The Yin Yang Equation- Greek Style

The principles of Chinese medicine are primarily based on the concept of two distinct forces – Yin and Yang.  I once heard this rather beautifully described as the constant dance between the masculine and feminine energies within each one of us.  Yin is seen as the feminine energy - dark, moist, cool, soft and receptive. Yang is seen as the masculine energy - light, dry, hot, hard and active.  To achieve harmony we need to find the place where yin and yang meet:

“The Sage who is 


Forthright but not hurting; 


Sharp but not wounding, 


Candid but not being crude; 


Shining but not dazzling." 

Lao Tzu

Within Greek medicine, the emphasis on achieving equilibrium between opposite yet complementary forces, is embodied in the concept of the Four Temperaments:

Personality		Most Likely to say..
Choleric	Ambitious and leader-like	“Lights, Camera, Action!”
Sanguine	Pleasure-seeking and sociable	“Where’s the party?”
Phlegmatic	Relaxed and quiet	“A place for everything, everything in its place”
Melancholic	Introverted and thoughtful	“Let me think it over”

Susan West-Kurtz (Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way) stresses that we all possess these four temperaments within us, yet tend to be more comfortable with only one or two of them:

“The more we explore each temperament, the more we can navigate in and out of each one, depending on the demands of the situation we are facing.  That is a kind of mastery that each of us is striving for.  The more wedded we are to a single temperament, the more likely we are to suffer the imbalances associated with that way of being”

It is perhaps easier to see the imbalance in others more clearly than it is in yourself, but here is my quick “You know you are majorly imbalanced when…” guide:

Choleric	You could pick a fight in an empty room.
Sanguine	Planet earth would like you to return and sort your life out.
Phlegmatic	You consider the purchase of a box of paperclips as a risky endeavour
Melancholic	You have Morrissey* on repeat on your iPod and consider Eeyore quite a ‘cheerful’ literary character.

*I have included this as a nod to an extremely melancholic phase in my life.  Luckily my brother was on hand: he walked into my room, removed the offending cassette, snapped it in half, chucked it in the bin and replaced with “It’s a marvellous night for a Moondance”.  I could argue that this incident was sparked by his choleric temperament and not my melancholy at all, but it was exactly this fiery input of choleric passion that I needed to reawaken my spirits.

Restoring balance is something you can do very easily for yourself, or for others (especially when they have become so far entrenched in a particular frame of mind it is hard for them to help themselves). It can be as simple as a walk in the park --Cholerics, stop running and just stroll!!

Personally, I love to use Dr.Hauschka bath oils; in fact just setting aside some time each week for a bath can do wonders to restore balance and rhythm in your life.  Here are a few suggestions….

Choleric	Lavender	Reduces tension and inflammation. Cools and relaxes the body.
Sanguine	Spruce	Helps keep your feet on the ground, restoring our connection with earth.
Phlegmatic	Lemon	Cuts through stagnation bringing new possibilities, like sunshine for the soul.
Melancholic	Rosemary	Lights the fire within, rekindles our passion.
	Sage	Provides clarity of thought from heavy and dark emotions.

The Bath Care Kits are an amazing introduction to these fantastic oils.   As I have mentioned before, I sometimes cross out the word “Bad” (German for bath) and correct it to “Good” : )

The larger size, 150ml bottles, last an absolute age, are brilliant within cleansing water and make wonderful presents …Dear Phlegmatic, I saw this and thought of you…hmmmm..perhaps not quite so direct ; )

Exciting News!!!

The lovely team at Dr.Hauschka UK are giving away one of these bath care kits. To enter, simply post a comment on their Facebook page stating with which temperament you most associate yourself, you will then be entered in a draw - winner to be announced on Facebook 31st May 2012. Remember to share the love and invite friends to the page to enter x

Pass the parcel...

If it is true that little things please little minds, my mind must be miniscule. This morning I had a giddy kipper attack over the arrival of my new Liv top.  It is a vibrant kelp coloured number from the Beachcomber collection with the most exquisite shell design- love it, love it, love it!

Just unwrapping the carefully tissue papered package, let alone wearing the top, made me smile.  Packages from Liv are very special, and as a surprise gift of lavender soap tumbled from the box, I though how nice it would be to pass on the same love to others.  Great minds* think alike because it turns out that they are running a "From Liv With Your Love" promotion….(closing date 9am Tuesday 8^th May).

* Can miniscule minds be great? That is me with the minuscule mind, not the lovely people at Liv I hasten to add ; )

Blue Magic

It is almost as if Lavender has become an onomatopoeia to our senses of vision and smell; by which I mean the mere mention of the word conjures up its distinct aroma and rich colour:

“It is the embodiment of the Provence, the longing dream of a Mediterranean summer, the happiness of relaxed moments. Its blue is without compare, turning lavender fields into a meditation carpet of calm and tranquility” (Dr. Hauschka website)

Lavender, sometimes referred to as “blue magic”, is bound to Mercury the planet associated with the mind and communication. Because of its delightful fragrance and its light, flowery taste, it has been used for thousands of years magically for its calming, peaceful, and sedating effects.  It is often included in love spells because of its attractive scent. Dried lavender stalks burn like incense sticks, and are often included in spells for attracting money, love, protection, and success. 

Lavender essential oil is pretty much in itself an A to Z oil for all skin conditions. It is helpful in treating acne, dermatitis, rosacea, oily skin, and dry skin.  It balances the skin and stimulates cellular renewal and healing.   For me, where Lavender comes into its own is its ability to care for both our outward appearance and our inner beauty. Any time you are under stress or on the edge of anger or fear, Lavender has the power to bring you back into balance and harmony:

“A Lavender bath is refreshing, relaxing and almost inevitably therapeutic, whatever the case.  It warms the heart, and steadies the emotions, and makes a very good evening bath for those who have difficulty in sleeping” (Tisserand)

*Leaves for bath with my faithful Dr. Hauschka Lavender Bath Oil*

Friend number 159 and “The magic of 8”

About a month ago, I decided to give myself a break from the world of Facebook.  On explaining this to a friend she innocently remarked “Oh, I did wonder what had happened to friend number 159”.  I felt like a character from Pittacus Lore (“I am Number 4”, “The Power of 6”, “The Rise of 9”); and this pretty much encapsulates why I deactivated my account.  At which point did my individualism move out and friend number 159 move in?  I am a person, not a number.  *flounces off* …

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend a day at Rush Farm, the home of Dr.Hauschka UK, which included the first ever Radiant You Workshop. As the day progressed and we explored the Dr.Hauschka Philosophy, the Pittacus Lore thought still lingering at the back of my mind began to take form and another title sprang to mind - 

“The Magic of 8”. 

A figure of 8 has neither beginning nor end.  It is symbolic of equilibrium between forces, a balanced, natural motion from death to rebirth; the perpetual cyclic renewal of life.  The focus on this rhythm is essential in Dr.Hauschka skin care.   The Radiant You workshop was truly amazing.  This is just not a skin care routine, it is a philosophy, a meditation, an act of love, an understanding of the harmony between the complimentary opposites that are present everywhere - in everybody and everything. *She loved the workshop!*  

A horizontal figure of 8 – known as a leminscate - represents infinity.  

Its inclusion on the tarot card “The Magician” conveys infinite possibilities, the harnessing of mind, body and soul in the accomplishment of any goal. 

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; the infinity symbol above the Magician's head illustrates an understanding of the energy and power of thoughts. This card reminds us that we have the power to make a difference, in our lives and in the world, simply through our intent.  

The most precious thought that I will take from the day is that the intent behind Dr.Hauschka is love -each product is bottled love. 

May my soul bloom in love for all existence Rudolf Steiner

My love of Dr.Hauschka has brought me back to Facebook, I am happy to be friend number 8, as I'm feeling the magic.