Tag: flower essence therapy

FEP84 Advanced Flower Essence Healing with David Dalton

Our friend and teacher David Dalton returns to the pod to talk about his new book, Advanced Flower Essence Healing: New Frontiers in the Field of Bach Flower Remedies.

David is a pioneer in the flower essence field. He’s worked as a flower essence practitioner, producer, researcher, and teacher since the 1980s. He’s the founder of Delta Gardens Flower Essences, author of Stars of the Meadow: Medicinal Herbs as Flower Essences, and has presented at our Flower Essence Conferences.

In this episode, we explore David’s considerable contribution to the structure and development of this healing modality: 

his research and how to know what a flower essence does

how past trauma affects personality development and daily life

patterns he’s seen over decades of practice

the energy transmission method he’s developed

and more

FEP80 Windows of Plant Perception – Learning to how to read the book of nature

In this episode, Kathleen and Rochana introduce the 12 Windows of Plant Perception, a multi-dimensional approach to plant study developed by the Flower Essence Society. It’s a significant component of our Flower Essence Practitioner Training Program, and helps us to cultivate a living, holistic understanding of a plant and its healing signatures.
We discuss our experience with this approach and some of the “windows” explored during our in-depth study of the Chicory and Queen Anne’s Lace flower essence plants.
Learn about the objective and subjective practice of plant observation, how plant stories help cultures maintain stable information over time, and be encouraged to try it yourself!

FEP79 Bach Flowers for Relationship Patterns

In this episode, Kathleen and Rochana bring you an excerpt from their new course, Bach Flower Foundations, now open for registration at the School for Flower Essence Studies.

We share a segment from the module, Bach Flowers for Modern Life, where we springboard from Dr. Bach’s original insights on personality types to think in terms of the Bach flowers as archetypes representing personality “parts” and how they interact in relationships.

It’s a fascinating discussion highlighting some of the most “active” Bach flower archetypes and some corresponding “reactive” patterns, with examples that help us understand these personality parts better. It’s a great way to envision some of the characteristics of the Bach flowers that we cover comprehensively in the course.

Enjoy!

FEP77 Finding Peace and Clarity in Chaotic Times

With all that’s going on in the world right now, many are struggling to find perspective and make sense of it all. It’s a crucial time to maintain our sense of grounding and stability, so no matter what we’re doing and what we choose to do, we’re able to do it from a place of centeredness and peace so our best selves can show up.
Kathleen and Rochana bring in ancient and powerful plant allies that have a long history of helping humans on this planet. These flower essences and gem elixirs help us cultivate resilience, perspective, and heart connections with the earth and each other to increase our light and promote peace in every step.

FEP75 Tapping into Creativity for Vitality & Healing

Kathleen Aspenns and Rochana Felde are joined by Ruth Toledo Altschuler to embrace the energy of creativity as a lifeline that sustains us with aliveness during challenging times. 

We discuss:

How flower essences and gem elixirs can be used to spark and nourish creativity whether or not we think we’re creative

How the creative process itself can be liberating and an integral part of healing because it’s connected to the vital life force within us

How using art, writing, and creative acts as therapeutic tools in conjunction with Flower Essence Therapy can be synergistic for both processes

FEP73 Expanding Your Understanding of the Bach Flowers

In this episode, Kathleen and Rochana welcome back our partner in the School for Flower Essence Studies, Ruth Toledo Altschuler.
During these times of progressive overwhelm, we believe that Nature is here for us, and we have the capacity to take in new information when we attune to the plants. In light of this, we’re excited to embark on a deep exploration of nine more Bach Flowers in our upcoming study group, which is more like an “experience group”.
We discuss the value of having a solid foundation of lineage teachings to build on — in this case, Dr. Edward Bach’s original discoveries which have been much enhanced by Julian Barnard’s lifetime contributions in this field.
Now, we as modern practitioners have further evolved the way we use and talk about the Bach flowers in our practices. Bach flowers are well combined with the concept of parts work (Internal Family Systems) and other contemporary ways of addressing emotional challenges, affirming that they’re more relevant than ever.
​Bach Flowers in Contemporary Practice​ is our in-depth Bach flower essence study group in which we slow down to learn directly from the plants and the people who have long been using these essences with clients. You’re invited to join our upcoming iteration beginning February 20th, 2025. This is Part Three of a series, but can be taken in any order!

FEP68 Calming & Soothing the Nervous System

This episode is an excerpt from an upcoming course we’re working on, Foundations in Flower Essence Therapy, which will be available from the School for Flower Essence Studies in early fall 2024.  

We talk about the importance of using calming and centering essences when beginning to use essences for ourselves and others. It’s a really good first step, and sometimes all that’s needed. There are times we may want to skip over this and go right to essences that work with deeper challenges, but we’ve seen time and again the value of starting with calming and centering approaches to help the nervous system feel safer and more embodied.

FEP67 Creating Potent Flower Essence Formulas with Lindsay Fauntleroy

Lindsay Fauntleroy joined us for a live discussion about creating potent flower essence formulas and her upcoming course in archetypal flower essence formula design.

We had a fascinating discussion about various approaches for creating potent blends, including formulation frameworks borrowed from herbalism, perfumery, numerology, and sacred geometry.

This recording was excerpted from a live discussion held for students of the School for Flower Essence Studies (our school) and students of Lindsay’s school, the Spirit Seed.

Stay tuned for more info about upcoming live chats at the School for Flower Essence Studies.

FEP66 Starting a Flower Essence Business Practice

In this episode, Kathleen and Rochana discuss what it’s like on the business side of being a Flower Essence Practitioner. We share our stories and some of the common challenges when setting out on your own as a service entrepreneur (hello imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and undervaluing!), and offer some helpful essence ideas for working through them.

We’ve found that participating in masterminds, group coaching/mentoring, and community forums are incredibly helpful to this process. The value of hearing from your peers, their struggles and questions, learning how they solve them, and the wisdom that evolves from the group mind, cannot be underestimated.NEW! Announcing the Professional Practice Mentoring Group launching at the School for Flower Essence Studies. It’s a unique online community space with live group coaching meetings, beginning May 1st. We’re piloting it for 6 months, and we’d love for you to be part of it!

FEP65 Creating an Abundance Mindset with Sara Artemisia

Sara Artemisia returns to the podcast in this illuminating episode about money consciousness. Sara is a Plant Spirit Wisdom Teacher, Flower Essence Practitioner, Financial Coach, and Host of the Plant Spirit Podcast.

We talk about identifying the source of our beliefs concerning money, addressing our blocks in allowing abundance, and viewing money as an ally and energy to partner with. The plants and essences offer powerful support on this journey of embodiment and learning to accept nourishment from Nature.

FEP64 Flower Essence Myths and Misconceptions

Kathleen and Rochana address misconceptions about flower essences and how they work. Get answers to these common questions and concerns:
Will they take away my stress?
Are higher doses more powerful?
How long will it take them to “work”?
Why does an essence stop working?
Can they help me endure an intolerable situation?
Why can’t they fix all my problems at once?
Can I take an essence if I’m allergic to the plant?
If I feel resistance to an essence does that mean I should take it?

FEP62 Deep Flower Essence Integration with Tracy O’Meara Smith

Meet Australian Flower Essence Practitioner Tracy O’Meara Smith!

Tracy combines Flower Essence Therapy with a gentle and holistic form of bodywork (Bowen Therapy), and through this integration guides clients through periods of profound inner transformation, crisis, and pain. She empowers individuals to trust their intuition, act on newfound insights, and discover effective ways to cope, live, and ultimately be.

Well-versed in the Australian flower essences, Tracy was recently certified by the Flower Essence Essence Society through the online FES Practitioner Certification Training course taught by Ruth Toledo Altschuler.

Our conversation spans her profoundly connective experience of participating in an Aboriginal flower pit ceremony, how the FES training up-leveled her understanding of flower essence therapy, and the deep integration that bodywork brings to the process.

👉 Learn more about the Flower Essence Practitioner Certification Training Program at the School for Flower Essence Studies.

FEP61 The Flower Essence Renaissance with Ruth Toledo Altschuler

Ever wonder how we got from Dr. Bach’s research to where we are today? In the late 1970s and 80s there was a simultaneous explosion of new flower essences being discovered, researched, and produced around the world. Yet, this “second wave” of producers didn’t initially know about one another until the first international conference was held.

Ruth Toledo Altschuler came on the scene just as these gatherings began to happen, and she became a major importer of essences into Brazil at that time. In this episode, we have the honor of hearing her stories and adventures — how she met the people and visited the places of the FES, Alaskan, Australian essences, and more, in these early days of the post-Bach flower essence renaissance.

Join us for this rare treat and glimpse into the modern history of flower essences.

FEP57 Bach Flowers vs. Modern Essences

In this episode, Kathleen and Rochana explore the relevance of the classic Bach flower remedies in today’s increasingly complex and overwhelming world.  

How do they compare to the more modern essences available? Are people different now than they were in the 1930s? Have our needs changed?  

It’s interesting to reflect on the world events of Dr. Bach’s time and his personal evolution as a physician that led him to become the creator of these famous remedies.   

We also share our thoughts about blending the Bach flower remedies with essences and elixirs from other systems, and why gem elixirs may be an important addition for those who’ve worked with flowers for some time. 
Want to learn more about the Bach flower essences? Check out Julian Barnard’s Bach Flower Learning Program, recently released by the School for Flower Essence Studies. It’s an amazing resource, and free!

FEP56 Coming Home to Earth

We welcome Ruth Toledo Altschuler back to the podcast as we record a session for our upcoming Flower Essence Alchemy event.

The three of us share our early life experiences in trying to access emotional sanity by connecting to the plants, animals, and the elements of Nature.
Using the analogy of “reforesting ourselves” after processes of internal deforestation have happened, we explore the concept of re-bonding with the earth so that we can become more fully whole and embodied beings. And we share the flower, tree, and gem essences that are key for this grounding re-connection.

FEP54 Flower Essences for Mental Health with Maureen Clancy

Trauma therapist Maureen Clancy joins us on the podcast to chat about supporting mental health with flower essences.

Discover Maureen’s favorite essences for anxious states vs. depressed states, and how she incorporates them in her practice in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities such as EMDR.

We also talk about how to know when flower essences aren’t enough on their own and further mental health services are indicated.

Join us for this illuminating look into flower essences from a psychotherapist’s perspective.

FEP50 Botanical Families as a Guide to Flower Essences with Ruth Toledo Altschuler

Ruth Toledo Altschuler joins us for our 50th show!
As a returning guest of the podcast and partner in the Flower Essence Conference, you’ll most likely be familiar with the incredible depth of insight Ruth has in Flower Essence Therapy. She has been a practitioner and educator for over three decades, and has a unique combination of experience unparalleled in the field.
In this episode, we talk about understanding flower essences in the context of their botanical families.
When we are able to group essence plants this way, patterns emerge that can help us to find the right essence faster for a given concern.
And when we apply the observation of the plant signature, we can better see the distinctions of their healing qualities within their family.
This plant-centric system of learning about flower essences is something the three of us resonate deeply with, and we are honored to work with Ruth on new educational offerings (stay tuned!).
For now, enjoy this lovely conversation.

FEP49 The Five Elements as Soul Medicine with Lindsay Fauntleroy

Our conversation centered around the five element system as a process for understanding our own cycles, as well as where we are collectively in this moment and what beautiful flower essence is coming forward.

We talk about Lindsay’s new book, “In Our Element: Using the Five Elements as Soul Medicine to Unleash Your Personal Power”, and the inspirational way she combines flower essences, yoga poses and music playlists as medicine for the body, mind and soul.

We love how she joyfully weaves together Eastern medicine, western psychology, and African ancestral principles of spirituality in a modern way that is easy to understand, actionable and accessible.

FEP46 Sharing the Legacy of Flower Essence Therapy

Kathleen and Rochana welcome Ruth Toledo Altschuler to talk about our current collaboration together—organizing the online Flower Essence Conference (coming up, April 29th, 2022!). We hear from Ruth about the impetus behind this project and the way that flower essence conferences of the past have brought people together in heartfelt community.

We also share an excerpt from one of our pre-recorded conference sessions, “Tending the Legacy of Flower Essence Therapy”. Join us for a fascinating discussion with Isabela Bisconcini, a flower essence educator, practitioner and psychotherapist from Brazil, on the multidimensional transmission and living legacy of flower essence information.