By Jenny Bradford

During my time as a Wildlife Carer, although I was mainly involved with the rehabilitation of orphaned native birds, on many occasions birds were brought to me that had been injured as a result of attacks by domestic cats. The damage done by cats to native wildlife is an environmentally sensitive issue here in Australia. The indigenous wildlife is now at the mercy of imported predators, and many are threatened with extinction.

Australia has an enormous feral cat population, and added to that are many domestic cats. These are a significant cause of threat to Australia's unique and beautiful bird life.

When I started using flower essences, I felt that a combination of Australian Bush Flower Essences may be able to diminish somewhat the urge to hunt and kill in cats. I have now used it on perhaps a dozen occasions and while it may not be 100 percent effective, it certainly has a positive benefits in the majority of cases. (See the editor's note below on a little essence philosophy and why these may be of particular use for this problem.)

Besides using the essences below, it may help to understand some of the reasons why domestic cats hunt in order to help them meet those needs in other ways. A lot of hunting and killing in cats is the result of boredom or a lack of certain nutrients in thier diets. Spend some quality play time with your pet and make sure that you feed it the highest quality food available, supplemented with vitamins and minerals if necessary. Probably the most important precaution is keeping your cat indoors at night, when many native animals are active. This is also in the best interests of any pet, because there is always the risk of it becoming involved in a fight and incurring expensive veterinary bills.

Administration of Essences: Add the drops directly to canned food immediately before feeding. When dry food is used, unless the cat will eat the food immediately, I drop the essence on my hand and wipe my hand across the cat's fur. Most cats will need a series of doses from time to time; however, the period between them becomes greater each time. Usually 2 to 3 months at first, but eventually 6 to 9 months seems to be adequate.

Boab
(Adansonia gregorii, pictured right)

The Boab Tree is found only in the Kimberley region of northern west Australia. This is one of the most powerful of all the Bush Essences and has brought about profound change. Boab clears negative emotional and mental family patterns that are passed on from generation to generation. Boab can be used to access and clear core patterns. This essence seemed to be the most obvious choice to help overcome the genetic predisposition to hunt and kill. The killing and hunting instinct in cats is inbred and regardless of their close association with humans for many centuries, this conditioning has not diminished in any way. One should therefore not expect any instant miracles from these essences.

Dog Rose of the Wild Forces
(Bauera sessiliflora, pictured right)

This species of Bauera is found only in the southern Australian state of Victoria. This plant is commonly found growing close to the water and, like the other Dog Rose Essence, it deals with fear--fear of losing of control, when emotions within or immediately around a person are just so intense there is a sense of losing total control. This seemed to describe what I imagined was an overwhelming urge to kill which must overpower a cat when it perceives its prey.

Rough Bluebell
(Trichodesma zeylanicum, pictured right)

According to Ian White, this is an essence to help people fully express the love vibration innate within them. For those who are deliberately hurtful, manipulative, exploitive or malicious and who use people, either subtly or openly. For cats' tendency to play with their prey.

Gymea Lily
(Doryanthes excelsa, pictured right)

Also known as the Giant Lily, this extraordinary plant bears large red flowers on a huge terminal head atop a stem of up to 4 metres (13 feet) high. This essence is for attention seeking, as well as excessive pride and arrogance, or those with intense or extrovert personalities; those who are dominating, demanding, charismatic and who usually get their way--which certainly sounds like a lot of cats I know! Many owners are distressed when their well-fed cats continue to kill. I believe this is the cats' way of trying to "please" their owners, which is why they often bring their catch inside to show it off.

Editor's Note: A Little Essence Philosophy

Jenny has brought together a powerful combination of Australian flower essences made in the wild for a problem with Australian wildlife.

It is possible that all problems contain their own solutions; all questions contain their own answers. What we need to help ourselves is close at hand...and particularly resides within the area of trouble. It's part of the fabulously elegant design of the Universe.

So, when Australia has a problem, a powerful solution can be sought out and found within Australia. Therefore, we can connect the essences and the cat problem and find them particularly well matched.

Also, in terms of the doctrine of signatures (very, very important in understanding essences), the wildness of the plants used speaks to the wildness of the cats. It also corresponds to the wild nature (hunting, killing, etc.) innate to the domesticated cats, which is what is specifically being addressed in this situation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jenny Bradford is a self-described "enthusiastic amateur" who uses Reiki, Seichim, vibrational essences and other healing techniques to help friends and family--including her cat and birds. She found flower essences invaluable in caring for orphaned native birds, which is why she is so passionate about this particular subject. Jenny lives in Queensland, Australia. Reach her by email at admin@echidnawood.com.au.

For information about feral cats in the United States, look here.

Design Credits: Photos courtesy of Ian White of Australian Bush Flower Essences. Other art by Word of Mouth Web Design and Hometown Websmith

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 the 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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