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©2004, Martin Bulgerin. All Rights Reserved.
Goldenrod people are at the opposite extreme, being so firmly rooted in the outer world that they hardly have an inner life at all. (See here and here for earlier articles about Goldenrod.) The world of fad and fashion, of "what everybody is doing these days" dominates their lives. In terms of a cartoon character, I'm imagining the shabbily dressed teenager who is expressing his "individuality" by being just like everyone else. Even the rebellious types are implicitly reacting to accepted norms, though in a negative way. Later in life, this is the conforming adult. The phrase "Get a Life!" could have been written for Goldenrod types. They are failing to use the social mirror to create a sense of self and a world of their own. Goldenrod helps them be someone in particular, not a cookie cutter person.
Of course, intimacy and love are a two way street. Just as important as empathy is developing your receptivity, your ability to accept and take in love. "The warmth of human kindness" is more than a cliché. Close connections are literally a kind of nourishing warmth for a person that brings out the best in us. We often describe people as having a warm or a cold heart. A warm person exudes a feeling of caring and acceptance by actively drawing others into their circle. They are also able to feed themselves by allowing the warmth of their companions to penetrate their lives. This lively give and take is the basis for true friendship. Mallow is a useful remedy for encouraging this open-hearted sharing and genuine friendliness. It helps thaw out a heart that has been frozen too long and is ready to feel again. Relationship and community are truly the bedrock of what makes us human in the higher sense of the word. It's our connection with the rest of life, the greater Whole of which we are all a part. We've just scratched the surface of this topic and the remedies that can help us be more open to others. It's a vital part of life that should not be ignored.
This article was first published in Essential Wellness, an online magazine, and is reprinted here with permission.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Martin Bulgerin is active in Flower Essence Therapy, Ortho-Bionomy and astrology. He teaches classes in flower essences and astrology -- contact him to get on his mailing list. Martin is also available for individual sessions by appointment. To see more of Martin's articles that have appeared in Vibration and to find his contact information, click here. ART CREDITS: Courtesy of Windfall and Art Today.
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Let's start with two essences that express the extremes of this balance between the inner and outer worlds. A Golden Yarrow person is often a rather private, creative individual whose temperament compels them to explore inner experiences deeply. (See 
It's nearly impossible to talk about relatedness without mentioning the heart chakra sooner or later. All relationships are heart connections to a greater or lesser degree, and the strength and openness of your heart center determines the level of intimacy you can experience with others. The cornerstone of good relationships is empathy, the ability to feel the essential nature of the person before you and recognize the humanity you share with them. It's nearly impossible to treat someone badly if you feel for them deeply. Yellow Star Tulip is excellent for developing an empathic heart. This even includes the situation of a "spiritual" person that has love in his heart, but can't open up and express it. It helps us spread the gifts of the soul out into the world for all.