Are wild violets a harbinger of spring for you, too? These humble flowers are some of my favorites (it’s like trying to choose a favorite color, or child). Their vivid exclamations amidst brown fallen leaves and psychedelic green moss give me so much pleasure, and for some reason they are particularly prolific this year along trails bordering our neighborhood. Perhaps it’s because of the record rainfall, or the threat of a road being built where they’ve strewn themselves.
I wildcrafted from a few different patches, asking permission while giving thanks, admiring palest lilac and deep purple. Like many therapeutic flowers the tender viola is considered a weed though it’s also a cultivated annual used for perfumery. It is edible, and the flower essence is recommended for helping highly sensitive people feel embraced into community to share their gifts.
First, I felt moved to make pure flower essence for a few women in my orbit who were experiencing life challenges. The violets and I made a glycerite tincture to help these dearests feel affinity and peace.
Next, we made a seductive pale aqua extract in vodka as a base for a gently evocative personal perfume. Maybe it will pair with Daffodil as part of this Spring’s collection or blend beautifully with scents inspired by the sweet vanilla of wild jasmine Chrysojasminum fruticans found on those same woodland trails, and the juicy grape Orris germanica iris that bloom in our yard. We’ll devote a whole ode to iris another time!
Violets are more than purple, they are the whole violet spectrum, the color of intuition and sacred growth. I set the extract next to a large amethyst cluster to further entrain and activate the base. This is the process of co-creating life-giving encouragement for each other, noticing what is beautiful and what is needed to heal toward wholeness.
