Positive vibes

You often hear the saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade", But what if those lemons are hard and dry with no more juice to be squeezed? Can you toss them back at life? Silly thought perhaps, but today is a day of reflection. Someone I care for deeply is in need of some major positive vibes. I like to think the people who follow this blog and my Facebook page are spiritually open and understand what it means to send good vibes. Sometimes the only hope we have is clinging to that good energy that people sent to us in times of need. Often times things happen for reasons that we can't understand and honestly probably never well. We go through moments of sadness and anger, denial and so forth. In reality, those things don't do anything for us but harbor negativity. It is then that we realize that being positive helps in one way or another. It may not cure an illness, but it can help a person feel that they are loved and that their life means something. In my hour of reflection, I envisioned this person as how I have always seen them. Sending so much love and light that I needed sunglasses for shade. We may not always understand why the universe does what it does, but we can't understand why love and light and positive vibes are important. Actually, there are a couple people I do this for often. However, today I am focusing on this one person. He needs it a little more today. 

(Photo from Pinterest)

Essential Oil Spotlight

Immortelle essential (Helichrysum angustifolium) 

A simple question on Facebook sparked interest on essential oils for scars. It is a good question! When one thinks about aromatherapy, they mostly think of candles and lavender room spray. What most don't realize is that aromatherapy is so much more than just smelling lovely essential oils. It is about healing both emotionally and sometimes physically. There are many essential oils out there that can help do just that!  I learned about immortelle in school and found it fascinating. Just the name alone makes it seem some what mystical. The oil comes from the vibrantly yellow flowers of the helichrysum. They are actually very beautiful yet simple flowers that look like bursts of sunshine. A very happy flower is how I see them!  The essential has many uses including skin healing. It is a great essential oil to have in your holistic first aid kit because it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,anti hematoma, & cicatrizant...just to name a few! It is an oil that is great for disinfecting wounds, bringing relief to bruising, helping to calm inflammation, healing scars by tissue regeneration, and even great for minor burns. And easy way to use this oil is to add a couple drops to a base oil or even aloe vera gel. Aloe Vera would be my choice base because it is also healing to the skin and very soothing, making this an amazing healer! 

I am happy to create special blends for people at reasonable prices. Contact me for more info at:

solsticenight1@gmail.com

www.facbook.com/solsticenight1

www.etsy.com/shop/solsticenight

(Remember, essential oils are powerful and not everybody should use them. Because this essential oil maybe anticoagulant, those who are on anticoagulant medications should avoid.)

******This post is for educational purposes only.It is not meant to diagnose,cure, or treat any condition. If you have a medical condition, please speak to a professional before using aromatherapy.******

Chamomile

My grandmother, Marie, loved chamomile. I remember if I did not feel well she would make me a cup of chamomile tea. If you were sick, crampy, nauseous, sad or couldn't sleep, chamomile tea was the answer.  It is a lovely herb. It smells of honey and apples and I enjoy growing it. They produce friendly little flowers that dance in the wind. Once you harvest the flowers all you have to do is wait a week and a whole new harvest will be produced. My chamomile is done producing for the year and I look forward to making an infused oil with it so that I can make some salves with it. 

 Yesterday I found myself at the natural food co-op staring away at the wall of bulk herbs. It is one of the happiest places for me to be. I could stand there and browse the herbs all day long and to be honest, I already have most of them at home. Anyhow, I saw a jar of chamomile and opened it to take in that lovely aroma. It reminded me of my Grammy. Oddly enough, last night I did not feel so well and brewed up some chamomile tea. I felt better about an hour later. I am glad that Grammy taught me to use chamomile. It was probably what directed me to the lifestyle I live today. It was the foundation for my love of herbs and essential oils. Grammy used natural medicine before it was popular to do so. I miss her often and when I do, all I have to do is open a jar of my chamomile and there she is. I even named the chamomile in my garden after her.

*feel free to message me to learn more about chamomile. I use the essential oil in some of my aromatherapy products. It has many therapeutic benefits.*

In the photo below left to right : calendula, chamomile, and sage. 

Memories By The Sea

I keep searching for it, but it does not exist where I am. I can't help but search for it though.  That salty sea air. No, you won't find that here on Lake Ontario. The lake is somewhat of a tease if you ask me. If you are from a place near an ocean you would understand. I sit here looking out at the water. It looks and sounds like the ocean, but it is not. It is missing that crisp salty scent. It is a body of water though, so I find solace in it. All of my best memories are by a body of water. Childhood, teenage years, even my wedding. These memories whirl around in my mind like the waves splashing into the shore. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Salem, Massachusetts with my grandfather. I think that might be one of my favorite places. We would spend time by the water and there was a little shop that sold these popcorn sticks. They had many flavors but I always picked the same. Pink! I'm not sure what flavor it was supposed to be, but it was sweet and had a very subtle spiciness to it. It was a rectangular sticky goodness and I still remember the taste and smell.  I just loved going there and spending time with my grandfather. If dig deep I can here his laugh. Oh how I loved that man. 

   Another memory is of my years living on Martha's Vineyard. My favorite place to be was in an apartment above an antique shop, spending time with my second mum. Her home was filled with magic and I loved every second that I spent there. Many days spent helping out in her antique shop or sitting upstairs in the sunroom, looking out at the water, and always in the company of a Manx cat or pup. I felt so safe there and comforted in her company. I remember one year we prepared for Halloween and we made witch hats. We decorated them with flowers and tulle. They were so beautiful. My dog ate mine though. I miss being able to see her everyday now that I haved moved, and moved, and moved....you know, gypsy girl. It is funny though because when I feel a bit homesick I listen to a little Stevie Nicks, watch Bell, Book, and Candle or Practical Magic and I feel alright. So many great memories stored in my mind and most of them near the water. They also include some pretty wonderful people.There is nothing like being by the ocean. I love a good storm by the sea. I get so excited watching the water when it is angry. It is soothing to me for some reason. Maybe because it is so beautiful, yet so full of mystery and even danger and I have a deep respect for the ocean for those reasons. It is powerful. There is also tranquility in the song of the ocean. It is repetitive and mesmerizing. The lake offers the same type of song. It may not be the ocean but it is a quite similar. Though it is not the ocean I can't help but feel lucky. I get to sit here on my driftwood bench and listen to the waves. What a wonderful life.

A New Way To Shop Solstice Night!

I have been working out a new and easier way to shop Solstice Night. The square shop makes it simple for both me and my customers. I can easily add a special order item, the customer can go right online and pay, and I can ship it out ASAP! This will be easier than etsy for me and I won't have to wait for peoples checks to arrive in the mail (Not that I have had a problem with it yet!), but it is just easier all around!  Check out my new shop! 

<a href="https://mkt.com/solstice-night" 
class="sq-embed-menu" 
data-menu-item-images="large" 
data-menu-accent-color="83b3b3" 
data-menu-template="column" 
data-menu-item-descriptions="show"> 
Order Online 
</a> 
<script src="https://cdn.sq-api.com/market/embed.js" charset="utf-8"> </script>

Hello, Spring?


Even though spring officially started a couple of weeks ago, winter keeps popping in and out like a cruel prankster. He teases us by allowing spring to hang around for a few days and then takes her away and gives us a chance of snow for the weekend. It is time for you to travel farther north Mr. Winter! You have over stayed your welcome. I am so very ready for the warmer temperatures and sunny days, but I am mostly ready for gardening! Sadly, my garden will have to wait until the end of the month. I am able to get my gardening fix right in my kitchen though. I have herbs, a small palm, and I even have an avocado plant.  Have you ever heard of plants that will re-grow? Well there are quite a few plants that will and it is so easy, so it is alright if you do not have a green thumb! My favorite to re-grow is green onions. They are so easy! What you do is keep the elastic band that comes around them to keep them in place. Once you have cut them down to the light green/white area, stick them in a little glass and add water! It is that simple! They will start to re-grow with in a day. They usually take about a week or so to grow back to their regular size. You can also do this with romaine lettuce and celery!

As mentioned above, I do have an avocado plant, but it would take years and the right climate for it to become an actual tree. It does make a neat little plant though if you are looking for a fun greenery project. I can not take credit for the one I have. My mom grew it and gave it to me when she came to visit me. There are some great videos on youtube that teach you how to do this.

                          Healing Brought To You By Mother Nature!

There are many ways for people to heal and Mother Nature is the best source. Healing goes in many directions, it does not always mean that a person is physically ill. Healing can mean that we need to cleanse and refresh our energy- similar to last weeks chakra healing.  One of my favorite tools for healing are gemstones. Gemstones can be meditative in a way. This is because you hold this natural treasure in your hand and connect with its energy. I actually feel like it is almost like a mantra because you focus on this one thing and move it around your hand in a continuous pattern. They have sort of become a big part of my life recently. I can actually hold one and know that it belongs to a specific person, or know when a person needs a specific gemstone. For example, Someone I care about had to have surgery (for privacy reasons I am omitting details and names). I talked with them on the phone and while talking with them I felt a sudden urge to get a bloodstone. I thought for sure I would be getting them an amethyst, but a bloodstone was the stone for them. My point is that if read that a stone is specific to what your healing needs are but are drawn to a different stone, get the one you are drawn to. There are many different gemstones, so I will only name a few of my favorites. 

Amethyst - This is a very popular stone. It is a beautiful lilac colored stone. I find purple to be a healing color and my favorite color at that. Amethyst can help  soothe anger, anxiety, frazzled nerves, grief, an tension. This stone can also enhance your meditation practice,  I love holding this stone when I meditate. It is also a good stone for people with low self-esteem.  



Apache Tear - This stone is quite intriguing. I was drawn to this stone when my father passed away. I felt a strong urge to find this stone and was very uneasy until I did, and for good reason! Apache tears are black but translucent when held to light. They are said to be the tears of Apache woman and family members who lost loved ones in an attack. This website explains the legend in more detail.  http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Apache_Tear_Drop-Apache.html. It is quite a sad story, but makes the stone have more meaning I think.  Apache tears are useful in times of grief. It can help you shed those painful tears, release grief and negativity, and become at one with your loss. I know first hand that this stone helps. I still hold one when I am missing my father.

Moonstone - Moonstone comes in a variety of tones - Grey, cream, white, and brown. This is a great stone to release blocked energy. It helps to calm the mind, brings balance and confidence, and soothes inner emotions. This is a wonderful stone for woman of all stages of life, as it does balance out the emotions. I have many different ones and love them. 

Bloodstone ( or Heliotrope) - Since I mentioned it previously I thought I would write about it. Bloodstone is actually a deep green with red speckles throughout, hence it's name. This stone is useful in times of stress because it is centering, which will calm an individual. This stone will encourage strength in a person who is afraid and helps you to face challenges. It is a great meditation stone and will release energy blocks. I think that is why I was drawn to this stone for that specific person. 

Cleansing your stones is very important because it could be holding on to the energy of who ever held it before you bought it. I like to stick them in a bowl of sea salt for a day. Sea salt is purifying and absorbs any unwanted energy. You can use your stones different ways, such as just holding them, but you can also wear them as jewelry. There are many beautiful pieces out there, I find etsy to be a great source of gorgeous pieces. Everyone heals in their own way, this is one of my favorites. Some people will be skeptical of this, and that is ok - it is not for everyone. I have used stones for so long and have always had a positive outcome. When I meditate - it helps, when my father passed away- it helped, when I am having an anxiety attack-it helps.  For me, they work and hopefully this will help you to continue on the road of healing.

Disclaimer

*This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease. If you have any doubt about your health, please seek medical attention. *