Cozy Season Guide: Inspired by Botanicals
This season we are fully embracing the pause that November brings. The darker days are a natural transition to begin to turn inwards and reflect. We celebrate both abundance and gratitude this time of year, although sometimes need a little extra support in these areas. We encourage you to take this time to nurture your nervous system and build your resiliency through gentle, restorative practices. Here are some ways to connect with your botanical allies throughout this season:
Flower Essence Reccomendations
There are some key themes and emotions that come up this time of year, and these are our top picks for added support. Wanting something more personalized? Reach out for a session.
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The ultimate restorative essence. Perfect for deep rest and addressing exhaustion - both of the body & mind.
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Sometimes it isn’t easy to feel grateful for that you currently have, and jealousy can deepen dissatisfaction. Balance these uncomfortable emotions with Holly.
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During times of indulgence, some of us might struggle with feelings of guilt. Strengthen compassion for yourself with Crab Apple.
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When the holidays feels like an increase in responsibility, practice the ability to receive support and step back with Elm.
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If the holidays and this time of year do not incite joy, Willow can be a supportive ally in getting through the darkness of these months.
Practices for the body
Warm oil massage
Gently heat up your oil of choice in a heat safe bowl by placing it inside of a larger bowl with a small layer of hot water, just enough to warm the bottom of the first. Add in your selection of essential oils and wait until it is warm enough to your preference, coat your hands, and massage yourself or a partner.Cuddle up with your flower essences
Taking your essences in water is only one way to consume them! A lovely practice for the colder months is to apply them directly to your body. Add 4 drops of essence to a small bowl of spring water, and dab it on your body with an unbleached/organic cotton pad. There are specific acupuncture points you can use as your guide, or keep it simple and apply to perfume points. Cuddle up in some warm blankets and a hot water bottle for some much needed rest and integration for 20-40 mins.
Flower Essence Beverages
Whatever it is, the way you tell Mocktail or Cocktail, adding a few drops of essence is a great way to consume and even share some botanical support. Make themed drinks based on the essence archetypes, create beautiful botanical ice cubes, and experiment with seasonal flavours. These colder months we are loving adding ginger, cardamon, and cinnamon to our coffees and hot chocolates. Kitchen herbs are our allies this season!
Mocktail Recipe1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice, unsweetened if possible)
1/2 cup sparkling water or club soda
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1-2 tbsp honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
2-3 fresh rosemary sprigs
fresh cranberries or a twist of lime, for garnish
ice cubes
flower essence of choice
-Infuse the Cranberry Juice: Pour the cranberry juice into a glass or small pitcher. Add one rosemary sprig and let it sit for at least 5-10 minutes to infuse. For a stronger rosemary flavor, gently muddle the rosemary in the juice before letting it steep.
-Add Sweetener and Lime: Remove the rosemary sprig, then add honey or simple syrup to the cranberry juice along with the fresh lime juice. Stir well until the honey dissolves.
-Mix and Top Up: Add ice cubes to a glass, pour in the cranberry-lime mixture, and top up with sparkling water. Give it a gentle stir.
-Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and a few whole cranberries or a twist of lime. Add 4 drops of flower essence to each glass served (and if you’re having multiple, reduce this to 2 drops).
Hot Cacao RecipeMilk of choice (amount will depend on mug size)
1.5 - 2 tbsp cacao powder
1-2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
tiny sprinkle of salt (enhances cacao flavour)
any combination/single spice to taste: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamon, all spice
-Fill the mug with milk to get the correct amount: add to a pot on the stove top and begin to warm at medium-low heat.
-Add sweetener: whisk to combine and allow to dissolve.
-Add dry ingredients: whisk in cacao, salt, and then spices (if using) to taste.
-Pour: into the mug and serve. For drink to stay warm, preheat mug with hot water while making your hot cacao.
Botanical bath
Water is our favourite medium for healing, and you can enhance the experience by setting an intention and adding flower essences, essential oils, or even dried herbs (to keep it clean and your drains clear, add to a tea bag or spice bag).
Practices for the mind
Direct Plant Perception
This is the practice that Dr. Bach used to discover the essences. It is most ideal in the spring and summer when you can observe the plants outside in their natural habitat. In the colder months, it is just as effective to try with your house plants! Here is a simple practice to get you started:
How to:Acquire or identify a plant that you would like to form a connection with.
Keep this plant in a room you spend a lot of time in, perhaps living room or office. Notice how it responds to it’s environment, does it have preferences for light? Distance to you? Sounds? etc
Notice how you feel near the plant. Pay close attention to your energy when you’re in the room and outside of it. In your everyday life, observe how different emotions feel in your body, for example - when you are happy, your chest might feel open & bright; when you are sad, you might feel withdrawn and slouched in.
Ground yourself with a few deep breaths and find a space of presence in your body. Sit with your plant and extend love and kindness to it energetically. Notice what it’s energy is like compared to your own.
Just like with a friend, connection might take time and you can slowly get to know more about one another. Simple things like talking to your plant or playing different music for it will also be ways of connecting when you don’t have time to practice.
Create Still Life Artwork
You needn’t go far - a selection of produce from the fridge and a bouquet or foraged foliage and you have the perfect subject! Arrange artfully & draw/paint/photograph to your hearts content.
..and if creating art isn’t your thing
Study it! Explore why so many artists loved to immortalize plants and flowers into their work. What did it mean for them? What does it mean for you? It will change the way you experience the natural world.
Read
And lastly, a good book. There are endless amounts of literature that explore plant spirit and medicine.
A few of our favourites:
Thus Spoke the Plant by Monica Gagliano
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Heal Thyself by Dr. Edward Bach
We are wishing you the coziest season ahead. Please look after yourself, the holidays can be an emotional time (both positively and negatively) for many as well as time to make new memories, carry on traditions, or explore new rituals. Turn inwards and see what is calling to you - for you never know what adventures await!