Unlike my past blog posts, I write this blog post from a new location - New Jersey! I'm in the Garden State for a two-year clinical herbalism program that begins in September and I couldn't be more excited. Here in New Jersey, I will be studying under David Winston and will be embracing my first winter ever. Between moving away from my favorite peninsula and being a recent college graduate, I am feeling a bit in limbo, but I find grounding through keeping a consistent herbal, meditation, and exercise practice. And, as you may have noticed, part of that herbal practice is flower essences!

Like the past two weeks, this Friday's essence is sunny, solar, and comforting from the inside out. Unlike the past Flower Essences, Buttercup is not really used in herbalism, both because of its toxicity and because it isn't viewed as medicinally active - although its flower essence certainly is.

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Buttercup

Those tiny, waxy, and golden, Buttercup flowers remind me of late Spring on the Vineyard. I remember being in awe of how they intertwined with the vibrant blue Forget-Me-Nots, creating a beautiful bouquet of color, and although I made a mental note to make a flower essence of them, I never did. Fortunately, I was able to purchase a stock bottle of Buttercup during my time in Orlando and I have been using it ever sense!

Personal Experience with Buttercup

Self-Worth - To me, this essence is about remembering your self-worth despite your place in the workaholic machine we live in. Maybe you are a woman and suffer from imposter syndrome and you find yourself constantly questioning your qualifications or ability to handle your vocation, or maybe you feel a sense of shame because of what your job is, or isn't. Buttercup essences comes in with her golden aura and warms up that damp, depressed self-esteem - helping you to remember that you and your work are worthy of respect, regardless of the title you hold.
Comparison/Envy - One symptom of low self-esteem/self-worth is comparison to others, which often leads to becoming envious of others, and only exacerbates the problem. Buttercup is here to remind us to stop comparing ourselves to others, and instead focus on our own craft and give ourselves the space to be creative in our own, unique way.
Through using this essence, I have noticed that I am much more mindful of how often I compare myself to other herbalists, and how this is a negative habit that impedes my creativity and growth. It has helped me lessen the envy I have of those who have studied longer than I, or who seem to "have their act together" more than I do. It has given me the space to experiment with my own herbal practice, and trust myself in the process.

Buttercup Broken Down

Name: Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis)
Actions: Self-assuring, warming
Indications: Low self-worth/esteem due to job circumstances, downplaying the importance of your work, envy of others in your field, doubt that your work has as merit or that you are qualified for your job, difficulty expressing yourself in your work due to fear that it won't be valued
Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day - I personally think this should be used for at least 3 weeks at a time because of how deeply our culture believes our job defines our worth!

And for the more magically inclined, I personally believe and have read (although I can't remember where!) that this flower is associated with the Fae, and the more kind, receptive Summer Fae at that! Regardless of whether or not this is true, there certainly is magic in remembering our divine, innate self-worth, and that what we create is sacred and beautiful!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

xoxox, Blaire