Echinacea, a revered plant ally to call upon
[Plant Archetypes] In the face of shattering abuse, cultivating core wholeness
While physical assault is “crude” and tragically does happen to many, verbal assault and abuse has long become the attack of choice, and to this day, is rarely called for what it is. To evolve from the endless repetition of inflicting cruelty, as humans we need to recognize and call it for what it is: verbal abuse.
By acknowledging verbal abuse in our history, and in our own shadow, we can contribute to a major healing that is needed on an individual, intergenerational and collective level.
Intense accusations, charged verbal threats, verbal assault, gaslighting - are forms of abuse - that have a shattering effect on the psyche of human beings and create lasting damage in its accumulation.
While taking this in, contemplate the Echinacea
A native of the prairies in the North American continent, a long term cherished companion of humans, Echinacea Echinacea purpurea is a remarkable perennial in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) botanical family.
For this reflection, I am calling upon Echinacea Echinacea purpurea as a teacher, invoking its wisdom as present on this land. I invite you to align with its multidimensional Archetype, feel its structural force, its resilience and sanity!
Abuse is shattering on multiple levels
Most of us know how this feels: I remember my mother shouting at me when I was a little kid: “you are mean and no one will ever love you”. To this day, I can feel the dread in my heart. This has marked my life and has required years of healing.
The habit of “inflicting” this kind of “pain” runs in families. And sadly, we often (and compulsively) tend to repeat these patterns inter-generationally.
Many of us received abusive attacks, in the form of intense accusations defining who we are in demeaning ways. The charge that comes with it marks our lives, as it hurts and shatters our developing sense of self. Further along in time, shattered parts within ourselves may unconsciously feel compelled to throw this out onto others. It is in this way that abuse is replicated, on and on, through generations.
Personally, I choose to be part of transmuting this endless cycle.
Witnessing abuse is also shattering
Standing by as witnesses of this kind of abuse is shattering for all involved: the intensity of these attacks sends shockwaves that resound right into everyone’s heart.
Over the decades, I have worked with people who had to bear witness, oftentimes as small kids, to beatings and also verbal abuse within their families. In clear ways, I have seen the effects this has had, on the long term, for both their emotional health as well as their physical health. Verbal abuse is shattering and pervasive.
Furthermore, repeated experiences of abuse makes it very difficult for one to know how to hold and sustain healthy boundaries. Early on, standing for oneself may have caused even more suffering, so oftentimes, one’s survival response can be one of freezing or fawning. This is how people are silenced by bullies.
Do you have memories of this in your own life?
This kind of abuse can come in the form of what we now call bullying, with direct or indirect threats, and it can also show up in underhanded and more covert ways.
Recognizing and validating the shattering effects of abuse, calling it for what it is, AND working on our own tendencies to repeat these patterns, promoting deep healing, can help us break the repetitive cycle of inflicting cruelty.
Rebuilding integrity and wholeness
“The Echinacea purpurea is a bright majestic presence in our high summer garden. Also known as purple coneflower, its cone-shaped flower head is visually striking, with its strong bristle-like structure, accompanied by soft magenta flowers. The amazing fortitude and cohesive organization of this plant is key to understanding its healing qualities.”
by Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, founders of the Flower Essence Society
In his inspiring book “Iwígara”, ethnobotanist Enrique Salmón wrote:
"Echinacea has been widely used medicinally and as an item of trade amongst American Indians from coast to coast. It is thought to be a powerful spirit medicine... The Navajo consider Echinacea to be a life medicine… used at certain times for specific ritual healings.”
Echinacea for rebuilding a healthy sense of Self
Richard Katz, a most inspiring teacher of Plant Observation, in his essay on Echinacea helps us understand its plant signature in ways we can really “get it”. In other articles, Richard expands on its flower essence application.
As a result of years of feedback on its use by practitioners around the world, these general qualities have been attributed to its FES flower essence:
Positive qualities: Core integrity and immunity, maintaining a strong sense of Self, especially when challenged by stress or disease
Patterns of imbalance: Shattered by severe trauma or abuse; physical or emotional disintegration of Self Identity; poor immune function; vacant presence
Cynthia Athina Kemp Scherer, in her Alchemy of the Desert digital book, shares extensively on the application of the essence that she calls Bright Star, prepared from the same species of flower, the Echinacea purpurea.
Bright Star is indicated when we are unable to say “No” to an entangling situation or person. It helps us have healthy boundaries by trusting that we deserve what we want.
Echinacea and Conscious aligning to true Self
Herbalist Deb Soule also makes its flower essence, and capitalizes the Keyword CONSCIOUSNESS in its flower essence description:
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) represents CONSCIOUSNESS. She stimulates & awakens your consciousness, helping break up and release outdated personal stories, emotions & attachments that are holding you back from positive growth and self-realization, & awakening awareness of your true self when you have lost connection.
So much healing is needed for us to evolve as a species, in the ways we relate and treat one another. May Plant Intelligence be a source of transformative wisdom for us all.
Align with Echinacea through this guided journey
Immerse yourself in a Guided Journey on Echinacea that has been part of one of our recent Open Circles. Read about our Open Circles and come join us for more.
Part of the Yarrow Environmental Solution
The Echinacea flower essence is a core part of the Yarrow Environmental Solution. This combination brings relief for most of us who are sensitive, resonant and attuned individuals. It can be freely used, on a daily basis, during the times we are living.
It is also part of the Magenta Self Healer Formula.
I am so excited to see the echinaceas and their big bellies this summer in here in the southeast ☺️ I keep the Yarrow Environmental Solutions flower Essence formula in my work bag whenever I have to attend a training or conference. Working in the field of early childhood, trauma comes up quite a bit in discussions.
I loved this post! Echinacea is so stately and kind upon meeting her. I didn’t realize the power to restore one’s confidence and self love, when the small child inside of us still needs healing from harsh words that may have been said to us in the past. Just beautiful.