The body is of Hawthorne boughs and Hawthorne blossoms.”
~ Susan Cooper
GREENWITCH
In honor to the White Lady
A Green Chypre Perfume – January 2007
For the tinctures I initially decided upon Kelp and Onycha for the sea element of the White Lady and both Hawthorne flower, leaves and berries for the Greenwitch. I was not able to strain the special tinctures I made in time to add to the first version of Greenwitch, due to the deadline. In the final edition I will also add tinctures of Hazel and Rowan. Other planned additions include Birch to the base and more Rose since the Hawthorne and Rowan are from that family.
In the story the Greenwitch is created as an offering to “Tethys, the ancient ocean goddess and Queen of the Wild Magic”, also called the White Lady. There are references to the Greenwitch also being termed as the bride of King Marks. I would love to know if there is an actual making of the Greenwitch in Cornwall, England as described in the book or if it is a fictional rite.
for greeting summer
and charming a good harvest of crop and fish.”
“Hazel for the framework,
Rowan for the Head, The body is of Hawthorne boughs and Hawthorne blossoms.”~ Susan Cooper
Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia L., Rosaceae – Rose family
Hawthorne, Crataegus monogyna, Rosaceae – Rose family
I created several versions of the fragrance. My favorite is labeled number one, however, a few friends adore version number two. The second version is more in line with a classical Chypre fragrance.
This is a list of the essences that are included in the first two variations:
Monsoon Rose Attar
Jasmine Sambac Absolute
Orris CO2
Elemi
Tonka Bean
Geranium Absolute
Galbanum Absolute
Katafray
Parsley
Bergamot, Italy
Lemon
Petitgrain, Lime
Musk Accord: Ambrette, Cassie, Africa Stone, Spikenard, Cumin and Beeswax
Chypre Base Accord: Haitian Vetiver , a dark Indonesian Patchouli and Oakmoss Abs.
Grape Spirits + Grain Alcohol
Tincture of Onycha
for the Greenwitch:
Seaweed Absolute
Celery Seed Absolute
Labdanum Abs.
Choya
Peru Balsam
I’ll be putting a few small samples up on my etsy boutique for those who wish to explore the fragrance. However, it may not be until after the holidays. The studio is gratefully very bee-sy at the moment and I have quite a lot of orders to fill and custom perfumes to finalize.
Roxana Illuminated Perfume™
Roxana Illuminated Perfume™ at Etsy
Images ©Greg Spalenka, at top a cropped version of Emerge and below it is Imagination Vibration. My daughter Eve was the model for both these pieces which were commissioned as posters. See more at the Spalenka website and at his outpost on etsy.
Oh!I am…enchanted. 🙂 Thanks so much for the \”biography\” of this fragrance (and its variations). Am also intrigued by the idea of a version with more birch…hmmmmm.Roxana, it is quite wonderful of you to take the time to share your story of creation, especially during a busy season for you. I am sure there are many who will appreciate it, both right now and into the future.
Thanks Shelley, it\’s a pleasure to share it. I had it already transcribed, so it was just a matter of copy, paste, a few tweaks and putting in the imagery.:-)