Discovering the Earth’s Whisper: A Journey Through Charlotte Rasmussen’s Hardcover and the Art of Handmade Rituals on Long Island
When I first stepped into Luna Co Soap's boutique on a breezy Saturday morning, the scent of fresh herbs, citrus peel, and a faint hint of smoked sandalwood greeted me like an old friend. Behind the counter, a stack of beautifully bound books caught my eye, each promising a different doorway into the world of artisanal magic. Among them, a sleek hardcover titled From Earth by Charlotte Rasmussen stood out, not just for its elegant design but for the promise that it held: a guide that weaves together the timeless practices of witchcraft candle making, body oil alchemy, and soap craftsmanship—all rooted in the rich soils of Long Island.
What makes From Earth more than a coffee‑table book is the way it positions itself as a bridge between ancient correspondences and modern, sustainable beauty rituals. The pages are a vibrant tapestry of stories, from the mythic descent of Persephone into the underworld to the practical steps of blending a manifestation oil that feels like a whispered intention. As a lover of handmade skincare, I found myself drawn into a comparison between the ritualistic approach described in the book and the hands‑on experiences offered at Luna Co Soap’s own workshops.
The first comparison arises in the realm of candle making. The book outlines a meticulous witchcraft candle making Long Island method that begins with sourcing locally harvested soy wax, adds essential oils harvested from nearby lavender farms, and finishes with a pinch of sea salt to honor the ocean’s grounding energy. In contrast, the candle making class Long Island offered at Luna Co Soap leans toward a collaborative atmosphere where participants experiment with color gradients and embed small crystals into the wick. Both approaches honor intention, yet the book’s method feels like a solitary pilgrimage, whereas the class fosters a communal sharing of energy—a subtle but powerful difference for anyone deciding which path aligns with their personal practice.
If you’re curious about alternatives to a solo candle ritual, the goddess candle workshop Long Island provides a middle ground. Here, attendees are guided through the creation of a trio of candles—each representing a different goddess archetype: Demeter for abundance, Hecate for crossroads, and Persephone for transformation. The workshop’s narrative aligns perfectly with the Persephone correspondences body oil description in the book, where each ingredient mirrors a facet of the queen of the underworld: pomegranate seed oil for rebirth, black tea leaf for deep introspection, and a dash of frankincense for divine connection. By comparing the solo practice from the book to the group-centric workshop, you can see how intention can be amplified through shared focus.
Beyond candles, the heart of the book beats within its exploration of body oils. Chapter six, titled "The Elixir of Seasons," breaks down the creation of an artisan body oil that changes with the lunar cycle. The author recommends a base of sweet almond oil infused with rosemary for spring, a touch of clove for summer, chrysanthemum for autumn, and a whisper of myrrh for winter—each element chosen for its corresponding planetary influence. The manifestation oil class Long Island offered by Luna Co Soap mirrors this seasonal philosophy but adds a modern twist: participants are taught to incorporate adaptogenic tinctures, like ashwagandha, to support emotional resilience. While the book emphasizes mythic symbolism, the class leans toward scientific grounding, offering a fruitful alternative for those who appreciate both worlds.
When comparing the two, a striking difference emerges in the depth of storytelling. The book’s narrative dives deep into Persephone’s myth, linking each oil component to a specific moment in her journey—her first taste of pomegranate, her descent, and eventual return to the surface. This storytelling element transforms a simple body oil into a ritual of recalling personal transformation. The class, meanwhile, frames the oil as a "manifestation tool" for modern goals—career advancements, relationship clarity, or creative flow. Both are valid, but the choice depends on whether you’re seeking mythic resonance or a pragmatic focus.
The third pillar of comparison lies in soapmaking itself. Luna Co Soap’s handmade soap workshop Long Island offers a tactile, community‑driven experience where participants knead, roll, and cut their own bars, using locally sourced goat milk, honey, and seaweed. The book, however, presents a more introspective "goddess soap collection" approach, where each soap is designed to honor a specific deity. The Persephone soap, for example, blends charcoal (for the underworld’s darkness) with rose petals (for the fleeting beauty of spring). The author urges readers to view each bar not merely as cleansing but as an invitation to embody the goddess’s qualities during daily rituals.
What truly sets the two apart is the level of personal myth‑weaving encouraged. In the workshop, the instructor provides a template: "Choose a scent, a color, an additive—make it yours." No deeper mythic narrative is required. In From Earth, the creation of a soap becomes a storytelling act; you are asked to write a short invocation on the soap’s label, to align the soap’s lather with the lunar phase, and to store it on an altar. For anyone drawn to narrative rituals, the book’s approach offers a richer, more immersive alternative.
As I navigated through these comparisons, I realized that the decision isn’t about choosing one method over the other but about weaving a tapestry of practices that suit various moments in life. Some days call for the quiet, solitary glow of a witchcraft candle making Long Island ritual scribbled in a notebook. Other times demand the buoyant energy of a goddess candle workshop Long Island, where shared chants amplify intention. And on evenings when the world feels heavy, a Persephone correspondences body oil applied with intention can serve as a gentle reminder that darkness always yields to renewal.
Beyond the functional comparisons, there is a shared philosophy that binds the book and the workshops: a reverence for the earth. Rasmussen’s narrative stresses sourcing ingredients from regenerative farms, minimizing waste, and honoring the cycles of the moon. Luna Co Soap lives this philosophy daily, using reclaimed glass for their candle containers, composting soap scraps, and partnering with Long Island’s coastal cleanup initiatives. Both avenues—written guide and hands‑on class—offer pathways to sustainable artistry, reinforcing that the true magic lies in honoring the planet that provides our raw materials.
One practical way to integrate these teachings is to start with a simple project inspired by the book’s "starter kit" page—a tiny tealight candle scented with cedarwood and a drop of orange bitters, poured into a reclaimed seashell. While the candle burns, you can apply a few drops of a handmade body oil—perhaps a blend of jojoba, rosehip, and a dash of pomegranate seed oil—mirroring the Persephone correspondences body oil formula. As the scent of the candle intertwines with the oil’s subtle fragrance, you create a multi‑sensory ritual that echoes both the solitary practice described in the book and the communal experience felt in a class.
For those who crave a deeper dive, the book’s chapter on "Seasonal Alchemy" offers alternative ingredient lists for each season, encouraging experimentation with local herbs like rosemary in spring or sage in autumn. Pair this with the artisan body oils Long Island market, where small‑batch producers often sell custom blends that reflect these seasonal shifts. By swapping a few drops of your own infusion for a locally crafted oil, you expand the ritual’s texture, adding a layer of community‑sourced intention.
Now, let’s talk about the tangible product that sparked this entire exploration: the beautifully bound goddess soap collection guidebook itself. Its 208 pages of English prose are more than a manual; they are a portal into a world where sustainability, myth, and craftsmanship intertwine. Whether you’re flipping through its glossy images of moon‑lit workshops or following its step‑by‑step instructions for a "Harvest Moon" candle, the book invites you to become both creator and storyteller.
Integrating the lessons from the book with Luna Co Soap’s offerings can also open doors to new alternatives. For instance, if the witchcraft candle making Long Island method feels too solitary, you might join a "Full Moon Candle Circle" hosted by the shop—a gathering where each participant creates a candle, shares a personal intention, and then lights them together under the night sky. This hybrid experience blends the book’s emphasis on intention with the communal reinforcement of a class.
Similarly, the manifestation oil class Long Island often includes a segment on "Sigil Infusion," teaching participants how to draw a simple sigil on a piece of parchment, fold it into a cloth wick, and embed it within the oil. This practice echoes the book’s suggestion to inscribe a mantra on the palm of your hand before applying the oil—a subtle yet powerful way to imprint personal power onto the ritual.
When evaluating alternatives, it’s helpful to consider your own learning style. Visual learners may thrive in the book’s richly illustrated pages, savoring each photograph of a gleaming black soap bar embossed with a silver moon. Kinesthetic learners, on the other hand, might prefer the tactile feedback of kneading soap batter in a workshop, feeling the texture shift from silky to firm as it sets. Auditory learners could find the chanting sessions during the goddess candle workshop Long Island to be the most resonant, as the rhythmic intonation of the goddess names reinforces memory.
One final comparison worth noting is the pricing and accessibility of each route. The hardcover, while a modest one‑time investment, provides unlimited reference access—a valuable resource for home alchemists. Workshops and classes, however, often require a per‑session fee, but they also include the cost of materials, expert guidance, and community support. For those on a budget, purchasing the book and recreating recipes at home using locally sourced ingredients can be a cost‑effective alternative. Conversely, for those seeking mentorship and immediate feedback, investing in a class may offer faster skill acquisition.
In the end, the journey through From Earth and Luna Co Soap’s hands‑on experiences reveals a vibrant ecosystem of rituals that celebrate the natural world while empowering personal transformation. Whether you are drawn to the mythic aura of Persephone’s underworld, the empowering glow of a goddess candle, or the soothing glide of an artisan body oil across your skin, the options abound. Each alternative—be it the quiet ritual described in the book or the lively energy of a community workshop—offers its own unique flavor of magic.
So, as the Long Island tides roll in and the moonlight dances on the shoreline, consider which path calls to you today. Perhaps you’ll begin with a simple candle, whispering an intention into the wax, then follow it with a mindful massage using a Persephone correspondences body oil, all while keeping the guidebook nearby for inspiration. Or maybe you’ll gather with fellow seekers at a goddess candle workshop, letting the collective energy amplify your personal goals. Whatever route you choose, remember that the true power lies not in the tools themselves, but in the intention you bring to them—a lesson that Charlotte Rasmussen and Luna Co Soap both teach with quiet grace.
