Alchemy 1. noun. a combination of chemistry, magic, and philosophy studied in the Middle Ages.  2. figurative. a magical or mysterious power or process of transforming one thing into another.....

Botanicals! Through the centuries, they've been gathered, grown,  eaten, applied, wrapped in mystique!  From simple wild-harvested origins, to exotic locations from all corners of the globe;  incorporated into food preparation, medicine,  sacred rituals, beauty regimes, and sorcery.  They nourish, soothe, heal, beautify, and enchant!  They truly are the roots of culture....

One day, prowling an antique bookstore, I found an over 150 year old find-of-a-lifetime; an aged journal with fading notes (entries dated as early as "July 19, 1851")!  

I couldn't believe my good fortune coming upon this genuine piece of Victorian era and the perspective of someone who'd lived then!  Being as I'm a soapmaker, as well as someone who has always felt out of place in the 21rst Century anyway, it was a Holy Grail of sorts to me... for in it was recorded hand-penned toiletry, soap, perfume, poultice and remedy recipes!  

Parting with a hefty sum for the journal, I raced home, clutching it protectively, to study every still-readable word,  decipher and convert the Victorian era language and measurements ("put here to with" and "drachmas") into useable  instruction, and eventually create--or more accurately RE-CREATE the recipes journalized!  THIS was the beginning of what felt to me, like my TRUE education in botanical potion making!  Yes....something awakened in me that day...

That journal created a thirst for old-way knowledge in me, a desire to re-connect with nature and ancestral knowledge in as pure a form as possible.  It launched an obsession for finding every book I could, to learn more!  In my exhaustive and continuing-to-this-day explorations I discovered fascinating history, legend, ritual, and science ...most plant alchemy originally was passed "by story" from family-to-family, tribe-to-tribe, before eventual written documentation in journals and published works in more modern times.   Before that, most practical knowledge existed only in the "showing" and "telling" of making concoctions & remedies through apprenticeships of chosen acolytes by skilled shaman or medicine men/women, to carry on the knowledge.  

In this ancient education I was receiving via written works, what most inspired me, I incorporated into the beginnings of a new line of modern day herbal potions I call, Ancient Alchemy.  

 Inspiring to me in the development of Ancient Alchemy ...

Pale-ontological excavation uncovered the earliest evidence of prehistoric "medicine healers"; the most honored member in early human clan culture.  Revered for their expertise and application of plant medicine, their precious knowledge was passed only to a chosen clan member with "the gift" for learning.  

Also used in Ancient Alchemy:

...hieroglyphically-documented royal Egyptian rituals, 

...the single-herb pharmacopoeia of India, 

...spiritual cleansing herbs of American Indian shamanism, 

...Polynesian islander beauty traditions, 

...antiquated French methods of soapmaking, 

...Australian Aborigine practices and natural medicines, 

...the rich bounty of African botany, 

...the power & purification of Oriental tea, 

...the magic of Celtic & Druid mysticism in botanical ritual, 

...herb and plant knowledge of Hispanic "curanderas", 

...and, medieval times, of wise sages yet Dark Ages, when herbalists, often feared for their mysterious powers, found their gift for healing suspected as witchcraft or black magic.

  Herbal preparations in these Dark Times became obtainable by secret arrangement, or as sacred wisdom whispered.  "Wise Woman" was the medieval name bestowed on those whom nobility and servant alike discreetly turned to for herbal potions to soothe ills and enhance beauty.  Wise Woman knowledge, entrusted to respectful acolytes, wove it's way via story & practice through the ages, and natural magic survived! 

Fast-forward to the 21rst Century.  How many of us today grow herbs, know plant magic, or are knowledgeable enough to teach our children botanical values to use and pass on?  Abandoned today are the rituals and camaraderie of 'round the kitchen table story-telling, remedy-sharing, and garden beauty treatments from those most likely to pass this knowledge on: ...mothers, aunts, grandmothers, as Wise Women of the past did.  

Somehow as modern mankind moved forward, we also moved AWAY from simple purity. We've lost ourselves to chemical synthetics & detergent ingredients that while doing a basic job of cleaning, are unquestionably inferior substitutes for the genuine power and magic of plant-based ingredients.  Most of us have known no different, nor had a frame of reference to compare to ancient ways unless we were gifted with a Wise Woman in our family to share this sacred knowledge, or a spark of interest that generated our own pursuit of "the old ways".

At Simply Soap, we would like to prevent the rich legacy & craft of ancient alchemy from dwindling.  All it takes is the knowledge to use it!  Truths that link Wise Women & alchemists through the ages are the practical knowledge and results!  "Ancient alchemy", "Earth magic", "herbalism", ...whatever name you know it by, continues, whether others believe in it yet or not, discover a synthetic substitute for it or not......because nothing can ever compare to Earth’s natural magic!  We embrace the ancient ways, and welcome you to learn about and share them with us!

.....is a soap collection adapted & re-created from ancient recipes & methods for a truly unique and uncomplicated experience!  We've married the old with the new, using updated methods for purity standards, and safe handling of, for example, alkali (lye) in our soap production.  

Herbs & botanicals we gather (many organically-grown ourselves in our own gardens), are blended with high-skin-value vegetable and fruit oils, butters, grains, essential oils, and other enriching ingredients; we add a sprinkling of Wise Woman magic and offer them up for your exquisite pleasure and re-connection to ancient ways!  Step back into simpler times with us for the most honest ingredients our earliest ancestors discovered and whose magic they passed forth!  

It's our desire that you enjoy our soaps, potions, & legends-of-origin (included with each creation!) as much as we've enjoyed discovering & re-creating them for you! From our hands and humble cottage-workshop, surrounded by calm gardens, and the magic of wise spirits whispering.....  

Enjoy...and pass the magic on!

Copyright protected and registered © 1994- Carol Ochs, Simply Soap.  All rights reserved.  The name Simply Soap is registered trademarked in the USA, Serial Number 75686743, Registration Number 2379053.  The word mark "Ancient Alchemy" is register trademarked to Carol Ochs, Serial No. 78219177.All others in the U.S. using this name are illegal infringers. 

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