With legions of feather-like leaves and coherent clusters of small flowers which are somewhat reminiscent of the phenomenally organised nature of bees and their hives, I have been persistently guided by Yarrow to find my way home. And you may ask, where is your home? One of those simple questions that may be responded to with reflective questions before getting to the answers. Answers as in plural.
Ildiko Berecz carries two decades of experience in substantial conscious life-changing practices from her own journey on Planet Earth, along with being such a catalyst in other peoples’ lives through various personal aspects as an aromatic adventurer, holistic therapist, consultant, mentor, author, photographer, forager, distiller and plant alchemist. More reflections and continued extracts here from the aromatic plant journal, part two of Extractions and Distractions – A Survival Guide For Aromatic Living in Lockdown.
By sharing excerpts from her journal, plant alchemist Ildiko Berecz would like to offer some highlights of the past year of how life went on during the pandemic with almost a whole year of lockdown on the Mediterranean Island of Crete in Greece. It is highly emphasised that the journal is not a panacea for pandemic, neither complete nor unbiased, yet focuses on the bright side of a dark year with aromatic and medicinal plants.
Storytelling, myths, and symbolism appear in our lives from the moment we are born, if not earlier. Ever wondered what form they may take and how they permeate our inner world?… Perhaps, make yourself a soothing decoction from the wonderful leaves of Melissa, and then decide whether to continue reading my composition with an open mind, or else, start out with your own research to gain further experience.
Spring is the season of renewal, and also the time when nature showcases its abundance and offers unprecedented streaming bandwidth for those who wish to connect and witness changes from one hour to the next. By the time May arrives, Oregano is typically ready for harvest on Crete and I was preparing myself to invite this power plant as a guest speaker for this chapter of my aromatic adventures…
In the series of my unexpected encounters on Crete, there came lemongrass one day and greeted me with a sort of casual looking grass appearance tufted with some grounded elegance. There is no way you just overlook a hugely overgrown tussock like this with grand linear and lanceolate leaves. A straight character catching you with its refreshing an uplifting tonality.
There used to be a beautiful row of eucalyptus trees along the way between our village and the next. Not only felt heartbreaking to see more of them having been cut out during the past year, but now…
The magic of bay leaf is another profound opportunity for me to demonstrate how disconnected we human beings have become from the living and powerful Nature, and its capacity to communicate via fragrances.
Rose geranium is one of my dearest Muses. Somewhat like my grandmother whose youthful beauty, facial traits and the eternal smile in her eyes will always remain a gentle symbol of care and nurture manifesting towards me.
