A is for Aromatherapy

A is for Aromatherapy

I have chosen to write about aromatherapy because I believe that it can be useful to all people even if they are not pagans. As a refresher for everyone a little vocabulary lesson first.

AROMATHERAPY is the use of essential oils from plants for healing and well-being.

ESSENTIAL OILS are concentrated extracts taken from roots, leaves, seeds , or blossoms of plants.

Aromatherapy can be inhaled, massaged into the skin, and can but rarely taken orally. Some of the many benefits of aromatherapy include stress relief, sleep improvement, mood enhancers, headache relief, muscle relaxation, boost immune systems, blood circulation, mental clarity, and many many more benefits to be named here.

Here’s a brief guide to essential oils (EO’s) and their aromatherapy uses.

EOs reputed to aid memory and recall: Cedarwood, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary

EOs reputed to aid relaxation: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Juniper Berry, Lavander, Lemon, Mandarin, Marjoram, Neroli, Rose, Rose Geranium, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

EOs reputed to aid alertness: Black Pepper, Juniper Berry, Lemon, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Ylang Ylang.

…OK, you may be wondering, how can an essential oil (such as ylang ylang) help relax you AND keep you alert? Ylang Ylang and Juniper Berry are among the EOs that have a general balancing effect on the body and mind…

EOs reputed to aid depression: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Sandalwood.

EOs reputed to aid congestion: Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary.

EOs reputed to have pain-relieving properties: Cajeput, Chamomile, Ginger, Helichrysum, Lavender, Marjoram, Rosemary, Rose.

EOs reputed to have skin-rejuvenation effects on mature skin: Carrot Seed, Frankincense, Lavender, Jasmine, Myrrh, Neroli, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose.

Sometimes these plants are put in shampoos, lotions, astringents, candles, and air fresheners . These are just a few of the many interesting ways plants can be used to help create a mood. Some plants not only work towards altering an illness the body has but they can also put a person in a particular mood such as relaxed, invigorated, calm, etc. For centuries essential oils have been considered the most theraputic and rejuvenating of all botanical extracts.

http://www.suzannebovenizer.com/aromatherapy-essential-oils/magical-aromatherapy

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/aromatherapy/aroma7.html

http://blessedbe.sugarbane.com/oilrecipes.htm

2012- 100 Book Challenge

So i decided to to sign up for i book challenge that i had seen on several blog site today!!! I read so much that this seemed to look like a great idea to boost my reading up more…

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: Read 100+ books in 2012 (any genre)

• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.
• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.
• Only fiction, no non-fiction.
• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.
• You DO NOT have to write reviews of the books you read, but if you decide to then Mr Linky will be available each month so you can link up your reviews.

• You don’t have to have a blog to join in – for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc, you can add the URL to where you track your books. If you don’t have a URL at all then choose a name you would like to use and then copy and paste the following link:

http://www.bookchickcity.com/2011/12/sign-up-100-books-in-year-reading.html

So I am on my way to my 100…

1. House of Night Series: Destined  by PC Cast and Kristen Cast

2. The Seventh Unicorn  by Kelly Jones

3. The Next Always by Nora Roberts

4. The Vampires of Hope Covent by Herbert Mullins— Just starting to read.

Pagan Blog Project :Altar

A IS FOR ALTARS

So I have decided to share my altars that I have.. My home altar was made on a budget because with two kids there isn’t a lot extra at the end of the month for Mommy to buy things for herself.. so after looking around I repurposed several items that I already had at home, a few trips to the dollar store, a couple of yard sales, and just plan wandering around in my own backyard.. I found some beautiful items to make my own altar.. I love it..

My other altar is at work. It is one that I tried to make one that would not look like an altar because I live in a very religious community which does not believe in religions outside of their own.  My altar kinda looks like a Zen Rock garden to most , but to me it gives me a place to meditate to the goddess and god during any part of my work day.

Other websites with great Altar ideas:

http://www.wiccantogether.com/profiles/blogs/practical-paganism-clever

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/shoppingandsupplies/ss/Portable_Altar_4.htm

Survey about me

Fun Little Survey

From: Bell, Book, Candle, & Cats

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was a starting my new life after moving away from home for the first time.

Five snacks that you enjoy in a perfect, non weight-gaining world:
Butterscotch krimpets
popcorn
Chocolate
Salsa and chips
Guacamole

Five things you would do if you were a billionaire:
Make that my kids have college paid for so they don’t have worry
Pay off mine and fellow family members bills so they don’t have to struggle so much.
Buy a house and lots of land in the middle of Montana for my family
Give money to many charities
Travel to so many places

Three of your habits:
Smoke
Read every book I can get my hands on
Lazy at times

Five jobs that you’ve had:
Auto mechanic
Cashier
Assistant Manager at parts store
Camp counselor
Mom and teacher

Five places that you’ve lived:
Hamburg, germany
El Paso, Texas
East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
King George, Virginia
Tazewell, Virginia

Five things that you did yesterday:
Facebook
Clean house
Slept
played in the snow with my daughter
Read

Five people you would want to get to know more about:
I am interested in hearing about other peoples lives, how they grew up, what their families were like so I don’t know if I could pin point 5 actual people.

Do you think the world would fail with a female president?
No, I think she would do a great job… Men have screwed it up for hundreds of years already…

Do you believe in the death penalty?
Yes, but I do know as a Wiccan I do believe in ” Harm None”, but if you truly deserve it so be it.

Do you wish marijuana would be legalized already?
I have a number of friends and family members who suffer daily in pain due to cancer, so yes I do.

Are you for or against premarital sex?

Yes… As long as it safe and consensual

Do you think same sex marriage should be legalized?
Yes, you love who you love.

Should the alcohol age be lowered to eighteen?
yes… If they are old enough to die for our county in the military why can’t enjoy alcohol.

Should the war in Iraq be called off?
Yes, we need to start taking care of our own people in our country.

Assisted suicide is illegal: do you agree?
Yes, but also no because I can not stand seeing a loved one suffer in pain..

Do you believe in spanking your children?
Yes, but within reason and not in anger.

Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?
Everyone has the right to their own opinions.. So deal with mine..

Borrowed from http://talesofawanderingwitch.blogspot.com/C

Borrowed from http://talesofawanderingwitch.blogspot.com/

Pagan Blog Project 2012