Tags
a poof of chimney dust, a sprig of cypress, ash, BPAL, candy, candy charcoal, charcoal, chimney dust, cypress, holiday sweets, In Memoriam, lily, limited edition, parma violet, violet, water lily, winter lilies, yule, Yule 2007, Yules, Yules 2007
Scent Name: La Befana
Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Yule 2007?
Scent Description and Notes: “On the night of the Epiphany, a joyful, broomstick-riding hag clad in a tattered shawl drops into chimneys all over Italy, bestowing gifts to good children, and dropping coal into the stockings of naughty kiddies.
La Befana vien di notte
Con le scarpe tutte rotte
Col vestito alla Romana
Viva, Viva La Befana!
As the Three Wise Men searched for the house of the Christ child, they found themselves lost. Eventually, they stopped at a small house and knocked on the door. A small, wizened woman opened the door, holding a broom in her hand. The Astrologers asked the woman if she knew the location of the child, but, unfortunately, she did not know who these men were looking for, and could not aid them in their search. It was deep into the night, and the air was chilly, so the kindly woman offered the three men her hospitality. They spent the night in her warm, comfortable home, and shared bread and stories with one another. The Astrologers explained to the woman why they were looking for this blessed infant, and invited her to join them in their search come morning. Though she was touched by their tale, she declined, as she had a great deal of housework to do. At daybreak, the Astrologers awoke. They thanked the woman for her generosity, gathered their things, and prepared to leave. Before they departed, they, again, asked the old woman if she would like to join them on their journey. Again, she declined, and sent them on their way. After they had left, she regretted her decision, and she set off to find the Three Wise Men. After many long and frustrating hours of searching, she still could not find them. Saddened, yet still filled with hope, she stopped to give a gift to every good child she passed.
La Befana comes by night
With her shoes old and broken
She comes dressed in the Roman way
Long life to the Befana!
Candy charcoal, winter lilies, parma violet, a sprig of cypress, a poof of chimney dust, and holiday sweets.” -bpal.org
Oil Color: The color of apricot preserves.
Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard 1/32 ml imp that has been decanted for me by I do not know since the only things on the now-yellowed label are the scent name and scent notes. I’m not even sure which year this was from, but I suspect it might be 2007 based on the ageing of the label. I’ll leave off the label art since the Lab does change it from year to year and I’m not certain which year this truly came from.
- ITI: Violets, frosted Stollen, wisps of warming breads, and white water lilies far in the distance. As someone who isn’t a foody by any means, this scent isn’t too bad due to the floral elements keeping it from being too cloying (so far).
- Wet: Fresh Stollen frosted with Royal Icing and candied violets and charcoal candies. The charcoal and ash notes give the holiday sweets the essence of being slightly caramelized, too. On a deeper inhale, there’s a trace of cypress adding a ghost of crisp green like a garland set on a festive table. It’s warm, inviting, delicious, but still somewhat feminine with the floral notes.
- Dry: Another scent with plenty of through and copious staying power! 10 hours later, I can still clearly smell holiday candies, especially violet with husky charcoal and pastries faintly in the distance.
Other Impressions: None.