On those lists of stress-inducing events published from time to time, relocation is usually one of the highest-rated. Because of the constant restructuring and merging typical of our times, those who work in the corporate sector are especially prone to being transferred--often on short notice. Those who are not part of the corporate world may also be impelled to move for work-related reasons, like when the economy goes bad in a particular part of the country.

In fact, statistics show that the average person now moves twelve times in the course of a lifetime. A major geograhic change generally requires a big readjustment for everyone in the household, one that may take as long as a year. Fortunately, there are a number of fine flower remedies to keep you on an even keel as you cope with the stresses of moving.

A Bach Flower Remedy that is practically a lifeline in that disorienting month before and up to six months after the move is Walnut, available in health food stores anywhere you go. It is almost a Rescue Remedy for those who are moving, for it clears their brains and seems to ground them at a point when the very earth seems to be moving under their feet. If you find yourself spacing out and having a hard time functioning, refresh your dosage bottle of Walnut, and you may be amazed at how much clearer you feel. (You might also add Desert Alchemy's Transitions Formula, which helps you remain centered in times of chaos and uncertainty.)

Bach himself saw Walnut as a remedy for those who are too vulnerable to outside influences in times of change. When we move, we are bombarded with new people and surroundings. In our uncertainty about how to operate in a new territory, we are prone to losing our boundaries, no matter how solid they are in normal times. For business travelers, Walnut also helps in smoothing transitions between time zones and in coping with culture shock. (More detail about Walnut and other remedies for times of transition can be gained from my article on Essences for School Transitions, in the May, 2001, issue of Vibration.)

Packing for the move and then unpacking as you settle in can be overwhelming--so many details to consider. What should you keep, and what should you get rid of? Did you remember to shut off all the utilities in the old place, and will they be turned on in time in the new? Did you notify everyone who ought to know, and have you sent change of address cards to all the right people and places? And which one of that stack of twenty cartons has your remedy kits?

The chaos can fairly make your head swim! Again, essences can come to your rescue--even Rescue Remedy itself when you're right down to the wire on the move. The Flower Essence Society's Filaree helps put petty details and worries in perspective, so you keep track of what's really important. Their Dill can smooth out a brain bombarded with stimuli and choices, and their Blackberry can help you focus long enough to get the job done. (The links will take you to in-depth portraits of these essences in Vibration's back issues.)

Desert Alchemy's Staghorn Cholla is a magic motivator for sorting through and weeding out belongings while you pack and for resettling once you're there. However, the premier remedy for overwhelm has got to be Bach's Elm a.k.a. Over-Elm. Seldom would anyone in the throes of resettling lose by having a bottle of Elm handy!

Though handling the details of the physical move can be both physically and mentally challenging, by far the hardest part of a move has to be the folks we leave behind. We can miss our friends, relatives, neighbors, and even coworkers a great deal. Even if we know some people in the new location, they don't replace close and continued contact with those we loved in the old place.

If some members of the household are homesick, especially to the point of having difficulty getting involved in new activities, Bach's Honeysuckle may be indicated. For heartache over losses, you might want to use our on-site search engine to find the numerous articles we have already published on loss and on healing the heart.

As you can see, the flower essences are a major tool for people who are undergoing a move. However, as many of you know, I am an astrologer first and only became an essence practitioner because my astrology clients needed these wonderful catalysts. Thus, I would be remiss if I didn't also tell you about Relocation Astrology, an excellent source of information about how a proposed move can affect you and others in your household. While I no longer do relocation readings, you can find a list of those certified in this specialty at Continuum.

On that site, you will also find a booklet of practical tips I wrote on how to make a smooth move. To aid you in planning better, the booklet also has many links to useful sites on the internet dealing with moving. No doubt about it, moving can be very stressful, but by using essences and planning really well, you can keep the emotional wear and tear to a minimum.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Cunningham, MSW, is one of the editors of Vibration and has many years of experience in both flower remedies and astrology. For links to more of her articles, visit her Frequent Contributor's Page.

ART CREDITS: The various illustrations on this page all come from clip art disks by Expert Software.

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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