By Sarah Keller
As practitioners in various healing disciplines discover the effectiveness of flower essences, we are challenged to create new connections between symbolic systems. Although I use astrology as my base language, there is still a gap between charts -- which are pictures in time and space -- and the endless varieties of experience by a mind/spirit/soul complex in a body.
Like astrology, vibrational healing presumes that we are made of energies -- some more obvious than others -- that combine in relative degrees of balance. Vibrational healing frequently works through the subtle bodies, which are fields of energy running around and through our physical bodies and which have a particular function or purpose. All problems are the result of imbalances of energy. If we change the energy in one area, then the whole system rebalances itself. Vibrational healing can clear out stuck energy so our self-healing mechanisms have more room to work.
In astrology, the planets are seen as energies that set our life cycles in motion. Since medieval times, Western astrology has used four elements to define our world -- fire, earth, air, and water -- and they can be correlated to four of the subtle bodies. Each element is expressed through three signs -- 3 times 4 is 12. In order to simplify the complexities of the subtle bodies, I am correlating fire with the spiritual body, earth with the physical body, air with the mental body, and water with the emotional body.
FIRE is often associated with spirit, a source of mysterious energy
that gives us courage of conviction and drives us towards fulfillment and wholeness.
The fire signs are ARIES, LEO and SAGITTARIUS, all expressions of the personality, ego-identity, and character of an individual. Fire is most compatible with air. The Sun and Mercury follow each other most closely through the
zodiac, indicating the inseparability of our egos and minds.
Suppose a person needs their fire fanned due to lack in the birth chart of planets
in the fire signs or due to fire planets whose energies are blocked. You could use
Borage for courage (Aries), Peony for self-expression (Leo), or Hollyhock for perseverance
in spiritual development (Sagittarius). If one has an abundance of fire
that is difficult to control, you could use Bach's Impatiens
for impatience and irritability (Aries), FES's Sunflower for the overly
egotistical (Leo), or Bachelor's Buttons for feeling less lonely on the spiritual
journey (Sagittarius).
EARTH is the element of the material plane and our physical bodies.
Earth follows fire in the zodiac to stabilize and manifest the exuberance and
enthusiasm of spirit. The earth signs are TAURUS, VIRGO and CAPRICORN.
The comfort, maintenance and survival of our organism is of primary concern to these signs. Earth and our physical bodies are relatively dense and require the longest time to respond to change. It takes commitment and tenacity to integrate our spirit, mind, and emotions into our bodies.
To promote affinity with the material plane, you could take Money Plant essence for development through money or sexuality (Taurus). Bach's Crab Apple would assist
the cleansing process (Virgo), and Bach's Larch
would help transcend fear of failure (Capricorn). If you feel obsessed with mundane matters,
try FES's Hound's Tongue for the overly-materialistic (Taurus). FES's Filaree would put
details into perspective (Virgo), and Bach's Pine so you can feel satisfied with what
you have (Capricorn).
AIR follows earth, so we can cognize our experience through the power of naming, relating
to, and associating with the things and people in our world.
The air signs are GEMINI, LIBRA and AQUARIUS, and they can be associated
with the mental body. When we use essences or do affirmations that affect our thinking, we are adjusting our mental body. Our cognitive function can separate or synthesize whatever it focuses on.
To stimulate mental activity, use Pegasus' Lemon to clarify thinking (Gemini), and
their Cosmos to focus communication and help understand opposing points of view (Libra).
Bach's Vervain is for opinionated people who become incensed at injustices (Aquarius).
To refine and control "messy minds," try FES's Shasta Daisy for synthesizing
a variety of new ideas (Gemini). Pegasus' Calendula helps to increase receptivity
and understanding of communications (Libra). Their Loosestrife brings
lofty New Age ideals into usable and practical form (Aquarius).
WATER is the final stage in the cycle of the elements. We distill and absorb our experience
by dissolving the separations made by the ego, body, and mind. Water correlates to emotions,
and the water signs are CANCER, SCORPIO, and PISCES. Emotional reactions are our most subjective, instinctual strata. Water and emotions flow continuously throughout our system. I associate this function with the soul (Moon and other yin planets) as it propels us unconsciously or even subconsciously through the stages of life and even from one life to another. Learning to go with the flow is especially difficult for those who identify more readily with their ego, body, or mind.
To release repressed or blocked emotions, try FES's
Mariposa Lily
for healing the mother relationship so you can develop a bond with the Cosmic Mother (Cancer).
FES's Fuchsia brings deep emotions around anger, sexuality, or grief to the
surface (Scorpio). Columbine balances emotions with the opening of the psyche
through meditation (Pisces). To bring emotional states into balance, Bach's Honeysuckle
is excellent for relieving nostalgic homesickness (Cancer), Bleeding Heart for healing broken hearts (Scorpio), and Bach's Star of Bethlehem for deep loss and grief through death, divorce or separations (Pisces).
The four elements translate easily into any system that uses four types, i.e. Jungian or Meyers-Briggs styles. Through the signs or houses that predominate, the natal chart often shows an affinity for using one or two elements as primary functions. To bring all the elements into accessibility and balance is the purpose of vibrational healing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SARAH KELLER is an astrologer and the founder
of the essence company, PETALS AND PEBBLES. She originally contributed this article to the now-defunct
flower remedy and astrology journal, Shooting Star, and it is reprinted here with the permission
of the editor. However, we cannot locate Sarah or Petals and Pebbles anywhere on the web.
Anyone knowing her whereabouts, ask her to contact Vibration so we can update her contact information.
ART CREDITS: Design and tiles by
Word of Mouth Web Design. Element groupings by
Art Today.
