The Moonshack Story: From Sacred Leaves to Sensory Awakening
In 2004, I thought I knew what I was searching for. My sister and I had travelled to Varanasi, drawn by the ancient promise of spiritual awakening. Each morning and evening, we made our pilgrimage to the ghats, practising yoga and pranayama breathing under the guidance of our guru, letting the sacred rhythms of the Ganges wash over us. But something deeper was calling. The Bodhi tree, where, according to Buddhist tradition, Buddha achieved enlightenment, was an accessible journey from where we stayed. When I mentioned wanting to visit it in Bodhi Gaya, our guesthouse hosts shook their heads gravely. “Too dangerous,” they warned. “You shouldn’t go to that state.” My sister and I exchanged glances. We’d come this far seeking transformation. How could we turn back now?
The Journey That Changed Everything
We hired a driver and wrapped scarves around our blonde hair, setting off on what would become a seven-hour odyssey across India. The roads were treacherous, heavy lorries thundered past us towards Delhi, the traffic relentless and unforgiving. But with each passing hour, I felt something shifting within me, as if the very air was preparing us for what lay ahead. When we finally arrived at the Bodhi tree, I understood why we had to make this journey. The tree stood majestic and sacred, its heart-shaped leaves catching the light like nature’s own prayer flags. Vendors at the base were selling leaves that had naturally fallen, sacred offerings from the tree itself. I carefully selected three perfect leaves, each one shaped like a heart, each one carrying the essence of enlightenment, of awakening, of profound peace.
A Moment of Clarity at 3 AM
The journey home proved even more adventurous. Choosing the train over the dangerous roads, we found ourselves stranded on a crowded platform at 3 AM when our train arrived four hours late. As we huddled together in that crowded, overwhelming space, something extraordinary happened. With the three Bodhi leaves in my rucksack and breathing in the complex tapestry of scents around me, incense from nearby temples, the earthy richness of the Indian night, I experienced a moment of pure clarity. I realised that scent has the power to transport us, to ground us, to connect us with the sacred in everyday moments. Those leaves weren’t just botanical souvenirs; they were a reminder that we can carry peace, mindfulness, and transformation with us wherever we go.
Twenty Years of Transformation
That night on the platform planted a seed, but like all meaningful growth, it took time to flourish. When I got home from the trip, I framed those three heart-shaped Bodhi leaves. For twenty years, they watched over me, carefully preserved as reminders of that profound moment of clarity. Through career changes, life transitions, and countless everyday moments, they remained, waiting for the right time to bloom into something greater.
From Sacred Tree to Moonshack (2024)
In 2024, I set up Moonshack. I was searching for a space where I could play my alchemy crystal singing bowls, somewhere people could gather in peace and tranquillity. I found myself thinking, “I need to find a Moonshack”… a special place, a sanctuary. The moment the word formed in my mind, I knew I’d found something magical. I realised everyone needs their own Moonshack, their special place, a tranquil refuge, their safe haven where they can reconnect with themselves. What a marvellous name this would be for my brand. As I developed what would become Moonshack, I found myself searching for the perfect symbol to represent everything this sanctuary brand stood for. I wanted something that embodied strength, wisdom, growth, and the kind of deep-rooted peace that transforms from within.
The Perfect Symbol Emerges
And then it came to me – those three heart-shaped Bodhi leaves I’d carried with me for twenty years. The Bodhi tree, with its strong roots planted firmly in the earth and its beautiful heart-shaped leaves reaching towards enlightenment, perfectly captured the essence of what a Moonshack represents. Just as that ancient tree has provided shelter and inspiration for seekers across centuries, grounding them whilst encouraging their spiritual growth, our products are designed to root you in moments of peace whilst inspiring your own journey of wellness and self-discovery. The tree became our symbol, a reminder that true transformation happens when we’re both grounded and growing, when we honour our roots whilst reaching for something higher. Those three precious leaves, gathered during my transformative journey to India, had been waiting twenty years to become the heart of Moonshack.
Our Sacred Collection Today
Every Moonshack product carries the essence of that transformative journey, translating those sacred moments into daily rituals that honour the wisdom of plants and the power of intentional living. Clearing & Cleansing Aura Spray was born from that chaotic platform at 3 AM, where I learnt how spaces hold energy. Just as temple incense could transform the heaviest atmosphere in moments, this spray is here to help you create the sacred pause your space needs. Evening Calm Sleep Mist honours those twilight rituals in Varanasi, when day dissolved into night and certain scents signalled it was time to rest and integrate. Misted on your pillow, it’s here to help you release the day and embrace restorative sleep. Travel Companion captures the courage of that seven-hour journey to the Bodhi tree – bright citrus for the excitement of new experiences, florals for heart-opening moments, and woody base notes to help keep you rooted no matter how far from home you travel. Forest Bathing Mist embodies that profound moment standing beneath the ancient tree, understanding what the Japanese call ‘shinrin-yoku’ – the deep, cellular connection to the wisdom of trees. It’s here to help bring that grounding forest energy into your daily life. We believe aromatherapy isn’t just about pleasant scents – it’s about creating sacred pauses in busy lives, honouring the plant allies that have supported human wellness for millennia, and making the profound accessible in our everyday routines. From a crowded platform in India to your daily self-care ritual, we’re honoured to be part of your journey towards wellness, peace, and awakening, one mindful breath at a time.
Sophia ~ Moonshack