Well here we go, my very first blog entry. Nervous…check! Insecure…no doubt! Excited…very!
If it’s one lesson the past year has taught me is that these feelings almost always come neatly packaged in a bundle. It seems impossible to experience the latter without exposing yourself to the elements. How many a time have we all felt our reins pulled tightly at the starting line? Who hasn’t sensed that defiant whisper of self-belief instantaneously drowned out by the echoes of the crowd questioning your very worth? It’s enough to make the most courageous hesitate. But here we go, toes first into the water… We’re going right? Yeah, we’re going!
September 2021 marked the beginning of this new adventure, and to say it almost didn’t would be an understatement. As it turns out, I spent the twelve months prior to this focused solely on trying to reconstruct the shattered pieces of myself (maybe the topic of a later blog, maybe). Life being unfair is a cliché too often used, and so I will try not to use it (though I kinda just did). And whilst self-pity is a road easily travelled, I have learned that the destination is inevitably powerlessness. I suppose, in this regard, the road is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Granted, this was not a lesson learnt overnight. I’ve spent many hours, days, miles, wandering that road. But thankfully, in the immortal words of Robert Plant “in the long run, there’s still time to change the road you’re on”.
So, how does one go about changing the road they’re on? Well, while I am no sage (get it?), I have learned a few things along the way. Maybe the most significant lesson of all is just how important it is to consciously choose gratitude. It seems simple enough, but I think we all know just how difficult it is to feel the warmth of a candle on the coldest of days. Yet despite our lack of recognition, the lone flame still remains by our side, dancing in the dark night. Not only giving us warmth, but lighting the way forward if we choose to open our eyes.
But anyway, let’s not get too philosophical, it’s only the first blog post.
So back to September and nerves and insecurity and excitement. Oh…and gratitude! Because inevitably, that is what this story is about...
I’ve been exposed to incense, sage and smudging for as long as I can remember, and so it naturally became a part of my healing meditative practice. So much so, that I started creating my own bundles (which you probably already know, given that you are reading this). To me, this creative process was an extension of the meditative practice. I was conscious of each element and carefully combining one with the other felt like breathing life into a new being. Each bundle I created brought me joy and I was grateful for being given the opportunity to experience this gift. I realized that this was a gift that I wanted to share with the world. This is where the vision of Sage + September was birthed.
I was excited about embarking on this adventure. But, as we said, excitement is never one for being a lone traveler and soon self-doubt came following. Nevertheless, with some prodding, I decided to take the leap of faith in September 2021, officially launching Sage + September. For this decision, I am once again grateful. And to those of you that have encouraged me, supported me, and those of you who are taking the time on this blog to get to know me, I am also especially grateful!
But if taking that decision felt risky, it’s nothing compared to what I’m going to do when I click on that “post” button for this very first blog entry, knowing full well that I am about to lay myself bare and expose myself, insecurities and all, to the whole world. It seems fitting that this first entry coincides with the approaching Winter Solstice. As the light of the sun embarks on a new solar cycle, so too will I embark on this new journey.
The Winter Solstice may in itself represent many different things. Ancient rituals of the winter festival date back to Neolithic times, some 10,000 years ago and observances have been documented in Native American tribes in North and South America, Europe, China and even Iran.
For me, the Winter Solstice is a reminder of two important things. Firstly, that even the longest and darkest of nights eventually give way to light. And secondly, and maybe more importantly, that one can find reason to celebrate, even in the dark nights, one can find reason to be thankful.
The Winter Solstice has also long been regarded as a perfect time for cleansing oneself before the impending new year and new cycle. This involves letting go of the things that are not in alignment with your greater spiritual purpose. You can think of it as a detox of the material environment as well as the physical and spiritual being. It can be removing the clutter from your bedroom. It can be soaking your body in a warm bath. And it can be smudging away any negative energies. Or it can be all of the above. In the end, whatever you do, it’s about turning that page on the old chapter and preparing yourself fully for the next. As Bob Marley seh’ “you just can’t live in that negative way…make way for that positive day.”
To mark this special occasion, and to help you embark on your Solstice cleansing journey, I’ve decided to put together a Solstice Cleansing Gift Box, comprising of a Rosemary bundle wrapped in varied Pine and Fir stems, Orange and Apple slices, stick of Cinnamon, Anise Star, dried Straw Flowers, a Selenite rod and Frankincense essential oil as well as a Harmony + Healing Floral Bath made with Himalayan Pink Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Kaolin Clay, Lavender essential oil, Geranium essential oil, Sweet Orange essential oil, dried Rose Petals, dried Calendula Flowers, dried Rosemary, and dried Lavender Flowers.
Here are some steps you can follow to make the most of this sacred time:
Cleanse your space – this is a good time to reassess the need for the material things that occupy your space. Removing unnecessary clutter not only clears up your physical space but can also help you let go of the anxieties you hold on to.
Light a candle - what better time to light a candle than the darkest night of the year?
Smudge it out –Use the flame to get your sage going and cleanse your space of any lingering negative energies.
Use your Selenite - Remember, your selenite rod is a powerful crystal for breaking up harmful energies and thought forms while repairing any tears in your aura.
Have a soak – Now that your physical space is cleansed, it’s time to enjoy a warm soak using your floral bath. Relax and allow your body to release its toxins.
Deep Breathing exercises – Practicing deep breathing is a great way to detoxify the body and has also been shown to improve blood flow, immunity and reduces anxiety.
Meditate – Do this for at least 5 minutes but go as long as you like.
I hope that these tips make this Solstice a special one for you and prepares you to manifest your highest self in the coming cycle.
And again, I would like to thank all of you for joining me on this adventure, for your continued love and support, and for taking the time to get to know me. Here we go…
