Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Jo Howell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Mary Jo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
In greek mythology there are 9 muses, and not one of them is for the olfactory. For me, the olfactory is my strongest sense, it guides me. Fragrant plants are my allies. I use these plants and their spirit to guide my clients through creating a scent that doesn’t just smell good, but speaks to their soul as well. Scent is profoundly individual, and is the strongest method for recalling or solidifying a memory. Humans have been contemplating for millennia about the mystery of inspiration, invention, ingenuity. Where does it come from? For me, my muse is scent. Tenth Muse was born out of my desire to honor the plants, honor my muse, and help others to find theirs. I encourage folks to let the plants speak to them, just like a muse would. I encourage them to formulate a relationship with them, just like you would a muse.
Mary Jo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
At Tenth Muse, my passion lies in creating 100% natural custom perfumes, incense, and ambient scents. My approach is deeply rooted in the practice of plant spirit medicine, where I tap into the spirit essence of plants to connect with the spirit of each individual. By understanding their intentions, goals, and memories, I am able to determine which plant can best address their unique needs.
Formal study in aromatherapy has been an ongoing part of my journey, and I take great pride in being one of the first registered aromatherapists in the US in 2001. My spiritual curiosity extends beyond borders, as I have delved into various practices from around the world. This knowledge forms the foundation of every session with my clients, allowing me to offer a truly informed and transformative experience.
Scent holds incredible power when it comes to creating rituals, evoking memories, and solidifying intentions. I firmly believe that this work is essential for everyone on their path to becoming their fully healed and authentic selves. How we show up in life truly matters, and scent serves as another tool to aid us in this process.
For me, connection is at the heart of everything I do. Whether it’s fostering connections between humans, forging a deeper connection with plants, or nurturing our chosen spiritual paths, we all need connection in various forms to thrive. My purpose is to serve as a bridge between humans and plants, encouraging others to find a connection that feels best to them.
When I have the privilege of creating a custom perfume for a client, it is an opportunity for me to fully engage, connect, and share space and time with them throughout the process. This not only nourishes my own soul, but hopefully it also cultivates positive connections for them, resulting in a personalized scent that not only smells amazing but also holds deep significance.
In essence, my work is driven by my belief that connection is vital. By facilitating connection in all its forms, I strive to empower others on their journey towards a more fulfilling and authentic experience.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
At Tenth Muse, the manufacturing of our products is a labor of love, carried out in small batches. While the custom perfumes and incense are made uniquely for each client, I keep all the recipes for future reference and fulfillment. I use my own tinctures and macerations, carefully crafted from fragrant plant materials, some of which are grown in my personal garden.
Operating a small still allows me to extract the essence of some plants, yielding a minimal amount of essential oil, and mostly the precious hydrosol, which is the spent water from the distillation process. It’s important to note that the yield of each plant varies from year to year, depending on the growing conditions. I love the idea of using what is abundant for the year and embrace it as an opportunity for the plant to convey its unique message.
Anima plantae, anima hominus: the soul of the plant in communion with the soul of man. This concept lies at the core of my work. By forging a deep bond with the plants, I establish sacred reciprocity with them. It is through this hallowed interplay that I am able to create transformative experiences and products that resonate on a deep level.
The manufacturing process at Tenth Muse is a thoughtful and intimate journey. Every step is imbued with a deep understanding and reverence for nature’s wisdom. Through this harmonious collaboration between plant and person, I strive to bring forth the soulful connection that lies within.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
In my personal journey, I’ve come to realize that my voice and gifts are truly unique and valuable. Growing up in the Midwest during the 70s and 80s, I was taught to believe that children should remain silent, deferring to the authority of adults. Pleasing others seemed to be my sole purpose. These societal expectations made it challenging for me to recognize the worth of my own voice and the safety in expressing it.
Coming from a Christian background added an extra layer of fear when it came to exploring alternative spiritual paths. However, I’ve spent over a decade delving into a shamanic practice that has profoundly influenced my work and my connection with the spirit of plants. Initially, openly sharing what I do was daunting. I wondered if my family and community would reject me or consider me a witch bound for eternal damnation. While it may sound absurd, these fears were very real for myself and countless other women who bravely choose to embrace their voices and follow their hearts.
Embarking on this journey has required me to unlearn, unravel, and rebuild. Ancestral healing has been a crucial aspect of my path, and there is still much work to be done in that regard. Reclaiming my voice and gifts has not only been for my own benefit but also for the sake of future generations, including my son, and for other women who struggle with silencing themselves to maintain peace. There is still much work to be done, but I no longer fear it, I embrace it.
I’ve come to understand that I possess something unique that only I can offer. I am valuable, and most importantly, I feel safe in expressing my gifts. This realization has been transformative, empowering me to embrace my worth and inspire others to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tenthmusefragrance.com
- Instagram: @tenthmusefragrance
- Facebook: tenth muse fragrance
Image Credits
Michael Haug, Eric D. Howell
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