Hemera Lord`s Jester for women and men

From Chaos itself (the eternal void) sprang the godess of night (Nyx). She gave birth to Erebus (darkness) and from their union was born Aether (the air we breath) and Hemera (the light of day). Hemera was little more than the personification of daylight itself and figures little into actual mythology. There are allusions to Nyx and Hemera passing each other briefly, in the brass gates of dawn and dusk, as one rises and the other recedes. Her brother Aether (some say "light" and some say "air") was her consort and brother. They had only one child (according to Hesiod) and that was Thalassa, a primordial sea goddess. Other poets say THEY were the parents of Gaia, Uranus and the rest of the "first family". Often, she is confused with Eos (goddess of the dawn), and she had no cult or following, to speak of, but I am glad to see that Adam named a fragrance after her. If it were not for her we would be bungling around in the dark, now wouldn't we?

Hemera begins strangely, somewhat bitter (petit grain) and spicy (pepper and ginger); almost as if the first rays of daylight are cresting the horizon and driving back the thick shadows of her mother the Night, not unlike the first rays of light shining through the cool damp forest as the day awakens. She begins in that murky time that is neither truly day nor night (what I like to call the "blue time"); yet as she dries she becomes something warm and floral and full of life and joy. The rosewood in the opening is particularly clean, warm and crisp (but not "soapy", as it can be sometimes in synthetics) and with the spices adds some real "body" and character to a scent many lesser perfumers would have just made a "limp wristed" floral. As she rises higher in the vault of the heavens, and shines her "light" upon the world, the flowers "shake off" the dew and open slowly. Fruity fresh honeysuckle paired with orange flower create an accord that makes me smile! The underlying notes of rose (queen of flowers) and jasmine sambac (the high priestess) give a slight feminine edge to Hemera, but it is by no means "poofy". A clear, enchanting sweetness paired with raw elegance make something very pleasing on my male skin...and my skin tends to "eat" light springy florals for breakfast! Now the "murkiness" is gone, the night is but a memeory and we can get on with our day. You must remember now, all Lords Jesters are NATURAL perfumes; so these are not synthetic notes that "fool" your nose into thinking you are smelling something. These are real essential oils of flowers that remember and bring honor to those pretty petals who gave their lives (and scents) to this fragrance. Some may find it a bit "much", but to me, nothing compares to the real deal!

On sniffing this again and exhaling warmly on my skin, I get a delightfully subtle hint of spicy woodiness that returns to flowers and sweetness on the very next sniff...amazing! Throughout its wearing, it is playful and fun while remaining every bit a class act. There is a considerable amount of pine lurking underneath, but not the resiny sticky sap of the trees or the smell of a Christmas tree; it is the pungent scent of needles on the tree, somewhat balsamic yet fresh and cool. As the day has gone by us, and she slowly slips into the west (with her distant cousin Hespera *evening* on her tail) sandalwood and iris root butter create a cool aroma of green paired with woody warmth that makes one sit back and relish the fading of the day and the beautiful colors of a sunset. Before she slips below the edge of the world, a warm musky sweetness pervades...heralding the coming of Night again as the flowers close, and before doing so, exhale one last gorgeous breath of scent that lingers in the cool evening air and reminds us that every once in a while you have to just STOP and take in the beauty of it all.

Sillage: very good
Longevity: great
Overall: 4.25/5

Hemera began, originally, as "Hera" (named for the Queen of Olympus and rightful wife of Zeus) and as a scent created for and inspired by a dear friend of both Adam and myself. She felt it was not quite proper and "regal" enough to be named for the QUEEN of the Gods, and thought that Hemera was a more fitting name. I am inclined to agree with her! I was lucky enough to get samples of both Hemera and (the original) Hera. Hemera was more pleasing to my nose and Hera was more feminine (having had ylang in it, and no neroli and orange flower). This is something that really stands out in its subtly spiciness, floral grandeur and cool earthy drydown.

My Mother (another BIG fan of Adam's) promptly, upon sniffing the spray sample of Hera for the first time, claimed it as her own and ran giggling into her room to add it to her LJ collection. She is saving such a limited amount for a very special "get all dolled up" occasion, she says. Hemera is fit for anytime of day (despite her name) and really shines in any weather or season. I first smelled and tested it in summer and am now wearing it on a cool fall day. Just because it is named after a feminine figure...do NOT let yourself think it is "for girls" only. Lords Jester scents are all natural and all UNISEX. Hemera is no exception to this. I love it and hope you will to...