"A good friend is cheaper than therapy." --unknown
One way to be in touch with the natural world is by honoring a plant. I relate this to hugging a tree. I love to hug trees. It is paying tribute to an old friend. Another form of meditation for me is to sit in silence with my own body and mind next to a plant or tree. It could be just for 5 minutes
Today we will learn how to make a flower essence.
The tools you will need are--
1. cornmeal
2. a clear glass bowl (5" in diameter and 3 inches deep)
3. clean fresh water
4. two sharp stones (I prefer to use my crystals)
5. muslin cloth, 4-6 inch square
6. small funnel
7. grain alcohol- like gin or vodka; NO rubbing alcohol
1. What flower do you want to make an essence from?
2. What flower are you drawn to?
3. What flower to you want to become acquainted with?
I am drawn to the Mint Family- like bugle weed, lemon balm, peppermint...
4. Pick it from your garden or from along the road side as long as you are least two feet away from the road.
5. Give thanks and praise to the Earth Mother for the flower. One way to do this is to sprinkle some cornmeal on the plant/flower you choose. You may want to give thanks in another way which is fine. Just give thanks- never take without giving thanks to Earth Mother.
Capture the essence-- 1. Fill glass bowl with water to about 1 inch from top
2. Place bowl on the ground near the plant you have chosen
3. Using the stones gently cut the bloom from the stem and allow it to fall onto the bowl of water
4. DO NOT touch the flower as this will disturb its purity
5. If the blossom is small, use several.
6. You may want to do this on the night of a full moon. 7 Allow to stand undisturbed three to four hours or overnight. 8. Pour water from the blossom bowl into small bottles half full of the alcohol, using muslin to strain.
The rest is your plant journey... an energizing experience with you and the plant blossom. The plant/flower has a verbal message. I didn't understand at first when I did this, but I certainly do now. When a mentor told me to ask the plant to receive its blessing--I didn't understand. You may not understand either, but always trust your intuition. If at any time this does not feel right, then stop.
It is hard to express what it feels like when you make a plant essence or even a tincture or even mixing different loose herbs for a patient’s illness, I feel lighter.