It's only been 1 week since the initial #FlowerEssenceFriday post, and yet so much has happened to then. I've been to the Bahamas and back via boat, eaten lunch with manatees, and canoed my way out of possibly the most intense thunderstorm of my life. Oh - and I'm moving to New Jersey in 10 short days. Needless to say, my head is a bit up in the air and I'm a little ungrounded!

That's where today's flower essence comes in: St. John's Wort. Most people have heard of this glowing, sunshine-yellow flower and its clinical trials and uses for depression - but I'm here today to talk about a lesser known use of the herb: its flower essence!

Like I mentioned in the first #FlowerEssenceFriday post, I'm going to be talking about my personal experience with these essences. Flower energies are so subtle - there is no one correct way to interpret them. If you have different experiences, know that your interpretations are perfectly valid - and that I would love to hear them!

Now... On to St. John's Wort!

Here are two of my favorite uses of St. John's Wort essence:

Feeling Out of Body - St. John's Wort is the first essence I call upon when I feel like I am not entirely in my body. It's quick acting for those mornings you wake up half in the dream world and half in the waking world. Because the essence has such a gentle way of coxing a disturbed and afraid psyche back into the body, I find this essence useful for times you don't feel safe being in your body and for anxiety/depression induced "out of body-ness." I also imagine it would be useful for people who have taken too many hallucinogens and who are having a hard time coming back into their body.
Unworthiness - I also use St. John's Wort essence for feelings of unworthiness. This bright, summer, solar essence helps us remember that we have innate worth as human beings, that we have worth regardless of our failures and accomplishments, and that we have a right to exist, even when we are struggling. I include this essence in my Confidence blend to help people struggling with self-esteem remember that they are divine beings, and that there is a light inside of them they can call upon to fight their battles.

Let's break it down a little bit more:

Name: St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Actions: Solar/sunny, grounding
Indications: Feeling out of body, especially after vivid/lucid dreaming, sensitivity to light/visuals, nightmares that induce fear/anxiety throughout the day, feelings of worthlessness
Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day (for chronic states), or 3 drops an hour in acute situations

Although it is only the second week, deciding to sit down every Friday and write about an essence is already helping me deepen my understanding of this energetic medicine. I am enjoying reflecting on all the essences I have made in the past 14 or so months, and I am happy to have the opportunity to share this practice with you all!

In love and sunshine,

Blaire

I want to tell you about a new project I'm starting. It's called #FlowerEssenceFriday and I would love for you to join me!

The idea of #FlowerEssenceFriday came to me in the middle of a Tuesday morning meditation. I've been feeling like I need to do more in the herbal world, specifically with sharing herbal knowledge, and somehow, my subconscious came through with this hashtag. The idea is to post a Flower Essence you are currently working with (or one you have worked with in the past) and to share its qualities with the online world. I'll be posting an Instagram entry every Friday with the hashtag #FlowerEssenceFriday, and I'll link back to a post on this blog that goes into more detail (you can only say so much on an iPhone/Android app).

I'll be sharing the plant's common and botanical name, its actions and indications, and my personal experience with the essence. I start this series with the intention of deepening my own Flower Essence practice, remembering the energetic magic of each plant, and with the hope that you, too, will be inspired to work more closely with this sustainable, beautiful form of herbal medicine. (Ps. If you don't know anything about Flower Essences, check out my Energetic Herbalism: Flower and Gem Essences post).

Without further adieu, I would like to introduce you to the first essence of this series: Borage.

Borage is the essence I turn to when I feel completely over-whelmed with life. I use it when I am starting a new habit and feel discouraged. I use it when I feel like I have "failed" and my self-esteem plummets as a result. Let's be honest - Borage Essence is the herbal cheerleader who says "YOU CAN DO IT!" Her essence helps you finish those last assignments, get out of bed on those days that it's really hard to, or say "no" to the habit you have been trying to break. The Flower Essence Repertory eloquently states that it provides "buoyancy in the soul which helps it to rise above, rather than sink into the weight of discouragement," and I couldn't agree more! Now, let's break it down.

Name: Borage (Borago officinalis)
Actions: Gladdening, uplifting, encouraging, heart opening
Indications: Low self-esteem, feeling like you are unable to meet life's demands, a feeling of a "heavy heart," feeling discouraged with yourself and your abilities
Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day (for chronic depressed states), or 3 drops an hour in acute situations

I'm excited for this opportunity to share my Flower Essence practice with you, to deepen my connection to the plants, and to take the time, each Friday, to ask myself "What flower essence do I feel connected to, today?" or "What flower essence do I need to pay attention to, today?"

In love and Borage cheerleader spirit,

xoxo Blaire