Clown Fruit Aftershave/Cologne | A Phoenix Shaving Freaky Fall Favorite Returns!

Absinthe has always been connected in some way or another to strange activity, paranormal events and the odd. I'm almost certain no one drinks this sweet, sinister elixir in the daylight...and there's a reason for that. I just don't know what it is, but it can't be good! 

Then there's the Elderberry.

Among pagan traditions, Elder has held a place of respect. The ability to protect; induce vivid dreams, particularly of the Faerie realms; to heal; and to exorcise or remove negative spells and influences are among Elder’s pagan attributes.

• It was said that to wear or carry Elder wood, leaves, flowers or berries would protect you from attack.
• Elderberry oil or water was used in blessing rituals.
• Elder leaves and branches were often hung in doorways and windows to protect those who lived within.
• Elder planted in the back yard, particularly near the kitchen, provided protection from negative influences and disease.
• Elder flowers were used in a facial wash to lighten and care for the skin.
• It was said that if you fell asleep under the elder you would dream of the faerie lands.

Conversely, amongst Christian traditions, the Elder was a fearful symbol of sorrow and death. Langland, in The Vision of Piers Plowman, claimed  Elder was the tree on who’s branches Judas Iscariot committed suicide by hanging. At times, elder was also said to have been the tree whose wood was used to make the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Elder has been used in a variety of burial rituals and in various rituals for identifying and protecting against witches.

The Holy Oak?

Throughout the major cultures of Europe the oak tree has been held in high esteem. To the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Slavs and Teutonic tribes the oak was foremost amongst venerated trees, and in each case associated with the supreme god in their pantheon, oak being sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Dagda, Perun and Thor, respectively. Each of these gods also had dominion over rain, thunder and lightning, and it is surely no coincidence that oak trees appear to be more prone to lightning strikes than other trees, whether because of their wood's low electrical resistance or the fact that they were frequently the largest, tallest living things in the landscape.

The Druids frequently worshipped and practiced their rites in oak groves (the word Druid was probably a Gaelic derivation of their word for oak, Duir, and meant men of the oaks). Mistletoe, probably the Druids' most potent and magical plant, frequently grew on oak trees and its presence was believed to indicate the hand of God having placed it there in a lightning strike.

Is it me or does there not seem to be a correlation to all of these elements? I really believe we are building something extraordinary here in a very thoughtful, alchemical manner. Simply put, this is more than just shaving or maybe we are now shaving where the veil is thinnest?