Garden Escape body oil

by Ritual Mischief

$6.00

Our own rose petals, buds and new leaves, calendula flowers, and fresh spearmint plus local native black cottonwood buds all infused into organic extra virgin olive oil come together in this body oil, which we created to help us find a moment of peace both on too-busy days when we feel scattered and upset and in times of deeper sadness and grief. The oil is a way to feel the quiet, gentle comfort of our garden even when we’re away from the garden, it enlivens our skin and lift our spirits. Here we rub a bit into our arms, hands, necks, and/or shoulders when we feel sad, or like we want to just get away for a while when we actually can’t get away anywhere at the moment, or when we're really on top of things--sometimes just when we wake up in the morning, thanking our bodies for their work in the day ahead. After really long, rough, dark days--and during times of deep grief--we may use this as a whole-body massage oil. 

Made seasonally and in small batches with flowers, herbs, and trees we know, on land we know and love, and with the help of people we love and trust. Sometimes available and sometimes not, because we don’t overtax plants or people or take more than they offer naturally. Currently available in a 1-ounce wide roll-on size so that we can also offer in-person refills at reduced prices to neighbors and visitors who stop by to visit the trees, dogs, cats, us, makers markets, and/or the studios here in person.

To use: Use the wide roller ball bottle to rub a small amount of oil into the palm of your hands, then rub the oil in well using your hands. For full body massage, you may also use the bottle to apply the oil directly. Olive oil takes a long time to rub into skin. That time is part of its gift. 

Tips: 

- For an added sense of comfort or moment of escape, sit outside near a tree or flowers or herbs (or inside near a house plant or bouquet of flowers if that works better) and have a conversation with the plant or tree, mostly just listening.

- Pair this body oil with our Calendula & Rose soap, Yarrow & Wild Rosehip soap, or our Grief Support or Rage Support lotion bar, depending on how much quiet comfort and support you need. All of the offerings in our Comfort & Support family make good gifts for people who need the quiet, non-judgmental support and comfort that gardens and wild plants and places offer.

- If a more intense scent matters to you and you trust essential oils, you can add a drop or two of essential oil into this carrier oil.

Why olive oil? And tips for using olive oil as massage oil...

  • Care for planet, trees, and people. I use organic olive oil because of its long history of loving humans/safe use with people and also this oil's well-established supply chains, which tend to be better for planet, trees, and people than most other oils used for body care today.
  • Love. I love this oil, and the wise, generous trees it comes from, and the people who devote their lives to its creation--people across many nation-state borders, beliefs, and persuasions.
  • With olive oil, you cannot rush. This oil takes its own sweet time with human skin. It doesn't disappear immediately. Rushing doesn't work. You may have to rub it into your muscles and skin for a longer period of time than you think you have time for. This slowing down to the oil's pace may feel slow or self-indulgent or annoying if you were raised not to center your body, or punished for listening to and supporting your own body in the past, or if you live in a culture that requires humans to rush. If you do rush, you'll likely end up with oil on your clothing, bedding, and/or furniture. Please take your time, rub the oil in thoroughly. I practice welcoming the idea that this long-loved oil from old trees knows that we are worth the extra time, even when we (or other humans or our cultures) don't. And, if you do rush and end up with oil on valuable clothing, bedding, or furniture, clean them thoroughly as soon as you can so the oil doesn't set and stain. Unless stains don't bother you: if that's the case, go wild! ;-) 

Ingredients: Whidbey rose petals, buds and new leaves (from Ritual Mischief & walks on trusted neighboring land), calendula flowers and spearmint leaves and soft upper stems (grown at Ritual Mischief), and windfall cottonwood buds (from Mountain Tree Farm in Arlington and neighbor’s trees here on Whidbey) infused into organic extra virgin olive oil. 

Size, storage & life of the product: One-ounce bottles. Store your bottle in a cool, dry, dark place where direct sunlight never touches the bottle. Use this massage oil within 12 months of purchase, because the only preservative is the nature of the plants (especially the cottonwood buds) themselves. Your oil may last a little longer than that, too, but if at any point the color changes or it doesn't smell good, stop using it. Made for external use only. Also, we've learned that plant-infused oils have minds of their own. They may ooze a little bit (oozing is part of their nature and charm), and you may find that a tiny bit of oil pools under the bottle itself, so we recommend storing the bottle on a hard surface--like stone or metal or glass or tile--that you don't mind getting a teeny bit of oil on.  

Refills: If you live on, or visit, Whidbey Island, we refill these 1 oz bottles for $5 here at Ritual Mischief. Some of the initial expense of making them is in the special apothecary bottles, and in the shipping to get glass bottles here, and in the oil-proof labels that, as it turns out, are really damn pricey. Hugs (and yay!) to anyone willing to reuse their bottles!

Let's not let a lack of money stop us: Playful community, emotional support, and remembering, strengthening, and honoring relationships among local people and neighbor trees, herbs, plants, flowers, and lichens are my loves. Money isn't. So if you live on Whidbey and can't afford the original first bottle, reach out to me. There are less fancy jars and bottles hanging around here (they tend to follow me home or show up on my doorstep much like plants do), and if you're willing to accept the oil in a less fancy jar or bottle and with a hand-written label (that is likely to run when oil hits it), then you can skip straight to the refill price. And if you can't afford the refill price, I can show you how to make a similar infused oil at home for yourself. 

Packaging: We're being as environmentally conscious as we can think to be. At the moment, this oil comes in 1-ounce reusable, clear glass wide roller ball bottles. See the Packaging page of this website for details.

Medical Disclaimer: If you are allergic to aspirin, your body may not love the cottonwood buds in this oil. The information on this page is for general reference for further exploration and study. It is not intended as a replacement for professional medical advice. See the Medical Disclaimer page of this website for more details. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

Shipping & Pick Up

We ship via U.S. Postal Service. Viva la public services! Whidbey Island friends & friends visiting Whidbey, save on shipping by picking up orders at Ritual Mischief on the west edge of Langley. Choose the Pick up delivery method at checkout if you intend to pick up your order, and we'll email or text you when it's ready and then arrange a convenient pick up time for you.

Refunds

If you order a product that doesn't work you, we will refund your money for up to 15 days after you received it. Proof of purchase required.

Digital products

Activity books and other digital content are available immediately after purchase.