Part 14 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

Yesterday the clouds seemed to be following my mood. I had a lot of concerns. I kept telling myself to choose the thought that would make me feel better and not to dwell on the stuff that was bumming me out. I wanted to make the Vervain flower essence. The flower was certainly ready. I went to look and was stunned with their subtle beauty- all there, saying, Choose me- I am ready.

What wasn't ready was me. As my mood would get funky, the clouds would cover the sun. Then when the sun would come out, I would think, Maybe I will go ahead and make that essence... and the cloud would come back. Not today. I needed a mood upgrade. This flower essence making stuff is so co-creative.

Today I have come to peace with many things. The sun is out. A great day for Vervain.

NEXT: Making the BEECH Essence

Part 13 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

The grape (where the Vine essence comes from) was certainly fun- and stunning.

I kept watching, watching, watching the little buds every day. I had seen some photos of the blossoms, and they were tiny. Would I find them? Then, one day, there they were. And it was that way for a day, with an overabundance of blossoms- tiny flowers that I had never noticed before in previous years. Making these essences, looking for specific flowers in bloom, has happily put me even more in touch with Nature, and I am SO GRATEFUL!

I am still in awe. These tiny beauties were there to greet me on that one special day. Now those tiny flowers are completely gone. The blossoms are all busy turning into grapes!

NEXT: Making the VERVAIN Essence

Part 12 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl 

Gorse seems to be the most powerful to date.

I had driven San Marcos Pass several times recently, and seen Gorse growing all over the mountain sides. The day came to make the Gorse essence- and I was still wondering where I would be able to find a place to park to make it. I didn't really want to make it right on the highway. As magic will happen, and through a series of listening- turn here, go there, turn around, keep going, etc… I ended up in a perfect spot, a field to park in, right next to the big, beautiful yellow gorse. For some reason I was on the verge of tears- actually had very watery eyes- throughout the Gorse making. I could feel a huge, huge energy from this, entering my heart, palpably.  It had a lot to say about the vastness of this project.

NEXT: Making the VINE Essence

Part 11 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

Now there is a small flower!

I was watching the Olive for weeks, wanting to make sure not to miss it. It is amazing sometimes how quickly the moment of bloom comes and goes. I did indeed find it in bloom, and the bees were having a field day.

NEXT: Making the GORSE Essence

Part 10 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

Interesting, sometimes it isn't the flower that I am waiting for, it is me.

I drove to Chaska Norte, my land, and there was the Honeysuckle in all its glory. I thought yes, today is the day, even though I wasn't feeling 100%.  It was only a little later that I realized that I had inadvertently left the Golden Bowl in town. Somehow I must have known it would not be a good day for me.

I feel like I am being guided every single step. When it is supposed to happen, heaven and nature come together and make it happen. I am becoming more and more aware of the energetic involvement that I have. I simply cannot make more than 2 essences in one day. Often only one. I think there was one time that I made 3, and that was a day when I had several wonderful helpers, which helped to attenuate some of the energy that was going through me.  I noticed I was quite exhausted later in the evening. Still, even making 2 takes a lot of energy. With the Bach essences in the Golden Bowl, I have so far only made one in a day. I knew that this project would take over a year, I just thought it would be because of the moment of bloom. Now I realize it is also because of my own energy in this co-creative endeavor, and I have even more respect for this venture that I am on. Even though it looks like the easiest thing in the world, and I feel happy and high and wonderful, making the essences, there is also a fatigue that comes with it, and I need to honor the process of resting in between. The flowers are teaching me many valuable lessons, and I am SO GRATEFUL (and especially grateful that the lessons are gentle)!

A few days later, when I was back to feeling on top of the world, the Honeysuckle was still there in bloom, beckoning/beacon-ing me. It was easy and I was in aromatic bliss. Yum.  One of the great benefits of making essences is that you get to drink some of the mother essence, and that treat always feels like a sacrament. The Honeysuckle was especially tasty!

NEXT: Making the OLIVE Essence

Part 9 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

It began with a conversation with the Pine.

On my land Chaska Norte I have two Pine trees that I planted about 10 years ago. They were both in bloom, and speaking to me every time I walked by. They were saying they wanted to share their energy. I wondered which one to use- as they both look a little different, and there are lots of different kinds of Pines. I didn't know specifically which ones these were, and I noticed that the original Bach essence was made from Red Pine. The Pines told me not be concerned, as when I am working with the energy of a plant, all of the varieties can join in energetically. The message came through clearly that the Pine was ready, that I could use blooms from each tree, and that the whole company of Pine trees were ready to share their energy, as one collective. They are all in the same family, perhaps not the exact species. They are here in Santa Barbara- said to be part of ancient Lemuria (where essences were used more for higher states of consciousness, and rarely for healing, as everyone was already well).

Sure enough, on the day I made the wonderful Pine essence, I used blooms from both of my Pine trees.  There was also plenty of Pine pollen, which came right into the bowl with the buds- you can see it in the photos. So, this Pine essence includes the energy of the Pine pollen, and this is very auspicious. Pine pollen is a high source of natural testosterone. The Pine is also connected to the pineal gland.

Right away I was told that the essence would have the energy of the entire Pine family. That my Pine trees were just representatives for all of the Pines. They said they were part of an Evergreen Cooperative, and that I could call in the overlighting deva of the Pine tree energy to come and infuse the water. It was super willing. I was taking some photographs and bumped against a bloom, and lots of pollen came wafting out.

The Pine trees feel like a very powerful force, and they all are so happy to have played this essence role. This is one time I felt the energy was there even before I cut the flowers- the Pine is so ready to serve, so happy to be serving.

The trees assure me that their essence will do what the Bach essences do, and more, with the Golden Bowl energy boost. They are working in many octaves.

NEXT: Making the HONEYSUCKLE Essence

Part 8 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

I couldn't get going fast enough. The only thing I wanted to do in the world was to go make a flower essence. I didn't even know which one. Several were calling.

The week before, Honeysuckle had looked tired and dry. I had looked at it and thought, Maybe next year. The next day it was totally glowing. I was amazed. I know they hear me, even when I'm not addressing them consciously. It perked right up for me.

So today it was perhaps the Honeysuckle, or it could be the Indian Paintbrush (not one of the Bach essences) that was calling me every time I drove by it on the way to my land, Chaska Norte. I stopped near the large stand of Indian Paintbrush- and suddenly wondered how I would get up the very steep hill to get to it. Hahahahaha. As I was pondering I thought, Wouldn't it be cool if there was some place where it would be really easy to get to? I stepped around a corner and magically there they were, out of sight of the road- and very easily accessible.

Still, I felt pushed/guided-- to go on to my land. When I got there I looked at the Honeysuckle and it looked really windblown. Still lots of blooms, just looking a little tired, and like it would like a drink after the dry winds. Not really the day to make its essence. Should I go back to the Indian Paintbrush?

I had been looking at the Walnut tree for a couple of weeks, and couldn't figure it out. At first I thought I saw little flowers, then I saw catkins…So I wasn't sure what the blossom was supposed to look like. I researched Online and saw that there are male and female flowers on the same tree. At that point I was pretty sure I had missed the moment of bloom.

So today... I went to have a talk with Walnut and tell it I would pay better attention next year.

As I was having a look I noticed there was a little flower- like a quarter the size of a dime.  Then - as I continued to look, I noticed more. They are really, really tiny, and green, so they blend in.

It wanted me to make it's essence now, not next year. And there were fresh catkins as well.

That is how Walnut got chosen (or how Walnut chose?) today, and I used both male and female flowers.

Walnut: Moving forward and willing to change (or willing to change and move forward)…  and reveal our pearls. Transformation. Trusting and following our own inner inspiration. Self approval.

NEXT: Making the PINE Essence

Part 7 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

The Rock Rose has always been one of my favorite plants. I have them planted in different places around my ChaskaNorte property. In contemplating my Golden Bach essence project, I was originally concerned that they were the pink variety, rather than the yellow used in Dr. Bach's Rock Rose essence. There are yellow ones in the Santa Barbara area, and- I had a strong feeling to make it from a particular pink Rock Rose on my land. There came the message that this essence could carry the vibration of all Rock Roses!

The wind had come and blown off blossoms, and what was left on the Rock Rose was not looking so great… I had the thought that I would make the essence sometime later- when and if there are a lot of buds open. The very next day, quite unexpectedly, the Rock Rose plant was blazing with tons of beautiful open blossoms! It was 11:11 on the clock (always a good sign for me), and I had time and energy to make the essence. Easy breezy. It was saying YES! Choose Me!

NEXT: Making the WALNUT Essence



One of my favorite things to do is to watch a skilled tractor driver move dirt around at Chaska Norte, my 20 acres of land on a mountain top here near Santa Barbara. The land is very steep, and when I first got it, it didn't have much flat space. Over the past 10 years we have been creating terraces, roads, and paths, so there would be more accessible land with trails, contemplation stations, and places to grow things. I like to say I'm building a mini Machu Picchu.

There is one particular tractor driver, Jon, who is especially amazing in his skills.  He also teaches tango. I feel like he also does "tractor tango," the way he dances with the tractor and the land in such a beautiful and graceful way that the land feels good about it, rather than abused (which I've also seen happen).

Recently Jon was available do some more work. I felt very strong guidance to have him come and make some new terraces. It's like that was the very most important thing that wanted to happen- and I can't say that I have any idea what these terraces are for. I do know that all of the energy was there for it to happen, and I was in joy for the whole 6 days. He works and I go away and come back and check every hour or so to see what he has done. It is like being gratified every hour! So many changes, and new places that I had never been able to access before.

We were going to work thru Sunday. On Saturday afternoon he had done everything I wanted and more. I didn't know what else for him to do so I told Jon to go ahead and explore. He had already done such an amazing amount of road/terrace work-  I let him go ahead and follow his intuition. (Most guys do seem to love tractors- and I felt this made him happy.) There is this even steeper section of land where Jon went that I never expected to penetrate. The tractor was going into uncharted territory. I will mention here that there is a tree in that area that is taller than all the other trees. I had never been able to get close enough to it to see what it was.

I walked away to let Jon "tractor tango" on the hillside, assuming he would go up up up.  A little while later I came back and, whoa- I noticed he had not gone up, instead he had gone straight down. Like literally, straight down. There was no way to go back up that way, he would have to find another way out (which of course he did). I crawled down the super steep passage he had made to go look for him. All of a sudden I was standing close enough to that tall tree to get a look at it. Could it be what it looked like?! I went and found Jon and asked him what he thought that tree was. I needed validation, as I was so surprised. He said, "Looks like an Aspen." I was in ecstasy! This was cosmic!!! I had no idea Aspens even grew here.  It is definitely the only Aspen on the land!

Jon had no idea why he went straight down at that point, he said he was just guided to do it somehow. He didn't know the tree was there, you couldn't see it from the angle he was going. To me it was pure magic- as Aspen was the first essence I ever took, and it was the tree I was sitting under when I got the message to make the Golden Bach essences.  An interesting aside is that Jon's father was a homeopathist, and when he passed away Jon got his remedies, including a set of Bach essences- so he even knew what they were. We spent a few moments in awe.

The Aspen tree was still unreachable. I looked at the tree with my telephoto lens, and had this feeling there was a possibility that it was actually in bloom. That would be the coolest thing ever! We talked about that possibility, then he had to find a way out of where he was, as it was getting dark. I was wondering how in the world we could get closer to the tree. To me it seemed impossible, as even with a big ladder, I wasn't going to get close enough to get to those potential buds.

The next day was slated to be the clean-up and finish-up day. When Jon came he immediately said he thought he should go back and work around the Aspen tree. He was feeling it was just too synchronistic that he ended up there, to not try and make an essence. He ended up cleaning up all around it- altar like. He made a lovely road to it. Still- how to get to its foliage. Jon had the answer. He climbed out on the tractor arm. Miraculously, there were flowering buds! By this time, I was truly in an ebullient and altered state. I brought the bowl and everything we needed, and we made the Aspen essence. I think the only other time I was that high was when I made the first Orchid essences. It is an indescribable feeling- of co-creating with Nature. It is like all of Nature is conspiring to get me to make these essences, and it is happening so fun and gracefully.



As soon as we got the blossoms in the bowl, and we were standing there admiring our work (well, mostly Jon's work), a Red-tailed Hawk circled us. That was a beautiful sign- and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, another big bird began to circle. We kept looking...  It was big, and it wasn't a Turkey Vulture. What was it? We discovered it was- hold on- A Golden Eagle!! I found out there is a big nest not too far away, and they are in this territory, which I hadn't known before. One other time on the land (in 10 years), at an auspicious moment, I had seen a condor. The Golden Eagle, with the Golden Bowl, in this new Golden Age- it was truly a sign that gives me even more confidence that I am doing the right thing.  Abounding happiness and fulfillment!!!

Dr. Bach was ever-present during this time.  He didn't want to leave, as he too was enjoying it so much.

Ahhhh - the magic magic magic of the Moment of Bloom.



NEXT: Making the ROCK ROSE Essence

Part 5 of the series The Moment of Bloom ~ My Ecstatic Journey Making the Bach Flower Essences in a Golden Bowl

Mustard had been talking to me since 12-21-12.  It was instrumental in getting me moving on this project.  It seemed to be everywhere.

I had been meeting with a powerful group of priestesses, and one of them, Aurora, was working on an Art installation called "Nest" at El Capitan Canyon. We were helping to hold the energy for that art installation, and for other things to happen on that land. One day while we were there I noticed a particular field of golden mustard. We talked about it and agreed to meet on the full moon and make the Mustard essence right there. (This was even before the Golden Bowl had arrived.)  We had a plan.

It is very interesting about energy, and making essences.  It seems like such an easy thing, and- lots of factors need to come together for it to happen.

Mustard plans--- (hahahaha) how to know when the answer is no.

The first thing that happened was that looking at the weather report the whole week had symbols of sun, sometimes with a cloud- except on Thursday, the day of the full moon: the sun was totally gray. I do like to have sun directly on the bowl when making an essence. I know that the weather changes, and it was only Monday, and- WE can often change the weather, as well. I wasn't too concerned, yet looking at the week of bright suns, with one gray circle on that day did log into my consciousness. I asked Aurora to do a Mustard check. She got back to me with the surprising message that the on the one spot where we were planning to make the essence,  the Mustard was gone. Done. There was still plenty of other Mustard that we could use, and the specific spot we had chosen was not in cooperation. Hmmmm. Interesting.

On that full moon day I woke up feeling like the energy was wonky. Intuitively I was feeling a NO regarding the essence. It was indeed foggy. Wanting to push on through, and not disappoint the women I was meeting with, I still knew the sun could break through by the time we were ready.

Driving there it was interesting- the fields were full of Mustard.  I didn't think I had ever seen so much Mustard at one time.  The Mustard seemed to be saying yes.

There were 8 of us women meeting. We were going to do a ritual with the "Nest" project and make the essence. That was the plan. When Aurora arrived energy was pretty much askew. She had run into road blocks and difficulties on her way, in particular on this property. By the time we had done our parts with the Nest and we were heading to the beach to have a meeting, and to make the essence, the answer was very clear to me that this was not the day to make the essence- even if the sun were to come out. The energy just wasn't right, even though the Mustard was in bloom. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when making an essence. It is not only the fact that the flower is in bloom, there are other signs to be aware of, and- in particular, my energy and the folks who are there making the essence. We all agreed, this was not the moment. I was happy to know that there would still be time to make the Mustard another day- when it would be more graceful.

NEXT: Making the ASPEN Essence