California Pitcher Plant

Positive Qualities: Earthy vitality, especially integration of the more instinctual and bodily aspects of oneself

Patterns of Imbalance: Feeling listless, anemic; disassociated from or even fearful of the instinctual aspects of the Self

Definition: It is important for the human soul to learn to distinguish, yet not extinguish, its relationship to the animal world. As human beings we have the capacity for self-awareness and -self-reflection, but through these very gifts we can also alienate ourselves from what appears to be “lower” or more instinctual. California Pitcher Plant, which is carnivorous (insect eating) and grows in boggy areas, is indicated for people who are unable to integrate their animal-like instinctual desires with their sense of human individuality. This results in a splitting off of their desire-nature, or astrality, from the physical-etheric vehicle. Such a condition can manifest as a weakness in physical vigor and strength, and especially as an inability to digest food (assimilate physical matter). At other times these same, unintegrated astral forces can work too independently through the unconscious as a shadow force, especially distorting or dehumanizing the soul's experience of sexuality. California Pitcher Plant helps the soul to harness and balance the immense forces of astrality and instinctual desire so that these energies can strengthen physical vitality, and serve human spirituality.