alchemy

Tree Energy and Cultivating Qi

Taoists observe that trees are tremendously powerful plants. Not only do they absorb carbon dioxide and transform it into oxygen, but they can also absorb negative forces and transform them into good Qi. Trees strongly root within Earth, and the more rooted the tree, the higher it can extend toward Heaven. Trees stand in stillness, absorbing the Earth’s energy and the Universal essence from the Heavens all at once. Trees and all plants have the ability to absorb light and transform it into food; in fact, they depend upon light for most of their nourishment, while water and earth minerals make up about 30% of their nutritional intake. 

Trees as Friends • Trees are able to live very long lives. Trees are the largest and most spiritually advanced of the plants on Earth. They are continuously in meditation and subtle energy is their innate language. As one’s understanding of this language grows, we begin to develop a relationship with these life forms. They can help us to open energetic channels and to cultivate calm presence, wisdom, and vitality. We can reciprocate with trees by helping them with their own blockages and devitalized areas. It is a mutually beneficial relationship that needs cultivation. 

Choosing a Tree to Work With • Throughout history human beings have used all parts of trees for healing and medicine. The best trees for healing are big trees, especially pines. Pine trees radiate Qi, nourish blood, strengthen nervous system, and contribute to long life. They also nurture Soul and Spirit. Pines are the “Immortal Tree.” Early Chinese poetry and painting is full of admiration for pines. Although pine trees are often the best choice, many other trees or plants can be used. The larger trees contain the most energy. Among the most powerful are trees growing near running water. Some trees feel warmer or hotter than others; some feel cooler or colder than others. Practice distinguishing the varying properties of different trees. One does not need to go far out into the forest to find a tree to work with. Trees that are accustomed to having people around understand our Energy and are actually more accessible and friendly than those far out in the wilderness. There is a certain size range within which trees are most accessible to human beings. When a tree is too small, it does not have enough energy to make much of an impression on you. When the tree is too big, you have the opposite problem, so it takes more persistence to get large trees to take an interest in you. As a source of healing energy, it is best to choose a large, robust tree from within the accessible size range. 
Establishing Communion with a Tree • There are certain methods to approaching, interacting with, retreating from, and taking leave of a tree. By following specific steps you create a ritual of silent communion that both the tree and oneself can understand, and so increase the potential for harmonious interaction. The steps were derived from observation of the natural course of events in subtle energy communion, and apply to communion with just about anything: tree, rock, human, or animal, although the following is concerned specifically with trees. First of all, each tree, like each person, has a way of being, desires, and a Life of its own. Trees differ widely in their taste for human contact. Some are very generous and want to give you all the energy you can take. Others are weak or ill and need your comforting and healing energy. Some are just friendly Souls who enjoy human company. You can learn and grow by working with all of them. Trees operate on a longer time scale than do human beings. You can help to bridge this gap by returning again and again to the same tree, so that a relationship develops. Visit regularly so that the tree knows when to expect you and can look forward to seeing you. Spiritual communion with trees resembles love more than any other human activity. Let the tree lead you into the wonders of its own inner life. 

Cultivate Well-Being &

Wellness for All Beings!

Posted by Wendy in analytical

Incense and Rooting the Spirit

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

The sense orifice of smell can have strong effects on the aspect of Spirit known in Chinese medicine as Shen. Burning clean, resinous incense can open the Heart-Spirit, and in part, enhances our remembering of what is important. Incense prepared with quality medicinal substances has the ability, as thought in shamanic and alchemical traditions, to sedate the illusory, fleeting, there-then-it’s-gone-again nature of wind. Resinous materials can help to seal ‘holes’ or chinks in our protective Wei aspect of QI, while profoundly stabilizing our inner world and anchoring the Spirit.

Meditative practice is useful to guide awareness toward releasing the longings, set-backs, temptations, ideas, belongings and so forth, that cause the Shen to be stirred. The transformative properties of burning medicinal herbs and materials in the form of incense is a harmonizing backdrop. With understanding from a settledness of Spirit we may more wholly embrace worldly existence.

www.ElementalChanges.com IncenseThe following link offers incense recipes. 

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/incense.html

Important Note: Resin is an immunological secretion used by trees to help protect the tree from potential pests and pathogens, often secreted after the outer surface of the tree has been breached. Harvesters, please respect the importance of resin for a tree and refrain from *ever* ripping off chunks that may endanger it! Resin, differentiated from sap, is found deeper inside the tree and transports water, nutrients, hormones and other vital fluids through the tree.

Sit gracefully with a single stick of incense; drift among the white clouds wild as a river heron. -Loy Ching-Yuen, Book of the Heart.

Sit gracefully with a single stick of incense; drift among the white clouds wild as a river heron. -Loy Ching-Yuen, Book of the Heart.

Posted by Wendy in analytical

Taoist Inner Landscape

MASTERY OF ONE’S INNER LANDSCAPE

We are encapsulations of space-time motions, channels forming in the sea of formless and refining Essence.

www.ElementalChanges.com Nèijīng tú Continue reading →

Posted by Wendy in analytical
Bach Flower Essences

Bach Flower Essences

At their inception in the 1930’s, flower essences were conceived of by Dr. Edward Bach, MD., a visionary allopathic physician who comprehended the connection between feelings and actual physical illness, and sensed the bridge made possible to treat them by the original 39 essences he worked with. Flower essences are dilutions of flower or tree material, which through the sunlight-fueled process, become resonant with the vibrational qualities of each plant or tree. Flower essences are an energetic approach which address subtle layers of spirit-psyche. They are gentle, non-invasive, non-habit-forming, and engender no residual bio-chemical changes or side-effects whatsoever, which makes them entirely compatible with all other forms of treatment. The flower dilutions are suspended in a 50:50 solution of water and brandy. Each dosage should be diluted in at least one half liter of spring water if there is a known intolerance to alcohol. Up to 6 remedies can be effectively combined, although taking one remedy or a combining of two are usually suitable for deeper, long-standing characteristics. 

Bach flower essence treatment falls within the realm deemed vibrational medicine, as would stones and crystals, aromatherapy, harmonic sound therapy, colorpuncture, and modalities based upon subtle-body resonance that reconciles energetic balance to the person. Flower essences are allies in shifting more subtle processes and therein encourage states of wholeness in people and in animals. Dr. Bach recognized the energetic signatures or ‘etheric tones’ inherent in trees and flowers and remarkably found a way to impart the essence and attributes of their presence in nature. Dr. Bach pioneered in this visionary form of treatment, and since his genius in the 1930’s, there have been further explorations into the uses of flower essences, both internally and externally. Bach Flower Essences, as well as other essence purveyors, can be sourced in most health food stores.

 

Pictured is one of my two sets of Bach flower essences. This set dates back to their original purchase made by my father in 1981 from the Bach Centre in the U.K.

 

Preparing Flower Essences 

• Use a two ounce tincture bottle with dropper

• Fill it with pure water

• Add 4 drops of each of the remedies you wish

• Shake gently before each use

• Administer 4 drops under the tongue, 4 times per day

Note: Rescue Remedy is available pre-mixed and may be administered directly from the bottle under the tongue, with frequency as needed.

With All Best Wishes

If you would like to explore Bach flower essences further you may appreciate the following: Bach Essence Questionnaire

Posted by Wendy in analytical