Vibration Magazine Blog

©Simon King, Registered Homeopath

Note: The following is drawn from Simon King’s vast collection of online information about Bach flower remedies, homeopathy and other alternative sources of help and is reprinted with his permission.

Bach classified a series of his remedies as belonging to the group of Not Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances. The remedies of this group are Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wild Rose, Olive, White Chestnut, Mustard, and Chestnut Bud. These remedies are for those not fully engaged in the here and now and consequently not living to the fullest.

CLEMATIS: Specifically, Clematis has the indication of longing for a future state while experiencing indifference or disinterest toward the present. The mind is set on dreams of future fulfillment rather than seeing the present as promising and trying to find happiness therein. Reality may actually appear hazy, as if veiled, and there may be the tendency to suddenly lose touch and become drowsy or sleepy. Or one may feel lightheaded or vacant in one’s mind, as if the mind was removed and not fully centered or concentrated.

These states can come on not only from daydreaming about future happiness but also from fatigue, from a strenuous or saddening daily routine that one removes oneself from internally, as if it was too painful to experience fully or look too closely.

In school settings, one may notice the unmotivated, daydreaming student whose absent-mindedness is prevalent, although interrupted here and there by spurts of interest.

In delusional states with ecstatic content (cf. Vervain), with pleasant visions and reveries, Clematis removes the lure and brings the mind back to reality.

Although reality is wanting and does not promise happiness, the person in the Clematis state is hopeful. The view directs to a bright future when longing ceases and completeness, fulfillment, and rewards are forthcoming. As one dwells on these dreams and reveries, one is most happy. Reality seems harsh in comparison, void of meaning, lonely or sad. Yet, these are the present circumstances, and, every time one wakes up to them, disillusionment sets in. The mind cannot bear this state for very long and is drawn again and again to happy imaginings, as if addicted.

If longing is expressed in art, which means a grounding of this inner dynamic, the Clematis state may be alleviated or cured, just as direct devotion to people and helping them realize their dreams will defocus the awareness of one’s own dilemma and bring enjoyment of the present moment. Usually, however, one feels more passive, awaiting changes to come and staying out of touch with people and present circumstance. To ground in reality and find meaningful occupation, to appreciate the present moment and become receptive to all its joys with clarity of mind and perception.

HONEYSUCKLE: This remedy also belongs to Bach’s group of Not Sufficient Interest in Present Circumstances. Specifically, Honeysuckle treats the undue longing for the happiness of the past.  In the Honeysuckle state, the mind dwells overly on past memories; its viewpoint directs to former experiences, instead of guiding its full focus to the present moment. Usually, the mind seeks those happy, fulfilled moments of the past and replays scenes and sentiments over and over again, as if to derive nourishment from them. Reminiscences and nostalgia carry more fascination than the colorless present. In fact, in the Honeysuckle state, one sadly believes that the happiness of the past can never be repeated in the present or future, and one hangs on to it.

Sadness is the predominant emotion, yet it is tinged with the sweet pain of cherishing something lost, of longing to relive former happiness, if only in one’s memories. There is also hopelessness and resignation in regard to present and future potential for happiness, and there is certainty that nothing can replace the lost fulfillment. Oftentimes, these feelings are based on facts, as in old age when the losses cannot be replaced in this life. The children have moved on; one’s health is fading; the partner may be dying. Honeysuckle will help even then to ease the sadness and direct the view to the remaining joys of the present moment.

Honeysuckle may apply to many different situations of life, whenever a lost preferred state calls from the past and diverts from fully exploring the present. Homesickness, a lost love, even loss of beauty or position in life can lead to the Honeysuckle state.

Clematis and Honeysuckle—although one looks to the future and the other looks to the past—have one thing in common, this quality Bach identified of taking insufficient interest in present circumstances. While we may learn from the past and be inspired by dreams of the future, we make progress by being grounded in today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Simon King is a Registered Classical Homeopath who lives in Norwich, Norfolk, East Anglia, UK.  He has run a busy homeopathic practice for over fourteen years, with classical homeopathy being my preferred approach. Over the years he has presented many seminars and workshops on homeopathy, lecturing in the UK and abroad, and he continues to provide private tuition and mentoring for students and newly qualified homeopaths. Prior to training in homeopathy he studied herbalism, diet and nutrition, nutritional supplementation, the Scheüssler tissue salts, Flower remedies (Bach, Australian Bush, Bailey, Californian) and Gem essences. His website, http://homepage.ntlworld.com/homeopathy_advice/index.html, contains over 2000 pages of invaluable  information about flower remedies, homeopathy, and other forms of alternative healing.

Art Credits: the beautiful irises on the masthead this month were chosen because Iris is the remedy for creativity. We found the picture at http://commons.wikimedia.org. The photographer was Thurner Hof. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0, Attribution ShareAlike 2.5.