Tuesday 7 August 2012

Perfume


Aromatic Allure

It was claimed that Queen Cleopatra of Egypt bathed several times a day . She was said to have loved the scent of rose , sandalwood and orange blossom . These oils were added to her bath , along with asses milk , while aromatic incenses burned day and night in her palace . She wore floral fragrances such as patchouli , jasmine and ylang ylang on her body , and she adorned her clothes with garlands of fresh flowers . When Cleopatra seduced the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar , she was delivered to him hidden within a rolled up carpet ,  which had been dowsed with her favourite essential oils . When the carpet was unrolled she landed at his feet . The visual and olfactory effect of this must have been highly intoxicating for the surprised Emperor.


Pic: Cleopatra by Alphonse Mucha

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Lughnasadh




Lughnasadh full moon


August 1st is the Celtic Harvest Festival of Lughnasadh, or Lunasa.  
Traditional Irish Lughnasadh festivals were held on the nearest full moon, or the time of the first fruits. This year we are blessed to have this festival fall on the full corn moon in Aquarius.