Sealing Ceremony

Birth is an incredible, amazing and intense journey. As women, our bodies go through a lot of hard work to bring a child into the world. Through all of this work, through the triumphs, sorrows and joys, the sweat and tears, we are left open. We must allow ourselves to be open when we birth a child.

That openness can then leave us feeling empty after birth. Our bodies have been a vessel that carried and nurtured a small one (or even several small ones) for months. It is no wonder that our bodies would experience a vast emptiness once we have completed the birthing process. So, what then? How do we close ourselves after we have opened for something as incredible as birth? Well, why not have a beautiful closing ceremony.

While pregnant, women will have people "oooh" and "aaah" over their growing belly. After birth, that

attention seems to be turned to the baby. While it's well-intentioned, let's look at continuing to focus and honor the woman who made this birth possible. No, I don't mean the midwife or attending physician. I mean the mother. The continued care and keeping of mom, mothering her, can play a vital role in mom's healing.

Add to this a ceremony to "close the birthing process," and you are honoring the mother. As she heals, celebrates the life of her new child, and transitions into her role as mother, there is no greater honor than to recognize this process via ceremony.

Sealing ceremonies may seem strange to those of us living in the United States, or in other countries where there isn't a lot of emphasis put on the postpartum healing process, but it does happen in other parts of the world such as Malaysia and China. In other nations women are still mothering women after birth, honoring them for the incredible sacrifice that they have made, bestowing blessings upon these new mothers, holding space to allow these women to heal and close what was opened when they birthed their babies, and welcoming them back into society. The questions are, why don’t we do this in our country and what would happen if we did?

A SACRED tuck-in is a service in which several scarves are laid out one above the next. The mother lies down on top of the scarves and warm herbal flax-seed or herbal rice packs are placed across vital points on the mother's body (eyes, shoulder/heart, abdomen/womb, hips, knees, feet). As the warm herbal packs are placed, the scarf is brought up around the mother at each point and tied to allow for

a "tuck-in." She then lies there resting for a period of time being enveloped in the warmth.

The essence of all of this is meant to bring to light the importance of honoring new mothers, honoring their process, recognizing that each mother is different, but each deserving of having the space to be held, warmed, honored, and made to feel loved. When we limit our care to just when a woman is pregnant, we lose focus of the vital role that women play in birth, in life, and in creation. The time is now to come back full circle, and revive this important piece of the pregnancy and birthing process.

Closing the birth process is critical for so many reasons: energetically to finish the process, physically to heal the body, and spiritually to properly step over the threshold from maiden to mother. 

In Latin American countries this is commonly practiced by midwives as ‘closing the bones’ postpartum. It is traditionally done at day 3 postpartum but we have found woman LOVE it and benefit from it even 25 years postpartum! 

In Ecuador, it is sometimes given within hours of giving birth and repeated 5-6 times within the first 40 days. 

Our variation of the closing of the bones that we call the Sacred Sealing Ceremony is perfect after a ceremonial bath and a nice sesame oil warming rub down and when the mama is fully relaxed. It is never too late for a mama to practice this form of postpartum care!

This ceremony can serve several purposes for the postpartum mama:

*Physically it brings her back together, squeezing her joins and hugging all the areas that pregnancy and relaxing have loosened. It stimulates blood flow which in turn can help clean and renew the mother by moving fluid in her body. This can then help with finding balance for her hormones, immune system, toning muscles and tissue.

*Energetically it will bring her back together by holding her energy close. You can remind her to set intentions of coming home. She can invite all the threads of herself that may be have been scattered during the birthing process to be pulled back together.

*Emotionally it gives her a specific act/time to focus on sealing the birth process. By setting intentions of closing the birthing time and entering fully into motherhood she is able to emotionally transition herself in a way that western culture seldom allows.

Written by Master Mother Roaster Sara Harkness

To find out how to receive this service please visit our Services page, or send Sarah an email: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Yoni Steams

The concept of doing vaginal steams is still a very active practice in cultures across the world that have retained their traditional wise woman healing ways. 

In Malaysia a v-steam is an important component of the postnatal body treatment and given before the oil massage as the steam heats a mama’s body both internally and externally, softening her body and opening her pores for the massage to be even more effective.

In many traditions in Mayan and other Central American traditions Vaginal steaming is used as a way to treat various uterine issues. In Spanish it is called ‘bajos’ and is one of the first thing traditional healers call on when any sort of vaginal or uterine issues arises.

V-steams (also sometimes called yoni steams) bring heat to the womb. The use of specific herbs work in combination with each other to nourish, tone, heal, bring in fresh oxygenated blood, promote cleansing, and shrink the swollen vaginal and uterine tissues after pregnancy and childbirth. The moist heat opens the pores of the tissues it comes into contact with. The water vapor carries the medicinal benefits of the plants, including volatile oils. This is absorbed into the tissues and enters the bloodstream, having a direct healing affect on the reproductive system as vaginal tissue is one of the most absorbent of the entire female body.

A mama sits over a specially designed box that is placed over a large pot of hot water; herbs are added to the water which causes herbal steam to rise up into the vaginal area, bringing with it all the healing properties of the herbs. 

V-Steams are used postpartum primarily as a uterine lavage to ensure that all fluids after childbirth are being dispelled and are flowing as they are meant to be. It has the added benefit of introducing heat directly into the womb space via the vagina.

In many traditions of holistic midwifery care a vaginal steam is given within the first 9 days after childbirth. Some do it immediately, some at day 3, some day 6 and some day 9. Others wait until 6 weeks postpartum. Mayan tradition often does it on day 9 as the Mayan works with the number 9 as a

sacred number. Up to 3x within the first 9 days.

This is a traditional tool for Well Woman Care! This means that it should only be used postpartum after a birth that falls in the range of ‘normal’ and qualifies for well woman care.

For Fertility

Vaginal steams are a wonderful way to maintain a healthy yoni. They are great if one of the challenges is implantation because the steam helps make the lining of the womb supple and hospitable.

This is best done a week before your period— so knowing your cycle through regular charting is an important practical tool. You can do it 1-3 times during that week and continue each month until your bleeding is cramp free and pink/ bright red rather than dark or clotty.

Benefits of V-steams After Childbirth

• Helps softens and melts blood clots in the lochia for easy passing

• Reduces uterus swelling

• Reduces excessive vaginal discharge

• Eliminates foul odor

• Enhances the healing of tears and cuts in the vaginal area

• Helps tighten the pelvic floor muscles

• Reduces the possibility of vaginal infection and itchiness

• Helps cleanse and deodorize vaginal area (the vagina is great at self cleaning, when we say that it helps cleanse we mean that it supports the overall system giving it strength to do its job well!)

What about after a cesarean?

A mother should wait at least 6-8 weeks after a cesarean to have a vaginal steam. This is because it is generally risky to introduce that amount of heat to an area that had a recent incision and is healing in a different way. A mother who has had a cesarean birth can still benefit from a vaginal steam, she will just have to wait a bit longer to reep the benefits. For both the mothers and the mother roasters safety the postpartum mother may want to get the go ahead from her care provider before receiving the steam.

**Caution**

Do not use essential oils in the Vsteam because they may burn the delicate tissues of the perineum area.

Do not steam the perineum area if:

If there is hemorrhage

If there are open wounds, such as a tear, or stitches as this could cause pain and swelling

If the woman has an IUD

If there is the existence of a fever, uterine infection, vaginal sores or blisters

Herbs for Postpartum V-steams

The herbs used in after birth v-steams are a blend of herbs that have various healing qualities known to support feminine health! All herbs used for vaginal steaming are chosen for their aromatics. It is the volatile oil along with the steam itself that is carried up into the vaginal tissues to do its work.

Our top 3 herbs for v-steams

Oregano: Used for its antiseptic, stimulating and strengthening qualities

Basil: Increases blood circulation, anti-biotic properties, relieves headaches

Marigold Petals: Uterine and hormonal tonic (note* for the vaginal steam purposes you want the aromatic variety of marigold, not calendula)

Other great herbs for v-steams

Rosemary: Increases blood circulation to the reproductive organs, anti septic

Motherwort: Traditionally used specifically for fibroids and polyps

Lavender: Nourishes and relaxes the nervous system. It serves as an antispasmodic and antiseptic the perennial tissues

Mugwort: Traditional Korean/Chines her used for blood circulation and to awaken the Qi

Rose Petals: Gentle astringent to the tissue, fragrant

Plantain Leaf: Astringent, gentle antifungal, repairs internal tissues/organs, antiinflammatory

Chamomile: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, + anti-spasmodic

Partridge Berry: Classic uterine tonic

Thyme: Is typically warm, anti fungal, + antioxidant

Yarrow: Uterine tonic, pelvic circulatory, anti spasmodic

The Process

1. Fill a rice cooker 2/3 the way full, close the cover and turn on

2. When it is boiling add 1-2 cups of the dried herb mix into

3. the rice cooker with water and let boil for 10 minutes, then turn off and let mixture steep covered for 10min.

4. Place rice cooker with herbs in the yoni sauna/chair

6. Sit on the sauna to begin the yoni steam. You should sit on the steam for 15-20 minutes.

7. Wrap several large cloths or blankets around yourself, one for the bottom half of the body and one for the top around the shoulders. Wrap from the waistdown over the steam to hold in the heat.

8. Make sure that your feet are covered in socks or you could even use a flax seed back slightly warmed to keep your feet warm during the steam.

NOTE: Each person's tolerance to heat will be different. If you feel the steam is too hot, un-wrap the blanket and let out steam until the level of heat is comfortable and then re-wrap yourself. You can do this as many times as you likes. Usually unwrapping for a count of 10 seconds is enough to lower the amount of steam to a comfortable level.

9. After 15-20 min. when you are done you should immediately lie down and wrap yourself in a warm dry blanket for 20min to an hour to allow the steam and the heat to continue its work.

10. At the end of the steam offer the herbs back to the earth. Place in compost or in Garden.

*Have pads on hand for after steam.

∗Be sure to bring awareness to your womb space as you are steaming. You can invite your womb to be strengthened and nourished while giving your womb permission to release anything that is not serving her.

∗Due to the blood being stimulated, your face may become red and you may sweat. This is normal.

∗Make sure there is a cup of water or herbal tea for you to drink.

*After the steam, you will need to lie down for approximately 20 min to an hour. Your uterus will be working in response to the steam, so you should allow yourself time to rest and allow it to do its job.

*Mothers may notice some uterine cramping and/or increase in discharge directly after steaming. In extreme cases it can even smell foul or mother can have dark syrupy discharge or even small clots. Some woman who have gone through menopause, may even release old blood after a steam!

From the Sacred Postpartum & Sacred Fertility programs

For information on how to receive this service please visit our Services page, or email Sarah: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Moxa

Moxabustion is an external heat therapy that is applied on or over an acu-moxa point on the body, or an affected site which is typically the abdomen and lower back areas for new moms. 

Moxa is made from the herb Mugwort Artemesia vulgaris and is a traditional Chinese medicine techinique that assists with postpartum healing by warming the abdomen, stops pain, moves Qi, circulates the blood, safeguards health, facilitates a speedy recovery and energizes the mama. 

Another name for postpartum moxa healing is “Mother Roasting.”

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi.

Mugwort has a long history of use in folk medicine, not just in TCM. Research has shown that it acts as an emmenagogue ­ which is an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and stimulates menstruation. (1)

This service is aimed at supporting the new mother around two weeks postpartum. The warming method uses moxa and acupuncture treatment to encourage circulation of blood and vital energy in the abdomen, and to comfort and honor the mother at this transitional moment. 

It should not be used if the woman presents with signs of heat, for example, a high temperature, night sweats, inflamed cesarean scar, or other infection.

Written by Master Mother Roaster Sara Harkness

To receive this service please visit our Services page, or send Sarah an email: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Abdominal Hot Stone Press

A traditional hot stone abdominal press technique is used to introduce heat to the body, invite the womb to return to size and expel excess air and trapped energy from the womb space which is believed in many cultures to be the ‘heart of the woman’.

Before putting on a belly wrap, mamas get a hot stone pressed to her abdomen and body. A river stone roughly 3lbs in weight is heated over a low flame for 20 minutes or the stones can be put in a crockpot to heat up (keep crockpot dry with no liquid).

It is then wrapped in layers of cloth interspersed with pieces of leaves that have healing properties such as turmeric, ginger or lemongrass. This practice infuses deep heat over the entire body (except the head and genital area), but focuses on the abdomen and torso area.

Since we don't always have access to large leaves and fresh turmeric, we make this press with powdered herbs and batik cloth.

The effects of the deep heat on the abdominal area are the following:

*It promotes faster shrinking of the womb

*Helps to flattens the tummy

*Expels trapped air

*Helps with digestion and constipation

*Helps heat and nourish the womb space of the mama

*Breaks up residual blood clots allowing for the lochia to flow more easily speeding the healing process

*Relieves tense muscles

We first prepare the bundle by mixing up a special warming herbal mixture of Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cumin, Ginger, Nutmeg, Turmeric, and Anise.

Theses spices are then laid on the piece of cloth and a heated river stone is laid on top of the spices.

We then gather the edges of the cloth and bind them together to form your bundle. This bundle will be used to press gently but firmly on the mother’s abdomen (or maybe even her arms and legs!).

The process is very soothing and relaxing and makes for an excellent way to pamper moms post birth.

*Note: after a cesarean birth the mother will need to wait at least 6-8 weeks before receiving the hot stone press.

Written by Master Mother Roaster Sara Harkness

To find out how to get this service please visit our Services page or send Sarah an email: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Postpartum Care

The intensity of the birthing process can lead to some degree of bruising, swelling and discomfort, tissue trauma, and, in some cases, the need for perineum repair or suturing.

The likelihood of tearing during the birthing process is influenced by many complex factors including: long-term nutrition, hydration at the time of birth, the position of the baby, the speed of the birth, overall pelvic floor tone and health, and genetic factors related to tissue elasticity.

Some women are led to believe that her care provider plays a large role in her likelihood of tearing, and while there are certainly things that can be done to help support a mother’s perineum it is just one piece of the puzzle.

Feelings of physical discomfort can, in many cases, be relieved and healing aided with herbal and homeopathic remedies.

Some of these are:

• Herbal Sitz Baths
• Yoni Steams
• Abdominal Hot Stone
• Moxa
• Belly Binding

According to Chinese Medicine, pregnancy is a heating condition, and birth journey can cause a rapid reduction in the internal heat of the mother.

Helping to warm the mother, with the use of warming herbal infusions, compresses and oils, will assist with her overall transition but particularly with her tissue repair.

Applying gentle heat to areas of need will protect the mother’s internal heat and increase circulation to the area of a soreness, swelling or laceration.

The additional circulation can best aid in the healing process. Applying ice is only recommended if the mother has extreme swelling or a hematoma (a blood blister that results from a broken blood vessel seeping under a layer of skin).

Written by Master Mother Roaster Sara Harkness

To find out more about receiving these services, please visit our Services page, or send Sarah and email: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Birth Story Witnessing & Mother's Journal

How does a woman process her birth journey?

There are many ways, but telling her BIRTH STORY is the first critical processing of starting the transition into motherhood.

SHE NEEDS TO BE HEARD! THEN HONORED!

For a new mama to take the time for deep reflection, to look within, find her HEART song, sing it to the world and her babe, and scribe it...gives her the POWER to process!

It allows her freedom to work out the kinks of what she liked and what she didn't like. It opens her to reflection and thus HEALING.

Journaling will increase your conscious AWARENESS and will help you contact your spiritual guidance and higher self.

Why journal?

Journaling brings to life clarity and tenderness as you witness yourself. New mamas can easily begin down a path of having a running stream of inner thoughts that tell them they are not doing it right, or they are not as good as other mothers. Putting a pen to paper can calm negative chatter by allowing for an affirming place to grow that will help uplift instead of tear down.

When you sit with another person, one who can bear witness to your story, it is often more freeing than simply journaling it on your own, which is why we offer Birth Story Witnessing and Tea Ceremony as a part of our service offerings.

Written by Master Mother Roaster Sara Harkness

To find out more about this please visit our Services page or send an email to Sarah: SarahJosey@GoldenPoppyHerbs.com

Sacred Placenta

Placenta Prana

Written by Master Mother Roaster Sara Harkness

The placenta is an amazing organ! Your placenta was with you to nourish you and grow you from the very beginning. In many cultures it is viewed as the baby’s twin. This is because not only does it share the sacred womb space with baby but it matches the genetic make up of the baby in a beautiful

perfect way.

What is the Placenta?

The placenta begins to slowly take form in early pregnancy. At around day five the trophoblast cells begin to form the placenta. At approximately Day 6 the cells begin to attach to the uterine wall. Soon after implantation the amniotic sac begins to develop (which will have 2 layers, the amnion and chorion). 

Eventually the placenta and the mother begin to make circulation exchanges, yet the mothers blood does not pass or mix with the blood in the placenta. The placenta and baby maintain a completely separate blood stream. The placenta is wise and works as a filter for the baby, picking elements from the mothers blood and using what is needed to pass to baby. Thus begins the beautiful connection of mother and child through the placenta. Intertwined from the beginning, communicating nutrients and love while remaining also separate and other.

A normal umbilical chord is made up of one vein and two arteries. The Vein carries nutrient and oxygen rich blood to the baby from the placenta. The arteries carry the depleted blood from the baby back to the mother. Chord length can vary for each baby.

The Placenta of Traditions

Throughout human history there are many different views of the placenta. The placenta has been depicted as many different animals. It has been thought to be the twin of the baby, an angel, a dragon and the tree of life.

Native American Navajo traditions would have the placenta and umbilical chord buried by the grandmother in a special place that might represent her dreams for the child. Returning the placenta to the womb of the mother earth. Similar traditions can be found across South America.

Hawaii has a sacred ground near the ocean where fathers would bring the placenta and place it in a carved space in the rock near the ocean so that it could be blessed and returned to the mother ocean.

In Bali, the placenta is believed to be the physical form the each child’s guardian angel. After the placenta has been birthed, they wait to cut the cord until the pulsing has stopped, displaying early wisdom of delayed cord clamping. After the cord has stopped pulsing the father will bury the placenta near the family door with inscriptions of blessings and stone grave marker resting on top.

"It is an important and Sacred act to honor the mother and all of her offerings. To honor the placenta is to honor the source and nourishment of life." ~Anni Daulter

Placenta Services

We believe in the power of the placenta, and as such offer a few different services to honor this power aspect of the birth story.

Benefits of Placenta Capsules

The placenta has amazing abilities during the postpartum period. It can heal, sustain and strengthen the new mother.

Traditionally Placenta Capsules are used to:

• balance your hormones
• enhance milk supply
• increase your energy

They have also been reported to help:

• You to recover more quickly postpartum
• to bring the body back into balance
• to prevent ‘baby blues’
• shorten postpartum bleeding
• assist the uterus to return to size
• increase postpartum iron levels
• may be used for PMS
• May be stored and used during menopause
• *Please note that while there have been studies done on the effects of placentolgoy it has not yet been approved by the FDA.

How it is done:
I use the Traditional Chinese Method (TCM) where the placenta is steamed in herbs, dehydrated, ground up and encapsulated.

I can encapsulate in your own home or in mine. I have a 24hour turn around time and can have the capsules ready 24hrs after pickup. You may then begin taking the placenta right away for maximum postpartum benefit. I will leave you instructions on dosage of placenta capsules.

I offer this service as a part of my Mother Healing package, or as a stand-alone service for $150.00

Placenta Blessing

For those who do not wish do the the encapsulation, I offer a placenta blessing service where I can create a Tree of Life print for you and then at a later time together we will do an honoring ceremony.

This is included in the encapsulation service.

Body Image Post Birth

We all have issues with our bodies from time to time in our lives, but a postpartum woman can have very negative feelings about their body image if this issue is not addressed.

Here are some things to try!

Take some time to honor your new body as it blossoms into a mother’s body : one that will produce milk to nourish your baby, one that expanded to let your baby enter into the world, and one that will need mothering hips to carry your baby when she needs to be close.

Meditate on all of your feelings that arise in relation to gaining weight in general and postpartum and having a newly developed body.

Ask yourself if you feel sexy and attractive or if you have feelings of being undesirable and ugly.

Take notice of all of your feelings and acknowledge them, have compassion with yourself and own them. We are perfect in every moment. Remember that your new curves are luscious and full of life.

Ideas:
• Stand naked in front of a mirror and see what feelings it brings up in you.
• Wear something that makes you feel sexy and gorgeous that accentuates your new body.

Self-Love Practice
On a daily basis practice self-love massage while repeating a mantra. (Try the following)

I am so beautiful
I am so thankful for all my body has to offer
My body is strong
My body continues to provide for my child

Tara Lynn is a "plus size" model and mama who is amazingly proud of her post-baby body and is a fabulous person to follow for self-love inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/taralynn/?hl=en

Flower Essences for Postpartum

From the Flower Essence Society:

Flower essences are herbal infusions or decoctions, made from the flowering part of the plant, which uniquely address emotional and mental aspects of wellness. The first 38 flower remedies were formulated by a British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930's, although new remedies from other plant species are now available.

How do flower essences work?

To understand how flower essences work requires a recognition that the human being is more than a physical body, but also incorporates a "body" of life energy, a "body" of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants which interact with these subtle bodies of the human being, and evoke specific qualities within us. We can say that they work in a similar way to inspirational music or art, which carry meaning through the vehicle of sound or light, while the flower essences work through the medium of water.

Modern physics has known for nearly a century that matter and consciousness are intertwined. However, medical science still generally works with a nineteenth century model of the human being as a mechanism in a world of machines. We expect that in the coming century medical science will develop ways of studying the impact of consciousness on health, and we will learn more about the ways in which flower essences work. However, empirical research, which consists of the collection of case studies and practitioner reports, will remain the primary source of knowledge about how flower essences work.

How are flower essences used?

Flower essences can be used in a number of ways. The most common way is to take them orally, four drops, four times a day. Our experience shows that it is not necessary to take them internally. They can also be used by adding five to seven drops in a plant sprayer bottle and misting a room or our bodies. You can also add a few drops to the bath, spray clothes before ironing them, or spray your pillow before sleeping. What is important to remember is that they are a vibrational essence, and surrounding yourself with them, inside or outside, is the best way to experience their effects.

The following are some of the categories of emotions that tend to arise during the postpartum time period and can be helpful to have on hand to work through this emotional time.

Look through the categories and read about the essences that are in each category to find the one's that best fit you are your particular situation.

If you'd like to have support in this area, consider getting a Mother Embracing session.

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From the Alaskan Essence Society:

Align­ment

• between phys­ical, emo­tional, mental, and spir­i­tual levels—Alpine Arnica, Mala­chite
• between the male and female ener­gies in our body—Blue Poppy
• deep realign­ment with one's highest pur­pose in life—Ladies' Tresses
• restores align­ment between the spir­i­tual and phys­ical bodies—Alpine Arnica
• strengthens cen­tral ver­tical align­ment—Rutile
• with the power of one's per­sonal truth—Cat­tail Pollen
• with Uni­versal sources of energy and infor­ma­tion—Ruti­lated Quartz, Silver, Topaz

Ances­tral Healing

• clearing ances­tral pat­terns—Cinnabar, Cotton Grass, Fire­weed, Liard Hot Springs, Nootka Lupine, Northern Lights, Purifi­ca­tion
• for estab­lishing and strength­ening bound­aries—Hematite, Pyrite
• for healing ances­tral pat­terns that are blocking our ability to receive—Go-Create
• for non-judgement and accep­tance of what we inher­ited—Pearl, Rein­deer Moss, Sphagnum Moss
• for pro­cessing inher­ited anger—Blue Elf Viola
• for under­standing the ori­gins of our family pat­terns—Black Spruce, Nootka Lupine, Sitka Burnet, White Lupine
• opening to the pos­i­tive sup­port of our ances­tors—Golden Cory­dalis, Yellow Dryas

Anx­iety

• calms mental anx­iety—Aqua­ma­rine, Blue Topaz, Goats­beard, Valerian
• from being over­whelmed—Paper Birch, Purple Poppy, Red Elder, Stinging Nettle
• soothes anx­iety as we con­front change—Redoubt Vol­cano
• Belonging 
• helps one feel wel­come in a family or group—Alaska Violet, Single Delight, Starflower
• in a new neigh­bor­hood or country—Cow Parsnip, Rein­deer Moss, Shooting Star

Change

• for main­taining one's family iden­tity through pro­found cycles of change—Yellow Dryas
• for under­standing the deeper meaning of earth changes—Augus­tine Vol­cano
• helps us let go of our resis­tance to change—Glacier River, Redoubt Vol­cano, Round-Leaved Sundew
• impa­tient with the pace of change—Polar Ice
• strengthens and sta­bi­lizes the body so it is better able to cope with change—Cow Parsnip, Fire­weed Combo
• sup­port for deep inner change—Green­land Icecap, Spi­raea, Tidal Forces
• sup­port for moving through change without cre­ating crisis—Hairy But­ter­wort

Child­birth

• helping the new­born feel safe and wel­come on the Earth—Angelica, Club Moss, Green Bells of Ire­land, Mangano Cal­cite,Shooting Star
• release of pelvic ten­sion during child­birth—Balsam Poplar
• release of trauma from the birth expe­ri­ence, regard­less of one's present age—Ladies' Tresses, Northern Lady's Slipper
• sup­port for mother and child during and imme­di­ately after the birth—Grove Sand­wort, Peridot, Preg­nancy Sup­port, Spi­raea
• sup­port for moving from one stage of delivery to the next—Hairy But­ter­wort, Sticky Gera­nium 

Chil­dren

• for a fear of being in nature—Soap­berry
• for acci­dents and injuries—Cotton Grass, Soul Sup­port
• for bad dreams—Calling All Angels
• for better con­cen­tra­tion on home­work—Bunch­berry, Easy Learning, Star Ruby
• for feeling pro­tected—Angelica, Devil's Club, Guardian, Lavender Yarrow, Mangano Cal­cite, Yarrow
• for feeling sup­ported—Chalice Well, Starflower
• for grounding—Green Bells of Ire­land
• healing birth trauma—Ladies' Tresses, Northern Lady's Slipper
• strength­ening bound­aries for highly sen­si­tive chil­dren—White Violet
• strength­ening the bonding con­nec­tion to the Earth—Pineapple Weed
• sup­port for starting new projects—Peridot

Com­pas­sion

• devel­oping com­pas­sion for one­self and others through self-acceptance—Alpine Azalea
• for all beings through loving kind­ness—Bleeding Heart
• for one's own healing process—Bog Candle, Green Bog Orchid, Pearl, Sphagnum Moss
• in the midst of emo­tional pain—Mangano Cal­cite
• through for­give­ness—Moun­tain Worm­wood

Com­ple­tion

• of cycles of healing on the etheric level—Com­frey, Rhodo­lite Garnet
• of cycles of learning and expe­ri­ence—Grass of Par­nassus, Polar Ice
• of emo­tional cycles—Moon­stone, River Beauty
• of life lessons without the cre­ation of crisis or ill­ness—Dwarf Fire­weed, Hairy But­ter­wort
• of the past on all levels—Sitka Burnet

Con­fi­dence

• from knowing one's abil­i­ties—Tama­rack
• from knowing one's pur­pose in life—Paper Birch, Sap­phire
• in expressing one­self—Tundra Rose, Yellow Violet
• in one's ability to heal one­self—Self-Heal
• in one's inter­ac­tions with others—Starflower, Wild Sweet Pea
• in one's power to create one's life—Vesu­vianite

Energy

• attracting and focusing energy for healing and regen­er­a­tion—Labradorite, Lady's Slipper
• expanding our ability to receive energy from the sun—Lighten Up, Orange Cal­cite, Sol­stice Sun, Sun­flower
• focusing phys­ical energy for deci­sive action—Choco­late Lily, Star Ruby
• helps us recharge after becoming depleted from over­work—Fire Opal, Labradorite, Opal
• helps us reg­u­late extremes of energy—Labrador Tea, Vana­di­nite
• increasing energy flow to the merid­ians—Amber, Car­nelian
• opening energy flows to and from the etheric body—Flu­o­rite, Flu­o­rite Combo, Rhodo­lite Garnet, Sweet­grass
• opening energy flows to the heart—Alpine Azalea, Calling All Angels, Chryso­colla, Emerald, Fox­glove, Green Bog Orchid, Green Fairy Orchid, Hare­bell, Rhodochrosite, Rose Quartz, Tundra Tway­blade
• pro­motes ener­getic hygiene and inde­pen­dence—Arag­o­nite

Exhaus­tion

• feeling like there is no time to rest—Opium Poppy
• from overuse of mental and emo­tional forces—Labradorite, Opal, Spec­tro­lite
• from over­work—Fire Opal, Green Jasper, Moschatel, Opal
• from trying to bal­ance one extreme with another—Labrador Tea, Purple Poppy
• resulting from block­ages in the subtle bodies—Car­nelian, Flu­o­rite

Inte­gra­tion

• increases our ability to inte­grate infor­ma­tion—Easy Learning, Ruti­lated Quartz, Stinging Nettle
• of emo­tions—Dan­de­lion, Sweet­gale
• of eternal wisdom into present time aware­ness—Black Spruce
• of new expe­ri­ences by the per­son­ality—Golden Cory­dalis
• of peak expe­ri­ences—Sol­stice Sun
• of spirit and emo­tion into action in the present moment—White Spruce
• of the celes­tial and the phys­ical—Red-Purple Poppy
• of the lessons of the past—Black Spruce, Opium Poppy, Purple Poppy
• of the rational and the intu­itive—Lamb's Quar­ters

Iso­la­tion

• encour­ages one to move out of iso­la­tion—Wild Sweet Pea
• feeling sep­a­rated or iso­lated from one's spir­i­tual source—Mol­davite, Sap­phire, Shooting Star
• sup­port for those who feel iso­lated from others—Single Delight

Joy

• bringing more joy into the ful­fill­ment of life's chal­lenges—Alaska Violet, Prickly Wild Rose, Tundra Rose, Willow
• helps one reclaim joy after a dev­as­tating expe­ri­ence—River Beauty
• in phys­ical exis­tence—Calling All Angels, Chiming Bells, Orange Cal­cite
• inte­grating joy and suf­fering—Bleeding Heart
• opening to joy as a source of cre­ative power—Bog, Goats­beard, Gold
• reclaiming joy through trans­for­ma­tive expe­ri­ences—Fire­weed Combo

Mother

• helps the single mother find bal­ance between moth­ering and fathering—Solar Eclipse
• opening the heart to the Divine Mother—Chiming Bells, Emerald
• strength­ening the mother prin­ciple—Bog, Grove Sand­wort, Pineapple Weed
• sup­port for becoming a mother—Preg­nancy Sup­port

New­born

• help in estab­lishing bonds of com­mu­ni­ca­tion with the mother and the Earth—Grove Sand­wort, Pineapple Weed
• helps new­born babies greet the Earth—Green Bells of Ire­land
• sup­port and pro­tec­tion for the newly born—Cov­el­lite, Guardian, Peridot, White Violet, Yarrow
• sup­port for new­born ani­mals—Animal Care

Nur­turing

• helps the inner child receive nur­turing from the Divine Mother and from the Earth—Emerald, Northern Lady's Slipper, Rose Quartz
• helps us learn how to receive nur­turing without struggle—Larimar
• learning to nur­ture and be nur­tured uncon­di­tion­ally—Spi­raea
• sup­ports the prac­tice of nur­turing between mother and child—Grove Sand­wort, Preg­nancy Sup­port

Over­sen­si­tive

• for emo­tional over sen­si­tivity—Hematite, Tiger's Eye
• for envi­ron­mental sen­si­tiv­i­ties—Black Tour­ma­line, Guardian, Yarrow
• helps acutely sen­si­tive people create better bound­aries—Guardian, Monks­hood, White Violet, Yarrow
• helps highly sen­si­tive people stay con­nected to their bodies and the Earth—Starflower, Stinging Nettle
• over­sen­si­tive to phys­ical con­tact—Cov­el­lite, Pasque Flower

Over­whelmed

• by ener­gies from others or from the envi­ron­ment—Black Tour­ma­line, Cov­el­lite, Guardian, Hematite, Yarrow
• by the amount of energy or infor­ma­tion one is receiving—Lapis Lazuli, Ruti­lated Quartz, Stinging Nettle, Twin­flower
• by the pace and inten­sity of change—Fire­weed, Golden Cory­dalis, Green­land Icecap, Labrador Tea, Tidal Forces

Rebirthing

• for healing birth trauma—Ladies' Tresses, Shooting Star
• sup­port for new begin­nings—Peridot
• to assist in the pro­cessing of old emo­tions and thoughts—Bog Candle, Purifi­ca­tion, Rose/Smoky Quartz

Recovery

• emo­tional—River Beauty
• from addic­tive behavior—Labrador Tea, Self-Heal
• from long term ill­ness or over­work—Fire Opal, Opal
• from old wounds and injuries—Com­frey, Cotton Grass, Rhodo­lite Garnet
• from shock and trauma—Dwarf Fire­weed, Fire­weed, Soul Sup­port, White Fire­weed

Reju­ve­na­tion

• of spent emo­tional and mental forces—Lighten Up, Opal
• on all levels—Fire­weed, Liard Hot Springs, Portage Glacier, Ruby, Spec­tro­lite
• through a greater aware­ness of how we use our energy—Choco­late Lily, Labradorite

Rela­tion­ships

• bal­ancing com­mu­ni­ca­tions in rela­tion­ships—Twin­flower
• bal­ancing one's rela­tion­ship to the Earth—Turquoise
• encour­ages mutual aware­ness and healing of rela­tion­ships—Full Moon Reflec­tion
• opening emo­tional inter­ac­tions in—Sweet­gale
• release of unfor­given areas in—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• seeing rela­tion­ships from a spir­i­tual per­spec­tive—Pale Cory­dalis

Safety

• helps one create safety in the heart—Devil's Club, Mangano Cal­cite
• helps one find peace, pro­tec­tion, safety, and secu­rity through the release of fear—Enchanter's Night­shade
• helps one relax and receive nur­turing without struggle—Larimar

Self-Appreciation

• of one's beauty, regard­less of how it dif­fers from others—Columbine
• of one's unique con­tri­bu­tion to the evo­lu­tion of humanity—Lace Flower
• of our cre­ative abil­i­ties—Wild Iris

Sensuality/Sexuality

• clearing neg­a­tive pro­gram­ming around sex­u­ality—White Fire­weed
• for over sen­si­tivity to phys­ical touch—Pasque Flower
• helps one express one's pas­sion in ser­vice to Spirit—Blue Poppy
• restores earthly sen­su­ality and healthy sex­u­ality—Green Jasper, Ladies' Mantle
• syn­chro­nizing sexual energy with plan­e­tary cycles and rhythms—Balsam Poplar

Shock

• healing emo­tional shock—River Beauty, White Fire­weed
• helps ani­mals release shock—Animal Care
• recov­ering from a shock to the heart—Mon­tana Rhodochrosite, Rhodochrosite, Rose Quartz
• recov­ering from a shock to the phys­ical body—Cotton Grass, Fire­weed
• releasing shock from the etheric body—Com­frey, Fire­weed, Flu­o­rite, Rasp­berry Rutile, Rhodo­lite Garnet, Sweet­grass
• releasing shock that has been stored in the cel­lular struc­ture of the body—Ladies' Tresses, Tundra Tway­blade, White Fire­weed
• treating shock on all levels—Soul Sup­port

Sup­port

• accessing Divine sup­port in the moment—Hairy But­ter­wort, Lilac
• for any new cycle of growth and expe­ri­ence—Peridot, Rock Spring
• for those who are pio­neering new inner and outer realms—Aven­turine, Vesu­vianite, Yellow Dryas
• from all king­doms and dimen­sions—Chalice Well
• from the Angelic kingdom—Angelica, Chiming Bells, Kun­zite
• uncon­di­tional accep­tance of sup­port in all sit­u­a­tions—Spi­raea

Trans­for­ma­tion

• let­ting go of resis­tance to—False Helle­bore, Fire­weed Combo, Glacier River, Green­land Icecap, Spi­raea, Tidal Forces, Vana­di­nite
• of life pat­terns that no longer con­tribute to our highest good—False Helle­bore, Fire­weed, Nootka Lupine, Northern Lights,Portage Glacier
• realign­ment of one's energy field with one's higher pur­pose—Cat­tail Pollen, Ladies' Tresses, Sap­phire, Sapphire/Ruby, Star Sap­phire
• sup­port during or after an emo­tional trans­for­ma­tion—Bog Candle, Chiming Bells, River Beauty
• sup­port for the phys­ical body during a trans­for­ma­tion of any kind—Fire­weed
• sup­port on all levels during trans­for­ma­tion—Soul Sup­port
• to help pace a trans­for­ma­tive expe­ri­ence—Dwarf Fire­weed
• when one feels stuck in the middle of a trans­for­ma­tive process—Fire­weed Combo, Sticky Gera­nium

Trauma

• brings a bal­ancing and cen­tering influ­ence during or after a trau­matic expe­ri­ence—Jadeite Jade, Labrador Tea
• calming to the emo­tional body after it has suf­fered a recent trauma—Emerald, White Fire­weed
• gentle release of trauma without having to re-experience it—Northern Lady's Slipper
• healing trauma after surgery—Animal Care, Cotton Grass, Rasp­berry Rutile, Rhodo­lite Garnet, Soul Sup­port
• healing trauma with uncon­di­tional love—Tundra Tway­blade
• helps with emo­tional reori­en­ta­tion after a trau­matic event—River Beauty, Rose Quartz
• release of trauma held in the cel­lular con­scious­ness of the body—Ladies' Tresses
• releasing trauma from all levels of the being—Fire­weed, Soul Sup­port
• top­ical appli­ca­tion where there has been a trauma to the body—Cotton Grass

Flower Essences for the Fertility Journey

Flower essences are herbal infusions or decoctions, made from the flowering part of the plant, which uniquely address emotional and mental aspects of wellness. The first 38 flower remedies were formulated by a British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930's, although new remedies from other plant species are now available.

How do flower essences work?

To understand how flower essences work requires a recognition that the human being is more than a physical body, but also incorporates a "body" of life energy, a "body" of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants which interact with these subtle bodies of the human being, and evoke specific qualities within us. We can say that they work in a similar way to inspirational music or art, which carry meaning through the vehicle of sound or light, while the flower essences work through the medium of water.

Modern physics has known for nearly a century that matter and consciousness are intertwined. However, medical science still generally works with a nineteenth century model of the human being as a mechanism in a world of machines. We expect that in the coming century medical science will develop ways of studying the impact of consciousness on health, and we will learn more about the ways in which flower essences work. However, empirical research, which consists of the collection of case studies and practitioner reports, will remain the primary source of knowledge about how flower essences work.

How are flower essences used?

Flower essences can be used in a number of ways. The most common way is to take them orally, four drops, four times a day. Our experience shows that it is not necessary to take them internally. They can also be used by adding five to seven drops in a plant sprayer bottle and misting a room or our bodies. You can also add a few drops to the bath, spray clothes before ironing them, or spray your pillow before sleeping. What is important to remember is that they are a vibrational essence, and surrounding yourself with them, inside or outside, is the best way to experience their effects.

The following are some of the categories of emotions that tend to arise when travelling down the Fertility Journey path. Look through the categories and read about the essences that are in each category to find the one's that best fit you are your particular situation.

(from the Flower Essence Society)

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From the Alaskan Essence Society:

Align­ment

• between phys­ical, emo­tional, mental, and spir­i­tual levels—Alpine Arnica, Mala­chite
• between the male and female ener­gies in our body—Blue Poppy
• deep realign­ment with one's highest pur­pose in life—Ladies' Tresses
• restores align­ment between the spir­i­tual and phys­ical bodies—Alpine Arnica
• strengthens cen­tral ver­tical align­ment—Rutile
• with the power of one's per­sonal truth—Cat­tail Pollen
• with Uni­versal sources of energy and infor­ma­tion—Ruti­lated Quartz, Silver, Topaz

Ances­tral Healing

• clearing ances­tral pat­terns—Cinnabar, Cotton Grass, Fire­weed, Liard Hot Springs, Nootka Lupine, Northern Lights, Purifi­ca­tion
• for estab­lishing and strength­ening bound­aries—Hematite, Pyrite
• for healing ances­tral pat­terns that are blocking our ability to receive—Go-Create
• for non-judgement and accep­tance of what we inher­ited—Pearl, Rein­deer Moss, Sphagnum Moss
• for pro­cessing inher­ited anger—Blue Elf Viola
• for under­standing the ori­gins of our family pat­terns—Black Spruce, Nootka Lupine, Sitka Burnet, White Lupine
• opening to the pos­i­tive sup­port of our ances­tors—Golden Cory­dalis, Yellow Dryas

Anger

• helps one calm down after being angry—Valerian
• main­taining a strong sense of self when dealing with anger—Tiger's Eye
• resolving old anger—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• under­standing and releasing anger through the heart—Blue Elf Viola

Anx­iety

• calms mental anx­iety—Aqua­ma­rine, Blue Topaz, Goats­beard, Valerian
• from being over­whelmed—Paper Birch, Purple Poppy, Red Elder, Stinging Nettle
• soothes anx­iety as we con­front change—Redoubt Vol­cano

Attach­ment

• for attach­ment to dis­trac­tion—Bunch­berry
• let­ting go of attach­ment to old wounds and griev­ances—Cotton Grass, White Lupine
• let­ting go of attach­ment to the form of what has been—Bog Blue­berry, Glacier River, Green­land Icecap
• let­ting go of inap­pro­priate emo­tional attach­ment to others—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• releasing attach­ment to old emo­tions—River Beauty
• releasing attach­ment to pain—Cotton Grass
• releasing attach­ment to the form our sup­port must take before we are willing to accept it—Spi­raea
• releasing inap­pro­priate attach­ment to the ego—Round-Leaved Sundew

Aware­ness

• clearing and focusing aware­ness to deepen our con­nec­tion with nature—Comandra, Green Bog Orchid, Northern Tway­blade
• of emo­tional ten­sion held in the muscle tis­sues of the body—Dan­de­lion
• of how our energy affects others—One-Sided Win­ter­green, Red Quartz
• of one's Divine iden­tity—Monks­hood, Scepter Amethyst, Sug­alite
• of one's life pur­pose—Ladies' Tresses, Paper Birch
• of one's true self—Tama­rack, Topaz
• of our highest spir­i­tual poten­tial—Scepter Amethyst
• of subtle energy flows in and around the body—Lady's Slipper
• of sup­port and guid­ance from higher realms—Chalice Well, Hairy But­ter­wort, Kun­zite
• of the omnipres­ence of light—Single Delight
• of the source of one's vitality—Choco­late Lily, Fire Opal
• of the sup­port and nur­turing that is avail­able from nature—Emerald, Grove Sand­wort, Pineapple Weed, Rock Spring, Spi­raea
• of what is in the present moment—Star Ruby

Change

• for main­taining one's family iden­tity through pro­found cycles of change—Yellow Dryas
• for under­standing the deeper meaning of earth changes—Augus­tine Vol­cano
• helps us let go of our resis­tance to change—Glacier River, Redoubt Vol­cano, Round-Leaved Sundew
• impa­tient with the pace of change—Polar Ice
• strengthens and sta­bi­lizes the body so it is better able to cope with change—Cow Parsnip, Fire­weed Combo
• sup­port for deep inner change—Green­land Icecap, Spi­raea, Tidal Forces
• sup­port for moving through change without cre­ating crisis—Hairy But­ter­wort

Clarity

• brings clarity to an over­ac­tive mental body—Aqua­ma­rine, Cit­rine
• emo­tional clarity in com­mu­ni­ca­tion—Azu­rite, Beyond Words, Sweet­gale
• hearing and speaking from a place of inner clarity—Twin­flower
• increases clarity and alert­ness by dis­si­pating con­fu­sion—Easy Learning
• mental clarity, espe­cially during demanding sit­u­a­tions—Blue Topaz, Bunch­berry
• of dreams—Herkimer Dia­mond
• of pur­pose—Dia­mond
• of vision—Rainbow Hematite
• trans­lating clarity of per­cep­tion into appro­priate action—Alder

Cleansing

• chaotic and con­fused energy from the heart—Emerald, Fox­glove, Mon­tana Rhodochrosite, Rhodochrosite, Rose/Smoky Quartz
• core cleansing and repat­terning of the heart—Northern Lights
• emo­tional energy stuck in the lower chakras—Ama­zonite, Blood­stone, Cinnabar, Ruby, Sweet­gale
• old energy pat­terns from the body—Fire­weed, Green­land Icecap, Purifi­ca­tion
• the body's elec­trical system—Stinging Nettle
• the channel of com­mu­ni­ca­tion between the heart and the mind—Wild Rhubarb
• the etheric body—Car­nelian, Flu­o­rite, Flu­o­rite Combo, Purifi­ca­tion, Sweet­grass
• toxic energy from the mind, emo­tions, and phys­ical body—Black Tour­ma­line, Green­land Icecap, Northern Coral Root, Portage Glacier, Purifi­ca­tion, Smoky Quartz, Tour­malated Quartz 

Clutter Clearing

• for estab­lishing new bound­aries with our belong­ings so we don't attract more clutter in the future—One-Sided Win­ter­green
• for extreme clutter that has taken over the house—Devil's Club
• for holding onto stuff because of a fear of not having enough—Blue­berry Pollen, Bog Blue­berry
• helps us let go of what is inessen­tial—Typhoon, Winter In August
• helps us release mental and emo­tional energy attached to our clutter—Northern Coral Root, Purifi­ca­tion
• seals the energy space after the Clutter Clearing process is com­plete—Guardian

Depres­sion

• for those feeling sep­a­rate and alone in times of dark­ness—Lighten Up, Single Delight
• for those who feel lost or out of touch with their own inner dynamics—Chiming Bells
• from lack of light—Orange Cal­cite, Sol­stice Sun

Father

• for­give­ness around father issues—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• strength­ening the father prin­ciple, in men and women—Cit­rine, Fairy Slipper, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Sol­stice Sun, Sun­flower

Fem­i­nine

• bal­ancing mas­cu­line and fem­i­nine ener­gies in the heart—Green Fairy Orchid, Water­melon Tour­ma­line
• blending the power of the mas­cu­line and fem­i­nine—Blue Poppy, Fairy Slipper, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Solar Eclipse
• helps one embody fem­i­nine qual­i­ties of spir­i­tu­ality—Sug­alite
• opening to the nur­turing ener­gies of the Divine Mother—Emerald, Ladies' Mantle, Larimar
• opening up to a greater aware­ness of the fem­i­nine in nature—Ama­zonite, Northern Lady's Slipper, Paper Birch
• recon­necting to the wild fem­i­nine—Green Jasper

For­give­ness

• of old wounds in rela­tion­ships—Alpine Arnica, Bleeding Heart, Moun­tain Worm­wood
• through a clean and appro­priate expres­sion of anger—Blue Elf Viola
• through accep­tance of self—Alpine Azalea

Grief

• helps one con­tact, open to and release grief car­ried in the phys­ical body—Chryso­colla, Cotton Grass, Diop­side, Ladies' Mantle,Rein­deer Moss
• sup­ports, bal­ances, and nur­tures the emo­tional process during the grieving process—River Beauty, Tidal Forces, White Fire­weed

Hon­esty

• helps one make deci­sions based on an honest regard for one's highest good—Beyond Words, Paper Birch, Pyrite, Topaz
• will­ing­ness to see the truth of a sit­u­a­tion—Alder, Blad­der­wort, Cat­tail Pollen

Hope/Hopelessness

• helps us replace hope­less­ness with open­ness, courage, and a renewed interest in life—Prickly Wild Rose, Tundra Rose
• reminds us that we are loved and sup­ported by the angels and the entire web of life on this planet—Calling All Angels, Chalice Well
• restores a belief in mir­a­cles—Augus­tine Vol­cano, Rock Spring

Inti­macy

• helps one create appro­priate bound­aries for—Cov­el­lite, Pasque Flower
• helps one open again to inti­macy after a painful or trau­matic expe­ri­ence—Chryso­colla, Mon­tana Rhodochrosite, Rhodochrosite,White Fire­weed
• strengthens the heart so one is able to main­tain inti­macy—Mangano Cal­cite, Rose Quartz

Loss

• becoming empow­ered by con­sciously let­ting go—Fire­weed, Tidal Forces
• coping with recent emo­tional loss—Bleeding Heart, River Beauty
• of place, home, or habitat—Rein­deer Moss
• pro­cessing ancient feel­ings of loss—Cinnabar, Ladies' Mantle

Man­i­festing

• abun­dance on all levels—Blue­berry Pollen, Bog Blue­berry, Go-Create, Rock Spring
• pos­i­tive reality from the quality of one's thoughts—Goats­beard, Willow
• through a strong con­nec­tion with one's cre­ative power—Bog, Club Moss, Gold, Wild Iris

Mas­cu­line

• bal­ancing mas­cu­line and fem­i­nine ener­gies in the heart—Green Fairy Orchid, Water­melon Tour­ma­line
• bal­ancing power and gen­tle­ness in men and women—Blue Poppy, Sitka Spruce Pollen
• helps men reclaim their spir­i­tual self-image—Brazilian Amethyst, Star Gen­tian
• strength­ening the flow of mas­cu­line energy in men and women—Fairy Slipper, Solar Eclipse, Sol­stice Sun, Sun­flower

Mother

• helps the single mother find bal­ance between moth­ering and fathering—Solar Eclipse
• opening the heart to the Divine Mother—Chiming Bells, Emerald
• strength­ening the mother prin­ciple—Bog, Grove Sand­wort, Pineapple Weed
• sup­port for becoming a mother—Preg­nancy Sup­port

Nur­turing

• helps the inner child receive nur­turing from the Divine Mother and from the Earth—Emerald, Northern Lady's Slipper, Rose Quartz
• helps us learn how to receive nur­turing without struggle—Larimar
• learning to nur­ture and be nur­tured uncon­di­tion­ally—Spi­raea
• sup­ports the prac­tice of nur­turing between mother and child—Grove Sand­wort, Preg­nancy Sup­port

Recep­tivity

• cre­ating func­tional energy bound­aries to sup­port one's recep­tivity—Cov­el­lite, Stone Circle, White Violet
• ded­i­cating one's mental capac­i­ties to receiving the cre­ative impulses of the soul—Jacob's Ladder
• devel­oping emo­tional recep­tivity—Sweet­gale
• helps one move from over sen­si­tivity to cen­tered recep­tivity—Moon­stone
• increasing mental recep­tivity by opening the channel between the heart and mind—Wild Rhubarb
• to one's spir­i­tual power—Brazilian Amethyst, Ice­landic Poppy, Scepter Amethyst
• to the angelic kingdom—Angelica, Chiming Bells, Kun­zite

Rela­tion­ships

• bal­ancing com­mu­ni­ca­tions in rela­tion­ships—Twin­flower
• bal­ancing one's rela­tion­ship to the Earth—Turquoise
• encour­ages mutual aware­ness and healing of rela­tion­ships—Full Moon Reflec­tion
• opening emo­tional inter­ac­tions in—Sweet­gale
• release of unfor­given areas in—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• seeing rela­tion­ships from a spir­i­tual per­spec­tive—Pale Cory­dalis

Release

• of a neg­a­tive or false self-image—Columbine, False Helle­bore, Lace Flower
• of emo­tional and mental ten­sion held in muscle tissue—Dan­de­lion, Valerian
• of emo­tional ten­sion in male/female rela­tion­ships—Sweet­gale
• of energy con­nec­tions with others that are no longer useful—Arag­o­nite
• of energy pat­terns that no longer serve us—Cinnabar, Fire­weed, Green Tourmaline/Smoky Quartz, Northern Lights, Purifi­ca­tion
• of pain held in the body—Cotton Grass, Potato
• of self-doubt—Tama­rack
• of sexual ten­sion stem­ming from expe­ri­ences of abuse—Balsam Poplar
• of the fear of one's own power—Soap­berry

Releasing

• attach­ment to dis­trac­tion—Bunch­berry
• con­stric­tions held deep in the heart—Green Bog Orchid, Green Fairy Orchid, Pink Quartz
• deep pat­terns of lim­i­ta­tion held in the mind—Blue­berry Pollen
• deeply held trauma—Ladies' Tresses, Soul Sup­port, White Fire­weed
• emo­tional shock—White Fire­weed
• emo­tional ten­sion cen­tered around the heart—Fox­glove, Soap­berry
• familial and tribal karmic pat­terns—White Lupine
• inner poten­tial—Sticky Gera­nium
• judg­ment from the heart—Sphagnum Moss
• mental resis­tance to change—Glacier River, Green­land Icecap, Jacob's Ladder, Willow
• old habits that are no longer useful—Portage Glacier
• pain held deep in the sub­con­scious—Forget-Me-Not
• resent­ment towards one­self or another—Moun­tain Worm­wood
• self-destructive pro­gram­ming—Bog Candle, Diop­side
• the energy sur­rounding unre­solved con­flicts—Blue Elf Viola
• the need to men­tally con­trol the events of our lives—Jacob's Ladder
• through self-acceptance—Rose/Smoky Quartz
• toxic pat­terns in an envi­ron­ment where there has been addic­tion, depres­sion or abuse—Purifi­ca­tion
• unex­pressed emo­tions in a pos­i­tive way—Augus­tine Vol­cano

Sad­ness

• brings peace and joy to those who are lost in sad­ness—Chiming Bells, Orange Cal­cite, Pink Quartz, River Beauty
• helps us release deep sad­ness from the body—Cinnabar, Ladies' Mantle, Tidal Forces, Tundra Tway­blade

Self-Appreciation

• of one's beauty, regard­less of how it dif­fers from others—Columbine
• of one's unique con­tri­bu­tion to the evo­lu­tion of humanity—Lace Flower
• of our cre­ative abil­i­ties—Wild Iris

Sensuality/Sexuality

• clearing neg­a­tive pro­gram­ming around sex­u­ality—White Fire­weed
• for over sen­si­tivity to phys­ical touch—Pasque Flower
• helps one express one's pas­sion in ser­vice to Spirit—Blue Poppy
• restores earthly sen­su­ality and healthy sex­u­ality—Green Jasper, Ladies' Mantle
• syn­chro­nizing sexual energy with plan­e­tary cycles and rhythms—Balsam Poplar

Spir­i­tual

• brings a depth and phys­ical rich­ness to one's spir­i­tual life—Sug­alite
• helps one bal­ance the flow of spir­i­tual ener­gies in the body—Lilac, Red-Purple Poppy
• pro­motes a recog­ni­tion of the spir­i­tual realm—Brazilian Amethyst, Forget-Me-Not, Scepter Amethyst
• seeing rela­tion­ships as cat­a­lysts for spir­i­tual growth—Pale Cory­dalis
• sup­ports spir­i­tual recep­tivity and radi­ance—Ice­landic Poppy

Stress

• let­ting go of emo­tional stress stored in the muscle tissue—Dan­de­lion
• relieving stress from the expe­ri­ence of extremes—Labrador Tea, Soul Sup­port
• stress from a pre­oc­cu­pa­tion with mental activ­i­ties—Aqua­ma­rine, Blue Topaz, Jacob's Ladder, Wild Rhubarb