We have emphasized three Penstemon species in our flower essence research. Besides Penstemon newberryi (Mountain Pride) we have developed Penstemon davidsonii (Davidson’s Penstemon, the FES Penstemon) and Penstemon rostriflorus (Bridge’s Penstemon, the FES Red Penstemon).
All three of these Penstemons are robust perennial plants, which develop woody stems and are well adapted to the challenging rocky terrains where they thrive.

Davidson’s Penstemon Penstemon davidsonii (particularly the davidsonii variety) is found on the upper heights of volcanic mountains, such as Mt Shasta, Lassen Peak and Mt Rose in California, often just at the tree line at around 10,000 feet or 3000 meters of elevation. It finds scant shelter by granite boulders from winter snows and summer thunderstorms and needs a rugged strength to endure the hardships of its alpine habitat. Yet it also evidences a receptive quality, with it cup-like succulent leaves that help nurture its life force. The key quality of the Penstemon flower essence embodies this flexible strength to face trials that test physical and psychological endurance.

Red Penstemon Penstemon rostriflorus is found throughout the Southwestern US, including the rocky eastern slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Although it appears at first glance to be a herbaceous plant, it develops woody stems and is known for blooming long into the heat of the summer. We often find it perched high in a small niche on a sheer cliff. The Red Penstemon essence catalyzes the physical courage and a sense of adventure to push beyond perceived limits, a quality we often need to even reach the plant where it grows.

Mountain Pride, Penstemon newberryi, is found from the mid-altitudes to upper ranges of the Western US mountains. On average it is found higher than the Penstemon rostriflorus, but not as high as Penstemon davidsonii. It can grow right out of the crevices of the granite rocks in cliffs or spreading over a rock-strewn landscape. It has a subshrub form, with its woody stems and leathery serrated ovate leaves. Again, we see the theme of strength to face adversity, a physical tenacity that translates in the human soul as a strong power of the will.

All the Penstemons have tubular flowers grow horizontally from the top half of the stems, flaring into two lips, the upper 2 lobed and the lower three lobed. The calyx as well as the flower corolla are five-fold 5, bilaterally symmetric. Inside the flower are hairy ridges, with five stamens terminating in woolly anthers. The horizontal tubular flowers flare trumpet-like. Yet the energy of these flowers is not totally outwardly directed. The tubular shape of the flowers holds an inner space, which then opens out and radiates to the world. We can see in this form a correlation with the flower essence qualities of developing strength of the will to face outer challenges by the cultivation of inner fortitude.

 

Mountain Pride flower essence can assist people active in social justice and ecological movements, who continually face opposition and hostility. Their challenge can be to avoid the temptation to withdraw to avoid conflict, or the tendency to respond in kind and attack one’s opponents with the same hostility they have received.

We have also found Mountain Pride helpful for many children who are not yet in a position of social influence, but nonetheless need to summon strong will forces to meet adverse circumstances in their personal lives or social circumstances.  For example, Brazilian practitioner teacher Rosana Souto lead a therapeutic center for children from impoverished areas and broken families. Mountain Pride was one of the key flower essences to give them the strength of will and to find their voice to rise out of their situation.

The following cases illustrate these uses.

From Anger to Strength: A Young Boy’s Journey with Mountain Pride

Mountain Pride was helpful for a boy with a very strong, assertive will, who was frequently frustrated, reacting with temper tantrums and banging his head. After taking the Mountain Pride essence, he was able to stand firm in his own convictions, and from that sense of inherent strength to become a positive leader rather than feeling caught in frustration. He had been given Willow essence for resentment and blame, but it was not as effective because it was addressing the symptom of his negative behavior. Mountain Pride, by contrast, nourished his positive will force, which he needed to own in a more self-affirming way.

A Spiritual Man’s Involvement in Environmental Activism

Mountain Pride was used for a man who was a deeply spiritual person, a meditator who valued peacefulness in his family and neighborhood. Yet he faced a situation where a logging company was going to clear-cut the forest near his home to make way for a development. Mountain Pride essence helped him realize that he needed to take a stand and testify before the local government board. His activism evolved to the point where he became the leader of a local environmental and political movement to preserve the rural quality of his community. Yet he maintained his inner core of spiritual purpose, and was able to negotiate and help work out cooperative agreements with the various parties in conflict. .

A Healer's Perspective on Mountain Pride for Facing Social Injustice

Several years ago, acupuncturist and flower essence teacher and practitioner Lindsay Fauntleroy wrote a blog post titled “Mountain Pride Flower Essence: The Spiritual Warrior.”

Her key insights were:
•    Mountain Pride flower essence offers a way for us to confront adversity in a way that does not take us off our destined path.
•    Mountain Pride helps us to hold on to our peace while engaging in inevitable struggle.
•    Mountain Pride helps us reconcile our instinct for peace and our desire for revolution.

Read the full post. 

Jacques Lusseyran as a Mountain Pride Archetype

One of the assignments of students who take the FES Flower Essence Practitioner Certification Program is to pick a historical or literary personality who exemplifies the positive qualities of a flower essence, the flower’s “archetype,” the essential spiritual qualities that find expression both in Nature and in the human soul/psyche.

In this portrait of Jacques Lusseyran, the blind French resistance fighter, we learn about how he drew upon a profound inner life to become an inspiring leader of the struggle against the historical evil of Nazism. From the article: "Jacques Lusseyran, blind hero of the French Resistance, embodies the archetype of Spiritual Warrior. This archetype is offered as a flower essence through the flower Mountain Pride. "

Mountain Pride in the Fear-Less Formula

The Fear-Less flower essence formula contains the Mountain Pride essence for courage and strength, and also essences to deal with related feelings of anxiety, paranoia, terror, shyness and defensiveness.

It has been used for populations suffering from such crises as war and natural disaster, as well as the anxiety-producing personal trials of daily life.

Oregon Grape and Holly both deal with a struggle against perceived hostile forces. However, people who need these essences are projecting antagonism and reacting with their own aggression. They first need to find peace and compassion in their hearts. With Mountain Pride, we face real negativity and work to transform it, at least in ourselves, if it is not possible to transform it in others. 

Larch helps build confidence to speak our truth without self-censorship. It can be a helpful adjunct to Mountain Pride in many situations. .

Larkspur and Red Larkspur are both powerful essences to enhance leadership ability, particularly by catalyzing positive charisma, which can inspire others. They can work synergistically with Mountain Pride, but they differ in not directly addressing the challenge of evil in the world. 

Sunflower is a dynamic essence that helps build a healthy self-awareness that can shine out into the world.  With Sunflower the challenge is to let our personality be a vehicle for the Higher Self, rather than the egotism of our lower self.

This inner struggle  of the Sunflower type is related to the challenge faced by Mountain Pride to lead from selflessness. However, the emphasis with Sunflower is on cultivating healthy self-esteem, rather than developing strength to take on outer contrary forces, which is the hallmark of Mountain Pride.