The Magic of Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot Sun Essence
So for the last few weeks I have been working with Coltsfoot. It appeared all over our garden this year probably because of extra damp. However - I love how sometimes plants appear when needed. It’s a remedy for persistent coughs, not used so much these days because of the concern over alkaloids and liver damage but it’s an age old remedy, and Culpepper speaks of it with reverence. (Just spotted Ground Ivy everywhere too, also a respiratory lung healer)
But - with Coltsfoot my instinct was not to use it as a syrup or a tea or to smoke it (as some do) but to make a flower essence.
I made the essence at Equinox - before and since then I have been drawing and meditating with it. It’s like a mini sun - and that was the feeling of the effect. To awaken your inner sun. I felt an exceptional link to the heart and the pineal gland, our inner sensory organ for light. While there are many scientific, spiritual, biological and metaphysical functions or associations to this ‘third eye’ - I am only describing my inner sense for what this flower brought me.
On some level I write all this with trepidation, not wanting to fantasise or feed any esoteric existential dialogue around the Corona virus. And, not wanting to appear too cosmically orientated when actually my belly is fully on the Earth right now, and logic and practicalities and action are important. But my heart lies with my own instincts and powers of observation and investigation. I trust that - and only share it if it touches anyone else, or someone feels something resonate.
So here goes…
It felt like it showed me that in the sun there are beings of light, ancestors and older beings that are really there, like angels (I told you I was going to get cosmic!) It illuminated this place in the middle of the brain, and like an electric switch it meant the spirit-self was on, light was on - and in that, an automatic surrender to bring everything to the heart. But it was also as if there was a molten golden honey now inside - warming, connecting, peace-bringing despite fears and anguish around people suffering.
When I made the essence so many bees were around and I felt it should be accompanied by some beautiful pieces of Mexican amber which is actually something like sunshine from the resin of trees from thousands of years ago.
In looking up Amber’s properties just now, it actually has electrostatic qualities to it. The Classical Latin/Greek names electrum and ēlektron, are obviously connected to “electron” and also a term ēlektōr meaning "beaming sun”. And apparently, in Chinese remedies it’s used to tranquillise the mind (more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber)
The pictures I made also show a connection to a beaming sun. And this is the main feeling from the plant (aside from my cosmic reflections).
Now (today, 7th April) this sunshine flower is in its full moon stage, with the seed heads forming (like fluffy white crowns, like small soft dandelions) It’s now, I feel I can write about it and also release the essence out if anybody would like one.
To summarise what this essence brings is qualities of:
Warmth, healing, wisdom - it feels protective and cheerful
Light to your emotional core - and helps you adapt to the grief, deaths, the passage of fear and circumstances of change
Lets you feel you are in company, and that those passing over, are also not alone
Reminds you of your spiritual self, and that if that is kept illuminated, there is balance. You can keep your relationship to nature intact as the force of individual sovereignty and truth
Courage to take action from your instinctive self again, grow food, listen.
Seems all quite logically relevant for now, but it’s been a beautiful journey with this plant.
Final essences were made today on this full moon 7th April 2020.
I got up at 5am, the moon was so bright and the sun was also up - it was definitely beautiful to feel the Earth and be alive - deep gratitude for this in the knowledge of other states of being.
If anybody would like to try this essence please contact me directly - you can see it on the flower healing page. Our house is virus free and I made the essences with gloves on in sterile conditions as much as is possible, but I have to put a disclaimer in as uncomfortable as it might be!
Eleanor - artsbotanical@gmail.com
