Part 3 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

I had asked Angel, my angelic helper on my Chaska Norte land, to weed whack around the labyrinth. The day he went to do it started out sunny, then suddenly got super foggy, and super wet. It happened quickly. It ended up that he only made a pathway, and didn't knock down the rest of the weeds. When I went down to the labyrinth to check it out, I realized that what he hadn't knocked down was a beautiful field of Wild Oat, that I hadn't noticed before- just calling out to be an essence. The path made it easy. I was laughing at how Nature is surely the director of this enterprise!

The Wild Oat essence was made at Chaska Norte on a perfect Sunday afternoon, feeling ecstatic, just by myself. So beautiful. Lots of little bubbles. The Golden Bowl is way beyond amazing. Wild Oat: done.

 

NEXT: Making the MUSTARD Essence

 

Part 3 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl


One day, before the full moon (when we planned to make the Mustard essence), my friend Aurora was going to be working on an art installation called "Nest" at El Capitan Canyon. In fact, she was going to be weaving some Willow branches into the nest. I casually asked her if there was any Willow in bloom. She said she had seen some, mostly it was probably over, and she would have a look. I decided to drive to the spot and give her a hand and check out the Willow situation. When I got arrived, she and our friend Sarah Uma were there. Aurora went to show me that she had only found two buds… Then she said everything else was already blooming. I burst out laughing. That is what I wanted. I wanted them to be in full bloom! Yay! I had the Golden Bowl, and right there, the 3 of us made the essence (after first playing the bowl). We were blessed out!!

NEXT: Making the WILD OAT Essence

 

Part 2 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

As soon as the Golden Bowl arrived I kept looking at the list of 38 Bach essences.  Who was going to be first?  Where was I going to find them?  I knew Mustard was willing, and that is about all.

I sent the list of Bach flowers to the Star Essence staff, and to a couple of friends.  For some reason, out of all the 38 flowers, I felt compelled to ask, Does anyone know where there is a Crabapple tree?  I didn't know if I had ever seen one, nor what they looked like.

My dear friend Katherine Grace saw my list (and not my question about Crabapple) and casually said to me, "I saw your list and I know where there is a Crabapple tree and it is in bloom right now."  I could feel elation swarming into me.  Katherine Grace lives at El Capitan (a beautiful rural community 20 miles north of Santa Barbara), and come to find out, about 15 + years ago a man went around planting fruit trees in the area- not even on his property, just because he liked to see them bloom. She had been following and appreciating that tree for 15 years. The planter of the tree had made his transition, and it seemed like a nice honoring of him to make the essence from that beautiful Crabapple tree. It's like that is what it was there for (besides being so beautiful for everyone who passed by).

 

It was in full bloom in that very moment.  Katherine was getting ready to leave for Mexico. By the time she returned the bloom would be past. I was busy as well. A sliver of time appeared where we were both available to make the Crabapple essence- and I do mean a sliver. We both had a moment to connect, to find the tree, and to make the essence. Just like that- it happened. It was blissful and beautiful. The bowl sparkled and glowed. The Crabapple tree and its blossoms were extremely happy to participate. Everyone felt very fulfilled.

 

NEXT: Making the WILLOW Essence

 

Soaring. Defined as that time when things are flowing, gracefully. My recent journey to Peru was once again filled with wonder and magic. We were at the right place at the right time, all of the time.

Before I left it felt like there was a possibility I would be making an orchid essence. I didn't know which one or what for- and didn't commit to anyone or myself about it. Gotta have the signs... And to keep in mind- as we are still in this time/space thing- there was only one day that there would be an orchid opportunity, which happened to be the day after the equinox. (Of course that was perfect, so the essences have that download of equinox energy.)

There were two major energies that were released during the equinox (March 20, 2012):

1. Total Self Love. Loving and Honoring every aspect of ourselves. 

2. The Male/Female Balance, equality and wholeness, and to honor our own personal gender (inner or outer).

After our ceremony at Machu Picchu on the day of the equinox, our wonderful guide and friend, Nilo, was talking about the different medicinal plants. Nilo did his thesis on medicinal plants of Peru. He began to describe the Yanali Tree. I had a complete body rush as soon as he said its name- and knew right then that the plant wanted to be an essence. The medicinal gifts of this tree are vast. One thing it addresses is Rheumatoid Arthritis, and fibromyalgia came up as well. I was thinking about what it feels like to NOT have Arthritis. That would be flexibility. "Coincidentally" that was the word that I had picked from the Angel cards that morning in our group meditation! I felt that was a sweet confirmation.

Nilo and I made a plan to go the next day to a place called Mandor Falls, and everyone in the group wanted to go. We took the local train towards the hydroelectric plant and had the conductor make an unscheduled stop to let us off. That morning we were in search of the Yanali for sure- and- to see if an orchid would call.

Right after we walked onto the trail to the waterfalls Nilo spotted a Yanali Tree. An auspicious sign. As we walked there was one orchid that was literally lining the path. A beautiful green one. It seemed to be everywhere, glowing. In fact, nearly all of the photos I have of it look overexposed, I think because it was emanating so much light! It really wanted to be chosen.

On this trip a theme had been duality. In Peru there seems to be a "male" and "female" for everything, including the mountains. This orchid, that was fairly monotone in its greenness, told me it was beyond duality. It was about unity, Oneness.

The Ida jamesiorm oakley Orchid essence is called "Light Codes of Unification" and addresses ascension, unconditional love and acceptance, humanitarian consciousness and other aspects of spiritual expansion.

The moment this essence was complete, David Wolfe (raw food teacher and enthusiast, amazing being, and friend) and his group appeared- going to the waterfalls. I had wanted to "cross paths" (I kept using that phrase) with David- knowing we would be in Peru at the same time. We literally crossed paths several times. Such fun!

After making the Orchid Essence, I could feel that my group was ready to go back to town and eat. I felt great, not hungry, and there back at the beginning of the trail was that Yanali tree, and it was saying- hey, here I am. We had not seen another Yanali Tree on the trail, and this one was perfect. I stayed and made the essence. 

The Yanali Tree essence is called "Wilka Mayu" (meaning "Sacred River" in Quechua, the indigenous language of Peru). It addresses physical and emotional flexibility (including joint and mobility concerns), fluidity, and self-acceptance.

excerpted from Bliss and Blessings: The Divine Alchemy of the Star Flower and Gemstone Essences

Right after we made [the Freedom/Libertad] essence, I told Roger that I was getting the message that it was supposed to have Gold in it. His immediate response was, "It has to be 24 karat gold."

Shortly after that, in another discussion, I overheard Roger describing to someone this totally pure, spongy-shaped, 24 karat gold that you could get in Puerto Maldanado, which is on the Amazon river. In still another conversation, Roger was debating whether to pick up a group in La Paz or Puerto Maldanado. I said, "If you go to Puerto Maldanado you can pick up the gold for the essence."

"Decision made," he said immediately. "I'm going to Puerto Maldanado."

When he called me on Christmas Day, I asked him if he had gotten the gold for the essence. He said, "Funny thing, the bus broke down right in front of the place where they sell the gold. I went in, bought the gold, came back, and the bus started, and that was it." He had planned to get the gold on the way back. As it turned out there was a storm on the way out and they had to leave at 4 in the morning, and wouldn't have been able to get the gold...

A second piece of the Puerto Maldanado 24 karat gold was used to make the Gold Gemstone Essence in the energy of the Winter Solstice, Dec. 22, 2011 at Star's land, ChaskaNorte in Ojai, CA.

After returning from Peru in April, I began to get information about the one wild orchid that grows here on the central coast of California: Epipactis gigantea (which is funny because it is certainly not gigantic- the blooms are quite small, between the size of a nickel and a quarter). This stream orchid, which grows in boggy areas, is quite rare and had been elusive to me for years. I had seen the plant, and never seen it in bloom. I mentioned it to a couple of friends, and- it was another one of those "everything that could go right, went right" sort of events. First it seemed as though its blooming time was over... Then my dear friend Katherine Grace located it- in bloom.

There is a place here in Santa Barbara county called Arroyo Hondo (which, interestingly, means "Deep Stream")- it is a land preserve and it is usually open to the public two days a month, and you have to have a reservation, and it is often booked several months in advance. Katherine Grace knows the caretaker of the land and was able to get us permission to go in and to make the essence. In fact, the caretaker was excited for us to come, which made it even better. Everything fell into place beautifully and we had an exquisite journey to the land to make the powerful essence of the Santa Barbara Stream Orchid.

The Epipactis gigantea stream orchid essence is called "Pituitary Master." The Pituitary is our main control center. It secretes oxytocin- the hormone of love. This essence awakens and strengthens this gland, which can accelerate our connection to the divine source, and connect this energy to the physical. Using this essence can also help us to have a feeling of contentment. It can help to create calmness- especially around a mate. It may even play a roll in autism, as one somehow has more appropriate social behavior.

My friend Roger Valencia had mentioned to me that he had planted a field of Linseed (Flax) at his place in San Salvador, Peru, and that when he had been there a couple of weeks before they were all in bloom: the most beautiful color of pale blue/purple.

This magical land in San Salvador, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is the place that I used to own with Roger. I have enough to do, and I am very happy here in Santa Barbara, so I eventually sold my half to Roger and he still owns it. It is my very favorite place in Peru. When I get to that valley, a remarkable, special peace comes over me- every time!

Lights and whistles sounded when Roger mentioned the Linseed and its color. I said, "That sounds like an essence. Do you think they will still be in bloom?" He had a big smile and said probably so (we never really know until the moment- so there is always that suspense), and that he had told Flore, the guardian of the land, that I would probably be making a visit.

When I got back to Cusco from Machu Picchu I called sweet Walter, who has a car (taxi) and organized for him to take me to San Salvador.

We had an absolutely exquisite day making the Linseed/Flax essence, with grace at every juncture. In my research I saw that Flax is one of the oldest cultivated plants- perhaps the oldest. Lots of ancient memory there...

The Linseed/Flax essence is called "Recalibrate and Flourish" and addresses fibromyalgia, arthritis, and joints. It helps to bring us Vitality, Resilience and Grace in Our Body, as well as Awaken Ancient and Multi-Dimensional Memory.

While we were in that valley we were noticing the beautiful Amaranth in bloom. The Amaranth began talking to me. The next day we were back in that stunningly gorgeous valley- back at the base of Pachatusan Mountain (which means "Anchor of the World")- making the Amaranth essence.

There were many things that guided me to the Amaranth. For one, the name Amaranth caught my ear this time. The woman who helped to raise me had the birth name of Fairy. True! Fairy Leticia Holland. She belonged to an organization called the Order of the Amaranth (it is a masonic order for women, similar to Eastern Star). I felt like her spirit was guiding me, and while we were making the essence, I could feel the fairies playing in the gorgeous field of deep purple/red Amaranth with its everlasting blooms.

 

The Amaranth essence is called "Regal Amaranth ~ RA" and assists us with reaching our highest potential. Be Strong, Versatile and Efficient; Recognize and Honor the Presence of Spirit.

Walter, my driver and buddy, totally enjoyed the experience of making these essences. He could feel them, and felt they were very strong. He said these were days he would always remember.

The last time I came to Peru was with a group- in Nov. 2009- and even then I was looking for the Ellianthus capitatus Orchid. It wasn't its season. My dear friend Roger Valencia, an orchid expert, said "Come back in March." The orchid flower said the same thing. I got a very strong message at Machu Picchu that Nature could certainly work miracles and make it bloom- and it would be better if I would honor it's cycles and come back at its natural blooming time. (I also received the message that I would be making another very important essence on that 2009 trip, and Brave Heart was born: click here to read the story of Making the Penka Penqa Essence.)

The Ellianthus kept speaking to me. It is a cone shaped flower. The Pineal Gland is cone shaped. Did you know that the biggest statue at the Vatican is a pine cone? And the staff the Pope carries has a pine cone on it? The pine cone is signifying the pineal gland. The flowers on the cone shaped orchid open in a spiral. I didn't want to say too much before I came to Peru this time, since Spirit sometimes has a funny way of directing me. I really did want to find the orchid (and of course I knew I had to remain unattached haha). I wanted things to be graceful and filled with signs. And that is exactly what happened.

The magic actually began on the flight- the plane had 3 seats in the middle, and I had an aisle, and there was a big guy in shorts from Fiji named William in the middle, and on the other side on the aisle there was another woman, Diane. We noticed we were both wearing purple. She was going to see John of God in Brazil. We both had veggie meals. She is from Ojai. Ahhhhh such a small world. Then we find out that William is a Roman Catholic Priest. I told him about the pope and the pine cone... That guy really got an activation sitting in the middle of the two of us. At the end of the flight Diane mentioned that her guides kept telling her to tell me that one of the gifts of the essence would be that it would cleanse the pineal.

Roger had one available day while I was in Peru and that happened to coincide with exactly the time I felt for the essence. It wanted to be made a little after the exact moment of the equinox so the flower was carrying that equinox energy. When we arrived at Aguas Calientes in the early evening (the town at the base of Machu Picchu), Roger had this feeling not to go inside the site of Machu Picchu, and that we should instead take the train toward the hydro-electric plant and walk back, and look for the Ellianthus Orchid. In the well over 20 times I have been to Peru, Roger has always managed to take me to a place where I have never been, and this time was no exception.

Roger checked on the train schedule and said he would buy tickets at 6am the next morning. We met at 6:15 and he had the tickets and we got on the train. The funny part was that he had a ticket for a local (much cheaper) and I had a tourist ticket. They were for different cars on the train, and even though there was no one else on the train, they made us sit in different cars. We laughed. Roger spoke to the conductor and convinced him to stop at a place that isn't a stop.That short ride gave me an opportunity to get into my trust mode. Roger and I had switched backpacks because mine was really heavy with bowls and bottles and stuff. So I was on this train having no idea where I was going, knowing we were going to walk back, and it really started feeling like a long long ways (it actually ended up being a perfect hike).

Roger had 3 people checking to make sure I got off at the right place- thank goodness. We started walking and came to a little sign for a "restaurant," which was actually someone's house, and Roger decided we should check it out. It was really fun to watch and listen to him interact with the folks there. They brought out an orchid book and we saw some beautiful birds (bright orange Cock of the Rock and some cool hummers with really long tails). It was fun to be hanging out with the locals. They brought us some cooked bananas that I decided tasted like that cornmeal stuff that are on the outside of tamales. No resemblance to any banana I've ever eaten. Not a trace of sweetness. They also brought some avocado and I had some fresh mint tea (yes, one of the ladies went and picked it) and Roger had coffee from the beans grown right there.

We continued our walk and search for the orchids, not seeing too much in bloom. Then we came to a place where you can pay a few soles and the locals will unlock a gate so you can hike to some waterfalls, which we did (no one else was there except for some workers). Suddenly, Ellianthus was everywhere! Really! It seemed like it was dancing and singing! It was the most prolific of all the flowers there. I was jumping for JOY! We hiked a ways and then Roger noticed a little path that had just been cleared and it went... well, basically straight up. I was glad I had decided to bring my best hiking boots, even though they are the heaviest. Roger had the feeling we should go up up up. We climbed to the top and what was there to greet us? Yes- Ellianthus!!! So pristine, and saying, "Choose me!" Which we did.

I'm sure no one else had been up there. It was brand new and really not a path at all. They had just cleared some space with a machete (undoubtedly "just for us"). We went back down and got water from the fast flowing water beneath the waterfall and put the bowl in the water with the flowers to absorb that amazing pulsating water energy. We watched the flowers dance and become purified by the water that would splash into the bowl. We did a meditation and felt super happy that everything had happened so gracefully. I know that many of you were tuning in to us during that time- which also added to the powerful energy.

There was a total abundance of the Ellianthus Orchid- the one who has been speaking to me for over 2 years! I remember seeing them in the past a few times, and there were never very many. This time it was like a parade of Ellianthus. It was such a strong and beautiful confirmation for me.

I am always the most amazed one about all of this. On our walk we did not see even one of the Andean Orchids that we already have essences of. I feel so fortunate to have made each essence when I did, knowing now that that experience can't be duplicated. Making the Ellianthus essence was another of those extraordinary high moments, of feeling and being in another realm.

The Ellianthus essence is called "Pineal Light Infusion" and addresses the pineal gland/third eye, assisting with clearing, reprogramming and expanding this powerful inner vision and brain center. It can also help to balance sleep patterns and like all of the essences, has myriad other gifts.

 

by David Jonas

I recently decided to go on a flower essence journey with 5 of the essences made by the wonderful Star, and I have called it A Journey to the Heart. Before I go into my experiences with the essences I chose, I would like to start by mentioning that, if you live near Santa Barbara (California), or if you are just passing through, I highly recommend visiting Star's pretty little cottage-office where you can sample all of the Star essences for free at her "Star Bar": it's amazing!

The essences I chose are: Emancipated Master, Doorway to The Heart, One Heart, Brave Heart and Radiant Sensuality. I was also sent a beautiful gift of the Body Spray, Love Lover Beloved, which I threw into the mix.

I started with Emancipated Master, because I felt that in order to really find my heart, the first thing I would need to do is let go of any addictions. Little did I know what was in store for me!! I thought that my main addiction was coffee; but the Emancipated Master drops, which are a combination of mostly Peruvian flowers, very gently made me aware that I had an addiction to the Internet! After taking them for less than 2 days, I both became aware of this addiction, and no longer had a compulsive desire to re-check my emails/baseball scores, etc. In fact, after just a few more days, I ceased my use of the Internet almost completely! I decided to give away my computer (which was getting old) and just go to a cafe twice a week. It was perfect. The Emancipated Master was, for me, really about freedom: the freedom to break-free from whatever is holding us back; or perhaps freedom from whatever "shadows" of which we are unaware.

Next up was the Doorway to The Heart.This is an intense and- some would say- difficult essence, which takes us deep inside our hearts. I felt that, before taking essences for relationships (such as the Love Lover Beloved spray, for example) it is important to go within.

I brought a bottle of the "Doorway" to my meditation group and we all chose to take a few drops before meditation. The effect was so profound that all 4 of us were drawn to lie down for the meditation - such was the power of the flower! It took us to a very quiet, still place; but it also helped to release any lingering sadness. Sometimes we delay going in to the heart because we fear processing heartfelt emotion: this essence goes straight to the heart of the matter! (In fact, we called the bottle Initiation of the Heartlight...).

Here is what I wrote in my journal about the Doorway to The Heart:

"Slowing down... going deep DEEP within... surrendering to the heart... knowing that coming from the heart is the only healthy way of negotiating with the outside world. Being in a quiet place where all wounds are healed by love. Letting go of the outside irritations as illusion... a Buddhic essence.... Like waves crashing on the shores of my heart. Raises our sensitivity to the love-vibration in music."

 

I suggest taking Doorway for at least a week.

Next up was One Heart. This lovely orchid opens our hearts to others, so that we feel connected to humanity and our soul-family. It helps us to realize that there is someone out there for us and it heals a sense of loneliness. It is a key essence for relationships - both intimate and friendships.

After taking One Heart for 4 or 5 days, I realized that I need to break through some old issues, so I started interspersing it with the Brave Heart essence. I felt that this essence helps us move forwards to the other side... go where we need to go and stand on our own two feet. Personally, I found it acting not so much on my heart, but on my solar plexus. It strengthens the will. Interestingly, during the week I took Brave Heart, I decided to move back to England!!

Next up was Radiant Sensuality. This is a fabulous combination essence which really helps open us up to new relationships. If you are feeling dis-connected from others, or unloved, or just that there is no-one out there for you, I can recommend Radiant Sensuality!

It's effects were immediate. I felt appreciated by others and open to intimacy in an exciting new way. It was like gentle waves along my body, especially in the tummy area, around the 2nd chakra. I noticed that I was attracting more women when I went out. (And I'm sure it works the other way around!) It opens us up to the delights and gentleness of a new relationship. Interestingly, I really noticed the Otter essence contained within it: perhaps this is why it is so delightful?

Around this time I had a dream in which the German film director Werner Herzog told me that I needed to take Divine Goddess essence to heal any lingering sadness. Luckily, I had a bottle in my cupboard...

Certainly the Radiant Sensuality is good to take when you are ready for a relationship - and to face whatever blocks you may have in that area. I am glad I took it after taking the One Heart !

After a few more days, I started the Love Lover Beloved Spray. Just the act of spraying it over my body after a shower really helped my sense of body appreciation. It has an earthy smell of patchouli and sandalwood. For me, it was really about loving my body and the way I look - and also appreciating the bodies of others. A perfect spray to take at the beginning of a new relationship... or when our sex-life needs some sparkle! The effects of the spray are more physical than the Radiant Sensuality bottle. It is a spray that you can take wherever you go, whenever you want to give yourself a dose of self-Love!

Love Lover Beloved certainly helped me acknowledge the importance of being in our bodies and of really appreciating the physical world. It was the icing on the cake.

David Jonas is a flower essence Practitioner living in England. He can be reached by email: davidjonas2@hotmail.com.

I was walking my labyrinth at first light on the Solstice. The St. John's Wort began to talk to me, and asked me to make it's essence on St. John's Day.

The St. John being referred to is St. John the Baptist. (I had to look it up.) Jesus once said of his cousin:

"Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist"

- Matthew 11:11

(I especially love the 11:11 part- always loving the signs... )

St. John's day is June 24. That day is also the day of the Inti Raymi in Peru- a huge festival honoring the Sun. We made the St. John's Wort flower essence on June 24, also called Midsummer's Day. In ancient times, midsummer's day was an occasion to pay homage to water, fire and plants. It was also a time to cleanse one's soul as well as to celebrate the summer solstice.

The new St. John's Wort essence is christened "Be Happy."

This essence is a beautiful reminder to do what all of the sages and gurus over time immemorial have said: Be Happy. It is so simple, so powerful, so important! Release the worry. Be Happy. Taking Be Happy is allowing your own personal flower guru to remind you to choose and to think the thoughts that bring you joy, the ones that make you feel happy.