Bleeding Heart Essence --
A Balm for the Broken Heart
©2002 by Donna Cunningham, MSW
The following is an excerpt from Donna's ebook, Flower Remedies -- How Plants'
Energies Can Heal Us. To order a copy, visit
Moon Maven Publications.
Form follows function. This cardinal rule of modern architecture was discovered and
incorporated into the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1920s. By that, he meant that
the intended use of a building or room should determine its form. Brilliant as he was,
he was only rediscovering a principle that herbalists and homeopaths figured out
centuries before. In researching the healing properties of various plants, they
found that valuable clues could be gotten from the form of a plant -- its shape, color,
texture, smell, growing patterns, and relationship to its habitat. This old guideline,
called the Doctrine of Signatures, has also been adopted by essence makers as they study
new remedies and try to discover their uses.
A striking example of this principle is in the flower bleeding heart, shown here.
Many of us grow the plant, which originated long ago in Asia, in our gardens, but
it hasn't been hybridized, so it remains in an ancient and energetically potent state.
Notice that the simple blossom is heart shaped, with something resembling a teardrop
dangling from a split in its center, an evocation both of love and loss. Usually,
the flower is a deep pink color, the color of roses most often given to lovers.
Not too
surprisingly, form follows function, since Bleeding Heart essence is a remedy for the
aching or broken heart. The fact that the flower is like a pendant hanging from the
stem also suggests that it may help with codePENDANT relationships, when the pattern of
dependency is creating a strain on those involved.
I have always used the preparation by the Flower Essence Society, but it is also
available from Deva Essences, Andreas Korte, Pegasus, and other makers.
FES' description from the Flower Essence Repertory notes that it helps release painful
emotional attachments and heartache over a broken relationship, bringing peace, harmony,
and balance to the heart. They also recommend it for those who are too clinging and
possessive of those they love. (p.292) In short, Bleeding Heart is a key essence
for anyone who has suffered a major heart wound, like maritial separation or the
death of a loved one.
In times of war like these, it may also help those who are sorrowful because of the loss
of a way of life and a belief in our safety, as well as the loss of many countrymen.
Some people, faced with these shocking events, instinctively shut down the heart to
ward off the pain of further future losses, and then wonder why they feel numbed and
can't connect with others.
As Dr. Deborah Bier explains in her article in this issue, the first response to some vibrational remedies -- like the
first response to any number of healing tools -- can be a catharsis in which a
backlog of blocked emotions is suddenly released. I have found Bleeding Heart
to be a strongly cathartic remedy, in that sadness or grief about the loss of
a loved one often comes to the surface. Sometimes people who take it go through
days of crying, yet that emotional release is in itself very needed and ultimately
healing, since they do feel better about the situation afterwards. Still, it
can be uncomfortable, especially if they are unaware that it might happen,
so you would do well to discuss this possibility with anyone you suggest it to.
Advice to the Practitioner on How to Use Bleeding Heart
You might suggest that they start slowly by taking a dropperful from the dosage
bottle once a day, only moving up to several doses a day when they are comfortable.
Massage in general can be soothing, but it is especially healing to massage the
heart center thoroughly and repeatedly with lotion to which you have added a
dropperful of the Bleeding Heart mixture. As you do so, you might visualize
a deep rose-colored light penetrating into the heart area, a color similar to
that of the bleeding heart flower itself. Reiki and other forms of energy work
speed the release of the blocked emotions without adding to the discomfort.
The September, 2000
and February, 2007 issues of Vibration explored ways that a variety of
healing methods like Reiki and massage can work in tandem with the essences.
If you are a practitioner giving this remedy to a client, it is important to
remain available. (If you are taking it on your own, make sure to stay in touch
with friends and family who love you, and to treat yourself in loving ways.)
Still, don't hesitate to incorporate this remedy into your collection, for it
is one of the most potent and important heart healers available to us today.
Loss or grief that is not addressed can have long-term effects on the person's
ability to give and receive love, because the wounded heart needs direct intervention.
What about those of us who are caretakers or helping professionals, and who give
open-heartedly on a daily basis to people in heartbreaking situations? It's no
accident that many of us are classified by conservatives as "bleeding
heart liberals," but maybe this label is giving us a hint about how to help ourselves.
Might we not also benefit from a course of Bleeding Heart in order to release sorrow
about our charges and to restore the health of our sorely-taxed heart centers so
we don't become hard-hearted?
Give it a try as a single remedy, maybe over a free
weekend or a few days off, coupled with plenty of rest and loving contact with healthy
friends or loved ones. If nothing else, you'll know -- up close and personal -- how it might
affect the people you'd be tempted to give it to!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donna Cunningham has been Vibration's co-editor for this past 10 years.
She's also the internationally-loved author of more than 15 books
in the field of astrology. Visit her website for information on her
books,
intermediate level astrology correspondence course, and
writing seminars for astrological and metaphysical practitioners/
For new insights and information on astrology, writing and healing tools, visit Donna's new blog,
Sky Writer, and sign up for a free subscription.
ART CREDITS: Page designed by Windfall. Images courtesy of Clipart.com.
The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.
