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12/22/2024

Happy Winter Solstice + Merry Christmas, Reader!

I have the BEST Winter Solstice aroma blend for you today!

With the passing of the Winter Solstice yesterday, I'm thrilled to celebrate that the sun is now beginning its journey back into the Northern hemisphere, marking increasing daylight hours and shortened nighttime hours until the Equinox in the spring.

Since I'm a person who struggles with S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) every winter and have ever since I was a child, frankly, I mark off the Winter Solstice as a time of coming relief, for I know that soon my moods and emotions will recalibrate. I also enjoy this helpful herbal tea blend in these days.​

The Winter Solstice is closely linked to both Jewish and Christian tradition, just as it is to various pagan traditions. To me, with the coming of Advent that starts December 1st, the time of the Winter Solstice is about continuing to open our hearts to the joy of acknowledging the birth of Jesus. Our Savior.

It's a time of adoration of all that Jesus was and all that He did for us.

Judaism, and then later on, Christianity chose to adopt this time of the year with festivals of lights and evergreens, both Hanukkah and Christmas. I like to remember that the Solstice is always roughly three days before Christmas Day, and that three is symbolic of the Trinity. Father. Son. Holy Spirit....and Light always triumphs over darkness...just as the light of day ever increases from this point.

To my mind, Winter Solstice is an occurrence that is also a prelude to the prophecy of the Light that is to come again. For Christians, it's a special time of wonder, remembrance, and amazement for the coming of the Christ child.

Unfortunately, many Christians get "lost" in the merriment and the commercialism of this time of year. For some of us, Christmas is just "another bill to pay."

I think it's important to spend time, to give yourself more space if you can, for reflection and prayer. To get quiet. To make changes if you need to. To plan. To remember....

Here are some questions to reflect on and maybe even to journal about:

1) In what ways can your life be even more of a reflection of light and love?

2) How can you shine your light more brightly for others?

3) How can you be more loving toward yourself? To the renewing of your mind and heart?

In the words of Saint Francis of Assisi:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy...."

From Luke 2:7---

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Let's make Him room! 🌺 Joy to the world!

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Winter Solstice Diffuser Blend

One of our students and our Community Manager of Student Groups, Jean, shared this blend with us today, and I thought I'd share it with you, too.

It contains perfect essential oils for this season of hope and light.

Orange is uplifting and mood enhancing.

Ginger is warming and soothing.

Vanilla is sweet and hopeful.

Frankincense is grounding and a beautiful reminder of Our Lord.

And Cypress provides the evergreen as well as additional health benefits to our respiratory system (our literal system of breath of life).

4 drops orange (Citrus sinensis)

2 drops ginger (Zingiber officinale)

2 drops vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) (You can use vanilla extract made with alcohol if you don't have vanilla oleoresin or absolute---REMEMBER: There is NO such thing as vanilla essential oil. It doesn't exist. If you see it, you're being tricked into buying something nasty, potentially dangerous, and fake.) Here's my recipe for making homemade vanilla extract​

2 drops frankincense (Boswellia spp)

1 drop cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Add these to your diffuser or a personal inhaler, and enjoy:

Peace. Hope. Joy.

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Did you get your FREE copy of my favorite Winter Diffuser Blends?

It's 9 or 10 (I can't remember) of my favorite, beautiful diffuser blends for this time of year. From Christmas-y scents, to cozy cabin scents, minty scents, to immune supporting blends, and MORE, you'll love adding these to your environment for some non-toxic aroma that's good for you!

Click the button to get your copy, and be sure to use the same email as you're using to get this note so you don't get duplicates

NOTE; Be sure to look up topical maximums, but most blends can also be used for perfumes, sprays, etc. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for directions on how to make all kinds of aromatic and herbal preparations!

Or better yet: Take our Aromatherapy Specialist Certification program!​

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You may enjoy this video if you're wanting to enhance your herbal library or to give a great gift to an aspiring herbalist! NOTE: Please be sure to go over to my channel, and like, comment, and subscribe! This really helps!

In this video, I'm sharing my favorite beginning, intermediate, and advanced herbalism books with you, and why I enjoy these.

You might also enjoy this recipe for the BEST Herbal Hot Cocoa that's actually GOOD for you!​

I hope you have a beautiful, blessed, and wonderful Merry Christmas!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

P.S. Don't forget! Get your FREE Winter Diffuser Blends here. And I'd just be so thankful if you would forward this note to a friend who might enjoy receiving these notes too!

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This note was sponsored by the School of Botanical Arts & Sciences (SOBAS) by Healing Harvest Homestead.

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