Cycles, Expansion, and Sandalwood Oil

Hello Friend!

I like to think of life as circular rather than linear. We often believe progress means moving in a straight line—always forward, always new. But life doesn’t work that way. Instead, we move in cycles, revisiting old lessons with fresh eyes and returning to familiar places with new understanding. Each experience builds upon the last, layering wisdom like rings on a tree. Even when we pause and feel stuck, we are still growing.

Our brains reflect this circular nature. They are truly remarkable—more powerful than even the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system—storing memories, emotions, and knowledge far beyond what we consciously recall. And here’s something fascinating: research shows that when we imagine doing something—playing an instrument, moving our bodies, or even healing—we activate the same neural pathways as if we were physically doing it. 

In other words, our minds always prepare us for our next steps.

Even if mobility is challenging, envisioning movement can have a real impact. Picture yourself outside, feeling the warmth of the sun, the rustling of the wind, the support of the earth beneath you. The more vividly you engage with this vision, the more you align yourself with its possibility. Maybe that vision will take root and grow into reality.

And here’s something else about circles—when we pause and restart, we continue to rise. Life’s repetitious rhythms are about expansion. Each return is an ascent, bringing us to a higher understanding, a broader perspective.

This is also how nature works. Plants follow the cycle of the seasons, growing, blooming, and resting, only to emerge stronger. Essential oils are part of this rhythm, holding the concentrated energy of nature’s cycles. They remind us that healing, growth, and beauty are not one-time events but ongoing experiences.

Take sandalwood, for example—an oil that carries the essence of the circular experience. Harvested from trees that grow slowly, deepening their roots and strengthening over decades, its benefits unfold layer by layer, much like our journey. Sandalwood does far more than care for the skin. It soothes discomfort, calms the mind, relaxes muscles, eases inflammation, and supports immunity. 

This is an oil that remembers—its molecules linger on the skin, its scent deepens over time, and its effects extend far beyond the moment of application.

Aromatic Creations Recipe

Radiant Sandalwood Face & Décolleté Balm

Like life’s circular nature, our skin goes through nourishment, renewal, and protection cycles. This Radiant Sandalwood Face & Décolleté Balm supports those natural rhythms, providing deep hydration while enhancing your skin’s resilience.

Sandalwood and geranium essential oils bring balance and renewal, working harmoniously with mango butter, red raspberry seed oil, and jojoba oil to create a protective barrier against dryness and environmental stressors. Just as we return to self-care repeatedly, this luxurious, skin-conditioning balm offers lasting nourishment that evolves with your skin’s needs.

It melts beautifully into the skin without feeling greasy, making it ideal for dry, mature, or sensitive skin.

Yield: 2 oz (60ml) jar

Carriers

• 1 oz (28 g) Mango Butter (Mangifera indica) 

• 0.6 oz (18 ml) Red Raspberry Seed Oil (Rubus idaeus)

• 0.4 oz (12 ml) Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) 

• Optional: 2 drops of Vitamin E Oil (Tocopherol)—This helps extend shelf life and offers extra antioxidant protection.

Essential Oils

• 3 drops Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album) 

• 2 drops Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens var roseum)

Directions

• Melt mango butter in a double boiler until fully liquefied.

• Remove from heat and let cool slightly while remaining liquid.

• Stir in red raspberry seed oil and jojoba oil.

• Add sandalwood and geranium essential oils (plus vitamin E if using). Mix well.

• Pour into a 2 oz (60 ml) jar.

• Freeze for 20-30 minutes to prevent graininess and ensure a smooth texture.

How to Use

Warm a pea-sized amount between your fingertips and apply to clean, damp skin, focusing on the face, neck, and décolleté. This balm helps seal in hydration, making it an ideal final step in your skincare routine.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. If stored properly, the vitamin E can help maintain the balm’s integrity for closer to 9 months to a year.

View Ingredients & Recipe Here

Notes of Discovery

 DIY Natural Moisturizer Recipe with Essential Oils

Hydration is an ongoing rhythm, much like the changing seasons. Proper hydration keeps skin resilient, smooth, and glowing. While oils and butters don’t hydrate, they help lock in moisture and support the skin’s natural barrier. In this warm and informative post, we’ll explore the art of moisturizing and craft a nourishing routine that keeps your skin resilient and radiant.

You’ll discover:

• A simple, effective approach to customizing natural lotions

• A luxurious DIY aloe serum recipe

• Essential oils that elevate your skincare with soothing, balancing benefits 

Plus, if you’ve ever been curious about DIY lotions and preservatives, we break down the basics so you can make informed choices.

Let’s embrace the beauty of simplicity and work with nature. Click Read Blog to learn more and start your journey to glowing, well-nourished skin!

Product Spotlight

Sandalwood Essential Oil (Santalum album)

Sandalwood has been a part of my journey for years—it’s one of those oils that seems to meet you exactly where you are. It always feels like a steady companion, whether I’m reaching for it to support my skin, calm my mind, or enjoy its warm, grounding presence.

This Santalum album comes from a sustainable plantation in Australia, where care is taken not only in how the trees are grown but in how they’re distilled. The result? A rich, velvety oil that carries the deep, woody warmth sandalwood is known for.

I love blending it into skincare because it offers so much more than its aroma—it soothes irritation, softens skin, and helps restore balance. At the same time, it provides a quiet kind of peace, encouraging a sense of calm that lingers long after the oil has been absorbed.

Explore Sandalwood Oil Essential Oil here

From The Vine

Q&A On Sandalwood Oil

Q: Isn’t Santalum album only from India—the Mysore region?

A: While Santalum album is famously associated with India’s Mysore region, it is also cultivated in Australia and Indonesia on sustainable plantations.

Other Sandalwood Species:

• Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) – A different species with a warm, woody aroma, often used in skincare and aromatherapy.

• Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum) – A rare, sustainably harvested variety with a softer, slightly citrusy scent.

• Pacific Sandalwood (Santalum austrocaledonicum) – Grown in Vanuatu and New Caledonia, this species is valued for its rich, creamy fragrance.

Australia’s Santalum album maintains the rich, classic aroma of Indian sandalwood while ensuring ethical and sustainable sourcing. 

Stay Inspired!

Sandalwood has been cherished for centuries for its scent and what it represents—patience, wisdom, and quiet strength from within. Just like its aroma lingers long after the wood is gone, the kindness we offer, the care we show, and the love we give leave an imprint far beyond what we can see.

This week, may we carry that thought with us—knowing that every small act of goodness, every moment of care (even for ourselves) is part of something much more significant. 

Until next time, breathe deep and stay inspired!