Koa House

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?? 👇