More peace

As promised in yesterday's post, here is dear Chaya's review of the peace fragrance from Illuminated Perfume:

Chayaruchama's Impressions of Peace

Peace: is it a form of happy homeostasis ? A fluid “at one-ness” within and without ?

As [most likely] the eldest tribal member among us, Roxana’s contribution is dear to my unrepentant hippie heart…
No felicitous accident, this: International Peace Day intertwines with Solstice, Jewish and Ethiopian New Years, and the close of Ramadan.

Radiant Roxana refers to her labors as a symphony, built on chords. Chords, accords , essential building blocks of music and olfactory composition…
Roxy has provided us with four vials; the three with scent chords contain a mere wisp of ghostly aroma, representing the top, heart, and base notes; the fourth, a precious drop of the final orchestration.

Greg Spalenka’s image of Lotus Eve provides the devastatingly lovely and ethereal icon for this project. [Greg--devoted lover/ husband, multi-media artist- never ceases to amaze me; he somehow alchemizes spirituality, family life, and ethical, savvy business practice. The last artist who managed this feat- to my failing memory- was Peter Paul Rubens.]

My predominant impression is one of profound serenity. There is just enough of the scent to sample on the flesh; as it warms and unfurls, a significant sense of well-being unfolds with it.
It feels earthy, but not precisely of this Earth.

The top chord feels sunny, citrus, herbal, tonic- quite complex for an entrance. [A great deal of loving labor is evident !]

The heart chord is vastly different- a velvety, discreet floral woodiness floods my nose; I sense a full yet subtle fruitiness , too. [If only there were enough to allow me to “skin-test” this ! Only vapors remain in my vial…]

Base, as in foundation- combines the animal and the vegetal ; even a silvery, mineralic quality is present [often, fragrant materials- particularly ouds- possess many such facets.]

My overwhelming sense is that extremely precious woods were used , as the wraiths remaining in my vial insinuate the presence of insects and microorganisms [ouds, sandalwood- I mean you]; I can’t “rule out “ the faint use of patchouli, either.


East /West, inclusion of all worldly and otherworldly aspects, are abundantly evident in our loving couple’s labors of devotion. Symbolic and practical incorporation of all the spheres, continents, and cultures marry- very successfully, I think.

May all their efforts- and the efforts of their friends and colleagues-
Conspire to help bring about the nascence of a more global consciousness.

Many thanks are due !
To Roxana , Greg , and Beth Gehring – for so graciously inviting me to participate…I’m deeply honored, and grateful.

To Sweet Sister Maria, who generously allows my blather on Bitter Grace Notes [ and teaches me to edit myself, bless her !]

And to all those who make the time to write and read.