Aroma Genera with Hyacinth

Aroma Genera with Hyacinth

by | Aromatics

AromaGenera uses specific aromatherapy blends to help us access our unconscious and subconscious processes and information. This, in turn, influences and directs our daily activities, thoughts, emotions and drives. Inhaling these aromas with mindful attention creates a bridge between what was, what is and what can be. The treatment system was developed by British aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood; a brief overview of this system can be found in her book, The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion.

As Spring begins awakening its bounty of wonderful plants and flowers, I turned to the book to see what Valerie Ann Worwood had to say about Hyacinth, a flower that is showing up in gardens around town. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is categorized in AromaGenera as a Floral aroma. Here is an excerpt of what she says.

Character of this Aroma: gentle, trusting, soothing, enlightening

Used to counteract these negative attributes: instability, stress, repression, apathy, lovesickness, dejection, distress, grieving, sorrow, powerlessness, regret, unforgiving, naivete, dependency, apprehension

Used for these positive attributes: calming, forgiving, high self-esteem, perseverance, equilibrium, trust, faith, courage

“The Hyacinth Personality is trusting and forgiving, and this personality’s gentleness and good nature is apparent in everything they touch. They love beauty and beautiful things and can decorate a room exquisitely simply by using their ingenuity, artistry and a few pots of paint, taking immense trouble over every little detail. …

Having an unshakeable belief in people, Hyacinths think that good will always triumph over evil. Needless to say, they are often disappointed. Their faith in the human race is a virtue that is easily taken advantage of, particularly by those with no scruples. … Hyacinth is just the personality to choose the wrong man or woman to be their life partner – one who will strip them of all their emotions and their money! They try to make the best of it because that is how they are.   …

Negative Hyacinths often emphasize their fragile, delicate nature to get sympathy if all else fails, creating the illusion of a tragic personality. They can act out this role to the full, particularly if they find it working to their advantage. However, tension, stress and stress-related disorders are invariably genuine, common to this personality type. …

Hyacinths make good Samaritans – listening to people in trouble and being basically very charitable, would be happy working in any capacity in the charity field. Being very intuitive, and known as “sensitives”, these are nice, gentle, soft people who need space to breathe and be who they are – without any interference.”       (The Fragrant Mind pg.349-351)

Note:

AromaGenera is a tool to help us connect with things that make our life more meaningful. It is helpful when we feel stuck or unsure. The expansiveness possible with AromaGenera may help us see the roadblocks, restrictions and solutions we seek.

Pat is a Registered AromaGenera Therapist who offers this service at the Natural Comfort Wellness Centre in Tsawwassen

 

Flower Psychometry

Flower Psychometry

by | Aromatics, Psycho-Spiritual

Looking around the yard, I realized that our mild winter is causing many plants to awaken from their winter sleep. To see Snowdrops, Crocus, early Daffodils and Winter Heath either coming up or in bloom right now is truly exciting news. It got me wondering what the folklore and “readings” were for these amazing plants, so I turned to Suzy Chiazzari’s book on Flower Readings – her book on the ancient art of flower psychometry. Here is what she has to say.

From the earliest ages, plants have been endowed with meanings and mystic powers until they have become inextricably woven into the folklore of all countries. Flower Psychometry is an ancient art where the practitioner has the knowledge and ability to interpret the messages held in flowers themselves. It takes into account the way in which a flower grows, its shape, colour, where it is found and what is attracted or repelled by it. Different parts of the flower mirror different parts of our being. When you look at a flower from above, the outer circle will correspond to the physical body. The inner circle will correspond to our emotional and mental bodies. The centre or pistil will relate to our inner “core” or soul.

Here are some of the healing descriptions given to many of our winter/spring flowers: ·

  • Snowdrops – symbol of life and hope since they are usually the first flowers to appear after the winter
  • Daffodils – in the Victorian language of flowers, they were believed to be the flower of regard. Their trumpet shape suggests a theme of vocal celebration. It also suggests a time for new ideas and plans
  • Camellia – this flower represents a celebration of your inner beauty
  • Heath and Heathers – are said to be connected to one’s ability for self-reliance and survival
  • Iris – the word is Greek for “the eye of Heaven” which is usually associated with the rainbow. A symbol of purity and majesty; pink is holy love; blue and violet bring creative expression. All irises remind us of communication between heaven and earth
  • Primrose – has to do with lightness and cleansing on all levels

Take a look at your garden and see what your plants are telling you.

Crystal Creations

by | Uncategorized

Several folks have asked about the different crystals we have in our Centre. There are many type of formations being sold; some more familiar than others. Let’s look at the more common formations.

Single Terminated : as the name suggests, this formation has a six-sided “point” at one end; often used in treatments to direct energy and vibration for healing. The colour and type of crystal also contributes to the effects.

Double Terminated : this formation has a six-sided point at both ends. Used as a connecting crystal, that is, to connect two areas or chakras.

Crystal Clusters : has many terminations jutting out in many directions; each termination reflects light and energy back and forth to one another, creating a strong healing and cleansing vibration. Useful to energize or cleanse a room, another crystal or to encourage group work and discussions.

Barnacle Crystal : a larger crystal having a side covered either partially or completely with small crystals, looking like barnacles on a rock. Helpful with family relations or community problems.

Rainbows: most crystals will reflect light when held to the sun, but Rainbow Crystals have special formations that reflect exquisite colourful patterns. Known as Happiness Crystals, meditating with these crystals bring comfort and joy.

Baby Within : looking within a crystal, you see a whole baby crystal in the interior; it can be growing from the sides, off a veil or seemingly suspended in the middle of the larger crystal. Known as a Manifestation Crystal .

So when you come to the Centre, be sure to notice the Crystal Creations for what they are – Mother Nature’s magnificent artwork meant for health, healing and pleasure.

Sounds and Wellbeing

Sounds and Wellbeing

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

Ever noticed how some sounds make us feel calm, centred and relaxed, while others seem to agitate and irritate? If we consider sound as a form of energy, it is easy to see how it can affect us. For those who are music therapists, they have many principles, rules and practices to use and follow. For those of us who are musical beginners, I turned to Ted Andrew’s book entitled Music Therapy for Non-Musicians for explanations that were easier to understand.

Andrews simplifies things into four main principles:

1. The Principle of Resonance
2. The Principle of Rhythm
3. The Principle of Pitch and Timbre
4. The Principle of Sound as Energy

Resonance is the ability for a sound vibration or frequency to reach out and trigger a response in the human body. Every cell in the body is a sound resonator. The cells that combine to make up the individual organs and the system the organs belong to have their own individual sound frequencies – ones they more easily respond to.

Rhythm is the pattern of pulses in music – rhythm is essential to music. It also reflects the pulse of life. Different rhythms affect the physiological systems and organs in various ways.

Pitch is the highness or lowness of a sound. The faster a sound vibrates, the higher the pitch. The slower the vibration, the lower the pitch. Different pitches are more likely to influence different systems and organs of the body.

Timbre is the distinct characteristic of a sound that enables us to distinguish one voice from another or one instrument from another. Like pitch, different timbres affect various organs and body systems differently.

Sound is an expression of energy and the human body is an energy system. Because of this, sound has the capability of influencing the body’s natural energy patterns. Because sound is a vibration, it has the capability of interacting with other sources of energy frequencies, such as colour, fragrance, electro-magnetics, thoughts and others.

Looking through his book, I was intrigued by the musical notes and types of music being suggested for certain health conditions and situations. For example, Andrews suggests that because the Crown Chakra influences skeletal and nervous system functions, musical tones in the keys of B or B flat (major and minor) which are said to help the Crown will, in turn help the skeletal and nervous systems. Anything that affects the Crown Chakra will also affect the Brow Chakra. The Brow Chakra is influential in balancing the hemispheres of the brain. So singing or toning in the keys of B or B flat will be helpful to balance the brain, nerves and settle any skeletal issues. It is not just “singing” or “toning”, but it is being mindful while one sings or tones that makes the sound effective for healing.

Types of music suggested to benefit the nerves includes symphonies, big band music and reggae.

Symphonies generally have three or four movements, played by a full orchestra. With so many instruments, they have great potential for influencing many aspects of the nervous system. [Pat’s note: I’ve known many people who love to listen to symphonic music and pretend they are conducting the orchestra. Talk about being one with the music!]

Big Band, especially Swing, lends itself to strengthening and repairing an overwrought nervous system [Pat’s note: Does anyone sit still when this is being played?].

Reggae, with its syncopated, soft, bouncy rhythms has a calming effect upon frayed nerves. [Pat’s note: I’ve never met anyone who didn’t smile and sway when they heard Bob Marley’s “Jammin” being played. Always feels like a vacation!].

It is interesting that our choices in music might actually be our intuitive way of performing self-care. So let the music play on!

For more information, refer to Ted Andrew’s book Music Therapy for Non-Musicians.

The Four Candles

The Four Candles

by | Life Reflections

Natural Comfort - Four CandlesThere are several traditions at this time of year which have to do with Light.  From trees to mantles, altars to special candle holders, lights are used to add a festive touch and symbolize a deeper meaning to many rituals, religious holidays and festivals. One tradition is that of the Advent Candles. Although it is a Christian tradition, the meanings attributed to these candles are universal.

In the Advent tradition, there is a candle lit for each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas.   In some places, there is a fifth candle lit on Christmas Day itself.  Each candle has a specific meaning and it is helpful for those lighting the candles to reflect upon each meaning as Christmas approaches.  The four wishes are:  Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.   These are not concepts specific to only Christianity.  They are universal wishes shared by the masses!

If you have been in the Centre lately, you will have seen the Holiday DVD that our Beverley has created from multi-media sources .  One of the vignettes she has included is called The Four Candles (sorry but we do not know who wrote this story).   In this story, the candles have slightly different meanings to the Advent Candles, but the themes are still universal.  The story goes like this:

The Four Candles burn slowly (there is a picture of four candles burning)  The ambiance was so soft, you could hear them speak.

The first one said:  I am Peace!

“However, nobody can keep me lit.  I will go out”

Its flame rapidly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second one said:  I am Faith!

“Most of all I am no longer indispensable, it doesn’t make any sense that I stay lit any longer.”

When it finished talking, a breeze softly blew on it putting it out.

Sadly, the third candle spoke in its turn:  I am Love!

“I haven’t got the strength to stay lit.  People put me aside and don’t understand my importance.  They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”

And waiting no longer, it goes out.

Suddenly, a child enters the room and sees three candles not burning.  “Why are you not burning?  You are supposed to stay lit till the end.”   Saying this, the child begins to cry.

Then the fourth candle said:

“Don’t be afraid, for while I am still burning we can re-light the other candles.  I am Hope.”

With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other candles.

May the Flame of Hope never go out for you!