Article - Meridian Flower Essences by Mary Meadows |
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Mary initially came to the Sunshine Coast (Queensland, Australia) in 1994 to grow medicinal herbs, and then started to focus on the flower essences in 2002. Her creation of the essences is motivated by guidance from spirit not from any formal training in a healing modality. In fact her formal training is in Accountancy which her friend finds quite amusing as she sees these two activities as the perfect balance of the right and left brain!
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There is a wonderful book written by Clare G Harvey called “ The New Encyclopedia of Flower Remedies” in which she gives a most comprehensive outline of flower essences used around the globe. In the section of her book relating to the history of flower essences she states that the Aborigines of Australia have been using flower remedies for over 40,000 years. She also comments on the ancient Egyptians use of the lotus flower and how its essence was used in rituals suggesting that the ancients imparted thoughts to certain plants knowing they would reach and help us today. Also mentioned is a ritual conducted by the Minoans of Crete who are said to place a flowering plant such as a wild rose in the middle of a ceremonial chamber with flowers or sprigs of plants floating in bowls of water and the participants would either sip the water or eat the petals to cleanse themselves of any negative thoughts or feelings during the ceremony.
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This brings to mind a conversation I had with a botanist friend who collects native seeds. An Aboriginal ritual that Clare mentions in her book talks about people sent to sit among a clump of flowers so that their souls may be purified and they become spiritually reborn. When I started making up some indigenous plant flower essences for our meridians, I was conscious of proper plant identification. Having explained to my friend what I was doing, and getting a rather quizzical look, suddenly the lights came on and he relayed how when ever he was working amongst a clump of banksia trees, flowering in profusion, he had emotional reactions that he found disturbing. I can’t say that he was spiritually reborn but it did give him an understanding as to why he reacted emotionally! He is now more aware when collecting seed amongst the flowering plants. |
In Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, at the base of Mt Beerwah, is a sacred Aboriginal site. It is a special site for women as it was used by Aboriginal women as a birthing centre. The land is now owned by Aboriginal women and is called “Nungeena”. It has a spring fed pool where in the past flowers would be placed in the water and the mothers could relax in the pool and regain their strength assisted by the healing energy of the flowers and the sun.
With reference to the history of Native American healers Clare notes that in their account of the creation story when humans came into being much of their physical body was derived from plants, rocks and waters of mother earth while their spirit or soul came from the heavens or sky. This is the connection between certain plants and their affinity with specific areas of the energy body. My belief is that the design and perfection of the flower and the energy pattern it transmits shows our bodies energy circuits/meridians how they should be vibrating. So in order to achieve balance, the energy circuit/meridian emulates the energy pattern of that flower. How the flower energy knows which circuit it needs to tune into I cannot explain! Maybe it’s a bit like tuning into a radio frequency to get the station you want?
Some flower essences are also activated by crystals with each crystal emitting its own vibrational energy and having its own special pattern adding potency to the flower water. If, like the Native Americans, one can relate to our physical body being connected on an ancient level with the rocks, plants and water of mother earth, then the use of crystal activated flower essences links in with the body’s memory of its perfect source.
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My investigation into flower essences started in earnest in 2002, being previously introduced to this refined healing modality by way of a dream to grow plants to make essential oils for aromatherapy. It was quite a rude shock to learn that an acre of lavender plants produces only eight litres of essential oil. The other personally disturbing aspect is the processing of so much plant life to produce such a small result. In 1995 I started to grown medicinal and culinary herbs, gaining organic certification and thinking of each little seed as a precious being. The growing of medicinal herbs for processing is not so dissimilar to the essential oil industry. Manufacturers require large quantities to make their process viable. |
During the 90’s I also studied with the late Simon Schot (herbalist). He taught that everything we need in order to heal is around us. He gave, as an example, the herb Plantain or Ribwort (Plantago major). He said that the English take the Plantain seed with them wherever they migrate too. Not intentionally but, more like the sticky seeds attach themselves to trouser cuffs and then presumably drop off when they find a likely bare patch of soil. The plant is high in Vitamin A and is quite pleasant when juiced with carrot. Having collected some seeds from his property back then, it is still growing in abundance.
Following on from the understanding that what we need is around us, is the knowledge that the flowers designed to heal will also call us to be made up into an essence. If one is lucky the flowers are growing close by and the circumstances are appropriate for their collection and activation. On other occasions the call is to travel to parts previously unknown to the traveller/essence maker and to trust that upon arrival at the destination, the plants will be flowering.
As the flower essences heal on a physical and emotional level when taken either orally or applied topically they can, in their natural environment, bring pleasure and joy simply by being in their presence.
Clare G Harvey’s book “The New Encyclopedia of Flower Remedies” introduces the reader to flower essences made up in countries from Africa and the Amazon, to the UK, Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia. It is mind boggling the number of flowers and combination essences available.
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Flower essences from a supplier come in what is called a “stock” dosage. This is the concentrated form and ideally needs to be made up into a dosage quantity. This can be achieved by using a 20-25ml dropper bottle, filled with 50/50 Brandy (or Apple Cider vinegar), and spring water with seven drops of the stock bottle added. It can be taken twice a day for at least two weeks or longer if deemed necessary. Ideally review the results of the essence after one month.
Selection of the appropriate remedy can be simplified by referring to an ailment chart. However, it is often the case that each flower essence maker has their own ideas about which remedy is appropriate for an emotional or physical imbalance. The best methodology is to follow our own intuition and trust what you are drawn to. The essence that will catch your eye is probably a flower that you naturally prefer. |
Another method is to either use or learn to use a pendulum and then dowse for the answer as to the appropriate essence/essences. If you have not had experience with using a pendulum (can be a crystal on a thin cord, a ring, or a metal pendulum) practise by holding the pendulum over your left hand and asking the question ‘is this my right or left hand’. The way the pendulum moves will indicate a “yes” or “no” answer. In my experience the pendulum does not move the same way for everybody so it is a good idea to identify your sequence.
With any imbalance in the body, the creation of that imbalance has been gained usually over a considerable period of your life. Be patient with the self as the healing process may also take some time to bring about the equilibrium that is desired. Sometimes an imbalance is corrected and then the person finds a deeper set issue that needs attendance, or the body decides to detox, and the skin breaks out in eruptions along the meridian lines. It is worth it to persevere and get the maximum we can out of life with a body in balance.
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