Healing Herbs | Gaye Mack

Keys to What’s Holding You Back-Evolutionary Astrology and Dr. Bach’s Flower Remedies-

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Writer's Work Leave a comment

August 20th arrives with a Full Moon in Aquarius. Ruled by the planet Uranus, individually and globally we’re being pushed to embrace innovation, individuation and collaboration…a mouthful. This said, illuminating this Aquarian moon is the Sun in heart-centered Leo, reminding us that we must not forget to be true to our Soul’s intent for us to evolve as spirit in body.

As I’ve discussed in previous posts, the science of Evolutionary Astrology is about transformation. In the evolutionary analysis of the birth chart, we’re presented with a powerful tool that metaphorically offers a map and compass which reveals our Soul’s unique agenda and pathway for this lifetime. In addition, this process presents us with the opportunity to confront psychological karmic energy from a distant past that haunts us at an unconscious level; in essence this elusive energy holds us back. Certainly the prospect of stepping up to this challenge is a daunting one that requires courage and faith to leap into the unknown in order to ‘break the ties that bind.‘

Once we become aware of what we need to leave behind and in what ways we need to move forward on this journey of self-discovery, we can call upon several of Dr. Bach’s powerful flower remedies for support. His remedy Walnut immediately comes to mind, for Walnut expressly helps us to cut binding ties and at the same time ‘stay the course’ toward our ‘next right step.’

Additionally, there’s another remedy for this situation in Dr. Bach’s famous ’38’—Honeysuckle. The dynamics of Honeysuckle specifically relate to those emotional states of mind wherein the individual cannot let go of the past. Often this memory state manifests as unrealistic longings to return to a nebulous history that’s wrapped up in fantasy or it can be recall within the present lifetime that nevertheless, is also conjured up in fantasy. Such desires can be attached to grief and loss or simply a wanting to escape. In either state of emotional psychology, it’s the avoidance of the present which prevents movement into the future.

So, as we enter the energy of the forthcoming Aquarian Full Moon, we have tools to help us move forward on our journey of growth…an analysis of our astrological birth chart through the evolutionary lens, Dr. Bach’s Honeysuckle, or both!

Dr. Edward Bach’s Walnut

Dr. Edward Bach’s Honeysuckle

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PLUTO AND BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: SHIFTING OUR PERCEPTION WITH THE HELP OF THESE UNLIKELY BEDFELLOWS

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Writer's Work 2 Comments

Sometimes during a reading, an astrologer will make a mildly humorous reference to an approaching (or current) Pluto ‘transit’ in the client’s chart as a way to lighten up the atmosphere. The quip, “life happens while you were making other plans,” or, “Pluto; the cosmic 2×4,” are good examples. Regardless, the real purpose of such energy is to get our attention and shove us out of complacency… of course, always for our ‘own good.’

Astrologically speaking, when Pluto comes calling in your life you can count on the fact that ‘change’ is in the air often accompanied by what feels like Chaos. Even in non-astrological terms, it goes without saying that Chaos can enter our lives without the help of Plutonian energy. Either way, we’re getting a message that change in how we are living or our perceptions, need to change in order for us to move forward in our evolution. This is a tough assignment; human nature doesn’t like change. Change is scary to most of us because forging into unknown territory can be like playing ‘blind man’s bluff.’

This said, a significant action of any of the Bach flower remedies is that they support and assist us in the ability to shift our perceptions. This is particularly true of Bach’s ‘Walnut.’ Dr. Bach spoke of our Soul holding the innate wisdom for each of us…and when we are in a disharmonious emotional state, its as if a ‘fog’ drops over this wisdom. When we’re emotionally distressed our perceptions are ‘off’; we aren’t ‘seeing’ clearly…it’s like trying to see clearly through a dirty window. The remedies help us to ‘shift’ our perceptions, clean the window so that our vision is cleared. When this happens, we then have the ability to interpret our external and internal landscapes more realistically.

Like everyone else, I’m experiencing the effects of the on-going Pluto/Uranus square which I’ve written about in previous postings. While I’m emotionally aware of the impact in my life, I’m also getting the ‘point’ in a very mundane way; its as if the Universe is wanting to make sure that I ‘get it.’ Currently, we’re having a lot of repainting done in our home which has necessitated taking down all of our pictures, moving furniture. If you’ve ever had painters take over your house you know that the atmosphere is nothing less than ‘chaotic.’ This morning as I was looking at the bare walls in my office, climbing over drop cloths draped over furniture, the light bulb suddenly went on. Once the walls are finished, there’s nothing that says I have to arrange all of the pictures or furniture exactly as they were before the arrival of the painters. Instead, I now have an opportunity to make changes in how these things are placed which in turn will give an entirely different feeling to each of the rooms. Nevertheless, I am hedging my bet so that I ‘stay the course’…I’ve just pulled a bottle of Walnut out of my cabinet!

Dr. Bach’s ‘Walnut’

Photography©Dr. Edward Bach Foundation

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Walnut-Edward Bach’s Flower Remedy for the Winds of Change Globally, Personally and Spiritually

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Karmic and Self-Discovery Astrology, Writer's Work Leave a comment

Very recently a Facebook ‘friend’ of mine lamented her resistance to change which got me wondering, how many of us can really come clean with such a freely offered revelation concerning a facet of ourselves? This said, I applaud her honesty and at the same time as someone who thrives on change I can appreciate how difficult it must be for those who aren’t so comfortable, to manage the chaos that seems to be all around us on so many levels.

In prior postings I’ve written about the planetary energies reflected by the global upheavals politically, economically, socially and even in the weather. For example, living in Wisconsin and the Chicago area my entire life I never thought I’d see a winter with the virtual absence of snow while the East coast and Mid-Atlantic states, even the South, are being battered by Mother Nature and yet here we are! Such is one aspect of change…climate change in this case, which unfortunately has been dismissed by far too many resistant politicians when we had the opportunity to take serious proactive steps…now we are paying for it.

Closer to home so to speak, the concept of change on the personal level and spiritual level is terrifying for so many. My experience over the years as a practitioner, educator and teacher in the mind/body/spirit arena is that the culprit here is fear of the unknown. “Better the devil you know than the one you don’t,” as the saying goes. However equally, the devil we know can take us right down the road of self-destruction, whether it be the result of a bad relationship, job or other life choices.

From an astrological perspective, the psychological energies of the planets and their zodiacal signs of our natal chart are constantly disposed to change. While the ‘essence’ of our birth chart remains our foundation blueprint, these planetary energies continue to move around the zodiac, offering us ‘windows’ of opportunity to shift the lens of perception about ourselves and how we relate to society and culture against the backdrop of our Soul’s agenda this lifetime. Not an easy task!

When Dr. Edward Bach discovered the final 19 flower remedies to complete his famous 38 Bach remedies, ‘Walnut’ was among them. He identified this group as I’ve written previously, as possessing a ‘higher spirituality’ functioning at a higher vibration than those remedies already discovered.

Walnut IS the remedy for change and as such, it can be called upon for an assortment of applications. Classically this remedy helps us to, in the words of the well-known author Dr. Leo Buscaglia, “cut the toxic ties that bind.” It helps us to get our foot over the threshold, to let go of those things, behaviors and relationships that no longer serve us well…the ongoing theme by the way of the current planetary energies. It also protects the solar plexus against assimilating toxic energy from others and the environment…ever wonder why we have ‘gut reactions’?

Spiritually, when we can let go of outmoded beliefs that may be too rigid or too entrenched for the times, we have the opportunity to step back and see perhaps, a bigger picture that’s inclusionary and collaborative through differences rather than exclusionary and controlling.

All of these considerations are a tall order, no matter the platform, for the ‘old guard’ and our own egos never want to acquiesce to a shift in power. This said, there’s a caveat in mind/body/spirit philosophy… “that which you resist the most, is that which you need to let go of.” Before you’re brought to your knees in resistance, reach for Dr. Bach’s Walnut…you’ll feel better in the morning!

Dr. Edward Bach’s ‘Walnut’ flower remedy

Photography©Dr. Edward Bach Foundation

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WHEN THE DARK AGES AND GLOOM OF WINTER ARE UPON US, A REVISIT OF DR. BACH’S MUSTARD FLOWER REMEDY IS CALLED FOR

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Writer's Work Leave a comment

In reviewing my various posts, I see that just little over a year ago I wrote about Dr. Bach’s Mustard flower remedy to help with the winter gloom normally referred to as ‘seasonal affective disorder’ or, SADS. So many people suffer from the lack of sunshine during winter, especially in Northern climes, that temporary depression is more common than not.

Many years ago I had the opportunity to experience Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. I traveled to the furthest place north, up to the ‘Butt of Lewis’ where I looked out at the sea and thought, ‘this is the end of the earth…in the words of the medieval map makers, “Here Be Dragons”. In those days there was no such thing as satellite discs or internet in every crofters’ cottage, not to mention that the cottages were often miles apart from one another. Even though I was there in June(when the sun shines as if it were high noon at two o’clock in the morning!) I distinctly wondered about what had to be wide-spread depression during the winter months of howling winds, massive snow and endless darkness…and this was in the 1980’s…imagine what it was 200 years ago! Fortunately today, technology has come to the Hebrides, but nevertheless the mood swings that accompany lack of sunlight can affect us all. For this reason I thought it appropriate to re-post my piece on Dr. Bach’s Mustard from a year ago as his remedies, like the change of seasons, are timeless.

If Colonel Mustard did the dastardly dead in the library with a pistol, he’s clearly not your man to help with seasonal gloom. As I look out my office window at the December rain that’s pouring down, I’m reminded there’s an emotional fog that can come with the onset of the winter season or suddenly appears for no reason at all. This fog can settle over any one of us, especially for those in the more northern areas of the country. For some, this ‘funk’ arrives like clockwork throughout the months that I call ‘the dark ages’ when sunlight takes a holiday replaced by grey days that are endless. For others, they’re fine one moment and in the next, they feel like they’ve suddenly fallen into a black hole. When this happens, there’s relief to be found (besides taking vitamin D), in Dr. Bach’s flower remedy Mustard.

Mustard was not one of Bach’s Twelve Healers and therefore wasn’t one of the Soul Type remedies that I’ve been writing about in previous posts. And, it wasn’t one of the ‘Seven Helpers’ which were next in the line of discovery. However, it is one of the final 19 remedies which Bach discovered between 1934-35. He described these remedies as being more ‘spiritualized’, functioning at a ‘higher vibration’ than the earlier 19 and that they functioned on a ‘different plane’.

How and why these or for that matter any of Dr. Bach’s 38 remedies work, we don’t know as yet in a way that is understood by the bio-medical model. But, at the end of the day, this isn’t really the issue. More importantly, when there’s a resonance between a remedy’s vibrational energy, life force, prana or Qi (whatever word you want to use) and the individual, there’s a shifting of perception and mood. With Mustard it’s as if the remedy ‘lifts’ the gloom up and out of wherever it has settled within the person’s energy fields and emotional experience.

The key to identifying a ‘Mustard state’ is that there’s no one specific event or happening that throws you into the sense that you have a black cloud hanging over you. It can simply be that you are routinely sensitive to the lack of sunlight or that you occasionally experience a sudden onset of feeling low-spirited. If you happen to be someone who experiences these moments or seasons of depressive gloom, Mustard is the remedy.

For clients who often experience a negative Mustard state, I recommend making a ‘personal formula bottle’. This will help the 20ml ‘stock bottle’ you buy in the stores go a lot further, nor will the fact that the remedy is diluted in 1 oz of water, affect its power in any way. On my website, look at the sub-link, What if you feel you need more than one remedy? There you will find directions for making a personal formula bottle for one or a combination of remedies.

Mustard

DR. EDWARD BACH’S MUSTARD

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FOR SANDY HOOK’S SHOCK & TRAUMA, GRIEF & LOSS ~DR. BACH’S ‘STAR OF BETHLEHEM’

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Gaye Mack in Balance, Writer's Work Leave a comment

Last Friday as we watched, listened or heard about the events unfolding at Sandy Hook’s elementary school, time seem to stop. As a nation we were stilled, frozen in horror that such a diabolical event was reality rather than fiction. My instant reaction was visceral rather than mental. It carried the same energy as the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, Columbine, certainly 9/11 and sadly, so many others. This morning is the first time since Friday that I’ve watched the news as Friday’s coverage was enough for me. I watched this morning, hoping the initial impact, my thoughts about the tiny victims, those who died with them and those left behind three days later might have lessened; they have not.

I’ve written about Bach’s Star of Bethlehem before; you can find those entries listed under my ‘Balance’ category. Nevertheless, I feel revisiting this remedy might be useful in light of this horrendous tragedy. There was a reason Dr. Bach included it in his famous ‘Rescue Remedy’; as a Bach practitioner for nearly 20 years, to this day I believe it is one of, if not the most powerful remedy within the 38…it IS the ‘umbrella’ remedy. This said, I’ve included here, an excerpt about ‘Star’ from my book, Igniting Soul Fire~Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies:

“If there is one remedy that represents the Divinity found in each of the remedies, it is ‘Star of Bethlehem’. This remedy is the remedy of comfort for pains and sorrows, according to Bach. Traditionally always given for shock, trauma, and grief, this essence seems to promote a release from the wounds that cause us the deepest of hurts. Physical traumas heal; but inasmuch as we are spirit in body, the wounds that cause us the deepest grief are those rooted within us emotionally.

These wounds have a symbiotic relationship to Star of Bethlehem that is divinely healing. On the spiritual level, the flower, Star of Bethlehem presents a balanced image of six perfect petals of white, evoking the image of the spiritually-significant six-pointed star, the perfectly counterbalanced triangles, the phrase ‘as above, so below’ and the culmination of the colors in the spectrum. As a practitioner, I have heard this remedy referred to as the ‘ultimate healer of all wounds’ and ‘the Divine Mother essence’. In other words, it is truly a remedy for a heart in distress.”

Dr. Bach said of Star of Bethlehem: “For those in great distress under conditions which for a time produce great unhappiness. The shock of serious news, the loss of someone dear, the fright following an accident… For those who for a time refuse to be consoled, this remedy brings comfort.”

As we hold the families, the first responders, the support professionals and certainly the ascending souls of the tiny ones and their protectors in the light, we can call on Dr. Bach’s Star of Bethlehem or ‘Rescue Remedy’ , which contains ‘Star’, to bring us support and comfort.