2018: A Year of Illumination & Courage

Carrying the high vibration of the Master Number 11, 2018 has certainly been an intense and accelerated year thus far. Master Numbers, also thought of as Teacher Numbers, encourage us to evolve. There is a tension held in the 11 vibration as it speaks of polarity and of the need to hold a space of dynamic equilibrium. For many it has been a time of deep reflection and a year of letting go, and — in spite of our fears —finding the courage and faith to step into the unknown.

The Fool ~ (Tarot Card 0) by Emily Balivet

The Tree Essences and Mists that can be of support at these times are:

• Milkwood for grounding and releasing old ancestral patterns
• Pock / Fine Ironwood for increasing our intuitive powers
• White Stinkwood for aligning with our Higher Self
• White Pear for inner child healing
• Spike Thorn is excellent for integrating the wisdom of the heart chakra and for forming and maintaining boundaries — another central theme of 2018.

We are seeing communities around the world standing up to and challenging the ‘old ways’ that are characterized by exploitation, abuse and disempowerment. It is now all too apparent that ‘business as usual’ can no longer continue for it is destroying the fragile ecosystems of the Earth. We are being asked to review and acknowledge where we are complicit in this abuse of power and to take it upon ourselves to live our day-to-day lives in a way that is non-harmful to one another and to Mother Earth. We are being forced to face our personal and collective shadows. This can be an uncomfortable and challenging time yet this year also holds magical — even miraculous — vibrations that are there to support and guide us along the road less travelled once we embark upon it.

The frequency of the Earth and the solar system are going through incredible ‘upgrades’ and energetically this can sometimes feel overwhelming. There may be associated physical and emotional ‘symptoms’ that accompany these massive shifts. Nervous tension, emotional and physical exhaustion, heightened sensitivity to negativity and toxicity, bright lights and sound etc., are being experienced by many. I am using vibrational essences on a daily basis to assist my body and soul with the major shifts occurring. Flower essences — because they carry such a high vibration yet act so gently on our systems — are a perfect way to assimilate and balance the energy ‘downloads’.

Tree Essences and Mists from the Platbos range that you may find helpful during this process are:

• Cherry Wood for coping with anxiety and stress
• Wild Olive for times of exhaustion and overwhelm
• Wild Peach for accessing the courage to follow your unique pathway forward
• Hard Pear for forgiveness of self and others
• Sea Guarrie for accessing inspiration and inner joy

Regular energy healing is of great assistance too, as is tuning into the cosmic energies via meditation and quiet time in nature. Personally, I have found deep healing and balance from the forest trees: regular grounding is very important. If you can visit a tree or forest nearby to where you live this will be most beneficial. The trees also need our assistance, so offering the high vibrations of your love and gratitude are a vital part of the energy exchange, as is asking permission to connect with their healing energy before you begin. I have found that most trees are very receptive to this but it is polite to ask first. Extending your love and gratitude to the world’s forests and trees for the tireless and necessary tasks they perform for the health of the Earth, has great power. Protecting and standing up for them is also critical. Vast swathes of Rain Forests in South America, Africa and Asia are being felled for Palm Oil, Beef Farming, Minerals and Soya production. The Earth cannot afford further losses to her bountiful forests that act as her lungs. Forests are integral to the healthy functioning of the water cycle and they help to mitigate the damaging effects of climate change. Forests too, are the Earth’s greatest reserves of biodiversity. We all carry the responsibility of insuring their survival, not only for our own well-being and that of future generations, but also because trees and forests are the living, breathing temples of the Divine.

The trees are God’s great alphabet:
With them He writes in shining green
Across the world His thoughts serene ~ Leonora Speyer

Baobab Essence – the Tree of Life

Earlier this year, I introduced my newest Tree Essence — the Baobab — to the African Tree Essences range. With the year being so fast-paced, I have only now found the time to actually sit down and write this long-overdue blog post, and to formally introduce this remarkable tree essence. The African Baobab is particularly beloved to me as I was conceived and born in one of their great homelands: the bushveld of the Limpopo. This is a deeply transformative essence that supports, guides and nurtures the evolution of our individual souls so that we can truly awaken to our ‘I Am Presence’ and unearth and rediscover our innate gifts that we have to share with the Earth and so assist, in a very real way, with the rebirthing of the Planet.

The Baobab is a powerful essence — I think of it as an essence of initiation; it encompasses, supports and guides our own unique Hero’s / Heroine’s Journey. The process of co-creating this essence was certainly a magical journey for me and brought with it many changes and transformations in my life. Baobab essence will be very supportive to those consciously navigating and integrating the intense energies of 2018 and beyond.

Black Bark Flower: Kali van der Merwe

The Platbos Forest Medicine Cards

I am currently writing a book on Platbos and the African Tree Essences, which will accompany a set of Tree Medicine Cards — this is a very exciting project that has been long in the making. The forest trees and their delicate flowers have been photographed by Kali van der Merwe — an intuitive creative who is keenly in touch with the cycles and flow of nature. The images had to be taken at night because of the tangled nature of the forest. It has been a project that has unfolded over at least a year, for such images cannot be rushed. I share here a sneak preview of some of the tree portraits — touch wood! — the book and card set will be available before the end of 2018! I will announce, via this Blog, once the cards are available for purchase.