Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz in Spanish.
The definitive work on 103 FES North American flower essences and 39 flower remedies of Dr. Edward Bach, written by FES co-directors Richard Katz and Patricia Kaminski. Contains a very brief overview of flower essence theory and practice; flower essences categorized by soul issues as an aid in essence selection; and in-depth descriptions of each remedy.
This spiral-bound reprint is comprised of Parts II and III of the most recent publication and includes a listing of essences and their qualities arranged by a wide range of categories; and profiles of the 142 English and North American flower essences. The Repertory has received praise from experienced practitioners as well as beginning students of flower essence therapy, as the clearest, most informative guide to flower essence selection and use.
The Flower Essence Repertory contains over 3200 entries, grouped according to basic soul issues, situations, and age or population groups that share common themes. This feature includes a broad range of topics, but it should not be viewed as an exhaustive compendium. It would hardly be possible to capture the countless subtle states of consciousness associated with flower essences, requiring a book not unlike a dictionary or encyclopedia. Instead, the Repertory is intended to survey general categories that can be considered in a practical yet creative manner to assist flower essence selection. The first step in using the Repertory is to identify the major soul issues through counseling and self-reflection. During a client interview, it can be helpful to jot down key words or phrases used by the client and impressions of gestures and voice qualities, which give clues to important emotional issues.
The next step is to look under each appropriate listing on the main page to find the descriptions of specific soul issues and corresponding flower essences within that category. This should be done with an attitude of exploration and dialogue. "Is it a fear of things that are known (Mimulus) or unknown (Aspen)? Is it a fear of the hostility of others (Oregon Grape), or a fear that one's own powerful emotions may erupt (Scarlet Monkeyflower)?" These inquiries can be part of the questioning process used to select essences for another person, and can help elicit further conversation and insights. As the essence choice is narrowed down, such questions can help confirm the accuracy of the selection.
Note that some entries address the negative state of mind, some the transformed state that is the goal, and some include both polarities. It is important that we become familiar with the bipolar nature of flower essences: both the state of imbalance and the positive or transformative potential. In selecting appropriate essences they may start with the positive goal, and then uncover the emotional or mental pattern that blocks this purpose. Alternatively, they may start with the client's pattern of imbalance or suffering, and then determine the positive quality that needs to be developed. Therefore, the category listings are a mixture of both positive and negative indications for the essences.
Consider each statement and evaluate whether it is appropriate. If a description seems close, but not totally applicable to the situation, make note of it anyway. You may find another interpretation of the essence's qualities that seems more suitable. As you survey the various categories related to the main soul issues, note any essences that appear in several listings. These may be important ones to consider. Study also the related categories cross-referenced in the listings you check, marked as "See also..." You may find other appropriate essences, or new perspectives on essences you are considering. Be aware of the various kinds of categories: emotional and mental states (Anger, Clarity), situations (Emergency, Study), conditions (Alcoholism, Eating Disorders), themes (Materialism, Personal Relationships), practices (Massage, Meditation), populations (Animals, Children), or stages of life (Adolescence, Aging). Browsing the listings on the main page can assist you in locating appropriate categories.
After selecting an essence for consideration, consult the linked essence page for a succinct summary of the positive qualities and patterns of imbalance of each essence. This is particularly helpful if the entry read on the category page indicated only the positive or negative side of the polarity. Next, there is a listing of all of the categories under which that essence is listed. These cross-references can be helpful in understanding further applications of the essence, or may suggest related issues to consider. This can lead to a study of new categories, possibly revealing essences that can complement the selection. In this way the essence pages and category pages can be used reciprocally to create a more accurate selection.
About the Author
Richard Katz and Patricia Kaminski are married and professional partners and the owners of Flower Essence Services, founded in 1979. Since 1980 they have also directed the Flower Essence Society, part of the non-profit educational and research organization Earth-Spirit, Inc. Through the Society they have organized and inspired many educational, research, and publishing efforts throughout the world. The Society is in touch with an estimated 60,000 active practitioners in approximately 50 countries who use flower essence therapy in their healing work. Richard and Patricia are authors of numerous articles and books about flower essences, including the best-selling Flower Essence Repertory, now in its fifth edition and translated into seven different languages around the world. Richard and Patricia have traveled extensively, giving seminars throughout the world on flower essence therapy. They also sponsor classes and practitioner certification training programs at Terra Flora, their 17-acre biodynamic garden and wildlife sanctuary in the northern Sierra foothills of Nevada City, California.
Richard's early background is in mathematics and physical science. He was awarded a scholarship to attend Brown University's mathematics program. His considerable questions about the nature of science and scientific research then led him to a deeper study of the human being, and he completed a psychology major at California State University at Sonoma in 1974. He went on to study widely in several different apprenticeship programs in the fields of herbology, plant science, and meditation. All of these various strands of knowledge culminated in his research of flower essence therapy as a "living science of Nature," requiring an accurate understanding of subtle qualities of plants, and also of the mental and emotional realms human being. After working extensively with the original English repertory of Dr. Bach, Richard went on to pioneer, since 1978, the development of flower remedies from North American plants, which are now recognized and used throughout the world. He specializes in FES botanical studies, and photographs many of the FES flowers.
Patricia's love for plants and animals began during childhood, where she was raised on a prairie farm in central Nebraska. At the University of Nebraska she helped design and major in the first Women's Studies Program, and helped found a unique counseling center for woman students at the University of Nebraska. She went on from there to be active in many areas of teaching, social service, and community organizing. She first discovered the remarkable effectiveness of the English flower remedies in helping children with learning problems such as dyslexia, and then in a counseling program for juvenile offenders. She has studied widely in the fields of teaching, healing, and plant science, including Waldorf education and Goethean plant science. She has worked actively as a flower essence teacher and counselor, and has been instrumental in designing and administrating the Society's research and practitioner training programs, and editing the FES Members' Newsletter. She has also a book Flowers that Heal which provides an in-depth understanding of flower essence therapeutic principles.