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