The philosophical basis for flower essence therapy: A path of soul alchemy

Our approach to flower essence therapy emphasizes the human soul, that aspect of our experience which balances and integrates the physical and spiritual realms. It is through our soul work that we embody the spirit, and we ensoul the body.

Flower essence therapy based on soul work can uplift those caught in the extreme materialism of allopathy, which sees the human being as a bio-chemical mechanism. It can also give grounding to those who lack a healthy relationship with their bodies, with social community, and with nature; and instead rely on overly intellectual, psychic, or narrowly spiritual approaches.

Thus, while flower essence therapy combines well with other healing modalities, it has unique characteristics which distinguish it from allopathy, including pharmaceutical psychiatry, herbalism, aromatherapy, homeopathy, and conventional psychotherapy. In the class we will explore the similarities as well as differences of flower essence therapy compared to these other health modalities, with an appreciation for the unique characteristics of this path of soul alchemy.

Flower essence selection: theory and practice

The ability to select the most appropriate flower essences is a key skill for flower essence practitioners. Through our experience and research we have determined that there is no single correct selection for a given situation; rather there are more or less effective selections. What makes an effective selection, and what is the process by which we can arrive at choices and strategies for flower essence therapy? Besides gaining a thorough knowledge of the essences themselves, the most important skill is - communication with one's client, learning to appreciate the significant soul gestures which can be correlated with flower essences. You will have an opportunity to practice listening, questioning, and case-taking skills with a partner, along with guidance on how to select archetypal remedies which are truly effective.

Principles of flower essence combining

Flower essences are like musical tones which resonate with the sensitive strings of the soul. When we combine flower essences, what are the principles that allow us to harmonize several tones into a healing chord, or to manifest a creative dissonance which will stimulate awareness and soul growth? We will present some basic principles of flower essence combining: affinity, polarity, calibration, separation, and synthesis, and give examples of combinations based on geometric structures, such as the trine, the cross, or the powerful pentagram of Dr. Bach's emergency formula. Further consideration will be given to thematic considerations in formulating, such as colour, botanical signature or environmental context. Case studies will be presented which show the effective results of flower essence combining.

See plant studies done by students of the FES Practitioner Training Program

Reading the language of Nature: Flower essence plant profiles

It is important for flower essence therapists to know the qualities of the plants from which the essences are made. Flower essences are a communication from the soul of Nature to the human soul. Plants express healing qualities through their forms, colors, aromas, growth patterns, relationship to their environmental and elemental forces.We gain further insight by studying their botanical relationships, herbal and medicinal properties and lore. Our goal is to help you establish a living connection with the healing power of plants as expressions of natural forces. By creating a context for appreciating flower essences, you will be able to use them with greater sensitivity and intention in your healing practice.

We will select key flowers from the FES North American essences and the English essences of Dr. Edward Bach to profile through color slides, plant specimens, and nature walks. The classification system of botanical plant families will be a powerful lens through which to view the relationship of plant qualities and flower essence indications. Each participant will be guided to investigate one plant in-depth, learning to sharpen both the sense of perception as well as the imagination.

Our venue located near the Sierra Nevada mountains offers an exceptional opportunity to encounter native wildflowers of the region. Conditions vary from year to year, depending on winter snow-fall and spring weather, but it is likely that we will be able to see a number of wildflowers which are used as FES essences.

I found the [plant study] process exciting, intriguing and very fulfilling. I felt the enthusiasm of the researcher; discovering not only a multitude of facts but being able to join these facts with patterns of meaning....

The plant study also gave me a sense of connection to and grounding in the plant world that I did not have before. When the plants start to speak to us in through our involved observation and understanding - and there is no end in what they have to tell - the universe around us becomes alive in a way that it wasn't before.

I also think that observing plants through the 12 windows of plant perception is a good training to learn to observe our clients. After all, the match between the plant gesture and the human gesture is the ideal we strive for in our practice.

Barbara Schuster, FES Certified Flower Essence Practitioner, Sarsfield, Ontario, Canada

"Your training program
offers a wealth of know-ledge and experience. But most importantly it teaches the secret of the flower itself ... the ability to become open ... to the light of Nature, in others, in ourselves."

Dr. Jeffrey Michaels, DC
Reseda, California

Therapeutic principles illustrated by case studies

The principles of flower essence therapy will be illustrated by case studies collected by the Flower Essence Society. Our emphasis will be on the potential for long term change beyond the initial experience of release or palliation of symptoms. These further stages involve an awakening and recognition of soul issues, reconciliation of conflicts and polarities, and finally a renewal of purpose and vitality. While not every therapeutic journey can traverse through all of these stages, it is necessary that practitioners have a vision of the full healing potentials that can be reached through flower essence therapy.

Deeper changes with flower essence therapy: The "meta-levels"

Through the research of the Flower Essence Society, we have begun to map the deeper soul territory which opens up in long-term flower essence therapy. We call these "meta-levels" of healing because they go beyond the conventional aim of behavior modification or palliation of outer symptoms, by positing a much wider picture of human potential. Flower essences have the capacity to awaken emotional awareness; develop healthy embodiment; catalyze awareness and change; clarify life goals and purpose; foster sensitivity and creativity; encourage responsibility for relationships and life lessons; instill a regard for ultimate values and spiritual meaning in life, and create an expanded identity which includes compassion for all of living creation. We will show how flower essence practitioners can use the meta-level model of soul development to deepen and expand their healing work with clients.

Use of essences with special populations and situations

Flower essences are being used with many special populations and situations. According to the interests of the class, we will cover some of the following topics, sharing information from the case studies received by the Flower Essence Society, and inviting participants to share their own clinical experiences.