New Perfume Review: Solstice Scents Guardian for ÇaFleureBon Talisman Project (Angela St. John ) 2017 + The Spirit of The Southwest Desert Draw

Original Art Work by Angela St. John's husband

"The turtle shell is my armor, the spiderweb holds negativity in its sticky silken thread, the venom of the rattlesnake protects me and the eagle allows me to fly from danger."-Angela St John

Narcisse Magazine Those Without Shadows©

The desert is a haunting and haunted locale, the feeling of both spirit and history almost palpable, not only drawing people to it but also inspiring artists, poets, authors, and cultural creatives of all genres to produce extraordinary work. At first impression it may sound desolate, but it is anything but.

Narcisse Magazine Those Without Shadows©

There is something undefinable, mystical, and downright magical about a desert landscape. It’s as if all that endless space and turquoise-electric blue sky makes personal growth something far beyond a self-help group or a best-selling “How To Improve Your Bad Self!” hardcover book.

Photo Googlesearch

Standing in a Southwest desert setting, the brown earth undulating into stunning striated hills and plateaus, seem to push your psyche to grow and expand to fill the space, but the never-ending boundless vistas of sky and earth can never be filled, so it continues pushing your expansion on and on. An eternal quest for spiritual fulfillment. You feel yourself becoming a small part of that landscape that’s full of life while at the same time quiet and profound. With her new fragrance Guardian, Solstice Scents perfumer Angela St. John has miraculously captured the all-encompassing and protective nature of desert culture, and magically captured it in a bottle; an olfactive genie ready to uncork, spray on, and face your battles. A true Southwestern talisman.

Smoking the Sage by Pamela McCabe©

Essentially a gorgeously rendered Amber and Sandalwood perfume, Guardian opens with the scent of a sweet sage smudge-stick with tendrils of citrus and wildflower flitting in and out, a fitting opening for a protective desert perfume, smudging being a time-honored ritual of new beginnings and creation.Just  as some might use a burning smudge stick to purify a new home, workspace, studio, or project, the aromatic sweetness of the top notes of Guardian  to dispel any negative energy from hindering the wearer. The smokey waft of a smoldering Pinõn pine fire adds to the sweetness, and is an odor that is intrinsic to the American Southwest desert psyche.

Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico Googlesearch

So ingrained is this odor in the cultural DNA, that even when visiting New Mexico’s prehistoric cave dwellings Bandalier National Monument, you’ll notice smoke smudges on the walls of the ridge face dwellings containing a faint trace of the Pinõn pine aroma still present after 11,000 years.

Jeff Yellowhair "Morning Water"©

Guardian edp softens as it wears and the Oudh, Fir Balsam, Cypress, Juniper, and Patchouli appear, giving the impression of walking through a high desert chaparral forest at dusk, the ground soft with needles, yet dusty, dry, and slightly camphorous. All of these scents surround and strengthen the Amber and Sandalwood base acting like a protective shell, and creating a scent that is at times mysteriously elusive, yet close and comforting as a well worn Navajo blanket thrown over your shoulders, redolent with the smells of nature and your surroundings.

Photo by Lynn Dearstyne ©

Angela St. John and her House  Solstice Scents elicit an almost fever-pitch desire among her followers whose numbers are legion. Guardian is a stunning creation that is sure to swell the numbers of those that love St. John’s beautiful creations and those new to her olfactive art.

Notes: Amber, Bergamot, Rowan Flower Essence, Three kinds of Sage, Spruce,  Pinõn Pine, Fir Balsam Accord, Spikenard, Oudh, Patchouli, Cypress, Juniper, Muhuhu (African Sandalwood), Mushroom Accord, Shiso

Disclosure: Many thanks to Solstice Scents for supplying the sample. The opinions are my own

Robert Herrmann, Contributor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to Solstice Scents and Angela St. John, we have a draw for our registered readers.   Worldwide: for our international readers, we have a 5ml  of Guardian edp, and for our USA readers we have a 60 ml  of Guardian edp. Please be sure to register if you have not done so. There is only one winner. To be eligible please let us know what you thought of Roberts’ review, if you have a favorite Solstice Scent, and where you live.  You can read  the multi –perfumer collaboration  to commemorate CaFleureBon’s 7th anniversary here . Draw closes 3/22/2017

 

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

 

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36 comments

  • The Guardian was one of the talisman fragrances that appealed to me when I read the original post.

    I loved the imagery of Robert’s review, both the photos/art and what the words evoked.

    The only Solstice fragrance I have tried was Edge of the Night (tiny decant sample) which I had had set my mind on because I love the Doors’ song of the similar name, and chypres. And I did like it a lot.

    I’m in the UK. Wet and mossy part. I need desert spirits 😉

  • Robert’s review sucked me in like it was a magical tunnel. The descriptions set the tone and the amazing photos just took my breath away! Especially the Photo by Lynn Dearstyne made me stop and look over and over again, fitting so perfectly with the whole article. I have always wanted to try Soltice Scents, but never really had the chance. I hope this will be the moment I wanted for.
    I’m in NC, USA.

  • First of all the original artwork is amazing and the meaning behind it even more so.

    I loved the review but the image depicted in this phrase “giving the impression of walking through a high desert chaparral forest at dusk” was the part that really got me hooked!

    I am a reader from the EU. Thank you very much! Wish you all the best!

  • ntabassum92 says:

    Beautiful review, with beautiful imagery. This fragrance sounds so comforting, love the line about it feeling like a Navajo blanket. I love “blanket” feeling scents, ones that envelope you and feel warm. I have never tried any Solstice perfumes, but I am about to check out the website! I am in the US. Thank you!!

  • This review is highly evocative. A family trip to the Southwest when I was a teenager made a very strong impression of me, and this brings it to mind. I remember waking up from the drive to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon in late afternoon, and the smell of hot sap and dry things was in the air, even though there was a hint of the chill everywhere the sun didn’t reach. The colors were amazing and hypnotic. The notes in this bring the whole scene to mind quite clearly to me.

    I’m a fan of SS and the resin and conifer scents she produces. A few of my favorites contain the juniper and pinon notes in Guardian. I can’t wait to try this one!

    US resident — good luck, congratulations, and thank you for the draw.

  • hausfrauhouse says:

    What an excellent, tempting review! Thank you Robert! Angela is an absolute genius, who is especially gifted with gourmands, incense based frags, and fragrances that transport you to another place so vividly that you could swear you were standing in a desert or a forest or lying on a mossy stone, etc. I am so excited to try this one, it’s on my must have list, and the turtle is especially important to me- I am Choctaw and my family told a story about the luksi (Choctaw for turtle) and how it grew feathers. The imagery on the bottle shocked me when she revealed it- the turtle has feathers like the story of my childhood! It was meant to be! Thank you for such an generous give away. <3 I'm in the US.

  • I too loved the review and what it evoked.I am a particular fan of the smell of pine nuts which I use in cooking .The treei itse4lf is magnificent in it’s beauty and ageless grace.

  • I have been hearing such nice things about Solstice Scents.
    I have not tried any from this house, but would love to.

    The most recent full bottle I bought is also taking inspiration from a desert. I am really intrigued on how this compares or differs from that one.

    I am in USA.

  • This was my favourite from the original article! The notes talk to me so much, I would love to experience this scent on my skin. Regards from Switzerland.

  • Ruth Mc Cartney says:

    Loved the review. Felt like I was walking through a southwest desert with a never ending sky opening up above me. Beautiful.

    I’m in Ireland and would love to try this. I adore Manor from Solstice Scents – Angela is amazing.

  • fazalcheema says:

    It has two notes I really enjoy such as sandalwood and oudh. It reminds Robert of ancient cultures and New Mexico terrain. There is something mythical about Guardian and it will please those who loved other from Solstice Scent. I like some of the gourmand creations from Solstice Scents. I am in US.

  • This sounds wonderful, Robert! You’re right, there is something mystical and inspiring about the desert. I am not really familiar with Solstice Scents, but the pinon and desert aromas…sounds like something I need to try. USA. Thanks for the review and the draw.

  • BethMongold says:

    I have spent a little time in the desert, mostly in Mexico, and Robert’s descriptions put me right back in it. I loved learning about the Bandalier National Monument. I live in Colorado USA. I haven;t tried any Solstice Scents as of yet, but would like to.

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    Having lived my entire life in the desert southwestern US, I am very curious to experience this scent; as much as I wear perfume in order to take myself to new places, it’s also very comforting and reassuring to smell a scent that is familiar but in a different form. I have not had much experience with Solstice scents but their aesthetic interests me.

  • Robert has really captured the desert in the description of the scent or perhaps its all one and the same. The merging, blending of natural substances, landscape, tangible, perceived through smell, through the senses. The vision of the desert becomes deeper as it moves into spirit. I was really being drawn in by the description of the Oudh, Fir Balsam, Cypress, Juniper and Patchouli, some firm fav’s of mine. I’ve never tried Solstice Scents- one to watch for me after reading this! Thanks for the draw and the review. I’m in NZ.

  • cardinalmind says:

    I had not been to any desert location in my life, but reading Mr. Hermann’s review made me imagine being in one.
    I had not smelled any Solstice Scent. I’m in the US. Thanks and have a nice day!

  • One of the most meaningful times in my life was a trip my husband and I took through New Mexico while I was in nursing school. It was so heartbreakingly beautiful. And old. You could feel it in your bones. Based on this review, Guardian sounds like that feeling in perfume form. I’m very excited for this one.

  • jeremyunderwood says:

    Great review. Always a fan of Solstice Scents- they really do a great job of capturing a sense of place in smell. My favorite of theirs is library, which as it fades basically makes me smell like an old leather bound book. I’m in the US.

  • Robert’s review took me on a journey through a dry, hot desert, including stops to smell wildflowers and take in the sights of cave markings. Taking time to understand where the scents have come from and the protective talismanic properties of the ingredients methodically chosen by Angela. I can smell the scent without even having it in front of me and can feel the hot desert sand beneath my feet.

    Angela has captivated me with many of her scents. Each season deserves its own scent and Angela makes it difficult to choose just one favorite. I must say that I heavily lean towards Foxcroft as one that I can always use, no matter the season. The smell of fallen leaves and cool autumn air with a bit of lingering chimney smoke takes me to cool walks through the woods, with crunching leaves under my feet. I love natural scents Angela is able to capture and evoke.

    I am in the US.

  • “Essentially a gorgeously rendered Amber and Sandalwood perfume, Guardian opens with the scent of a sweet sage smudge-stick with tendrils of citrus and wildflower flitting in and out, a fitting opening for a protective desert perfume, smudging being a time-honored ritual of new beginnings and creation”
    I am intrigued by this fragrance by that description alone
    I have been looking at solstice scents and FLINTLOCK EAU DE PARFUM really sounds great, although I think GUARDIAN would be my favorite

  • I really need to sniff this because of “02 L`Air du Desert Marocain”, “Au Coeur du Désert”, “Bois Marocain”, and all other great oriental perfumes trying to rebuild eastern deserts, this time I guess is western deserts environment time.
    Notes list is appealing and I absolutely enjoyed the review along with photos. Thank you!
    Never tried this house. Live in the USA.

  • Lovely review, that made me long for a trip to the desert and to feel heat, breathe in the scented air, and open space. Sage has the incredible ability to cleanse and purify, and this sounds very special. Please include me in this generous draw. US please.

  • Bernadette says:

    Great review & kudos on the artwork, beautiful. I love all the natural scents in this. To date, my favorite SS is Snowshoe Pass and Conjure, simply lovely fragrances. I live in Maryland. Thanks for the article & opportunity. I’m excited to start reading reviews on other vendors/scents.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Brilliant Robert Herrmann. What a wonderful creation of backgound before the review! The shield, the blanket, the desert, the heat, the warmth, the smoke, the dust, the purity, the air, the open space…….all sounds incredible. Never tried any of the Solstice Scents.
    Thanks to Solstice Scents and Angela St. John and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw.
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Well described in the creation of a scent… centered around the polarizing environment of an alien landscape we call the desert. Beautiful… This should be a wonderful fragrance! I would Love to enter! I do live in the US…THANKS

  • In my imagination Guardian smells tremendously expansive yet comforting, evocative of the desert space. Thank you to Robert for the review, his words took me on a journey. I live in an area where I can often walk under pine trees and past wild sage, surrounded by a sense of secure peace. Capturing that protective aura in perfume sounds marvelous.

    I have not yet tried anything from Solstice Scent. I live in the US. Thank you for the generous draw and for the fragrant adventures found each day at CaFleureBon.

  • neverenoughtime says:

    As an indie perfume addict, I am a huge fan of Solstice Scents, particularly Winter Dove, and Vanilla Pipe Tobacco. Needless to say I love reading reviews of scents I have yet to try, and this is one of the absolute best I have ever read. Robert has not only analyzed the perfume notes, he has delved into the deeper meanings behind what has been used to create them which to me is just as fascinating as the scent itself. I live in North Carolina and so for someone like me who has never had the privilege of traveling to the Southwest, this review has brought to me all of its glory.

  • This review really made the perfume come alive! I can’t wait to try this new scent. I live in Mesa AZ, and my favorite Solstice Scent is Smokey Mountain Mallow.

  • Robert’s review was well written. He painted a picture that really is vivid and enjoyable.

    Though I have many favorites from Angela’s house, by far my number 1 is Wolf Spirit. The deep woods, the fresh pine and sweet resin and incense are a sure fire way to ensure a great day. It’s gotten even more wonderful with age.

    Florida checking in!

  • I spent my formative years in NM. This review stoked the fires of desire to inhale a scent reminiscent of my childhood. If Guardian is even close to what I imagine it to be, it would be a pleasure to own. I have a sample of White Feather from Solstice Scents that I treasure. I’m in the US.

  • Wonderful review! Even though I’ve never been to the desert, I’m getting such a distinct image. Dry, warm, yet somehow comforting and protective. I’d probably have to say my favorite from Solstice Scents is White Feather. Or maybe Jack and the Devil. US resident here.

  • beangrower says:

    I am not familiar with this brand. The description of the high desert scents sound fantastic. Earthy and spiritual.

  • doveskylark says:

    This review made me dream of New Mexico. I am so intrigued by the amber, sage, and piñon notes. I wonder if I will feel safe in the desert.
    I am excited to try Foxcroft and Library from this line.
    I live in the USA.

  • The desert is my favourite landscape. So much so that this scent sounds very comforting to me. I’d imaging wearing this is like smudging yourself with sage all day. In other words, peaceful and purifying. I love in Canada, thank you so much.