As the summer sun kisses our skin and the world comes alive with vibrant energy, many embark on transformative journeys, whether a vacation, retreat, or sacred pilgrimage. It's a time to step away from our daily routines, immerse ourselves in nature's beauty, and engage in introspection. That's where the most profound healing is possible, and many of you can resonate with what I am about to share.
Imagine for a moment: you've just returned from a week-long retreat nestled in the serene embrace of nature. The experience has been profound, and you find yourself standing at the crossroads of your old self and a newfound version of yourself. The retreat was a catalyst for change, a cocoon in which you shed old habits, beliefs, and limitations. But now what? How do you embrace this transformation fully and step into the world as this new, radiant being?
This is exactly where I found myself this summer after my pilgrimage to the mysterious Avalon, a legendary and mythical place in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. It holds the legends of Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail, brings together the myths and legends of King Arthur, and the story of Joseph of Arimathea building the first church at Glastonbury. The land connected me to the Divine Feminine; it showed me the repressed desire for pleasure rooted in the bloodline, shame around being a woman, and unprocessed grief around losing a child. It activated the "witch wound" with a fear of rejection and cruel punishment for practicing earth medicine. I processed so much with the help of sacred essential oils, full body anointing, the deep loving support of other women in my group, and the healing waters of the Chalice Well and the White Spring.
Then, I returned to my home base in the Central Coast of California and had to answer dozens of emails, order jars and vials, package and ship the products, write posts and newsletters, and make hundreds of decisions. Instead, I froze. All I wanted was to BE. Not act, plan, produce, or even exercise. Just to be.
I had to admit to myself, and I want to share this insight with you: powerful transformational experiences require integration. Just as a puzzle is incomplete without every piece fitting perfectly into place, your transformational journey requires the intricate weaving of your old self and the new you. Integration is the art of harmonizing these aspects, allowing them to coexist and thrive within you.
Think about it as a dance. After a life-changing experience, you've learned new moves and steps. Now, it's time to practice those steps on the grand stage of life. But wait, haven't we all stumbled on the dance floor when trying something new? That's where the art of slowing down and even pausing comes in. We must allow ourselves to savor this new dance, to settle into our new rhythm.
This settling process is where the magic of flower essences enters the scene for me. When creating a flower essence formula, I always think about the goal I want to achieve and the obstacles. Regarding integration and transitioning into the new consciousness. I determined eight necessary components and matched them with the matching flower essences:
Understand your healing process, enhance personal intuition and self-awareness, plus shift emphasis from our materialistic, technological culture to subtle aspects of reality. This is Star Tulip's medicine.
Accept childhood pain and move beyond the victim role to a fully engaged adult role. This is the medicine of the California Wild Rose. It is among the most beautiful and fundamental of flower remedies, for it helps the soul to incarnate and take hold of its responsibilities and tasks on Earth.
Re-parent the Core Self and transition from an old, traumatized, shattered self-image to a new, fully integrated person. This is Echinacea's medicine.
Remember, understand, and overcome the core experiences that define your emotional history. It is Golden Eardrops' medicine to get nourishment and insights from past experiences that no longer keep you hostage.
Let go of blame and resentment regarding where we are in life, shift out of the victim role, and remember that you have the power to shape your life. This is Willow's medicine.
Drop shame and awaken your innate pleasure-seeking instincts. Let go of inhibitions and rediscover your power in both heart and prosperity matters. Discover the path to a more captivating and fulfilled you. This is California Peony's medicine.
Express your unique creativity and inspiration, embracing your individuality and not holding back from taking social or creative risks. This is Columbine's medicine.
Allow spontaneity and plain silliness to help bridge the gap between a responsible adult and an innocent child in you. Medicine of Zinnia is in rediscovering your joyful, playful inner child.
All eight components created a symphony of Integration, with the added waters from Red Chalice Well and White Spring that I brought from Glastonbury.
Tune in and feel if this remedy resonates with you and your needs. With each drop, you're inviting the essence of nature's wisdom to support you in this sacred journey of becoming.
So, my fellow seekers, as you bask in the warmth of summer and consider embarking on a retreat or engaging in a life-changing experience, remember the importance of integration. Embrace the wisdom of nature to guide you through this delicate process of becoming whole.
Pause, breathe, and allow yourself to settle into your new self. Just as the sun takes its time to rise and set, honor the rhythm of your transformation. And with the support of nature's gifts, watch yourself bloom and thrive in this beautiful dance of life.
In bloom and integration,
Anna (Anaya) B.