Plants of the Winter Solstice: The Pagan Roots of Christmas Decorations

Season's Greetings!

It's cold, dark, snowy... just as I would expect from late December in Canada. With that said, I have to admit that even though this season is not my favorite, it has its moments. Like today's pure sun in a clear blue sky (amidst a bitterly cold wind), and tonight's view of hundreds of stars, plainly visible, despite the fact that I live in a populated area.

Christmas has just passed and the New Year is around the corner. I just completed my first year of learning about and observing (albeit, lightly and solitarily,) pagan holidays. It was a journey that I informally embarked upon last November 1st, which just happened to be the traditional Celtic New Year, when I found a video that celebrated Samhain. I had no particular intention of celebrating every holiday, but I began to look forward to them, finding the roughly 1.5 months between each one (three months between high holidays) to be just the right amount of time to acknowledge and observe the passage of the year. Before I knew it, this past November 1st came along, officially marking my first full year of following the year through a few traditions and rites based on traditional Celtic holidays. I will try to do a post that delves into this adventure more specifically very soon, as well as try to document some of my thoughts as I continue to observe these holidays throughout the coming year.

I think one of the aspects of observing and celebrating these holidays that I enjoyed most was learning so much about the plants, flowers and trees that are also associated with these holidays. Each time a holiday came along, whenever possible I enjoyed the decorating w


ith the plants and flowers that seemed to represent each passing season so well. Such natural tools really enhanced my study and practice of these occasions, thanks to their symbolism, meaning and aesthetic value.

Since we just celebrated Yule a few days ago and are in that time of year between modern-day Christmas and New Year celebrations (or the 12 days of Christmas, to anyone who still observes that tradition), I thought it might be fun to reflect on everything that I have learned about some of the more traditional and historical origins of a few of the plants that we still use today at this time of year.

Evergreen Christmas tree: In today's modern world, of the many plants and decorations that were once traditionally used to celebrate the season, the evergreen is still the most well-known. Although the deepest, most historical origin of the use of evergreens in winter celebrations is somewhat obscure, it appears that many groups of people have historically decorated with evergreens to celebrate festivals during the cold winter season. For example, during the Roman festival of Saturnalia (a festival held on December 17th), houses were decorated with evergreens, and religious and spiritual symbolism of evergreen trees in Viking and Saxon cultures of Northern Europe were also profuse. Of course, it's well known that our modern-day use of Christmas trees came via Germany, where it has been a popular indoor decoration since the 16th century. 

Evergreen bouquets: This year I ordered a beautiful Christmas bouquet that mainly consisted of a variety of evergreen branches and a few Amaryllis flowers. I love that evergreens celebrate life even in the depths of winter. If someone isn't able to have a real Christmas tree indoors for the holidays, I think evergreens in a vase are just as beautiful, feel fresh and are appropriately uplifting. They make for a stylish and beautiful decoration to keep in the house well into the winter, long after the Christmas tree has overstayed its welcome.

Mistletoe: I always find this plant to be fascinating, because it essentially is a parasitic plant that grows on a variety of host trees. Mistletoe can be very troublesome to its host tree, potentially causing reduced growth, a reduction in the number of branches and even death. Despite its pesky nature, mistletoe became incorporated in Christmas traditions via the Druidic ritual of oak and mistletoe, a ritual which involved, among other things, making an elixir from the mistletoe to cure infertility. This no doubt contributed toward the pervasive notion of mistletoe being associated with love and fertility. Through the ages, it has also earned the reputation of bringing good luck, peace and friendship. 

Holly: Holly has been a mainstay in Christmas decorations, and it's no doubt because, like the evergreen tree, it's a symbol of everlasting life and greenery even in the darkness of winter. Christians adopted holly as a religious symbol for the holiday because its stiff, prickly, waxy green leaves were reminiscent of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore and its red berries symbolized the blood he shed during the Crucifixion. In pre-Christian times, however, it was customary to place holly leaves and branches around homes in winter and was thought to shelter tiny fairies, and druids believed that holly remained green to keep the earth beautiful while their sacred oak was dormant for the winter. Druids also supposedly wore holly in their hair as decoration. (Source.)

Yule Log: Although this tradition is somewhat obscure (unless one searches for the Yule log on YouTube, where there are plenty of crackling Christmas fireplaces to view for hours on end), apparently burning a log in this season was once one of the most common winter traditions in northern Europe. Many scholars suggest it originated from Germanic groups of pagans, but early modern Christians seem to have eagerly adopted the practice and burned their yule logs during the twelve days of Christmas (which would be December 25th-January 1st.) The idea was to turn day into night during this dark time of year, with the log symbolizing the sun as it slowly began its return following the solstice. On these dark December nights, I can't help but share some of the excitement of those early people who celebrated the gradual return of the sun following Yule celebrations. There are endless amounts of speculation as to what the exact origins and early meanings of the burning log were, and it is quite fun to read through historians' speculations: one place to start is Wikipedia.

This year, I celebrated with an abundance of plants decorating my home: I had a beautiful Christmas tree, a bouquet containing a large variety of evergreens and beautiful Amaryllis (which don't appear to have any Western European pagan roots, as they were discovered by an explorer in the Andes in the 19th century, but they are beautiful and lightly scented and thus a welcome addition to my decor), and a Yule log burning for hours on end... on my television! (Unfortunately, I don't have a fireplace to burn a real one.)

What are some of your favorite plants to use in your home to decorate and celebrate during this time  of Solstice, Yule, Christmas, New Year and winter celebrations?

Gifts for Lovers of All Things Magic: Gems, Nature and Other Holistic Treats

I've always loved gems and minerals, leaves, flowers, the woods and anything from nature, candles and essential oils... and even things that seemed to come from another, more magical realm: sparkles and fairies and objects and other things that looked a little bit like they came from a fairy tale. The funny thing is, I didn't really embrace this aesthetic until recently, in the past couple of years, when I have slowly integrated these elements into my decor, fashion choices and life. I just always was a little bit afraid of it, I suppose. It all can seem a bit powerful and intimidating. Luckily, I have since embraced the joys of surrounding myself with beautiful things that seem to have just a touch of fantasy and magic in them.

In fact, you might say I have been a little too drawn to beautiful minerals and wonderful-smelling oils recently, and so I have had to put myself on a bit of a shopping hiatus during the expensive holiday months so that I can focus on giving gifts. This is also a joy for me, as I have always enjoyed thinking of the perfect holiday gift for friends and loved ones. (Okay, admittedly, I have always enjoyed and stressed about it. But mostly enjoyed, I promise!)

I like to keep a running shopping list (using an app installed on my browser) so when I am tempted to buy something, I can instead save it to my list and think about it. It keeps my spending in check, and as an added bonus, actually gives me a huge pool of items to draw from for the days when I realize I need to buy a friend or family member a gift, and I'm not quite sure what to give them. Something always pops out from that list - which is fun to realize, because I think sometimes I am drawn to items that are not necessarily for me, but are destined for others who I know!

With the gift giving fast approaching, I thought I would pull together a list of some of my favorite things that I have seen (and a few that I have even bought) over the past couple of months, in hopes that they may inspire you if you are still in need of ideas for giving gifts to loved ones. These ideas are especially amazing for anyone who loves gemstones and minerals, natural oils and scents, nature-themed gifts, or anyone who is just drawn to a little bit of magic in their life. Or, you can pick up something for yourself... I won't tell!

1. Sage Goddess "Vanilla Moon" Perfume
A few days ago, I was in a pub and a waitress came up to me, clearly eager to talk to me. She asked me what perfume I was wearing because she thought it smelled amazing. The truth was, I wasn't wearing a perfume, or so I thought... but I had put on a sweater over my blouse and realized that the perfume I'd worn last time I had that sweater on still clung to it. It was Vanilla Moon from Sage Goddess. Aside from Sage Goddess' jaw-dropping collection of gems and jewelry, her perfumes are, in my opinion, the true treasures found in her shop. The proprietor claims she creates every scent herself, and each one is made with intention and purpose. They are unlike anything I've ever smelled. Most are blended with essential oils, and I find the scents seem clear and distinct, unlike store-bought perfumes which are normally a hazy fog of a hundred different, indeterminate smells. By far my favorite scent is this one. It's a true vanilla cologne: deep, silky and sultry. When I first put this scent on, it was sweet and warm and buttery, but it quickly settles into a deep, almost woodsy scent that clings (in a good way, because I never want this scent to fade). I have never found a "non-fake" smelling vanilla until this one. It is truly amazing, although its richness and strength is not for the faint of heart. (Side note: it also blends beautifully with her Magica Rosa perfume!)

2. Glass Essential Oil Diffuser
I am in love with my essential oil diffuser. Actually, I'm on my second one, because my first one stopped working for no apparent reason and I was devastated. I had absolutely started to depend on it every day. Blending essential oils and diffusing them into my home office has helped me tremendously: it helps me relax or feel energized, depending on my mood and the essential oils I use. This essential oil diffuser is not the one that broke on me - it's the one I recently purchased as a replacement, and I love its beautiful glass body and shape.

3. Anthropologie Geode Coaster
I love that rocks and minerals are so trendy right now - they are popping up in all kinds of home decor settings! Every time I step into Anthropologie, I lust over these sliced mineral coasters. My favorite is the amethyst. I can't justify the splurge on myself, but these would be a beautiful gift for any gemstone lover or host/hostess.

4. New Look Star Tights
Okay, I'll admit something, I love patterned tights and leggings. Just because 90% of the time I wear black ones, doesn't mean I don't have a deep appreciation for (and small collection of) patterned leg garments. These tights with a little star pattern are so darling. I would love these in my Christmas stocking!

5. Thermal Winter Dress by Elven Forest
I have been lusting over the dresses, tunics and tops in this Etsy store for a while now. Even though an all-out fantasy/folkloric fashion aesthetic isn't completely me (though I love it on others), I would love to own at least one or two pieces from this shop because they look like they are beautifully made and very uniquely and creatively designed. My favorite piece by far is this thermal winter dress that looks cozy, practical and stylish for tossing over leggings for a cold, snowy day. Winter fashion is hard to pull off in a beautiful and creative AND practical way (and that's so important when you're like me and live in a climate where it's winter at least 6 full months of the year), but this shop seems to have managed it. I'm saving my pennies for this one!

6. Nails Inc. Unicorn Nail Polish Duo
This nail polish has been basically sold out ever since its release, and was definitely all the rage this past spring and summer. It is still going to be difficult to find as it is frequently sold out on Sephora, but it's worth being on a waitlist for. I received my duo in September after waiting for it for months, and I've enjoyed it so much. There's a shimmery golden sparkle polish that is gorgeous on its own (and would be great for the holidays and winter), as well as a soft rainbow iridescent color that is great layered over a pastel base. They will definitely make anyone's nails magical!

What are you hoping to give (and maybe receive) this season?

*Some affiliate links are used in this post.

Calming Travel Essentials - What to Pack to Make Your Trip More Comfortable

There's nothing like long nights, cool weather and rain and snow showers to make you want to hibernate more than any other time of the year... but considering that late autumn and early winter time is also the time when so many of us go on the road for holiday travel to visit family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or (if you're lucky) maybe even on a New Year's escape, it's essential to feel calm, happy and collected when you have to leave your winter hibernation cave and venture out into the maelstrom of the real world.

I've traveled the better part of my life, ever since I was a college student who went to school over 1,000 miles from home (it was too far for a road trip home each time I wanted to visit, so air travel it was). That was already 15 years ago! I've racked up lots of frequent flyer miles since then, as I travel multiple times a year to visit family, to travel to work and to conferences, and from time to time, on vacation.

There's nothing that quite kills the holiday spirit, however, like jet lag, feeling tired or out of sorts, or simply arriving somewhere and realizing you don't have anything that you need to feel like a human. Over the years, I've perfected the art of packing just enough of the extras to make my trip more comfortable and feel more luxurious, without ever overpacking the carry on bag or going over the weight limit of the check in luggage. (After all, when I travel, I love to take an empty suitcase and come home with a little bit fuller one... there's nothing like shopping in a new place during a trip!)

This blog post is a little bit more about personal care and beauty essentials, and it's definitely oriented for those of you who are about to jump on a plane and are very limited on luggage space, but I've managed to throw in a few packing tips for a couple of other comfortable essentials, just for fun.

Here are some of the items that I always pack to make sure I remain happy and calm and have a few comforts of home with me no matter where I go.

Makeup wipes: While I am not a fan of the waste that makeup wipes create and therefore wash with a cleanser and a washcloth when at home, I always take a small pack of these with me while traveling. For one thing, I once attended a day-long event where I was photographed and therefore had put a ton of "stage" makeup on, and it took about 3 days for it to all come off because I hadn't thought to pack makeup remover. That's not happening again! In a pinch, after a 6-10 hour flight, makeup wipes are also a nice way to refresh your face, especially before reapplying makeup for the next leg of a journey.

Essential oils: I normally limit my essential oils to one (or two, if they are in very small bottles like a 1 oz perfume size), because the last thing you really want to think about when traveling is how to prevent your massive (and expensive) essential oil collection from spilling in your luggage. I like to travel with lavender essential oil because it is such a calming and relaxing scent and seems so versatile. If you are like me and have trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place like a hotel room (and are aggravated by unfamiliar scent), having a calming essential oil with you, especially one that you love and that you use frequently at home, will lend your environment an instantly relaxing feel. Cut it with a carrier oil and apply it to your wrists like perfume, or mist a few drops on your sheets, and enjoy instant peace. (By the way, I've been tempted to buy a small essential oil diffuser to take with me on the road... has anyone ever tried one? I'd be curious to know if it's worth it!)

Argan oil: Speaking of carrier oils, a little luxury I always make sure I have on hand when traveling is a small bottle of Argan oil. It can be purchased in carry-on friendly sizes, or if you are like me and are a Sephora fiend, from time to time, the 100 point rewards are small Josie Maran argan oil sample sized bottles that are perfect for travel. Pure organic argan oil is great to take on the road because it's versatile: I use it on my face as a moisturizer, to help counterbalance the effects of plane travel. It can also be used on your hands and nails to soften your skin, and even at the ends of your hair to counteract frizz, or as a styling aid before using a hair straightener. I keep a small bottle that I purchased off of Amazon on hand for trips.

Sample perfumes, body washes, shampoos and conditioners (but not "travel sized" versions of these products!): If you are like me and may or may not buy too much makeup at stores like Sephora (or go a little crazy over holiday gift sets), you might have the ability to get free sample products like shampoos, conditioners, or body washes, either with orders, when inquiring about products in stores, or by exchanging points for gift sets. These sample sized items are always the ideal size to travel with. Not only are they usually well below the liquid and gel weight limit for carry-ons, they tend to last at least 7-10 days, more than enough time for a typical vacation or work trip. A word to the wise: if you are traveling for work or another really important event, it's best to only use sample items that you have already tried before (just in case your skin or hair decides to react strangely to that particular product). This is a great way to travel with products that you either know you already love or that you save as special treats to pamper yourself with on the road.

Another note: I usually don't travel with "travel sized" products or "travel" containers (like the empty ones you can buy in little kits at the drugstore) because they are often too large. For some reason, travel sized products and containers have way more product than you can use in a normal-length vacation or trip (they would probably hold enough for 3-4 weeks, honestly), so they will just take up space and weight in luggage and potentially spill or be unnecessarily frustrating at the end of a trip when you are repacking your bags and are trying to squeeze them back into your cosmetics case.

A piece of your normal bar of soap: You know how hotel soaps are all so... interesting? They either dry out your skin or have no scent, lather, or really anything to them? What I like to do is slice off a piece from the end of a fresh bar of my normal, every day soap with a sharp kitchen knife, put it in a small container or wrapper, and take it on a trip with me. It's so much better than hotel soaps in the shower, and the bonus is that it's not a liquid or gel, so no issues with carry-on luggage! If you have any left over at the end of your trip, it's not a whole bar, so it's not a great loss to leave it behind, which will help lighten your load on the way home.

Gemstone jewelry: I normally wear a few pieces of jewelry on a day to day basis, but it can be stressful to bring too many pieces when traveling (I am always so paranoid about losing something). I tend to either just travel with only the pieces I am wearing when I leave for the airport, or I throw in a few extra pieces that aren't too expensive but could easily help switch up my look throughout my trip. Semi-precious jewelry is a great solution. Necklaces made of quartz, amethyst or other stones that aren't too expensive or precious can provide ease of mind when traveling because they aren't typically too valuable (on the chance something is lost). At the same time, their colorful, gemmy qualities make sure that they are still eye-catching and they can add some variety to different outfits. I usually carry my extra jewelry in a small jewelry pouch, tucked into a zippered pocket in my travel backpack or in a cosmetics case.

Glass hot/cold water bottle: You might think that glass isn't desirable to travel with, but I bought a slim-profile travel water bottle from a tea shop a few years ago and have been traveling with it ever since. Although I wasn't sure I'd use it a lot when I first bought it, it has turned out that there are many occasions when I needed a travel mug that would work for both hot and cold liquids. Also, I am a tea fanatic, so I love that with the one I have, you can fill it with loose leaf tea in the bottom, it will steep the tea when hot water is added, and it's easy to clean when you are done. It is amazingly durable, too, so no worries about breakage. The only downside is that it is a little on the heavy side, but the pros have outweighed that con. I took it on my trip to South America (I filled the empty mug with tea leaves before leaving for the airport, then when I was on the plane later that night I asked a flight attendant for hot water and she happily filled it up for me - voila, a fresh mug full of my favorite tea from home!) I use it all of the time, taking it to yoga class, going to appointments, and of course, when traveling.

BlenderBottle: There's really nothing worse than having a travel delay, pushing your time of arrival way back beyond 1 or 2 mealtimes, or being on a long haul flight, waking up in the middle of the night long after dinner service is over and still hours before breakfast time, starving. I've learned the hard way to always travel with nutrient-dense, not-too-sugary and not-too-salty snacks. Since sugary and/or salty snacks are basically the only ones found in airports, packing a snack from home is the way to go. Although I used to travel with disposable sandwich bags (not very environmentally friendly and they left my food susceptible to squishing and sometimes odd flavors partway through my journey), I recently discovered this little device. It has a slim profile, it's lightweight, and a clever design that stacks up snacks but keeps them in separate compartments. Some of my favorite items to pack include granola from home, raw almonds, raw walnuts, dried fruit like dried cherries or apricots, and small fruit that doesn't need to be refrigerated but is also reasonably firm, like blueberries or grapes.

These are just a few of my essential personal items - all of which can fit on an airplane carry on bag! I hope they help you pack before a big trip, or give you some ideas as to how to make your travels more comfortable.

Note: no company or product sponsored this post. All affiliate links, if used in this post, are identified by an asterisk (*).

Essential Oils that I Use to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder ("SAD")

It's November. Which... is not the greatest time of the year for me. Sure, I always look forward to visiting my family in the U.S. for Thanksgiving later in the month. And this year, we had an extremely mild autumn, so summer truly felt like it had been extended a few extra weeks. I can't complain about that. But other than these two somewhat minor bright sides, November is probably my least favorite month of the year.

Ever since I was in my early 20s, I have struggled with feeling abnormally lethargic and, at times, anxious and even achy, this time of year. Although I avoid falling into the rabbit hole of Googling health symptoms and self-diagnosing, it's become fairly evident to me that I deal with some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or "SAD."

Those of us who live in the north are more than familiar with this particular affliction. Even if you have never suffered from it, chances are if you live in a cold, dark climate, someone you know has. Essentially, it occurs in individuals, like myself, who have reasonably normal mental health conditions for most of the year, but when the days grow shorter, we tend to experience symptoms that are akin to depression.

From over a decade of trying to figure out how to navigate the dark, murky waters of November, I've learned that there are a few things help me a lot:

• First and foremost, investing in good light... I purchased this one from Amazon a few years ago and have been really happy with it.*
• Doing yoga. A lot. In fact, I try to do yoga every day, even if it's just 10-15 minutes. I notice a huge difference in my mood for the rest of the day, and week. On a day to day basis, I follow videos on YouTube, but if possible, I try to go to at least one yoga class every week in-person. The bonus of doing this is that I actually have an excuse for owning such a huge collection of leggings, which are basically my daily uniform.
• Eating fresh foods and vegetables... which may seem obvious, but the struggle this time of year is real because I tend to crave as much pasta, bread and cheese as I can grab as the temperature drops and winter creeps ever so closer.
• And, essential oils.

In recent months, I have gotten very into aromatherapy. I purchased a diffuser in the summer and haven't looked back. So when my normal November blues set in a week or so ago, of course the first thing on my mind was to look for essential oils that might give me the boost I need to make it through this time of year.

After doing a bit of research, I found that there are a plethora of different oils that people enjoy using to soothe their SAD symptoms. A few of the most commonly mentioned ones seem to include:

• Citrus oils such as lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, bergamot, etc.
• Neroli 
• Ylang ylang 
• Juniper 
• Lavender
• Clary Sage
• Cardamom
• Basil
• Rose

I wanted to find oils that I could comfortably diffuse in the daytime. Since I work from home, I often have my diffuser going during the workday. So, comforting oils, like lavender, while amazing in the evening, are prone to making me far too sleepy to be practical during the day.

Over the past few weeks, I've tried most of the ones listed above, as well as a fair few others. I ended up discovering my own blends that work well in fighting off the moodiness, glumness and sluggishness that I experience this time of year, but don't make me so drowsy or "relaxed" that I can't be productive during the workday. My favorite oils are:

• Cypress - This has quickly become one of my favorite essential oils to put in the diffuser. From the cypress tree, one of my favorite pairings is with a rose essential oil. When paired with rose, the two blend to provide a soft, soothing scent. Cypress is said to relieve stress and stimulates feelings of happiness. No wonder I have been reaching for it lately!
• Rose - Rose has always been one of my favorite scents. I purchased my rose essential oil from a local distiller, and I find it pairs beautifully with cypress. Although it definitely is reminiscent of a spring/summer scent, I find it is soothing year-round. In fact, that is why I reach for this essential oil: it's soothing, without making me feel drowsy. Note that I do find many rose essential oils are quite heady, so one drop is usually enough.
• Clary Sage - Clary sage essential oil is extracted from the clary sage plant (salvia sclarea), which is native to Europe. It is said to boost self-esteem and provide a more optimistic and positive outlook on life. It's also said to soothe anxiety. It is no wonder this is one of my favorites to combat the issues I experience this time of year!
• Sandalwood - Sandalwood, in addition to being one of my favorite scents, period, is frequently used to promote mental clarity. It is also said to be a memory booster as well as relaxing and calming. This is the perfect solution for staying mentally focused during my workday and a great antidote to anxiety.
• Frangipani - Extracted from a beautiful tropical flower (plumeria), this is a scent most associated with tropical getaways, no doubt because it is profuse in Hawaii. I think this is why I enjoy sneaking it into my November blends: if I can't actually escape and go on a tropical beach vacation this time of year, at least I can make my house smell like I am somewhere delicious and warm and sunny. Its actual benefits are as a relaxant, particularly for nerves and muscles, which I find helpful because I have back pain that flares up this time of year. But I enjoy using it mainly because of its tropical associations. Since it is frequently used in perfumes, this is another essential oil that I have to be careful not to overdo in the diffuser: one drop is definitely enough!
• Vetiver - Ah, vetiver. One of my favorite "base notes" in blends, vetiver has an aroma that reminds me of moist soil (in a good way!) and is most useful this time of year because it is calming and grounding. Vetiver is also said to improve symptoms of ADHD and anxiety, which makes it really useful when battling against SAD symptoms.
• Juniper - I love juniper. The essential oil is said to transmute and transform you and your energies, and protect you from "low vibrations." I need all of the protection I can get this time of year!
• Cedarwood - Cedarwood is another of my favorite essential oils of all time. Note that I use Juniperus virginiana, or Virginia Cedarwood oil, as I prefer it over other types. It is said to improve focus, uplift and nurture. 

My favorite blends:

• Cedarwood, juniper and geranium - this is so soothing and I find myself making up this blend on Fridays to help "ease away" a busy week.
• Frangipani and sandalwood - this smells like an instant vacation! I tend to reach for it early in the week to chase away the added "Monday blues."
• Cypress, rose and clary sage - this is a wonderful staple that I use all of the time during the workday: it's soothing, comforting and pleasant. If you don't have clary sage, just cypress and rose together are also lovely.
• Vetiver and lavender - although I tend to steer clear of lavender during the workday because it can make me drowsy, I find that when paired with vetiver, it seems to provide a lovely, soothing effect, especially towards the end of the workday. Cypress is also a nice addition to this woodsy, earthy combination!

I hope these suggestions help ease some of the stresses, tensions and general blues experienced this time of year!

Disclaimer: The content of this post is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be health advice or provide guidance on the proper use of essential oils. Discretion should be exercised if using essential oils. 

*Affiliate links are indicated with an asterisk.

How I Deal with the Transition to Winter

Before I launch into this post, let's be clear that I love living somewhere with four seasons. I have spent time in places that have no seasons (well, technically one, maybe two seasons if you really squint and look hard enough) and I felt so out of place, and out of sorts, in those places. It was very difficult for me to live without seasons, and I discovered just how much I tend to measure my own life by the rhythms of the earth at each change in the season.

So, in that sense, I am grateful for winter. I suppose. But it can be difficult to be grateful for winter when my beloved long, lazy, hazy summer evenings are over and my flowers and herbs in the gardens have died and I have to spend even more time indoors, in front of a computer screen.

The transition from fall to winter - and oddly, from winter to spring - are some of the most difficult times of the year for me. I like early fall. Late September and early October are frequently warm and sunny in Canada, and blue skies contrast beautifully with the changing leaves, in their fiery red, orange and brilliant yellow hues.

But by mid to late October, we lose daylight really quickly. Although I still try to go outside as much as possible, before long, it's dark before dinner, and the evenings can stretch on and on. I begin to struggle.

I think a lot of people in warmer or milder climates tend to romanticize fall. And I understand why: for them, it's a time when the heat of the summer finally breaks and they can enjoy time spent outdoors again. They might even be able to get away with wearing fashionable boots or a bulkier cotton sweater here and there. But for those of us in the extreme north - the northern U.S. or Canada - it's a solemn time, when we reluctantly ready our heavy layers, wool scarves, fur hats, mittens, and warm boots, and watch as the sun grows more and more distant in the sky.

To handle the onset of what is invariably a long winter, I often turn inwards. This, to me, is a time of deep reflection and introspection. It's rather forced on us, too: when you are sitting on the couch from 7:30pm until bedtime because it's dark and cold outside, there's really no other place to turn than inwards.

Of course, there's some beauty in it. For me, October, November and December are usually a time when my creativity begins to spark. I crave spending the long evenings drawing, painting, or writing. I'm usually so distracted by the heat and excitement of the summer and early fall months that I don't have time to dig deep and pull out creative gems within; winter, on the other hand, provides ample opportunity for me to do so (after all, what other choice do I have)?


I also crave yoga in winter. While in spring, summer and early autumn I am naturally active - taking long walks, working in my garden, running errands during the long days, and slack on my yoga routine - autumn and winter seem to mean I spend more time inside. I make it a point to go to power yoga classes. The vigorous activity is good for my body, and the more spiritual and introspective aspects of the practice tend to be pretty good for my soul. It's interesting that in winter, for me at least, with the rain, sleet, ice and snow, it's necessary to be much more creative in order to stay active.

Another part of my transition to winter routine tends to include tea. Okay, I know this sounds simple, but it's something that I've found to be really important. I tend to crave snacks during the long winter evenings, but I find that quite often, I can fulfill that craving through the warm and comforting and flavorful experience of having a cup of tea. I live near a couple of David's Tea stores, but occasionally order from online shops like the Tea Spot. My favorite evening cup of tea is Oolong. My favorites are the Tea Spot's coconut oolong, and David's Tea sticky rice oolong. I also tend to enjoy a cup of green tea or chai tea in the evening. One of my favorite things about December in recent years has been David's Tea 25 Days of Tea advent calendar. I order this in November every year and really enjoy the ritual of opening a new cup of tea every night - it gives me something to look forward to during the long nights!

I think the final - and most important - way that I deal with the transition to winter is just by distracting myself. If I'm feeling sad about the loss of warm, sunny days and evenings spent on my balcony, I try to find something to do. Taking a class or signing up for an activity is always ideal. I love learning, and in the past I have spent my winters doing things as diverse as earning a certificate in graphic design, learning how to paint with watercolor, and joining a community orchestra. These activities really keep my mind active, my body off of the couch, and help me harness this introspective time of year to really develop my skills and better myself for the future.

A Stone that Changes Color in the Presence of Poison

It's no secret to this blog that I am a big fan of "Outlander." First I read the books years ago and fell in love with them, and in recent years (while I wait for the 9th book in the series to be released... hopefully soon?!) I have enjoyed the television series.

I was recently rewatching season 2, which I really enjoyed because, well, hello, I mean, Jamie. Claire. France. Need I say more? Despite the ominous tone of the entire season, it was still an entertaining adventure through history. After all, it was set in a sumptuous (although always at the precipice of danger) Pre-Revolutionary France. The gowns, the balls, the scenes in Versailles. And of course, the series' continued explorations of all things metaphysical: herbs that can cure disease, 18th century superstitions and beliefs and fascinations about alchemy and witchcraft, and the presence of the apothecary shop owner, a man who dabbled in all things metaphysical and became Claire's friend, Master Raymond.

Master Raymond adds a bit of mystery to the entire season, not just because Claire liked him and he became her first friend in the strange new world where she found herself, but because at times she seemed hesitant to trust him. And no wonder. There was definitely an air of deceit that lingered around him, which audiences were supposed to recognize was a result of him being a time traveller like Claire. Somehow, however, Claire never seemed to realize that herself. What I also enjoyed about this character was his fascination with all things related to metaphysics.

When Claire confronts him in an episode called "La Dame Blanche" following an incident in which she was poisoned by cascara, a substance that she knew he sold in his shop, she wondered if he might have known anything about the person who bought the poison or, worse, if he had in any way been involved. He answers her that, no, he did not know who purchased the herb. He seems genuinely remorseful that he somehow had a hand (if unwittingly) in her being ill and nearly losing her child, and gives her a gift. The gift was a necklace containing a large white stone that was supposed to change color in the presence of poison.

Naturally, as a gem enthusiast, I was curious as to what this stone could have been. Not because I need to be protected from poison (well, hopefully I don't,) because I was curious as to what stone might have been believed at that time to have possessed that power. A quick Google search unfortunately did not turn up any straightforward answers. I ended up going down a bit of a rabbit hole, learning about crystals, rocks and minerals that have been thought to protect against poisons throughout the ages. Unfortunately, Diana Gabaldon never mentions the name of the gem or stone that Master Raymond gives Claire in the book, so it's difficult to know whether the author had a specific specimen in mind, or if the concept of M. Raymond giving her the gift, rather than the specific gem that was selected, was all that mattered in the scene.



Still, researching a bit about historic beliefs about the protective powers of gemstones, I hoped to try to decode what an 18th century apothecary might have prescribed to protect a wearer from poison. The following are a few gemstones that I learned about in my searches that may have offered the protection that Claire was seeking:

White topaz (source: wikimedia commons)

• Topaz - the ancient Greeks believed that topaz would change color to warn them of dangers, such as enemies who were nearby, or that they were about to eat something poisonous. This crystal, therefore, most closely resembles the properties of the stone that Master Raymond was gifting Claire with. There is such a thing as white topaz (which resembles a clear, diamond-like crystal in jewelry), so perhaps Master Raymond actually gave Claire a stunning raw piece of topaz (which could be valued at hundreds of dollars today)?! Quite the friend he is!
• Snake stone - Commonly known as snake stone, a volcanic rock called variolite, which was found in the Durance river in France, was thought to not only act as an antidote to poison, but to cure snake bites. 
• Emeralds - in medieval times, emeralds were thought to be an effective antidote to poisons and were ground up and given to an individual who had been poisoned.
• Bezoar stone - not really a rock or mineral per se, this is a substance that can form in the stomach of an animal. In medieval times, it was a valuable substance and was thought to be a universal antidote to poison. However, the effectiveness of this antidote was disproven in the 1500s by a French surgeon.

Surprisingly, I couldn't find a lot of information on other minerals or stones that had believed to protect the wearer from danger. Although I wouldn't trust my own life with a piece of topaz or an emerald, it is fascinating to think about how rocks and minerals were worn by those in the past who felt themselves in danger and were relying on them for some degree of peace of mind. 

Forest Bathing in Fall: Essential Relaxation

Me, "bathing" in some birch trees in a boreal forest.

This past weekend, I was feeling exhausted. I had had a busy week and was tired. I felt like I needed rest, but I didn't want to stay home, either. On Saturday morning, despite waking up to an overcast day, I insisted that we go for a drive outside of the city to breathe some fresh, country air. I wanted to walk in the woods, and so I found a hiking trail that had been rated fairly highly. So we got into the car and I drove away from the busy city, out into an endless expanse of farmland, trees, and hills. The quiet, somber, cloudy day didn't dampen my mood: indeed, I started to feel better as soon as I got out of the car an hour later, in the countryside, and we began to explore. Although it's mid-October, an unusually warm year with ample rain has meant that the grass has stayed green well past its usual expiry date, and some of the maple trees were only just starting to put on their fall colors.

About a year ago, I watched this video on the concept of "Forest Bathing," known as Shinrin-yoku in Japanese. The concept is fascinating: the idea is that simply going into the forest for a walk, spending time amongst the trees, can have a profound impact on your health and well-being. What's more, the affects of such an excursion can last for up to a month after taking the "forest bath." As this article on Quartz summed it up,

From 2004 to 2012, Japanese officials spent about $4 million dollars studying the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing, designating 48 therapy trails based on the results. Qing Li, a professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, measured the activity of human natural killer (NK) cells in the immune system before and after exposure to the woods. These cells provide rapid responses to viral-infected cells and respond to tumor formation, and are associated with immune system health and cancer prevention. In a 2009 study Li’s subjects showed significant increases in NK cell activity in the week after a forest visit, and positive effects lasted a month following each weekend in the woods.

This concept really resounds with me. I find I crave the forest and periodically need to dwell in it in order to "recharge" my batteries for life in the city. I may be a little bit biased, but I do find that my body desires this natural experience of "bathing" in wooded areas every once in a while.

I grew up in a rural area, and it wasn't until I was 17 years old that I lived in a city. At first, I lived in a city only part time as a student, returning to my family's country home every summer and in December for the Christmas holidays. But eventually, as I got older, got a job, got a boyfriend (turned husband), I traveled to the country less and less.

And I have to say, I think my body - and possibly my mental well-being - has suffered for it.

I am in love with the sounds, scents and feel of the natural world: the leaves rustling leaves and branches, the tap of rain on the forest leaves, birds chirping in the branches and creatures rustling around on the forest floor. I love the scent of pines and the smooth, elegant touch of birch bark. I like feeling moss under my feet, and climbing rocks and sitting next to lakes, ponds and rivers.

It's not just nostalgia. Every time I go into the woods, I feel a little less anxious. I breathe easier, and my body feels freer. There has to be something real to that sensation. So the work of Japanese scientists really seems to back up this sensation I notice. Scientifically speaking, a lot of the healing properties they found were due to the essential oils emitted by the trees and plants in the forest. They are beneficial for people to breathe in and can have a positive impact on our health.

By the time we returned home last Saturday, late in the afternoon, I felt like a new person. The positive effects lasted at least several days. I felt lighter, happier, and my mood was greatly improved. Even without the science backing up its benefits, I know that there is nothing quite like a walk in the forest to lift my mood.

Getting Cozy with Gemstones: How I Incorporate Rocks & Minerals into Home Décor

Lemurian quartz, pyrite and clear quartz

Colorful. Sparkly. Totally natural. What's not to love?

My love affair with gemstones began at an early age. Every year in September, there was a Rock and Mineral show in my small hometown, and when I was in school, students would get coupons for the show to have discounted access. I begged my parents to take me there every year (this was before I could drive), and then I remember spending an hour or two browsing through the vendors' booths, admiring the specimens of amethyst, quartz, calcite and many others little treasures dug up from the earth. I even bought a few specimens with my saved-up allowance, and still have some of those pieces today.

As an adult, I kind of forgot about my love for gemstones, rocks and minerals until I spent a fair bit of time traveling around South America in recent years, where I saw local gemstones that were incorporated into jewelry pieces. More than that, many rocks and minerals were believed to have potent healing properties by the people of the Andes mountains. They would incorporate quartz, malachite, lapis, rhodochrosite and other locally sourced minerals in healing regimens, or wear them to provide protection or bring them love.

A few small stones sit on top of decorative gravel, clustered with an air plant and fairy lights.

Around the same time, rocks and minerals crept back into home decor trends, and suddenly they seemed more available. (I have even seen tons of gorgeous rocks and mineral specimens at TJ Maxx this past year.) The moment I really got back into rocks and minerals, and started to learn more about them, started with two things. It happened about two years ago, when 1) my back was causing me excruciating pain that no doctor or medicine could really get rid of, and 2) soon after this bad back pain flare-up, I took a trip to New Orleans, during which my husband and I stayed in an Airbnb decorated with lots of amethyst, quartz and other crystals. Even if it was just a soothing placebo effect, I found them calming and relaxing to be around and I even wondered if they helped soothe my anxiety. They were, at the very least, a peaceful element in the home.

I came back home and began research whether crystal healing really held any weight in the scientific communities, hoping I might find a gentler solution to my back pain problems. And while not a lot of scientific research on the healing properties of rocks and minerals say that they have any healing potential beyond acting as a placebo, I don't really mind. They do, after all, add a calming, serene, relaxing element to my home, they are fascinating and endlessly interesting to look at, and they add a earthly element indoors, which is important considering how long my house is closed up during our long, cold northern winters.

A little terrarium makes a cute home for rose quartz, flourite and pyrite.

"Hygge" has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years. Everyone loves the concept of making your house cozy and appealing during cold winter months. No where is it more important than in climates that "enjoy" 7 or 8 month-long winters (like mine). Before I knew there was a word for it, I had definitely practiced Hygge in order to keep myself interested in being inside all winter long. Recently, adding sparkly gemstones and other interesting rocks and minerals to look at in vignettes around my home has proven to be a cheerful and calming decision.

And while I still don't know if any of them have helped cure my back pain, I cannot say that they have hurt, either. They most definitely add a relaxing and gentle feeling around my house, so at the very least, they look pretty and help me calm down at the end of a busy day.

With all of that said, it can be a little tricky to figure out how exactly to incorporate a few rocks and minerals in with home decor. If you have small pieces, they can easily add clutter or get lost. On the other hand, large of pieces can feel overwhelming and might be difficult to fit in. And some pieces are even fragile, so unless they are somewhat mindfully cared for, they may break.

My favorite way to enjoy my collection: wearing it! A necklace made with wire wrapped rutilated quartz.

I definitely solve that problem by rotating my collection, not keeping all of my pieces out all of the time.

One of my favorite ways to display smaller stones that I have collected is in small glass terarriums, which are really trendy right now and can be found in home decor shops like Homegoods or Homesense. I usually put a bed of decorative gravel on the bottom, then add my gemstones as I needed. Pictured here is a pyramid-shaped terrarium with robin's egg blue decorative gravel, rose quartz, green flourite and a piece of pyrite, with a tea light in the center. I love that the candlelight bounces off of the stones!


In another little terrarium-turned-rock-museum (pictured earlier in this post), I put a variety of rocks including desert rose, peacock ore, aragonite and others with an air plant. All are sitting on white and golden decorative stones. Once again I like to put little lights around them to brighten up and highlight the gemstones - this time, I used fairy lights.

I looooove my selenite lamp, which sits happily on my desk!

For larger pieces, like chunks of quartz that I have collected in my travels (pictured above is a lemurian quartz, a piece of clear quartz that I purchased in Chile, and pyrite from the Andes), I set them in groupings and place them on a shelf. I like surrounding them with plants or flowers, the softer, more organic shapes of the flowers contrasting with the harder textures and lines of the stones.

And then of course, there's always the possibility of wire wrapping certain pieces and wearing them as jewelry. This is my favorite way to enjoy my collection. The necklace above is one I made from a rutilated quartz point that I bought in Argentina.

And of course - there's always the option of buying just one spectacular showpiece, like the selenite lamp I bought from Amazon. It's said that selenite raises the vibrations of a room, and I have to say I really do feel happy when that lights up my desk on a cold, dark winter night.

Rocks and minerals are lots of fun to collect during travels, as well as just to buy when I am craving a little something that is sparkly and different to enjoy on a small shelf, on my coffee table or in a little collection in a terrarium. How do you decorate with rocks and minerals?

Why I Love Lavender (My "Gateway" Herb/Essential OIl)

I have always loved plants. I should say, my mom has always loved plants, and so I grew up around them and they became a part of my life; I learned their names from a young age, I learned which ones were good to cut and dry, I learned about the times of year each ones blossomed, and I also knew which ones came from certain places: the lily of the valley from my great-grandparents' lake house, the shrub that my parents bought when they were first married. Each plant had a special story. And each one had a special time of year when it grew, blossomed, turned a different color, and died. I grew up knowing this, and I think appreciating each plant's life cycle helped me appreciate each month of the year just a little bit more.

As an avid reader - and a reader of historical fiction at that - I frequently came across stories written by authors who incorporated traditional, medicinal uses of herbs and plants into their stories. One of my favorite childhood television series, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," even peppered its medical storylines with knowledge of the traditional herbal remedies of the Cheyenne people, who were often included in the fictional show's storylines. My favorite book series of all time, Outlander, generously incorporated the uses of plants and herbs in its storylines, as the heroine, Claire, had vast knowledge of the medicinal uses of plants.

It wasn't until I was an adult, however, when I learned that many plants, herbs, tinctures and oils are still frequently used as medicines and remedies. Even though it is becoming a more mainstream interest - and thus more common - to find herbal remedies incorporated into our everyday, 21st century life, I first realized that herbal tinctures, oils and teas are still very much a daily part of many peoples' lives when I was staying for an extended period of time in a remote part of Chile years ago. On a weekend trip into the highlands of the Andes mountains in Northern Chile, I walked through a pre-Columbian village where I noticed many homes had generous backyard gardens filled with plants, trees and flowers. When we talked to one of the village's pharmacists about them, he said most people in the town turned to their traditional medicine for simple, everyday, common ailments before even thinking to inquire about modern-day remedies. A few weeks later, I started to use some lavender essential oil for a few minor issues I was having (I didn't have access to healthcare during this time, and between that and the pervasive use of herbal remedies in the area, it seemed like the perfect time to dabble in it), to good success.

Everyday Uses
Lavender is still one of my favorite plants, herbs, and essential oils to incorporate into a daily routine.

It is well known that lavender is a wonderful scent for relaxation. It has a calming effect. Just this summer, my mom grew a bountiful lavender plant and filled a sachet with the dried flowers. I took it home with me after enjoying it for several days, and now keep it at my bedside. Just smelling it is enough to inspire relaxation at the end of the day!

One of my favorite uses of lavender is putting a few drops in my diffuser; it's an amazing smell and definitely helps me feel calm. (Adding a bit of cedarwood takes it to the next level).

When mixed with a carrier oil (I like olive oil or almond oil), it is also lovely in the bath.

I also mixed it with a few other essential oils and used it in a mosquito repellent spray. When in tropical countries, I rely on it in my anti-mosquito mixture, and as an added bonus, I also find it soothing after a bite.

It's said to be antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which means its uses are really quite vast...

A few years ago, it became popular in the culinary scene; everywhere you looked, there was a recipe for a lavender cocktail, or a lavender latte, or culinary-grade lavender sprinkled on cupcakes. I can't say that this is my favorite use of the herb - I find it a little too astringent to use in food - but I do find it fascinating that it is so versatile.

Growing Lavender
Okay, I have to admit, I have had less luck with growing lavender than with using it.

I think where I live the soil is too heavy, rich and tends to be soggy most of the summer. We have long, wet, hot, humid summers, and from what I understand, lavender likes... well, pretty much the opposite of that. When I took a trip to Argentina one year in May (which was towards the end of their autumn), I found the largest, most beautiful and fragrant lavender plants I had ever seen in my life in a dry, arid area at the foothills of the Andes mountains, growing with a cluster of olive trees. They seemed to like sandy, relatively dry soil and clear, cool conditions. I was surprised that they were still full of blossoms there, even in late autumn.

In Quebec during the Canadian summer, it starts to blossom in mid-July. I visited a lavender farm where many plants were growing. The proprietor explained to me that they like to be planted on a little mound of fast-draining, sandy/gravel-filled soil, and they like to stay dry. Duly noted.

Although I can't seem to manage to grow lavender very well where I live, I think I'll keep trying, even if I have to haul in bags of gravel and sand for it to be planted in.

Historical Uses of Lavender
In one of my favorite book series, Outlander, lavender was used by its main character, Claire, mixed with mint and poppy syrup to help a character sleep (from "Dragonfly in Amber."). But the uses of lavender, a plant that is native to the Mediterranean, extend well before the 18th century: it was widely used in the ancient world.

There is some confusion as to whether it was lavender oil that was used by Mary to anoint Jesus' feet in the Bible, or if the oil she used was actually what we would now call spikenard (source). The confusion stems from the use of the word "nard," which was the name for lavender used by the Greeks, and a similar word was used in Sanskrit (source). Although spikenard and lavender are different plants, their scent is similar. Either way, lavender certainly has a long and storied history.

We do know that the Greeks used in in perfumes, and in Egypt it seemed to have been used both in embalming and in cosmetics. The Arabs, Romans and Greeks were aware of its antiseptic and healing qualities. In the Middle Ages, it was common in England, experiencing a great deal of popularity in Tudor England. There, it was thought to keep vermin from clothes and maintain the chastity of the wearer (source), along with inducing sleep and assisting with medical ailments (uses that are probably more familiar to us today!). In Renaissance France, it was also considered to be an important medicinal ingredient. Lavender is believed to have been one of the earliest plants brought to North America by early colonists, and became a staple in colonists' gardens.

Today, lavender is grown in many parts of the world and is a mainstay in many essential oil collections, mine included. It was one of the first essential oils I ever bought and I have incorporated it into many of my oil blends for both medicinal purposes and my own personal enjoyment - I love the scent. It is one that is best mixed with a carrier oil, I've found, just to be on the safe side, as it can be a bit astringent. I feel like it is an "accessible" herb and oil to work with, though. It smells nice, it is versatile, and is reasonably easy to work with. I just need to learn how to do a better job growing it! Maybe next year...