Koa House

HINA — NURTURING

A truly high level skill is the ability to look upon one’s self with compassion. Next level would be to be able to act and advocate for yourself according to what you see. This is one of the stories, lessons, and medicine that Hina holds.

She is the goddess of the moon and also a mother and crafts person. So in her story, nurturing and over giving eventually becomes untenable. She escapes to the moon and becomes in tune with her creativity in her solitude.

We all have moments where we have given perhaps a bit too much of our energy and time towards something. Even if this was ultimately for a good purpose or to help others in a way they needed, it’s still important to understand our limits and where we need to turn the attention to ourselves by filling our own cup.

Hina is a powerful reminder of how beautiful rest and waiting can be. She is also seen as a symbol of growth as the moon’s cycles indicate times for farming.

Think of a seed. We plant it underground and though unseen, it transforms into a seedling and plant. But before it emerges from the dark soil, we are in a state of trust and patience. The temperature of the unknown can be uncomfortable and yet it is a necessary place to venture as we move towards healing.

As Hina moves into your world, look to areas of hidden growth within yourself. How have you transformed while no one was watching and how will you continue to flourish as you make time and space for yourself?

🌕

If you’d like me to draw a card for you, just DM me! These are always fun and spark inspiration, which I believe is essential for healing and growth.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t celebrate my picks for the month! Got a little behind, but boy are these good ones! It’s all about fresh, summery tropical vibes but with a little something unique.

First up is Pineapple from Pure Fiji. You know I always choose a Pure Fiji infusion because 1) they are great quality products 2) tropical scents are hard to find and create when you’re not doing it synthetically. These are all plant based and they use plant, flower and fruit essences and extracts to create their infusions. Now, to me, Pineapple isn’t a 1:1 with real life 🍍 BUT it’s a beautiful tropical je ne sais quoi type scent that gives pineapple in the dry down as it’s dissipating off the body. Very interesting.

Next up, gardenia extract. Oh wow, this one is one of my favorite single notes because it just smells SO. GOOD. I personally don’t think it smells too cloyingly sweet floral because it has this tropical fruit note that makes it so joyful. I love it and keep coming back to it.

Truth in Expression is my Barb’s Blend of the month composed of ylang ylang, gardenia, tonka bean, and cedar. You’ll get the gardenia and some sweetness from the ylang ylang to punch it a bit more, but you’re also going to get some groundless in the form of creamy (almost like marzipan) tonka bean and woodsy bold cedar. It’s a soft hand on your shoulder or the wonder of finding the perfect words or way to communicate something from deep within, hence Truth in Expression. The certainty of understanding your own heart.

Anyway! All good ones. Another month where you can’t go wrong and may even want to combine a couple to give yourself an aromatic adeventure!

Should I start making these Barb’s Blends or single notes into mini solid perfumes??

HO’OPONOPONO — COMMUNICATION (TO SET RIGHT)
Our Strawberry Moon card is Ho’oponopono, the act of bringing something back into balance and making it right. It goes beyond simply forgiving transgressors. It’s about restoring community and the way that things work when they work well. In Ancient Hawai’i, ho’oponopono was done as a ceremony or ritual when things were out of balance. People would gather and each tell their own interpretation of what happened and a mediator would lead.

We were taught that the very act of lomilomi is a type of ho’oponopono. It’s bringing back into alignment one’s body, spirit, and mind through the use of touch and massage. I sometimes look at it from this perspective — when we have an injury or even a stressful period of time, our minds and emotions of that time become stored into the body. So when we do release, it always needs to be done intentionally and strategically. We don’t want to open up deep old wounds without a plan to soothe and open up space. There have been so many moments on the table and in the room, where working on a trouble spot, something else opens up and it’s as if both the client and I are working on much deeper layers than just tissue. When done right, both will leave feeling lighter.

When this card pops up, it’s time to look at the areas where you may need to speak your truth and hear what others have to say too. Stifling yourself only prolongates the problem until it becomes something that becomes out of hand. A ritual doesn’t need to be much. Simply a meeting of the minds. “Can we talk?” And sometimes simply existing in the same place and giving space to each other is a way to open the door for communication and connection.

New featured scents for this month! They all revolve around the theme of the divine masculine, which to me is about the sacredness of being able to hold boundaries and protect things you love. It’s also about healing that wounded part that thinks it may have not been able to protect you during big moments. It’s healing and reconciling with with that part and understanding that closing off is not the answer, just as overly accommodating is also not the answer.

The scents this month are like the feeling of being in a place or with someone that exudes safety. We start with one of ’s newest scents, Black Pearl and Sea Grapes. Such a wonderful oceanic scent that gives salt spray and a fresh, floral breeze. It’s like a regenerating dip in the water. 💧

Next is Jasmine extract as our single note. I always like to include a single ingredient essential oil or extract because sometimes you get so much nuance and complexity from just one ingredient. Jasmine is the King of Florals and an incredibly — yet kind of surprisingly — grounding scent while being a soft floral. This one is from and is soft but almost green and sort of earthy in a way that may be enticing for people who don’t typically love florals and interesting for the ones that do.

And my blend of the month I call Protector. I went back and forth on names but decided to land here. It’s the idea of a noble or sacred space being held gently without force. It’s a mix of jasmine, spruce, vanilla and more. To me, it gives the vibes of walking into a space or being in the presence of someone who makes you instantly feel calm and let down your guard. It triggers that inner knowing of certainty.

All beautiful but very different scents that will give you some tough decisions! What sounds good to you?? 👇