a beauty compote
A beauty compote isn’t a standard term I’m sure, but it can be interpreted in a couple of lovely ways:
Literal meaning (inspired by food):
A compote is a dessert made of fruit cooked in sugar syrup. So a beauty compote could poetically describe a nourishing blend of natural ingredients, like herbs, flowers, or fruits, used for skincare—think of it like a "stew of beauty." It could be a mask, a balm, or even a facial treatment made from wholesome, good, yummy things.Metaphorical or artistic meaning:
It might also be used metaphorically to describe a curated collection of beautiful things—like a bowl (or moment) full of sensory delights: soft textures, fragrant oils, glowing light—things that feed your senses and spirit.
I was looking at the space where my altar used to live, with statues of Ganesh and Lakshmi. Now days its more of a compote, a mix of small things that bring me joy and beauty. A ceramic truck from Sorrento, a vintage mirror Andrew gave me for Christmas, a small Italian angel I bought in Sorrento, a box of fragrant candles a good friend brought back from Paris.
Altars, or Beauty Compotes have no strict rules. You can make that space as big and beautiful as you wish, or small and pretty. But what it does give us, is a space to rest our eyes that evokes feelings of beauty.
What things can you bring together to form your own beauty compote?
‘Beauty brings warmth, elegance and grandeur. Something in our souls longs for that graciousness and delight. When we advert to the presence of beauty, the direction, rhythm and energy of our lives become different’. These words from John O’Donohues Divine Beauty feel like a good place to finish this piece.
xx
