It's December 1st as I write this, and the oak trees are still laden with leaves.
They've gradually morphed from red or gold-tinged green to flagrant flames or blazing gold, and then to
patent-leather-shiny burnt sienna, but they're still hanging on. It's been a long, lovely fall here
in Oregon, but when I write about it to Connie Barrett, she says they're still hanging on in upstate New York too.
We speculate that this is part of Oak essence's signature, reflecting the tenacity and endurance that
Oak types display. Oak, to me, is the number one remedy for those of us over 50 who are in the autumn of our lives, but hunkering down for the winter.
It seems like every third person I talk to over 50 is going through a phase of being extremely worn
down -- a silent epidemic of exhaustion has apparently struck. It especially seems to be hitting those
who are chronically over-worked, even workaholic, and who have ignored their physical and emotional
needs for years. They often do so out of a sense of responsibility, or of having to pick up the slack
in their workplace, family, or organization because no one else is either able or willing to take
on mission-critical tasks. I always say that the body does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, mainly to say NO.
Like myself, more than a few of the people I've spoken to are recent retirees who need to rest up
after years of striving and stress. It's almost like their over-stressed systems have held together
by sheer force of will for much of a lifetime, and now that they've left their jobs or seriously
scaled back their hours, their system crashes for many months to claim the rest they've needed for so long.
A number of Bach/Healing Herbs essences suggest themselves: Rock Water for those driven individuals
who set impossible standards for themselves; Centaury for those who can't say no and thus wind up being
taken advantage of; and Red Chestnut for those who are over-concerned for others and who do more for
their loved ones than the loved ones are willing to do to get themselves out of jeopardy. Maybe Pine
is needed for what I call guilt on the hoof -- a kind of neurotic guilt that fastens on any minor transgression
like "selfishly" doing something for themselves. Those essences, taken over a period of months, are useful
for changing long-standing patterns of -- well, to call it what it really is --martyrdom.
The immediate need, however, is to get these people through the physical and emotional crash
so that they can function once again. The essence that seems to suggest itself most often and immediately
as I talk through their situation with them is Oak. I've needed Oak myself from time to time over the
years, and it's a beloved essence friend. In its classical definition, it is for those hard working,
stalwart souls who've had a long, hard struggle in life, and though they soldier on without complaint,
they are now finally worn out and feel they cannot go on.
When I attune to this essence, I feel my torso becoming the solid, steady trunk of an Oak tree,
and I feel strong and calm and rested once again. Solace is a word I associate with Oak.
Each "crash victim" who took Oak after I recommended it said that within days, they could feel
the effects, almost like they were coming back to themselves. Taking Oak cannot replace a long rest
if that is what is required, but it does restore faith and confidence in their ability to cope with
the demands of these hard times we live in. It helps them see that there is life after retirement
or scaling down those impossible demands, and that they still have plenty to contribute and to experience.
Others who could benefit from a course of Oak would be those who've gone through a grueling recovery
from a serious illness, or caretakers who are drained after months or years of service.
What is causing this epidemic of exhaustion? Is it that work has become so difficult and stressful
in our tight economy, where downscaling may mean one person wearing several hats? As an astrologer,
I recognize this phenomenon as related to the entry of Saturn into the work-horse sign, Virgo, where
it will stay until the end of 2009. People with the Sun, Moon, Ascendant, or several planets in Virgo
are likely to feel its effects most keenly. I've long felt that Oak was specifically tied to Saturn
and to Saturn's associated sign, Capricorn, one which is also prone to overwork. Saturn represents
the payoff for years of hard work to reach our goals and to perfect our capabilities, and yet it also brings
recognition of places in our lives where we've reached our limit. Saturn represents finding out what is
essential and what is not, then letting go of tasks, structures, and complications in our lives that no longer serve us.
How does this astrological condition relate to exhaustion and to Oak? With Saturn now traveling through Virgo,
since Virgo is the sign of health as well as work, those Virgos who have chronically overworked may find they can
no longer do so -- much to their collective chagrin and guilt. Oak can give them renewed strength and a new perspective
on what they can and cannot do. (If you don't have your chart and wonder where Virgo fits into your astrological
makeup, you can get it done free online at Astrolabe, a premier developer of
astrological software.)
Whether Virgo or Capricorn are an important part of your chart or not, think about Oak if you find yourself
nodding at the description of the pattern of long-term stress and overwork, followed by exhaustion.
Some new retirees need a long period of rest and staring at the television or the walls while their
infinitely wise bodies and souls are regenerating. Oak can be a much-needed tonic that over time gives
them a new vision of the full, rich life that retirees can enjoy for many years after the closing chapter
of their careers. Give it a try!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Cunningham may be semi-retired from astrological consultations, but she's still serving as
Vibration's Co-Editor. Nor will she ever give up writing, the life-long love that keeps her mind and soul forever young.
Donna is the prolific author of 19 books, the nine most recent being published as ebooks to help save her beloved trees.
See her ebooks, including one about essences, at
Moon Maven Publications. Oh, and recently she's started offering an email astrology correspondance course for
intermediate students, which you can read about
here. And she thinks she's
retired! RIGHT!!
DESIGN CREDITS: This page was designed by Deborah Bier and Donna Cunningham; photos are from Clipart.com.
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