Flower Essence Articles: Astrology and Flower Essences

One area that I am most inspired to work involves an individual's soul purpose and the primary challenge they must face in this life. The most painful lessons of life which cause great suffering are often the jewels of future compassion and service. There are specific planets and aspects in an astrological horoscope that can show us a blueprint of the original plan our soul wishes to accomplish as it unravels the mystery of incarnation. I first look to the planet Saturn, its aspects to other planets, and to the moon. These two planets reveal much about the karmic imprints and work of the soul. Saturn is the form and structure, or crystallized patterns within the psyche. The Moon illuminates the unconscious, helping to loosen or dispel past life, childhood, or body traumas of the past.

I often remind my clients that in fairy tale and folklore there are tasks, usually in threes, that must be accomplished before a treasure or reward is to be won. Once the victory of accomplishment has occurred a joyous union takes place within the soul and the kingdom of eternal peace and happiness is found. It is the same in our lives. We must endure our suffering and find the place where the work of our life is the joy of our birthright. Saturn bumps us into the reality that there is work to be done. If we accept our tasks, our rewards are infinite. I must note that in the major arcana of the Tarot, the World card is numbered 21 which breaks down to the number three. Numerologically, three represents joy, creativity, and community. Saturn rules the World card which traditionally depicts a woman dancing in the center of the card, soulfully empowered, and surrounded by the four elements and fixed signs of the zodiac. She represents the ideal of mastery within any given incarnational cycle. She is the mirror of our fully manifested body, willingly and joyfully maturing through the cycles of time.

For the remainder of this article I would like to examine Saturn through the astrological houses and share the potential challenges that must be faced in each position. I will identify specific flower essences that aid in the process of karmic clearing as the soul moves beyond blocks and patterns stored within the unconscious. Never is there one definition for an astrological aspect, nor is there one way to diagnose an individual for Flower Essences. I am presenting key symptoms of Saturn through the houses that seem to be universal. After hundreds of chart interpretations, I have found there to be an underlying Saturnine influence that effects most people. When defined for an individual, the effect is life enhancing, for it fosters forgiveness and acceptance toward one's master plan on Earth. Also, the flower essences suggested in each category are not appropriate for every individual, which is why they must be selected carefully and administered with great care.

SATURN in the FIRST HOUSE: The primary lesson involved in this house position is one of responsibility and focus. The personality or ego identity is cautious and self aware. One must not be frightened to embrace the tasks of life for the soul force is remembering much burden from other lives. As one learns the healing power of time, one can move into maturity and dignity with this placement, and with joy, accept their divine invitation to life. Key fear response might be "Life is too hard". Negative behavior would be lack of responsibility and laziness.

HEALING FLOWERS: Elm-Bach; Feeling overburdened with responsibility. Larch-FES; Confidence in one's inner strength and abilities. Rock Water-Bach; Overly strict with oneself. Blackberry-FES; Putting ideas and focus into action. Sunflower-FES; For balanced ego and joy of leadership and responsibility. Sagebrush-FES; Letting go of "excess baggage" that no longer serves the soul.

SATURN in the SECOND HOUSE: Abundance on all levels is the focus of this placement. One must come to terms with a soul memory of lack and unworthiness. Learning to manifest an inner sense of self love and gratitude for physical incarnation is a primary lesson. Issues of money, security, safety and body issues are crucial areas of awareness. Key fear response might be "I cannot seem to manifest my dreams". Negative behavior would be to identify with a poverty consciousness syndrome in order to hide the terror of abundance failure.

HEALING FLOWERS: Buttercup-FES; Allows self worth to shine and radiate an expression of self acceptance. Abundance oil and remedy-Pacific Essences; Beautiful remedy which restores faith in ones ability to manifest and receive. Okra-Perelandra; Returns ability to see the positive in one's life and environment. Star Thistle-FES; Helps open personality to inner abundance rather than need for outer security. Manzanita-FES; Appreciation of body and the physical world.

SATURN in the THIRD HOUSE: The ability to speak clearly and freely the truth of one's soul intention is the challenge of this placement. Fear of being wrong or not "smart" enough is often a message passed down from childhood or past lives. Some speak slowly and accurately fearing they may say something incorrect and I have seen stuttering in cases where Saturn is in difficult aspect to other planets. People either become perfection addicts or carry a "why bother" attitude. Key fear response could be "I'm not good enough so I won't try anymore". Negative behavior manifests as an inability to share ones thoughts and ideas clearly whether written or spoken.

HEALING FLOWERS: Trumpet Vine-FES; For vitality and expressiveness in verbal communication and overcoming lack of soul force in expression. Can help stuttering or other speech impediments. Mountain Pennyroyal-FES; For strength and clarity of thought. Madia-FES; Helpful for concentration and study. Larch-FES; Confidence in creative self expression. Nasturtium-FES; For over intellectualism and lack of vitality. Helpful for students or one pursuing deep concentration.

SATURN in the FOURTH HOUSE: Usually the home environment was strict or severe in one area or another. The child may have felt the need to earn love in some manner by taking on responsibilities for the family or parent. At a deep level there is a karmic guilt about having been born which stems from possible family hardships that the child intuits. As this is a water house associated with feelings, there may be a well of frozen emotions that needs to be remembered and released. The key fear response might be "What can I do for you so you will love me". A negative behavior pattern could manifest as being overly hard on oneself and not allowing others to nurture them from within.

HEALING FLOWERS: Dogwood-FES; For hardened emotions from past trauma. Restores grace and ease within body. Golden Ear Drops-FES; Release of childhood pain and memory through tears. Pine-Bach; To let go of guilt or blame that is held within the soul force. It inspires a new awareness that fosters freedom from judgment. Rock Water; For overly strict standards and held in emotions. Walnut-FES; Breaking unhealthy links to the past.

SATURN in the FIFTH HOUSE: Somewhere in the soul memory there is a block to creativity and joy. It is as if there has been a past life where one was irresponsible to the needs of others, particularly family, and put most of their attention toward art. In this life one hears an inner voice that undermines the value of art, dance or free expression. They are serious as children. A deep focus in the area of love and relationship fosters ones preference for commitment. This is wonderful as long as one does not attach love with stagnation. A key fear response could be "I know I'm an artist but it isn't responsible to pursue that in my life". The individual needs to balance these two factors. A negative behavior could be to deny talent and take life too seriously.

HEALING FLOWERS: Garlic-FES; Takes the edge off of stage fright and helps one to exhibit creativity. Iris-FES; For those who feel frustrated in their creative work. Indian Paintbrush-FES; Replenishing the creative forces within the will in order to rejuvenate creative intentions. Sunflower-FES; Helps to aspire individuality and self worth.

SATURN in the SIXTH HOUSE: This house rules ones health and the way one can regenerate energy into positive life experience, especially in the area of service and work. The challenge is in the inability to express joy in ones work. The lower back and spine pain signals when a stagnant situation is present. I have seen many back injuries and traumas occur. People are literally "Flat on their back" as the inner soul of the individual takes over in order to examine their true passion and worth. A fear response is when a person fills their life with an eight to five unfulfilled job and says "My work keeps me so busy I don't have time to figure out the true purpose of my life". A negative pattern could be the workaholic whose health is jeopardize by the denial of fulfillment in their work.

HEALING FLOWERS: Scotch BROOM-fes; Seeing obstacles as opportunities for growth and service to the world. For overcoming pessimism and despair. Centaury-FES; Strength to overcome subservient attitude. For those who develop an unhealthy need to serve others. Lilac-PEGASUS; Wonderful remedy for the spine and alignment of vertebrae. Agrimony-FES; For one who avoids the inner pain and unhappiness of work put maintain a cheerful persona while suffering inwardly. Lady's Slipper-Seven Herbs; For finding work that reflects the true soul and spirit.

SATURN in the SEVENTH HOUSE: One of the greatest challenges an individual faces in this house is in the area of commitment. Often one is unable to see how they perpetuate their disappointment of union by creating projections and illusions about the partner. Although many of these projections may contain a kernel of truth, it is still advantageous to look deeply at one's self, for there are many unconscious blocks that keep one from true union and intimacy. People can identify with a karmic pattern of difficult relationships in which they feel trapped in some way. They also tend to draw karmic associations to themselves. A fear response involves either keeping relationships at a distance or remaining in ones that are stuck and unfulfulling. A key phrase could be "Relationships are too hard, and they never seem to work for me".

HEALING FLOWERS: Evening Primrose-Desert Alchemy; Inner trust in oneself so one can learn the true potential of commitment. Black Cohosh-FES; Helps one to look at the pattern of dysfunction within a relationship. This is also helpful when extracting oneself from negative or harmful situations. White Desert Primrose-FES; For the projection of images onto others. Discerning what is your own true self and the true nature of others. Centaury-FES; For those who develop an unhealthy need to serve others. For authority issues and learning to become true to oneself. Bleeding Heart-FES; Learning to love another with freedom. Letting go of attachments with depth of emotion and balance.

SATURN in the EIGHTH HOUSE: In this placement the challenge is deeply rooted in the psyche. One feels a need to do every thing for themselves. They have issues with intimacy and in sharing their resources because it is difficult for them to rely on other people. Usually an individual will hold back on borrowing or lending money. Issues of sexuality are connected here, too, for one is learning the sacredness of union and the right use of power. One must overcome the fear of being alone or lonely. Key phrase might be "I'm good at taking care of myself. Why should I believe any one cares enough about me to want to help?" Negative behavior produces one who allows a life of hidden misery negating the possibility of a beloved to enter their sacred gate of intimacy.

HEALING FLOWERS: Lotus-FES; For heart centered power and spiritual balance. Sticky Monkey Flower-FES; Dispels fear and confusion about intimacy. Helpful for blocks that stem from the unresolved past about sexuality and relationship. Poison Oak-FES; Learning about and sustaining boundaries that are healthy and not overly threatening. Bringing down barriers that exist as false safety net. Oregon Grape=FES; Trust in the good will of others. Bright Star-Desert Alchemy; For boundaries and believing that one deserves to be fulfilled in their life. Damiana-Desert Alchemy; For sexuality issues. Helps one feel vital and alive and willing to share energy with another. Basil-FES; Integrating sexuality and spirituality.

SATURN in the NINTH HOUSE: The ninth house involves issues of truth, law, religion, and cultural perspectives. Many people are able to fit into the system quite well, earning diplomas and scholarly rewards, but there is a danger of getting caught in the dogmas of society or religion. One has a tendency to hide their interest in alternative therapies or spiritual practices from the world in fear that they might be punished or bumped out of a system they have grown to rely on. There is a need to open to their high self as a guide whose love and trust is all encompassing, leading them to the true nature of their Godliness. There is a karmic memory that causes pain about having been cast out of the system or hurt and maybe killed because this individual left the beaten track and pursued knowledge that was not accepted by the hierarchy. Learning trust in ones own divinity is essential.

HEALING FLOWERS: Star Leaf-Desert Alchemy; Expressing oneself clearly without the limitation of dogma. Allowing one to purely be oneself. Rosemary-Pegasus; Understanding ones own philosophies and expressing them to the world. Sage-FES; Helps to see life from a higher perspective through a lens of wisdom. Angel Formula-Desert Alchemy; Attuning to ones angels and divine guidance. Queen Annes Lace-FES; Objectivity in spiritual and religious perspectives.

SATURN in the TENTH HOUSE: In this position one is asked to look at the role of leadership and responsibility in a worldly sense. One is often given authority and is relied upon by others. One can feel a heavy weight upon their shoulders. In a past life there may have been a leadership role that led to punishment or death. One needs to learn that this is a memory pattern and they must not let it block them from the true leadership that is granted to them in this life time. There is the potential to exercise great leadership with integrity and focus. A negative behavior could be to avoid the call of ones true service and leadership and deny the right to a worldly position of much fulfillment.

HEALING FLOWERS: Larch-FES; For confidence in the role of leadership. To love the role you wish to play with optimism and an integrated ego. Larkspur-FES; Joy in leadership, charisma, and responsibility. Stimulates altruistic tendencies. Sagauro Cactus-FES; Offers a balanced relationship to spiritual guidance and authority. Helps one recognize the ancient and profound wisdom which the elders teach.

SATURN in the ELEVENTH HOUSE: This house position involves the challenge of group participation and leadership, and finding one's true place within the community structure. An individual is mostly looked at by the world as being highly efficient and charismatic. The eleventh house individual, for karmic reasons, unconsciously denies or shirks away from the position of authority that is granted to them by the outside world. In a past life, one may have been responsible for a group and perhaps blamed or criticized for the outcome or fate that effected that group. Some people unconsciously fear group participation and involvement. Oddly enough, these people are consistently chosen to be leaders and are revered by others as an integral group member. They carry within their soul design a deep memory of tribal roots. Often a feeling of pain or loss accompanies this awareness and one will compensate by clinging to friendships or organizations that no longer serve them.

HEALING FLOWERS: Chrysanthemum-FES; Helps one to be aware of larger picture collectively. Allows one to identify with the process of being involved with a greater whole. Golden Rod-FES; Helps to create balance between self and others. Promotes individuality. Helps one to be centered in group situations. Sweet Pea-FES; Deals with community roots and social relatedness. Helps one to overcome the fear of commitment to a larger family or community. Helps one with the feeling of alienation. Quaking Grass-FES; Allows for a bending and blending of individual egos for a common purpose. Group harmony is enhanced.

SATURN in the TWELFTH HOUSE: This placement is rooted in the past and therefore carries a profound karmic effect on the individual. Within the life destiny, there are under currents of past life influences that can be identified and released. While others might find the notion of reincarnation to be mere entertainment, these people release a tremendous amount of baggage from other lifetimes by understanding the significance of the past. Fears that seem irrational to the outsider are very real for these people, and it serves them to delve into the cause of their fears. Some people are claustrophobic and need a fair amount of space to breathe easily. One needs to confront the part of themselves that holds on to fear and embrace the vast world of the unconscious. I have seen many clients breathe a sigh of relief when this information is given to them.

HEALING FLOWERS: Rainbow Cactus-Desert Alchemy; Serves as a search light for emotional and psychic repression, allowing one to emerge bright and whole. Wonderful for regression work. Cardon-Desert Alchemy; Helps unlock repression and allows change to happen in a graceful manner. Black Eyed Susan; One is able to work in an accepting manner with their shadow self. It is for purging and purifying painful childhood memories carried within the emotional body. Clears deep toxicity. Grass of Parnassus-Alaskan Essence; Cleanses and purifies ones personal history.

There are a many flowers that are wonderful to have available as household remedies. The times of our culture are very stressful on our immune system and so we need to pay special attention to our environment and the way that we respond to it. For those who are extra sensitive, and work in the field of healing, I would suggest Pink Yarrow, Golden Yarrow, and Crab Apple. These flowers can be taken orally or sprayed from a spray bottle. I am often told by my clients that my office feels fresh and clean. I believe it is partly due to the fact that I purify my office with flower essences. Also, one cannot say enough about Walnut, a Bach flower. It is called the "link breaker" of the essences and helps with all of the Saturn positions mentioned above. It is wonderful for teething babies, or for transition cycles for people of all ages.

The beautiful umbrella of heaven mirrors the mystery of nature on Earth, and the flowers, in all their color and glory, hold a key to human evolution, just as the stars reflect the soul of humanity. Blessed be.