An
Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part
I – The Twelve Healers
By Misty
Cech
What
are Bach Flower Essences?
Pioneered
by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930’s,
a flower essence is a liquid preparation
imprinted with the etheric pattern of
a particular flower. Like a homeopathic
remedy, the liquid – usually spring
water with a little brandy added for preservation
– contains little or no detectable
chemical substance of the flower from
which it was made. Instead, the liquid
maintains the vibrational pattern of the
flower. Well, what does this mean, exactly?
To
understand flower essences (also called
‘flower remedies’), you can
imagine that all things are made up of
vibrating energies – modern physics
and eastern mystics both confirm this
– that there are no finite particles,
but instead repeating, dynamic energy
patterns. Material objects are made up
of huge amounts of energy really, as Einstein
had shown with E=mc2, where the amount
of energy (E) is equal to the mass (m)
of an object times the speed of light
(c – a very big number) squared.
Now picture a beautiful red rose –
bright, colorful, vibrant – the
Rose has a particular energetic pattern,
one that is repeated in every other red
Rose (though not exactly, but very close).
There are energy frequencies that are
particular to the red Rose that are different
from all other flowers. The vibrations
that make up a Rose are faster than many
other flowers (Rose is considered a very
high-vibration flower), and these vibrations
are woven together in a particular way.
Now imagine any other flower – a
Geranium for example – it’s
vibrational patterns are different from
the red Rose – slightly slower perhaps,
and woven together in a different way.
It is these vibrational patterns of each
flower that give them their particular
characteristics – color, shape,
smell, texture, and the like.
Now,
somewhat like a sound from one source
can make a material across the room vibrate
with sound energy (as your eardrum may
vibrate from the plucking of a guitar),
flowers can cause water to vibrate with
a different sort of energy. It’s
not so much a sound, or even light (though
this is closer), but ‘etheric’
energy – the very essence of the
flower has a vibration that is imprinted
upon the water in which it is placed.
The water, being made up of vibrational
energy itself, retains some of the vibration
of the flower that was soaked in it. This
etheric imprint is stored in the water,
and can actually be transferred from the
water at a later time to other objects
(or beings) also made of vibrational energy.
So,
what does all this mean to us?! Well,
Dr. Edward Bach held the notion that the
source illness or disease was emotional
in nature. And when one ponders what emotions
really are, one can conclude that each
emotion is a particular energetic state
of being. All emotions seem to have a
particular energy – love, despair,
anger, fear, appreciation – one
can consider each of these a different
energetic pattern. Dr. Bach considered
negative energetic states, negative emotions,
to be the source of disease in the body,
a theory supported by much of the world’s
healers. Dr. Bach also thought that these
energetic states can be transformed, and
that one of the transformational methods
he discovered was the use of the vibrational
patters of flowers – it was then
that Flower Essence Therapy was born.
Through
years of research and study, Dr. Bach
developed a system of therapy using the
vibrational patterns of flowers, imprinted
into spring water, to transform the emotional
vibrational patters of human beings. He
showed through numerous case studies that
flower essences, properly selected and
applied, can be effective in treating
the negative energies which underlie most
disease states. Further, one need not
have an illness or disease to realize
the benefits of flower essences –
flowers can be used to assist in transformation
of any negative emotional state, be it
temporary and transitive, or a more ingrained
long-term pattern. (Flower essences do
not transform positive states into negative
ones, as flowers are not thought to contain
negative energies themselves).
Dr.
Bach’s 12-7-19 Categorization Method
Dr.
Bach categorized the original 38 flower
essences he discovered into 3 categories
to assist in their application. The categories
are the ’12 Healers’ which
reflect and transform our essential nature,
the ‘7 Helpers’ to assist
with chronic conditions, and the ‘Second
19’ that relate to more immediate
traumas or difficulties. Here we will
consider the Twelve Healers and describe
the properties of each essence. The Seven
Helpers and the Second Nineteen will be
considered in Parts II and III of this
article.
The
Twelve Healers were designated by Dr.
Bach as the flower essences that help
the individual transform the source of
discord at the very core of their being.
These twelve essences are meant to address
the twelve archetypal groups of humanity;
the twelve primary personalities as Dr.
Bach saw them. Some have gone so far as
to relate these to the twelve signs of
the Zodiac (a reasonable relationship
it seems), though it is unclear as to
whether this relationship was drawn by
Dr. Bach himself.
These
twelve essences are an excellent starting
point for any journey into flower essence
healing, as it is often times our root
‘disharmony’ or karmic imbalance
that is the source of much or perhaps
all ‘dis-ease’ in our lives.
The
Twelve Healers:
Impatiens
– As the name of the flower implies,
this essence addresses a tendency toward
impatience; these individuals have difficulty
with the flow of time. Their minds are
often far ahead of the present moment,
and with this they will deny themselves
full immersion in the beauty around them.
The individual needing Impatiens may be
truly lonely, always being ahead of those
subtle human exchanges which bring the
richness to our collective human experience.
Many find Impatiens to be a relatively
‘fast acting’ flower essence,
feeling more at ease within minutes of
essence use.
Gentian
– Those in need of Gentian flower
essence are too easily discouraged when
setbacks occur. They may live with an
omnipresent feeling that things are not
going well, and may doubt the possibility
of their own healing. Gentian can bring
about a more positive outlook –
perhaps with the feeling that one is ‘good
enough’. When things do not go exactly
as planned, instead of being overwhelmed
and disheartened, one can see the lessons
in the circumstance, perhaps rebounding
with more wisdom and strength than before.
Mimulus
– This essence is the core remedy
for known fears in everyday life. Those
needing this essence can be hypersensitive
to common events which will elicit an
out-of-proportion fear response. The fear
may be found in the physical body centered
in the solar plexus, which may churn with
anxiety. Mimulus flower essence helps
bring courage to these individuals, bringing
the strength of the higher Self to the
personality so that they may find joy
and exuberance in their lives.
Clematis
– The Clematis flower essence type
is a dreamy one; there is insufficient
interest in the immediate moment of daily
life. The individual may have a strong
inner life – the abilities to dream,
visualize and imagine are well developed,
but the manifestation into the physical
world is not strong. Clematis can help
bring a warmth to the bodily incarnation,
such that the individual can channel their
great gifts into the here and now.
Agrimony
– The Agimony flower essence type
tends to hide more deeply rooted pain
or ailments behind a cheerful façade,
both inwardly and outwardly. They may
make light of their own suffering, or
try to ignore it all together, when really
there are patterns and feelings which
need to be addressed for personal growth
and healing. These individuals may have
been raised in strict environments, which
may not have allowed the expression of
such troubles. Agrimony flower essence
can help them find inner peace, by allowing
the connection to true inner conditions,
acceptance of these conditions, and subsequent
transformation.
Chicory
– Filled with self-pity, and the
‘nobody appreciates me’ attitude,
the Chicory flower essence type squanders
their light by demanding it from others.
A guise of seemingly loving behavior can
be used to manipulate others into feeding
somewhat selfish needs. The Chicory essence
is considered important for clearing loving
energy pathways so they may be directed
outward and given freely. May be particularly
helpful with children who have a pattern
of negative behavior for demanding attention.
Vervain
– The lesson of Vervain flower essence
is one of balance. The individual in need
of Vervain may be extreme, over-bearing,
and very strong – perhaps inflexible
– in their ways. Though their energies
are high, the single-minded efforts of
the Vervain type can result in stress,
when given situations where flexibility
is required. This is where the mind-body
connection can be lost; the mind can be
so strongly committed to a particular
action, it may no longer consider the
long-term effects to the physical being.
Vervain flower essence brings grounding
and earthly balance, allowing these strong-willed
individuals the flexibility necessary
to manifest their great intentions and
efforts.
Centaury
- The flower essence for those who cannot
say no. The Chicory essence type finds
their reason for being in the service
and acceptance of others. The result is
no true value of self, and the spreading
thin of personal energies. There is the
recurrent theme of personal boundaries
being overstepped, because the will to
create and enforce those boundaries is
weak. Chicory flower essence strengthens
the value of one’s self, supporting
the notion that one’s life in and
of itself is of importance. The idea that
one must truly be honoring and respectful
to one’s self first, before others
can be served, is reinforced – It
is then that personal healing can finally
be initiated as a powerful force.
Scleranthus
– The personality in need of Scleranthus
flower essence is marked by indecision,
confusion and hesitation, often wavering
between two choices. This inability to
decide the best course of actions for
one’s self can be physically and
emotionally draining – this mental
energy is used repeatedly examining a
situation rather than manifesting the
best choice. The world can be a difficult
place for such individuals, as there are
limitless possibilities in which to get
lost, never really making headway. Scleranthus
will help these individuals define themselves
and their world, summoning the strength
to form an inner resolve. This allows
a great release of energy to be happy
and manifest one’s chosen work.
Water
Violet – This important flower essence
is about the opening of the heart. Those
in need of this essence may be functioning
quite effectively in society and within
their familial relationships, however,
the deepest parts of these bonds are avoided.
Whether due to childhood experiences,
karma brought to this life from the past,
or other situations, the individual has
constructed a barrier preventing full
integration with the human family. The
true warmth of love and companionship
should be utilized to further one’s
growth – Water Violet flower essence
supports this transformation.
Rock
Rose – This is the flower essence
for great fear. Unlike Mimulus, which
is indicated more for a fear which manifests
as being ‘timid’, Rock Rose
addresses terror. It is often indicated
in traumatic events (as a component of
Rescue Remedy) or for specific instances
where a reaction of overwhelming fear
is inhibiting further growth or healing.
If one has been diagnosed with a life
threatening illness, for example, and
one is overcome with the fear of death,
this fear will inhibit any healing process
that may take place. Rock Rose brings
courage to those most in need.
Cerato
– Cerato flower essence types do
not trust their own hearts, minds or instincts;
instead they seek the advice of others,
and rely on this advice to direct their
lives. This almost certainly creates an
imbalance, for it is only by honestly
listening to our own inner voice that
we may walk the path to true physical
and emotional wellness. While seeking
advice is certainly important in most
of life’s circumstances, the Cerato
type uses this advice as a crutch. Cerato
flower essence will encourage one to listen
to one’s own inner wisdom and facilitate
spiritual growth in this respect.
This
concludes the summary of the ‘Twelve
Healers’ – the flower essences
Dr. Edward Bach considered key to transforming
root personality imbalances. As a physician,
Dr. Bach believed that one or more of
these imbalances was to be found associated
with the illness of each patient, and
that if these imbalances were addressed,
the conditions necessary for healing may
successfully arise. Of course one does
not necessarily need to be outwardly manifesting
a state of dis-ease to find benefit in
these flower essences; through bringing
balance to any person, they may further
their personal development and heighten
their life’s experience.
In
the next part of this article, we will
look at the ‘Seven Helpers’
– Flower essences Dr. Bach considered
useful in chronic states of illness.
Misty
Rae Cech is a naturopath and yoga teacher
residing in Boulder, Colorado. She is
owner of the Ananda
Apothecary, an online dispensery of
Essential
Oils and Bach
Flower Essences. Misty utilizes flower
essence therapy with her clients, finding
the essences a gentle yet effective way
to give momentum to the healing process.
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