It has grown cold. Fog creeps over the hills, through the woods and settles on the roads. It is raining. It has become uncomfortable and slightly eerie. Almost as if the mist were paving the way for the souls of the dead who will walk among us in the coming days.
As I look out the window with a hot cup of tea and contemplate all this, my mind wanders back in time. Which of the deceased do I know? Who of the people who were once in my life are now on the other side of this fog? A very small voice in the depths of my archaic brain whispers to me: ‘Yes, yes, think carefully about which visitors you can expect in the coming days!
A visitor? Oh well… what can I offer this visitor?
Because yes, any visitor, no matter how harmless, can get pretty nasty if you don’t take care of them. So – what have I got for my ancestors?
A good fragrance can do wonders for even the most inhospitable of hearts.
I firmly believe that every being, visible or invisible, with or without a physical body, loves a fragrant home. That’s why the first thing I look for is a good room scent:
Add a few drops of spicy cardamom, mysterious frankincense, warm cinnamon bark, fiery clove and woodsy northern lights black spruce and fresh peppermint to your diffuser.
Everyone is talking about Halloween… but what is it really all about?
Here in the German-speaking world, Halloween is mainly known as a spooky party holiday that was imported from the USA. However, like all public holidays, Halloween has much older, deeper roots.
The name “Halloween” is derived from “Eve of All Hallows” – the eve of All Saints’ Day. Christian holidays usually begin on the eve of the actual feast day. Around 330 AD, Pope Gregory set All Saints’ Day, the day on which the Catholic Church commemorates its deceased saints, on 1 November. One day later, on All Souls’ Day, all the deceased and the dead are remembered. In ancient times it was believed that on these days the veils between this world and the world of the dead were lifted and the dead returned from purgatory to ask their loved ones to intercede for them.
I like to use these days to remember, honour and thank my roots, my ancestors. We all have ancestors, related by blood and spirit, and each of our lives stands firmly on the foundation of their lives and sacrifices. They are as close to us as our breath and our bones, and when we consciously connect with them, they can be a tremendous source of healing, guidance and companionship. The ancestors we wish to honour include not only immediate and extended family, but also beloved friends and community members, cultural and religious leaders, and even non-human relatives such as pets.
Ehre deine Ahnenlinie
Set up an altar in your home that is dedicated to your ancestors. Place a candle on it, incense, flowers, maybe even old photos or something else that connects you to the power of your ancestors.
Then go into silence, into stillness. Breathe in and out deeply and slowly. When you are ready, pour a drop of Harmony from below onto each of your chakras with the intention: may harmony and peace flow into my ancestral lineage. Then inhale the fragrance of Harmony and stay anchored in this intention to flow harmony and peace into your ancestral lineage.
Harmony is a blend of 16 different essential oils that works beautifully to bring out the best in you by promoting a sense of physical and mental well-being. The liberating and calming aromas in Harmony can open you up to new possibilities and bring balance and harmony to your entire system, allowing you to release any blockages and vibrate back into harmony with life and your highest self.
Consists of: Sacred Sandalwood, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Orange, Angelica, Geranium, Hyssop, Lavender Leaf Sage, Black Spruce, Coriander, Bergamot, Lemon, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Palmarosa, Rose.
Then take a drop of Sacred Mountain and apply it to all chakras starting from the top with the intention: may healing and wisdom flow into my ancestral lineage. Finally, inhale for a few minutes and connect with this stream of power from your ancestors. Thank them for all they have done and endured so that you can be here today.
Sacred Mountain can do just that: it brings the power, tranquillity and peace of the mountains to you. A blend of earthy cedarwood, clarifying black spruce and uplifting ylang ylang invites you to pause, breathe and be.
Consists of: Northern Lights Black Spruce, Ylang Ylang, Giant Fir, Cedar.
Samhain – der wahre Ursprung von Halloween
Our ancestors lived much more in harmony with nature and the weather than we do today. At the end of October/beginning of November, summer finally comes to an end and the cold season begins. This transition marked the Celtic annual festival of Samhain, which is celebrated on 1 November. According to the legends, the gates of the elven mounds are open on Samhain, the Celtic New Year. It was also customary for the Celts at this time to make contact with their ancestors and forefathers and at the same time to thank Mother Earth for the rich harvest and all the gifts that the summer had brought.
Gratitude – Ritual
Sit in your meditation place – your ancestral shrine, for example. Light some candles or incense, place some fresh flowers… create an inspiring atmosphere.
Now take a drop of Gratitude in your hands, place it over your heart and inhale for 2-3 minutes. Just breathe in the scent. Notice what happens, what images or feelings arise and let them go. Stay with your breathing.
Then take a pen and something to write with and write down at least 100 things you are grateful for. What has life, Mother Earth, your ancestors… given you that you are grateful for? Really take the time to do this. It can be small things!
Keep this list in a place where you can refer to it whenever you lose sight of the good things in life.
Gratitude is a blend of nine essential oils that promotes gratitude and contentment in your life. Life simply flows better when you focus on the good things you are grateful for, rather than always focusing on what is not going well.
Contains: Giant Fir, Frankincense, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Vetiver, Geranium.
The spooky, delicious Halloween drink:
It’s also the time for family, pumpkin parties, pirate costumes and cider around the campfire. Fortify yourself and your guests with this delicious Halloween apple drink. Combine the immune-boosting oranges and apples with delicious essential oils for a real treat for body, mind and soul!
INGREDIENTS FOR THE HALLOWEEN DRINK
- 2 litres of fresh cider
- 1 orange, unpeeled and cut into wedges
- 3 drops of lemon vitality essential oil
- 1 drop of cinnamon bark vitality essential oil
- 1 drop clove vitality essential oil
- 1 drop of nutmeg vitality essential oil
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
PREPARATION
Combine the cider, orange slices and essential oils in a large saucepan and simmer over a low heat for at least 10 minutes.
Remove the orange slices and add the essential oils.
Serve warm. Add 1-2 cinnamon sticks to each cup when serving.
ENJOY!
Ps: Don’t have your own Young Living order account yet? Then go to our aroma experts here, pick someone from your area, and order your essential oils right away. Why wait any longer?
Pss: Would you like to come to a fragrant evening and experience the oils live? Then register here, as soon as the next oil evening takes place in your area, you will be invited to it.