Magic of the Day

Today there was a lot of beauty here in Pretty Medicine land. A Passion flower and an Orchid opened simultaneously, I think that they were talking with one another in their secret plant language and decided to open at once and make flower magic. 

They are too sparkly and beautiful to not share. 

Working with the Energetics of Roses

This past week I have been really working with the energy of Roses. I was gifted this blossom and have been watching it open slowly. This bud feels particularly vibrant and its life force feels contagious as it has been soothing the Heart and sharing it's gift with my patients in my office. 

I continue to explore working with Rose oil and all of its possibilities in my perfumes as well as with the flower essences of various Roses. 

 I am currently working with the Perelandra Rose Essence of Gruss An Achen, this essence supports balance and helps our system to stabilize physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. 

Historically, Roses have been connected to energies that are associated with the Divine. I was reminded of this again, after receiving the gift of the bud.

In Praise of Spruce

There are three Spruce trees outside of my office that are bearing cones this year. Gradually they are filling out and creating a protective layer of greenery that shields my office entrance from the wind. In this neck of the woods it can get quite gusty in the winter so all protection from the elements is welcome.

Historically the Spruce has been regarded as a tree that provides female protection and is symbolic of life. In Europe, Maypoles were traditionally made from Spruce trees. 

There is a cluster of Spruce trees in Norway that is believed to be 9,550 years old!

In my practice, I  particularly like using  Black Spruce (Picea Mariana) essential oil. Now that the season is going into the cooler weather I am bringing out my essential oils for immunity and for nourishing the Kidneys. I have been using this oil to  massage over the Kidney area in treatment. I have also been encouraging my patients to inhale the oil before we start treatment if there is congestion in the Lungs. From a Chinese medical standpoint this oil invigorates Qi and Blood and invigorates the Lung Qi. All oils that come from evergreens present us with an opportunity to build our own life force because the needles of the trees remain green throughout the Winter, this means that they carry a very hardy life force. 

When blending this oil, it should always be used with a carrier oil. It is an excellent oil for improving circulation in the joints and for boosting the immune system.  This essential oil also has the ability to clear the mind when we are feeling scattered and uplift us when feeling depressed or in low spirits.

In Native American medicines this tree is used in many remedies, specifically the sap. It is also believed to carry the energy of prosperity and abundance. 

Gratitude

These gorgeous Parrot Tulips were given to me by one of my lovely patients yesterday. I was so happy to receive them and the richness of their colors. They brought joy into my Heart and with that came tremendous gratitude. Tulips carry the energy of grace. I am now exploring how the energies of grace and gratitude are very similar. It seems to me that if we can be in the energy of gratitude that there will naturally be grace in our Hearts.
While exploring the definition of gratitude, I found these words that I really like....'When we practice an attitude of gratitude we are practicing feeling loved.'
 

 I am grateful to be able to do what I love and share the medicine that I practice with so many amazing people. I am grateful to be able to have the opportunity to share my pictures, work and vision on this blog. I am also deeply grateful for all of the loving, supportive and nurturing people in my life who have shared their Hearts with me.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

With love, Mia

Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen')

 I am sharing my recent art work that has been created with my new scanner, dried Oak Leaf Hydrangea flowers and leaves, and Photoshop. The colors of the leaves are gorgeous and brilliant.
In China, the Hydrangea is considered a symbol of Enlightenment.

This beautiful flower represents a gift from the heart.

Traditionally Hydrangeas are given on the fourth wedding anniversary.

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas have beautiful long flowers that bloom in clusters. Even when the flowers dry out, they are quite beautiful for making arrangements. 

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

   The scent of Rosemary always reminds me of my mother's cooking, she had a deep love and appreciation for cooking with herbs and this was one of her favorites. Here are photographs of a sprig of flowering Rosemary. 

   Medicinally, Rosemary is a very significant herb, it has been historically used to improve circulation and memory. It is also  known for its strength in supporting the adrenals, reducing stressful feelings,  and for improving circulation in joints. It makes a great essential oil to add to blends for warm soaks and massage oils. It may be employed in blends for depression, grief, and for raising one's spirits. It is also known for its abilities to relieve respiratory congestion. It is used in many hair products for cleansing the scalp.

   The strength of this herb lies in its long thin dark  leaves. This is a plant that loves the sun, as it is heat tolerant. It is best to harvest the leaves of the plant after the dew has dried in the early morning during the hottest time of the year. At this time the oil of the plant is at its peak. It takes approximately 50-100 kgs to make one kg of oil!
   It is a masculine herb that is associated with the sun and the element of fire. Rosemary is symbolic of health, love, and cleansing. It has also been a symbol of fidelity and devotion between lovers. Rosemary also has a history of being included in ritual as it has a cleansing property. It may open the third eye.

   In Greek and Roman temples branches of this herb were often burned to invoke the gods and goddesses and eliminate unwanted energies. It was often made into garlands to be worn during festivities.

   During my essential oil training this year, I learned that this essential oil is warming in nature and works with the Lungs, Liver, Gallbladder and Kidneys in the paradigm of Chinese medicine.

I am now reading  The Scent of Desire,  Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell by Rachel Herz, PH.D.  I love her methodical and specific research into the realm of scent. She writes about psychology, human emotion, taste, memory, and healing.

This is a photograph of Rosemary flower buds. 

Autumn Roses

The last of the Autumn roses are still in bloom. They are especially savored now that the light of the day is changing and the cooler air is here. Collecting and photographing these roses has felt like a treasure hunt. This yellow rose is from a bush outside my home. The red and pink roses below were both gifts.

I can never write or speak enough about roses. They are so complex and mysterious to me. I just made a new solid perfume that focused on the combination of roses and patchouli. I have observed that when I put it on I feel like I am being caressed by thousands of rose petals. Since it takes approximately 2,000 rose petals to make one drop of rose oil, this perfume does indeed carry the energy of thousands of rose petals because I placed numerous drops of rose absolute in the blend. 

The Greek poet Sappho described roses as the "queen of flowers".
At the moment I am reading a really sweet book by Vanessa Diffenbaugh that was gifted to me by a friend, the title of the book is The Language of Flowers. It is a sweet story about the Victorian language of flowers, one woman's relationship to the plant world, and her personal journey of the heart. The cover of the book has a beautiful picture of a pink rose which is a symbol of refinement, the feminine, and joy.

The last roses of the season, the last passion flower from the vines,  and the last calendula flowers are photographed here in the palms of my hands by Christopher Camastro.