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Interview with Ildiko Berecz about her transition to Crete

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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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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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An artisan at heart, I've always loved doing and

An artisan at heart, I've always loved doing and creating things with my hands. Labelling was part of my curriculum from an early age as my mum used to work in a factory that produced plastic household products in Hungary. I loved hanging around in her office with practical stationery supplies, and often enthusiastically volunteered to help put company stickers on the products with the precision of a young eagle-eye.
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In a big first chapter of my adult life, as an entrepreneur selling creative technology for film-makers, I find myself constantly creating labels for catalogues, events, mailing list stickers, etc. In the next chapter, stepping away from this joyful yet demanding business and moving to rural Crete 8 years ago, the phenomenon transformed and I soon found myself with labels again. This time even more time-consuming!
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Initially I was hand-writing my aromatherapy product labels. Nothing could leave my sanctuary without the information I considered important. Having learnt the hard way, previously going through my long natural healing process from endometriosis, and my own vital need to read labels and the importance of knowing what went into a bottle. More blending and more distilling, I soon ended up with a printer, and was grateful for technology to save some time for me. Oftentimes, I still have a lot of resistance in taking further steps, to ease up my own work and time, as if I could or should turn back time, or just stop the side-effects of the spinning world we tend to neglect when running for comfort.
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Don't get me wrong, I am not against technological achievements. I am for balance, awareness, and a deeper understanding of consciousness. And so I just happily completed putting some new waterproof labels on a new batch of hair-care blend, mixing my nettle and rosemary hydrosols together. Hours of manual work, yet quite meditative in nature!
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How do you go along with the contradictions of life?
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#essentialrewards
#artisan #artist
#artisandistillery #hydrolat #hydrosol #aromatherapy #holistic #nettle #rosemary #haircare #holistic #awareness #consciousness #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth #holistichealth #health #healing

A beautiful update on the development of the lemon

A beautiful update on the development of the lemon buds in the garden. As they are drinking fresh rainwater to grow into flowers, and then the bees are coming to drink nectar from the flowers. And so on it goes the circle of life. Have a refreshing weekend everyone! 🌿
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#essentialreflections #crete #lemon #flowers #nature #naturephotography #flowerpower #plantmessages #aromaticplants #aromatherapy #hydrolat #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #consciousness #awareness #healing #holistic #peacefulwarrior #medicinewoman #mentoring

There is no better* weekend workout program than d

There is no better* weekend workout program than doing the village walk across fields just outside our settlement, and to continue the day planting heart-softening Helichrysum italicum babies. I found them recently in a soon opening nursery nearby, together with the other precious, Clary sage! 🌿

Some parts of the garden are less fertile than others, and I had to do some preparations, digging bigger planting holes, leaving them with extra water for a day to soak it in, and then to prepare a good mix of compost and soil. I was lucky to get two sacks of mixed farm compost from my friend Manolis. Oh YES, these are the times you are truly happy when shit arrives! 💩

If you want to send some love my way, please direct your good vibes to the three silver-green babies for health, growth and prosperity! As well as stay tuned for some more wonderful hydrosols from my ever-exciting artisan distillations! 🧚

Meanwhile, our free Introduction to Hydrosols class with Jade Shutes at @aromaticstudies are there for you to sign up in case you are a bit fascinated to extend your knowledge that way. It's a recorded video of our LIVE online class earlier this year, and you can find the link in my bio for easy access. ✍️

* Ok, swimming in the crystal clear sea in South Crete this Sunday was at least as amazing as digging soil the day before 🐛😉 Check out the 'Crete' section of my Story Highlights for a short boat trip video! 💦
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#essentialreflections
#crete #helichrysum #aromaticplants #medicinalherbs #herbalgarden #herbalism #plantmedicine #aromatherapy #hydrolat #nature #naturelovers #medicinewoman #meditation #awareness #awakening #mentorship #fieldtrips #studytour #plants

My fascination and deep connection to the story of

My fascination and deep connection to the story of Iris surfaced about 12 years ago when I was given the first personal recipe to follow in making my own healing perfume. Ever since, the journey continued on a subtle level and only the last couple of years that a physical contact with this beautiful Plant royal established another level in my Cretan life. 🌿

One day I found myself in the middle of an Iris meadow just outside the village, another day a sweet aromatic friend virtually showed me around in her Iris garden in Bulgaria with some hundreds of flowers growing there. Then, about 18 months ago, I got a White Iris (Iris albicans) rhizome from my neighbor here in Crete. So I started learning about how they grow, witness their day-by-day development, and volunteer as a midwife when the time comes in their reproduction cycle over the seasons. 🌿

By now, I have 9 beautiful plants to take care of, and the youngest just showed up breaking through the ground with her two miniature sword-shaped leaves! That's about 4 weeks after I had planted a new rhizome part into the soil, and I am as excited as a mother every time a new baby is coming to show her beauty in this abundant world! 🌿

Have you planted a Plant friend lately? Or given yourself moments of breathing together? Or perhaps allowed being mesmerized and taken your breath away by the magic of co-existing? 🌿
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#essentialreflections
#crete #iris #plantmessages #plants #nature #aromaticplants #gardening #aromaticjourneys #perfume #holistic #spiritualmentor #spiritualguidance #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth #vibes #awareness #consciousness #medicinewoman #meditation #personalretreat #mentoring

I've come a long way run. In a circular way. Trave

I've come a long way run. In a circular way. Travelling through time and space. Circularity is embedded in nature through the working order of our Universe, and is a perfect first-aid to turn to. However, we don't always do so, and many of us do not even understand the richness of the invisible forces, and for instance, how moving planets are part of our circulatory systems on every level. We can often experience that through the health or dis-ease of our physical body, as the materialised substance of our energetic being. Just as well, the cyclic nature of existence and our tabletop rules of the game we call Life keep us in repetition in emotional matters. 🌿

These are all here to teach some lessons, while we become our Creators, and allow ourselves to learn appreciate and even enjoy the ride on the road of lightening up our Soul wisdom and purpose of Life. 🌿

Why do I dedicate my time to connect deeper and deeper with Plants? Why do I use Plant story-telling to encourage and inspire people in their own processes of healing and transformation? It is to remind and rekindle us all about the importance of regaining the very essential nature of bring human. 🌿

So what about Lemon? It is refreshing or it is sour? Is is rounded or is it broken? Is it juicy or is it dry? Do you see Lemon as a fruit or another being that goes through a journey from buds to flowers and then to fruits, only to start it all over again? Do you see Lemon to give taste to your food, serve as a medicine, brighten your day with its colour, smell, or the composition of all? What does it has to say to you Today? 🌿

All these pictures I offer to you today came from my morning meditation with my camera in hand. And you see the buds, the flowers, the fruits, and of course the branches that hold the space for the subject of our focus are all present. And well, of course, we have not even seen the roots of it all... Enjoy the journey, be mindful, and remember to collect your rubbish inside and outside! 🌿💗
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#essentialreflections #crete #lemon #citrus #plantmessages #plantmedicine #aromaticjourneys #aromatherapy #artisandistillery #mindfulness #mentalhealth #medicinewoman #meditation #mentor

A new journey begins as I am welcoming Clary sage

A new journey begins as I am welcoming Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) in my garden! After having worked with the incredibly supportive essential oil for over a decade, with so much support for myself and others, it's been years now that I have prayed for Clary sage to appear in my life in its physical embodiment on Crete. Being grateful for each and every previous occasional encounters at Botanical Gardens, and whenever that happened I felt being under an ecstatic spell. Developing my relationship with this gorgeous plant is coming to a new level, on the path where the quality of clarity is so essential.

🌿 As the guidance of the Tongue Of The Trees Oracle Cards says: “The essential oil of Clary sage is the right guide in the midst of emotional haze and when you grow weary. It gives you confidence and encourages you to stay on the ground and connect with Mother Earth. It helps to restore harmony, create mental focus and align it with the language of your Soul. As a result, you can trustfully follow your heart in making your decisions. Let your senses guide you, open up to new horizons, and bring your consciousness to a higher level. True inspiration and pure motivation is born at the soul level.”

🌿 My Essential Reflection consultation sessions often include plant metaphors to reflect on issues in order to understand and transform situations. I help to gain clarity and empower yourself in your own life to be authentic and more free as walking/working on the life Path assigned to you. If you would like to work with me, please contact for information and booking appointments through my website or dm.

🌿 Wishing a light October to you all! As always, recharge yourselves outdoors! 🌿
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#essentialreflections
#crete #aromaticplants
#aromaticjourneys #aromatherapy #fieldtrips #studytour #nature #clarysage
#salvia #naturephotography #plantmessages #plantsofinstagram #guidance #lifepath #clarity #transformation #consciousness #awareness #lifechanging #holisticcoaching #mentor

Evening chillout. Days are full and fool... And in

Evening chillout. Days are full and fool... And in some periods, just as recently, often towards the end of the day when I really feel to get started... with several ideas to work on. Yet, if something I have learnt over the years, and something that I am now taking more seriously than in the past: stay away from computer work and screen time in the last hours of the day as it seriously affects the nervous system and sleeping capacity. I'm not a saint, and nor fully abstinent, but well disciplined knowing my self-care needs. Are you? 💗

Working on botanical perfume variations is a perfect meditation time closing a day!
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#essentialreflections #crete #aromaticjourneys #nature #plants #essentialoils #botanical #plantmessages #plantmedicine #medicinewoman #botanicalperfume #inspiration #astrology #mentalhealth #relaxation #meditation #yoga #metime #holistic #healing #awareness #consciousness #awakening #holisticcoaching #mentoring

What a beautiful harvest day we had yesterday at t

What a beautiful harvest day we had yesterday at the vineyard of my friend @manolispetakas
and his family here on Crete! The colourful Greek grape variety we picked is called Romeiko and drinking its fresh juice is sweet like honey. With a long-cooking process it can also be turned into a special syrup that you would find under the name 'petimezi' with its incredible flavour and capacity as a sweetener.

Yesterday, most of the fruits got processed for wine, while at the dinner table we enjoyed drinking the one from last year. An incredibly delicious, rich, brandy-like wine from a small family production. I am very sensitive to alcohol consumption, and even half a glass of wine can send me off... but I can bravely enjoy my friends' excellent organic wine that again, surprised me with its gentleness in its own mysterious way.

In a later stage, the grape spirit is distilled into 'tsikoudia' also called 'raki' usually with 40% alcohol content. And this is a very traditional drink on Crete, where in tavernas the bill often comes with a glass to complement the meal with a digestive support.

Some people like to make jokes at sight of my own copper distiller, and suggest that I'd rather make alcoholic beverages instead of aromatic waters. And I wish the world had at least as much awareness about distilling medicinal plants into hydrolats and essential oils, as fascinated they are about making alcohol.
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Happy sunny wonderous weekend my friends!
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#essentialreflections #crete #harvest #grapes #wine #holistic #healthydiet #holistichealth #awareness #consciousness #nature #naturephotography #outdoors #medicinewoman #meditation #exercise #naturewalk

And for me, it is not so much about the precious e

And for me, it is not so much about the precious essential oil, nor the lovely hydrolat, but rather for the Journey itself. The one where I am being guided as well as being a guide. The explorations, the aha moments, the plant work, the experiments, and the ongoing research both in the field and in the collective knowledgebase of humanity. Wonderfully creates a sense of meaning in sensational experiences of existence as sentient beings. The road less travelled that makes me feel in the position of partaking in something bigger and dancing with the Universe. 🦋

It is distilling myself through circles of life, death and rebirth in eternity. As in yoga traditions goes SA-TA-NA-MA. Shedding layers, evolving as a human being, and developing gifts. By living, processing and transforming these gifts, that is the authentic way for me to offer them to others, necessarily with a humble approach at the crossroads of many disciplines. 🌿

While I am working on some new programs, there is always a certain capacity and my true pleasure to offer some of my time for personal consultations. Guidance that is individual in context, nature and structure, and may take the form of reflective conversations, card readings, intuitive wisdom and practical advice, usually the combination of all. A holistic perspective for personal empowerment, therapeutic work or professional development. 💓

Get in touch for details and appointment if you feel called to ask for my support walking/working on your Path. DM here or through my website, link in bio. 🙏
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#essentialreflections
#personaldevelopment
#selfdevelopment #holistic #holisticcoaching #mentoring #path #lightwork #spiritualmentor #spiritualawakening #guidance #lifetransformation #followyourdreams #heartbased #awareness #awakening #consciousness #medicinewoman #consultations

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