We came up with the idea of dedicating an entire issue to flower essences for spiritual practice. We sent out invitations to many of the fine authors who have made the past four years so rewarding, hoping that some of them would respond. We never guessed that they would respond so handsomely! So many great articles on the spiritual applications of remedies poured in, every one just perfect for the theme, that we decided to make this a special double issue. We hope you will agree that it's a terrific collection, perhaps the largest collection of articles on this topic ever assembled. We've got articles on essences and meditation; a Buddhist perspective on Bach remedy work; forgiveness; healing the illusion of separation; a single remedy portrait of the legendary lotus; and much, much more.

In a certain sense, all flower remedies promote spiritual growth. As we leave behind outdated emotional habits and relationship patterns, as we come to love ourselves, and as we release painful past experiences, we grow spiritually. We reconcile with our fellows and come closer and closer to the beings we were meant to be. You can't hate others or yourself and love Spirit wholeheartedly at the same time. If everyone on the planet took Holly, a Bach remedy for hate and self-hate, Willow, a Bach remedy for resentment, and Pine, a Bach remedy for guilt, the collective release of negativity and hate would be so profound that the Kingdom of Heaven would be at hand!

Still, meditation, dream work, and other spiritual practices can be strengthened by several flower essences, as you will discover in this issue of Vibration. For those who are new to the spiritual path or who may be experiencing a dry period upon it, there are some very fine offerings. Just as the lotus blossom has been an important spiritual symbol for centuries among many different religious groups, the remedy Lotus is one of the finest for spiritual growth. As a remedy of infinite tenderness, I often include African Violet, which Petite Fleur says touches a chord within the spirit to release nurturing and love from the soul and Higher Self.

When entering the spiritual path and at various points in the process, it is natural to grapple with the question of one's connection to the Divine. Where the relationship with the earthly father has been troubled, there is almost always a reverberation in the relationship with the Eternal one. Since we inevitably confuse the two, rarely is the spiritual path without potholes, detours, and false turns for those who have grown up in severely dysfunctional or alcoholic homes.

FES's Saguaro is helpful in healing troubled bonds with the earthly father. Taking it can have the unexpected benefit of bringing the relationship with the Eternal Father into better perspective as well. Saguaro, pictured here, provides balance in relationship to spiritual authority and guidance, with renewed appreciation of the wisdom of spiritual elders and ancient spiritual traditions. FES portrays St. John's Wort as lending trust in divine protection and guidance. In magical rituals, it was used as an herb of protection, especially during thunderstorms, and tossed on the fire and burned.

There is often a tendency for newcomers on the spiritual path to rush from one teacher or fascinating study to another -- from reincarnation to shamanism to astrology to the tarot -- winding up with the spiritual and mental equivalent of indigestion. FES's Shasta Daisy, pictured here, is an unparalleled essence for this stage, as it helps you synthesize knowledge gained from all these sources into a whole, embracing diverse ideas or perspectives.

While immersed in the lofty realm of spiritual studies, it is crucial to stay grounded. Bach's Clematis, described as being for "space cadets", has often been indicated for spiritual disciples. FES suggests Corn for attaining a balanced relationship between heaven and earth, the spiritual and the material. Their literature points to the signature of the plant. Its long stalk and tassels reach up into the heavens, and the extensive root system supports it.

NOTE: Portions of the remedy suggestions above came from FLOWER REMEDIES HANDBOOK by Donna Cunningham. ©1992. (Paperback, $12.95) Used by permission ofSterling Publishing Co., Inc., 387 Park Ave S., New York, NY 10016.

About the Author: Donna Cunningham, MSW, is one of the editors of Vibration Magazine and has been an astrologer, therapist, and essence teacher for many years. For more of her articles, visit her Frequent Contributor Page.

ART CREDITS: The picture of a shasta daisy came from the gardens of Luther Burbank, who developed this flower among many others. The other photos, including the one of Kwan Yin, came from clip art disks by Micrografx and Print Perfect.

The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.

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