{Goddess of Love}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
According to goddess legends, the rose is the flower of Venus, known as the Goddess of Love in Greek mythology. No wonder roses are a wedding favorite. But don’t wait for your wedding day to surround yourself with flowers ... treat yourself now! Aromatherapy experts remind us that the scent of the rose is relaxing—a perfect choice as a fragrant bouquet or single bloom to keep at your desk or in your bedroom. Enjoy and breathe deeply....

 As a bride, you step into your own goddess legend—so start practicing how to keep your heart open and full of love. Try this "rose relaxation" now:
As you take three deep, slow breaths—allowing your breath to gently move your chest up and down, following its flow in and out—relax your shoulders...soften your eyes...let go of where you're holding any tension...continue to breathe deeply...and imagine your heart opening...opening. Then inhale the scent of roses (even it’s only in your imagination) and breathe in the soothing, heart-full fragrance of the love goddess....

Of course you can share your love goddess ways with your wedding guests and have roses all around...or use fresh rose petals lining the aisle or for your guests to toss as happy wishes. I love this "wedding rose" story from Barbara Tober, former editor-in-chief of Bride’s magazine: “One couple left their ceremony under a shower of petals from all the roses he had sent her during their courtship, lovingly saved.”  (If you save rose petals for tossing, you could spritz them the day of your wedding with rosewater and re-live the love all over again!)

But just remember...the beauty secret of the Goddess of Love is that she keeps her heart open....

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia  

ps: stay in touch for more in this special series on "aromatherapy, brides, and weddings"....

[Photograph: Marianne Taylor, UK]

{The Fragrance of Love}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
Aromatherapy experts tell us there is a keen relationship between memory and the sense of smell. So thoughtfully choose the fragrance that you wear on your wedding day as well as the scent of flowers in your bouquet. This could be the scent that always brings back your remembrance of this special day.

And here's an idea for your wedding...set-in a wonderful memory: Before you begin to walk down the aisle, pause. And the moment you see your husband-to-be standing at the other end waiting for you, breathe in a slow, easy breath and let the scent of your bouquet flowers take you deep into your heart...anchoring in the fragrance of love.

Practice now: Take several deeeep, slow inhales with long, relaxing exhales until you feel your heart open. Don't rush....enjoy breathing in and out of your heart and find the sweetness there. Okay, you're ready!

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

ps: One of my favorite books about flowers continues to be the little Kate Greenaway version of Language of Flowers ...sharing the meaning of hundreds of blossoms. And to learn more about aromatherapy and how to use essential oils and fragrance, The Art of Aromatherapy is full of great ideas. Enjoy.

[Photograph: Marla Aufmuth]

{Soothing & Naturally Scented}

Dear Bride-to-Be: 
Do something soothing and fragrant and luxurious for yourself every day while planning your wedding. (I know you're busy, but you can do it! You're worth it.) It can be as simple as keeping aromatherapy candles on hand so you can light one or two and make whatever tasks you're doing -- cleaning house or writing thank you notes or looking at magazines -- a more pleasurable experience with natural fragrances "wafting" about! (It's amazing how something so simple can make such a difference in your well-being.)

Then, when you have some alone private time, take a relaxing bath with calming, fragrant essential oils and herbal bath salts. Light an aromatherapy candle in a favorite scent (or use an essential oil diffuser -- they're a dream!), then close your eyes and take deeeep, slow breaths while you enjoy wherever the soothing quiet takes you.

But you don't have time for a soaking bath and need to get energized fast? For a fragrant, quick pick-me-up anytime of day, spritz rosewater facial mist on your face for a revitalizing refreshment.

There you have it! You can go scent, soak, and spritz away and bring aromatherapy into your wedding planning time for moments of scented pleasure -- whether you need to relax or revitalize. (Plus, it's great practice for taking care of yourself "after the wedding" when you get back to "regular life"!)

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

ps: Stay tuned for more next week in the "brides, weddings, and aromatherapy" series.

[Photograph: April Groom]

{Aromatherapy, Your Heart & You}

Dear Bride-To-Be:
We all love flowers and natural fragrances. And weddings are a chance to surround ourselves with both. During this blog series highlighting “brides, weddings, and aromatherapy,” some of you have asked, “just what is aromatherapy?”

Like the heart of your relationship is love, the heart of aromatherapy is essential oils. Essential oils are the highly concentrated essences of aromatic plants such as flowers, fruits, herbs, seeds, woods, and roots. Aromatherapy is the art of using these oils to take care of your body, mind and spirit...even promoting healing.

And here is what’s so cool: Since smell goes directly into the olfactory of the brain, the body gets an immediate signal to respond to the charms of a scents’ character. For instance, a sniff of chamomile essential oil will have a relaxing effect; while a whiff of rosemary essential oil will enliven. As our bodies become more open and alive -- more sensitive to the pleasures of the world around us -- our hearts are more open to giving and receiving love.

So keep a supply of essential oils in your “wedding planning kit” to use to pamper and take care of all the parts of you! Because as you take care of yourself inside and out, you are nurturing your relationship inside and out as well.

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

ps: In future posts, listen out for some deliciously pleasurable aromatic ideas for taking care of you from head to toe! (Missed past aromatherapy posts? Just scroll down and enjoy....)

[Photograph: Marianne Taylor, London]

{Being a Radiant Bride}

Dear Bride-to-Be:
“A naturally fragrant bride,” according to well-known aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood, “is one with inner calm and outer radiance, and one that uses aromatherapy and fragrance to enhance the whole bridal experience.” Author of Aromatherapy for the Soul, Valerie Ann knows a thing or two about various aromatic concoctions to pamper a busy bride into relaxed bliss! (You deserve it.)

It’s important to have some relaxing time to balance the bustling pace of wedding planning time. (In my experience of working with thousands and thousands of brides, a more relaxed bride is a more beautifully radiant bride!) So to soothe the soul of a busy bride, Valerie Ann offers this reminder: Your own bathtub can become a relaxing bridal spa. “One of the best ways to relax is in hot water. Water is comforting and soothing, as well as relaxing,” the aromatherapy expert says and offers a wonderful recipe for an Exotic Sensual Milk Bath:

•    Add one teaspoon Coconut milk and one teaspoon Coconut oil and two drops Ylang ylang or essential oil of your choice.  Mix together and add to your bath.

•    Then light a calming aromatherapy candle, perhaps listen to some meditative music, and sooooak in all the fragrant delights!

Ahhh...sounds like a simply delightful and easy way to refresh -- and be on your way to being a radiant bride! Enjoy....

Love. Listen. Let go....
...with love from Cornelia

ps: Mountain Rose Herbs is a wonderful source for your aromatherapy concoction supplies.
pps: This is the second in a series of “brides, weddings, and aromatherapy”...tune in next week for another new “fragrant” post!

[Photograph: Josie Miner]

{Fragrance & Brides}

Dear Bride-to-Be: We all love the subtle fragrances of flowers and the dreamy places their romantic scents seem to take us, yes? Today I’m beginning a series on “brides, weddings, and aromatherapy.” The posts will be full of tips and ideas for being the calm, beautiful, sensuous, and naturally fragrant bride you want to be!

Did you know that fragrance can affect your emotions? Since brides are in the middle of an emotional journey of life adjustment and decision making, inner growth and self-discovery, the right fragrance can help soothe the way to the wedding. Aromatherapists have long suggested using essential oils to treat stress, so what fragrance should a bride wear on her wedding day to feel beautiful and at ease?

“I would recommend citrus and white flowers,” says Eleanor Athens, a pioneer in the world of scents and essential oils. “Fresh citrus scents lower stress levels, and the aroma of tropical blossoms such as jasmine and ylang is both relaxing and euphoric; just how you want to feel on your wedding day.”

Mmmmm....euphoric and relaxing...what an irresistible combination! My friends at Mountain Rose Herbs can assist you with the purest of essential oils (nothing artificial for you!)...and taking some slow, thoughtful breaths deep into your heart will assist you in easing the stress of wedding planning.

Love. Listen. Let go.
...with love from Cornelia

ps: More to come on fragrance and your wedding in my next post...every Wednesday!
pps: My book, The Bride's Ritual Guide: Look Inside To Find Yourself, has more ideas for using essential oils for your wedding...plus lots more tips for your inner & outer beauty! Do you have your copy yet? 

[Photograph: Laura Heffington]