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In the last seven to eight years in Greece we have experienced a huge, shocking economic crisis that has escalated in areas and at levels we would not have imagined before. Suddenly, many people saw their income decrease severely, many lost their jobs and their homes. Hundreds of thousands emigrated; many committed suicide or lost their lives prematurely due to decreased health care quality as a result of diminished social support. People seemed to suffer these conditions with passivity and despair, but also with a lack of adequate awareness and full realization of what was going on. TV constantly sent out pictures of happy fashion models and celebrities laughing and enjoying luxurious life conditions, alternating with detailed news about awful acts of violence performed by insane psychopathic individuals in Greece and worldwide and, of course, news about wars, terroristic attacks in different parts of the world, natural catastrophes, pessimistic and frightening if not terrifying evaluations of local and world situation, upsetting assessments about the future etc. Our collective psyche has been under constant shock. I could see people withdrawing more and more and narrowing their lives as well as their psychic awareness in an attempt to endure and to survive. Pensions decreased more than a hundred times in these last years and one can imagine the pressure and the insecurity that was constantly created to otherwise helpless people by this. I personally know of elder people who spend their winter days in bed because they cannot afford heating their place. Empirically we know that life expectancy has decreased. Health products of course became a luxury for many to afford, as did natural and alternative therapies. People turned massively to chemical medication, offered by social insurance in public hospitals and other public health institutions. Mental health problems and hospitalizations as well as psychotropic drug prescriptions to the general population increased dramatically. In many streets in the center of Athens one can see big numbers of homeless people, a social phenomenon that was almost unknown here before. Here I will describe briefly how I realized and tried to deal with the psychological needs of the situation, both on an individual basis when asked by clients, and also as general suggestions to those concerned via social media, etc. Fear and Shock The Rescue Remedy or Five Flower Remedy , Dr. Bach’s all-purpose emergency formula, has of course been very frequently required as a general soother and stabilizer. It is the most well know flower remedy and the easiest to find in pharmacies and among health care products in general. It will help to ease the terror (Rock Rose), sooth (Star of Bethlehem), avoid dissociating and distancing from reality (Clematis), deal with the fear-and-the tendency of one losing control and the feeling of going mad (Cherry Plum) and provide patience and calm (Impatiens).
Mimulus and California Valerian are very effective in calming tangible fears, worries and anxiety stemming from one’s difficulty in dealing with practical issues and demands of one’s life, such as income and money problems, practical survival issues, material and other security concerns. I think these essences are the most widely applicable in present circumstances. Sweet Chestnut , when objective or subjective circumstances make one feel utterly helpless and unprotected, as if facing annihilation. Cerato , to help us maintain a firm connection with our own personal judgments, beliefs and authentic perceptions when everybody and everything around us is trying to shake us from trusting what we “see with our own eyes.” Aspen , for the fear of negative invisible forces being at work. Holly , to help balance the tendency to be overly suspicious of people and of circumstances as a response to an obviously hostile physical and social environment. Chaparral to cleanse the psyche of the awful, damaging images of violence, cruelty and ugliness that surround us from every direction. Self-Heal appears to be needed very frequently lately, as more and more people, both healthy and sick, feel frightened and anxious about their health, believing they are helpless and unprotected regarding this issue. This flower remedy proves to be very fast-acting and very effective in transforming this particularly strong fear. Green Cross Gentian , to be sensitive and courageous while experiencing and witnessing the problems of the natural environment. Discouragement, resignation and apathy Willow, for the deep-seated feeling of injustice, of one being a victim of other people and/or circumstances, which fills the soul with anger, resentment and bitterness and depletes it from its power and from the willingness to deal with and to change adverse conditions. Gorse, for the painful feeling of despair that many people suffer, unable to do anything to face their problems and improve their –either subjectively or objectively- hopeless situation. Oak for the people who are exhausted by life’s harsh, burdening, unending demands. Wild Rose , to reverse the sad and dangerous emotional condition of resigning from life, of giving up and losing the desire to participate in life, to enjoy it, to keep trying for the better, to strongly wish to live. California Wild Rose , to activate and motivate one to be productive and creative, enjoying the living process despite adversities. Borage and Gentian , to enhance optimism and lightheartedness and to help one remain courageous and in good mood under discouraging and burdening circumstances. We can of course name many other flower essences that can and are of invaluable help in the present conditions. But the above have been and are some of those I most frequently felt were necessary to suggest and to use in the present circumstances.
When the wild fires were raging near Athens this July, during which an entire town disappeared in just minutes and about a 100 people burnt, the need for flower essences such as Star of Bethlehem to be used by practically everyone was of course imperative, as the shock was collective and immense. And so was Chaparral of course. Fireweed was a blessing for those who could receive it, again not only for people who actually suffered from the fires but also for those who followed the news, hearing about them and watching them from the safety of their home, as modern means make such facts a personal reality for each of us.
Perspective Finally, I would like to make a special reference to Scotch Broom, and its unique assistance in facing the fear — either conscious or subconscious — and worry, or even despair and distress, regarding the world future and possible world catastrophe due to the uncontrollable use of technology, irresponsible ways of dealing with power and/or world physical resources etc. I have found this wonderful flower essence one of immediate and extremely profound calming, grounding, empowering and stabilizing effect.
And last but by no means least, I would like to bow with gratitude before the magnificently healing and guiding power of Tall Mountain Larkspur , for reminding us of and helping us preserve the light of our souls and for (re)connecting us with our divine perception and our spiritual leading and self-leading qualities. At the dawn of the New Year I feel grateful for the opportunity to share this and to wish us all, my dear ones, true happiness and health from inside out. Thinking of all flower essence practitioners and interested people and feeling grateful for them helping to keep our world a place worth for the human soul to live in. I especially thank Patricia Kaminski, Richard Katz and the FES people for giving us the opportunity to connect, for enabling us to receive and to share all this invaluable information about flower essences’ applications and research and for making these beautiful essences available to us. I thank the flowers, beauty and soul care from Mother Earth, and I wish us to care for them and be taken care by them, protect them and be protected by them.
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