Cosmic Collection News

The Benefits of Salt Crystal Lamps

2011-06-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

Salt lamps and tea light holders improve air quality in our homes at low cost by turning positively ionized air into negatively ionized air. But what exactly does this mean? An ion is an atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or a negative charge. Computers, TVs, air conditioning, smoke etc. produce positive ionized air, which has a detrimental effect on our health. A sign of positive ionized air is "stuffiness" and a tendency to suffer more often from colds and chronic respiratory ailments.

The gentle heat of salt crystal lamps generates ions carrying a negative charge thus creating a climate we find in the mountains, around waterfalls, by the sea or after thunderstorms. Breathing air saturated with negative ions has a highly beneficial effect on our health. The vibrations of all our body cells are harmonised and contribute to improving our body functions.

For decades the beneficial effect of negative ions in the treatment of many illnesses has been known, such as rheumatism, allergies, respiratory diseases, sleeplessness, migraine and high blood pressure. Salt crystal lamps are an additional and natural treatment option for such disorders.

The colour of the salt crystal lamps reinforces the rejuvenating effect on our health as colours themselves have a healing influence. Red stands for revitalization, orange for revival, yellow for positive thinking, white for the power of concentration, apricot to alleviate emotional disorders.

The salt crystal used in lamps and tea light holders come from salt mines where crystallised salt has been deposited more than 260 million years ago. The lamps are produced in their country of origin, and each one is carefully shaped by hand from a single piece of salt crystal.

Salt crystal lamps are best placed where a lot of electrical equipment is used, such as offices and living rooms, but they are also beneficial in bedrooms to aid sleep and relaxation. Don't keep salt lamps in bathrooms or outside as high moisture can damage the lamp due to the salt's hygroscopic properties. Should the tea light holder get wet, simply light a tea light in it immediately to dry it out naturally.

The warm glow of our salt tea light holders creates a cosy atmosphere and adds a healthy touch to your home.

Visit our Salt Lamp Department

Celebrating Buddha Day

2010-05-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Buddha Day is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, which means that this year it’s on the 27^th May, when Buddhists all over the world will be celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha over 2,500 years ago.

Yet another reason to celebrate here at Cosmic HQ! Buddhism is becoming more popular in the Western world as people discover its spiritual wisdom, and personally I love surrounding myself with Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes. After all, a Buddha in your home is said to bring health and good luck. Place a Buddha figure in a position, where it faces the entrance to your home, so it invites positive energies, peace and happiness into your living space.

A meditating Buddha invokes an atmosphere of tranquillity and relaxation and also encourages you to meditate and explore spiritual truths.

Buddha Day is a joyful festival, when devout Buddhists and followers offer flowers and food as gifts to Buddha when visiting the temple. They also make a special effort to bring happiness to disadvantaged people like the elderly, sick and handicapped by distributing gifts and money to care homes, hospitals and other charitable organisations.

Celebrate Buddha Day by starting the day with a short meditation just after you get up – ten minutes in a quiet space, when you let your mind focus on positive thoughts and affirmations. Meditation is an important component of Buddhism as it promotes the development of mindfulness and concentration. Light a candle and if you wish you can play relaxing music. You don’t need to be a master of any meditation technique; more important is that you feel calm and positive by the time you have finished. Enjoy the process and think about how you can help someone on that day; spending money isn’t always necessary; instead it may be more worthwhile spending time with someone who tends to be alone or supporting a work colleague under pressure. There are many ways, how you can make a positive move towards your fellow human beings, which is one of the key elements of Buddhist teachings. Most of all enjoy the day, and perhaps the constructive actions you take on that day may well have beneficial effects beyond the Buddha celebrations.

Go shopping for Buddha Day supplies:

Buddha Figures and Candleholders, Incense, Candles, Hanging Crystals, Soft Furnishings

Warmest wishes,

Christiane
http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

Buying Fair Trade Gifts DOES Make a Difference

2010-05-07T03:20:00.000-07:00

I love fair trade gifts; they are ethical, because they haven’t been produced in sweat shops. Instead, the ‘workforce’ comprises of families and communities, who tend to specialise in traditional craft techniques such as embroidery, block printing, jewellery making, or they may focus on working with a specific kind of material like wood, bamboo, stone or tin. In recent times, using recycled materials in production has also become very popular; now we can choose not only gifts that have been fairly traded, but they are also eco-friendly.

Traditional crafts are being retained by families and communities that are passed down through each generation. Specialised embroidery techniques are still used in India today, which are applied to fair trade homeware such as cushions, throws and embellished bags or scarves. Women have the choice of doing this kind of work at home, while they can look after their young children.

When you buy Fair Trade certified products, you can rest assured that producers have been paid a fair wage, working conditions are safe and no children under the age of 16 are working. Money is also reinvested into the community to increase living standards, and emphasis is put on protecting the environment; the use of hazardous chemicals in production is greatly reduced or even avoided altogether.

The exceptional craftsmanship is another reason why I love fair trade. Since everything is made carefully by hand, it is in its own right a work of art. In addition, such a diverse range of products, materials and designs appeal to buyers, who also prefer paying reasonable prices compared with expensive celebrity designer products.

So not only is fair trade ethical, but because everything is handmade, it makes each item exclusive. And because producers are constantly modifying their designs, they retain the appeal and keep the range fresh and add innovative new products.

Not only is the character and charm of fair trade gifts appealing, but also the ethics supporting these communities, who have a fair chance to thrive and develop long-term economic stability.

Support World Fair Trade Day 2010 and receive 10% on the following products:

Scarves, Bags, Notebooks, Homeware, Kids

Quote voucher code WFT2010 on checkout page, and discount will be refunded after purchase. This offer is valid until 10^th May 2010.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

www.cosmicstore.co.uk

Creating a Magickal Home with Inspiring Accessories

2010-04-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

When you furnish and develop your living space, instinctively you want it to be a place of peace and serenity. Over time, it will reflect more and more of your personality, your past experiences, what inspires you at present, and how you envisage your future.

Spiritual people, who feel close to nature, are inspired by objects and furnishings that add a sense of enchantment to their homes. In addition, they seek out products that are fairly traded, sustainable and chemical free.

At Cosmic Collection we have a fabulous range of enchanting products to enhance your personal space. Here are some ideas how you can add that magickal touch to your home:

Natural Beeswax Candles - 100% natural beeswax, which is healthy and sustainable

Celtic Bedspreads - Tree of Life, Celtic Star, Demon and Astrology throws, covers in various sizes and colours

Mystical Artefacts - Buddha, Celtic Cross, Sun and Moon Plaques and more

Crystals & Gemstones - Earth's Twinkling Treasures; we only stock hand-picked pieces: pyramids, merkabah stars, skulls, crystal lights and more

Incense - Fairly traded, natural incense with no harmful additives

Oil burners - for fragrance and essential oils

Himalayan Salt T-light Holders - to promote a healthier atmosphere in your home

Ethnic Accessories - cheerful crafts that bring a smile on your face are not just for kids

Bags & Purses - Fairly traded, handmade and embroidered in India and South America; hang these beautiful bags from hooks and use them for extra storage or as keepsake pouches

Be inspired; visit us now and add some magick, mystery and enchantment to your home.

The Cosmic Collection Team
www.cosmicstore.co.uk

Easter Blessings & Springtime Offers

2010-04-04T02:31:00.000-07:00

After a long, harsh Winter, Spring has finally arrived. Yippee!

Today on Easter Day, I truly wish you joy and abundance for the season ahead - may you get all the chocolate eggs and bunnies you deserve!

Spring is also a time of renewal, the emergence of new life and a general feeling of happy anticipation of warmer days ahead, sunshine, frog spawn in the pond, bumble bees knocking at the window, bats at dusk, summer evenings..... keeping my bedroom window open over night, I can hear the owl toowit-tohooing and the dawn chorus that follows soon after. Yes, I'm not the best of sleepers, but listening to the birds at night and early in the morning is truly magical.

Spring fever has also arrived at Cosmic Collection HQ; we are very pleased and excited to have found new mystical products handmade by artisans in Cornwall, and we are currently busy taking photos and adding them to the website. Once this work is completed, we will let you know, so you can take a look and hopefully love the products as much as we do.

In the meantime, we have some new special offers for a magical Springtime treat:

1. Buy our stunning ribbon embroidery velvet bag & scarf set, and we will include FREE matching make-up bag worth £7.95.

This gorgeous set is a lovely addition to your Spring wardrobe and will make you look and feel fabulous.

2. 20% off our Turquoise Patchwork notebook - a delightful little notebook handmade from recycled sari materials and fairly traded from India. Compact size; ideal for handbags.

Why not check out all our sale and special offer items; receiving a scrumptious little treat through the post is always so uplifting. Remember, we offer lots of adorable goodies for under a Fiver and many more for less than a Tenner.

At Cosmic Collection, you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy some magical retail therapy.

Wishing you a wonderful Spring time!

Christiane
http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

The Legend of the Crystal Skulls

2010-02-09T07:10:00.001-08:00

Skulls have always been one of the most powerful symbols in human history across the world and all civilisations throughout time. Skulls are symbols of death in many cultures but also signify knowledge and intellect. One of archaeology’s most fascinating mysteries is that of the 13 Crystal Skulls, which is believed to have originated in South America.

In recent times, the 13 Crystal Skulls have been connected to the Mayan calendar, which ends on 21/12/2012 after the 13th baktun (Mayan term for calendar cycle). Why the Mayan calendar ends on that particular day is another mystery, but most likely it is connected with an astronomical event in our galaxy, which may have a huge impact on mankind and our planet. It is speculated that if the 13 skulls are reunited by that date, they will save us from a terrible fate and even help us ascend to a new level of wisdom and understanding.

In Numerology, the number 13 is controversial; whereas some cultures consider it an unlucky number, in Judaism it is regarded as holy. In oriental cultures it is even connected with good luck and new activities ahead. Tarot trump no. 13 is Death, which relates to transformation rather than physical death, so perhaps we find some answers in the Tarot, why it is 13 skulls and not any other number. We can hope that the 21st December 2012 will herald a phase of transformation rather than death and destruction. There is also the theory that the 13 skulls represent 13 habitable planets (including Earth), which can be found in our and nearby solar systems.

There are more speculations about the origins of the 13 crystal skulls. Firstly, they may have been created by an advanced civilisation in the ancient past, such as Atlantis. Another theory as previously mentioned is that the Mayans created them in connection with their calendar, so when the skulls are found and reunited, mankind can be saved. Some people believe that they have been created by extraterrestrials. There is no conclusive evidence about the true origins of the 13 skulls.

There are some interesting facts:

Eight crystals skulls have so far been found. However, it is impossible to carbon-date quartz crystal, so experts cannot be sure, when they were made or if they are fakes.

The skulls are all life-size with incredible detail. Large pieces of quartz crystal to create life-size skulls are rare, which makes these pieces priceless.

In an experiment, people, who held their hands on one of the crystal skulls, experienced a rise in body temperature, which may suggest that energy is transmitting from the skull.

Quartz crystal is the same material used in the manufacture of silicone microchips, which are used to digitally store information. That’s why some people believe that the quartz crystals contain information and secrets about the universe.

Many people are intrigued and fascinated by the enigma of the 13 crystal skulls, so it is no wonder that even smaller crystal and gemstone skulls have become very popular collectors’ items. Apparently, when a piece of quartz crystal or other gemstone is carved into a skull, something strange happens; the energy of the skull is moving in frequency, which can affect the electromagnetic field around our body, i.e. the aura and make us more receptive.
People, who own and collect crystal skulls, are called “skull keepers” or “care givers”. They believe that a spirit dwells inside the skull, which needs nurturing and taken care of. In return, through meditation the spirit of the skull may reveal its name and even profound wisdom from the past or other worlds to its keeper.

Whatever the truth behind the legend of the 13 crystal skulls, perhaps one day its secret will be revealed, but until then let it feed your imagination.

View our range of Crystal Skulls

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T06:45:00.000-08:00

Are you enjoying the snow? Well, here at Cosmic HQ we are well covered under the white fluffy stuff. If you had to cancel a trip to the January sales because of the weather, then why not take the opportunity to shop online and let the Royal Mail drop it at your house? Despite the adverse weather conditions here in Leeds, our postman dutifully turns up every day to deliver and collect mail, so no need to question the reliability of our postal service. Mind you, although we ship everything First Class and within 24 hours, please do allow a few more days for your order to arrive due to the snow, just in case.

Well, you probably know the saying The best comes to those who wait, but sometimes those who wait have to make do with the leftovers by those who got there first. So if you don't want to miss out, it's a good idea to check out our Sale & Special Offers page on a regular basis, where you can save money on end of line sale items and limited time special offers. Better still, if you join our mailing list, you will get notified of the latest offers, news and product updates.

Our product category Gifts f or under £5 has proven very popular since we created it in November '09 for the Christmas shopping period. We've decided to keep it, so if you are looking for a small token of appreciation at any time of the year, you can find inexpensive but stylish gifts (such as this sparkly velvet sidebag) quickly without having to browse through all the departments for ages.

We have also created a New Products department, where you can find the latest additions to our product range, just like those cute little Hippy Fairy Flower Purses. Why not take a closer look?

Wishing you a fabulous and magickal 2010!

The Cosmic Collection Team

http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

Hippy, Boho Gifts for under a Fiver

2009-11-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you are looking for small gifts and stocking fillers, then check out our new department:

Gifts for under £5

You will find lovely little hippy, boho, fairly traded treasures, that will truly be appreciated by the lucky recipients. And while your are browsing, you will also find many fabulous gift ideas for less than a Tenner.

What are you waiting for? Make yourself a nice cuppa and enjoy some magickal retail therapy without leaving the house.

With best wishes,

The Cosmic Collection Team
www.cosmicstore.co.uk

If you wish to purchase the items you see here, follow the links:

Velvet Purse/Pouch with Celtic Motif

Tiger's Eye Tumblestone Bracelet

It's Halloween!

2009-10-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite festivals of the year, Halloween marks the start of the party season in the run up to Christmas. Today its main purpose is to entertain children and provide teens with the opportunity to cause irritation and annoyance to intimidated citizens in many places across the country.

The origins of this festival are found in the ancient Celtic tradition of celebrating Samhain on the 1st November, which was the beginning of winter for our ancestors and also the start of the Celtic New Year. As you can imagine, it was a dark, cold and gloomy time, the completion of the last harvest before everyone would huddle up in their huts and fight for survival during the harsh winter months ahead.

No wonder the Celts thought of death, ghosts and misery in general, so they believed that in the night from the 31st October to the 1st of November the veil between our world of the living and the world of the dead (Otherworld) would be at its thinnest, and communication could be established between the living survivors and their departed relatives and friends. To make this time of year even more atmospheric, the Celts would start their days at dusk, as darkness was seen to be a time for beginnings. Death was regarded as important as life, reflecting the Celts’ embracing and understanding of the perpetuous cycle of life and death.

Samhain was truly the darkest time for our ancestors, and today this is reflected in the way the festival is celebrated as Halloween. The custom of Trick or Treat came across to Britain from America, yet its origin is European, honouring the trickiness of the season and the human being. We all have a dark side in our personalities, and Samhain is the time of hauntings, when the spirits of the dead seek the warmth of the fireplaces and candle lights. The spirits of departed loved-ones were welcomed, but not all spirits were deemed to be friendly; the pumpkin lantern with the scary face was introduced to frighten away the demons attempting to disrupt that night in a nasty sort of way.

Here's some inspiration to get you into Halloween / Samhain mood:

Activities and Rituals
End of summer, honouring of the dead, scrying, divination, last harvest, meat harvest.
Incense
Sandalwood, sweetgrass, wormwood, mugwort, sage, myrrh or patchouli. Buy incense.
Tools
Besom, cauldron, tarot, obsidian ball, pendulum, runes, oghams, Ouija boards, black cauldron or bowl filled with black ink or water, or magick mirror.
Stones/Gems
Black obsidian (check out our black obsidian skulls), jasper, carnelian, onyx, smoky quartz, jet, bloodstone.
Colours
Black, orange, red, green
Symbols & Decorations
Apples, autumn flowers, acorns, bat, black cat, bones, corn stalks, coloured leaves, crows, death/dying, cross, divination and the tools associated with it, ghosts, jack-o-lantern, nuts , oak leaves, ivy, pomegranates, pumpkins, scarecrows, scythes, waning moon.
Foods
Apples, apple dishes, cider, meat (traditionally this is the meat harvest) especially pork, mulled cider with spices, nuts—representing resurrection and rebirth, pomegranates, potatoes, pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin seeds.
Deities
Anubis, Arianrhod, Astarte, Baba Yaga Beansidhe (Banshee), Cernunnos, Cerridwen, Crone, Demeter, Hathor, Hecate, Hel, Horned God, Kali, Kore, Lakshmi, Lilith, the Morrigan, Nephthys, Odin, Osiris, Persephone, Tlazoteotl.
Herbs and Flowers
Almond, apple leaf, bay leaf, calendula, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, hazelnut, hemlock cones, mandrake root, marigold, nettle, passionflower, pine needles, pumpkin seeds, rosemary (for remembrance of our ancestors), sage, sunflower petals and seeds, tarragon, wild ginseng.
Animals
Stag, cat, bat, owl, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin.
Work
Release of bad habits, banishing, faery magick, divination of any kind, candle magick, astral projection, past life work, dark moon mysteries, mirror spells (reflection), casting protection, inner work, clearing obstacles, inspiration, workings of transition or culmination, manifesting transformation, creative visualisation, contacting those who have departed this plane.

Enjoy Halloween!

Christiane
http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

How to Use Fragrance Oils - Hints & Tips

2009-10-22T03:13:00.000-07:00

Now that Autumn is upon us and the days are getting shorter, we can create a cosy atmosphere in our homes by burning candles, incense and fragrance oils. Unlike essential oils, fragrance oils are highly diluted aroma oils, hence the lower price. Some fragrance oils are also a mix of various essential oils to create a unique scent, such as our Gothic Dream and Night Magic.

Fragrance oils are very versatile; they are perfect for

burning in oil burners - scenting new candles or refreshing faded ones (add a few drops of oil to the hot wax of the candle) - scenting and refreshing potpourri - soaking cotton balls to scent drawers - putting a few drops on a cotton ball and put inside the bag of your vacuum cleaner to diffuse the scent whilst hoovering

You can even use the clear coloured oils to nourish and scent wooden furniture. It works really well on my battered pine table, but please try this out on a hidden area of your furniture first, if you are worried about staining.

How to burn fragrance and essential oils in your oil burner:

Fill the bowl of your oil burner with some water and add a few drops of oil. The more oil you add, the more intense the aroma in your room. Don’t burn the oil undiluted as the smell will be too strong.

Safety Notes

Some fragrance and essential oils may cause skin irritation. Avoid contact with skin. Wash with soap and water after contact. Keep away from eyes and mouth. Rinse eyes profusely with water in case of accidental contact and seek immediate medical attention. If skin irritation occurs, wash with soap and water, pat dry. If irritation continues, or is severe, seek medical attention. Not for internal use.

Keep away from children and pets.

Avoid exposing people with lung conditions, such as asthma, to the vapour of fragrance oils.

Oil may stain materials and surfaces.

Never touch hot oil or their containers, they will burn.

Never add oil to hot containers as an explosion may occur.

Do not leave oil burning pots unattended. Never exceed the manufacturer recommendations for length of time to burn oil. For the best experience, simply burn for 15 min. max, then allow to cool and then relight.

The harmful level of essential oils in sprays and in burning oils is not really known. When you are diffusing oils you should try not to use excessive amounts of fragrance/essential oil. In addition, you need to ensure good air circulation, so that the concentration of essential oil vapours is not built up.

My current favourites are Orange & Cinnamon, Apple Spice and Frankincense, which are available to buy seperately or as part of our special fragrance oil multi-buy offer

Please also take a look at our wonderful oil burners. And if you sign up to our newsletter until the end of October 2009, you will receive your exclusive 10% discount voucher in November - just in time for your Christmas shopping!

Wishing you a fragrantly delicious Autumn season!

Christiane
http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

The Woodland Trust Autumn Raffle 2009

2009-10-16T03:17:00.001-07:00

If you bought one or more of our notebooks / journals, then you are automatically included in this year’s Autumn Raffle by the Woodland Trust. Just in case you didn’t know, we donate 50p of the sale of each notebook to this worthwhile nature conservation charity.

When I got the ten raffle tickets through the post the other day (at £2.00 each), I thought that rather than just donating the money, a little gamble is in order to win the main prize of £5000. This makes donation a little more exciting, doesn’t it?

The prizes are as follows:

1st Prize: £5000 x 1
2nd Prize: £250 x 10
3rd Prize: £50 x 90

The price money will be shared equally between all customers, who have donated to the Woodland Trust with their purchase of our notebooks since we started trading in September 2008.

If the price money is small, e.g. £50, then my intention is to donate it back to the Trust. However, the other option is to keep it for next year’s raffle, so please let me know your thoughts on this by making a comment below.

It’s not too late for anyone interested in purchasing our beautiful, fair-trade notebooks to take part in our little gamble; all purchases made until 23rd October 2009 will qualify for this year’s raffle.

Although the deadline for returning tickets is the 7th December 2009, due to the postal strike I intend to send them by the 24th October, so they’ll get there in time.

Winners will be notified by 25th January 2010, when I will post an update here on our blog.

Start shopping and get your Christmas presents early: Handmade Notebooks / Journals

Best wishes,

Christiane
http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

P.S.: Please subscribe to our blog to receive updates on this story, more news, product information and special offers.

Visit the Woodland Trust website: woodlandtrust.org.uk

The Magic of Incense

2009-10-01T03:46:00.000-07:00

Incense has been used for thousands of years and was common to many ancient cultures - usually as part of religious worship or as a luxury for the rich.

Today, incense is burned for a variety of reasons. Individual fragrances can have a positive effect on your emotions. Roses and Violets will make you feel happy. Lotus and Vanilla are other joyful fragrances. If you want to work or study, try Musk, which encourages activity. Amber helps you to relax, whereas Sandalwood stimulates intuition and meditation. Passion Flower is a fragrance that inspires creativity.

The best incense is made only from natural ingredients. That’s why we are now stocking The Mother’s Fragrances Incense. This outstanding, fairly traded incense is hand-rolled and completely avoids dipping in chemicals.

How is Incense made?
A variety of scented flowers, herbs, leaves, essential oils, resins and wood powders or charcoal are blended with water to form a dough. Every fragrance has its own mix of ingredients. A tree resin which has adhesive properties is added to the mixture as a binding agent. The dough is rolled onto thin slivers of bamboo and allowed to dry in the shade. The result is a light and clean burning incense, with just enough smoke to carry the fragrance, but not cloud the room.

The scents of flowers are generally subtle and delicate. Charcoal, which burns without a scent of its own is therefore used for the floral fragrances. These sticks are black. The brown sticks contain a variety of wood powders and herbs and are used to create more woody fragrances like amber and sandalwood.

Fragrances are often associated with memories, emotions and feelings and can be used to bring these back to you. Individual fragrances will affect different people in different ways. It is exciting to experiment and find out which one is best for you to burn at different times of the day, which fragrance contributes to your health, your learning abilities, your intuition and emotional development and which one is best to give to a friend. You could start experimenting using our box with mini sticks of 21 different fragrances, and use this guide to determine which fragrance will suit you for a particular mood or situation:

Restful Fragrances:
Lavender, Amber, Sandalwood, Wild Flower
Inspiring Fragrances:
Passionflower, Autumn Leaves, Evening Rose
Happy Fragrances:
Roses and Violets, Lotus, Vanilla
Purifying Fragrances:
Spicewood, Sandalwood, Lotus, Jasmine
Fragrances for Children:
Roses and Violets, Musk (helps with homework)
Adventurous Fragrances:
Oriental Rose, Passionflower, Musk
Fragrances for Meditation:
Sandalwood, Lotus, Amber, Opium
Ancient Fragrances:
Frankincense, Myrrh, Patchouli, Gardenia

How to use Incense
Incense sticks must be put in an incense holder and then lit. Blow the flame out after a few seconds. The heat of the smouldering stick evaporates the oils and burns the powders, releasing a pleasant fragrance. Always place the incense holder on a secure and fireproof surface. Be careful with flames and never leave burning incense unattended.

The Mother’s Fragrances Incense is available at Cosmic Collection as mini sticks in sample and gift boxes. We feel this is the most economic way for you to try all the wonderful fragrances and choose your favourites over time:

Box of 21 Packs of Mother’s Fragrances Incense Mini Sticks
Box of 21 Packs of Mother’s Fragrances Incense Mini Sticks with Wooden Holder
Box of 12 Packs of Mother’s Fragrances Incense Mini Sticks

We also stock the best ever Nag Champa Incense, genuinely fair-trade and free from artificial and chemical additives.

Now is a good time to stock up on the most delicious fragrances and make your home smell like heaven with natural scents free from chemicals.

With Best Wishes from the Cosmic Collection Team
http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

Crystals & Gemstones: Mystical Hematite

2009-09-09T02:41:00.000-07:00

Hematite is the mineral form of iron oxide. It’s metallic dark grey in colour, magnetic and cool to the touch. The name ‘hematite’ derives from the Greek word meaning ‘blood’ as it can be red in its powdered form. Hematite jewellery was very popular in the Victorian era, when doctors believed it to improve blood disorders.

Hematite has been used for thousands of years; in ancient Egypt it was turned into magical amulets, and the Romans associated Hematite with Mars, their God of War. Roman soldiers are said to have used it during battle for protection. Coincidentally, hematite has been found in large quantities on the planet Mars in 2001 by the NASA 2001 Odyssey spacecraft, which is still orbiting Mars today.

Hematite is said to be a good grounding stone, helping to improve resistance to life's stresses. Its shiny metallic lustre may deflect negative energies. In crystal healing books Hematite is recommended when facing confrontations as it is thought to boost confidence and stimulates concentration and focus.

In American folklore, hematite was used as a remedy for alcohol abuse. In fact, it is said to help to break the cycle of all kinds of addictions including smoking and over-eating.

If you have an allergy to metal, then you may well be able to wear hematite jewellery as it doesn’t contain any nickel, which is the main cause for adverse skin reactions.

Wear a hematite necklace to relieve tension in the neck, upper back and shoulders. A hematite bracelet is said to increase the wearer’s magnetism - so wear one, if you are looking for love!

Of course, the healing properties of crystals in general are not scientifically proven, but why not try it out? At least we can enjoy their beauty.

Take a look at our Hematite Jewellery Collection

Learn more about crystals in Judy Hall's book:

The Benefits of Beeswax Candles

2009-08-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy burning candles in your home, you may be interested in the health benefits of burning pure, natural beeswax candles:

Beeswax is the only wax that is proven to clean the air when burned. No other candle can purify the air and eliminate odours naturally. Scented candles only mask odours and do not eliminate them. Beeswax candles have a natural, subtle aromatic honey fragrance.

Pure beeswax candles can be beneficial for people who have allergies, asthma or headaches due to burning paraffin and scented candles. They are environmentally friendly with a longer, cleaner and non-toxic burn.

Beeswax is the cleanest burning wax there is. Paraffin is derived from mineral oil; it burns dirty and fast, covering our homes in candle soot. Tiny soot particles linger in the air, and are said to cause cancer as they are easily inhaled. In contrast, 100% pure beeswax candles keep your home clean when burned in an environment free of drafts and wicks trimmed to 10mm.

Beeswax candles are sustainable and can also last up to three times longer than paraffin candles. For a longer lasting burn it's better to choose solid beeswax candles, not the honeycomb ones. That's because the honeycomb candles are rolled and, depending on the craftsmanship, may burn unevenly. Solid candles (cast in a mould) are much better, and you can find some examples on our website here: http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/catalog/cosmo_beeswax_candles.aspx?cid=13965

We're currently offering a great 3 for 2 offer on the small candles - a great money-saving opportunity for you to experience the benefits for yourself. Once you've used them, you'll never want to revert to burning paraffin candles again.

Best wishes,

Christiane

http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

Prediction Magazine Promotions

2009-08-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to know that the good people at Prediction Magazine like the products we sell, and quite a few have been featured in various issues this year.

In the latest copy (August 2009) our handmade sequined notebooks have had a lovely mini review. Indeed, apart from using them as a diary, address book or dream journal they can also be used as a photo album or scrap book:

You can find more handmade notebooks here. And you will be pleased to know that 50p of the sale of each notebook will be donated to the Woodland Trust at the end of this year. The UK needs more trees!

Talking about trees, our Celtic Tree of Life bedspread featured in last month's edition:

Everyone loves the dreamy, fairy-like, sacred image on this bedcover, so it has become quite a bestseller. We also stock similar designs in larger sizes.

Cosmic Collection's magickal range of feel-good products also includes stylish, limited edition gemstone bracelets. We had a shock the other day when we were told by our supplier that the flower-shaped bracelets are being discontinued! We only have a few left, so while stocks last you can treat yourself to something that is hard to find elsewhere, something unique and unusual - a refreshing change to the mass-produced products all over the high street.

Until next time,

Christiane

http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

Welcome to the All New Cosmic Collection

2009-07-03T02:55:00.000-07:00

Not even a year has passed, and Cosmic Collection was unhappy with her face, so she decided to have a drastic make-over. The usual treatments were applied:

facelift (a powerful new eCommerce platform, applying a refreshed, streamlined and youthful look)

botox (adding new features such as reward points and wish lists), and finally

make-up and wardrobe overhaul (new colours and a lovely new banner)

Some work is still going on in the background, e.g. detox (identifying and removing cyber bugs and gremlins) and a healthy diet (new products being added). If you notice something odd while you browse our site, please do let us know.

We do hope you like what you see, but in any case, please let us know what you think.

In order to celebrate our new launch, we are offering all our customers a 15% discount on all orders during July. Please use discount code HAPPYDAYS on the checkout page. We don't make these offers very often, so why not take advantage of it?

Have a great Summer!

The Cosmic Collection Team

http://www.cosmicstore.co.uk/

PS: Why not subscribe to this blog, so you can receive news and offers as soon as they are posted.