Aspen:
For Things That Go Bump in the Night

The Bach Flower Essences Aspen and Mimulus are often confused. Both relate to fear, but Mimulus is recommended for known fears. Jane is afraid to fly; thus, she needs Mimulus (and possibly, Rescue Essence, as well). Frank fears getting old; he also needs Mimulus.

Aspen is for unknown fears: a vague apprehension, or a feeling of general anxiety. It is often said that people who need Aspen are more aware of subtle energy levels, or energy emanating from other planes. It's my feeling, though, that the problem isn't so much the higher (or deeper) level of awareness as a mistrust of information which comes from sources other than the accepted senses.

To expand on this, I believe that we are all psychic, but that most of us, often at an early age, have learned to inhibit or shut down this capacity altogether. Thus, when a strong intuition partially breaks through our resistance we react with fear.

One area of life in which our psychic senses have a better chance of manifesting is in our dreams. When we resist our dreams they often break through in the form of nightmares, and Aspen is the Essence of choice for nightmares, fear of going to sleep, or fear of the dark. It is particularly helpful for children.

One way of describing Aspen's sphere of influence would be to say that it is helpful in dealing with all fears relating to nonphysical matters. In addition to those subjects already mentioned, this would include as well fear of occult phemonena or of non-traditional religions or belief systems.

Also, for those who believe they're suffering from a known fear, but find no relief with Mimulus, it may be helpful to take Aspen, for even when one experiences a known fear, there may be an unknown fear behind it.

In taking Aspen one finds oneself comfortable with insight and intuition, able to appreciate and learn from dreams, and more deeply connected to the Soul, which is fearless.

Aspen and Taurus

Taurus, is on the appearance of things, the most deeply Earth-rooted of signs, comfortable in physical existence and appreciative of physical pleasures. The other side of Taurus, though, is often a deep suspicion and fear of metaphysics, the occult, and any area which seems not immediately connected to the earth plane.

See our article on Emerald, a crystal related to Taurus.

Aspen can re-balance the Taurean. Though it will take away none of this sign's enjoyment of the physical plane, it can help Taurus to reach for the stars.

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Willow:
The Blame Game

"It's not my fault," is perhaps the most common defense made by a child accused of some wrongdoing. Another common, and related, defense is to blame whatever happened on someone else.

Children learn to do this because it is so painful to feel the withdrawal of their parents' love and to bear the weight of their disapproval - and often punishment. The more often they divert blame from themselves to someone else the more likely they are to begin to believe that it's true.

As adults, we may use the same strategy. He's late for work? It's not because he overslept. The subway broke down. She lost her job? It wasn't because she spent half her time there on the telephone. The boss had it in for her from the beginning.

When such strategies become a way of life, when the happiness of others is resented, when one begins to believe that the world itself has it in for her/him, an individual is in the state called by Bach Flower Practitioners Willow.

Unlike Holly people, who also feel that life is unjust, but are quite vocal about their discontent, Willow people simmer in their resentment. They may be critical in subtle ways, but rarely explode. Thus, whereas those in the Holly condition may have occasional release from their negativity, Willow's bitterness is perpetual.

Over time Willow people increasingly see the world through the veil of their negativity, and, as a result their ability to see any positive aspects to their lives diminishes.

Accentuate the Positive

Although the severe form of negative Willow is no more common than other conditions, it is quite common as a partial condition, one area of life which resists growth.

There are people who are successful in their careers, are prosperous, and creative, but they can't seem to find a life partner.

They say," All the good men/women are taken," or "I won't lower my standards" or "No one knows the meaning of commitment any more." They prefer not to be around happy couples.

I have heard spiritually-oriented people say, "I couldn't help doing that; it's something from a past life."

Whether Willow is a complete or a partial condition, the individual is seeing things through the filter that change and improvement is impossible. This filter distorts not only the outer reality, but the inner truth that to some degree the individual has avoided taking responsibility.

It can be a healing recognition to realize that even in the simple statement, "I can" there can be a feeling of empowerment which begins to dissolve the veil. When they are truly committed to change they can take heart in the realization that the ability to be responsible is one of the greatest human gifts. To be responsible is to have power, the ability to change one's life, to realize one's dreams.

With the Willow Flower Essence one can feel a new flowering of consciousness. Just as the graceful willow tree provides a source of golden color during the drab days of winter, so in the darkness of a victim's soul the Willow Flower Essence sheds light.

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