The Cloak of Aphrodite

[Seajewel]

Aphrodite clothed herself with garments which the Kharites and Horae had made for her and dyed in flowers of spring – such flowers as the Horae wear – in crocus and hyacinth and flourishing violet and the rose’s lovely bloom, so sweet and delicious, and heavenly buds, the flowers of the narcissus and lily. In such perfumed garments is Aphrodite clothed at all seasons.

 

Though this is an oil of sensuality and sensual delight, it is also an oil of the arts: creating art, appreciating art, embracing art. This oil amplifies personal beauty in all forms, and amplifies the power of the arts to sustain us, resolve conflict, and educate us. It is an oil that enhances the power of art to create a sense of harmony, concord, and community.

 

Crocus petals from the TAL garden (Crocus sativus), paperwhite narcissus petals from the TAL garden (Narcissus papyraceus), hyacinth petals from the TAL garden (Hyacinthus orientalis), Madonna lily petals from the TAL garden (Lilium candidum), rose petals and rose absolute (Rosa damascene), violet absolute (Viola odorata), Himalayan amber oil (Oleum succini), vetiver essential oil (Vetiveria zizanioides), tonka beans (Dipteryx odorata), benzoin oil and resin (Styrax tonkinensis, Styrax benzoin), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus soyauxii), beeswax absolute (Cera alba), periwinkle (Vinca minor), white sage from the TAL garden (Salvia apiana) and clary sage essential oil (Salvia sclarea), mugwort essential oil and herb from the TAL garden (Artemisia vulgaris), mandrake root (Mandragora officinarum), and red clover blossoms from the TAL garden (Trifolium pratense).

[LavenderCoffee]

First word that comes to mind for this blend is floral, then regal.

Scentwise, here is the floral star of the set: I get cascades of fresh flowers over amber.

All of the Venus' Aerial Delight oils feature rose, but this one really features the rose! My nose feels more naïve to florals than to other scents, but with a court of crocus, narcissus, hyacinth, lily and violet, the rose still stands out most to me. It brings to mind the kind of flowing garment that makes you want to put your shoulders back and stride confidently.