Cats do not always show on the surface what they’re going through inside, but they do collect memories and are affected emotionally and otherwise by hard or difficult experiences. Just as stress affects our bodies and lives, cats too are affected physically and otherwise by emotional experience.
Flowers are nature’s expression of confidence in life and love. Their essences can inspire and support your cat in healing and recovering naturally . These are some of the most well known flower energies. I use them alongside herbal extracts and find they help the herbs work better. Please click on the name of a flower to read more about what sort of inspiration and energy it offers cats.
Agrimony
Aspen
Beech
Centaury
Cerato
Cherry Plum
Chestnut Bud
Chicory
Clematis
Crab Apple
Elm
Gentian
Gorse
Heather
Holly
Honeysuckle
Hornbeam
Impatiens
Larch
Mimulus
Mustard
Oak
Olive
Pine
Red Chestnut
Rock Rose
Rock Water
Scleranthus
Star of Bethlehem
Sweet Chestnut
Vervain
Vine
Walnut
Water Violet
White Chestnut
Wild Oat
Wild Rose
Willow
Bach Flower Rescue Remedy is the combination of the energies of 5 flowers that comfort the body by the influence of their presence. The 5 flowers are:
Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Impatiens, Clematis
Agrimony is a flower that is brave in facing what has to be addressed to find release and healing. Its presence in this herbal medicine blend supports the person or animal who has it, in getting over the fear of nasty episodes on the way to healing. Cats love to please us and might acquire from us the wish to maintain the appearance of being well and cheerful always. Agrimony helps the cat let go of the fear of a change in behavior.
Aspen flower is a beautiful energy that is secure in itself and holds its own bliss and faith even when those around might not. For those who are sensitive to gloom and foreboding energies in the surroundings and others around, as our pets often are, perhaps holding on to those even after things have changed because of being in the habit of wanting that everyone moves together towards happiness, Aspen inspires the cat to experience their core well-being of spirit rather than what is being suggested by the experiences of others around.
Beech is a flower that’s calm AND determined. The person or animal who could use the gentle inspiration of Beech is often torn between the strong need to push vehemently and passionately for improvement and perfection and the need to keep calm in the face of lukewarm, complacent or unethusiastic response from others around, or just the fact that the situation is something that takes a long time to resolve. The energetic demands are high and the energy resources seem low. Beech with its resolute calm is excellent company at times like this and that is why it is part of this herbal treatment.
Centaury is a flower that experiences the glory of its beautiful being, holding the awareness that, “The purpose of my Life is glorious and comes first.” Those whose sense of life purpose has been worn down away from their natural being and instincts into becoming the fertile ground of others’ purposes that do not equally give back, could use the rousing presence of Centaury to lift their spirits up and make them want to invest their life energy according to their own life purpose again.
The humble Cerato flower has the beautiful amazing characteristic of being tightly connected up to its core. When this presence comes in touch with us, it inspires us to be connected to our core too. It inspires us to get through our conflicting thought processes, a big chunk of which is advice or influence of others, and be keenly aware of our own natural inclination and intuition. Cerato inspires the cat to go back to instinct rather than habit acquired from those around. This can be very valuable in healing from trauma of any sort as traumatic experience nearly always leaves behind habits that aren’t good for health.
The lovely flower of the Cherry Plum makes a lot out of a little with no fear of lack. It holds the faith, “Whatever I need to do, the energy will flow from deep inside me to do it.” The person or animal who could do with some of this inspiration, is aware of being stretched mighty thin, so thin and frayed that they feel a breakdown or collapse is very near. With time, if nothing changes to make them feel deeply comforted and better again, they start withdrawing and then regretting not going all out to do what they want to do. The sadness seems to go on and on. This herbal treatment supports them not only in recovering and getting back to feeling healing inside and well, but also to overcome the fear of collapse and breakdown so they can fearlessly engage in life again.
A bud gets uncomfortable. As it swells bigger and bigger it has to hold in more and more, getting heavier and heavier. Then when it is fully ready inside, it gets so heavy and full, it simply opens. The Chestnut Bud has this wonderful strength – the forbearance to get ready properly, fill up fully, hold in and wait for the right moment, before launching out into the next phase of its life. It inspires this calm wisdom in those who for whatever reason find it hard to hold energy and purpose right through to fulfillment. For a cat who has developed a habit of being over-adrenalized, or is facing nervous and adrenal exhaustion, Chestnut Bud can help normalize metabolism.
This cheerful dancer of the open fields carries the consciousness of, “All is well with creation.” In this herbal treatment it supports healing by inspiring the release of the fear of short-coming in oneself or loved ones. This dees-set fear is often the result of trauma where the cat felt they lost something precious by not being correct enough so they have decided to make double sure of everything. Even when they don’t think so consciously or show it, they always are keeping back some energy to check on every little detail of everything. Peace of mind is what they need now.
Clematis is a flower with a core that holds in and balances its four petals that go off in all the four directions of the wind. For those who find it both hard to dream and navigate the very different realities they might be facing, clematis offers the inspiration to connect up all aspects of life, the inner, the outer, the right and the left. It is grounding without being depressing, and emancipating without escapism. Combined with the other herbs in this herbal treatment it helps the cat focus his or her energies and fully experience the moment.
The Crab Apple flower is what innocence looks like. Crab Apple, the beautiful presence of innocent ebullient joy helps soothe the aching parts and make the soul feel like healing again. Stressed out cats with low confidence find it especially uplifting and who couldn’t use some of that!
It might puzzle you, this flower. It looks like sacks of goodness stacked up for all those bees, insects and birds that might need it. Generosity of spirit with no lack whatsoever. When a super-hero feels tired and hopeless about fulfilling the grand scheme of goodness he or she started out on but can’t seem to find the resources or energy to complete, Elm flower can inspire the sub-conscious memory of spiritual abundance and help renew the tired hero. Most cats are super-heroes and could use some encouragement.
The Gentian is a kiss of a flower. You wander through a wild place thinking everything there is rough and tough and then suddenly you see this little flower and feel like someone kissed you. For the cat feeling down in the dumps, who have reached a point where everything is just too hard, who turn every corner only to bump into a new dissappointment, the Gentian Bach flower essence is a sweet little encouragement. Taken through the day and over a few weeks the cat starts feeling noticeably a lot less disappointed and the body shows this by healing.
The Gorse flower is a school master dressed up like well, a flower. There are some times when a soul seems convinced the illness or feeling of doom it is carrying is really the only reality there is or there can be. Now remember if you can, your school days (if you were home schooled, lucky you). Remember how you’d have your head in a million things, but the second you were in class and your teacher came around, all thoughts of your most pressing important situation went right out of your head, to be replaced by a sum, or some fact your teacher was talking about? That ability to call attention to whatever is the most important truly for the whole person (or animal) is the marvellous gift of the Gorse flower. Taking the Gorse bach flower essence regularly helps shake the most hopelessly hope-less pessimistic cat into waking up and realizing healing is also a very legitmate possibility and might be wise to pursue it.
Heather covers the wild open hills, the friend from time immemorial of those who got away from the crowd to find themselves. My grandfather used to tell me he’d tried all his childhood to find two heather flowers that looked alike and never found a single pair. Each was different and sure about it. Some conditions are caused by the body and psyche getting confused about what its real individual design and purpose is. The beautiful independent Heather inspires the feeling of peace with one’s own unique being and taken over time slowly helps the body get back to living by its own rhythms and patterns.
The holly flower is small, but confident and sure of its purpose as part of the big picture. For those who feel their role is insignificant or ignored or that they have suddenly been de-valued, the holly’s inspirational presence reminds them that their role, which may seem unappreciated, is truly of deep worth. It helps a cat find his or her sense of importance and dignity again.
Sunshiny afternoons and honeysuckle go together. The scent of the honeysuckle affects the psyche in pleasant soft ways. A comforter, a bringer of peace, a reminder of the loveliness in the world for those who believe their share of good times are all over. This flower will add some sunshine to your cat’s life and inspire him or her to have feline dreams of good times ahead.
The Hornbeam flower grows straight out of wood. It’s strong and packed with nutrition for the birds and insects it attracts. It doesn’t know the meaning of “cannot do”. When people feel like they just can’t go on, like something really BIG has to happen if they are to continue on another day, this beautiful flower’s energy can demonstrate sub-consciously to the tired cat the attitude of “There’s nothing I can’t do if I need to.” With that sort of company it is quite hard to feel soul-weary for long.
This lovely flower catches the dew every morning, and raindrops when it rains. Never harassed by anything you’ll find it calmly manifesting its exuberant soul wherever it is planted, even by dusty busy highways. For a cat who has learned to worry and stress over things, this flower can inspire a change for the better, calm and relaxation.
The Larch flower is an amazing arrangement of petals that run deep with just a little show at the top. It is a physical demonstration of the fact of life, that success is the little part that shows on top, that it is supported by every day investment and preparation that runs deep. For a cat who has extended his or her energies towards some goal but feels still far from it, the Larch is support and encouragement.
The Mimulus is extremely sensitive. This sensitivity helps it move flexibly with the wind allowing its seeds to carried about in all directions. It is fearless in this sensitivity. For those who have begun to fear the unpredictable winds that life brings, this flower offers inspiration, to encourage us to use the winds of our lives to develop flexibility, grounded-ness, and a strong spine. For cats and pups who are finding it hard adjusting to change, this is gentle soul medicine.
The Mustard flower is a little piece of the sun. It has a robust metabolism itself and inspires energy activeness in others just by its presence. For those who have for whatever reason fallen into energy depression or lack robustness in their system, the mustard inspires movement. This often results in a lift in morale and spirits as the cat feels lighter and brighter. It also helps the resolution of heavy unexpressed emotion.
The Oak flower is the plant version of the ant. Small but effective, it has sound energy management – not wasting, not exuberant, but not under-expressed or subdued either. For cats who can’t seem to manage their energy reserves to their own satisfaction and so tend to burn-out every now and then, the Oak can inspire the body to sub-consciously get back to managing energy efficiently. Better sleep, better work is often the result of the inspiration offered by Oak.
The flower that carries the future fruit and food, sustenance for so many living beings in every eco-system it occupies, the Olive flower carries its responsibility without feeling it burdensome. The flower essence for those cats who feel responsibility and do much, this flower inspires the development of deep energy reserves to build up and nourish their own body and soul.
The Pine flower is a presence you feel more than see. Before you know it, the Pine goes from just green leaves to nuts and cones. The flower does what it has to do and get’s on. For those who cannot seem to move on because of that nagging feeling that they didn’t do it all as perfectly as they wanted to, the inspiration to get on with life, is uplifting and encourages release.
Stunning, sweet, joyful, the Red Chestnut flower is a friend you want in your life. For cats with anxiety, the Red Chestnut is a presence with the consciousness of abundance, cheer and most importantly, the sense of, ‘Right NOW, everything is alright. That’s for sure.”
This is the Florence Nightingale of flowers, the soft sponge of water on the forehead, the firm strong hand-clasp of nature. For cats with PTSD, Rock Rose is a flower that carries the awareness of the moment so strongly it can influence them into coming into the moment and relaxing.
This is not a flower really, but the energy of water taken from a natural spring. That means, basic, simple, clear water. You’d be surprised at how many people and animals world over do not have access to the pure energy of natural water. Cats’ bodies, just like ours go into a borderline state of dehydration when they do not come in touch with the energy of natural water. Even if we do have purified water, we still need the energy pattern of natural water. This simple little essence gives the system the ‘Go Ahead’ signal the energy of natural water carries as it flows around and through the world we know.
The pretty little Scleranthus is not to be messed with. It will bloom how and when and where it wants – out in the open or in hidden crevices. For cats with confused instincts and confusion about their role in the family, perhaps due to being exposed to very different environment and energies, the Scleranthus with its gorgeous strong connection to Earth and it’s own spiritual being, inspires rootedness, sense of purpose and clarity.
This flower’s presence can only be described as motherly and comforting. Nature’s beautiful heart has provided us with a being that reminds of the open sea from which all life came, of the endless sky in front of which everything down below is just a passing speck. For cats with inner grief, loss, longing or even emptiness, this energy of love can inspire the lifting up of eyes from sorrow to the bigness of life and the soul-understanding that we can never lose what belongs to our heart.
Quintessentially, every part of a cat is connected directly and immediately to their core – which is an area that is in the center of their bodies, in the deep abdomen. The Sweet Chestnut has manifested its physical appearance to closely match this basic structure of all living beings. Its core runs right from the base of the flower to the tip. This is a good influence on anyone at any time. For cat with adrenal exhaustion, whose body needs help connecting back again after exposure to strong drugs, shock of any sort, Sweet Chestnut is first-aid.
The Vervain flower is self-contained and comfortable with itself. ‘Sold on itself’. Cats with a deep-set feeling of needing to change the world so they can feel better about themselves benefit enormously from the company of this self-assured sweet friend from nature.
The Vine flower looks very much like our body’s nerve networks. Sensitive, fine and perfect. For cats who’ve begun to feel they aren’t really good enough and have worked themselves into a bit of a mess over-trying, this flower with its calm assurance inspires relief and rest.
The Walnut flower might be small, but it is well padded and sturdy. For cats who like many humans have begun to invest energy that should be put into healing and well-being into things that aren’t really that important, this is a regular reminder to focus on what’s important.
The Water Violet grows in quiet lonely places, but flowers with exuberant flourish and joy. For cats with social stress, confused behavioral patterns adapting to new things the Water Violet is gentle encouragement.
The White Chestnut flower is like a master story-teller. It starts its story slowly, builds up slowly but compelling, and then all of a sudden – BOOM – the capsules burst tossing seeds far and wide. Now all this takes a lot of focus. It is precisely this ability to stay focused that it inspires others with. For cats who could use some encouragement in managing their energy reserves better, this helps.
The Wild Oat flower has the heart of an explorer and the body of a builder. Two somewhat opposite things unless it can find a situation it can both build and explore in. For a cat torn between the longing for adventure and the comforts of security, this flower can help balance their energies.
The Wild Rose is an A-CLASS FIGHTER. There’s no other way to put it. Strong, but flexible, with the attitude of a Ninja and the spirit of an angel warrior. It encourages cats to rally their natural defenses and move towards healing.
The Willow flower is like a little pin cushion but soft and full of life instead of hard and poky. It grows straight out of hard brown stalk. For cats who have had more harshness than they can bear, whether physical or emotional, this flower encourages and comforts.
