kakiphony

I'm having a reaction to Lacuna Oblivionis -- but only on my chest and neck. My wrists are fine, but the spots I dabbed on m neck and chest got some nasty, almost zit-like red bumps. Ouch!

This is odd on me compared to the other reviewers. I never got much lavender. In the bottle and wet on my wrists the dominant note is floral, but much more ylang yang than lavender. It dries down very quickly and the floral and any sweetness honey might have provided are completely eaten by the resins. I'm left with a really close to my body, deep, smooth, dry resin consisting mainly of frankincense and benzoin. It's actually one of the few scents I've tried with frankincense in which that component doesn't get eaten alive by other notes. There's maybe a touch of powder from the amber and a little funk from the patchouli, but the star of this is on me definitely the other resins. Edited to add: This is the closest bpal I've tried to how my hair smells several hours after using Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner (the brown one) which I happen to love. The bottles now just say "fragrance" but I think, years ago, they used say it was made with extracts of lavender and myrrh. I've always thought it also smelled similar to the Zum Frankincense and Myrrh scent line, so I've long suspected frankincense was also part of their fragrance blend.

Finally decanted mine out for a PIF today, so finally tried it... Wet on skin: Mostly patchouli, but a sleek, slightly oily, very dark version with a bit of sandalwood at the back of the sniff. I don't get any sweet/vanilla at this stage. Early dry down: Still mostly woody, dark patchouli on me. I don't get any of the sweet/foodie vibe others have mentioned and I wonder if it's because it's so darn COLD here. After an hour: Still all woody patchouli. I strongly suspect it's because my house is cold and I am wearing 2 sweaters and not morphing at all from body heat. Will revisit after the thaw.

In the imp: Very sharp and slightly floral. The tobacco flower is dominant, and it scares me just a bit. This smells like sharp words and sharper blades. Wet on skin: Something about the combination of pepper and amber is reading as cinnamon/cassia to me, and I smell spicy and, again, sharp. It's the sort of scent that pierces your senses up high at the very back of your palate. If it were a taste, it would be medicinal and a little bitter. Early dry down (10 minutes): This is really lovely. It continues to be super spicy as it reacts with my skin, and as it dries the smoke starts to come out and play. It's dry, sweet smoke -- more like burning sweetgrass or sage than incense or tobacco. Late dry down (30 minutes +): This sits close to my skin and continues to be spicy and smoky, but somehow also light. Many times, the spicy/smoky scents are deep, dark and resinous. This is not that type of scent. Rather, it's dry wind in the desert smoke and spice. Often amber goes powdery, and there's a bit of that here, but it's not baby powder -- more like herbs/spices that have gotten so dried out that they crumble in your hands. Final Verdict: LOVE. I seriously need a bottle of this. THIS is why I love bpal. It's completely different from most commercial perfume -- subtle, elegant, and evocative. This is bottle worthy. One thing that occurs to me is that this is really a very accurate scent representing vengeance. It definitely has the sharp, scorching power of anger, but it understands that the need for vengeance comes from a place of deep love. In order to feel the need to avenge something, one has to have cared enough to have been hurt. This scent acknowledges that core, and it's where the dry down comes from. Reminds me of: The Ifrit, Mr. Jacquel, Al-Shairan

In the imp: Hmm. This has a sweet almost fake lime scent to it as the dominant note. I smell Green River, mixed with lily of the valley. I'm getting none of the deeper woods/base notes. This is ALL top notes in the vial. Wet on skin: Soap and bug spray. Early dry down (10 minutes): It stays quite soapy/floral in the crooks of my arms, but my wrists get a pleasant melange of cedar, tobacco and honey -- dry and very "western" but with the barest hint of sweet powder. Late dry down (30 minutes +): Baby powder and lily of the valley. The powder surprises me because while I do tend to get that note from amber, I did not get much of it from Ginny. I also keep getting whiffs of bug spray (which must be the lily of valley -- which I seem to amp). It's interesting to note that lily of the valley is poisonous -- something about this smells like it could kill a cat or a small child! It's a very subtly evil floral on me. Final Verdict: I do not love this. I do not hate this. I think this might be too complicated for me. (And the bit that got on my shirt from the elbows REEKS of lily of the valley. It is seriously old lady. Ugh. Definitely need to let this dry down completely before getting dressed!) Reminds me of: Dragon's Eye, Grief, Queen of Hearts

In the imp: This is all sassafras in the imp to me -- which reads to my nose as a sweet herbal smell which reminds me of a cross between root beer and wintergreen. There might be a little vetiver peeking through there as well. Wet on skin: This stays very like it smelled in the imp to me: An herbal sweetness rather like wintergreen (or birch beer! it smells like birch beer!) I'm not getting any of the florals, which is actually kind of odd for a wet stage on me. Early dry down (10 minutes): As this dries, the lilac comes out to play just very lightly. It's still dominated by the sassafras, but I get a little bit of the florals at the very front of the sniff. At the back, I'm getting a hint of dark vetiver and a little spice from the red musk. Late dry down (30 minutes +): This is one of those scents that really changes on me over time. While in the beginning it is all herbal sweetness, after a couple of hours what I am left with is darker, muskier, and more resinous. Luckily, I like all those things! I never got the vanilla bean or fig out of this. The sassafras and florals ate it during the wet phase, and the vetiver and red musk subsume it during the dry. This has moderate throw in the beginning, but upon drying becomes a much closer to the skin scent. I do still smell sassafras on my sweater (from the crooks of my elbows), but everywhere else has become spicy red musk with a deep vetiver note. There is a hint of sweet about this, but mostly it is just dark. Final Verdict: I like this -- not quite as much as I loved Ginny, but a very close second. It's more interesting than Ginny in the wet -- sweeter and more complex -- but the dry down on Ginny was more complex on me. I expected this to remind me of organ grinder from the sassafras and the deep resins, but instead I was reminded of Stimulating Sassafras Strengthener. I can live with just an imp, but if I ever see a partial bottle for cheap, I'd nab it. Reminds me of: Stimulating Sassafras Strengthener

In the imp: High, sweet and light. I don't get individual notes, but this seems very traditional perfume to me -- and a lighter, sweeter one for younger girls at that. These are not usually my things, but since this has a heart of patchouli, it may surprise me. Wet on skin: Very sweet and very light. I'm getting something I suspect is mainly peach and raspberry leaf -- it's a sort of indistinct sweet fruit with a bit of herbal bite behind it. The vanilla is adding to the sweet characteristic just a bit. Early dry down (10 minutes): My first impression is that this is a very nice choice for a summer night. It's very light and pleasant, not at all cloying or overwhelming. The carnation has come out a bit more, giving this a slightly green and peppery note in addition to the sweet fruit. It's nice, but very not me -- too high floral/sharp fruit without enough base. It strikes me as young, juicy, overtly feminine and very pastel. Late dry down (30 minutes +): This stays very true to the early dry down. The patchouli never really announces itself, but it allows this to develop into a close to the skin, slightly warm scent as it fades. It stays sweet, with some subtle fruit, but the carnation and bergamot help balance it so that it turns out not quite so sweet. Final Verdict: This very, very well balanced. I'm not a huge fruit/floral person, but this I can wear. It's the best kind of traditional scent -- it makes you smell good without smelling particularly like anything. By that I mean, it's unobtrusive and elegant. I'll use the imp, but have no need for a bottle. Reminds me of: Fae, Imp, Tamora

In the decanted imp: Oddly, this does not smell particularly dry to me. I get sandalwood, but something that at first strikes me as fruity, and then as a syrupy floral (like gardenia or honeysuckle). Not what I was expecting. Maybe it's the marjoram? Wet on skin: Much sweeter than I expected. It's almost immediately quite traditionally "perfumey" and the immediate throw is pretty intense. The sandalwood is very strong and incense-like. Early dry down (15-30 minutes): The throw on this actually gathers steam as it starts to dry down on me. The "dry" begins to come out as the sandalwood develops a powdery quality, and the scent that originally struck me as fruity/floral amps an almost crazy amount on me and is now quite floral. It's not a floral I recognize, however, it's sweet, high, a little syrupy and in the sneeze-inducing family for me. My overall impression is that either I have a mislabeled imp, or marjoram does very odd things on my skin! Late dry down (1 hour+): This finally starts to mellow after about an hour and becomes a more traditional sandalwood based scent. It's powdery, and a little dry, with a touch of sweet resin base from the benzoin. It maintains a faint floral quality on me. Final verdict: I think this is probably a beautiful blend, but it's just very much not me. It's too traditional, and smells to much like "perfume". It actually reminds me of traditional, alcohol based perfumes with sandalwood bases than it does most bpal. It sort of smells like the perfume you smell on someone in an elevator. Reminds me of: Gaueko, Kathmandu (but these are a stretch -- really it smells like fully dried down Opium or Samsara or something to me)

First, a general observation: Pine can be a really tricky scent. Because it's such a strong (and beautiful!) natural scent, it is often used in commercial fragrances meant to mask really bad odors. Sadly, many people have come to associate pine, especially strong or slightly artificial pine, with things like urinal cakes, car deodorizers, and Pine-Sol. I'm a huge fan of real pine -- and love having pine boughs in my house and using good (i.e. not fake smelling) pine candles. But all pine products run the risk of turning from lovely natural scents into horrible, men's bathroom smelling scents. In the bottle: Pine, pine, pine. But a natural, deep, resinous pine. More like fresh sap than fresh pine needles. Wet on skin: Straight-up pine sap. This is like taking a blob of sap off a pine tree and smearing it on my skin, only less sticky. Early dry down (less than an hour): This is still very pine dominant. So far, it's mostly a very natural, sappy and resinous pine. Occasional whiffs are sharp and spiky like crushed green needles (which may actually be the cypress rather than the pine), but overall it is a rounded, sticky scent. I get a little bit of tobacco, which serves to dry the blend out. When I catch that note, it's like a big dried out tub of Drum, mixed with the resinous pine. I'm not getting much sweet from honey, and not much patchouli either as funk or as a spicy grounding note. This is taking a long time to mellow and blend on me. Late dry down (hour +): This blend had an unusually long dry-down time period on me, and has quite a lot of staying power, although the throw is not huge and stays fairly close to the body. After a couple of hours it has finally really blended itself out on my skin, and most of the spikes of jagged pine/cypress I got wet and early in the application have evened out. The patchouli finally came out to play, and it has combined with the pine to form a deep, resinous, slightly spicy, slightly herbal, and very woody heart. It's more a funky, head-shop style patchouli than a soft or spicy version -- and I get some hippie/incense notes from it. Paired with the pine and tobacco, I'm left with something the reminds me of Fred Soll or piñon pine incense. The pine is interesting because it serves as both a base and a top note here. The base is the all sap and wood -- like standing in the cave formed by low hanging branches of a pine. Meanwhile, the top still gives a few bursts of fresh, green pine needles. (Again, this top might be the cypress. I don't know that my sniffer is talented enough to distinguish between the two.) I'm not sure I'm getting any honey from the blend. I'm sure it's there, I just can't pick it out. Instead, it helps bind and blend the other components. I suspect that, as this ages, the honey will combine with the deep resins to round and slightly sweeten things. Final verdict: This is gorgeous and, I suspect, will just get more gorgeous with age. It's a very masculine, woodsy and outdoorsy scent and would smell divine on male hiker types. On me (a 5'2" fairly feminine woman) this is clean, outdoorsy, strong, and sensuous. It's a little bit hippie, but with some elegance. It's like the aging hippie woman who styles her snow white hair in a bun and looks like a former ballerina, wears all black Eileen Fisher, keeps bees, and sanded and refinished the hard wood floors in her house by hand. Or the older hippie man who has traded in his dreads/pony for a buzz cut that flatters his bald spot, and now dresses almost entirely in expensive denim and flannel, bakes bread for his grandkids, raises prize winning lily hybrids, and chops the wood for his wood burner himself. Both of them still have a daily yoga practice and like to camp, but also have memberships to local art museums and attend the symphony. Reminds me of: Illustrated Women (but no old-man turning musk!!!!)

I find Hetairae (billed as honey, patchouli, fig, clove and ylang ylang) to be mostly ylang ylang and honey on me and quite light. I tend to reach for it at this time of year when I want something light, golden, and floral (but that does't make me sneeze -- which is a tall order!) It easily lasts an 8 hour day on me, although it does end up lighter and sweeter than it started with just a hint of powder after about 10 hours. (My husband always says, "mmmmm, you smell like flowers and sugar") I'm thinking I'm going to have to start extolling this one's virtues and/or stock up heavily as I see it hasn't been reviewed in a long time and the honey blends seem to on the chopping block pretty regularly... It will gut me if Hetairae goes away. PS I should also add that this one ages well, although unusually. Rather than getting really patchouli heavy as it ages, this one actually mellows and gets more floral/honey with time. The fig and patchouli eventually tame down REALLY far and it ends up being more golden and summery than the way it started (which is a bit spicier and earthier in undertones).

kakiphony's J was born November 15, 1972 at 8:59 in the morn in Sturgis MI (and we all deserve treats!) J is a Scorpio with Sagittarius rising and Moon in Pisces. His chart is strongly left sided, with a singleton Saturn in Gemini in the 7th house (singleton by virtue of being the only righthand planet in the chart). The Sun is in the 12th house, the moon in the 3rd house. The Pisces Moon is at a vital point in the chart, focus of a t square; squaring Saturn and Mercury (and we'll babble more about that eventually). Okay, this is so wrong, I think, but I look at this chart and the feeling I have is "oooh! This is fun!! yay!!!" Not, mind you, that the reading is fun--though these are for me--but I get this feeling of pure and kind of childish glee, and I can't really explain that. It's like "oh, goodie! this is fun, and I'm going to run away to the circus and feed circus ponies and eat candy cotton all day" That is, I must say, a very odd feeling to have about the chart of a guy I don't know. It would be odd about a guy I do know, for that matter. And it puzzles me (being egocentric I'm figuring--must be something in my chart being jogged by this chart? I mean--okay, I have a thing for Pisces, and there's a Pisces moon, but I tell you, the normal reaction of my soul to Pisces is not "yay, circus!! fun!!" Really strange. Well, there it is, I will try to read like a real grown up here.) Sagittarius rising does give a very nice initial impression: something of a daredevil, yet intellectual, very fun, very much interested and interesting. J has his Mercury in Sagittarius right at the ascendant, so there is a feeling of "oh, wonderful, he is a story teller and a communicator, I could stay up all night chatting with this person"; there is a feeling of adventure (maybe that's part of what I'm picking up? but odd, I see lots of Sagittarius rising charts and I've never felt this). (oh, okay--maybe it is that his Sun is at my Jupiter, or very close to that. But still not enough) Mercury in Sagittarius is the seeker and questioner and communicator. Can be very blunt, asking the questions everyone else shuts up about, not satisfied with the easy answer, wants to know the truth and wants also the good story. Can like travel; doesn't want to be pinned down. Someone with Mercury at the rising degree may come across as a wit, a very intelligent and fun person (given Sagittarius). Sag rising takes risks, sometimes takes risks no one else will (moms of Sagittarian rising children, like moms of Sunsign or moon sign Sagittarians, usually spend a lot of their time running, catching, and at the ER--the kid doesn't know much about "oh, that would be dangerous"; it is all about "yay, let me try this, and that, and this ..."). Wants to exceed the limits. Indeed, often Sagittarius doesn't know there are limits until someone clues him in "wait, I wasn't supposed to ask? I wasn't supposed to go there? Why not?" Why not is a big thing for the Sagittarian Mercury; these people keep pressing, intellectually for sure, and often physically. So he comes across as fun, and bright, and maybe not terribly tactful. (Mercury in Sagittarius tends to blurt things). However the square from that very sensitive Pisces moon may mitigate a bit of the bluntness; so will the opposition from Saturn, which can trip one up. Usually half sentence, halfway through the bright question--realizes "wait, I...maybe I shouldn't ask this in public?" There is the ability to structure thoughts and communication, the ability to take words fairly seriously. He has Jupiter (the ruler of Sagittarius) in the first house, but towards the end and in the sign of Capricorn. Jupiter in the first is supposed to make for a "big" person, but I believe it gives presence, whether of physique or of spirit. Jupiter in Capricorn excels at making something of the enthusiastic dreams and visions of the heart, of taking hopeful fancies and turning them into...something very real. This is the spins gold from straw position: can take very little and make it something amazing. Capricorn is the sign on the house of what he most treasures, what is worthwhile for him, what matters, where he gains his self worth (and also the old time "house of money", 2nd house). His north node of the moon is here, which places the south in Cancer in the 8th house. Someone with a Capricorn/Cancer node structure is dealing with questions of compassion and structure, of tenderness and discipline; someone with a 2/8 node structure is dealing with the questions of values that are received, teachings that have been handed on to him, possibly material wealth that has been granted through others--and his need to claim his own values, to make his own way in the world based on his experiences, while understanding where he came from, what he draws from. The emotion and compassion of Cancer is very easy to him, he is a caring soul. He is reaching for the ability to gain distance (or discernment) and to stand on his own without surrendering the poetry of his heart. So, the house of siblings, communication (very key to someone with Mercury at his ascendant) and those who feel as if they should be our kin somehow; our people--the 3rd house in J's chart has Aquarius as the cusp sign. And contains the beautiful Pisces moon. An Aquarian 3rd house is not going to communicate in...expected ways, and not going to have boring siblings (of blood or of choice). Big interest in big ideas, in new ways, in the odd, the eccentric, and the shocking. Very open minded. When one's moon is in the 3rd house one feels kind of emotionally compelled to communicate. To tell the story, to tell one's story, to make contact with the world as if the world were indeed just full of your brothers and sisters. The Pisces moon is one of the more romantic, poetic, sensitive, tender moonsigns one could have. These are souls washed with rainbows and moonlight. These are people who walk into a room and feel the vibes; who can pick up emotions from those around them, who do not like to be responsible for harm to others--even hurt feelings. They can be incredibly kind souls, beyond what other people think at all reasonable (one of my Libra friends just walked by--Libra sun, Gemini rising, Pisces moon. He recently adopted a stray dog I had on my hands because the friend who was taking the dog home temporarily "looked as if she were going to cry, and I couldn't bear that". Young Floristan (friend loves opera) is happily settled with Solita (a pup from a rescue litter of mine) and Hudson (a huge bear of a dog his rich brother's wife thought too unfashionable). That response of the heart--and instant action on it--is quite Pisces moon.) People with the moon in Pisces may be deeply drawn to fairy-tale beauty, to idealistic visions that other people say are impossible or improbable--and yet the Pisces moon person will somehow make that impossiblilty quite possible. These can be the enchanters of the world, and when the Pisces moon is in the 3rd house there is a good chance the person is involved in writing, literature, maybe dance (since Pisces rules the feet). Imagination is greatly increased when you have a 3rd house moon (whatever the sign). Moon in Pisces people may feel emotionally better when they can be near the ocean, or at least near water of some sort; when they are feeling under seige and in trouble, just getting into a shower or going for a swim might momentarily gain them a little strength to get through things. The t square here completes in the 9th house, in Virgo. So part of the way the challenge of the squares from Mercury and Saturn to the moon may resolve for J is if he takes his imagination out, to the public, to higher learning, to spiritual search, to publication---or to travel (all those being 9th house things) and if he does so in a way that structures and grounds the flights of fancy into something actual, "objective" and tangible. Or something with the Virgo feel for authenticity: Here's the holy grail of goodness, let me show you it! (okay, I've obviously been possessed for this reading by someone about 14 years old, sorry gang.) The 4th house has Pisces as the cusp edge sign and then a bunch of Aries (which will then edge the 5th house). So the imaginative qualities of the moon, the emotional sensitivity and sentimentality and romanticism of heart that we find in Pisces are strongly manifest and nurtured "at home", wherever that may be. And this is a guy who stands on rainbows (or walks on water? nah, probably not)--that is, the imagination, compassion, and intuition are where he is grounded. And again, he will feel best near the water. It is, however, a mere shadow or sliver of Pisces that cusps the 4th house, and there is a hell of a lot of Aries here, including Chiron in Aries. So--when Chiron falls in the 4th house (oho, spotted a Mystic Rectangle!) (just wait)--there may be issues around the home, in the early life, particularly with --usually--the father. And there can be this sense of being a wanderer, being an exile in this life. "where is my true home?" no matter where or how one has found living space. The issues around the father (rarely the mother, sometimes another key nurturing person) are generally like those of a 4th house Saturn placement: the father was absent, was ill, was too busy to interact with the child, was too harsh...things like that. But the exile feeling--that sense of nostalgia for a home that one can just barely touch in one's dreams--this tends to be pretty life long for the 4th house Chiron. As they work through their sense of instability and whatever else drives that poignancy they may work to see that others have home, that no one is uncared for, that no one is lost. This will be particularly strong for J, who has Chiron trine his Mercury. People who have this speak for those who have no ability to speak for themselves; can be humans, can be critters, can be causes--but these people are crusaders with strong hearts. Chiron in Aries is a fascinating Chiron, because the issues, the sense of loss or bewilderment, focus on the very identity of the person who has this. Who am I? How do I know I really exist as an independent entity? And yet these are the people who most encourage others; who lend to them a strong sense of "of course you can do anything you want; you are great". Chiron is opposite Pallas. Again, I think this is about making clear the story; understanding and helping others understand: what's life about? What makes sense? What is the story here? Pallas is in Libra, so there is an artistic understanding, and also a sense of mutuality--but we'll get to all that when we reach the extremely crowded 10th house. The Mystic Rectangle here is the two oppositions: Chiron/Pallas and Mercury/Saturn. (if you looked at the chart and drew lines between these points you would find...yippee, a rectangle). The thing about this pattern (it sounds really nice, doesn't it?) is that people who have it have an innate gift in reconciling and understanding opposites; in taking understanding to a higher level, a kind of unexpected place. The elements that J works with here are Air and Fire, despite his double water Sun and Moon (Scorpio and Pisces). So with lightness of thought and action. With sparkle. The 5th house has an edge of Aries, no planets. (a lot of Taurus here too). This is the house of children, romance, fun and games, what brings delight, creative self expression. Aries would give the ability and tendency to just rush right in "hi, you're cute, let's go..." or "hey, I think I want to paint now *grabs brush and starts*" Very independent, very much Do It!! But with all this Taurus here as well, he is likely really wanting also some security and endurance; not a bunch of one night stands or fun that just--vanishes. The 6th house, Taurus cusped, tells us that when need be he will work hard and he will work long, and that his health is basically very good, sturdy. No planets here (all the planets are hiding in the 10th 11th and 12th houses, mostly). Gives maybe skills with his hands in the work place, artistic ability, sensory sensitivity (like has a good color sense, etc). The 7th house, house of marriage and partnership, has Gemini as its sign. Vesta is here, and Saturn. Gemini as a 7th house sign...well, these people need to have a lot of variety and a lot going on with their partnerships, of whatever sort. Intellectual connection is key. Communication is vital. And being...free to move about, to not feel constraint or chains--this is crucial. And maybe even more vital to someone with Vesta in the 7th house, because these people just need to get the hell out of partnerships from time to time. No, that doesn't mean that they will not come back and be happy, but they need breaks from all the togetherness, they need the opportunity to act, live, and breathe on their own (and this for an Aries Chiron might be particularly important, because of the fears around being able to be whole and independent). Saturn in Gemini does not want to have many demands placed on him, needs to always feel the door is open, that he can leave at any time, that his schedule is on his terms, that he is not obligated. This doesn't mean that a Saturn in Gemini person won't be responsible or follow through on promises or stay in long term partnerships--but that he must do it of his own free will, that he must do it because it means something to him. He cannot be compelled. Communication is big for a Saturn in Gemini person, must feel free to move, free to say what he likes, free to be heard, free to experience all he desires. The old truism for a 7th house Saturn is that these folks shouldn't marry before they go through their Saturn return. (a variant of that, which is kind of "fate dictates that..." is that 7th house Saturn people find barriers in the way of early marriage). (I'm still waiting to hear from a 7th house Saturn person who listened to early warnings).] The concept is that since we undergo testing and change in our Saturn return period, and that testing and challenge and change hits in the subjects or concerns of our Saturn's house, since the 7th house is about marriage and partnerships--well, marriage and partnerships are in for rocky times come the return. It is true--no matter where Saturn is--that some long term partnerships end during the Saturn return. And some start; it is not unusual to feel "must get married" or "must get serious about all this" during that time. (and it is also not unusual to have a child during or immediately after the Saturn return; happened to me, with my first house Saturn. Nothing like motherhood to change one's persona, eh?). Saturn in the 7th house often brings older mentors, sometimes older partners, including but not limited to marriage partners. So, the 8th house here has Cancer as the sign. And the south node, in Cancer, is here. This is the realm of mystery, of sexuality, of death, of rebirth and regeneration and remaking, of inheritance and connection to traditions, of what we gain through others. With Cancer as the sign, it may be that particularly through women's influence or through maternal gifts, J has benefited. And he is keyed it well to nurturing and tenderness, to compassion, to personalized affection. It is as if he is in some way one of the blessed ones of the mother, if that makes any sense whatsoever, and under stress he can rest in that feeling, in that knowledge. But he does have kind of a--quest laid on his soul--to discover his own truth, and to make that manifest. Materially as well as in the mind or in pretty words or whatever. The 9th house is Leo cusped. (and holds a bunch of Virgo too). Affinity with drama, with learning that has a dramatic edge, with being admired for his mad skills as a student/teacher/storyteller. The Virgo here will give some attention to details and to putting things in order, but the heart is where there is a lot of flash, a lot of nobility; education, spiritual search, travel of any sort--needs to be done on a wide screen, or with big brush strokes; doesn't take to being all confined or restricted to the bare facts and numbers. Yet, with a certain paradoxic quality, Virgo is his Midheaven sign and the cusp of the house of career, calling, public image. So he's seen as a devoted, careful, meticulous person who knows what's good and wants to do what's good. Sometimes a Virgo midheaven can give a public image that is kind of untouchable--sexy, but untouchable. The knight in shining armor, the dedicated but ever so attractive young monk (not that Virgo is not sexualized; it is simply that there is this quality of "I hold myself apart a bit" or "I am whole within myself"). But his 10th house is packed with Libra energy and with some pretty heavy planets at that: Pluto, Pallas, Venus, and Uranus in Libra. Venus and Uranus are conjunct, one degree separating them. Pallas is part of the Mystic Rectangle. Pluto makes a sextile to Neptune and a square to Jupiter. whew. So, to tease this out: Pluto near the midheaven is often associated with healers (not necessarily doctors of medicine; healers of the spirit) and with a lot of transformative energy in the public realm. Pluto in Libra has a new vision of beauty, partnership, harmony, justice--all the Libra obsessions. Pluto sextile Neptune brings in imagination and intuition in a big way to the public life, and it may be a question of "I heal through showing you a new vision". Pluto square Jupiter...well, this one is full of transformative energies, but the challenge is...how do I control this? And there is a sense in which the ideas in the life are real and vital and important. Other people can be all "oh, maybe I believe this, or that, hey, what's the difference?" Someone with Pluto and Jupiter working together (even if they are struggling in a square aspect) is very--well, ideas and beliefs are key. They take them very seriously. And often there is a tendency to change from whatever belief structure the person was brought up with. These people tend to be catalysts for change in other people as well, and should be aware of that. Pallas in the 10th house--these people are thought by those they meet in public to have the answers. To everything. "where's the best place to get bread?" "what is the meaning of the universe?" "should I marry her?" Strangers will come to them for guidance, and in their career they are the problem solvers (again, at all levels). Pallas in Libra is very artistic, or at least has a sense of good aesthetics, appreciates and understands line and structure and harmony and color and such. For J this skill/perception is increased, because Pallas is so close to Venus (4 degrees) in Libra, and then again it is kind of tweaked, because Uranus with all that originality, eccentricity, verve and delight and change--comes into the picture as well. (I have to tell you I am still wondering about the circus ponies and jugglers; still not sure what is going on with this chart in that way) (and I should know by now; true, I have a lot of Libra energy and all this Libra energy is kind of dancing with mine, but that isn't enough to explain the sense of glee). Venus in Libra is elegant. So charming, so adept at the right gesture, the perfect gift. So appreciative when someone else is as perceptive and charming. Everyone thinks Libra is sooo romantic, and--well, Libra doesn't mind the pretty things, but Venus in Libra actually has a kind of intellectual appreciation. Good taste (maybe not so good as a Virgo Venus, but still good--the thing with Libra Venus is that sometimes she gets swayed but surface prettiness and elegance and charm; can be dazzled by the pretty surfaces). A guy with a Libra Venus is going to be a sucker for beauty and charm (sorry, of course J will also have great discernment, and so on--and I'm pretty sure kaki is pretty, so no harm). Venus in the 10th house grants the gift of looking great in public. The public just falls in love with a Venus in the 10th house person; they can't help it. Art or something "artistic" is often the career of choice for a 10th house Venus (but this 10th house is so crowded J has a bunch of choices going on). Uranus in Libra sees beauty in the oddest places and strangest things. Takes a very open and unusual approach to partnerships, to marriage, to harmony, to justice. Quite eccentric.Can be artistic and at a kind of genius level. When Uranus is in the 10th house the career has big changes in it (and this is reinforced by Pluto here--we are talking changes maybe outside the personal will and effort--like the place one works suddenly gets swallowed by an earthquake. Sounds odd, but...yeah, like that.) (doesn't have to be all loss and destruction though--could also be "and I was walking and I bumped into this person and he owned this place and he said 'hey, you are wonderful, I'll give you a million to come do interesting things in the park with the circus ponies' watching" (I want circus ponies, sorry). Uranus in the 10th house looks unusual in public. "You are so strange" "You are a genius" Sometimes a career that involves electronics, new tech, etc can be indicated. Also sudden fame. Venus and Uranus are only a degree apart. (Liz Taylor has this conjunction in her 7th house I think, in Aries. ahem.) So, when Venus/Uranus are living together there can be a tendency to love the strange and the unusual and the eccentric, both as an intellectual matter ("the court poetry of the 14th century is so fascinating") and as a preference in lovers. Relationships and people who are too...ordinary, calm, secure, unchanging --are paradoxically unlikely to endure, and when they end they end suddenly. What endures is sort of a dance. A partner who can keep up with the dance--well, that will endure. But it is likely going to take a very unusual person (and I'm waiting to check out kaki and see--I remember she had an unusual chart herself, which bodes quite well). Now, since this is the 10th house, this could all be more about the public image and the career than about tender intimacies, but wherever Venus is, intimacies are kind of implied or promised. The pair is trine the 7th house Saturn, so--if the communication Gemini Saturn needs is there, then there are likely strong partnerships, and they help the career tremendously. Saturn will tend to stabilize the scattered energy that we'd otherwise expect from this pair. Libra is the sign, barely, on the 11th house--house of wishes, house of groups and friendships and those barely whispered life goals we hope don't haunt us at the end (deathbed scene: "I always really meant to be an artist". So much better to do it now.) So--omigod. How did I not see that? *gathers self together*. What a chart. Okay, the Scorpio Sun, which we are going to be meeting soon, in the 12th house, is unaspected. Well, la la la, I don't see that right now, we'll deal with it tomorrow. Or, um, later. Back to the 11th house. Libra as a cusp sign is going to give, you betcha, charming friends. Mars in Libra leads off the 11th house, quickly followed by Ceres in Scorpio and much later by Juno in Scorpio (lots of Scorpio in the 11th house, Libra is only the sugar coating and the engine of power here.) Mars in Libra is a strategic thinker, a debater. Sees all the possiblities. Actually, Mars/Uranus/Venus (working backwards there) are kind of a triad of energy. Let me see..yeah, maybe. We might be dealing with some of that interesting charms birdies out of trees and makes people just fall at his feet energy of Venus/Mars. It is complicated by the wildness of Uranus in the middle; this is--I don't know, I keep getting this odd flashes of something--the magician, the enchanter. Energy with an air sign Mars tends to be used mostly in intellectual ways (though also in moving about a bunch; there can be restlessness, physical restlessness while the mind is working). Mars in Libra is generally pretty sweet; people think "oh, not a confrontational person"; if there is even a hint of injustice happening those same people will be amazed, because Mars in Libra is a warrior when injustice is happening. Especially, here, to his friends, to those under his protection (very protective energy here). The conjunct to Uranus might give a temper that, although usually held well in control, can snap instantly (again, in the face of injustice, unfairness). He is well nurtured in groups, when he is in touch with those goals of his, when he is with friends. (Ceres in the 11th house). Ceres in Scorpio is well nurtured by mysteries and sexuality and power, and he is likely to encounter all those nice things in the context of groups, friends. He draws natural allies from within his groups of friends, or in the context of his goals, and they are likely either actual Scorpios or people who have a very strong Pluto (and/or Mars) in their charts; people who aren't afraid of the depths, of passion, of authentic connection, of power. (Juno in Scorpio, 11th house). Okay, 12th house. Scorpio cusp. Scorpio is a pretty comfortable sign on the 12th house, given the fact that this is the house of secrets, the hidden, the denied, the repressed--and Scorpio would love to uncover all those things. When the sun falls in the 12th house we usually discover that the person has a need to find out--needs to understand more than the surface, really feels uncomfortable if his intuition says "something is hidden from me". And that will be true no matter what the sign, but will be kind of increased by a Scorpio Sun. However, this is an unaspected Sun. People with the Sun unaspected (and the other Scorpio who immediately comes to mind with an unaspected Sun is Hillary Clinton--in her case I think the sun is in the 4th house, but I seem to recall there being controversies about her actual time of birth)--unaspected Sun people sometimes have this...need to really prove themselves. In conjunction with an Aries in Chiron this would come out in terms of who am I? And perhaps, being a 12th house sun, in terms of "aha, I will fool everyone and not be fooled; I am the one behind the mask" (very--Scarlet Pimpernel or something like that, if you know the old story). Sometimes the energy of an unaspected planet just floods the rest of the chart; with the Sun there could be an abundance of energy and "hey, I'm here!!" and yet perhaps a lack of focus. The Scorpio (or Pluto colored) allies would help with this, quite a lot. J's inner "female" energy is quite Scorpio as well, with the Black Moon Lilith here--so there is an abundance of sexual energy, passionate commitment, emotional authenticity--and possibly a slowness to trust--that he can tap into within his inner soul as well as in that elusive "self" that he keeps thinking he...maybe gets, and then changes. Neptune is here as well, though in Sagittarius and quite close to the ascendant. In fact, Neptune is conjunct Mercury, those the rising degree comes between them; the mind is quite fanciful and mobile, very intuitive. Yet the imagination and intuition is...focused quite deeply, into dreams, into other realms (sometimes 12th house Neptune people are actually psychic). The Lilith in Scorpio placement gives an ease with--well, an ease with death and life; this is a very courageous sort of Kali energy. Guys who have it can cope well with extremely strong women who scare a lot of people; they enjoy that strength and honesty and passion. Neptune in Sagittarius is of course the draw to animals, lost souls, kittens, wild critters from the woods, lost children, anyone. (I just had another Neptune in Sagittarius customer today; yep--all the kitties appeared as if summoned and my rescued pitbull fell on her feet (across the customer's feet--a method of claiming and controling. Some find it charming. I try to discourage it, but laughing and asking someone's birthdate isn't the best dog training). (maybe I should post a sign: If you were born between this date and this date, please note: animals within will love you a lot; proceed with caution. Dog cookies optional.) Because Neptune aspects the rising degree, J may have some of that mobility, that chameonlike quality and glamour that Neptune gives. Probably not the "oh, you will do everything I want you to" that a first house Neptune gets--but an ability to shapeshift in someway. (this reading is downright odd, I must say.). (and I'll be back in a bit, if not tonight, then hopefully tomorrow. transits, comparisions, more bits and pieces.) ***** (heh, terrible of me--here I am with an impatient Aries moon requesting patience from others. But I appreciate kaki not bursting into the middle of the reading going "no way!" or "how did you know?") So--I have kakiphony's chart (I looked at it 2 years ago, how time flies) and her J's chart together all cozily for the purpose of seeing where the two energies intersect; what is driving the relationship. Remember, he's a Scorpio Sun, Sagittarius Rising, Pisces Moon person She is a Leo Sun, Aquarian Moon, Gemini Rising person She's--in those three areas--Fire and Air; he's Water and Fire. (but of course both charts are more complicated than that). Now, remember that J. has that strong t square to his Pisces moon, probably the major aspect pattern in his chart (well, the Mystic Rectangle is pretty major too). When we put the two charts on top of each other, we find another major t square happening. And this one is made of his Pisces Moon opposite her Virgo Mercury (and remember I said that the completion point for his natal t square is there in Virgo? Her mind, her discernment, in essence shows the way for that completion) and both of those points squaring his Mercury at the ascendant--which is conjunct her Neptune. In Sagittarius Where would this t square find a completion point to work out all that energy--which is energy of mystery, intuition, imagination, fantasy? Within Gemini. The sign that is his 7th house sign of partnership, and her own sign of persona. This bodes well for a relationship that is based somehow in intuitive sympathy and communication, both between the two of them, and in the outer world. When we throw Chiron into the mix I can see a Grand Trine between the charts, which is very flowing energy, and it is a Grand Fire Trine: J's Chiron in Aries, kaki's Leo Sun, and the Neptune/Mercury Sagittarian aspect (plus his ascendant). The relationship is likely to be based in action (and fun action at that) and in healing; her Leo nature is embraced by his innate healing and nurturing instincts, and her presence in his life helps him work through any of those Chiron insecurities; it is as if they are both saying to each other "sure, I see you, and what I see is pretty great". They have a Uranus/Mars conjunction (her Uranus, his Mars). This is very much a "omigod, I just fell in love" sort of energy between two people; it feels extremely hot, extremely compelling; it is the stuff the great romances are made of. Whether the great romance endures beyond the "let's leave everything and everyone and run away together" impulse depends on other things in the chart; you need stabilizing influences to have a Uranus relationship keep going. But kaki has an Aquarian moon (Uranus being the Aquarian ruler) so understands the Uranus energy in her heart. And this conjunction falls very close to her north node of the moon; it is as if it is fated; "something to help me understand my path in life" (which is through Scorpio energies; and J certainly has his fair share of Scorpio happening). (I had an unsupported Uranus/Mars relationship once--that is, I had that lightning-bolt through the heart. I've been in and out of love many times in my long life, but I must say nothing felt like that one. And it was unsuitable in a dozen ways. It was, however, very vitalizing at all sorts of levels. Had I happened on this relationship earlier in my life I probably would have given up a lot to pursue it; as it was I was a little too wise and experienced to go for it--and the guy in question was much younger, with kids (as was I). The pangs of that, however, endured until, thank the goddess, the person left my area. *sigh*. Very instructive in what Uranus can do to an otherwise rational soul. Of course, the dude was a double Pisces.) Probably a lot of crushes are Uranus or Neptune based. But in this couple, the Uranus energy is simply part of a bigger picture, with many connections. That point of the Uranus/Mars conjunct is also opposite kaki's Chiron/Black Moon in Taurus; this relationship may help her claim or reclaim her very lusty and abundant and sensory center (on the surface she may appear kind of intellectually driven, but she has a lot of, um, juice and passion there beneath the surface). And it will certainly engage his power and sympathy (Ceres for him is also here close to Mars) Her Aquarian Moon is trine his Libra Pluto (in the 10th house) which may give support to his career, or at any rate emotional understanding and by in and an open mind. His Saturn is close to her ascendant. It may seem strange to think that Saturn connections are desireable in a love relationship, but they are, they help give long lasting relationships. We learn from our lovers and mates, and when we have Saturn working for us we learn well. (it isn't always fun, I must say, but it is good). Her Juno is at his midheaven; he may (in his public guise) seem like her ideal partner; or she may foster his career with all his heart. I haven't much knowledge or experience of the Davidson relationship chart concept, but hey, it's available on astro.com (the concept has something to do with creating the relationship's chart based on some mathematical relationship between the elements of the two charts). So I did it (or the computer did it) and the relationship chart thus produced looks pretty nice: a lot of concentration in the house of marriage, Juno and Ceres conjunct at the ascendant (your relationship, if you care, kaki, is, according to Davidson, a Libra with an Aquarian moon and Aquarius rising; full of intellectual delights and pleasures. The Libra sun, conjunct Venus and Pluto, falls in the 7th house. So, what about J's current transits? Well, the current Mercury retrograde is just across from his risingsign Mercury; so it is likely hitting him fairly hard. Could be great for "I have suddenly achieved intuitive understanding of my partnerships in life and of myself, this is great". Or it could be "where did I put my keys?" Venus is also in transit through the 7th house, so it is a good time in partnerships in general, a lot of potential sweetness. Jupiter is in the 2nd house conjunct his north node; good for expanding what is valued in the life, good for "I must really work on what I really care about and my true path in life". Neptune and Uranus are both in the 3rd house (at the start and end) so there could be--well, original and sympathetic communication, and/or the people around him, particularly those "like siblings" are needful and eccentric (could work both ways for sure). Saturn is in the 9th house. J. may have been experiencing some delays or disappointments involving long range travel, higher education, spiritual search...breaking beyond the boundaries of his life. And they are likely to continue for a while; this is a period of completion of one phase of his life; when Saturn hits his midheaven at the end of Virgo will be a harvest time--new responsiblities and possible success, or "okay, let's reconsider it all". (in a moment I'll see if I can see when that crossover into the 10th house is going to be happening--not for quite a while I think, Saturn doesn't sprint.) Looks like late October,2009. Right now the Moon is conjunct Venus. Just for a moment. Pretty romantic. (Kaki, by the way, is looking great these days, with Venus in her first house. Pluto is in J's first house, so he has a lot of power as people meet him and is garnering strong first impressions--can be negative sometimes, but I doubt it; mostly people should simply be charmed by the guy). Kaki has Jupiter in her 8th house currently, enhancing 8th house matters (sexuality, inheritance, joint opportunities, etc). Uranus is floating still in her 10th house (changes in career and in the public image); Neptune in the 9th house (good for intuitive studies) Mars is currently conjunct her Sun--lots of energy there. And Pluto is in her house of partnerships--well, could bring some strong people, some transformations. Trine her own Venus (that is good, and kind of sexy, actually). Saturn in the 4th: must pay attention to the home, the foundation, family, one's roots (this Saturn in Virgo period will be hitting a number of her planets in the 4th house; look to it as an opportunity for building for the future, kaki, don't let it get you into a state of "why can't I always do what I want?"--then you'll be fine. Great charts. (I still haven't figured out why J's makes me smile; soooo strange.).

And hello, kakiphony, whose foxy avi is awesome, welcome, my dear, to your Saturn return. Have you been feeling it? Kakiphony's Saturn is in Leo conjunct her Sun in the 3rd house, opposing her 9th house moon in Aquarius, and if I am reading charts correctly she is just about exactly at the exact Saturn return point (the effect, though, goes on for some time on either side of the exact aspect). Third house themes (and 9th house themes) would be where we'd expect to see kakiphony being nudged into a new status; actualizing communication skills? education? (relationships with siblings, those who are like siblings?). Figuring out where the network really is? Sometimes during the return things/people/places that were very important to us lose their central importance to make room for the new. This is not without grief and struggle, unless of course you are all wise and ascended and stuff (I wasn't). Ceres is also in the 3rd house, between Saturn and the Sun; she may have a gift for nuturing communications; she may have taken care of siblings or neighbors (or have been cared for herself by neighbors/siblings). As Saturn reconnects with Ceres any early lacks she may have felt (like "hey, there wasn't really ANY nuturing going on, often", or "well, that was needless sentimentality") is going to be tweaked a bit. Good thought for this period is "yes, I deserve admiration and care, and I can give admiration and care" Since kakiphony has Saturn conjunct her sun, however, she may go through these changes with more ease than some (it feels familiar to her nature, or at least her conscious sense of who she is). Okay, it might just be because writing is part of my soul, and I have the sun/moon opposition across the 3rd and 9th houses, so I could be projecting something here--but I must blurt out that when I looked at this chart the first thing I thought was "she's a writer". There's that Uranus conjunct the north node in Scorpio in the 5th house. Okay, doesn't have to be writing, but for goodness sakes, something with the 5th ("it is your nature to go forth and gamble wildly!!") (nah. I think something more creative, but playful--which will be interesting for your Leo self and your Gemini rising and your Aquarian moon). Midheaven is in Aquarius. Come on now, surely things of the mind matter to you a lot, yes? Maybe??? With a Saturn/Sun 3rd house conjunct though, it may be that you had early doubts about your ability to communicate (3rd house) or even that the full shine of a dramatic Leo sun soul was shaded by demands (from parents, from life) for control, discipline, early responsiblity (for siblings, perhaps, given that this is the 3rd house). If this was so, the return of Saturn to his original place may, once it passes, leave you more certain of yourself in this arena. Saturn is one of the points of a T square (Uranus is the central point, squaring both moon and saturn and interestingly--well, actually you have a grand square, because Chiron makes the fourth point, in early Taurus, in the 11th house (wishes, and associations with friends/acquaintances). (I can't believe how many forumites have Chiron in the 11th. Good grief. Early trauma in groups...I guess the brilliant, geeky kids have all flocked now to the BPAL forum and found comfort) (I'm frankly surprised my own Chiron is not in the 11th, actually) Home ground, your roots, your traditional values, your refuge--4th house--is very intimately important in your chart, with Leo on the cusp (drama, generousity in the home) and lots of elegant Virgo going on (Venus, Mercury, Mars; Venus and Mercury are conjunct; you have a taste for the truly good in literature--this doesn't mean, by the way, that you can't enjoy trash, but that you really know authentically beautiful things, books, and so on--and have a home in which that sense of discernment is apparent). You may feel freest to express yourself in your home, or on your homeground, in your own territory (although with a 9th house moon you could certainly benefit from travel and widening your horizons in all ways). And you may have an elegance of discourse, or a tenderness (Venus conjunct Mercury), as well as the ability to take action. (mars in the 4th) on behalf of your roots or your home. And you've got transformative and demanding Pluto in the 5th, in Libra (plus the Uranus/north node)(in Scorpio)...creativity (or love affairs, or children, or...) may be very much all or nothing affairs for you--there is the tendency to really go into something, and then...pause a long while--and then restart. (it's okay, really, creative flow--or love affairs--don't have to be all steady and boring, do they?) Neptune in Sag in the 6th is super responsive to the environment (at a trivial level, you may have allergies and so on, at a more deep or metaphoric level, you need to have as little stress as you can manage--no, do not stress about this). This imaginative Neptune is in relation to practically everything else in your chart; when chosing (assuming you have a choice) work for pay (as opposed to career, which is Aquarian, and hey, you should be out there publishing something, I think...or, okay, traveling or teaching or thinking higher thoughts)--needs to use your imagination and/or be something in which you tangibly feel you are helping some poor unfortunates (of any species or anything: it can be saving paper clips from being thrown out, could be anything at all--the importance is how you perceive it. You must perceive that your tasks are imaginative and engaging or helpful and preferably all of those things. Or you will be miserable, and your health will show it. Jupiter in the 12th is a real ace in the hole (it's in Taurus): this is kind of the last minute rescue, the fairy godperson who drops in when needed. Oddly, you may not be overtly cheerful (particularly with the Saturn/Sun conjunct) (and with the hopefulness of Jupiter kind of hidden from you) but there is this wonderful sort of second wind effect: all may seem over...and then, by golly, yes, I think she can do it! Jupiter very helpfully is trine to your Aquarian moon and to mars (inner self and action thereby facilitated), square to Venus (okay, a little bit of the brakes on--or, conversely, flashes of overenthusiasm) (Jupiter in Taurus might expand things like your taste for music) Actually, rethink that comment on cheerfulness. A Gemini ascendant will at least appear very cheerful (and often younger than her years--an effect that can last well into your life). kakiphony, if you are not a writer, kindly consider at least starting to keep a journal or something. During a Saturn return (in the 3rd house no less) would be an excellent time to do something like this in any case--and in your case I think particularly apt.

Wishlists/Favorites: Etsy Wishlist Amazon wishlist (If this link fails for some reason, the e-mail to search is the one listed on my questionnaire) Yule UpdateI have not yet bought a thing since my husband's birthday is this week and all my extra pennies are going toward a super nice dinner out for him! I actually probably will not buy much from this one -- I might try and snag a decant or two after the whole thing has blown over and people are selling theirs off. Yule is just traditionally not my best scents. The things that intrigued me and that I'd like to smell are: Black Temple Burlesque Troupe (but I fear it will be a dark musk which is death for me), Gingerbread Temples (I do like ginger, but traditionally most Yule gingerbread scents have been too sweet/foody for me), Risalamande (I like almond, but tend to loathe cherry, so this is one I purely want to sniff in a TINY amount), Mrs. Grose (this could be one of those rare roses that works on me), Gacela of the Dark Death (this actually sounds like an awesome room/candle scent to me), Krampus (a traditional favorite, but I have aged back-ups so don't neeeeeed it.) I'm looking forward to the bptp update since winter makes me in the mood for bath products and I am drooling over that teaser picture Puddin' posted of a Spanked candle! If it's a Yule candle inquisition, I am afraid I will not be able to control myself. Holiday things you miss? The one thing I've been whining about is that New Belgium has not released Frambozen in Michigan (at least it's not on the inventory lists I've seen at the bar). It's such a lovely seasonal treat. Otherwise, I miss my grandpa's peanut butter fudge. We have his recipe, but it never tastes the same. He must have had a secret he failed to pass down. Where can I find your Q&A? Do you have a wishlist post/blog and does it link other things like Etsy/Amazon? I do believe that my two forum wishlists (the bpal one and the non-bpal general swap help one) are both linked in my signature. I'll put these questions in a blog post and link that as well. There are a TON of old blog posts with Q&As from several years worth of circular swaps as well. I'll throw amazon and etsy wishlist links onto the blog post which I will make for this swap. So, if you were to come into an unexpected windfall (a huge amount of cash), what would you get for yourself? A really big windfall would go to paying off debt and making home repairs on the rental house we own so we could stand a better chance of selling it. Smaller windfalls would go toward smaller things: A month or two of unlimited yoga, a new yoga bag, jewelry, some new sweaters (I'm wanting to phase in some V and round necks so I'm not all turtlenecks all the time!), socks, bath scrubs or soaks, good tea, fancy chocolate, nice long underwear, etc. Do you prefer votives, tarts, tapers or jar candles (if you are into candles)? My tart burner is MIA, so at the moment I prefer other varieties. Jars are nice because they are self contained and do well in the bathroom. Votives and pillars are both easy because I just throw them on a saucer and go! Tapers are a bit more bother because my candlesticks like to hide from me, but are so pretty when they're lit at a meal that they're almost always worth the hunt. Any books you've been meaning to get for yourself but haven't yet? My amazon wishlist is pretty complete and up to date. Someone else mentioned the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, and since I LOVE that site, I bet I'd also love the book. Is there any Bath etailer that you want to try? That you love? What do you want from there? What's your favorite bath item? No etailer in particular, but I am open minded and love many of them. New to me or local to you is also great! We go through a LOT of bar soap in my house and in winter I do also use soak and scrubs. Tea? I know there was a favorite foods ...but what about drinks? Hot Tea? Hot Cider? other hot beverages? what about perhaps one of those soups in a jar mix? Tea is always lovely. I drink loads of black tea and flavored black tea, oolong, and a bit of green. For herbal teas, I tend to like mint or licorice blends and dislike rooibos and rosehips. I have a mild chamomile allergy, so unless it's way far down on the ingredients, I avoid it. Lately, I've been having a hard time finding one of my favorite brands of ea: Kusmi. It used to be everywhere and now is nowhere! I love the Zoubrovka, Anastasia, Troika, Bouquet #108, and Prince Vladimir. Hot cider is lovely and is cocoa. And soup in a jar sounds fun! Colors You Like/Dislike?I tend to prefer bright, cool, jewel tones (sapphire and cobalt, kelly and emerald, scarlet, deep turquoise), black and grey. Pastels are not my thing. Autumnal hues I like in small doses (orange, muted greens, browns, etc). They're OK, just look bad on me! I'll try to throw some photos/links on the blog post under this question. Colors coming soon.... Do you have any fiber allergies? Nope! sweet Solstice Sister, what color of nail polish would brighten your senses or make you smile? Glitter or no? I only paint my toes, never my fingers (it feels weird!) and I tend to like bright somewhat traditional colors: Red, hot pink, etc. I will occasionally also do bright blue, green or really dark blood red. No glitter and I like colors with coverage (not sheer). This is because I paint my toes to hide the fungus. Socks? I wear a US shoe size 6.5 which usually puts me in the standard sock size (I think the sock size says 9 to 11?? It always confuses me. What I know is that most off-the-rack socks will fit me just fine.) I'm a fan of stripess and argyles in not too crazy colors, less a fan of cutesy designs (animals, cartoon things, etc). (Purple, red, blue, green, black, gray, etc = love. Orange, chartreuse, silver, gold, sparkles, not as much love.) I like knee socks. I like wool and wool blends, cotton and cotton blends. Smartwool is the gold standard, but too expensive. Sock Dreams makes some lovely styles and I do also like their OTK socks, but prefer the ones with more synthetic in them fro stretch since I have really scrawny legs and the more cotton kind tend to fall down. The slubby OTKs are great with boots. I also seriously heart tights and all the same color, pattern and material preferences apply. Jewelry? Pierced Ears? Do you like necklaces/pendants? Bracelets? Rings? I love jewelry. My one planned indulgence beyond bpal and good soap is is jewelry from bpaler updates on etsy. I tend to wear mostly necklaces and earrings. Bracelets I wear rarely and the only rings I wear are my wedding band and engagement ring. For necklaces that are made to sit close to the collar bone I liked 16". I do wear turtlenecks in the winter, so some longer things designed to sit more in the mid-chest area be they strands of beads or single dangles are also lovely. Earrings I wear both studs and dangles, but I tend to prefer shorter dangles (because of the turtlenecks!) Anything you're particularly wanting from the Lab/Post at the moment? How about GCs you keep meaning to get but never get around to? The GC I always want, but never seem to buy is Sudha Segara. I'm not DYING for anything, although that may change once we see the BPTP Yules... Do you have any fandoms? Not really. I like Harry Potter all right and Twin Peaks, but I'm not an active fan girl of either. Does anything from Two Timing Tart interest you? I've never heard of this seller before, so I'm not drooling. However, I'm always open to new things. I would say if it inspires you, just use my general likes/dislikes as a guide and have fun! Does anything from Sock Dreams interest you? Many, many things. See my general comments about tights and socks. I think on my general wishlist (linked in signature) I have some Sock Dreams specific hints. Any movies (holiday or otherwise) that you want to see but never get around to? Not that I can think of off the top of my head... Do you need any smartphone accessories (case, skin, etc)? I am all set thanks! Small samples of homemade booze? That would be lovely. Is there anything from local farmer markets that would interest you? Soap, jam, syrup, spices, etc. Really, I'm game to try anything local to you that you think looks awesome! Do you have a favorite animal (or breed of animal)? (Red) Foxes and crows/ravens. Do you like stuffed toys/animals? I don't love them for myself, but I do keep a toybox at my house for visiting children. They tend to play with those items. Would you like/want anything Disney-related, or from Disneyland? No thank you. Posted Today, 01:05 PM You know, I feel like I should revise/expand my Disney answer. I'm not a big fan of animated films -- Disney or otherwise. And I don't collect related merch. However, I love a lot of the old live action films that they used to re-run on Wonderful World of Disney when I was a kid: Davy Crockett, Swamp Fox, Thomasina, Pollyanna, One and Only Genuine Original Family Band, Swiss Family, Watcher In the Woods, Something Wicked This Way Comes, the Witch Mountain movies, etc. Another question! How do people feel about puzzles? Board games? Any particular ones that you might like or have and would like additions to? I haven't built a jigsaw puzzle in years. I remember liking it, but having the clear table space might be an issue. I loathe Sudoku, but like crosswords. Someday I will complete the Holy Grail of Crosswords: An unaided NYTimes. The only games my husband and I own is Scrabble. We play occasionally, less often now that he works nights. I hate cards. I like Scattergories, but that game lives with my parents. We once in a great while play Cranium or Settlers of Cataan with my sister and her husband. I love Trivial Pursuit, but no one will play with me. $10 Wal-Mart type thingamabob: Nothing in particular, but when I have an extra $10 in places like that I tend to buy peppermint gum, chocolate, lip balm or tea. If you answered yes to any beverage-related questions, what exactly do you like in tea, coffee, alcohol, cocoa, cider, etc.? I think I have some good guidance on this in my general swap help post which is linked in my signature. Stones? What color/types of stones, precious, semi precious or otherwise do you like? Lately I seem to be drawn to blue and blue/green stones: turquoise, prehnite, labradorite, moonstone, chalcedony, etc. I also always love carnelian, amber, jade (green and honey), hematite, citrine, and pearls.

Snake Oil and Vixen (as well as the Snake Pit scents and Spanked) are my Red Musk exceptions. I can wear them and NOT have old man cologne. Everything else though does it for me. I've decided it's something about the combination of that particular red musk with that particular patchouli (which loves me) and spices. Although, I prefer many of the Snake Pits (and spanked and Vixen) to Snake Oil. SO actually goes a bit powdery on me. (And lately, so does Vixen.)

I vote it's the musk. I CANNOT wear any musk with very occasional exception of red musk and then only in very select blends. Musk = grandpa cologne on me. EVERY. TIME.

DSH Perfumes Eau de Fleurs d’Oranger du Roi Thé Vert Secreti di Belle Donne (Venice) La Fete Nouvelle Au Lait (a milk scent) Hippie Chic DSH Special Formula X-treme Les Petites DSH Special Formula X Sienna Celadon: A Velvet Green Prana

Do you like s'mores and s'mores-flavored things? I am not a huge fan. I prefer those components all separately, especially the chocolate. Marshmallows really only get used in my house in cocoa (the tiny ones) and rice krispie treats (the big ones). Graham crackers are pretty much just for my toddler nephew. What's the neatest freebie you've gotten? It can be cool or thoughtful or just totally unexpected, and not limited to BPALdom. I have come to expect loveliness from bpal people, but a recent freebie that blew me away was from a beer rep. Usually they just bring handfuls of crappy free t-shirts to the bar and give them to customers. But this rep remembered meeting me and brought me a special women's cut sweatshirt in the right size. He won my undying affection and staunch support of his brand with his thoughtfulness. He also told my husband, "Think of me every time your wife wears this" which we both laugh about every time I put the thing on! Would you enjoy receiving cute but useful items like colorful kitchen utensils/gadgets, or bento supplies? (boxes, chopsticks, accessories, etc?) What about things like spice mixes (homemade, or Penzey's for example) Yes! I love anything food/kitchen related Do you like cute, seasonal or fluffy PJ bottoms? Like they sell at Target, Old Navy (they have had cute Halloween ones!) If so, what size do you wear? I like them, and especially love them if they are flannel OR if they are yoga pant style. I wear a size small. I also love those flannel lined satin ones you see sometimes. They are the very best because they have the coziness of flannel, but allow you to actually turn over in bed at night. (Flannel pjs on flannel sheets is like velcro...) What kind of chocolate do you like? Nuts, no nuts, white,dark, etc? Dark by preference, but will certainly not turn my nose up at milk or white. I like nuts, spices, and almost anything else you want to put in. I even like fruit (although not so much raisins) and fruit flavors (orange chocolate is divine, as is raspberry jam filling). I also like peanut butter, coconut and "cream" (as that in mallo cups). I live near a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Penzeys! What does your little heart desire from any or all of these places? The biggest things I miss from WF and TJ are the snack foods I can pretend are marginally healthy but are so tasty: tamari almonds, wasabi peas, thai lime cashews, sesame honey cashews, wasabi almonds, etc. I also miss simmer sauces and interesting BBQ sauces, salsas and jams. Again, prepared things I could pretend were marginally healthier than regular grocery store options. Our co-op is good, but just doesn't have the same huge varieties of these things, or of the good chocolate bars that were at every WF checkout lane. We also miss having a TJs close for decent and drinkable cheap wine. We love our local wineries, but their prices are significantly higher than 2 Buck Chuck! Are home made foods acceptable or does the idea of eating strange mailed food disturb you? Homemade foods would rock my world. I just gave you $20 and sent you into a "has everything" store ala Walmart and told you that you have to come out having spent it all, and none of it on anything you need. What would you buy? Be as specific as possible! At least one decent chocolate bar, a pair of pretty striped or patterned socks or tights (work appropriate so more like stripes or argyle than cartoon characters), and probably yet another bottle of ibuprofen for the work desk drawer. (I'm totally the office drug dealer -- everyone comes to me for headache meds.) What kind of cuisines do you like? (I mentioned this in my ?aire but curious what my witch may like)And, what are your favorite restaurants? I love middle eastern food (dolmehs, hummus, baba ganouj, keftas, things flavored with pine nuts, cinnamon, lemon, tahini and rosewater, etc), Indian, and Ethiopian. I'm not a huge fan of most American Chinese (that ghastly sweet red sauce makes me cringe), but adore this black bean sauce the guys at the Chinese buffet in my hometown put on shellfish (which they make especially for my husband). I also like cajun/creole cuisine, Jamaican spices, and Thai. Really, I'm just a fan of FLAVOR. My favorite restaurants are all local places: Stella, Pearl's, Om, Poppycock's, and Fou Fou. Down in GR I seriously adore the food at Brewery Vivant. I'm from Canada - is there anything specifically a witchee might like that is only available here? KitKat, Smarties, Mackintosh's toffee. From the UK, I have an inordinate fondness for TimeOut bars mainly based on nostalgia. what are your "fandoms" and would you like a t-shirt from TeeFury if an appropriate one came up? I have a passing affection for Harry Potter (where I am a SlytherClaw -- I always thought I was Ravenclaw, but apparently there's a good bit of Slytherin in me too.) I don't really fangirl anything per se though. BUT I have seen fandom related TeeFury shirts I should wear. I've liked ones that play on Labyrinth, BSG, Harry Potter, etc. Do you have an eReader and if so which one? Kindle Classic Keyboard Do you like candles, or tart burners, or something? If so, what's your favorite scent to burn? I prefer candles to tarts (can't find my tart burner) and like either clean or spicy fragrances. To give you an idea, I have historically liked the citrus/sage jar candles from Yankee and love Stonehenge (favorite), Istanbul, Tuscany, Black Forest and Burl Wood from Archipelago Botanicals. Marzipan? I would try it. Not sure I've ever had it! Would you be interested in washable/reusable muslin “paper” towels (basically muslin squares hemmed around the edge)? Maybe in some sort of box to put on your kitchen or bathroom counter? Yes, yes, yes! Green cleaning products are always really nice. I just wish I could find a green alternative to the sponges with the scrubby on one side. Do you drink alcohol and if so, would you be OK with your witch sending you homemade infused vodka? Yes and yes. We'd get the most use out of pepper or olive infused (for bloody marys), but would try any flavor! If you get me (or a fellow Aussie, if there are any playing this round) as a witch or witch's minion, would you like to try some Australian specialties, such as TimTams (delicious chocolately cookies), Caramello Koalas (koala shaped chocolates filled with gloopy caramel), Australian native spices or anything like that? I honestly don't know a lot about Australian foods. All those sound good and I am open to surprises. If your witch is a knitter, crocheter or sewer, is there a particular type of garment you would love to receive (hat, scarf, wrap, cowl, socks, fingerless gloves, arm warmers etc)? Anything really. I am in awe of people who can manage needles. I tried and had them taken away from me... Scarves, wraps, cowls, socks and arm warmers would get the most use. Fingerless gloves, not so much unless they went far up the arm. A hat would get use, but I have a very small head! Is there anyone else in your house (kids, pets, partner) that would really appreciate a small gift being included for them in the switchwitchy haul so they don't feel left out? The only other person in my house is J and he does not need special attention. He steals from me shamelessly anyway. (And I share. Because I love him.) Since it's been mentioned several times, and I've also offered to nacho witch some, would you you like to receive wild rice and or maple syrup? I promise to include recipe ideas with the wild rice. I love wild rice! And maple syrup! (I make a killer mushroom with wild rice soup.) I have 5 bushels of tomatoes sitting in the kitchen right now that are supposed to turn into red sauce tomorrow, so would anyone like a basic red sauce (spaghetti sauce) to make its way to them? I would be delighted. Some of your favorite artists? Classic and modern? I like the pre-Raphaelites, but my husband does not. He likes Norman Rockwell, but I'm not a huge fan. I also like portraits, especially John Singer Sargent. If you could have an image or certain subject painted for you on any type of "canvas" (on a box, on paper, on a canvas, and so on) - could you point your witch to some of these images? I don't have a specific image in mine, but I am drawn to foxes and ravens/crows. If you peruse my etsy favorites, you'll see that I've hearted some various art related things with both of those animals. Is there a GC scent that's been on your list for ages but keeps falling off the bottom of your order because of the LEs? Sudha Segara. I use it mainly for layering and so it always gets short shrift. Nail Polishes? Nail polish makes my fingers feel like they are asphyxiating, so I do not use it. I will paint my toe nails in the summer so I can wear sandals (they are gnarly and need camouflage), but as we go into winter I am leaving them polishless again and working on ways to get rid of the gnarl. Would you be interested in having a bat adopted in your name? I think that would be lovely, although I'm a little off bats this summer after a lot of people I know had to have rabies shots because they slept in rooms/cabins where bats might have been. How would you feel about a taste of (insert witch location here) box? Ecstatic. Stuffed things: yea or nay? Stuffed olives, yay! Stuffed animal plush toys: Nay (unless they are really specific -- the knitted Mrs. Holiday Squirrel I got last Christmas is still much loved). But, in general, I don't sleep with or display stuffed things. They tend to get shoved in the toy box for child visitors. New Question: mix-in-a-jar? How to you feel about cookie or cake or soup mixes that come in jars and you just add, like, an egg or water or what have you? I am game. Would you be interested in beer, wine, or other specialty beverages from your Witch's area? Yes, but I will caution that shipping it can be a big pain. Use loads of bubble wrap and ziplock bags. Trust me. Are there any crafts/skills you've wanted to learn but haven't gotten around to? And if so, would you be interested in supplies and tutorials? I am learning to sew. Tutorial, simple patterns, fabric, trim, thread, etc all welcome. Although they may not get used for a while or may get trashed if I do experiment with them! Who here would be happy to get a lil' sumthin sumthin from Adagio Teas? I am always happy to receive good tea. Do you Ravelry? And if so, what's your handle over there? Would you be interested in gift patterns from your queue? I have an account, but it is for stalking since I am not a knitter. I live near this very cool Retro store (retrodrygoods.com) (you can order online too) - are there things from it that would make you squee if your witch sent them? Ack! I love that store! J and I always stopped to browse when we drove though. I always loved the aprons, candy (Bit o' Honey! Maple Buns! Clove gum! Mallo-Cups!), and tees (still mad I have never been able to find Save Ferris in a medium girly cut!) Who likes Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses? I have never tried them! What does your kitchen look like? Colors/style? Boring and blah. It's almost 100% white (cabinets, walls, appliances) with a wood floor and granite counters. Rental chic but nice counters. I tend to use bright colored towels etc (read! teal! sapphire! emerald! kelly green!) I really want a big rug for it, but they're so expensive! Witchee, what are your favorite quotes? From The Magus, by John Fowles: There comes a time in each life like a point of fulcrum. At that time you must accept yourself. It is not anymore what you will become. It is what you are and always will be. From Descent Into Hell, by Charles Williams: Rarity was one form of delight and frequency another. A thing could even be beautiful because it did not happen, or rather the not-happening could be beautiful. So long always as joy was not rashly pinned to the happening; so long as you accepted what joys the universe offered and did not seek to compel the universe to offer you joys of your own definition. I am also still head over heels in love with the poem You Who Never Arrived by Rilke: You who never arrived in my arms, Beloved, who were lost from the start, I don't even know what songs would please you. I have given up trying to recognize you in the surging wave of the next moment. All the immense images in me -- the far-off, deeply-felt landscape, cities, towers, and bridges, and unsuspected turns in the path, and those powerful lands that were once pulsing with the life of the gods-- all rise within me to mean you, who forever elude me. You, Beloved, who are all the gardens I have ever gazed at, longing. An open window in a country house-- , and you almost stepped out, pensive, to meet me. Streets that I chanced upon,-- you had just walked down them and vanished. And sometimes, in a shop, the mirrors were still dizzy with your presence and, startled, gave back my too-sudden image. Who knows? Perhaps the same bird echoed through both of us yesterday, separate, in the evening... Put your iPod/MP3 player/what-have-you on random and list the first 10 songs it plays! My iPod has not been charged in ages. I will come back to this promise! What's one random thing you really like and one random thing you really dislike? Like: Pink pepper in black tea blends. Dislike: Coriander in beer. Are there any herbs that you haven't been able to lay hands on that I could send you? There's an herbal shop I really like here in NYC called Flower Power (flowerpower.net) that has quite a wide selection. Nothing in particular. If there are no "witchy" shops near you, is there anything I can pick up for you from Enchantments? I can't think of anything, but I'll always take intent candles or really good, well researched books. Hey Witchee! I want to send you a delivery. It could be cupcakes from a local bakery, it could be a singing hugging bear-a-gram, it could be a bouquet of flowers. But it will be something that you need to be there to receive. a) Are you OK with "special deliveries"? *waggles eyebrows* B..) Is the address in your questionnaire the best place to reach you for said deliveries? c) If the delivery requires a phone number (as say, some florists do) would you be OK with that information being tracked down by your Witch or asked of you anonymously? It's hard for me to be home and I work in a somewhat fishbowl atmosphere. Things that I can just say are "from a friend" without a whole lot of explanation (like flowers) are fine to send to me at work. Things that are embarrassing or require more explanation (singing telegrams) are probably a bad idea. And if you need the work info or phone, I am happy to supply it. If it's edible, there's also the possibility of having it delivered to my husband at the bar where I could pick it up after work. There's always someone there to sign. What are some things you are OK with receiving gently used or homemade, and some things you absolutely do not want if they are gently used or homemade? I am absolutely fine with gently used and homemade. And now a new question: I live near a Mast General Store (mastgeneralstore.com). It has lots of vintage-y toys, southern foods (jams, jellies, spices) and vintage candy. Is there anything I can get for you? Any interesting jams, spices etc are always welcome. For vintage candy, I prefer chocolate, toffee, or caramel based things to fruit chew type things. Do you have any Fall or Halloween traditions? Just enjoying the season! Ninjas or Pirates? Generally pirates, but I have a thing for ninja squirrels. I have an extra room spray and 2 extra bath oils (one Cephalopod, one Exhibit Hall Fatigue) from Dragon*Con - would anybody like a decant? I would love one, but it has been my experience that decanted room sprays leak like crazy. Witchee, would you like it if I made you a "mix tape" of songs that I think you might like? And if so, would you prefer mp3 or CD format? I would be delighted. mp3s preferred over cds. My car actually does still have a tape deck too. I know it is totally the wrong season (for most of us), but do you like/have space to garden? If so, what do you like to grow? I can't actually garden in my yard, so I've been all about container herbs this year. I'd love some chia herb garden type things for the kitchen. I'd also like to get some air purifying plants for my house. I'm about to be near a Lush store next week, is there anything you might like from there? I think there are wishlist items in my Swap faery help post (old name for Switch Witch -- but I keep updating that post!). If not, I like Lush soaps and bath bombs/bubbles best. Don't love their facial care stuff and don't use lotion. Songs that you keep meaning to buy but never get round to it? Honestly, I don't buy music. That's my husband's territory. He buys music and I buy books. It works for us. Movies that you love but forgot to put in your questionaire? I'm sure there are many, but I can't think of them. Any favorite Bath & Body Works scents/products? I feel bad saying this, but I generally don't like B&BW. I'm much more apt to lust after bar soap or candles from Whole Foods, a farmer's market or your local health food store! Haus of Gloi is offering custom perfumes - would you like one? What would your ideal blend be? Hmm. Can I say not sure? My preferred base note is almost always patchouli, but there are plenty of patchoulis I hate (Shadow, for example, was awful on me). The fact that her only patchouli is labeled "dark" scares me a bit. I like aged, mellow patchoulis -- if it's too aggressive it won't work. That said, if I were taking the gamble I'd go with the Dark Patchouli base, with leather, ginger and honey/beeswax. Or possibly Dark patchouli, ginger, blood orange and honey/beeswax. Or maybe the same basic blends, but with a wood like mahogany rather than the patchouli? Any Bath, Body or nutritional type items you would love to try from a Natural and Organic food store (similar to Whole Foods) that you don't buy because they are a bit too pricey? I continually eye all the fun nut snack blends, nut bars, chocolate bars, bar soaps, shave creams (Dr. Bronner makes shave cream!), and tinted lip balms at my co-op. I also often look at nut butters and hemp powder for smoothies. (I like protein powders, but hate that they have sweetener, even if it is stevia.) OK, so those of you who said you wouldn't mind receiving (sneakily packaged!) beer or wine: Tell me of your taste preferences. Dry/sweet? Red/white? Lager/ale/porter/stout? Fruit? Spice? Hops? Sour (brettanomyces, etc)? To answer my own question... I like almost all types of beer, my one no-no is that I think beer flavored with coriander tastes like feet. I'm also not fond of super sweet fruit beers (but love things that make judicious use of fruit like New Belgium's seasonal raspberry brown ale - Frambozen). I've become more of a hop head lately, but am not exclusively a high IBU girl. I have also recently started to sort of appreciate some sour beers. To give you an idea of my taste in those: I like Escoffier by New Belgium and Brewery Vivant, Flamboyant Red by Arbor and Micromegas by Greenbush, but I hate most of the Jolly Pumpkin sours. Farmhouse ales I like. Otherwise, ale/lager, stout, porter, brown, I like it all! For wine, I like dry whites (unoaked or mildly oaked non-buttery chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, etc) and dry reds (pinot, cabs, syrah, malbec -- not super fond of most merlots as I think they have a funk). In general, I HATE sweet wine and even semi-dry is too darn sweet for me. I like (dry!) bubbly too. I also tend to like drier malbec roses. Witchee, will you be gone from your normal mailing address at any point during the round? Not that I know of now. If plans develop I will post in the thread. Are you a Disney fan or does even thinking about Disney make your head hurt? If you're into Disney, would you like something from the Happiest Place on Earth ? I'm sort of ambivalent. I like some of the movies and enjoyed Disney as a kid. I think I'd enjoy taking my nephew. But I'm not a fan either and can't ever see J and I going there on vacation. dear witchee, would you, could you use an electric candle warmer? Probably not? Do you lust after some new socks/tights? Always! Do you have a forum buddy? Someone who knows you and/or your tastes well enough to answer questions on your behalf? No particular buddy, but the GUSP ladies know me fairly well. If you are on Livejournal, would you appreciate LJ stuff like paid time, custom userheads, stuff like that? If you are NOT on LJ but are on other sites that have similar paid-for services (Flickr, for example?) would you, and what are those sites/etc? I think I'm covered for all the paid stuff I would use. if you are into tarot, what is your favorite card? I don't know enough to say. But I would love to learn! would you like your own set of handmade rune stones or worry stones? I know nothing about runes, but would love to learn. I'm actually pretty set for worry stones as I live 5 blocks from the beach! Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider, or none of the above? Tea, with the very occasional cup of cocoa. I do love spicy, pepper dark chocolate cocoa though! Gum, hard candy, soft candy, or none of the above? Peppermint gum! Loose tea or tea bags? Do you need anything for your loose tea? (Filters, presses, etc.) I love both loose and bagged teas. I could always use more of the cup sized bags (like tea*sac brand). I love the unbleached find best. Do you do Goodreads or LibraryThing or a site like that? If so, can I see your to-read list, please? I do, but they are wildly neglected and would not be of much use. I'm kakiphony on both I think. Are you a gamer (of any sort - video, casual, tabletop) and are there any games you want? Nope. Do you like coffee? If so, what kinds? Flavored, fancy, basic? Beans or ground? I have cut waaaaaay back (to the point of almost zero) on my coffee consumption. It upsets my stomach. That said, when I break down and want a cup I like African beans (Ethiopian and Tanzanian Peaberry are my favorites, whole bean. Would a Starbucks gift card make you happy or do you prefer your local place? Sadly, the only local Starbucks is in my grocery store. I never go there because they just seem...not very bright. Would you be interested in BPTP CANDY? YES. CUSTOM-Made Pottery?? yea or nay? coffee mugs, rustic or more elegant? a set of bowls? soap dish? bird feeder? something alltogether different? and lastly, good colors for glazes...? I would love it! I like both rustic and elegant styles, and can always use mugs (I love the kind with a wide base and a kind of waist in the middle and then a wide top so you get the initial cooling of the tea, but the stuff below the waist stays warmer) and bowls -- big, small, nuts to soup to serving sizes. I'm covered for soap dishes. I have never owned a bird feeder and don't know if I'm trustworthy enough to keep it filled. For glazes, I love blues, greens and purples. Also, red! Name one movie you keep meaning to buy, but just never get around to getting? Labyrinth are there any if MeiLin's books (e-book or print) you'd be interested in? I only have the first book of Lovers and Beloveds and would not mind reading more. If you like tea, what kinds? I drink mainly black tea blends (early grey or various stripes, Lady Londonderry, Sunday morning, almost all the Kusmi tea Russianblends, etc) and oolongs (love Monkey picked, Six Summits, Thai Mountain, etc). I rarely drink green tea and LOATHE anything with hibiscus or rose hips. Chamomile is too closely related to ragweed for me to drink it without allergy issues cropping up. For herbals, I like mint, licorice and ginger blends. Zombies; Yay or Nay? Yay? If you have cats, do they like catnip toys? If you have doggies, would they like a super-reinforced canvas toy with a squeaker in it? No pets. If you have kids, what are they into? No kids. How do you feel about wearable knitted lace? Shawls, wraps, and the like? I like it as long as it's not too froo-froo or doily like. Looking at the warehouse, I notice that our lovely Greenwoodtree is able to do chart readings and/or forecasts at a very reasonable rate. Is this something you would want? I would be delighted. I live in Japan. Anything you would be interested in from there? Mainly food and tea related things, maybe art or pottery? Probably not stationery as I'm not a letter writer. Candy Corn: yes, no? I actually am not terribly fond of it. It kind of makes my teeth hurt. Of course, I frequently push half of most deserts away saying they're too sweet. What is your holy grail "I'd kill to just have one drop in an imp" bpal scent? Sacrifice. Are there any existing Weenies that you have your eye on, but haven't gotten around to getting I bought decants of all the things I wanted to try, but haven't sniffed them yet. Once I sniff one may stand out, but for now I'm set. if you wear earrings, do you have pierced ears? Traditional one hole in each lobe piercings. I tend to wear studs or delicate and not super long dangles. You are meeting up with someone on a casual lunch/early afternoon thing. This person is someone you want to impress/look good for (for whatever reason, not necessarily romantic, and not necessarily for business either). What would you look like, given the contents of your wardrobe/etc? Depends on where we are meeting. If it's at a casual place (like my husband's bar) I'd wear my favorite jeans with a wide brown, big buckled belt, a tank top under one of my favorite form fitting button down blouses (one is navy, and very classic Oxford and one is a green foliage patterned western style snap-front from Ann taylor -- I wear them unbuttoned just enough for the tank to show in a contrasting color), with my Artemis necklace, and either my red Naturalista mary janes or a pair of black boots. If it's a fancier meeting or a work meeting, I'd wear my dark gray tweed skirt which is knee length with buttoned pleats at the knees, a black merino turtleneck sweater, black sweater tights, and either black Josef Seibel low heeled mary janes or black boots with my Lolth's Web (minus the spider). You are to be let loose in a clothing store of your choice, to pick a full outfit, down to the shoes, the accessories, etc. and things would be altered to fit you if needed. What store would that be, and what would you look like? I'd go for a tailored, conservative work clothes type store since tailored and relatively simple/conservative is my go-to look. (I've often said that Katharine is the Hepburn who is my style icon rather than Audrey.) For the sake of making this concrete let's pick J Crew, and I'm picking pieces I could mix and match with my current wardrobe in order to be cost effective (so I'm picking a blouse and a tank rather than a turtleneck even though I wear more turtlenecks): safari trousers in grey, stretch suiting tank in black, dream yoga cardigan in black, stretch perfect shirt in bright hydrangea, red snakeskin loafers, pearls and matching earrings, red hobo bag, ribbed tights in black, red cat's eye sunglasses, timex military watch, and drake's scarf in red. You open a box from the post office to reveal the 3 things you want most right now. What are they? (caveats: size doesn't matter, but they have to be tangible/buyable). A big (6' minimum) round area rug for my kitchen, knee high black boots that fit my skinny chicken legs, and several pairs of sweater tights in various sorta conservative yet fun patterns. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF!!! movies, comedians, black humor, your partner, a comic strip? what? Black and/or quirky/bizarre humor. I am NOT a fan of physical comedy -- I like my wit dry and verbal. I also don't like humiliation comedy. If you posted any kind of link in your original questionnaire, PLEASE post them again or put a link to SW Help in your signature. Etsy Profile and Favorites Amazon wishlist The end of this month I'm going to Scarefest, the big horror and paranormal con in Kentucky. (www.scarefest.com) If I were your witch, is there anything you would like from there (skull jewelry, art prints from an artist that catch your eye, etc), or anyone whose autograph or photo or such you would dig? My new job is at a consignment store where we have all kinds of designer brands for very reasonable prices. Are there designer clothes/purses/sunglasses that you desire/love? (Give some indication as to your "style" as well. For example, do you like bohemian-style frocks in lavender? Crossbody purses in black? Sunglasses that are round and bug-like?) Designer names aren't a huge thing for me, but I love silk scarves and big black or tortoiseshell sunglasses. Think Jackie O and Tammy Faye style. I realize that we had a similar question in the ?aire, but I need you Witchee-s to list at least 5 items, each ranging $20 and under from Amazon.com or Walmart.com. In the meantime, let me know what you like to do on the Internet to kill time. Flash games? What are your daily websites/blog visits, or favorite YouTube videos? I have over 200 blogs in my RSS (google reader) feed. And what are your favourite characters from your fandoms? I'm just not a huge fangirl. My Little Pony... Cute or meh? Meh. Extremely meh. Lip balm - tube or tin? Either! Would you like to receive a journal or sketchbook? How about other pretty paper goods like post-its, notepads, bookmarks, letter paper/envelopes? I probably would not get much use out of anything pretty -- but sticky notes are always useful. Also, a magnetic list that sticks to the refrigerator would get used. Are you interested in audiobooks? If so, any specific titles? Not really. Not enough car time or bus time any more. Bar soaps with some scrubby bits, yes or no? Sure! Do you need any small electronic gadgets like flash drives and the like? A keychain flashlight is all I can think of. Would you like a pair of knitted socks? Absolutely Do you have any use for knitted dishcloths, facecloths, etc, especially if they were fandom related? Kitchen dish cloths are always welcome, fandom or otherwise. Do you subscribe to any sample boxes, and if so, which ones? Would you like to receive some samples? I have a Birch Box subscription, but would love some samples of green products etc. do you have a problem with nudes??? If not, do you prefer male or female? I don't have a problem with them, but they're not really my style either. Paintbox Soapworks: Interested in anything from her? I would love to try soaps or scrubs. The scents that most appeal to me are: Gingermilk, The Queen is Dead, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, This Charming Man and The Englishman are there any other e-tailers you're desperately wanting to try? if so, any specific items/scents/etc? I can always use more Villainess and I think I have scent preferences in the old Swap Faery thing linked in my signature. I'm desperate for nothing, but happy to try anything! ThinkGeek: anything interesting to you on there? Not really my style although I've long eyed the light saber umbrellas for my husband What's one thing you want, right now, that you're having difficulty finding? Boots that fit my chicken legs. Who here is going to be picking up JK Rowling's new book on Thursday? I'll read, but have no compulsion to buy it Thursday. What do you do to take care of yourself when you're having a rough day (sick, life not going your way, whatever)? Comfort food, a warm bath and a comfort read.

I am loving on this bar of lavender-cedar soap someone gave me right now. Loving hard core. It's simple and clean and fresh, yet the cedar gives it a depth without being sweet. The scent it leaves on my skin is perfectly me, but sadly fades far too quickly. Is there anything in the catalog that might approximate it? These are what I've tried: L'Heur Vert -- too floral Gaueko - The nag champa amps on me and it's all incense, nice but not what I'm looking for Oneiroi: The jasmine killed it for me Wulric: Musk amps on me and smells of old man Paris: Lotus is bad on me and makes me sneeze Villain: Too much citrus made me sneeze In general, I DON'T want anything with musk in it (musk and I just don't mix -- I amp it like crazy and it makes me smell like an old man's cologne) and I think anything with Vanilla will be too sweet for what I'm seeking. Really, I'm looking for Lavender on a base of woods with very few other notes. Maybe a little smoke or leather pr a very small amount of additional herbs (thyme? rosemary?) would work. Ideas?

I've actually quit wearing anything day to day because I have a colleague who is very chemical and scent sensitive. I've never set her off, but I've seen her react to other people's scents and it's not pretty. Just as easy for me to save my smellies for evenings and weekends (and Mondays, when she does not work). It makes the scent budget smaller too!

My vote would be for things that stay very, very close to your skin with limited throw because people DO have scent sensitivities and, as much as many might like a good smelling medical professional, you'd hate to have someone react to you. The ones that stay closest to my skin are: Dana O'Shee Sudha Segara O Queen of Sheba Dragon's Milk Embalming Fluid Velvet

I could swear I'd already tried this, but I recently acquired an imp and can't find a review so... In the imp: Strong vetiver, which always reminds me of my grandfather. Very sharp and a bit feral/musky. Wet on skin: Immediately gets deeper and less sharp with a prominent wood-like note. A bit of dry black pepper in the first whiff, with the scent fading out to more wood and a little green vetiver in the background as I breathe through it. Early dry down (about 10 minutes): This is doing thing patchouli sometimes does on me where it turns very dry and woody -- almost like the inside of cedar closet or jewelry box. Good thing I happen to like that thing. There's also a little but of leather in here, but I'm smelling well worn sort of brown leather -- more like buckskin or suede rather than smooth leather if that makes sense. It's very warm, dry and masculine (which I happen to think is a very fine way for a lady to smell). I also get a very subtle note of something just a bit sweet -- it's almost like a very dry vanilla bean, but I suspect it's how the tonk a is playing in this blend. Late dry down (about an hour): This faded quickly and stayed very close to my skin (which is a big positive in my book). Notes stay as above in early dry down -- after the initial fade this didn't morph on me much at all. It's very pleasant and quite me, but so close to several other scents that's not an immediate purchase. (I put it on my wish list, but it's by no means a huge MUST HAVE if only because I own other stuff that fills the same sort of dry woods with a hint of spice niche.) I find it very similar to Black Rider (but less sweet), Tree of Life (but less cologne), Aelopile (less sweet/citrus), Krampus, Uncertain Horror and even Spanked (much less spice), Interestingly, when I reviewed Uncertain Horror I said, "It strongly reminds me of both Krampus and Spanked, leading me to believe that the combination of patchouli and leather develops in such a specific way on my skin that the other notes along for the ride really don't matter all that much." I think that statement continues to hold true and this very much falls into that category.

In the bottle: Fizzy lime with a sweet vanilla under it that has a certain buttery quality that actually scares me a little as it can be an amper for me. (Cream is about 50/50 on me. Sometimes it adds depth and other times it goes all microwave popcorn butter.) Wet on skin: Hey there sweetness. This is like a Smartie (the American, pressed powdered sugar kind) dropped in a Sprite. Really, really hoping the ginger comes out to spice this up and the fig gives it some earthiness because at the moment this is a little too Pixie Stix, Bonne Belle for me. Early dry down (about 10 minutes): The lime is getting more sour and realistic and less candy-like as this develops on my skin. The ginger has started to make an appearance and is a raw, fresh ginger kind of smell, but it's at the back of the scent as I huff, not on the top which I find a little odd for ginger. It's almost a shy ginger, if ginger can ever be shy. As I sniff, this has an almost cooling effect on my nose. As others have said, this is a very light scent -- although it does have some throw for me. But it is an airy, effervescent quality that makes it playful and light hearted. I can imagine this little bat flitting about smelling flowers and harassing bees. Later dry down (about 1 hour): This is a fast fader and, for me, the spices and fig never did come out to play. I'm anxious to see how this ages, and if some of those notes come out from behind the youthful fizz over time.

This might seem a little odd, but I think you might have decent luck with either Sassafrass Strengthener, Slippery Poppy Tincture or Nostrum Remedium with Supervillainess. They're complimentary rather than similar (no leather, no woods, no rich coffee or cocoa), but I think their herbal qualities might play well. They seems to echo bits of the top notes of the soap that tend to fade quickly after bathing.

2012 Version In the decant: Sweet. Sweetsweetsweet. Tooth aching sweet. Oddly, it reminds me a Dragon's Blood (especially of Tintagel) Wet on skin: Sweet, but under it is the Snake Oil musk and slight funk. It deepens the sweet. There's a bit of something herbal and almost bitter at the very back of my throat when I huff. Oddly, I'm still getting that dragon's blood top note. I wonder what honeys this has in it? Early dry down (10 minutes or so): Turning powdery rather quickly and very, very sweet. The sweet doesn't smell like honey to me, oddly, but rather like syrup or honey mixed with ylang-ylang. Late dry down (about an hour and half): A little powder, a little patchouli, a lot of honey and the honey is floral in a dragon's blood/ylang-ylang way. Smells very, very like Hetairae on me.

In the imp: I can't pick out individual notes, but this strikes me as high (meaning not a deep scent) and bitter. It smells almost subtle? Wet on skin: Amp, amp, amping! This is much stronger than I expected from the imp. The spices are definitely at the front of this upon application. The cumin is especially strong and I smell a bit like kitchen cabinet! Early dry down (10 minutes): All cumin, all the time. Seriously, nothing is coming through at all but cumin. It's like I rubbed the spice all over my wrists. Late dry down: I washed it off before I got this far. Maybe the cumin would have tempered, but I had a meeting that I couldn't go to smelling like that. (I washed at about 20 minutes in, so it did have some chance to morph.) Verdict: SO NOT A WINNER ON ME.