I generally do most of my soapmaking at Imbolc, in February, because I really like the seasonal energy of emergence, healing and hope that it brings to creative projects. Besides, it’s usually still snowy here in Denver and putting up soap for 6-8 weeks is a decent project at a slower time. It also gives us fresh new bars of yummy, fluffy, smelly soaps in the middle of Spring. This year I made Calendula soap at Imbolc, which is just emerging from its little hibernation cure. I, being of the *particularly* dry, mature skin type, still need more moisture in my bars. So I use a goat’s milk soap formula with aromatic and sensual rose fragrance, oils and petals, and I will be using the seasonal energy (births, beginnings, initiations, fertility) of Ostara to do it. 

This recipe creates a luscious, firm bar with small but abundant lather and leaves your skin soft and smooth. I add the dried rose petals for texture and color. This year, I infused the 12 oz. of olive oil called for with rose petals as well, so I don’t think I will be using any added tinting for color. The addition of Evening Primrose oil and Kokum butter are exotic and offer truly transformational healing to the skin.

I always use the best quality products in my soaps and skin care because the skin is the largest organ in your body. It absorbs and digests anything on it, from products, to environmental pollutants. Feed your skin as you would choose to feed your body. For that reason, I only use and recommend Mountain Rose Herbs and Floracopeia essential oils and flower essences. I am not paid by them to endorse
them, I just really believe in and trust the quality, magic and
sustainability of their products.

If you are new to soapmaking, check out my post on the basics here. And as always, find the magic in the moment by adding mindfulness, joy and love to the mix where ever you can.

Infuse this creation process with your magic. Light a candle, say a prayer or invocation, wave your wand, summon your faerie friends. In particular, brownies, gnomes and the occasional elf love to help around your home, hearth and garden. Put out a little treat for them. They love milk, honey and cake. Set your intention for your soap. What do you want it to do? How do you want to feel or have others feel when they use it? (Only keep good juju here, peeps.) Put on some music that helps you feel this. Dance wildly in joy!

Recipe: Makes about 20-24 bars

• 12 oz. of olive oil (or rose petal infused olive oil)
• 20 oz. coconut oil
• 8 oz. almond oil
• 4 oz. Jojoba oil
• 4 oz. Apricot kernel oil
• 2 oz. Evening Primrose oil
• 6 oz. Shea Butter
• 2 oz. Kokum butter
• 2 oz. Beeswax
• optional – 1/4 dried rose petals for texture
• 24 oz. Goat’s milk + rose hydrosol + Aloe vera gel (I use one can Goat’s milk and fill the rest with a mixture of rose hydrosol and aloe vera gel) I FREEZE this mixture in ice cube trays the night before so that when I combine it with the lye, it does not combust and cools down to temp. much more quickly.
• 8.05-8.14 oz. of lye for a 5%-6% superfat
• 2 full ounces of rose essential oil, or a combination of rose geranium and rose, or a high quality rose fragrance oil blend.

Following basic instructions for cold soapmaking process, using a slow cooker, slowly melt your hard butters, oils and wax and remove the pan from the heat. (i.e., take the ceramic pot out of the heating element.) Do not add Evening Primrose oil to this mixture until it has cooled. While the mixture is cooling back down to about 100 degrees F (as measured on your thermometer), combine your frozen liquids with your lye. Never add water to lye, always add lye to water. In a glass bowl with an ice bath, mix your lye in with your frozen liquids stirring constantly to dissolve. (Of course you are already wearing protective eyewear and gloves and you are in a well ventilated space.)

When both mixtures are around the same temperature, combine liquids and Evening primrose oil to the pot and use your immersion blender to emulsify your soap to trace. Working quickly, add your essential oil and rose petals and stir with a spatula to combine. Then pour the mixture into your molds. Smooth and top off. Say a prayer of gratitude and cast a lovely little spell on top for the benefit of everyone who will be blessed by this soap you have crafted with your own hands. 🙂 Say thanks and release your helpers (brownies, gnomes other faeries).

C’est si Bon!