Healing Aromas of the Holidays

One of my favorite elements of the holiday season is the assortment of aromatic experiences I can have in a day. Whether it’s walking down the street and smelling the Christmas trees and rosemary plants, past a bakery and smelling the warming spices that go into the pies, or through the farmer’s market and smelling the fresh fruits of the season, this time of year is when the aromas that create warm fuzzy feelings come out and, for many, evoke happy memories.

While this is a time in which we look forward to celebrating the end-of-the-year festivities with our loved ones, it is also a time that can be filled with pressure and stress as we rush to meet the demands of work and school while simultaneously preparing for these gatherings. By providing us with the aromas of the season, Mother Nature offers an instant boost during this busy time of year. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in “doing” life that we forget to stop and smell the metaphoric roses, which really doesn’t require much effort, just being present for a moment or two. Remembering to breathe in the beautiful scents around me over the course of a day can often times leave my body relaxed and smiling and my consciousness a little more deeply connected with the spiritual aspect of everyday life.

In her book, Aromatherapy for the Soul, Valerie Ann Worwood writes:

"With an etheric quality, essential oils activate the receptors of love, compassion, and empathy. They are an informational network, carrying messages and crossing boundaries, operating on many different levels. Through them, we can contact the wisdom of nature, the power of light, the energy of the universe, and the love in our hearts."

As we kick off the holiday season this week, I’d like to share with you some of the healing qualities of the traditional holiday aromas:

Cinnamon: Warm, spicy and sweet, cinnamon offers emotional encouragement and strength as well as a sense of benevolence and generosity. In Aromatherapy for the Soul, Worwood writes: “Love, in all its many guises, speaks through cinnamon, to touch those hidden areas of the self that we have denied love access to.”

Clove: Stimulating and warm, clove inspires action while offering a sense of trust. In some healing traditions, clove is believed to dispel the negative energy that triggers disease.

Eucalyptus: The combination of camphor, wood and peppermint in the eucalyptus plant help us breathe more deeply and feel more centered and balanced. Great to have if you get that pesky cold that’s going around.

Fir/Pine: These aromas create a sense of grounding, mental clarity, endurance and overall harmony. Pine is an ancient tree that teaches us the wisdom of our earth’s heritage. It is an important element in the Reiki tradition as it is said that Dr. Usui was surrounded by the scent of a Japanese pine called Hinoki when he became enlightened on top of Mt. Kurama near Kyoto.

Frankincense: As one of the gifts given to baby Jesus by the Three Kings, frankincense offers us a sense of strength, courage and protection. Used in many religious ceremonies as well as meditation practices, frankincense helps us to connect with our higher self.

Myrrh: Another of the gifts given to the baby Jesus, myrrh encourages the ability to let go of our grief, find forgiveness and heal our emotional wounds. What an appropriate a gift for the Three Kings to give the child that would eventually offer the world unconditional healing and forgiveness.

Nutmeg: Light, fresh and spicy, nutmeg provides a sense of peace, calm and comfort. It is a tonic that helps us relax and reconnect with our hopes and dreams.

Orange: The scent of orange is better than any happy pill one can take. It warms the heart and opens us up to the joy and energy of the sun.

Peppermint: Energizing and calming at the same time, peppermint creates the ultimate balance of feeling refreshed but not overly stimulated.

Should you experience any or all of these aromas over the next few weeks, it is my wish that the nurturing qualities that the universe is expressing through these herbs and plants touch your heart and bring a bit more joy and light into your life.

Have a beautiful holiday season.

With Love, Peace and Light,
Jean

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Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

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LATEST AT DANCING LIGHT CANDLES

Chakra Candle Set is Finally Here!!!!!

I have finally launched the Chakra Candle Set. This is a series of seven 5 oz. jar candles, each with an essential oil blend that connects vibrationally with its corresponding Chakra.

These candles are great for anyone who is looking to connect with their energy body through the Chakra centers. These candles are also great for yogis, energy healers and masseuses because they are easy to transport and have a lid to cover the candle when the session is over. As one breathes in the natural aromas of each of these candles, it is helpful to relax and take note of how the area of the body associated with that particular Chakra reacts. Do you feel calmer or more stimulated? Are you made aware of any tension in your body that begins to release? Does a certain memory or emotion come to you?

Here is a brief overview of the seven Chakras, the blends I’ve used for them and how they relate to the physical and emotional bodies.

Root - Red - Peru Balsam Oil & Patchouli –Element of Earth
The Root Chakra relates to the skeleton as well as blood, the tailbone and the feet. Feelings of security in all aspects of life are related to this Chakra.

Sacral - Orange - Geranium & Cardamom – Element of Water
The Sacral Chakra relates to the navel and reproductive organs as well as lower intestines, kidneys and bladder. It is the center through which we find our creative energy and experience pleasure in life. It is also the center through which the energy of money is negotiated and where we experience the ebb and flow of our emotions.

Solar Plexus - Yellow - Coriander & Bergamot – Element of Fire
The Solar Plexus Chakra relates to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and liver. It is the center through which we process our life’s circumstances. It is also the center through which we find our self-empowerment and personal boundaries as well as our connection to the people and world around us.

Heart - Green - Ylang Ylang & Tangerine – Element of Air
The Heart Chakra relates to the heart, lungs, circulatory system and skin. It is the center through which we experience the unconditional love of the universe as well as romantic love. It is the middle Chakra which connects the three lower, earth Chakras to the three higher, spiritual Chakras.

Throat - Blue - Eucalyptus & Hyssop – Element of Ether
The Throat Chakra relates to the throat, neck, thyroid and mouth. It is the center through which we find our self expression and is also the bridge between our heart and mind.

Third Eye - Indigo - Juniper Berry & Lemon
The Third Eye Chakra relates to the eyes, ears, nose, face and brain. It is the center through which we find our intuition and inner wisdom.

Crown - Purple - Frankincense & Lavender
The Crown Chakra is the center through which we find our connection to the spiritual energy of the universe or, for those with a religious practice, connection to God. The color purple has the highest frequency on the spectrum of visible light and is often times worn by religious figures as they perform ceremonies that deepen our connection to God and spirit.

Dancing Light’s Chakra candles can be purchased individually or in a boxed gift set. You can read more about these candles on the aromatherapy page at http://www.dancinglightcandles.net/aromatherapy.html

Check out the Latest Dancing Light Holiday Candles!

Here is a list of Dancing Light’s newest Holiday scents:

Bayberry
Red Currant
Holly & Ivy
Sugar Plum

All of these and more can be found at www.DancingLightCandles.net.

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LATEST REIKI NEWS

Gift Certificates Available
Looking for the perfect gift for someone who already has it all? Get a Gift Certificate for a Reiki Session. For more information, contact Jean at 212-496-5287.

Change in Cancellation Policy
Please note that my cancellation policy has changed. Any cancellations made 36 Hours or less before a scheduled session will incur a $25 cancellation fee. Any cancellations made 24 Hours or less before a scheduled session will require payment for the session in full.

Offer for First Time Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for $200. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki

LITTLE ACORNS

Welcome to Dancing Light News. This month’s issue is about how the simple beauties we find in our day to day routine are resources for healing and transforming life’s challenges. As we head into the peak of the fall season, there is much beauty found in the colors of nature. October begins a period of receiving the fruits of our labor and expressing gratitude for what we have. It is in shifting our focus onto the blessings of life that we also experience the joy and pleasure that create a healthy vibration in our whole being.
I wish you all a fall season filled with the colorful joys and simple pleasures of Mother Nature.

In Peace and Light,

Jean
Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

LITTLE ACORNS

A couple of years ago, right around this time when the sun starts fading earlier in the day, I was at the laundry mat when a small but quite beautiful gift was given to me. Having just added my clothes to the washer, I watched the machine fill with soapy water and turn with increasing speed as my mind simultaneously filled with the waters of disappointment over something that had happened earlier in the week. I decided to step outside and let the cool autumn air clear my head before I started drowning in these discontented thoughts.

Just as I turned to leave, there were three young children who had managed to create a blockade of carts along the aisle leading to the door so no one could pass. I could see that annoyed look on the faces of the nearby adults. It’s that look of disapproval so tightly contained that it seeps out the sides, spilling out everywhere. No one was saying anything and yet it was obvious people wanted their parents to come over and tell them to settle down. As I walked toward the chaos, I initially imagined I would find a way to politely tip toe around everything by squeezing past the carts. However, just as I arrived at the cluster of children and carts, the girl was standing there staring at me. Suddenly my inner child popped out instead and made a funny face at her. I heard myself asking, “Can I squeeeeeeeeeeeze past you?” She replied with a look of sheer delight that an adult was actually communicating with her on her level. She giggled and said that before I could pass, she wanted to paint my fingernails. She pulled out the tiniest bottle of nail polish I’d ever seen and proceeded to paint my pinky. It took four dips into the bottle before the one nail was completely painted.

Her little brother and cousin came over to see what we were doing. One of them pulled a handful of acorns out of his pocket and all three children began telling me about their day in the park. They were so enchanted by these little acorns they’d found on the ground that you would have thought they had traveled through some magical forest in a fairy tail instead of Central Park. They told me all about the castle they had seen, the squirrels that were running around and the rocks they had climbed which to them seemed like mountains. As I listened and smiled, I noticed the blockade of carts had disappeared and no one seemed terribly annoyed with the children anymore. After about 20 minutes had passed, the girl looked at me and exclaimed, “You don’t have any acorns!” And with that, she pulled out as many acorns as her little hand could hold and gave them to me. As I held the acorns, a gentle blanket of warmth wrapped around me and my whole being felt a joy and oneness with the world. I thanked her for the present and promised I would keep the acorns in a special place.

As I went home that day with my bag of clean laundry and pocketful of magical acorns, I realized the disappointment I experienced earlier that week had been replaced with a great sense of gratitude for the simple joys and beauty in life.

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LATEST REIKI NEWS

New Rate
My rate as of September 1st is $90 per hour session. 5 and 10 session cards are still available at a discount.

Offer for New Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for the price of 2. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. The first 2 sessions will need to be paid in full before the free 3rd session can be scheduled. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information feel free to call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki.html.

Magnified Healing Workshop, October 12 and
The Crystal Intensive Working the Magic through Crystals, October 13 & 14
Led by MIKA
All Classes at
Nurture's Path Healing Arts
1133 Broadway, Second Fl, Conference Rm "B"
New York, NY
Registration: Contact MIKA at 954-309-0193 or 501-620-4419 or wne1313@aol.com
For more information go to www.AcademyForHealingArts.com

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LATEST NEWS AT DANCING LIGHT CANDLES

Fall is the kick off for candle season as the days grow cooler and shorter. Check out this year’s harvest and Halloween Candles. Dancing Light Candles will be at the Green Flea Market at W77th and Columbus every Sunday until Christmas. For more information, go to www.dancinglightcandles.net.

Wherever Two or More Gather

Welcome to the September issue of Dancing Light News. This month’s theme is about the power of people coming together. As we are returning from summer vacations and getting back into the groove of work and school, this is a great time to reconnect with our friends and local communities. It is through coming together and sharing with each other that we can find a wonderful source of inspiration and support needed to transform our lives and the world around us.

I hope you all enjoyed a beautiful end to the summer.

In Peace and Light,
Jean

Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

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WHEREVER TWO OR MORE GATHER

As I attended church every Sunday while growing up, one of the stories that stood out in my mind was when Jesus tells his followers that they don’t need a physical church in order to properly gather in his name, for wherever two or more gather, his loving presence will be with them in their prayers and rituals. This teaching came to mind once again for me when I attended the Conference on Bio-Energetic Wellness at the United Nations last month. Over 200 holistic healers attended this panel discussion in which seven presenters shared personal stories as well as information about their different fields of energy work. Almost every presenter began their talk by asking the group to join in a short breathing exercise which in turn raised the energetic vibration of the entire room. By the time 2-½ hours had passed, I felt a buzz from all the energy that had filled the room and thought how great an opportunity we’d been given to bring our healing light and presence to a place where world leaders gather.

As each panelist shared their professional and personal life experiences with us, the running theme I found throughout the conference was the importance of forming as clear an intention as possible when we use these different modalities of energy work. Whether it was a talk about feng shui, astrology, crystals or modern scientific technology, each presenter on some level emphasized the importance of clear intention in order for the healing and transformation process to fully manifest in any given situation.

One presenter, David Demaray of Biogenesis, told a beautiful personal story of his family’s spiritual journey and how it led to his sister becoming a powerful channel of healing for the earth and humans in general. It is through sharing stories such as David’s that people become inspired and in turn find more clarity with their intentions for themselves, their community and the world.

Susana Bastarica, President of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council – Society for Enlightenment and Transformation (U.N.S.R.C. – S.E.A.T.) was part of the panel discussion. She ended the conference by telling her story of a friend who had passed and how they had kept talking about getting together for tea and never did. As a result, she has made the point of regularly seeing friends over tea, allowing herself time to connect with the people in her life who inspire her. She emphasized the importance of everyone making the point of doing this in their life. Whether it’s tea with one friend or ten friends, or 200 healers coming together to share in their common interest, the important thing is to find time to share with each other a bit about ourselves and find inspiration in each other’s life experiences.

Vigil for International Peace

On Saturday, September 22, 2007, there will be an all day Vigil for International Peace in Central Park starting at 9 am at the Band Shell. More information can be found at http://www.vigil4internationalpeace.org/. If you have been meaning to get together with friends for a while and live the NYC area, this is a great opportunity to spend a beautiful fall day in the park and share in different cultural and spiritual activities. Whether you can make it for an hour or all day, be sure to stop by and check it out if you can.

New Moon with a Solar Eclipse

Mother Nature offers us many extraordinary tools for healing and transforming our lives, and tomorrow night she gives us the opportunity to plant the seeds of peace as there is a new moon charged by a solar eclipse. Tomorrow also happens to be the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This makes for a powerful time in which we can gather in unity on the mental plane and send out our intentions of peace, harmony, love and nurturing for each other and the earth. Whether or not we are able to gather with a community in prayer or meditation this week, taking a moment at some point tomorrow to breathe and send out an intention for peace is an important and powerful tool we all have that can and will make a difference.

Latest Reiki News

New Move
I am pleased to announce that I moved my Reiki practice over to Nurture's Path this summer. Nurture's Path is a beautiful and intimate space, with a clear and peaceful energy. It is located on Broadway between 25th and 26th Streets. Go to www.nurturespath.com for more information.

New Rate
My rate as of September 1st is $90 per hour session. 5 and 10 session cards are still available at a discount.

Offer for New Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for the price of 2. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. The first 2 sessions will need to be paid in full before the free 3rd session can be scheduled. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information feel free to call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki.html.

Latest at Dancing Light Candles

Starting September 30th, Dancing Light Candles will be at the Green Flea Market at W77th and Columbus Avenue every Sunday. For more information, go to www.dancinglightcandles.net.

Summertime with the Magical Child

Over the past few summers, I’ve indulged myself in taking a 3 or 4 day weekend right around the time of my birthday. This is not to travel or vacation anywhere in particular so much as to allow myself to slow down and enjoy some of the same summertime experiences I had as a child. Those long, lazy afternoons spent on a blanket in the grassy yard reading a Nancy Drew or Judy Blume novel or exploring the tide pools along the rocky beach down the road from my house are looked back upon with a great sense of gratitude and joy, and my adult self still takes pleasure in connecting with that part of my magical inner child. This year’s long weekend for me was extra special because it was the weekend the final Harry Potter novel came out, giving my inner magical child a true feast of imagination and adventure. While it rained all day that Monday and I didn’t make it to a grassy park or a beach to enjoy the adventures of Mr. Potter, I took genuine pleasure in the simple indulgence of spending an entire day on the couch just reading to the soothing background sound of the rain. How often as adults do we get such indulgent moments?


As we are now past the midpoint of summer, there are several weeks still left to take the opportunity to recapture those simple joys we experienced as children. Whether it’s an entire day at the amusement park, an afternoon spent at the park or beach or simply enjoying a refreshing ice cream cone or lemonade, taking whatever time one can to reconnect with those simple pleasures from childhood is a great way to strike a conversation with one’s inner child. It offers an opportunity to check in with that part of the higher Self that dares to see beyond life’s day to day responsibilities and dream. These simple moments can create an energetic shift that is exhilarating and quite transforming. At the very least, such simple pleasures offer one the opportunity to breathe, relax and know that all is well and not to worry, just for today.


New Moon in Leo


With a new moon in Leo, this week is a great time to connect with your magical inner child and see what creative ideas are looking to come out. Take a few moments to close your eyes, breathe and connect with spirit. What ideas, images, colors, sounds or vibrations come to you? Perhaps writing or drawing about what you experience will get the imagination flowing, bringing new ideas to the surface and giving your magical child an opportunity to express itself. It’s amazing what you’ll discover.

Latest Reiki News

New Move
I am pleased to announce that I moved my Reiki practice over to Nurture's Path this summer. Nurture's Path is a beautiful and intimate space, with a clear and peaceful energy. It is located on Broadway between 25th and 26th Streets. Go to www.nurturespath.com for more information.

New Rate
My rate as of September 1st will be going up to $90 per hour session. 5 and 10 session cards are still available at a discount.

Offer for New Clients

For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for the price of 2. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. The first 2 sessions will need to be paid in full before the free 3rd session can be scheduled. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information feel free to call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki.html.

Latest Dancing Light News

Dancing Light Candles is getting ready for the busy fall/holiday candle season. Stop by the Sunday Green Flea Market at W77th and Columbus Avenue to checkout the latest candle creations. We’ll be at the market August 12th and 19th. Checkout Dancing Light’s website for the dates we’ll be there through the fall and holiday season. www.dancinglightcandles.net