This is a powerful blend originally designed by Marge Clark of Nature’s Gift for Nyssa. Find out what oils changed her life!
Sylla explores the therapeutics, chemistry, safety and plant origins of Cistus essential oil.
Colleen Dodt shares how she found her way into the world of herbalism and aromatherapy.
Have you ever hit rock bottom only to look up and wonder what’s next?
Sometimes it takes a shock for us to finally look around and wonder, “What do I want to do with my life?”
I love hearing stories of those who’ve found a way to not only overcome misfortune, but transcend it. Not just because they inspire me, but because I know we need more stories like this in our world today.
Marge Clark is a living example of someone who is redefining disability, and she owes it partly to the power of essential oils. When a memory problem caused her to lose her job, she turned to essential oils and began the journey she is still on to this day.
Through sheer determination, she began Nature’s Gift Aromatherapy right from her kitchen table—before the internet was flooded with how-to videos. In fact, this was when the internet barely WAS. Today, Nature’s Gift is one of the top aromatherapy companies, supplying some of the highest-quality essential oils out there.
Between the decades she’s spent learning, importing, bottling, and retailing, she is a treasure trove of knowledge—and let me tell you, she knows her oils.
Marge has been a mentor for me and for so many others. For me, this is incredibly special because she honors my mom in her line of mentors. Being around the both of them feels like I’m about to re
ceive secret, sacred knowledge from my elders.
(For the record, they are both totally cool with the term “elder,” though my mom prefers “vintage.”)
Marge visited us a few years ago, and we sat down with her to record the first interview that is now in our Atlantic Aromatic Library.
The Atlantic Aromatic Library is a place where beginners and beyond can be inspired by the wisdom of aromatherapists like Marge and Sylla, while getting support on the practical use of essential oils in their daily lives. We wanted to build an online community to further support our students and friends, and we also wanted to make available the wealth of knowledge that experienced aromatherapists have to share.
So here is a Sneak Preview of one of several Interviews with an inspiring aromatherapist that is available in the Atlantic Aromatic Library.
Listen in as Nyssa interviews Marge on how she got started and how she has stayed true to her mission.
Now that we shared with you, please share with us! What touched you most about this interview? How can we, as aromatherapists, create the global healing that Marge talks about? Furthermore, what will you do to help make healing happen for you?
Leave us a comment below and let’s keep this conversation going.
If you like what you see, join us in the Atlantic Aromatic Library and become an official part of the Atlantic Institute Family!
Thank you for letting me share Marge’s wisdom with you. I completely agree with her that our world needs soul healing and that the healing begins with us. She has deeply inspired me to be a better aromatherapist (and person). It’s amazing how this work creates a foundation that’s ripe for personal transformation. You know, I guess that kind of healing is what it’s all about.
Aromatically Yours,
Nyssa
On-demand aromatherapy education to help you use essential oils in your daily life.
At the Alliance of International Aromatherapists Conference in Denver last September, we met and befriended two passionate women who are spearheading the first documentary about our industry. Angela Ehmke and Kristina Bauer have begun the tremendous task of putting together Uncommon Scents. They debuted their intention at the conference last fall.
Kristina also attended Mark Webb’s enlightening class on aromatic medicine last October. Mark Webb completely supported this project and ended up bringing the community together even more.
Before we met for this class in Atlanta, Kristina and Mark decided to take advantage of having several well-known aromatherapists in the same room. They arranged for a panel to take place featuring Mark, Gabriel Mojay, Marge Clark, and our very own Sylla Hanger. Kristina and Angela arranged for a film crew to come and video this discussion. Additionally, they conducted some individual interviews with the speakers.
Though many of the students had already gone through three days of intense learning with one more day ahead of them, practically the entire class returned for the panel that evening. So many of us were in awe, witnessing aromatherapy history in the making. We gained so much wisdom by hearing our industry leaders speak about the state of aromatherapy, as well as where we’re headed. There was a strong sense of solidarity and hope present, despite the “good fight” against the bad marketing claims, over simplification, and commercialization that we all constantly face.
The thing is, to produce the film, these women are going to need to raise a lot of money. Luckily, in our digital world of crowdfunding and close social media circles, meeting their goal for production can become a reality. The intention for the panel discussion and the interviews was to have initial footage for the film. It will also be part of a crowdfunding video for their major fundraising campaign this year.
But we wanted to give them more than that.
Mark suggested that we also have a silent auction to help pay for the cost of the film crew. He donated several essential oil kits to the auction, and Marge Clark offered several of her oils. We were inspired to offer several books as well. Everyone got so excited, and bids went through the roof! By the end of the weekend, we gave Kristina and Angela enough to cover the costs for this part of production. They were humbled by their gratitude, not expecting such a flood of support. They thought our gift was the opportunity for the panel. We showed them how much we believed in them. We weren’t going to wait for their campaign to start to help fund them.
It felt so good to support them that we just couldn’t stop.
The following weekend, we hosted Gabriel Mojay in Tampa for a workshop called “Harmonizing the Spirit.” Kristina attended as well, and we couldn’t help but prepare a silent auction for this class, too. Gabriel Mojay donated three of his aromatic sonnets along with original photographs of the plants. He also contacted Rhiannon Lewis. Together, they donated a complete set of back issues of the International Journal for Clinical Aromatherapy, along with recordings from the Botanical Conferences. With these and several other donations, we were able to raise another several thousand dollars.
Upon first meeting both Angie and Kristina, we knew they were our kind of people. We have a special place in our hearts for those who have a vision and pursue it—especially when that vision could help bring our sometimes-disjointed aromatherapy community together.
As someone who’s grown up with a finger on the pulse of this industry through my mom, Sylla, I’m aware of how passion builds walls in this small community. However, last fall, I felt the presence a new generation emerging in our field. All due respect to those who’ve come before us, but it seems we’re learning to come together like never before. This film is just one example of that. Let it be known that our “elders” are leading by example.
Through these experiences, I see that we all share the common sense of coming together to support one another. It looks like this sentiment is not so uncommon after all.
It doesn’t stop here, either. We’ve decided that we’re going to hold another silent auction at our Chemistry of Essential Oils class with Robert Pappas next February in New Jersey. Bontoux will be adding to our list of auction items. Robert Pappas has also agreed to donate something special from his personal collection.
More importantly, we urge all of you to consider supporting this movie. Click here to learn more and find their crowdfunding page.
This post was written by Nyssa Hanger, Assistant Director of the Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy.
Recent Comments