Scorpio

October 24 – November 22

Scorpio can be equated to the mid life phase, when some people are at the height of their power, while others are going through a mid life crisis. Sometimes the latter is necessary to reach the former! Power and transformation are two keywords for Scorpio.

This sign is ruled by Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, and that gives you a clue right there; this is no lightweight sign. In Greek mythology, Pluto’s realm is hidden, where souls reside after leaving this mortal life. He was a powerful God, feared and respected, not to be messed with.

The symbol for Scorpio is The Scorpion, a creature capable of inflicting intense pain and even death if it stings you; another clue. Scorpios are accustomed to many people taking a step backwards when they reveal their sign; which is why they often won’t. Others can be instantly wary (except those with a strong dose of Scorpio in their own chart). Don’t be intimidated, you may miss an opportunity to have one of the best friends a person could wish for. Their penetrating gaze can be uncomfortable to the uninitiated; it quickly sees to the truth of the matter but remember this: if you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to fear. Not all Scorpios are inclined to sting, in the balanced Scorpion it is seldom used, and then only in a measured way, for a specific purpose.

Scorpios can be highly spiritual, seeking to transform themselves and rise above the material plane – these are referred to as The Eagles. There is another type of Scorpio, the Grey Lizard, who doesn’t seem to fit any of the classic descriptions of their sign, leaving you scratching your head. The phoenix could also be regarded as an apt symbol for Scorpio. Bursting into flames (fire is very cleansing) and rising renewed from the ashes, the phoenix is a powerful symbol of transformation, appropriate given that Scorpio energy can be almost alchemical.

Out of Balance Scorpio Personality

Bitter, unforgiving, vengeful, suspicious, manipulative, ruthless, cruel, bullying, violent, secretive, obsessive, possessive

Balanced Scorpio Personality

Quiet, discreet, composed, strong, assertive, passionate, intuitive, hypnotic, magnetic, spiritual, sympathetic, protective, loyal, determined, persevering, regenerative, transformative.

Like its opposite, Taurus, Scorpio is a power sign, but they will often be the power behind the throne, the trusted advisor or confidante rather than the person up front. It is not that they are shy, in fact they are often very charismatic and can work a room to rival any Leo; they simply don’t need the public recognition. They know they run the show and, secure in that knowledge, public accolades and validation aren’t required. Remaining in the shadows allows them the privacy they enjoy and enables them to more easily protect their interests and loved ones. Life can be simpler that way.

In medical astrology, Scorpio rules the reproductive organs. She Oak has a balancing effect on cyclical emotional changes for ladies and Flannel Flower has a similar effect for men.  Scorpios have a reputation for being very passionate lovers and can be enthusiastic users of Sensuality Mist. If there has been any sexual trauma or promiscuity, the Sexuality combination can be helpful for associated emotional wounds.

The large intestine is another part of the body ruled by Scorpio. This is where our body rids itself of the physical waste of digestion; the lymphatic system can also drain toxins into the large bowel.

Emotionally, the large bowel is considered to be where we let go of anything we no longer need – emotional waste – and that it is important that we do so if we are to avoid becoming emotionally toxic. Bottlebrush assists this process. This flower essence is also useful for possessiveness (a form of holding on).

Boronia is a very important remedy for Scorpios. They can be prone to brooding – stewing on things. Boronia helps to break this circular thought pattern, which is crucial because if it continues it can be the root of resentment or bitterness, for which they will then need Dagger Hakea. Suspicion, paranoia, jealousy and violence can also result, indicating a need for Mountain Devil.  Left unchecked all this may develop into all the very worst aspects of negative Scorpion energy: spite, manipulation, bullying, cruelty and vengefulness. Rough Bluebell can assist with all these negative emotional states, but they are best avoided in the first place.

No discussion of Scorpio would be complete without mentioning one of their best qualities – loyalty. Although they make dangerous enemies, they also make the very best of friends. Not only will they keep all your secrets safe, they will stick by you through the very worst of times; standing by your side to face down enemies, covering your back, and defending you till their dying breath.

You can learn more at the Astrology and ABFE one day course with Linn Wiggins, where we going into much more detail about each sun sign and the Essences that can help to minimise their worst personality traits and enhance their best. No previous knowledge of Astrology is required to attend.

Astrology and ABFE course dates are available here.

Copyright Linn Wiggins.

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LEO

July 24 – August 23     

The symbol for Leo is The Lion – king of the beasts, and there certainly is a regal air to Leos living even in the most humble of circumstances. They usually retain an air of dignity under the most trying of circumstances; even domestic cats display this trait, quickly covering any faux pas or embarrassment with nonchalance and a rapid return to their usual elegance.

Charismatic is a key word to describe Leos – you can’t help but look at them, and they love to bask in the attention. Be it for their artistic ability, dramatic flair, leadership skills (or occasional outrageous behaviour if all else fails). Many love to make ostentatious displays or be entertained with them. They love shine their light on the rest of us.Rejection is very hard for them to cope with, for which we can give Illawarra Flame Tree.

The animals are physically strong and graceful (as are the humans); they hunt co-operatively and share the spoils with their extended family. In the humans this translates to people who are loyal, family orientated, good providers and community minded. A key value instilled into royalty and the aristocracy down through the ages was “Noblesse Oblige” – the obligation of the nobility – to “help those less fortunate”. Our modern “royalty” increasingly consists of creative celebrities, and one of the first things they do upon becoming rich and famous is to nominate a charity they will be assisting; they are immediately initiated into the importance of giving back, and are expected to do so. Many Leos head up or are key individuals within community and charitable organisations. Bluebell is a good flower to bring out this sense of generosity, and Sydney Rose helps to realise that we are all One, and that when we help others, we are helping another aspect of ourself.

If you displease a Leo, even the most benevolent of them may roar at you. Just to show you who is really in charge. If you really upset them (or worse still, betray them) they will most likely ignore you – they won’t dignify you with a response. You will find yourself frozen out, and the castle door firmly barricaded against you. Banished. Count yourself lucky they didn’t rake you with their claws or chop off your head. Dagger Hakea and Bluebell can be good for these Leos – to help them forgive.

Speaking of castles, Leos aren’t averse to a bit of luxury, they do like quality over quantity and their home is their safe haven from the world. It is probably has a view of the surrounding landscape. Don’t drop in – wait for an invitation.

Don’t fooled though – there are forest lions who prefer to live quiet, private, solitary lives with just their mate, preferring to roam in the dappled light beneath the trees, away from prying eyes. Sometimes this can be a phase the more extraverted Leos go through, to recharge. This is healthy.

What ‘Out of Balance’ Leo energy looks like

Arrogant, domineering, vain, impatient, drama queen, narcissistic, egocentric, selfish, superior, rejected, jealous, egotistical, self doubting, overly ambitious

What ‘Balanced’ Leo energy looks like

Courageous, strong, confident, creative, artistic, magnetic, charismatic, natural leaders, entertaining, enthusiastic, inspirational, optimistic, magnaminous, loyal, affectionate, cheerful, dignified and fun.

Leo is ruled by the Sun, considered a masculine energy by most cultures both ancient and modern. Without the Sun there would be no life. Ancient cultures had many different belief systems around this with a common them being the need to honour the Sun as the giver of life; with the king (queen) or emperor (empress) as the creator’s earthly representative. The Sun in astrology is regarded as the ruler of our identity, our sense of self and self esteem – the Ego. To strengthen and balance these we have Five Corners, also very good for confidence.

Leos can often be found in leadership roles. Sometimes the power goes to their head and they become arrogant, for which we can use Gymea Lily. It is also good for vanity and pride, which Leos have been accused of. Whenever anyone raises their head up above the crowd, it is possible someone will want to cut them down. Gymea Lily enables those to whom this happens to have the strength to stand tall and carry on regardless. Lastly, Gymea Lily balances the back and spine, one of the vulnerable parts of the body for a Leo under stress.

The other part of the body ruled by Leo is the heart, which in naturopathic philosophy is associated with the emotions of love, forgiveness, courage, strength and inclusiveness. Waratah is a good flower Essence to help bring about a sense of strength and courage, particularly if you are going through a “dark night of the soul” experience. Courage is one of the natural traits of Leo. Lions hunt, kings used to lead their soldiers into battle, Leos lead, encourage and inspire us, to come up with new ideas and light the way towards them. Bluebell and Dagger Hakea are both useful in different ways for helping move towards a state of forgiveness. Should Leos become overly competitive, or jealous of another’s success, Mountain Devil can be very useful.

You can learn more at the Astrology and ABFE one day course with Linn Wiggins, where we going into much more detail about each sun sign and the Essences that can help to minimise their worst personality traits and enhance their best. No previous knowledge of Astrology is required to attend.

Astrology and ABFE course dates are available here.

Copyright Linn Wiggins.

Copyright Linn Wiggins.

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ARIES March 21 – April 20

Each Sun Sign can be roughly equated to a life phase, and Aries is the baby of the zodiac. In the Northern Hemisphere, where western astrology originated, the 21^st March is the Spring Equinox, the official start of the solar year, as Mother Earth stirs from her long wintery sleep. It is a time of new beginnings and new life – green shoots, blossoms, birth. Everything is fresh, shiny and new. There is an air of optimism, renewal and hope – an awareness of all the possibilities contained by this new year, and in the new life that we see all around. Such is also the energy of Aries.

POSITIVE QUALITIES

Fearless, pioneering, honest, energetic, enthusiastic, independent, generous, confident, inspirational, passionate, decisive and idealistic. Natural leaders who get the ball rolling.

NEGATIVE QUALITIES

Impulsive, naïve, arrogant, impatient, bossy, aggressive, violent, bloody minded, extravagant.

If you study ancient Roman mythology you will see these traits embodied in Mars, the God of War, and ruler of Aries. According to Carl Jung, myths are archetypes; stories reflective of actual personality types – their strengths,  weaknesses and challenges, and the way to resolve these. Myths can be viewed as therapeutic stories – stories as medicine.

Equally, the Bush Essences, as medicines for the emotions, can be used to help heal and bring into balance the negative traits of any sun sign, allowing the positive traits to be more easily expressed. For each sign, there are certain flowers that are frequently needed, and these can be viewed as constitution remedies.

Black-Eyed Susan is a very important flower for Aries. It is very useful for rushing, something Aries are renown for, so it helps them to slow down (and smell the roses). Unchecked, this tendency to speediness can become impatience or impulsiveness and can further escalate into frustration, anger and aggression. As the mind goes, energy flows. An imbalance in the thoughts and emotions will ultimately be reflected in the physical body, in a very predictable manner. Physically, rushing can manifest as hyperactivity, clumsiness, stress, burnout, aggression, violence or accidents.  Bolting down one’s food leads to indigestion. Black-Eyed Susan addresses all these issues at a causal level. Antarctic Essence is also very appropriate.

Mountain Devil too, is very high on the list of Essences for fiery Aries. If impatience has progressed into anger, aggression, violence or hatred, Mountain Devil is called for. It is also very good for the Aries tendency to become overly ambitious and overly competitive (they like to win). With fire comes passion, and at times jealousy – which Mountain Devil will also help soothe. In western herbal medicine, anger is held in the spleen; in Chinese Medicine anger is held in the liver. Either way, I have found Mountain Devil very useful for assisting restore health in these organs. In medical astrology, the spleen is ruled by Aries, and is vulnerable under stress, so therefore needs to be especially supported. Mountain Devil supports the spleen energetically, and therefore physically.

Aries natives are at risk of burnout. They have so much natural energy that, like children, they go and go and go and then suddenly they drop. Usually, following a good sleep they awaken refreshed – and off they go again. However, as with the young, Aries can take this enormous vitality for granted, and get into a habit of burning the candle at both ends. They’ll get away with this for quite some time, especially in their youth. Sooner or later though, it will catch up. Down they go in a flaming burnt out heap of squandered energy. Macrocarpa is the flower they need to get back up again (Aries always gets back up again). Better still, give Macrocarpa before they crash and burn (prevention is better than cure). Macrocarpa also brings with it the wisdom to ‘eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired’ – to leave something in reserve, to husband your energy well. Macrocarpa is specific for balancing the adrenal glands, another of the vulnerable organs in Aries.

It has to be said that Aries is not naturally the most elegant of signs. Like children, they can be socially inept, gauche and naïve. Kangaroo Paw is very beneficial for helping them develop and grow in this direction. The tendency to rush can bring physical clumsiness no matter what their age. Apart from Black-Eyed Susan to slow down, try some Bush Fuchsia to help improve their physical co-ordination.

Fortunately we have Mulla Mulla to help Aries with their tendency to frequently burn themselves – on the iron, cappacino machine, stovetop, oven, kettle…  you get the idea. Put it on the outside and give it on the inside. Leave a bottle in the kitchen. Aries often have a reddish tinge to their hair, courtesy of their ruling planet Mars. This can bring the temper to match, and a tendency to sunburn. Try Mulla Mulla before, during and after sun exposure.

There are several other Essences that deserve a quick mention – Gymea Lily if they have become bossy or domineering, Isopogon to learn from their mistakes, and Wedding Bush to help them complete their projects (not just start them). And of course Emergency Essence – this enthusiastic, fiery, loyal, adventurous, clumsy trail blazer, with an appetite for life and the exuberance of youth, is going to need it. Oh, and some Calm and Clear + Mountain Devil for when they are driving.

More Information on the Astrology & ABFE workshop

Linn’s Workshop Schedule

Copyright  Linn Wiggins.

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• pushing the contestants to breaking point emotionally during early training sessions
• then digging into their past to reveal when the weight started going on
• uncovering the emotions at that time
• identifying triggers
• then changing mindset

• Monga Waratah – feelings of emptiness, looking outside for fulfillment
• Crowea – feelings of anxiety
• Mountain Devil – feelings of anger
• Tall Yellow Top – feelings of depression, isolation or lonliness
• Bottlebrush – It’s a habit
• Boab – Your learnt this response from your family
• Boronia – You can’t stop thinking about that food (obsessing)
• Five Corners – low self esteem and/or confidence

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Mountain Devil is very beautiful red flower growing in the Sydney Sandstone region of Australia. As a flower essence, its healing qualities include the release of the emotions of anger, frustration, rage, hatred and jealousy.

For adults whose predominant emotional response to a situation is anger, and children who react to being thwarted with a temper tantrum, Mountain Devil is very calming. It is effective whether this is a personality tendency, or due to circumstances.

Anger is one of the early stages of grief, and Mountain Devil can be taken as a flower essence to help you move through to the next stage.

Many men can react to situations with anger and aggression, not only due to the influence of testosterone, but also if social conditioning from an early age taught them that expressing sadness, disappointment, vulnerability and other tender emotions is ‘unmanly’ and unacceptable.

I also often give Mountain Devil to people born under the sun sign Aries, who are much more likely to express overt anger than any other sun sign.

Justifiable anger is a positive force – there are some things it is quite right to feel angry or outraged about, and the force of this emotion provides the energy to effect positive change.

However if anger is a constant emotional state, it can be an indication of deep seated stress or unhappiness, and can cause physical problems in the long term, most particularly with the liver and heart. Using Mountain Devil as an aid to releasing anger, frustration and hatred in these circumstances is a good long term preventative health strategy

Mountain Devil is a very useful flower essence taken alone, or in conjunction with anger management strategies.

Mountain Devil is one of the flowers explored during the Level
2 Australian Bush Flower Essences workshop, which is taught worldwide.
Releasing anger is one of the major themes of this workshop.

Click here to find when I will be teaching this workshop next.

If this does not happen to be nearby to you, click here for the global schedule, with another certified teacher.

Feel free to leave a comment below with your experiences taking Mountain Devil, or with any questions you may have about this flower essence.

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It is estimated that 90% of our subconscious patterning is set by the time we are 3 years old. Given that much of our conscious behaviour is driven by our subconscious, this gives serious pause for thought. Parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbours, friends, teachers, TV, radio, movies young children absorb information like sponges from all these sources whilst still mostly pre-verbal. This enables them to figure out how to negotiate their environment. However if your view of the world was mostly formed by the time you were three whose programs are running in the background? How much are they pulling your strings? Are these values aligned with your own values, dreams and goals as an adult?

As a parent, are you concerned about the effect of these myriad influences on your child? If you see your child taking on values not congruent with your own, or if they experience trauma would you like to have a way to assist them?

One way is through flower essences they are literally medicines for the emotions. One of the most beautiful things about them is that they are a totally safe and completely natural and sustainable. Anyone can use or prescribe them as it is impossible to do any harm with them.

Paw Paw essence can assist with any conflict between conscious thoughts and sub conscious programming.

Is your teenager bowing to peer pressure? Sturt Desert Rose (left) can assist them to stay true to their own personal integrity and values.

If lack of confidence an issue try some Five Corners

When bulying is a problem, Rough Bluebell (above) helps perpetrators gain a sense of empathy for their victims and remorse for their actions, while Southern Cross allows those being victimised to more easily stand up for themselves.

Learning and literacy problems can benefit from Bush Fuchsia

For tantrums Mountain Devil (below) works wonders, 8/10/2009 12:30:57 PM

While those who feel like they dont fit in can benefit from Tall Yellow Top

Rebirthing is form of guided meditation – a healing technique used to discover whether specific beliefs were taken on board during the birthing process or in utero. For example experienced rebirthing practitioners have documented that if a baby got stuck during the birth, they may find getting stuck becomes a pattern later in life. If they were rescued via medical intervention during the labour, they often wait to be rescued if they ‘get stuck in life. Whereas if they went on to be born naturally, they can often push through the obstacle themselves. It really is fascinating research. Our birth story is powerful, and knowing it can lead to deep insights about our life and emotional patterns. Bottlebrush can assist with healing emotional trauma that occurred during birth, help strengthen the mother-child bond and with attachment issues.

Imagine a world where your past traumas have been healed and your negative beliefs and limiting thought patterns dissolved, so that you are free to be the best person you can be. Imagine entering adulthood knowing who you are and what you want to do with your life, with good self esteem and the confidence to go out into the world and go for it. Imagine a world full of people who are healthy in mind, body, heart and spirit. I truly believe that flower essences can help make this happen, especially when I see the profound differences they have made in countless adults lives and when I meet teenagers and young adults who have been raised on essences.

I will be conducting several one day workshops on how to use Australian Bush Flower Essences to help children deal with childhood issues and for adults to help heal their own inner child.

Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia – 2nd August 2009 – Enquiries and Bookings: Isabela Keski-Frantti

e: belaflora@hotmail.com

Adelaide, SA, Australia – 28th August 2009 – Enquiries and Bookings: Gabbie Enright

e: gabbie@healthyteams.com.au

Charlotte, NC, USA – 23rd October 2009 – Enquiries and Bookings: Ed Muir e: edm@southernherb.com

A flyer for the Murwillumbah workshop can be downloaded here if you would like more information on the content of the seminar – if you want to attend one somewhere else, just ignore the date and contact detail in the flyer and use the contact information above for the workshop you are interested in attending.

My full workshop schedule is available here – just scroll through the months to see what’s on and where, and how to book.

If you are interested in hosting a workshop in Australia or North America, please contact me here.

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