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About the author

Ildiko Berecz is an intuitive mentor, coach and holistic therapist who is passionate about sharing her inspiring personal stories from behind the mountains of Crete island, while being on the road, searching and experiencing, capturing, collecting, distilling, making herbal preparations, blending botanical perfume and more. She offers her insights of authentic approach and humble practices for better understanding and appreciation of nature, herbal remedies and awareness of trustworthy natural applications in our self-development and everyday life practices. More about Ildiko’s extensive life-changing work at ildikoberecz.com

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I hope you enjoy Essential Reflections taking you on amazing Aromatic Journeys. I am passionate about offering them to the world, so please do spread the love by sharing my journal with friends, colleagues or family, whoever might need some inspiration. And if you want to support my dedicated work, you can join me for an imaginary cup of tea! ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ will process your donation that is kindly appreciated. Thank you!

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Recent Posts

Extractions and Distractions – A Survival Guide For Aromatic Living in Lockdown – Part 2
Extractions and Distractions – A Survival Guide For Aromatic Living in Lockdown – Part 1
Melissa  – Life is beautiful, isn’t it?
Stand By Me With Your Aromas
A Holistic Approach To Foundations of Aromatherapy

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Photography & text ©️ Ildiko Berecz of Essential Reflections, unless stated otherwise. Please do not use the pictures without prior written permission. If you wish to republish any of my reflections, get in touch, and/or link back respectfully to the original post. Content on this website is based on personal experience and provided for informational or educational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a physician or healthcare professional.

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Faces of Nature. I am mesmerized by the wisdom tha

Faces of Nature. I am mesmerized by the wisdom that lies in the beauty, curves, formations of plant beings all through their life stages. Just look at those faces outlines on the old cones or the hard wood of that dead (rather say uprooted) cypress tree! What do you see? Isn't that amazing? 🌿

These pictures are from a walk at the altitude between 1000 and 1350 m in the White Mountains of Crete where the snow line starts. On this land of in-between, colours of earth, green and white meet. As I walk in the company of these magnificent cypress trees, I keep holding hands with them. Not for long, just for a gentle touch to change our energies. And through this physical encounter, as with a friendly kiss saying hello-goodbye, I also take with me the gentle supportive strength that transpires from the green branches and remains sitting on my skin. The Spirit of the tree in the form of her signature fragrance that fortifies my Soul. 🌿
PS: For more cypress visuals and inspiration, you will find a small collection from 2017 on my blog here: https://essentialreflections.com/life-death-rebirth-of-cypress/

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#essentialreflections
#crete #cypress #forest #nature #walk #fragrance #aromatherapy #breath #snow #freshair #meditation #reconnect #awareness #awakening #plantmessages #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #mentor #spiritualguidance

Passing through my year 7 with @aromatika_magazin

Passing through my year 7 with @aromatika_magazin in sharing my journeys with nature, explorations and teachings of plants for the evolution, healing and awakening of human beings. Incredibly humble to continue this mission and extend the work, reaching out to more people and communities, whether through my own aromatic essays or collaborating with others to bring plant messages forwards - united in versatility and uniqueness.

🌿 If we consider this as yet another anniversary to celebrate, Yarrow is truly a special one to be by my side and give credit to the unprecedented personal stories, the gifts for which I had come to Earth to live through and learn from. Yet, to quote from my article: "My intention is not to create a new hype around yet another plant. Plants are great, especially in alliance, and are not a one-stop shop. And while science is tracking down the road to get a clear picture of cause and effect, patterns might be more tricky to let alone in a cold lab missing the magic element. No magic pill, but to educate ourselves, learn the individual and collective magic of plants and how to co-create with them."

🌿 Dear friends of plants, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, complementary therapies and their life-changing applications, I invite you to read my article 'YARROW - A Journey Home' as well as to discover all the amazing content of our international quarterly e-journal. And please spread the world! You can download the winter issue or even subscribe for a yearly plan. Link in bio or go to https://www.aromatikamagazine.com/
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#essentialreflections
#crete #aromatika
#arimatikamagazine #yarrow #achillea #herbalism
#herbs #aromaticplants #aromatherapy #artisan #holistic #healing #personaldevelopment #awareness #awakening #essentialoils #meditation #woundedhealer #rise #healthydiet #spiritualguidance #spiritualmentor

In the process of preserving some eating olives. T

In the process of preserving some eating olives. These are the wonderful large Kalamata varieties, and in the previous years I had posted some recipes and making-of visuals on my blog for the various techniques the olives can be prepared.

💗 Crete is one of those special places in the world where somehow a vortex with energetic prints attract people, healers, seekers and anyone wishing to connect more with Nature and explore richness of life. Some say it's the inheritance of the flourishing ancient Minoan civilization, and the heritage of such as healing cities of Asclepius.

🌱 As one of the conscious pathfinders myself first coming to Crete in 2009, I keep witnessing waves of lightworkers continue to arrive at this sacred land years after years. More than ever, there are strong heart intentions to contribute to building a better world. These Souls are gathering here now and sharing their time and passion as engaging in activities that connects with Earthy traditions.

🦋 Are you part of an awakening society? Do you connect with like-minded people in order to give/get support to break through the walls created from various manifestations of fear forms? Do you understand the enormous power that lays in true personal healing?

🌿 Connecting with the elements of Nature is an extraordinary path to connect to Source, connect with our true nature, and better connect with each other! 💚
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#essentialreflections #crete #awareness #awakening #olive #plants #vibration #nature #knowyourfood #knowyourfarmer #personaldevelopment #spiritualguidance #mentorship #lightworker #lifecoaching #medicinewoman #meditation #plantmessages

Four weeks earlier than last year! The first Nastu

Four weeks earlier than last year! The first Nasturtium flowers popped out of their green leaf jungle in the garden. As usual during mid winter time here on Crete, with a bit of worry I've been witnessing the survival of the leaves over the past weeks, day by day finding enlarging wholes, or leaves completely eaten up! Well, these lovely edibles are also favoured by several predatory insects out there... Lucky for all of us, Nasturtiums are abundant and just keep going, so no wonder they often serve as a trap crop for others to contain. Great companion plants for biological pest control. 🐛

As for us enjoying their beauty and nurturing nature, here comes the time when we can start using the leaves and the flowers in food, salads and on cakes! They are also considered good blood cleansers giving support in eliminating toxins. According to Suzy Chiazzari who wrote a wonderful book called Flowers Readings "The energy these flowers contain is warming and rejuvenating, and is especially attractive to those who feel mentally exhausted, or those who lack physical or emotional expression." If plants are here to heal, as they are, Nasturtiums' early arrival this year may be of great service to many! 🦋
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#essentialreflections#crete #nasturtium #edible #edibleflowers #plantmedicine #herbalism #green #garden #salad #knowyourfood #healthydiet #medicinewoman #mediterraneandiet #consciousness #awareness #alchemy #alternativehealing #plantmessages #plantwisdom #mentoring

Some behind-the-scenes photos to say hello here as

Some behind-the-scenes photos to say hello here as well. I felt this moment somewhat expresses the manifold nature of my way of working with Nature, and sharing that with the world.

🌿 While waving the threads and paving the path at @aromatika_magazin as a writer, Cretan correspondent, editor and also a communicator to spread the world and help the magazine to reach out to the wider world... I continue to walk with botanicals, and observe, grow, harvest, infuse, mix, blend, and of course, consult and support people in their truly life changing, transformative journeys from healing to aromatherapy, plant work and distillations. One of the biggest challenges for me to frame the work I do, when I am asked to give a short intro, is that its essential nature resides in its holistic complexity. I guess it's just that Alchemists are mystical in nature, until you get to understand that capacity they carry...

🌿 Some dried Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) plants in the making for wonderful infused oils, one part in sweet almond oil, and the other jar is filled up with olive oil fresh from the press. Will be using her fantastic skin-healing properties once ready. I can tell you now, that the earthy fragrance of Helichrysum already came through after a few days of sitting in the almond oil which is in a way lighter in its own aroma compared to the heavy green notes of the olive oil as a carrier.

Thank you for journeying with me. Hope you get your hands dirty/smelly/oily this weekend too! 🌿
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#essentialreflections
#crete #plants
#herbalmedicine #herbalism #aromatherapy #aromaticplants #aromaticjourneys #holistic #holisticcoaching #lifecoach #mentorship #onetoonesupport #spiritualguidance #clarity #followyourdreams #followyourheart #heart #heartbased #awareness #awakening #lightworker #alchemy #artisan #distiller

One of the most precious gifts I have gotten this

One of the most precious gifts I have gotten this year is a real heart creation, man-made in a good sense, carefully curated, slow-cooked, tastefully decorated, and most of all contains the energy of many beautiful people. After having been a contributing writer and Cretan correspondent for @aromatika_magazin for long years, earlier this winter I got the honour to join my friend Gergely Hollodi editor-in-chief and become a co-editor at the magazine which has always been so dear to my heart.

To fully express how I feel about this transition into my new role is nothing to do with words, only to say what a wonderful new stage it is within my overall life mission on this timeline. A more full expression should rather come through the continued work that is here to manifest. And while this announcement is coming from my perspective, the thankful acknowledgement has to go to Gergely @aromabotanica and Gabriella Schütz @pomanders_hungary the original founders of the magazine who started something incredible in 2013 (the year when I started my journey on Crete).

A handful team is in service of a larger community out in the world, including the incredible seasoned professionals who join us to contribute with their writing work. One way or another these amazing fellow writers share a strong common goal: to live and work towards a world that we know is possible. To spread some substantial accumulated knowledge, expertise and wisdom in terms of Nature, complementary therapies, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and the knowing of how to apply these in various extraordinary ways and areas.

Authenticity often comes through our own breakthroughs, and I know we have all been there. As for now, the latest accomplishment is the winter issue of Aromatika Magazine that has just been published. The beautiful 136-page e-journal is in English, available for download and I hope many of you would support our work and enjoy reading it.
Give @aromatika_magazin a follow or/and download the wonderful winter issue!
🌿💗🙏
https://www.aromatikamagazine.com/product-page/aromatika-magazine-8-4-1-2021-winter
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#essentialreflections #aromatika #aromatherapy #aromaticplants #essentialoils

From the sorcerer's scented sanctuary to all Earth

From the sorcerer's scented sanctuary to all Earth Angels out there: Merry Christmas and blessed holidays! 💖

May we all find our ways to our magic powers! 🌿💖

Gratitude for the beautiful enchanting Scent Angel to my gifted friend Edit. 🙏
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#essentialreflections
#angel #spirit #awakening #awareness #light #lightworker #wayshower #plantmessages #plantmedicine #plants #aromaticplants #aromatherapy #herbalism #lifechanging #holistic #holisticcoach #mentor #mentorship #crete #personaldevelopment #spiritualguidance

As amazing as can be! Lavender infused vinegar is

As amazing as can be! Lavender infused vinegar is ready for action. Naturally dressed in holiday colours sets the mood for dancing around the kitchen and bathroom... 🌿

Have you noticed that different Lavender varieties may leave different colour footprints? 🌿

Experiments are essential in experience! 🌿
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#essentialreflections #crete
#lavender #vinegar #naturalcleaning #herbalmedicine #holistic #natural #organic #authentic #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #holistichealth #awareness #awakening #lifechanging #lifelonglearning

Part of the end of the year clearance (space, body

Part of the end of the year clearance (space, body, mind), I am using up some of the dried plants I have all around the house. This Lavender, together with Hibiscus goes into the face and body scrub that I've been doing for some years now (inspired by the wonderful recipe from @rosemarygladstar

🌸 This time I also added some dried Cistus for its great skin supporting properties!!! The powdered mix base also includes finely ground oats and almonds, enriched with white clay. Before use, I tend to activate the grains with one of the hydrolats from my own distillations.

🌸 The first portion - you know 😉 somebody has to test it on and on... - I now blended with what else than my all-time-favourite Rose geranium hydrolat! And I felt to add just an extra drop of Cistus essential oil from my artisan distiller friends @naturalness.pt in Portugal (You know I love you guys! 😍) and another drop from the Bergamot essential oil that I distilled myself here on Crete. A magical formula that I enjoyed spreading all over my body for a deep cleansing and uplifting my spirit!

🌸 Small batch as usual, and the few jars available for local friends only. But perhaps the rest of you out there may get into the grind of making something like that yourselves?
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#essentialreflections #crete #aromatherapy #essentialoils #cistus #lavender #bergamot #facescrub #naturalskincare #botanical #herbal #botanicalskincare #artisan #artisandistiller #holistic #wellness #fromfarmtotable #authentic #earth #awareness #awakening #aromaticstudies #aromaticjourneys

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