Cornish Wellessence Blog |
Wherever we find our special place in nature we feel refreshed. Our vibrational selves resonate with elements of Mother Earth held deeply in our hearts and souls. Colours and smells, sights of birds flying or in trees, trees flowering, steep breathless hills and streams all connect our memory to a sense of time and place. You may say: “I’m a mountain person” or “I feel at my best beside the sea”, perhaps associating this with actual physical experience or from an evocative image giving you a surge of positive well-being. In Cornwall we say that Cornishmen and women are always drawn back to their roots. Lots of houses have names like ‘Kalgoorlie’, brought back by our mining forefathers from working in Australia. The land itself calls us back, its vibration existing in every atom of our physical and emotional being. Being essence practitioners and producers, we intrinsically know that, as part of a vibrational universe, our physical and emotional bodies respond to imbalances in our energy fields, and that we have flower and vibrational essences to help us rebalance ourselves. Interestingly, intuitively, people visit ancient sites all over the country and feel better for it. In Cornwall, St. Michael’s Mount is a vibrationally powerful place. It is the most visited National Trust property in England and has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years. Monastic life was built over Neolithic dwellings, which were populated where four ley lines cross. St. Gothian’s Sands, close by Godrevy Beach, draws people all year round. Few realise that this is one of the sites where the first missionaries of Celtic Christianity landed, and that St. Gothian’s Chapel is hidden under the sands amid the remains of ancient huts, and its flowing spring holds the vibrating echoes of pilgrimage and healing. Cornish Connections When our ancestors arrived they walked across land bridges and plains, travelling to all corners and establishing their custody of the land. They made their primal connection with spirits of the landscape and shore and built round-houses on Cornish tors (hills), always close to a water source. Water was venerated as a constant in these precarious pagan times, and it can be imagined how rites of passage would play out, as important life moments were reflected in this flow from source. Cornwall is known for the saints, missionaries, that landed in coastal areas, bringing their passionate belief in a type of Celtic Christianity that was an amalgamation of Roman, Jewish, Coptic and Egyptian Christian traditions, taking influences from trade routes through Gaul, Northern Spain and Greece. High-born families sent their sons and daughters to monasteries for a good education, and some became monks and nuns. These emissaries travelled from Ireland and Wales to places like Cornwall. In West Cornwall saints landed in St. Ives Bay at the Hayle Estuary and St. Gothian’s Sands. Those that weren’t massacred by local chieftains settled throughout the west and their names are linked with the mediaeval churches that remain as sentinels on the horizon. They adopted the sacred waters of our pagan ancestors as they built these churches close by. The new religion became integrated with the accepted ceremonial role of springs and wells, these ‘holy wells’ then honouring the sacred spirit of the place. My Cornish Holy Well Essences Journey Just as we are all drawn to our own refreshing vibrational place, Cornish Holy Well Essences reflect my resonant connection with the fabric of West Cornwall, my revitalizing landscape. Teenage angst was salved with hugging the odd standing stone, and when I could drive, I was drawn to visiting stone circles and holy wells. My essence journey started after visiting Sancreed Well, where I felt I was given a message: “You’ve got to make essences here!” What was that all about? I’d used Bach essences, but never considered making an essence. I had to find out more. Studying with Sue Lilly of Mandala Complementary Studies helped me become an advanced practitioner, during which time I started to make essences at holy wells and sacred springs. By coming to the Gathering I met other enthusiastic essence people who inspired me to work with the naiads, light beings and spirit guides who wanted to be involved with making these new essences. It sounds instant, but it took ten years to bring Cornish Holy Well Essences out into the world. This set of essences reflects our ‘shared knowledge through experience’. Cornish Holy Well Essences Essences are co-created at the Cornish Holy Wells and sacred springs by me and those energetic beings who choose to take part in each ceremony. The combined energy signature is captured in a mother essence. No well water is used as it is hard to know if the wells have been contaminated by animals visiting them. Each essence stands alone, and yet as a set, the Essences honour the stage you are at in life, and the factors which may be affecting you at this time. Using the whole set can take you on a deep journey, whenever you feel in need of insight into your personal situation. For a life reading you select essences from four distinct Signifiers, which designate the focus of your enquiry. Four Aspect essences reflect the factors influencing your enquiry. The two Lodestone Essences are the protectors on your journey. Using the set you can select a combination essence, from a Signifier, two Aspects and the Lodestones. Each set also includes unique selection tools: The Voyage Compass map and selection cards. Each box set has a hand-crafted interior and also includes a clear quartz crystal to continually refresh the energy of the essences. The circular part of the label design is the ordinance survey map symbol for a well. An Essence Selection for Now I went to my set of Cornish Holy Well Essences and dowsed. What came out was surprising but aligned with our communal story. Stellar-Well: Axis (Sancreed Well) This signifier essence encourages us to step into the Universe to see things from different perspectives, from outside of both our physical selves and emotional selves. The aim is to gain distance from our habitual rational thinking, which enables us to look at issues from different angles and get perspective on who we are, so that we can reposition ourselves in a more favourable place. Ask yourself: “what axis do I live by?” Dictionary definitions describe this as ‘a fixed reference point for the measurement of coordinates.’ If you were to do a mind map of where you are at present would you be at a fixed point? Has this changed? Would you like it to be different? Allow yourself to envisage something new; open the window and let in fresh air, light, hope and inspiration. Sancreed Well is stepped deeply down into the earth. Phosphorescent mosses grow on its side and sound disappears, giving a feeling of timelessness. The essence was made by placing the mother essence blend on a dowsed spot beside the well. Joining me were the guardian of the well, the naiad, and interdimensional light beings. The energy shared was instantaneous – the qualities of the essence created to help us travel outside of our idea of ourselves, and to identify our true potentials. Sing-well: Celebrate (Lower Boscaswell Well) This is an Aspect essence, and it renews our hopes and dreams and reminds us to celebrate all aspects of this physical life, to ‘sing’ it out. There is a strong feeling of being at the heart of the ancestral community here at this well. Its proximity to the coast may connect with the beliefs of our ancestors in the power of the sea. As you sit beside the well, the lightness and vibrancy of this place makes you feel as though you are caught in a song. Celebrations and ceremonies centred in part on important events like baptism, betrothals, weddings and hopes for the future. The cycles of the Celtic year could have been played out here between the land and the sea. Steer-well: Direction (Giant’s Well) This is one of my Lodestone essences. Situated at the top of Trencrom Hill, from this well you can see the south and west coastlines of West Cornwall with its patchwork of fields and woods laid out before you. The ribbons of roads and lanes are easy to see from this perspective and you can trace your route in many directions. This essence may be appropriate if you feel aground during your voyage and need to see the route clearly, knowing that you have made the right choice for yourself. On your voyage you may find progressing through the different aspects of your reality difficult at times so Steer-well, and its sister essence All-is Well, are the lodestones provided as you traverse the waves. The Combination Essence In guiding us to these three essences, the Cornish Holy Wells are asking us to dare to dream. We should start by celebrating the good things we have in our lives and what is important in our personal narrative. Wherever we feel stuck, we have permission to look outside ourselves, to safely consider if where we are is where we want to be, and, if not, how to work towards changing this. We may have to be honest with ourselves. We are safely held during our search, allowing ourselves time to assimilate thoughts and feelings. Our present is unexpected and has thrown up challenges to our perceptions and expectations. Ralph Waldo Emmerson said, “It’s not about the destination, It’s about the journey.” As with other essences, using Cornish Holy Well Essences balances the positive with the negative aspects which have emerged. We are on the journey and essences can help. As we journey together or alone, we can share an Irish blessing for travellers: “May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind always be at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God grant you always, A sunbeam to warm you, A moonbeam to charm you, A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you. May the Saints protect you, And bless you today, And may troubles ignore you, Each step of the way. God be on your road every way you go.” There are lots of wells and springs, holy and not, in every part of this country, the continents and the world. Honouring these sources, by visiting and spending time in contemplation there, sends ripples of energy throughout the collective connection of the wells, raising their vibration, waking up their healing abilities for us all to access. Visiting your local well or spring will spread a little love for all of us. Thank you. Lesley You can order the selected essences from the shop. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: cornishwellessences Enquiries: [email protected] Article published in Essence Magazine the BFVEA (British Flower and Vibrational Essences Association) quarterly. To find out more about BFVEA and getting their magazine go to: www.bfvea.com References Rees E. (Illustrated by Rees. M) (2000) Celtic Saints – Passionate Wanderers Thames and Hudson. IBSN: 0-500-01989-4 k here to edit. 
0 Comments
Wonderful visit to Alsia Sacred Spring near St. Buryan in Cornwall today. This spring is said to be named by visiting by mariners looking for fresh water, who brought the the name Alsia, via France, from ancient Greece as part of the cult of Mother Nature Demeter. It is full of lush wild plants and a small stream trickles from the well all year round. Today the May Flower Hawthorn trees were glowing at the entrance gate - a cloud of inflorescent white. The Hawthorn tree is associated with May day rituals and goddess worship where the trees were often grown around a sacred place. May flower is said to bring bad luck if picked and brought into the house. My Aunty Tilly once scoulded me as a child after I picked what I thought were lovely branches of white blossoms and wanted to bring them into the house. She wouldn't entertain them crossing the threshold.
When I entered the gate at Alsia and came close to the spring the sounds of the outside world receded so that all I could hear was birdsong and the gentle flow of the spring water trickling from the pool. I felt stillness and calm as I stood next to the well and an amazing feeling of peace. Here is a place that makes you feel you can put aside your restless mind, and just let everything be, at its own pace, in its own time. I've taken that feeling away from me every time I've visited over many years. I've been guided by nature spirits to create flower and vibrational essences at some of the special sites of holy wells and springs in Cornwall and based upon my interpretation at the different places, I've developed the Voyage Holy Well Essence set which may take you to on a personal journey of self discover. Goddess-well from the Voyage Holy Well Essence range is an interpretation of the energy signature at Alsia, focusing on my feelings of being able to find a still place to gain perspective on self and being able to "let it be". The invocation of the goddess relates to the gentle and fruitful surroundings, and the principle of fertility of mind and body coming from a still, calm place within ourselves. As we celebrate May Day the beginning of summer after our Beltane fires, we acknowledge our energy being reignited with the increasing light - all the better from being at a calm, peaceful centre. Beltane blessings, Lesley  Spring is finally here
It has seemed like a long winter even in Cornwall where we get our fair share of sunshine. Finally like the beautiful Peacock butterfly resting in the glowing Blackthorn blossom we are out of the cocoon and enjoying the return of the light and, like hibernating grass snakes, we are basking in the sun and stretching out to capture every revitalising ray. Today do three things to raise your sunshine feelings like: Look up at the sky where ever you are and feel transported by the flow of the clouds. Sit beside a growing plant in your home, office or outside and feel the calm, peaceful energy being shared with you. Give yourself permission to daydream about you favourite outdoor space, be there soaking up the sun, snow or whatever makes you feel good. Feel a bit of cornishwellessence today. Lesley  Did you know that the seasons can make you feel great or less than great? Want to feel revitalised now? Welcome Spring! What a wonderful celebration of nature and regeneration throughout the Cornish countryside. On the 8th May we celebrated the passing of winter and the coming of spring with the ancient Furry Dance at Helston Flora Day. Like the Padstow ‘Obby Orse’, we chase the demons away and encourage fertility of the land and its people. The battle of good versus evil in the Hal an Tow mummer’s play early in the morning stirs up the new energy and the dancers wend their way through cottage and shop to bringing prosperity and renewed vitality to all throughout the day. The emblem worn by Helston residents is Lily of the Valley, gentlemen wearing it on the left, ladies on the right. Lily of the Valley has interesting folklore which mirrors the Hal an Tow story. A medieval Christian legend of the origin of lily of the valley told of Saint Leonard. In A.D. 559, St Leonard asked permission to go live in the woods so he could spend his days among the trees and flowers communing with God. Also living in the wood was a dragon named Temptation, who appeared before St Leonard to try and get him to leave the forest. Leonard was at prayer and did not hear him. When the dragon could not find St. Leonard it went to St. Leonard’s hut and burned it down. When Saint Leonard returned, he fought the dragon in a bloody battle. Wherever the dragon lost a drop of blood, a poisonous weed began to grow. Wherever Saint Leonard's blood fell, a Lily of the Valley appeared. After three days Saint Leonard was finally able to slay the dragon. Much symbolism involves Lily of the Valley. It is considered the sign of Christ's second coming, and is often called Ladder to Heaven or Jacob's tears. The plant is also mentioned in the Song of Solomon in the Bible. Mary's tears’ is yet another name for Lily of the Valley; legend says that when Mary cried at the cross, her tears turned into this flower. It is considered a symbol of purity and humility, sweetness, and renewed happiness. In some areas, lily of the valley was thought to have the power to help men envision a better world Lily of the valley, cultivated for over 400 years, seems to be loved everywhere. Sprigs of the blossoms are worn in the lapel on May Day in France, and it is the national flower of Finland. In Germany and Scandinavian countries, it was thought to be good luck to go to the woods and pick "Virgin's tears" in the spring. Often carried in bridal bouquets, lily of the valley is sometimes considered the "fifth thing" that a bride should carry {right after something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue}. The Dutch carry this a bit further and often plant the pips of lily of the valley in the first garden the couple owns. Each time the plants bloom, year after year, the couple is supposed to celebrate the renewal of their love. Lily of the Valley was Kate’s choice as part of the Royal Wedding bouquet as we can see for all the right reasons.
Lily of the Valley has been used for centuries in herbal medicine to treat a range of disorders including heart problems however it is a poisonous plant which should be respected when growing and handling and should never be eaten.
So how can you capture the wonderful positive energy of Lily of the Valley? Why not make a flower essence? Flower Essences are best known through the work of Edward Bach whose Bach Remedies including the best know “Rescue Remedy” were developed in the early 20th Century and are widely used today for emotional issues. Edward Bach captured the benefits of different plant types through placing some of them in sunlight in spring water for varying lengths of time and preserving their energy signature with Brandy. Through interpreting the shape, height, growing conditions, colour and smell of each flower or tree type, Edward Bach developed the 12 main flower essence remedies which he felt were associated with different character types, followed by 27 others. Using his remedies he worked closely with a variety of people and found that by using the flower essence remedy for a personality type, that person often changed their perspective on life and became happier. Find out more about essences by visiting www.bfvea.co.uk the British Flower and Vibrational Essence Society. I am practitioner member and tutor for BFVEA and regularly run flower essence awareness days and training courses. Check the calendar for the date of the next awareness day. Next time find out how to make a flower essence for home use and more about the Cornish way of life, Lesley Loves Cornwall, you can too x |
AuthorLesley Oates - Cornish Wellessence Founder. Archives
April 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
|
|