Skip to content

Essential Reflections

aromatic journal for life-learning experiences

Aromatic Adventures
Aromatherapy Journal
Crete
Retreats
- Transformative journeys on Crete
- Aromatic journeys on Crete
Sessions
Photography
About

Tags

Alternative holidays
Aromatherapy
Chakras
Crete
Flower essences
Herbs
Kinesiology
Plant walks
red tent
Self development

1 2 >

Thank you for sharing:

Facebook
Twitter

Like this:

Like Loading...

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

Subscribe to Essential Reflections

Enter your email address here to subscribe to Essential Reflections and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

Find your interests

aromatherapy aromatic journeys artichokes bergamot Botanica 2014 botanical perfume cooking cretan diet Cretan traditions Crete cypress different perpective distillation Dublin eco community essential oils Farm life gardening Greek music health Hiking jasmine kayaking labdanum Lavender lemon Life purpose life transformation Mission Myrtus communis nature neroli olive harvest olive oil orange orange trees personal development photography plants retreats in Crete running sage snails solidarity tourism wild herbs

Archives

Archives

Recent Posts

Lemongrass – Always Greener On The Other Side?
Eucalyptus: A Breath of Hope
Container for Love & Harmony
A Bay of Inspiration And Victory Over The Self
Ode to Geranium – As You Deserve Nurture and Care Yourself

Legal Rights

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.

My Journey

New Beginning
Transit to Crete Island
Services
Contact

ER Social

View EssentialReflections’s profile on Facebook
View essentialreflections’s profile on Instagram

ER on Instagram

Are you familiar with this beautiful plant? Not an

Are you familiar with this beautiful plant? Not an aromatic one, but truly medicinal. It's been a while that I wanted to share this with you. Plantain is one of the plants most of us may recall by name from childhood cough syrups.

This is called ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), from the same family as broadleaf plantain (Plantago major). An ordinary soldier standing in armies in the dust by the roadsides. I took these photographs outside the village during my lockdown walks end of April. Their time has gone since then here on Crete, but their extraordinary presence is here stronger than ever.

A plant of maintenance that has made it as a Justice card in herbal Tarot with its straight body as a sword symbolizing strength and power, with an infinite search for truth with compassion. Justice as a positive quality comes through the appreciation and understanding of nature. It stands for our internal need for equilibrium. Plantain as a Divine being supports us in preserving and maintaining our health and cutting off what is useless and worn out. Justice teaches us how, through disciplined thoughts, work and action, we can cultivate holistic health by discriminating in the choices we make for ourselves and this way ultimately bringing the best for our communities. It's the spirit of 'take care of yourself, so you are able to take care of others'. Plantain suggests to stand up for your own birth rights and stand out with your gifts. A backbone support to encourage one to hold on, preserve and keep carry on. 🌿
If you are looking for support, I offer my guidance in a combined nature of personal reflections, consultancy and intuitive work. We blend the language, symbolism and qualities of plants into personal and professional matters to support breakthroughs and transformation on the path of holistic living and approach to life. Feel free to reach out if you need more information or would like to book an inspiring and encouraging online appointment. 🌿
🌿
🌿
#essentialreflections #crete #plantain #plants #medicinalplants #herbalism #holistichealth #mentalawareness #plantidentification #plantsofinstagram #flowerpower #healing #message #mindfulness #mentoring #life

Kalo mina! Wishing you all a beautiful June, with

Kalo mina! Wishing you all a beautiful June, with more openings in our hearts every single day! May we see the many faces of our nature, acknowledge the magic of differences, and recognise outstanding uniqueness in each and every single creature of our Universe. May the power of love guide us all in the most profound ways! ♥️
.
📸 by @fern_middleton on our lovely aromatic retreat last year
.
While dancing with the unknown, as the world's gates are opening again, I might be able to facilitate a few more of you who is on the life-changing path and wishes to come for a transformative aromatic private retreat with me on Crete. So reach out if that is in your heart. One by one, this is how we change. Actualizing ourselves leads to the changes we want to see in the world. 🦋
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #heart #transformation
#lifechanging #change #burnout #soulpurpose #guidance #sea #lifecoach #lifestyle #holistic #sessions #retreats #followyourheart #followyourdreams #passion #awareness #empowerment

Dancing in the rain with my camera, found magnifie

Dancing in the rain with my camera, found magnified poster-like shades of rosey colours at the tiny little road behind my backyard. Roses are surely created to bridge Heaven and Earth! Have a lovely Sunday! 🌿 Anybody can identify this Rose species for me? Perhaps Blush Noisette??? 🌿🙏
.
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #rose #rosa #flowers #flowerpower #garden #nature #naturephotography #botany #plants #connectwithnature #rain #walk #scent #aromaticwater #aromaticjourney #aromatic

How far we go, it's up to us. Whether in reality o

How far we go, it's up to us. Whether in reality or our visual imagination, surprises find us when we go without thinking and with an open heart.
🌿
These beautiful Cistus flowers I recently discovered, quite unexpectedly, in my neighbours garden. Cistus creticus has been undoubtedly the most special plant ally since I moved to Crete.
🌿
Years back, I would not have described myself as a world visionary, highly creative, super inspiringly positive influencer. And thanks to the road I have been walking, with many miles flown, mountains climbed and descended, different views, waves swum and surrendered to, forces of nature run with, and fire ignited and tamed... working myself though many adventures, along with healing as a self-development practice, in balance, sought after when wounds were calling, and mastered as wounds healed.
🌿
As I have become wiser, more brave and secure about who I am and using my own voice, looking back is always clear to see it's always been there. My courage has always been there mainly to exceed my limiting beliefs, to face fears - sometimes boldly, other times with avoidance and procrastination. According to my rhythm and to how I have been able to ping-pong with the Universe.
🌿
I have sought out guidance, more often than others perhaps, and I am honoured to have been working with some of the most incredible teachers and healers on cleaning my Path allowing to be of service myself. Feels like my life is a constant renewal, exploration and leading the way by passing on these real-life experiences to others who wish to follow.
🌿
What I am passing on in my sessions? As one of my teachers summed it up: it's exactly this, your holistic approach to life, and no matter what people are looking for, you always have solutions for them! After all it goes by resonance, and those who feel the call, will reach out. If that's you, you are more than welcome! 💕
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #cistus #plants #holisticliving #holistic #coaching #mentoring #aromatic #guidance #experience

Here is another beautiful Aloe vera field all in b

Here is another beautiful Aloe vera field all in blossom! This plant is not a Cretan endemic at all, but cultivated widely due to its wonderful properties used in cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical. And basically this is the reason why so many farmers start to cultivate it, usually with the help of subventions or 'programs' as they call it here.
🌿
I wish people grew plants (or initiate other projects) for the sake of understanding their real importance, and not only following programs, that means, only doing something when it is financed from outside. I've seen many misuse of subvention programs in all areas all over the world. And I have to admit, this is why I have developed a negative judgment about it, and chose to be independent of it myself. Yet, I am learning to trust again, especially the rapidly changing world where transformation takes place in greater scales of humanity.
🌿
Let's hope that not all supported projects and capital investments are done for the single sheer of profit in financial terms only. I wish to live in a world that tends towards heart-based economy, authenticity, and not only social, but personal responsibility to bring blossoms to our lives!
🌿
I am grateful for my Instagram community, thanks to you it feels as soul entrepreneurship is a reality! Sending much love to all of you out there following your hearts in what you do! And to those of you who are still in the dreaming phase: please don't give up, keep going, keep focusing on developing your trust in yourself while growing your wings!
💕
When travelling is an option, I am open to receive a small number of people again for my private life transformation retreats on Crete. Send inquiries with a short intro and intentions please. You can message me or use contact form on website. 🙏
.
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #aloe #aloevera #plants #plantsofinstagram #farmtotable #healthyfood #holisticliving #heartbased #soulpreneurs #healyourlife #selfdevelopment #coaching #lifechanging #aromaticjourneys #responsibility #followyourheart #manifestation #newreality #5d #retreats

Mulberry season arrived on Crete. The fruits keep

Mulberry season arrived on Crete. The fruits keep hiding, until the right ripe moment arrives. When they get dressed fainting black, ready with their one way ticket to bungee jumping without ropes... If you find their perfect moment of farewell preparation, you reach out to the sky and get them before the fatal fall. Saving them is a true victory. So delicious!
🌿
I find the beauty of nature to help evolve and elevate our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual path. Offering insights for the mind, body and soul is part of my holistic approach to life practices. Individual coaching and mentoring sessions are often combining personal and professional life matters. You are welcome to get in touch and get guidance. Readiness is not about being prepared, it's about taking the next step with trust, courage and curiosity! Remember that and have an inspired day! 🤗💕
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #mulberry #berries #healthyfood #health #holisticliving #holistic #plantdiets #plants #plantsofinstagram #courage #lifechanging #lifetransformation #aromaticjourneys #plantmessages #cardreading #lifecoaching #mentoring #selfcare #selflove #selfactualization #selfdevelopment #metaphors

It's a flow of energy and a complete renewal every

It's a flow of energy and a complete renewal every time I receive my aromatic article back from my editor-in-chief for a final proof-reading. Each and every piece holds years of experience, and days of pulling them together writing in alignment of the current days. Such a rewarding process in the efforts of giving birth to an educational piece of enjoyable and encouraging literature, while re-birthing myself. Originally wanting to write about Oregano, but redirected as the calling of this time... 'Marjoram seems to be like a well-established therapist mentoring the soul. No big advertisements, neither place for upheaval. A world-of-mouth position in a good sense, where everyone gets their appointments as and when needed, with that motherly warmth, yet guidance for work to finish up on your own. Words and acts of pure kindness to warm your heart, strengthen your own abilities to trust in yourself, and to calm you down when questioning the whole world around you. Reassuring in such a natural way that gently and profoundly smooths your burning fires and desires. On the collective level, that is a quality that leads to find equilibrium in uncertain times, when the idea of global truth seems to be lost forever and we are facing the need to balance in-between multiple conflicting realities.'
🌿
Full article coming soon at @aromatikamagazin and on the blog later.
🌿
For personal coaching sessions through the plant world, please contact via the website. 🙏
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #plants #marjoram #herbs #herbalism #aromatherapy #artisandistillery #aromaticjourneys #privateretreats #holisticliving #holisticguide #transformationguide #consciousness #selfcare #walkyourtalk #intuitive #leadersretreat #plantmessages #selfdevelopment #discovery #coaching

Each drop of this refreshing morning rain is bless

Each drop of this refreshing morning rain is blessing in the heat of current Cretan May. A happy-hour cocktail to the land, and special nurture to the Soul. Hello New Moon, let's start dancing again to come out and play! Have a great weekend everyone! 🌿 Anybody is a gambler here? Place your bets on now, and let's see who would be the lucky ones this year to land on Crete for my bespoke aromatic guidance? Take all your courage, trust and all your passion! Which may translate into Thyme, Cypress and Jasmine in the langue of plants. 💗
.
.
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #nature #jasmine #passion #followyourheart #followyourpassions #calling #plantjourney #plantmessages #plantmedicine #aromaticplants #aromatics #mindfulness #consciousness #lifepurpose #light #rain #personaldevelopment #transformation #liveyourlife #holistic #lifecoaching #personalretreats #sessions

The past couple of days I also got myself in the p

The past couple of days I also got myself in the process of making an infusion from these gorgeous sweet honeysuckle flowers. I should have started this earlier, but... oh well... let's hope I can keep on going with what's there now. 🌿 Any of you making some nice infusions these days? Or interested in discovering plant magic? 🌿 It's been the path of self-care, self-discovery and self-empowerment for many, and I tend to believe that's part of our future in a more livable world. If you're looking for guidance on the road ahead of you, this is what I do on my Holistic Approach To Life sessions, both online and in person. Get in touch to let me know if you are interested and have any questions! Just follow your heart! ❤️
. .
.
.
.
.
#essentialreflections #crete #honeysuckle #fragrance #botanical #naturalperfume #artisan #infusion #flowers #aromatics #aromaticplants #aromaticjourneys #holisticlifestyle #holistic #herbalism #botanicalskincare #botanicalperfume #smallbatch #workshops #aromaticsanctuary #plantmedicine #selfawareness #selfcare #guidance #holisticcoaching #mentoring

Load More… Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2020 Essential Reflections. All rights reserved.
Theme: ColorMag by ThemeGrill. Powered by WordPress.

%d bloggers like this: