Sometimes we ask ourselves what it is we love so much about making tallow balm. Each time, our humble tallow turns into a luxurious, pure and pristine balm, of beauty and rejuvenation, we are completely mystified again. It wouldn’t be the same if we could just throw it all together in one sitting. Tallow takes time. But we love the whole process of purifying and refining the tallow.
THE ALCHEMY OF SEFIRA
Especially this time of year. Sefira is a time of building, alchemizing, and redefining ourselves as vessels who are ready to receive the Torah, the Divine Word. In order to do this, we have to transform the primal energy in our initial release from slavery into something more concrete. This is actually a very structured process. Every week represents another sefira, or Divine Channel. Every day, another sefira within a sefirah which we are repairing, opening and connecting. The sefiros can be described as Divine Channels or pipelines by which divine energy flows into the world.
10 SEFIROS
There are 10 sefiros. The first three are Chochma, Bina and Daas. These are called Mochin as they refer to the more abstract themes of wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
The 7 lower sefiros are themes of the 7 weeks between Pesach and Shavuos, during which we count each day.
These are: Chesed- lovingkindness
Gevurah- strength
Tiferes- beauty
Netzach- victory
Hod- splendor
Yesod- foundation
Malchus- The Kingdom
ANI HASHEM ROFECHA
Sefira is about routine. There are no regular holidays during this month of Iyar. Yet it stands for Ani Hashem Rofecha. I am G-d, your Healer. It is through this process that we integrate the high vibing energy that we experienced on the seder night and become healed of our constricted experience in Egypt. That is why we intentionally open up these pipelines of Divine abundance one by one, during these days. By the time we get to Shavuos this new operating system of Divine abundance has been fully installed, and we are free from the constricted and enslaved ways we used to operate.
THE ALCHEMY OF TALLOW
So, what else does this have to do with tallow balm? Simply by tuning in to the lens of the sefiros we can begin to understand some of the magic contained in every single jar. During this process of sefiras haomer, it is through our daily routines and intentions that we unlock the magic hidden in the physical world. Every action we do, even the most earthly and mundane can be an opportunity to connect to these Divine channels.
With tallow, the fun really never ends. There is always another flavor and another vibe. When choosing a tallow balm, you can look through the lens of the sefiros to help you decide what it is you are looking for.
THE LENS OF THE SEFIROS
So here are some of the ingredients through the lens of the sefiros:
Frankincense, with its heart opening and expansive qualities relates to chesed, loving kindness. Myrrh, with its astringent and gentle detoxifying qualities, relates to gevurah. Myrrh was used to preserve and purify, connotating discernment and healthy boundaries. These two, frankincense and myrrh balance each other out, as do chesed and gevurah. They were used in the Ketoret along with 9 other spices.
Almond relates to the sefirah of netzach and its properties of endurance and victory. In Hebrew almond is “sheked” which also means to be watchful and diligent. The almond tree blooms earlier than other trees, portraying readiness to act or the proactive energy of netzach. It is the energy of persistence and perseverance. This is why Aharon’s staff blossomed with almonds. It showed his enduring role as the Kohen Gadol, despite the opposition of Korach and his followers.
Lavender, ylang ylang and geranium relate most to tiferes. Soothing and balancing physically, hormonally and emotionally. They contribute to a state of harmony and equilibrium and of course, beauty.
Patchouli is a deeply earthy and grounding scent. It relates mostly to the more grounded sefiros of yesod and malchus. It has the ability to root, stabilize and anchor energy into the body, just as yesod channels the higher sefiros into malchus, the physical world.
Tallow itself aligns with the sefira of malchus, which represents physical matter with its earthy and nourishing qualities and its ability to act as a vessel for all the other ingredients.
This is just a sample of some of the subtle but profound qualities that are right there in your GlowKosherTallow balm. Next time you put on your tallow balm, you can intentionally tune in to these amazing qualities and experience their magic.
Is there a particular flavor of tallow balm that you would like to see? We love to hear your feedback and ideas! Please let us know at : info@glowkoshertallow.com
Warmly,
The Glow Team
