Octava Botanica Ltd

The symbol of the Sun was chosen for the third step of our skincare ritual, Arise Serum.

At this final stage in our condensed alchemical process, having cleansed away all that no longer serves you, an intention may be made and set for your day. To arise and bring forth the energy of the sun, the archetype of Soul, and that which is, already within you.

This symbol was used in alchemy to represent both the sun and gold. The latin word for gold, aurum (thus, the chemical symbol Au), derives from Aurōra - the golden goddess of the dawn in Roman mythology. Her Greek equivalent, Eos, was sister to Helios, god of the sun, and Selene, goddess of the moon.

In alchemy, gold is known as the noblest of metals and represents perfection in all its forms including that of mind, body and spirit.

“Alchemists thought that turning the base metal lead into the noble metal gold was simply a matter of dissolving away the unwanted qualities and nourishing the ‘seed’ of gold. Like all metals, gold was thought to be somehow born from Mother Earth. This process was believed to be like the normal plant cycle of life and death followed by regeneration” (Tucker, J. (2006). Alchemy. Catalyst: GCSE Science Review, 17(1), 8–10).

Symbol rendering by: Ruth Evans Relics
Photo credit: Kassandra Lynne Photography

This symbol of Uranus is attributed to the second part of our skincare ritual, Awaken Toning Mist, the invitation to transmutation.

At this stage, we lift the veil, we clear away the illusion of self doubt and redirect our focus towards manifesting our intention. We bless ourselves with love, abundance and prosperity.

According to ancient Greek poet Hesiod, all life stems from a vast expanse of Chaos. From this Chaos came, Gaea (Mother Terra) who then brought forth Uranus (Father Sky).

Uranus brings to us self expression, revolution, change, invention, non conformity and originality. This is the shift that propels us forward. It is the lifting of the veil, dispersing of the mist.

Symbol rendering by: Ruth Evans Relics
Photo credit: Kassandra Lynne Photography

Our skincare ritual begins with Alchemist Cleansing Grains. With this step, we harness the element of earth and the properties of herbal grains to cleanse away the defeatist mirage of inadequacy. We see ourselves in our entirety and each time, with loving awareness, we begin to accept and even love our perceived imperfections or flaws. Cleanse, wash it away and begin anew.

This wisdom is inspired by the archetype of Pluto, the Roman god of the Underworld, Hades in Greek mythology. Pluto represents diving into the inner psyche, regeneration, epiphany, transformation and reflection. A rebirth, emergence from the darkness where we all begin.
This particular planet operates the domain that is hidden from our common reality and yet is responsible for astonishing alterations of awareness.

Pluto encourages us to look within, without fear or reservation with the innate knowing that as we face the shadow self, the oftentimes less desirable or even negative aspects of ourselves, we find the raw beauty and grace of self acceptance and unconditional love.

Think of the underworld as the place just below the surface, the soil of life. In winter, we cannot see the biological activity below or the seeds as they germinate in the Sun’s warmth collected and protected within the earth.

With this step, we beckon forth the merging of seen and unseen. To embrace that which we have been taught to be dark, ugly, or frightening is the greatest thing we can do towards the evolution of self and with time, all those around us.

Symbol rendering by: Ruth Evans Relics
Photo credit: Kassandra Lynne Photography

Kia ora, Dear Ones! 22-2-22 seemed a mighty fitting and auspicious time to announce...

It's finally here!! Afterpay is now available on our website, bringing us one step closer on the quest to make the tools of self care rituals more accessible for everyone ✨

Head over to www.octavabotanica.com and select Afterpay at the checkout.

Shop now. Pay later. Always interest-free.
See afterpay.com/terms for terms

Flash Sale On Now! $10 Off Every Purchase!
Offer Ends 21/12/21

The Alchemist Skincare Kit is carefully formulated to work synergistically as a complete three-step system. Octava Botanica takes a biodynamic and balanced approach to skincare to support the largest organ in our body, the skin, to function at its best.

To ensure the greatest benefits of our products, we want you to use them as a complete system. With many different ideologies around skincare, oftentimes we disrupt our skin's natural skin barrier through the use of harsh chemical cleansers.

The ritual begins with Alchemist Cleansing Grains. These cleansing grains contain powerful yet gentle ingredients that clean, hydrate, lightly exfoliate and encourage the integrity of the skin barrier preventing moisture loss and encouraging collagen production.

After cleansing, introducing a light spritz of Awaken Toning Mist refreshes, soothes and adds further hydration to the skin. Dampening skin dramatically increases the absorption and benefits of hydrating serums. Awaken acts to refresh and prepare skin for our final step, Arise Moisturising Serum.

Arise Moisturising Serum is composed of carefully chosen lipids(oils) that are easily absorbed into the skin delivering the greatest benefits of high quality essential oils. Our serum softens, evens out skin-tone and texture, soothes and hydrates the skin without leaving your skin feeling greasy or shiny in appearance. Arise also doubles as a smoothing/conditioning beard oil.

We will go further into the benefits of each ingredient in the following posts and on our blog. Watch this space!

What Do We Stand For?

Octava Botanica wants you to accept, love, and celebrate yourself. We encourage an awareness of self, those around us and the earth that supports us. To raise awareness and to give back to the community, we contribute 5% of every purchase to local charity organizations. Watch this space, we are very excited to announce our first partnership within the next two weeks!

Octava caters to people of all genders and ages. We utilize herbs to facilitate a nurturing ritual and routine. Our products are formulated to support the skin’s natural processes and rhythms. The Alchemist kit won’t strip away or introduce excessive elements. We do not use synthetic preservatives and we believe that consumers have the right to know which ingredients we use and where they come from. We will be posting more about ingredients in future. All materials are sustainably sourced, as local as possible and predominantly organic.

Things like wrinkles and “imperfections” are hard won, they tell a story. You are enough, you are beautiful and wonderful just as you are. A majority of the beauty industry would like to have you believe otherwise, but we want you to know, we do not condone an “anti mentality.”

Your uniqueness and individuality is not something to be belittled or diminished, it should be celebrated. Octava believes that there is no framework or structure for an accepted beauty ideal.

Let's smash that restrictive mould together.



Photo credit- Kassandra Lynne Photography 🧡

Hello Dear Ones!
I would like to introduce myself properly. My name is Ana. I am the creator of this burgeoning botanical skincare company.
Octava has been a dream of mine for many years and is the amalgamation of my studies in make-up artistry, sustainable horticulture, naturopathy and herbalism. I am a mother, a musician, an artist, an innovator.
Octava Botanica, in its current infancy, is lovingly handcrafted skincare; but to me, this is a catalyst to inspire a reconnection and discovery of self, our surroundings, and a platform for environmental and social awareness. Simply setting aside a few minutes each day, to create a nurturing self care ritual for ourselves, to check-in, we cultivate the ability to change the way we show up in the world.
The shift starts within. 🌞

I am absolutely thrilled to share this journey with you all, watch this space! Many exciting things in store! 🌱