BPAL update
I updated my BPAL post.
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is going to be the death of me. Seriously. Beth has come up with far too many new blends that have me drooling. As a result, I had to prioritize.
Today was the Pink Moon order day, and the description was:
Pink Moon:: The name of this moon refers to the color of wild ground phlox, a primary component of this Lunacy Blend, which is one of the most widespread floral signposts of springtime in North America. This Lunar blend is soft with phlox, tulip, daffodil, dogwood and muscari, dusted with pink sugar, carnation and honey, and a touch of the first strawberries of the season.
Tulip. See, I hardly ever do florals. I'm just not a floral kind of girl. But tulips get me. And the carnation and honey and pink sugar? Ohhh, they did me in.
Also ordered?
Beltane:: One of the holiest days in the Pagan calendar, Beltane [May Day, Cetsamhain, Floralia and Roodmas… also, Beltaine, Bealtaine, Bealtuinn, Beletene, La Bheltine] is the Day of Baal’s Fire, and marks the midpoint of Sol’s path between the Vernal Equinox and Summer Solstice. In Druidic tradition, need-fires were set atop hills in a symbolic gesture of bringing the Sun’s light down to Earth. Celebrants danced around the fires in harmony with the Sun’s seeming movement through the sky, and passed eadar dà theine Bhealltuinn, between the Fires of Beltane, to purify themselves. In Scotland, all hearth fires were extinguished, and the flames from the need-fires were used to rekindle their flames, bringing blessings and good fortune into the household. It doesn’t matter where your faith lies, Beltane is sacred to us simply because we’re human. It is a celebration of new growth, rebirth, of the fertility of our land, our spirits and our bodies, and is a reminder of the joy in simply being alive. Celebrate life! Wind some flowers into your hair, dab a little oil behind each ear, toss the first petals of springtime onto your yard, and bless your garden the old fashioned way!
No notes are listed, but Beth has the uncanny ability to distill experiences into her work. I have no doubt that I'll sniff this one and it will just be Beltane. And considering that Beltane is neck and neck with Samhain for my favorite holiday, I had to have it. I am so very excited about this one.
I considered this one:
Hexennacht: The Night of the Witches. In the Teutonic calendar, April 30, not October 31, was the night that the witches congregated to celebrate their Work through ecstatic dance, wild music and revelry. The witches fêted with spirits, fairies, and a bevy of otherworldy creatures atop Brockenberg peak in the Harz region of Germany, where they lit an enormous bonfire and cavorted naked until midnight… at which point they donned their robes, boarded their brooms, flying rams and sacred goats, scooped up their cat familiars, and sped off into the night. In later days, it was believed that on this night the witches conjured the devil, who would then select one of them for his bride. This perfume is the scent of the witches’ revel: German fir and forest herbs, incense and bonfire smoke, and the wet, glimmering scent of skin warmed by dance.
But shyed away. Mostly, it's a money issue. I wish I could have all of Beth's blends, as numerous and wonderful as they are. Notes-wise, this could be hit or miss for me. Her bonfire-smoke scents and herbal mixtures are always good on my skin, but fir can be too overpowering. I'm going to seek out a sample of this one, or maybe swap for it. I should have ammo, considering reviews for The Living Flame are sounding distinctly un-me.
Today, she also launched the Panacea collection, but at $23/5ml, I don't know if I can afford them.
Elixir I: Seduction -- Passion, sensuality, romance, sexual sensitivity.
Elixir II: Succor -- Relaxation, calm, finding center.
Exlixir II: Lustration -- Mental, physical and spiritual purification.
Elixir IV: Quietude -- Peace, serenity, tranquility, silence.
Elixir V: Moxie -- Energy, vigor, verve, strength, courage, balls.
All of these seem so tempting, especially when you take into account that the labfolk are masters at alchemy, and these are no doubt incredibly potent. Hmm. Drool. Okay, so maybe I'll get them one at a time-- they'll be my labor of love. Maybe I'll get really lucky and the lab will offer a sampler imp-pack of these so I can sniff them all.
Also, I'm sad that Thunderbird is being discontinued. I'd meant to buy a 5ml of it, but the money just never matched up. Well, que sera sera.
I know a few of you have mentioned that you'd consider buying BPAL, but you wouldn't know where to start. As a true addict, I must enable you, so here are a few of my favorites thus far:
Tarot: The Star:: The only reason I haven't ordered a larger size of this yet is because it's $20/10 ml, and I'm kind of poor. Still, it's wonderful, and I should get some more because I'm running out. It's coconut and lime, predominantly, with an effervescent fizzle of mint. True to its name, it really stands out. I get sniffed more or less nonstop every time I put it on.
Hamadryad:: It's a fresh cinnamon stick with something drier and green beneath it. It has its own distinct personality, and it lasts. This is by far and large one of my favorite autumnal scents.
Somnus:: Having trouble sleeping? This will knock your ass out. It's a blend of lavender and what I think might be verbena (no notes are listed), but you won't smell it long because you're going to be having some serious, uninterrupted sleep going on.
Sudha Segara:: One of my recent favorites. It's a creamy, zingy ginger and milk blend. It's fresh and invigorating that smells delicious. The only downside to this one is that it sticks pretty close to the skin, so I have to reapply more often than the other blends.
Sin:: Seduction in a bottle. Cinnamon, amber, and patchouli. It's really, really sexy.
O:: Honey. Pure orgasmic honey. Sweet, but in a slightly perverted way. Every person I know who has smelled this has said that in some way, it smells like sex.
Titania:: Just the right mix of fruit and floral. This one is really effervescent-- white flowers and fizzy pear. One of my early favorites.
Algaea:: Amber and peach blossom, it's a sweet, breezy spring scent without giving off a floral headache.
Persephone:: Pomegranate and tea rose, bubblegum-hopeful. One of the rare florals that I completely fell for.
The Hesperides:: Crisp, zingy caramel apples. The green kind. I don't know how Beth did it, but this really does smell like a celestial orchard.
Scheherezade:: There is something sexily exotic about this one. It's spicy and erotic and very mysterious.
As for the Voodoo blends, I can personally vouch for Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo, Has No Hanna, and High John the Conqueror. You might also be able to get your hands on some of the past Limited Edition blends, and if so, I'd recommend Samhain, Snow White, Lughnasadh, Harvest Moon, and my very favorite blend of all time, the ultra-rare Blue Moon.
And if you have any questions about certain scents, I've read a lot of reviews, and I should be able to help you decide if it's for you or not. I'm a good enabler like that. :)