Aromatherapy uses aromatic essences that are extracted from plants. The essential oils are like the plant's hormones: They control its biochemical reactions and relay messages between cells; they also protect the plant from parasites, bacteria, and fungi. They are the most vital substance of the plant.

Essential oils are very potent, and many are too strong to use directly on the skin. If you use them for massage, add them to massage oil or cream, and experiment with the amount to use. Even in a bath, too much of a particular oil could be irritating to your skin. Begin by using just a few drops. If you like the effect, you can gradually add a bit more if you wish.

Some oils can counteract homeopathic remedies, so be sure to check with a homeopath if you are using both treatments simultaneously.

Aromatherapy can help in mild forms of depression. It may ease mental fatigue and help with sleep. However, if you, or someone you know, are severely depressed, additional support and therapy are necessary. Aromatherapy is more effective when used as a complimentary therapy, assisting other therapies.

Essential oils used for depression are basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, rose, sandalwood, spruce, orange, and ylang ylang.

Essential oils that can have a positive influence on feelings of anger, which are associated with depression,  include rose, chamomile, ylang ylang, and rosemary.

If the depression is associated with a loss, then essential oils helpful for grief and bereavement, such as lavender, rose, frankincense, neroli, hyssop, and marjoram, should be included.

Many of the essential oils used for depression are from flowers and fruit. These essences have an uplifting effect on the mind and emotions.

Inhalation blend for mild depression

4 parts Clary sage essential oil

4 parts Ylang ylang essential oil

3 parts Geranium essential oil

2 parts Basil essential oil

1 part Sandalwood essential oil

Mix the above essential oils in an amber glass bottle, Label. Use three to four times daily.

Essential Oil Blend for Depression

Basil

Clary sage

Jasmine

Rose

German chamomile (matricaria recutita)

Mix the oil together. Place it in a bowl of steaming water (2 or 3 drops), or in a bath (5 or 6 drops ), or on the edge of your pillow (1 or 2 drops).

Aromatherapy Bath

An aromatic bath two to three times per week is especially helpful for depression. Sometimes the aromatic baths are effective enough on their own as a remedy for mild bouts of depression or feeling blue.

Aromatic Bath for the Blues

For mild bouts of depression

1/4 cup Honey (or almond, canola, soy and safflower)

3 drops Lavender essential oil

3 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

2 drops Basil essential oil

2 drops Geranium essential oil

1 drop Grapefruit essential oil

Mix the essential oils in the honey. Fill the bath tub with warm water and then add the aromatic honey mixture. Stir well using your hands. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage is one of the best ways you can treat yourself It is pampering and nurturing, in addition to very satisfying. Massage and aromatherapy go hand in hand in treating nervous system ailments such as depression.

Elation Formulation

A concentrated massage oil for mild depression

2 tblsp. sweet almond oil (or vegetable oil)

1 tsp. Wheat germ oil

8 drops Lavender essential oil

8 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

2 drops Basil essential oil

2 drops Geranium essential oil

2 drops Bergamot essential oil

Collect the essential oils in an amber glass bottle. Add the sweet almond oil and wheat germ oil. Shake gently and mix well.

Apply a small amount onto the back of the hands and chest area. Inhale the essences from your hands after application to the skin. Apply two or three times daily.

BUTTERFLY FAERIES: They are also known as the moss people for they are experts at hiding in mossy, dark areas. Butterfly Faeries come from Switzerland, Germany, Africa, and from the Islands. These delicate, slender spirits have beautifully colored butterfly wings emanating from their bodies. They are very shy and human sightings of them are very rare indeed. They avoid human contact as much possible for they do not trust mankind, who has been destroying their forest homes. They are often confused for real butterflies because they often play with their best friends: monarch butterflies. They usually do not trust humans, but if a butterfly Faery befriends you, she or he will prove to be a true friend to you for life by always bringing you good luck. If you should see a butterfly Faery, do not make any sudden movements. Let her know you want to be friends, and you mean her no harm. Remember, it is very important for us to protect the disappearing forest, the favorite home of these very special creatures. 

CLOUD FAERIES: Cloud Faeries emerge as large formations in masses of clouds. They look like long humans. The cloud Faeries help you with your imagination and creation of the arts. They themselves are master sculptors making wonderful images out of air and water. To call a cloud Faery to you, it is best to summon one around sunset or sunrise, for they use the elements of both in order to create beauty. Call to them when you are about to make any form of art. If your mind and heart are open to hearing them, they will help you. 

DRYADS (a.k.a. Tree spirits, Tree Ladies, Druidesses, Hamadryads, Sidhe Draoi): These Faeries live all over the world, but originate from the Celtic countries. Even though they live in and protect the trees, their element is air. Their favorite time of the month is at the full moon. They are excellent musicians and will often play their strange magical, musical instruments while they dance, sing, and laugh under the light of the moon. They will not harm you if you follow their music, but it may cause you to spend too much time in Faeryland. These spirits are only female. They are usual seen as wisps of light. The dryads are very playful and do like to tease, but if they befriend you, they will help you get in touch with your magical abilities and to contact your divine energy. To find them it is best to go to a grove of sacred trees. You may find this beautiful spirit in a willow, oak, ash, thorn, rowan, birch, or elder tree. 

EARTH FAERIES: Earth Faeries are very small, standing about a foot to eighteen inches tall. They are often a golden brown or dark green color. Sometimes they come into view as bear-type creatures. Earth Faeries live in communities and are very friendly. These spirits work very hard dealing with the well being of all creatures, humans and Faeries alike. Even though the Earth Faeries love mortals very much, they often lose their patience with the humans for their foolishness and careless treatment of Mother Earth. Earth Faeries love colorful rocks in their natural state, but will also cut the stones to show off the inner beauty. When we call them into our circle, they can help you plant your feet firmly on the ground, and like the stones, help you to find the inner beauty that you hold inside of you. 

FLOWER FAERIES: These are the peaceful spirits of the earth. These wee folk are a very passionate people. They are in love with natural beauty and luxury, and love nothing more than to array themselves with beautiful flowers and things of nature. They are whimsical, willful, and beautiful. They befriend the kind-of-heart but will stay away from those who are greedy and selfish. They love wine and sweets. Leave some at a place where wild flowers grow. Any gentle acts of kindness help encourage the Faeries to make a blessing. So if you are kind, you will be a blessing on the Earth. 

Have you ever had the feeling that you were being stared at?  I had that feeling this morning at 4:00 am!  My cats were sitting on my bedside table staring intently at me willing me to get up.  When I moved and looked over, the walking on and about my head started.  Now, these cats are free-fed, there is always dry food out for them. However, when I get up in the mornings, I give them some canned food to get more moisture in their systems.  Well, this usually started at 8:00 am, and they have been waking me up earlier and earlier, usually by walking on my head.  Now we are at 4:00 am!

The picture above is a true picture of our sleeping arrangements.  My husband and I trying to keep from falling off the bed at night.  We also have trouble rolling over as one or more cat will be between our legs. It's so funny.

I'm still recovering from my trip to Texas.  All of the traveling and the fact that I'm going constantly takes a toll on my Fibromyalgia.  It usually take me 2 weeks to get back to normal after a trip.  

Life is good here.  Brian just received a 5% raise yesterday, which is good! Usually the company only gives a 2 or 3 percent raise.  Brian will be off all next week.  He wants to just relax.  Work has been very hectic for him.  I don't know how much rest he will get with the cats and the bird and their craziness.

Hopefully everyone has a good day today!  Blessings!

Angels exist on a different vibrational frequency to humans, and most of us are therefore unable to see them but we can often feel their presence around us…

Angels have a way of making their presence known and it is not necessary to be deeply religious or to have a strong spiritual belief to sense the presence of an angel…

Below are a seven signs that may indicate an angel is close by…

1~ The temperature in the room may change. You may feel a sudden rush of warm air or a warm glow surrounding you… You may also get goose bumps or tingling at the back of your neck or head…

2~ An intriguing fragrance may appear out of nowhere… It may be an unusual aroma that you have never smelt before, and you will probably not be able to identify it…

3~ Different-coloured lights may appear from nowhere… You may see shafts of light streaming down or shooting across the room or may catch glimpses or sparks of light or notice shadows… Do not be afraid, you will not see an angel appearing until you are ready to, and angels of course have no desire to harm you…

4~ You may hear angelic voices trying to communicate to you

If the voice is merely a whisper or is muffled, send a mental message for the angel to speak louder… Do not assume that the angelic voice you are hearing is a product of your imagination…

5~ White feathers may suddenly appear in the most unlikely and unexpected of place... This is a sure sign that the angels are with you and are ready to answer your prayers...

6~ Angels may appear to you in your dream state with a solution to a particular problem… By the morning, you will feel more positive and clearer about which direction to take...

7~ You may feel as if there is someone in the room with you… As if someone has just brushed past you or you may experience the sensation that a presence is standing behind you perhaps with their hands on your shoulders…

Often the angels will make their presence very obvious… A common experience is when you are in a bookshop or a library perhaps unconsciously looking for guidance and suddenly a book will fly off a shelf and drop at your feet…

This is angels at work, trust in them and you will receive more signs…

They are here to help us on life path...

by  LINDA PRESTON

 

Time to weed the garden? You can weed and do magic at the same time. Start by thinking about what you want to get rid of in your life, and perhaps in the world. Then, go into your garden, equipped to weed with kneepads, hoe, fork, and the like. As you pull each weed, name it, and say these words:

I remove hate,
I remove poverty.
I remove my anger at my boss.

And so on. Be creative in your designs. Afterward, be sure to dispose of the weeds carefully. Either bag them and put them into the garbage immediately, knowing they are going away, or if you compost, ask the Earth to transform them as they rot.

GrannyMoon's Coventry of Healing Arts and Pagan Studies