THE NATURAL CONNECTION NEWS

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1 Fall 2018, Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association (HHWA), Save the date for Make 2019 Your Year: Aligning Mind, Body, and Spirit. Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the Natural Connection Wellness Center. Multiple Presenters and Activities. THE NATURAL CONNECTION NEWS Volume 2, Issue 1 HHWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Dana Jefferson POWER ANIMALS By Dana Jefferson, C.Ht., Ph.D. Nine Waters Group: Hypnotherapy and More Because of my shamanic training, people often ask me about power animals. I personally think of power animals as being different from totem animals which are more closely associated with Native American clans and tribes. Power animals, in my interpretation of tradition of core shamanism, fall into several categories. The first category is the most important. This is your birth power animal. It is the animal that has been with you since your birth and will be with you until your death. In fact, losing this animal can be the cause of severe illness or death. The good news is that it is hard to lose this animal. Ways to lose it might be by having it stolen by another person: Never tell anyone the secret name of your power animal if the animal honors you by giving you that name. Another way to lose this animal might be by doing intentional harm to a member of that species such as killing for fun rather than for necessity (food, hide for clothing, etc.). You do not need to know what your animal is or have a direct relationship with this power animal. If you are alive and basically healthy, this animal is with you. Another category of power animals, are animals that are with you for a specific purpose or task. This category of power animals is mostly associated with shamans and healers. For example, I have animals that work with me on various tasks such as shamanic extraction and helping individuals cross over into the spirit world (psychopomp). I have an Vice-President: Tracy Lake Treasurer: Ed Tos Secretary: Eileen Woods HHWA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization promoting alternative, complementary, and integrative health care and wellness initiatives focusing on the mind, body, and spirit connection. Check hhwa.org and Huntingdon Health and Wellness on Facebook.

2 Power Animal Article cont. animal that helps me with a task I do not enjoy, writing. If you are a writer or artist, you may have a power animal as your muse. The third category of power animals are those who show up to provide specific help at a specific time in your life. A classic example is that you may have skunks showing up in your life at a time when you need protection. Another example is having deer show up when you need to fully open up your heart. One question that I commonly get is how do I know what my power animal is and can you tell by looking at me? The one sure way to find your power animal is to have someone trained in performing successful power animal retrievals to do one for you or you may be told directly in your own shamanic journey or other direct spiritual revelation. You may have an idea of what that animal might be because you are drawn to that animal. (Note that power animals are animals that have not been domesticated. They can be dogs, cats, horses, etc., but they would be the wild versions of those animals.) Unfortunately, the animal you think it might be, might not be your power animal. I thought mine was dolphin given my intense interest in them growing up. When my parents took me to Sea World, I never left the dolphin tank. While dolphins have shown up in my journeys, they are not my main power animal. It is hard to predict. However, there are some people who have such a distinct animal energy around them, you can be reasonably sure of what their power animal may be. I have only met one person who has the ability to look at a person and see their power animal. Once you know your power animal, it is important to honor that animal. Ways to do this include watching nature specials about that animal, wearing jewelry depicting that animal, or having pictures or artwork in your home of that animal. By having a healthy relationship with your power animal, you will have the comforting feeling of never being alone. The spirit of mouse has just as much power as the spirit of tiger, but mouse does have different qualities and abilities as well as different lessons to teach from those of tiger. Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman HHWA TIDBITS Excerpts from Garlic, It s Time to Plant by Julie Kingston in the Fall 2018 Therapeutic Thymes Magazine (PO Box 4731, Lancaster, PA 17604). Garlic is thought to have effective anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, as well as helping to lower blood pressure, bad cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. Garlic Scape Pesto 1 lb. fresh tender garlic scapes cut in 2 inch pieces 1 ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese 1 cup olive oil ½ cup of seeds (pine nuts, sunflower, or your favorite type (optional) 1 tbsps. Of lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste Process all ingredients together in a food processor until well blended. Try on pasta or on bread or as a dip. ****************************** A long-term study out of the Univ. of Cincinnati shows that a regular yoga practice helps with resilience and positive coping mechanisms. ******************************

3 The following taken directly (unedited) from the August 2018 edition of the Buffalo Trace Newsletter Flower Essences From Susi Raven s Rose WHAT ARE FLOWER ESSENCES? Flower essences are a natural, simple and totally safe method of healing. They are liquid extracts of flowers, prepared in a homeopathic manner and are used to treat the emotional, mental and spiritual nature rather than the physical body. Flower essences are made by floating the freshly picked flowers of a selected plant or tree in a glass bowl of pure water and left to sit in the sunlight for several hours. Through the action of the sun and the process of the combination of the four elements, the healing essence or etheric imprint of the flower is transferred into the water. The flowers are removed and this mother essence is preserved with brandy, diluted to make the stock essence and further diluted to make the dosage or medicine-strength remedy. HOW DO FLOWER ESSENCES WORK? To understand how flower essences work requires a recognition that the human being is more than a physical body, but also incorporates a "body" of life energy, a "body" of sensitivity and feelings, and a spiritual essence or Self. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants which interact with these subtle bodies of the human being, and evoke specific qualities within us. We can say that they work in a similar way to inspirational music or art, which carry meaning through the vehicle of sound or light, while the flower essences work through the medium of water. Modern physics has known for nearly a century that matter and consciousness are intertwined. However, medical science still generally works with a nineteenth century model of the human being as a mechanism in a world of machines. We expect that in the coming century medical science will develop ways of studying the impact of consciousness on health, and we will learn more about the ways in which flower essences work. However, empirical research, which consists of the collection of case studies and practitioner reports, will remain the primary source of knowledge about how flower essences work. Flower essences work on subtle `unseen' levels to gently re-establish balance and peace of mind within us. The essences cover many negative emotional and mental states that afflict humankind. They work by infusing us with the positive qualities that we lack rather than by suppressing the disturbance. They help us to release blockages which may be hindering growth and offer us opportunities to learn more about ourselves. They help us to flow more with life, rather than fight against it. The effects of the essences are enhanced when combined with a general healthy and positive approach to living. Visualizing and affirming our healing can also be very helpful. Their effects will vary with each individual. Sometimes we notice an immediate positive change in our condition and outlook. The problem may not have disappeared, but we no longer feel swamped by it. Perspective is gained. Sometimes there is a

4 feeling of tension easing, of emotions coming to the surface. We may have a realization about something and feel a sense of relief for we are no longer `in the dark.' Sometimes we feel no noticeable change, but almost unfailingly, when we look back some weeks or months later, we realize that there has been a change, albeit a gradual change. We acknowledge that the problem has indeed faded or even disappeared entirely. Flower essences are most beneficial when used to prevent illness, to balance the psyche before imbalance and disharmony goes so far as to produce a recognizable physical complaint. By using flower essences, we can all heal ourselves. This was Dr. Bach's intention. THE HISTORY OF FLOWER ESSENCES It is believed that flower essences have been around for a very long time, possibly dating as far back as Ancient China. The earliest written record of their use is by the 16th century healer and mystic, Paracelsus, who collected dew from flowers to heal emotional disharmony. THE PIONEERING WORK OF DR. EDWARD BACH In modern times, flower essences were discovered, or rediscovered, by Dr. Edward Bach, a prominent English physician, bacteriologist, immunologist, homeopath and herbalist. In the early 1930s, after twenty years as a highly successful Harley Street consultant, Dr. Bach abandoned his medical practice to search the fields and woods of nature for a simpler and more natural system of healing treatment. During his work as a medical practitioner, Dr. Bach had noticed that the patients who came to see him for their physical ailments, often had emotional problems too. He felt the two were linked. After much observation and research, he identified twelve groups of personality traits or archetypal patterns of behavior in people. He searched the fields for a healing remedy for each of these types, and he called the first twelve flowers he discovered `The Twelve Healers'. In the course of his research, Dr. Bach had found that the dew collected from a flower in sunlight possessed a special healing quality. Through this discovery, the `sun method' of extraction was developed. Dr. Bach went on to discover twenty six more flower remedies, and the set of thirty eight, plus a composite of five remedies called `Rescue Remedy' make up what is known today as the `Bach Flower Remedies'. Today, the work of Dr. Bach continues to serve as an inspiration and guide to many who work in this field. DR. BACH'S EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF DISEASE Dr. Bach recognized that disease is a physical reflection of a lack of ease or dis-ease within us, a sign of disharmony between our inner (or spiritual) self and our emotions and attitudes towards life (our personality expression). He taught that the cause of disease often lies in negative emotional states such as fear, depression, guilt and anxiety, in rigid and selfish attitudes, and in the failure to express our true `self' and purpose in life. Dr. Bach's approach was to treat the patient's temperament and mood rather than the bodily symptoms. His famous saying was: `Treat the patient, not the disease, the cause, not the effect'.

5 MAKING AN ESSENCE Items Needed: Thin glass or crystal bowl (not cut glass or oven-proof) Glass funnel Filter paper Tweezers (I use chop sticks) Amber bottles to store the essence Natural, non-carbonated, spring water Brandy (or ACV) The bowl, funnel, tweezers and storage bottle need to be sterilized beforehand by gently boiling for 20 minutes. Then wrap all items in a clean cloth. Half fill the bottle with brandy, put on the cap and label it with the name of the Remedy to be prepared and Mother Tincture. The Method: *You are now ready to make the remedy. Choose a cloudless, sunny morning. Take the bowl and water to the spot where the flowers are growing. Place the bowl on the ground near the flowering plants, away from any tall grasses, bushes or trees which might cast a shadow over the bowl as the sun travels across the sky. *Fill the bowl to the brim with the spring water. Select flowers that are in perfect bloom and from several different plants or trees, if possible. Pick the flower-heads just below the calyx, or the flowering spikes. *Float the flowers on the surface of the water and continue until the whole surface is thickly covered, overlapping the flowers, but making sure that each touches the water. Avoid casting a shadow over the bowl as you do this, or touching the water with your fingers. *Make a note of the time and leave the bowl in full sunshine for three hours. If the sun becomes clouded during this time, the remedy should be abandoned. *At the end of the three hours, you should see tiny fizzy-looking bubbles in the water. This means that the water has been potentized with the essence of the flower. Remove the flowers with the tweezers or a stalk from the plant you are preparing, again making sure not to touch the water with your fingers. *Fold the filter paper. You may remember this from school science lessons, and place it inside the funnel and put the funnel into the bottle with the brandy. Pour the now vitalized water gently into the funnel. This takes time, because the filter paper slows things down. Then put the cap on securely and store in a dark, cool place, such as a cupboard. *This Mother Tincture will keep its strength indefinitely, because unlike herbal preparations, flower essences don't contain any chemical plant substances, so there is nothing in them that can deteriorate over time. Now, this essence will need two further dilutions before it can be used as a medicine.

6 MAKING A STOCK BOTTLE The STOCK strength essence is the strength that practitioners use, and from this we make the DOSAGE strength remedy, or the ready-to-take medicine. This dosage strength remedy is what you will most often find on a Health Food Shop shelf. To make the stock essence, take a 15ml bottle and half fill it with brandy. Then top it up with spring water. Next add two Drops from the Mother Tincture. Cap the bottle and shake very gently to mix. Label the bottle with the name of the flower and indicate that it is a stock strength essence. HOW TO PREPARE A REMEDY To prepare the medicine, select the required stock-strength essences. Up to six may be included in a remedy bottle. Take a sterilized 1 ounce amber Dropper bottle. (Sterilize by pouring boiling water into it.) Almost fill it with natural spring water. Add one teaspoon of brandy to act as a preservative. (If alcohol sensitive you may us apple cider vinegar.) Place 2 Drops from each of the chosen stock concentrates into the bottle. Make sure that the Droppers do not touch anything. Replace the Droppers immediately, being careful not to mix them up. Label the remedy bottle and shake gently a few times to activate the essences. ADVICE FROM A TROUT Don t give up without a fight. ADVICE FROM A FLAMINGO Don t be afraid to get your feet wet. ADVICE FROM A VOLCANO Stay active! ADVICE FROM AN OTTER Take time to play!