dark place.

Make Lavender bags. Place in drawers to keep clothes fresh or by your pillow as a sleep aid. Squeeze the bag regularly to refresh the scent.

Lavender bags make great wedding favours. You can coordinate the bag material with your theme. They also make great car air fresheners.

Use in place of rice or paper as wedding confetti. Fragrant, a pretty colour, biodegradable, and perfect to take to a wedding if you’re not sure on the venue rules. Create confetti cones and leave in a basket for your guests on your big day.

Make Lavender infused oil, perfect for restless legs, dry scalps, and itchy bites. Fill a jar half way with dried Lavender. Cover with a carrier oil (I recommend Grapeseed). Cap and store somewhere cool for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain, and use within 9 months to a year.

Use Lavender on stalks for smudge sticks, or loose with other herbs to create incense.

This is just a few ideas; there are many uses for dried Lavender. I will share my recipe for Lavender Salve in the not too distant future. What do you use dried Lavender for? 

NEXT - Natural Remedies: 6 Ways With Lavender Essential Oil
NEXT - Natural Remedies: Women's Blend Diffusion
NEXT - Moon Magick: Full Moon In Scorpio

Natural Remedies: 6 Ways With Lavender Essential Oil

As a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist I am often asked ‘what’s your favourite oil?’. I suspect that when people ask me that they’re waiting for an exotic answer. There are so many beautiful smelling oils, with various applications, however there is one oil that is gentle, soothing, and has a myriad of uses: Lavender.

I love Lavender. I use it in the mop bucket, on our bed sheets to aid sleep, on spots (it kills bacteria), and on a tissue in the bottom of our bin to counteract bad smells.

There are so many uses for Lavender!

Add a few drops to a clean cloth and put in your tumble drier - instant fragrance and deodorising.

Use 4-6 drops in a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head as a cold/flu treatment.

Add a few drops to a cotton wool ball and use in your wardrobe as a deterrent to insects and moths.

Put on a splinter to reduce swelling - the splinter will come out more easily.

Use as a perfume - dab behind the ears and on wrists (Lavender and Tea Tree are the only safe oils to use neat on the skin).

Eliminate pet smells from carpets - add to baking soda, sprinkle, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Lavender might not be the most exciting oil, but it is definitely the most helpful. It is the one oil I can’t live without, and the one that is guaranteed not to be wasted. .

What is your favourite essential oil and why? 

NEXT - Natural Remedies: 15 Ways To Use Dried Lavender
NEXT - Snowdrop Magick: 8 Correspondences for Strength & Hope
NEXT - Review: Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham