Hello Friend!

Walk with me for a moment.

The lavender fields in Montana are nearly ready. The rows stretch out in every direction, humming with bees and full of color. Deep, dusky purples at the top, softer lilacs below, and here and there, a few pale pink and whitish blooms catching the light. I can almost smell the aroma rising warm from the earth, settling into the skin and clothes of those lucky enough to be walking there now. There’s a woodsy note in the lavender, if you smell closely: earthy, rich, and grounding. The bees are moving more slowly and steadily. Harvest time is close.

I’ve been away for nearly two weeks, and while I’ve stayed connected, I miss the lavender. I miss the rhythm of the fields, the familiar faces, the way the aroma settles into everything. I’ll be back soon, just in time to catch the tail end of harvest, and I can’t wait to greet it all again.

Honestly? I miss the lavender so much it’s almost embarrassing. (Don’t worry, I also miss my family!) But there’s something about that aroma in late summer when the flowers are at their fullest and the bees are easing into their slower rhythm that gets into my bones. It’s like coming home before I even unpack.

Summer is still holding on with long days and warm light, but the shift is happening. The shadows stretch a little longer in the evenings. School supplies are showing up in windows. Even without a calendar, you can feel it: the wheel is turning.

This is when I reach for cedarwood. I love it with lavender, especially when the floral notes carry that deeper, woodsy edge. Add a touch of Sweet Orange, and the whole blend opens up: grounding, bright, and gently energizing. It’s the kind of aroma that steadies me when I’m in between, half here, half there. One deep breath, and I remember: Just be present.

It all keeps moving, whether I’m ready or not. And somehow, that’s comforting.

I hope this week’s newsletter brings you a bit of joy and a lot of knowledge!

What You’ll Discover In This Newsletter:

🔴 Event Replay - Depression Relief with 3 Essential Oil Recipes

In this event replay, you’ll learn three supportive essential oil recipes designed to help brighten your mind, body, and spirit, plus discover five key essential oils that research and tradition alike show are especially suited for easing depression and supporting emotional well-being.

Aromatic Creations Recipe

Seasonal Energizing Oil with Cedarwood

The essential oils in this blend offer encouragement and strength. I'd like to share some information about cedarwood in particular. Its warm, woodsy, grounding aroma makes it feel as if you’ve just stepped into an old-growth forest and the trees are reminding you: you’re safe here. You’re steady. You can begin again.

Cedarwood also has the practical benefit of being mildly insect-repelling, which makes it especially welcome during the warmer months when we're opening windows or spending more time outdoors.

Keep it by your bed or in your bag. Especially on the days when motivation is slow to rise, this blend can gently help you step forward with more presence.

Ingredients

• 1 fl oz (30 ml) Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

• 4 drops Norway Pine Oil (Pinus resinosa)

• 3 drops Distilled Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia)

• 2 drops Cedarwood Oil (Juniperus virginiana)

• 1 drop Peppermint Oil (Mentha × piperita)

Directions

Combine the ingredients in a 1 oz (30 ml) glass bottle. Shake gently to blend. Apply to the back of your neck, the insides of your wrists, and wherever you like as needed.

Notes of Discovery

Can I Substitute Different Kinds of Cedarwood Oil?

Cedarwood essential oil has long been a comforting presence in many of our blends, offering strength, steadiness, and that unmistakable woodsy aroma that feels like coming home. However, did you know that there are several types of cedarwood oil, each with its unique character?

This week, we’re revisiting a classic post from the Aromahead Blog, taking a closer look at three of the most popular varieties:

• Cedrus deodara, the Himalayan cedar, with its sharp, balsamic edge

• Cedrus atlantica, smooth and rich, a favorite in perfumery

• Juniperus virginiana, often called Virginian cedarwood, with its soft, sweet scent and gentle energy, is especially lovely for children

While they each have their distinct personality, these cedarwoods share many gifts. They’re all grounding and calming, supportive to the lungs and skin, and effective at keeping bugs at bay (including closet moths!).

You’ll also find a simple recipe in the post to create your own “Three Cedars Closet Spray,” a practical and aromatic way to freshen your space and naturally protect your clothing.

If you’ve ever wondered which cedarwood to reach for, or whether they’re interchangeable, you’ll find clarity and inspiration in the full post.

Product Spotlight

Cedarwood Essential Oil
Juniperus virginiana

A scent that feels like shelter.
Soft and woody, cedarwood essential oil offers a sense of security and peace. Diffused into a space, it brings a sense of stillness, inviting us to exhale and feel held.

Our wildcrafted cedarwood is distilled from the heartwood of the wild Juniperus virginiana, also known as red cedar, harvested in the cool, mossy forests of the United States. The aroma is comforting, with a faint echo of pencil shavings, something children often find both soothing and familiar.

Cedarwood’s strength lies in its subtlety. It’s one of my favorites for bedtime blends, where it encourages deep rest and emotional steadiness. But it’s equally powerful during the day, especially when the nervous system needs calm or the mind feels scattered. Its soothing woodsy aroma eases the heart, and even protects us from stressors like pests. (Many insects have an aversion to cedarwood.) 

It’s a wise, rooted presence in any blend, and a beautiful reminder that strength doesn’t always need to speak loudly. 

From The Vine

Aromahead student Wendy had a question about cedarwood in our Student Forum. And our instructor Shelia had an enlightening answer based in essential oil chemistry!

Wendy asked: “I see many references to cedarwood in blends. I am confused as to what oil you are using. Is it cedarwood ‘atlas’ or cedarwood ‘Virginian’? I know the latter is actually a juniper, but on my bottle of it, the top dot is labeled as cedarwood. This can get so confusing!”

Shelia answered: “It can be confusing, and that is why the Latin names are so important. I love both oils, and their chemistries are similar but different. Juniperus virginiana has a heavy family load of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenols, whereas Cedrus atlantica has a heavy family load of sesquiterpenes and a few ketones, and no significant sesquiterpenols.

“So the therapeutic properties will be similar, but Cedrus atlantica will have more of a ketone chemical family therapeutic properties, such as circulatory effect. And the Juniperus virginiana will be more anti-inflammatory, grounding, cooling, and supporting the terrain.”

Stay Inspired!

There’s strength in stillness. When we know where our roots are, we can meet change and challenge with more grace. Maybe we’re facing an early morning that feels heavy, or a sudden seasonal change that asks more than we know how to give. When we’re grounded, we can bend without breaking.