In this chapter, I have used the seaweed Serum recipe (page 9) in a way to demonstrate its 'suspension dispersion' properties, which gives seaweed Serum the ability to disperse herbal essences uniformly within an invisible pH-balanced coating. When applied to the skin, it offers the opportunity to focus on specific skin areas using different herbal treatments at the same time.
All of these recipes use the distillation process as discussed in chapter one, to make the herbal essences for these treatments. This process makes a clear liquid, safe to use on the face, even around the eyes. You may also choose to make a strong tea or hot water infusion, but teas usually obtain some color, which can stain the skin, which is OK if you are sitting around home, but might be a little 'green' for going out to a club. On the other hand, you may also choose to use herbs in their raw state, but do a skin test before applying them to your face.
Use either the seaweed Serum (page 9) or the seaweed Jelly (page 10) for these herbal treatments. The Serum is for invisible all-day or all-night skin-treatments, whereas the Jelly is more for relaxing problem-skin bath treatments. Seaweed as a base ensures that your skin stays well moisturized and hydrated, while actively fighting the signs of aging and promoting a younger, fresher looking complexion.
Since Venus rules most of the beautiful flower scents (see chart), and because she is always a welcome addition in any recipe, feel free to add your own Venus fragrance - just use the distillation process (page 12) and add some fresh flowers while distilling your herbs.
The Seven Principles: Seven Days of The Week
Nicholas Culpepers' (1616-1654) pioneering work on classifying herbs, is the foundation of herbal medicine. But he also developed another little known classification, based on each herb being governed by one of the seven personal planets.
In Alchemy, these seven personal planets, represent the seven inner 'metals', that when brought into balance, make the universal medicine, the Elixir of Life. Although in Alchemy, we are talking about becoming 'eternal', our skin cells regenerate in exactly the same way - from the inside out.
Each of the seven planets also rules over one of the seven days of the week. The 'seven days' of the week correspond to the work of spiritual 'regeneration', which essentially is the elimination of negativity within the personality.
The following seven Seaweed Jelly Herbal Treatments are for treating inner, 'spiritual' issues - which if not corrected, could eventually lead to disease
The ruling planet reveals the herb's 'hidden' properties. Just as herbs are harvested at specific times, assigning the herb to a specific day, it now becomes possible to determine the most propitious time for its administration.
This little-used planetary classification now makes it very easy to choose the right herb in all instances. It also makes it fun to experiment. You could use a fun Venus herb on a strife-full Monday or an intellectually stimulating Mercury Herb for an exam on Thursday, or a peaceful Moon Herb for a serious Saturday.
Seven Days of the Week : Ruling Metal
The planets, or the seven inner creative principles, are also, dual in nature (see chart). According to Paul Foster Case in his book The Tarot, they are associated with a pair of opposites ( see chart), and these opposites give a clue to their spiritual meaning, and therefore the correct remedy.
Each day of the week is ruled by one of the seven 'inner' metals (see chart). Sunday which is ruled by the Sun, corresponds to the metal 'Gold', and although the Sun represents the 'heart' of the physical body, as the metal Gold, it corresponds with the 'Higher Self'. Therefore the Sun herbs have the ability to influence us on a much deeper level when used as prescribed here.
Continued on: Esoteric Beauty Treatments
The "Inner Beauty" Guide
Also: available on Amazon Kindle
