International Women’s Day was Monday, March 8, 2021. I went into my favorite little Indian restaurant for a quick, late lunch. I have been going there for years, often bringing friends, mostly by myself. The owner greeted me when I came in and asked if I wanted the vegetarian thali with poppadum (one of my usual choices). “Yes!” I said.
A few minutes later, a new addition to the staff brought out a long stemmed red rose and handed it to me wishing me a Happy International Women’s Day. A few minutes after that, the owner gave me a strand of fresh, fragrant jasmine flowers which had been knotted together. They shared with me how widely Women’s Day is celebrated in India.
Their gestures of kindness brought me to tears.
I was momentarily struck with how little we in America celebrate this holiday. Check to see if it is listed on your Google or Apple calendar of holidays. It is not.
I saw a large color picture in Monday morning’s Dallas Morning News of an art installation in Albania. The picture showed white steps filled with many, many pairs of red women’s shoes. It honors women who have been victims of domestic violence.
Seasonal Changes
As we approach Daylight Savings Time this weekend, and the Spring Equinox on March 20th, there is the feeling that spring is in the air. After a significant snowstorm pummeled North Texas last month, many are recovering from the aftermath of broken pipes, flooded homes and now devastated gardens. (We were lucky!) Where I normally look out onto lush green plants, all is brown outside my windows as I write. We are advised to wait until May 1st before deeming a plant/tree dead. Hoping that some organic fertilizer and encouraging words will coax them back to life.
Cyclic Changes
As you notice the cyclic changes that are coming, it is lovely to create small rituals to celebrate them. Tapping into their energies can be enriching and empowering. Try a Bathing Ritual:
Full Moon Bath
The March Full Moon coincides with Passover this year on March 28th. The full moon is traditionally a time of reckoning or a moment of truth. The bath blend I have created is grounding, immune and emotionally supportive. As you soak, envision releasing what no longer serves you and creating what you want to achieve in the next month.
- 2-4 cups Epsom salts or a mixture of Epsom, Dead Sea, Jurassic or Himalayan Salt
- 1 Tablespoon sesame, jojoba or your favorite organic oil
- 1 drop vetiver (Vetivera zizanoides)
- 2 drops rose geranium (Pelargonium rosum)
- 2 drop clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
- 1 drop fragonia (Agonis fragrens)
- 1 drop Moroccan chamomile (Tanacetum anuum)
- 1 cup milk (if you want to be really decadent!)
Mix the essential oils into the oil. Blend into the salt mixture and swirl around. Add milk to bath if you are using. Add salt mixture into tub and submerge yourself for 10-20 minutes. This is a time for candlelight, your favorite music and relaxation.
Spring Equinox Bath
The Spring Equinox is a time of evaluating the balance between light and dark. On March 20th, there is an equal amount of light and darkness. The sun begins its move towards its zenith in June. And after a long winter, it is a time of rebirth. I selected patchouli and myrrh to anchor this light and happy floral fragrance encouraging rebirth and welcoming in lighter energies.
- 2-4 cups Epsom salts or a mixture of Epsom, Dead Sea, Jurassic or Himalayan Salt
- 1 Tablespoon sesame, jojoba or your favorite organic oil
- 2 drop patchouli (Pogostamom cablin)
- 2 drop myrrh (Commoiphora abyssinica or Commoiphora myrrha)
- 2 drops wisteria or lavender (Wisteria frutescens or Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 drop magnolia (Michelia alba)
- 1 cup milk (if you want to be really decadent!)
Mix the essential oils into the oil. Blend into the salt mixture and swirl around. Add milk to bath if you are using. Add salt mixture into tub and submerge yourself for 10-20 minutes. This is a time for candlelight, your favorite music and relaxation.
Remember to take moments for yourself throughout your busy days to breathe deeply, stretch and notice a little joy that is around you.
Caring for your Skin
Check out our new Nourishing Body Butter. Safe for face and delicate skin, its rich and luxurious goodness penetrates, nourishes and heals dry or irritated skin. Made with skin moisturizing prickly pear, cocoa and kukum butters, organic red raspberry seed, pomegranate, and plum kernel oils with skin loving essential oils, this gentle smelling blend will soak into your winter dried out skin. Your skin will say, “Yes!”
Be well.
