ÇaFleureBon Behind the Bottle: Ophiucus Natural Perfumers Guild Internet Project + “Epione” by Jane Cate Perfume Draw

 

Jane, why wasn't Epione submitted with the  other  Guild  Professional Perfumers- Adam Gottschalk, Anya McCoy, Christi Meshell, Elise Pearlstine and JoAnne Basset

 

 

 I began creating Epione for the Cafleurbon Guild’s project, work became very overwhelming and my creative process of blending oils became more a chore, than the delight that I usually found when creating a new perfume. So, I took a breather and time to reflect on “stuff”!!  I found a quote that captured what was going on with me during this time  by Betty Talmadge, to be so true (at least in my case it was) ‘Life is what happens when you’re making other plans’.

 

 

 

 

When I “dropped” out from the Project, the pressure was off and my thoughts collected themselves.  I began to research who Ophiuchus was and who was the actual person behind the 13th sign. What I found was that the 13th sign was actually a real person, who lived in Ancient Egypt in 27 BCE, he was a healer, and was also known as Asclepius by the Ancient Greeks.  In astrology, Asclepius became Ophiuchus the Serpent Holder, god of healing and medicine. In fact, I found out that the original Hippocratic Oath was actually an invocation “I swear by Apollo the Physician and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea (both daughters of Epione and Ophiuchus) and by all the gods…..” 

 

What or who is Epione

 

 

This I found interesting, but not as interesting as his wife, Epione, who was the Goddess of Soothing.  She and Asclepius named each of their daughters (six  in all) after a theme of good health.

 

 

 

 Epione, became my muse for the perfume, and when I began to blend the oils to create the perfume I noticed a calm, quiet, soothing feeling began to take hold of the process and of me……Interesting all the melancholy that I was feeling just went away.  I will always wonder if naming the perfume Epione and saying the name aloud was an invocation of soothing.  The notes of Epione are: Base Notes of Amber and Tonka Bean Tincture (my own blend), Heart Notes of Jasmine, Rose Absolute and Frangipani; the Top Note is Neroli. 

 

 

Do you believe in the 13th sign?

 

As interesting a concept of the 13th sign is and especially the man behind it, I still and always will believe in the 12 signs of the Zodiac. A 13th sign would make me a Taurus, which is not my personality, I am pure Gemini. But Epione will remain for me the most fascinating person or presence, my calm after the storm, at least for me. 

 

 

Editor's Note: Happy Birthday for all those born November 28- Dec 16 you are in good company (some famous Ophiuchus include King Imhotep who was the progenitor of the 13th sign, Jon Stewart of the Daily Show, Author Madeleine D'Engle, Billy Idol, Woody Allen, Maria Callas, Jay-Z, Walt Disney, Dave Brubeck, Boston Celtic Larry Bird, artist Diego Rivera, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Emily Dickinson, Fiorello la Guardia, Mayor of New York, Frank Sinatra, Jamie Foxx, Bette Davis, Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Spike Jones, Dick Van Dyke,Christopher Plummer and Nostradamus (PS. I pronounce Ophiuchus "Oh F*&K us"; we have an outlaw sign.  Today's Ophiucilui Dec 16 Birthday's include Margaret Mead, Noel Coward, Flo Ryda, Ludwig von Beethoven, Wasilly Kandinsky,Steven Bochco, Liv Ullman and Jane Austen.

The New Dates:

Capricorn: Jan. 20 – Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 – March 11
Pisces: March 11- April 18
Aries: April 18 – May 13
Taurus: May 13 – June 21
Gemini: June 21 – July 20
Cancer: July 20 – Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10 – Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16 – Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30 – Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23 – Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 – Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17 – Jan. 20

 

Thanks to Jane Cate of A Wing anda Prayer  we have a full bottle worth 125.00 of Epione. To be eligible: leave a comment on  this Behind the Bottle AND YOUR FAVORITE Oephiculis  born on December 16. Draw ends Monday December 20, 2011  EST in Sagittarius Like  CaFleureBon Behind the Bottle Q and A and your  entry counts twice.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume

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43 comments

  • Interesting story Jane..Epione is an unusual name and a person I have not heard a lot about. I like the soothing aspect..intention makes all of the difference…

    My favorite Oephiculis born on Dec 16 has to be Jane Austen..I am fascinated with her books and the movies.. …Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility. I love period pieces..

  • My favorite Dec. 16 birthday baby would be Ludwig von Beethoven.
    Interesting article. I like the idea of their being a goddess of soothing. Much more useful than redemption.

  • congrats jane!

    sometimes you have to get out of your own way… sometimes you have to wait for the muse…

    a fascinating twist to this project and tale! bravo!

    you don’t have to enter me in the draw, i just wanted to applaud jane’s return!

  • Fascinating article! I, too, still believe in the 12 Zodiac signs for the same reasons as you- I am a Gemini, not a Taurus.

    My favourite Oephiculis born on the 16th of December is also Jane Austen or Tony Hicks from The Hollies.

  • I’m glad Jane found her muse in Epione and was able to complete her composition. My favorite Oephiculis born on Dec 16th would be Margaret Mead. She’d be an interesting dinner companion!

  • Jane, I applaud you for stepping back to take care of LIFE! We are really not in as much control as we think we are sometimes. Love that is taking a break you allowed your Muse Epione to be brought into your life. Love this inspired story..

    My favorite Oephiculis born on Dec 16 is Margaret Mead no doubt. Her work and insistence of change in human behavior I feel has been so useful and enlightening. Love her statement “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”

  • What can I say, I’m still a Pisces on anyone’s chart. I would have to go with Margaret Meade. She was an amazing woman, ahead of her time. I love the comment Amy H. made about going to dinner with her! I would have loved that.

  • My German heritage makes me pick Ludwig van Beethoven since he was a German composer and pianist.
    Born in Bonn, Germany and even though his hearing began to deteriorate in his late twenties, he continued to compose, conduct, and perform, even after becoming completely deaf. Amazing person. Please enter me for this wonderful draw.

  • Thank you to Michelyn for having me participate in the 13th Sign Project, even if I was a little late to the party; but that is a Gemini for you! Jane Austen would be my favorite Oephiculius, so I agree with Joanne and Tatiana.

  • My favorite Oephiculis would have to be Ludwig von Beethoven. As a musician, he serves as an inspiration to me. He had so much passion for music, he didn’t even let his deafness get in the way.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven is my favorite. I love playing his music. My favorite of all times.
    Jane Austen is great. I grew up with her books under the pillow. I wasn’t allow to read late at night… Sorry Jane I had to pick only one favorite.

    I love the story behind Epione. It seems research is always good for inspiration.

  • I loved the soothing effect of naming the parfume and repeating it’s name
    I love Beethoven but he doesn’t seem a true Ophiuchus, so I’ll go with Liv Ullman, the real person seems to me indeed born under this sign
    Thanks for the draw

  • My favorite individual born on December 16th is Margaret Mead. I met her once, actually, at an anthropology party in Toronto. Before her arrival, there was some snarking from a couple of male professors, but as soon as she entered the room, she had everyone’s attention. Fascinating woman, whose favorite drink if I recall correctly was gin and tonic!

  • Arthur C. Clark is my fav person born on that date. I have ready many his books and liked them. Thx!

  • I love your articles on Ophiuchus as I am also a member of this sign being born on Dec 12th. My favorite person born today is Kandinsky I just love his paintings!!

  • Zee Boudreaux says:

    Nostradamus! I am saying Oh F*#K Us over and over. What a crazy name! This perfume sounds Oh F$&K Us Amazing! Perfect even mmmm…

    Thanks for all of these delightful draws especially the natural ones. 😉

  • The Goddess Epione seems a gentle and beautiful Goddess. The perfume too sounds beautiful. In common with several other commentators my favourite person born on 16 December is Jane Austen. I have her complete works and can read thm time and time again and always find something new to enjoy and savour.

  • Loved learning about the concept of the name and the notes sound amazing. Sometimes you just have to let things go to make things happen: as the Tao phrase “yield and overcome”. Favorite person born today would have to be Jane Austen. I have read each one of her novels at least half a dozen times.

  • This was a very interesting read! I love that the name Epione, and saying it aloud, brought calm and soothing. I definitely believe that words can invoke that kind of power. And to go along with my love of words, Jane Austen is my favorite Oephiculis.

  • There are many interesting and very talented folks that are talented in so many ways born on Dec 16 but I would have to stand by my man LV Beethoven:) Talk abou tbeing ahead of your time! I can not imagine the critism he must have endured for his “future predictions. I am not sure if it is noted that he may been reguarded as a wacko but I ma sure he dealt with some critism for his eye into the future.
    I am a Virgo by the new zodiac. I just can not agree less with that:) I am true Libra. I have alll of the traits of one. It just can not be. Although, on the other hand I have noticed that the Libra’s that I know who’s birthday’s fall on odd numbered days could fit this Virgo discription very well.
    I also think that they name is funny. I personally would benefit from the calming properties of this scent. I also could see my daughters being calmed and soothed by Epione and that my friends would be priceless:)
    Thanks Cafleuerbon and also to Jane Cate.

  • Anna in Edinburgh says:

    My favourite Dec 16th person would be my friend Sally, who has her birthday today, and my OH has his tomorrow – both are definitely Sagittarians, and I’m no-one’s idea of a Leo Lady either!

    From the list, I choose Noel Coward for his wit, style and crisp enunciation:-)

  • Interesting article, my favorite has to be Beethoven for the december 16th list but also want to mention that from the other list my favorite Ophiuchus would be Jon Stewart!
    Life is what happens when you are making other plans is a great quote by the way. And great story behind how Epione was conceived.

  • What a beautiful sounding fragrance and a lovely story behind it. My favorite Dec 16th born figure would have to be Margaret Mead. Such a fascinating person.

  • My favorite Ophiucus is Walt Disney. I have always admired him and I’m a big fan of the fantasy world he created: the movies, the parks, documentaries, etc. When I was younger I wanted to work in Walt Disney Company as an animator. Now I’m realistic but I still love drawing 🙂

    I agree with Jane when she says she doesn’t feels like the sign she is supposed to be now. It happens the same to me.

    Epione is a beautiful name and the notes are lovely. I didn’t know Epione was the Goddess of Soothing.

    Thanks for this generous draw!

  • First, Epione is a beautiful floral scent with a gorgeous base of slightly sweet resins. It is als the name of a genus of butterfly which is poetic justice as Jane’s company is A WING and a prayer.These are the 6 daughters of Epipone- Hygieia (“Hygiene”), Iaso (“Medicine”), Aceso (“Healing”), Aglæa/ and Ægle (“Healthy Glow”), and Panacea (“Universal Remedy”; they are all constellations as well

  • hotlanta linda says:

    Alot of good education here!! 🙂 My pick is Dave Brubeck for a lifetime of great music!! Dick Van Dyke`s a very close second for his lifetime of great comedy 🙂

  • There’s a flower called Asclepias, or butterfly weed. It’s in the milkweed family and very pretty with it’s orange tube-like petals. I wonder if there’s any connection to Asclepius?

    I like most of the Ophiuchians on your list – my favorite would be Madeleine D’Engle.

  • Oh! So I see! The new Zodiac system including Ophiucus does not create a major F#$k up for me since I am still Pisces! By a new dates my husband is a Scorpio though, hummm, interesting.

    My favorite Ophiucus is the one who first gave me a favorite read and then a venue for my musings — you all know her by different names, MC Scenta being one of them — it’s Michelyn!

    Well, I have to admit, Maria Callas went into the final round too 🙂

    I love the idea of the perfumes based on goddesses. I think we can become better learning more stories about the goddesses and getting in touch with them.

  • Ludvig V, and Jane Austen, and I can’t choose just one. I find the 13h sign interesting, but even more so Jane Cate’s way to creating a fragrance for this mystery sign. The story of Epione is beautiful, I like the idea of a soothing goodess.
    Thank you very much for the insight and the great draw.

  • William “The Refrigerator” Perry, was born on Dec 16th.
    He was famous for winning a SuperBowl with the Chicago Bears. They were also known for their SuperBowl Shuffle video they made.

    I’d have to ask my wife about the thoughts on Epione, but I’m sure she would have nothing bad to say.

  • I love the way this perfumer found her muse for this new scent. I also agreed with her comment about not fitting into her new 13th Zodiac sign. I would go from being Virgo to Leo, night and day! My favorite birthday boy would be Beethoven.

  • I wanted to thank Jane cate for her very meaningful work with Children. In case I had not mentioned that in my entry I did not want to be remiss. Thanks you from the bottom of my heart thank you:)

  • I can’t wait to smell this, Jane! I was worried you were overwhelmed at the time of the 13th Sign Guild project, and now I’m just happy you were able to pull it together.

  • I find the stories behind any creative endeavor fascinating, so thanks for sharing yours! Isn’t it funny how you have to just get out of your own way sometimes? As for my favorite Dec. 16 birthday, Jane Austen, hands down.

  • Bethoveen. Truly a genius. The spark in the gunpowder barrel that gave us many joys through music.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Thank you Adam for the lovely mention of Epione. Thanks Anya. I really appreciated the caring and support the NPG members showed me and yes, sometimes it takes time to pull ones self back into a groove. Thank you NPG.
    Most of all Thank you to the 13th sign Birthday girl, Michelyn, for letting me present my newest fragrance, Epione Perfume. Now that I’m on a roll again, another fragrance is in the works!

  • Fav OPI is Bethoveen.
    You may have noticed, 2011 began with Minnesota astronomy professor Parke Kunkle gaining some quick fame when he announced there are 13 constellations on the ecliptic. His story was viral for the entire month of January. Ophiucus is considered the sign of change and is neither air, earth, fire, or water. It is the “ether” which transmutes the four other elements. I would buy Epione.