When Joni Mitchell sang, "We are stardust..." she was being factual as well as poetic. Every element on earth, except for the lightest, was created in the heart of some massive star. Quantum physics has shown us that we are all interconnected. The more we tune into the earth and our natural rhythms, the more we notice how we are affected by planetary changes and the more we need to use natural planetary resources to bring ourselves into balance.

Flowers and crystals absorb energies and frequencies from the whole of the cosmos, so as we take them we become more attuned to the movements of the moon and sun and other planetary cycles. Our forebears knew how to use the positions of the planets to assist them with planting and growing so they got the best results with their crops. In the same way essence practitioners will make essences at specific times to harness particular energy.

If we look at how we have named flowers and crystals it can tell us so much about the energy we knew they contained. Sunflower for example, is particularly responsive to the sun, turning its face to gain maximum exposure to its rays. This essence is physically helpful for sunburn and heat exhaustion when we've taken in too much of the sun's energy. Emotionally it helps with father issues, where we our yang energy is out of balance. We may either 'puff ourselves up' to hide our insecurity or feel unable to step into our masculine power .

Moonstone works with mother issues and yang energy. It helps us attune to our biorythmic clock, easing PMT, menstrual and pelvic difficulties and mood swings. The yin energy of Moonstone calms too much aggressive yang energy, putting us in touch with our intuition and empathy. It opens our brow and crown chakras so we become aware of serendipity, synchronicity and dream messages. Physically it release trauma held in the upper digestive tract and draws old patterns out of our solar plexus for healing and release.

Starflower gives us the courage to stand up for ourselves; to move out of situations which no longer serve us and to move on. It gives us a sense of our own natural movement in space.

Star of Bethlehem, pictured above, is the Bach Flower remedy for trauma and shock. Although Bach flower remedies normally work on the conscious level, this flower is the only one to work on past life and cellular memory. This enables us to go back to a time when we knew we 'came from the stars' and when we lived in a way that reflected the cycles of the earth and other planets.

This month experienced astrologer Pam Carruthers is offering a Flower and Gem essence report. She can base this on either the Western or Sidereal (Vedic) system of astrology. Just tell her which you'd prefer.
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If you'd like to discuss a consultation or any other kind of soul support, just call 01273 77 33 24 on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) are a group of powerful processes that can help you achieve genuine freedom from the emotional patterning that often leads to problems and suffering. Judy Byrne is an EFT master, one of only 29 in the world. She has used these techniques successfully with people with a broad range of difficulties.

During this workshop you'll learn how EFT can help you explore and achieve your personal wellness goals. It will cover:

Alternatives now have great podcasts of all your favourite speakers including:

Do you fancy Salsa in Cuba, Lindy Hop in New York or Tango in Buenos Aires? It's all available at Dance Holidays. A great way to express yourself, get fit and have fun - make this the year you kick off your flip flops and get in touch with your body's rhythms.

The Power of Perseverance
Many of you enjoyed Jackie Stewart's flower photo journal last month. There's a new flower each day with its healing message, perfectly in time with nature's rythmns.

This month you can see a hilarious photo of Jackie here 'undercover' showing true Taurean perseverance on a photo course near Preston. Even in pelting rain she was going to Get That Shot! Jay Smalley, the photography tutor, has his own wonderful photo journal you can view online at the link below.

An Essence for Rebirth
One of my favourite tree photographs was Jay's photo of sycamore which perfectly captures its spirit. Trees which grow steadily and slowly over generations make wonderful healing essences which work at our very core.

Sycamore's message, according to Findhorn Essences, is:

"You feel my light radiating from my centre like the rays of the sun warming, illuminating, revealing. I bring strength when the soul has become worn by effort over time, when the tides of life have worn away the rough edges to a smooth finish, but you feel as though there is nought left but the mass of concentrated being. Then I come to uplift you. The old has been left behind. The new is unrecognisable and here's the key - to find the essence of what remains and infuse it with the will of the self so that the new emergence will blossom and flow out of the remains of the old. This quality is softness. Softness with the firm tenacity of soul guiding. Smoothness with the knowledge of what has been smoothed, the labour of love which has rounded out the being to something of beauty and wholeness. My keynote is softness and I strive for flexibility - to be open and flowing in the river of light and love which is God in the body of man."

My favourite amongst Jay's photographs is entitled The Absolutely Perfect Garden Chair See what you think!

With thanks and acknowledgement to:

April Offer - Dandelion reduced by 25%

When we experience life as a work of art, the process of creating becomes part of our conscious, ongoing human development.

Enthusiasm for life can be accessed more easily through artistic work than through most other activities and is instrumental in finding health, purpose, self-esteem and fulfillment.

Healing can occur when we take the responsibility for our creation, accepting it and appreciating it unconditionally. One of the main goals of this training is to develop and refine artistic skills which cultivate and express the above qualities.

I thought you'd enjoy this slideshow reminding us just how beautiful Nature is and if you don't go 'Aaah' at the baby bear then you need some Heart Chakra essence!

Diana will share why 2012 is so important, the opportunities offered during the cosmic moments in 2011 and 2012 and what is forecast to happen worldwide in the following 20 years.

Unicorns are wondrous seventh dimensional creatures from the angelic realms, who are returning to Earth now to help us accelerate our spiritual growth for these years ahead. Based on her new book The Wonder of Unicorns Diana will explain who they are, why they are here now, how they can support your visions, transform your life and assist your ascension. You will experience a heart expanding journey to connect with your unicorn and travel with him to the unicorn kingdom to receive special gifts and untold blessings.

Diana will also help you to interact with some new and extraordinary Orb pictures which will open you to expanded enlightenment. This promises to be a magical evening.

With the necessary breakdown of financial structures and the cleansing of our governmental system many of us feel that we're living a chaotic world with no clear reference points.

What's happening is similar to the moment when the caterpillar dissolves to become a butterfly - for a while it is neither one thing nor the other. We know the old no longer exists but we cannot yet see the new structure to come.

At such times it's important to protect yourself from outside influences and stay centred. Listen to inner rather than outer guidance and notice if it's coming from fear or love. There are many ways we can strengthen our protection and you'll find some in the Energy Shop below.

"I can see clearly now, the brain has gone"."
Anon

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Nikki is a graduate of the College of Vibrational Medicine which is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine. She's also a qualified Gaia Healer and is passionate about empowering people. If you'd like to invite her to give a talk, interview or submit a quote or article, please contact her on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.

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In Gratitude