A slower breath. A little room for yourself.
That afternoon, gentle botanical aromas filled Love & Peace Space in Richmond. A thoughtfully arranged tea table, flowers and small bottles of essential oils set the scene for an autumn gathering.
With eyes closed, we settled into an immersive aroma meditation. We slowed our breathing and gave ourselves permission to slow down, too. Rather than rushing to identify each scent, we paid attention to what we were drawn to and what it brought up for us.
The same aroma can feel different to different people. There was no single right answer—just a little time to notice our own response in the moment.
Following our senses, blending our own autumn fragrance
Guided by their sense of smell and their personal preferences, each participant chose the aromas they enjoyed most that day and blended a bottle of their own autumn essential oil fragrance.
The blends received different names: 采秋 (Gathering Autumn), 归心 (Returning Within), 观息 (Watching the Breath), 香甜 (Sweetness), and 悦己 (Delighting in Yourself). Each name seemed to hold a feeling from that afternoon, along with a kind wish offered to oneself.
A small bottle became something to take home: a personal fragrance and a reminder of a moment spent listening to ourselves.
A shared afternoon, a personal keepsake
Alongside smelling, reflecting and blending, there was time to sit together and share. Botanical aromas offered a way to explore our preferences, while conversation gave us a glimpse of one another’s perspectives.
Autumn invites both gathering and reflection—keeping what matters and letting some things go. We hope each personal blend carries a little of that afternoon into the season ahead.
A scent to return to. A moment for yourself. A little more joy in everyday life.
Thank you to everyone who shared these moments with us.
