"Flower Essences for the Soul" by Tamara Penn

When I started to use the Bach Flower Remedies in 1979, few people here in Canada were aware of this revolutionary new healing method. Today, Bach Remedies are known internationally. Many a bottle can be found in a handbag, briefcase, car, bathroom, office drawer, medicine cabinet and kitchen. The Rescue Remedy is an all-purpose, emergency remedy used for stress of any kind, shock from an accident, grief, travel anxiety, or examination nerves, etc.

Flower, tree and gem essences were created primarily for balancing and advancing human consciousness and have a role in opening the corridors of spiritual expression. When choosing essences for "non-verbal" clients like newborns, the elderly, animals or plants, it is best done with knowledge of the products and intuitive methods like meditation, a pendulum, or Kinesiology.

Many individuals and companies around the world are now producing flower essences using the original matrix developed by Dr. Edward Bach.

In addition to the Healing Herbs of Dr. Bach and the FES (from California, USA) I love and work extensively with Canadian producers like the Living Light Energies, Canadian Forest Tree Essence, Pacific Essences and the Raven Essences. If you are attracted to flower essences, you can intuitively use them: your Inner Healer will guide you in choosing the appropriate essence; reading the definitions accompanying essences can also help you focus; knowing the remedies well can also assist in selecting the most specific remedy. This is a self-help system and books and seminars are available for those who wish to further their understanding.

The guidance of a competent Flower Essence practitioner is useful in choosing or combining the most appropriate essences. Well-trained practitioners often have a large selection of essences and are able to offer you not only assistance but access to a variety of systems.

When affirmations can be said while taking essences, your intention is focused, and the energy of the essence is directed more specifically to a particular situation. Essences are used in conjunction with other forms of healing, e.g., Rebirthing, Massage Therapy, Shiatsu, Light & Sound Therapies, Holographic Repatterning, Reiki, Reflexology, to name but a few of the many healing modalities available to us today.

Flower Essences are able to offer us support and stimulus for the gentle unfolding of our Selves. It's surprising that deeply buried issues revealed to our awareness can help change our perspective, assisting us to heal old psychic wounds or accelerate our healing process. The effect of the essences is so subtle and seem so natural, we may not even be aware that they are working. Often we notice changes only in retrospect, which may be very subtle or profound.

Illness is a result of imbalance. Our bodies have been designed by nature to completely embody and express our soul. One way to view illness is to understand the discrepancy between form and the soul itself. There is balance when the body and soul are aligned. When we consciously strive to harmonize our Souls and our bodies, we find good health, dis-ease free.

Essences per se do not heal us, rather they assist and support us lovingly when we are ready to heal ourselves. What a gift from nature herself!

Tamara Penn, RIHR, is a Flower Essence Practitioner/Teacher, Professional Rebirther, Holographic Repatterner with a practice in Toronto, Canada.