On July 10, 2008, after much earlier deliberation with my board members of the astrological group in which (don't ask) I have been the reluctant "Prez," I called the national group's representative (who happens to over time become a good friend of mine) to tell her that our group is "dis-engaging" from the national one, due to the fact that it has been a total struggle to meet requirements, and it has now gotten so hard to do so that it is just better if we continue our group without the national affiliation. That night, we had a heck of a wind-storm, and the Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) managed to have one of its larger branches come crashing down. I didn't discover it until the next day, after I called one of my best clients to wish him a happy solar return (birthday). Interestingly, he also had a similar experience, as he was leaving his employer to go solo himself!

I gave the tree Reiki - however, this time - the tree "told" me to make an essence with it. Amongst other things that it told me, it said that it was to be used for types of people who have much responsibility, as it would help them with it - and reading "Elm" with Dr. Bach's essences matches that pretty well. However, it also told me it was to help those carrying inappropriate responsibility to not only recognize it, but to release it back to appropriate sources. The tree had directed me to not only use the leaves from the large fallen branch, but also the leaves from the standing, living tree - and also some leaves from the new growth at the base of the tree, to give a very "rounded" essence. I "saw" my square glass bowl (like with the Dandelion essence) instead of the round one that I normally use, and my pendulum told me to start it on the Saturn Hour, which was getting close to the sunsetting time - so I knew the sunlight had nothing to do with making this essence. I allowed it to sit for a full 24 hours - and when I picked it up to process, there were ants around it (yet another Saturn element).

When looking up Elm in my magically-based books, not only did I learn it was ruled by Saturn (which explains the whole responsibility thing), but I was reminded that Elves were have considered to live in Elm Trees. I then decided to look at the Latin name, Ulmus pumila - and I learned that pumila means "Dwarf" - so this essence has a Dwarf energy as well! In thinking about how the Elves and Dwarves are portrayed in the Legendarium, I could see how this essence could be of use to those of us who are drawn to, or work with, those energies! In a way, I also consider the Siberian Elm "Branch-Fall" one to be my first "environmental" essence hehehe! Thanks for reading!

(Coming Later - a complete list of the Flower Essences made so far - there are 18 at last count!)