The Flower Essence Society presents
The Rainbow of Flowers & the Human Soul: Integrating flower essence therapy & color healing Thursday evening, August 11 through Monday, August 15, 2016
The Rainbow of Flowers & the Human Soul Integrating Flower Essence Therapy & Color Healing In the blossoming of plants, our experience of color is uniquely alive and transformative. Nothing can remain fixed in our vision, for color in plant life is ever transformative and dynamic. As their English name implies, flow-ers, are flowing continuously within an undulating sea of living forces. In the German language the word, Blüte – blossom – is closely related to the word Blut – blood. For within ancient clairvoyant folk wisdom, one perceived the breathing fluidity of “flowers” united with the heartbeat of the Earth, a dynamic circulation like the systole and diastole of blood within the human heart. Color is so much more than the abstract and cold definition offered by modern physics – wherein orange is defined as 6,500 Angstrom units and yellow is summarized as 6,000 Angstrom units. Color is not a number, but is rather a living relationship of qualities and properties within the meeting of light and dark, creating countless tones and nuances of soul perception. Just as the rainbow we see in the sky arises out of the living encounter of rain and light and shadow and shining, so also do the flowers represent a rainbow span of healing possibilities within the human soul. In fact, the human soul is characterized in many ancient cosmologies as the rainbow bridge between heaven and earth, matter and spirit, or light and darkness. The image of the rainbow bridge of the human soul is at the foundation of flower essence therapy. Our work is not that of fixing physical symptoms, but rather igniting the life of the human soul toward its own empowerment, passion and potential. The vibrant colors of the human soul blossom through a healing process that is deeply alchemical and dynamic. As the renowned psychotherapist Carl Jung declared, “We cannot expect to become enlightened by seeking the light, but by making the darkness conscious.” At right: Text by Kahlil Gibran Painting, “The Secret Life of Color” copyright Donna Webb. Used by permission. www.donnawebb.com
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“Let me, O let me bathe my soul in colours; let me swallow the sunset and drink the rainbow.”
Highlights of Rainbow of Flowers & the Human Soul Color Phenomena in Nature Coming to a deeper perception of how color lives and weaves throughout Nature, why is color there? What does it say to the human body and soul? Why is the grass green, the sky blue? What do we experience in the colors of sunrise and sunset? How can we begin to perceive color as a dynamic process? The Living Science of Color Moving beyond the abstraction of color into a living relationship with the polarities of light and dark: the research of nature scientist J.W. Goethe and its implications for body and soul perception. The Special Role of Color in the Blossoming of the Plant Why do such exquisite colors arise, particularly in the blossoms of plants? What does the color of a particular flower say about its inherent qualities? Why is the Sunflower yellow, the Violet purple, or the Zinnia red? Understanding flower essence healing as a unique form of color therapy and learning the rudiments of color language. Color and the Human Soul Coming to a deeper appreciation of how color heals and shapes soul experience. Practical strategies for diagnostic intake – assessing how the client communicates through the language of color. Use of artistic exercises that elicit and guide the development of color and flower therapy. Flower Essences and Color Therapy Case presentations and research from the practitioner base of the Flower Essence Society – practical case highlights to inform and inspire the integration of color and flower essence therapy.
Practical Experiences and Daily Activities Exploring Color through Sense Perception Observations and walks about the Terra Flora Gardens. The Inner Experience of Color Meditations and artistic activities that explore the Rainbow of the Soul Immersion and Encounter Selecting flower essences based upon the client’s need for color healing Creating formulas based upon color affinities and polarities
Instructors for the Course Patricia Kaminski
Patricia’s love for plants and animals began during childhood, where she was raised on a prairie farm in central Nebraska. Patricia 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, herbalism and natural history, including Waldorf education and Goethean plant science. Patricia is currently active as a flower essence teacher and counselor, administrates the Society’s research and practitioner training programs, and is the Development Director of Terra Flora Biodynamic/Gardens and Elemental Sanctuary. In addition to writing the Flower Essence Repertory with Richard Katz, she has written Flowers That Heal, which describes the fundamental principles of flower essence therapy. Richard Katz Richard’s various studies and experiences in mathematics, science, psychology, herbalism and meditation 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 within the 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, as well as managing the many aspects of a flower essence business. Pamela Whitman Pamela T. Whitman, M.A., is a certified Light, Color and Darkness Painting Therapist and an international teacher of the work of Liane Collot d’Herbois, Rudolf Steiner and Goethe, including as an adjunct faculty member of Rudolf Steiner College. She is a graduate of M.I.T. and the Emerald Foundation in The Hague, Holland, where she participated in the second international training in Light, Color and Darkness Painting Therapy. She completed her requirements as a Painting Therapist as part of her Masters degree program in Human Development and received her certification from the Medical Section at the Goetheanum in Switzerland. Her career and interests span the fields of science, art, spirituality, consciousness, psychology, healing and education, all of which she incorporates as a therapist and adult educator. Her home studio is in Grass Valley, California. www.lightcoloranddarkness.org
“Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.” — Wassily Kandinsky
The Flower Essence Society Advanced Studies Certification Program We are pleased to provide a second level of training and study for certified practitioners in the Flower Essence Society. Our goal is to move to a further level of proficiency in flower essence therapy, recognizing those certified practitioners who wish to deepen their study with FES, or who are working in their communities in an area of specialty. Each year the Flower Essence Society offers one or more advanced courses in specific areas of healing and research, such as aromatherapy and flower essences, plant signatures and related aspects of Nature Science, dream work and flower essences, and color healing and flowers. We will also focus on work with particular populations such as children, animals, or elderly; or specialized arenas of healing such as drug addiction, homelessness and displacement from community and family, war aftermath or other forms of post-trauma stress, domestic violence, human sexuality and the soul, environmental toxins and ecological healing, hospice care, mental health, autism, physical diseases and soul evolution, community service and collective healing. The goal of the research and teaching efforts in the FES Advanced Studies Program, is to accelerate practitioner awareness and expertise, so that the soul-spiritual gift of flower essence therapy moves directly into the heart of humanity and into the heart of the earth, especially its current forms of suffering and related challenges. Credits are designated according to curriculum hours for each course. Accrual of 80 or more hours is required to be granted an Advanced Studies Certificate from the Flower Essence Society. Credits for the FES Advanced Studies Program will be accounted for anyone attending, whether or not you are still in process with FES certification, or intend to pursue certification later. However, the final certificate for the FES Advanced Studies Program is awarded to those who have completed the basic certification program. This program also recognizes independent study from those practitioners who may wish to contribute to our body of research through on-line presentations of healing work in their own communities. To make proposals for such study, please contact FES directly. The Rainbow of Flowers 2016 course: 40 hours
When you experience the color, radiation and shining of the sun, so that in your own heart a sun arises...then you see all the flowers of the meadow in a different aspect. The blossoms do not remain passive, showing the yellow or red colours which they have on the surface but they begin to speak. They speak to our hearts in a spiritual way. The blossoms become transparent. The spiritual part of the plant stirs inwardly, and the blossoming becomes a kind of speaking.
— Rudolf Steiner
Registration Enrollment for the seminar is limited and early registration is advised. Once you are accepted into the seminar, please make your own travel and accommodation arrangements (see below). Please contact the Flower Essence Society class registrar Jann Garitty (classes@ flowersociety.org) with any questions about course content, schedule, or any other policies. The questionnaire included with the registration form is absolutely essential; without the completed questionnaire, your application will not be processed. The online registration forms are found at: https://flowersociety.wufoo.com/forms/rainbow-of-flowers-credit-card/ (payment by credit card) https://flowersociety.wufoo.com/forms/rainbow-of-flowers-check-or-transfer/ (payment by check or bank transfer)
Fees • Cost is $850 for the five-day workshop and includes four catered lunches • Breakfasts, dinners, accommodations and travel costs are additional
Accommodations Beltane Community House at Terra Flora We are pleased to offer an opportunity to lodge directly on the Terra Flora grounds at Beltane Community House. There are a small number of shared rooms which are available on a first-come firstserved basis. Beltane House includes a large community kitchen, common dining and living room areas, and six bathrooms, some of which are private in the rooms, and some shared by more than one room. Please inquire for room descriptions and pricing.
Double rainbow at Terra Flora Other Accommodations in Nevada City or Grass Valley For other accommodations, please book early, as Nevada City is a popular tourist destination in the summer. For listings, visit the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce website, www.nevadacitychamber. com or the nearby Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.grassvalleychamber.com. If you do not have a personal or rental car, please reserve at one of the accommodations in central Nevada City, in order to be able to connect with a car pool. Please note that FES does not coordinate accommodations at commercial establishments other than for our own Beltane House; these are chosen and arranged by each participant. Please direct questions to your travel agent, or your place of lodging. Also, we do not arrange for shuttles or other travel arrangements.
I have to tell you that since I came back from Terra Flora there is a special energy that stays with me all the time. It is giving me courage, strength, faith and trust to work for my dreams and my aim in life. It is a healing energy that is helping me to in turn help other people through the love of Nature. Thank you again, from the depths of my heart. — Luz de Jade, Barcelona, Spain
Meals Tuition includes a buffet style lunch, morning snack and herbal teas. We offer minimally processed and seasonally appropriate organic food. While we strive for enough variety to meet most dietary preferences, we recommend that if you have highly specialized or severely restricted dietary needs, you bring additional food with you each day. For daily breakfasts and dinners, we will provide you with a list of local restaurants and natural food stores at which you can dine or purchase deli items or groceries.
Transportation The nearest airport is Sacramento International Airport (SMF), which is about a 1.5 hour drive from Nevada City. If you do not rent a car, shuttle service from and to the airport can be arranged with SuperShuttle 800258-3826 www.supershuttle.com. You can also reserve a door-to-door ride with Nevada County Airporter, 530-575-7011; Foothills Shuttle and Charter, 530-432-3235; or www.folsomlakeexpress.com. However, please note that it may be less expensive to rent a car from the airport. Important note: for arrival Thursday, August 11, taking into account possible delays, etc., please book your flight and allow for adequate travel time from the airport to your place of accommodation, and from there to Terra Flora, in order to arrive on time for the start of the class. All participants enrolling in this seminar will be asked to participate in carpooling from common points of departure in the downtown area of Nevada City. You will be given carpooling information after your registration has been completed and the logistics for the class are fully evaluated. For this reason, as mentioned above, if one does not have a personal or rental car, please reserve at one of the accommodations in central Nevada City. After you have registered, been accepted into the seminar, and made your travel plans, please fill out the travel form at this link: https://flowersociety.wufoo.com/forms/fes-class-participant-travelaccommodations/
Schedule, arrival and departure The majority of the seminar is conducted during the daytime hours. The evenings are left open for dinner, relaxation and assimilation of the class presentations. However, the seminar does begin with an evening session on Thursday, August 11th.
A morning tea break and lunch are provided on site at Terra Flora and are automatically included in the seminar fee. If you have highly exceptional dietary needs or need extra refreshment, please bring these items with you each day. Course begins Thursday evening, August 11 You will be joining a carpool at approximately 6:45 pm from your assigned point of departure. When you arrive at Terra Flora, you need to check in at the classroom to receive your class materials. The Thursday evening session is an important orientation to the whole of the seminar. This session will begin promptly at 7:30 pm and last until approximately 9:30 pm.
Course concludes Monday evening, August 15 The class ends around 6:30 pm on Monday evening, August 15. Unless you live in the local region, it is recommended that you spend the evening resting and assimilating the seminar information, and plan to depart at a convenient time on Tuesday, August 16th. You may also wish to extend your stay and enjoy the many scenic attractions of the Sierra foothills and mountains.
Payment and cancellation policy Fees are due at the time of registration. Our classes are located at Terra Flora, which serves as a home, garden site and cottage work facility. We limit the size of our classes in order to facilitate an atmosphere of social warmth and nature experience. You are urged to enroll early, as there is typically a waiting list later. Please note our cancellation fee policy: • Through July 10, 2016: We will issue a refund less a $150 cancellation fee. • Starting July 11, 2016: If we are able to fill your reserved space, we will issue a refund, less a $150 administrative fee. No credit will be issued if it is not possible to fill your reservation, or if notice of cancellation is not furnished prior to the class. The online registration forms are found at: https://flowersociety.wufoo.com/forms/rainbow-of-flowers-credit-card/ https://flowersociety.wufoo.com/forms/rainbow-of-flowers-check-or-transfer/
The Flower Essence Society P.O. Box 459, Nevada City, CA 95959 USA 800-736-9222 (USA) 530-265-9163 classes@flowersociety.org www.flowersociety.org
I am wishing to express my deep appreciation and awe of my experience at Terra Flora, where the spirit of matter shines out in endless unfolding of beauty. The loving attention to each detail presented, was not only fully and beautifully representative of the Four Elements, but an inspiration to our thinking, feeling and willing. Your generous offerings invite deep reception. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to study with you. — Una Kobrin, LMFT, HeartStone Center, Nevada City, California