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 Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from a forthcoming book: The Flower Essences of Fox Mountain: a Guide to Self-healing, Recovery, and Reconnecting to Earth, Soul and Spirit. Ziporah submitted so much valuable information on essences for friendship that we turned it into three articles for this issue. Thank you, Ziporah -- what a great contribution!
As you'll see in my articles, there are so many essences that can be helpful in this important area of life, some for being open to friendship, for making new friends, and even for resolving differences and difficulties with treasured friends. First, let's take a look at essences that generally enhance our capacity for friendship.  Key Essences for FriendshipHere are some possibilities from Flower Essences of Fox Mountain. They include both individual essences and some blends. Agrimony -- letting down defenses. Opening to sharing ourselves with others. Being honest about ourselves.Black-eyed Susan -- our friends may show us our own blind spots better than anyone. For when we are in denial, reluctant to hear what we are being told. Boundaries -- for keeping our stuff to ourselves, not taking on others' stuff. Energetic healing for healthy relating. Calendula -- for speaking with warmth and affection from the heart, rather than sharply. 
Clematis "Ernest Markham" -- staying in the present, despite our doubts, fears, or discomfort, which honors the friendship, and helps clarity and understanding. Master Yarrow -- for a healthy etheric shield; aids in not absorbing negativity or intensity from others. Purple Loosestrife -- for letting go of disappointments, moving on to future opportunities. Rose "Bonica" -- opens the heart to the flow of love from the soul. For connecting heart to heart, restoring trust and a warm bond. Rose Campion -- opens the heart chakra to release hurt and pain, cleanses the heart, restores the flow of love. Self-Heal -- take responsibility for our own part in whatever has gone amiss. Guidance to heal and solve problems. Sweet Pea -- lightness in our connections, grace and fun in time together. Communication and Listening
Clear communications are key to healthy, fun, meaningful, supportive friendships. By saying what we mean, and meaning what we say, we minimize misunderstandings and assumptions. Clear communication maximizes spending time together the way you want to. Listening to our friends honors them and the friendship. Listening demonstrates the value we place on the relationship, and nurtures closeness and trust. Speaking honestly, openly and respectfully in our turn does the same. Chive -- when our communications are subverted by our internalized cultural gender roles.Cosmos -- helps to articulate feelings and thoughts. There are often things we share with friends we share with no one else. Friends may be more patient with our groping towards clarity. Daffodil "Ice Follies" -- for those afraid to speak out. Gives courage in the heart, especially for those who have suffered the blasts of verbal abuse. Golden Marguerite -- when we are unsure of the worth of our words. Gives us confidence in our worth to others. Hyssop -- helps with making important apologies. Releases guilt after behaving irresponsibly. Lobelia -- softens blame and criticism towards ourselves and others. Moonshine Yarrow -- for those who fall into habitual unhealthy patterns of communication. Snapdragon -- verbally expressed anger. Balances upper and lower chakra energies for centered self-expression. Rose "Mme LeGras de St Germain -- hearing others even when it is painful. Listening empathically, with the ears of the soul. Waterlily -- opening at our own pace, safely, to what others are saying. Wild Ginger -- listening with humility, setting aside ego. Making FriendsForming new friendships can be as natural as breathing, but often it takes time, effort, and awareness. Just as there are those who find breathing a challenge, there are those for whom connecting to others is difficult. The shift between casual acquaintance and friend can feel like a risk until trust is built. Without vulnerability from both of you, it is unlikely that a supportive, equal friendship will develop.
Responding to that first spark of connection can lead to immediate fun or handy network contacts, warm short or lasting relationships, valuable lessons, or all three. As with any relationships, the paths of friendship are not always free of potholes. My next article looks at some essences that help with the common bumps along the way. 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ziporah Hildebrandt began working with flower essences
in 1979. An
award-winning children's book author, her writing has appeared in numerous
publications including The Flower
Speaks; Parenting from the Heart; Herb Quarterly; Nutrition Science
News;
and Her Words: Poetry About the Great Goddess. She is available for
telephone consultations at 413-259-1874, or see
www.astroessence.com.
This page is a creation of Donna Cunningham's Word of Mouth Web Design, a service that focuses on designing beautiful and unique sites to showcase the work of lightworkers, artists, astrologers, and other practitioners of the healing arts. Graphic images from Clipart.com.
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Friendships can be as important in our lives as our family relationships,
and sometimes more so. Friends can give us what we don't find in partners,
relatives, or colleagues. There are many kinds of friendships, some long-lasting,
while others ebb and flow with the events and interests of life.
Problems in our friendships may be as painful and upsetting as personal problems
in any other area of life.
Agrimony -- letting down defenses.