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METHODS
OF SELECTING ESSENCES
There are many ways to select essences,
some rational and some intuitive. I believe that using a combination
of methods gives the most beneficial and trustworthy results.
By
Definition: Each essence producer markets his or her essences with
a definition of what the essence is helpful for. Choosing flower
essences by definition alone places implicit trust in what the producer
has discovered about the essence. Some essence producers are stringent
in conducting research through case studies in order to determine the healing
qualities of their essences. FES, for example, may spend 10-15 years
accumulating research on a specific essence before releasing a definition.
Their shortest research accumulation period was 4 years, for the Mariposa
Lily (case studies had been flowing in steadily). But even FES continues
to research the healing qualities of essences which have been in existence
for many years and continues to expand their definitions. Essences
are relatively new, and having an in-depth understanding of what a particular
essence may be capable of takes time. A particular flower or gem
may have healing qualities which have not yet been discovered.
Some essence producers receive intuitive
knowledge about an essence and immediately release it to the public without
first validating it by clinical casework. Intuitive abilities vary
from person to person, and Dr. Bach did
indeed work in this way, experiencing states of suffering and intuiting
the healing qualities of a particular flower by placing a petal on his
tongue. However, not everyone is so gifted.
I believe that selecting essences
based solely on the definition given by the essence producer is as reliable
as the methods used by and the level of intuitive giftedness of the essence
producer. Essence definitions vary in reliability, and none are truly
complete. There are probably aspects of the healing qualities of
Dr. Bach's essences, the oldest set of essences in existence, which still
will be revealed with time. If one is going to rely on essence definitions
alone, it is extremely important, in my opinion, to use only the essences
of companies which have been in existence for a long period of time.
I use essence definitions in addition to intuitive methods which pick up
on the energy of the client and the essence or rely on the symbolic resonance
of the form and color of a flower or gemstone.
Muscle
Testing or Kinesiology: This involves testing the strength
of a particular muscle (or muscles) to determine whether a thought or substance
is strengthening or weakening to a person. Some people may be muscle-tested
quickly, easily, and with amazingly accurate results. I have a client
who can almost determine when she picks up the bottle and before I test
her whether an essence is strengthening or weakening for her. And
I have others whom I have to test several times because there is such a
slight degree of change between strong and weak that great sensitivity
on my part is required to detect the difference. Some people have
internal circuitry wiring problems on a given day, and several different
techniques have to be used before an accurate reading can be achieved.
And then there is the simple issue of getting tired, which may result in
inaccurate testing toward the end of a series of tests. When muscle
testing works, it is wonderful and may provide fantastic moments of insight.
And when it is iffy, it is best to use it only as a carefully-monitored
verification of other methods.
Dowsing:
Many books exist on this topic. Dowsing involves prayer (for me)
and the use of a pendulum to pick up the energy of the client and the essence.
Although considered an esoteric practice by many, it is used with
accuracy by the United States military. Some people take to dowsing
quickly, while for others it can take some time to reach a point in dowsing
where one trusts what one receives. It took me a year to trust my
dowsing results, and I still only use dowsing when I am free of any emotional
desire related to the outcome. Emotional states and desires may interfere
with one's ability to receive truthful (non-influenced) answers.
While in theory everyone should be capable of dowsing, the level of giftedness
of each practitioner does seem to vary, even from day to day. I think
it is arrogant for any dowser to claim 100% accuracy. However, in
spite of all this, I love dowsing and rely on it a great deal for myself
with amazing (and often very insight-producing) results. I use it
with clients in combination with other intuitive approaches, a thorough
interview, and rational selection of essences. Click
here to read a typical "dowsing-in-action" story (about my parrot,
Pappagallo).
Using
flower cards: Often a client intuitively knows what flower
he or she needs by visually responding to the colors and shapes of a flower
through looking at flower cards or photos. Using flower photos can yield
fascinating, insight-producing results. I prefer to use flower cards
or photos in combination with other rational and intuitive methods of selection.
Based
on Chakras, Meridians or Subtle Bodies: As mentioned on the
page "How Essences Work," many essence producers correlate their essences
with specific chakras, meridians, or subtle bodies. I have found,
and Sabina Pettitt of Pacific Essences also teaches, that any essence may
strengthen any chakra or meridian, and it ultimately depends on the individual.
Therefore, using other selection methods in addition to chakra/meridian/subtle
body correlations--especially intuitive verification such as muscle testing,
dowsing, or flower cards--is the most accurate approach, in my opinion.
Based
on the Doctrine of Signatures: This involves study of the
characteristics or attributes of a particular plant (or gemstone, sea creature).
Patricia Kaminski, of FES, describes the Doctrine of Signatures in her
beautiful book Flowers That Heal (Newleaf Press, 1998; available
from FES): "In alchemical wisdom, the plant is carefully considered
for its 'Doctrine of Signature,' what it tells us through its form, gesture,
colour, fragrance and habitat. These signatures then helped the practitioner
to understand the resonant correlations between the plant and the human
being. Originally, the doctrine of signatures was developed to help
understand correspondences to physical organs, but in flower essence therapy
these portraits of the plant have been extended further: numinous
qualitieswithin
each plant form resonant chords that reverberate within the instrument
of the human soul" (p. 44). Patricia, later in the book, gives a
sensitive description of the healing qualities of the various colors of
flowers, ". . .yellow flowers generally have an expanding and lightening
quality. Their radiance dispels negative energy, breaks up congestion
and addresses many depressive states. Pink flowers tend to have softening
attributes or work with issues which affect sensitivity and other 'tender'
spaces within the heart, such as brokenheartedness. Like the sky,
blue flowers are uplifting and spiritualizing, while at the same time providing
an enfolding mantle of comfort for the soul. . ." (p. 81).
Rhonda
Pallasdowney, an herbalist as well as a flower essence therapy practitioner,
offers in The Complete Book of Flower Essences (New World Library,
2002) further detail on the Doctrine of Signatures. "The Doctrine
of Signatures states that the personality and characteristics of a plant
are a statement about its medicinal qualities and properties. . .The plant's
'signature' is an encompassing evaluation of the plant's parts--its leaves,
root, stem, flowers, buds, seeds, pods, and fruits--as well as its constitution,
shape, color, texture, and appearance and the environment in which is grows.
. .The color of a plant is another important signature. For example,
red plants. . . are stimulating and warming, and they revitalize the blood"
(p. 8). She then goes on to offer a system of flower color therapy
based on colors associated with the chakras.
Using the Doctrine of Signatures
in selecting essences may involve some study, or it may be as simple as
choosing flowers with strong and deep roots or flowers facing downward
toward the Earth for a person lacking in groundedness, or creating a lovely
pink bouquet for someone suffering from a broken heart. Considering
all aspects of a plant offers added depth, richness, and appreciation during
the process of selection.
I believe that taking all of the
above selection methods into consideration when
choosing essences is the most thorough approach. Therefore, in selecting
essences for a client, I begin by conducting an in-depth consultation/evaluation
and use the information gained in conjunction with reviewing essence descriptions,
dowsing, considering the doctrine of signatures of the plant insofar as
possible, and, if a client is physically present, muscle-testing chakras
and/or meridians, and using flower cards or photos. The element of
ritual, involving the repetitive taking of the essence blend with the use
of a goal statement determined during the session, further strengthens
the process and helps to inform the unconscious of one's rational, conscious
choice.
First flower: Scarlet Fritillary
benefits the blood and the female reproductive system with its fiery, vital,
masculine energy (courtesy of FES).
Second flower: Polyanthus helps promote
abundance consciousness and transforms low self-worth
(© Pacific Essences®).
Third flower: Red Larkspur imparts
vital, dynamic energy for leadership (courtesy of FES).
Fourth flower: Lady's Mantle helps
align the human heart with the heart of the Earth (courtesy of FES).
Fifth flower: Yellow Pond Lily eases
emotional attachments and promotes letting-go
(© Pacific Essences®).
Sixth flower: Green Rose helps open
one's heart to love of and connection with the Earth (courtesy of FES).
Seventh flower: Chaparral is a cleanser
of psychic and physical toxicity (courtesy of FES).
Eighth flower: Sturt Desert Pea helps
release deeply-held emotional pain (courtesy of Ian White, Australian Bush
Flower Essences).
Please contact
Eileen to arrange a consultation to determine the creation of a
personalized
essence blend based on your needs, including any
of the flowers
shown on this page and many more!
Eileen Hutcheson,
M.Ed.
750
E. Madison, St. Louis, MO 63122 USA
Telephone:
314-821-0325 Email: EileenEH@aol.com
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Copyright
© 2002 by Eileen Hutcheson. All rights reserved. Photos
are
copyrighted
by the companies listed and used with permission.
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