House

Story

Lavender might have a reputation for being “soft”, “passive”, or “domestic”. While there’s nothing wrong with any of those things, there’s an insidious belief buried in our perception of lavender: things to do with “relaxation” or “home” are judged to be decadent or frivolous (read: “feminine” in the misogynist sense). But carving out a beautiful place to live, internally or externally, involves patient work and a calm belief in your belonging. Just like that heirloom ceramic teapot posed lithely on your credenza, “House” is the texture of home, solidified. It seems to help everything fall into place.

The idea for House came from an experiment in creating an “ultimate” lavender. I combined lavenders from different growing regions around the world and aged the formula on dry prairie herbs to add texture. You can read about the ideas orbiting this project on the oil blog if you’d like. Braiding lavender from France (expressive), Greece (sturdy) and nearby Ontario (electric), I added a super rare co2 extraction of American hops. The hops (yes, the stuff that goes in beer) is distilled fresh, immediately after picking. Hops are known for being powerfully euphoric, clearing physical and mental blocks and discomfort, and their funky, fruity aroma enhances lavender’s brightest tones. Blended with heart-calming rose de mai - billowing in the breeze like ribbons of blush silk - and eye-opening basil and elemi - shining herb-garden sunlight on the scene - House awakens, soothes and sings. 

Anchoring the formula is two different extractions of frankincense: a classic, silvery-incense version, and the intense “choya loban”, which is (essentially) the oil of frankincense on fire. Accented with birch tar, cypriol and lemongrass, they form a smoky, elemental base which sparkles like bamboo charcoal. They also add a glossy finish, the way ceramic glaze pools gently in the clay impressions of a potter’s fingerprints. 

House is raw and sculpted, serene and provocative, contemplative and frivolous. It’s a unified “nice smell” that evolves prismatically, amplifying lavender’s pleasures and its power to put our world(s) in order.

Stars

“The Virgo constellation contains a fixed star called Vindemiatrix. Vindemiatrix means grape gatherer or fruit-plucking herald. This is the person with the list. Agendas of abundance live with this star. House helps us channel that character of the grape gatherer. The one who makes it happen. The one who works for the wine. This is for the Pisces or Sagittarius who needs help sculpting their boundless vision into a stream of pop masterpieces, for the Libra or Taurus who’s lost in the matrix of a beauty and needs to answer this question “what is it that I actually like?” House isn’t for getting somewhere but for starting somewhere. A Virgo smiles after moving a mountain: “Oh that? No worries. That was nothing.” — Jaime Wright 

Ingredients

100% natural, single-origin aromatics. 0% synthetic scents, nature-derived aroma chemicals, preservatives, gluten, animal testing. this product is vegan.

active ingredients: greek lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil, french Lavandula officinalis (lavender) essential oil, australian callitris intratropica (blue cypress) essential oil, indian cyperus scariosus (cypriol) essential oil, emirati boswellia carterii (frankincense) essential oil, italian citrus nobilis (clementine) essential oil, egyptian rosa centifolia l. (rose de mai) absolute, american humulus lupulus (hops) CO2 essential oil, ontario lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil, indian Betula alba (birch tar), essential oil, filipino Canarium commune (elemi) essential oil, indian cymbopogon flexuosus (lemongrass) essential oil, french salvia sclarea l. (clary sage) essential oil, indian ocimum basilicum l. (sweet basil) essential oil, russian abies siberica (siberian fir) essential oil, indian abelmoschus moschatus medik (ambrette) absolute, indian Boswellia serrata (choya loban) dry distilled absolute, infusion of dried herbs (catnip, oatstraw, lavender and mallow).

other ingredients (10ml only): spanish prunus armeniaca (apricot kernel) carrier oil

other ingredients (15ml only): alcohol, distilled water, natural tocopherol (vitamin e)

Safety & Storage

Jovian products are formulated for higher-than-average potency. If you have a history of irritation, sensitivity or allergies to essential oils or other fragrant materials, our products sadly might not be for you. Please read directions before applying.

Store bottles in a cool, dark place. As Jovian products are all-natural and free of artificial preservatives, they will smell best if used within 6 months.