Tree of Loving Kindness ~ Spike Thorn
The Spike Thorn tree has a powerful energy that speaks of “Christ Consciousness” – a state of consciousness in which a person finds self-realization and unity with the Divine / Source. Spike Thorn softens the heart and teaches the value of surrender. It encourages expression of the true self – so that one’s words become like song birds set free. This essence assists us with setting healthy boundaries and may balance feelings of limitation, bitterness and spiteful anger with compassion, devotion and a sense of being at one with the flow of life.
This essence enlightens the heart chakra.
Affirmation: I open my heart to love. Love transforms my world. I am Love.
Corresponding Colour: Green
Supportive Essences: the Milkwood and/or White Stinkwood may act as supportive essences to the Spike Thorn essence, particularly if the Spike Thorn essence is being used to address a long-standing imbalance and an “awareness crisis” has arisen. An awareness crisis is an intensification of negative feelings or old patterns for which a flower essence was being taken. It is the soul’s way of calling our attention to these old blockages that need to be acknowledged, blessed and released.
Botanical Info
The Spike Thorn
Gymnosporia heterophylla,
Family: CELASTRACEAE
Learning about how this tree grows in nature, brings further appreciation for its essence:
The Spike Thorn is a dioecious, small growing tree to about five metres high. It occurs over a wide range of habitats and is often found nearby termite mounds. The bark of the Spike Thorn is grey and the tree is covered with sharp spines that range in length from three to five plus centimeters. These thorns leave a lingering tenderness should you be unfortunate enough to get impaled by one! The leaves vary in colour from pale to dark green.
The flowers appear in late summer – clusters of creamy-white flowers borne along the short, side branches. They have a strong scent that many people find over-powering and unpleasant. The flowers are followed by spherical, golden-yellow seed capsules.
Spike thorns have a close relationship with cicadas. Known as Tree Crickets, cicadas are fascinating insects that are found all over the world. Each species has its unique song which they sing at night and during the hottest hours of the day. The nymphs burrow up to 2.5 metres below the ground where they stay from anywhere from one to seventeen years, depending on the species. After this time, they emerge from the soil to mate. The nymphs are a food source for mole rats, frogs and birds, and the adults are eaten by bats, wasps and other mammals. The female lays her eggs in the bark of trees, making small incisions to do so which sometimes leaves scarring, however this does not cause any serious damage to the tree. The adults also feed on tree sap but again, this is not detrimental to the tree. Cicadas are symbols of immortality and rebirth and were used in ancient times as folk medicine and to forecast the weather. They were eaten in ancient Greece and are a delicacy in modern China. Here at Platbos it is the Cape Emerald Cicada whose life cycle is associated with our spike thorn trees.
Feedback on the Spike Thorn Essence
“The essence that impressed me most is Spike Thorn – it is a very powerful essence which helps to combat the excesses of the dark side of our nature.” Dr.A. Brito-Babapulle (Kinesiologist and creator of the TEK muscle testing methodology, United Kingdom)
“I chose Spike Thorn because I felt I had an overload of unpleasant baggage from the past and was risking turning bitter instead of moving forward with love and compassion. I also found that I was very easily influenced by others’ perceptions of me – I found it hard to hold my centre, so much so that I would identify more with people’s ideas and expectations of me. During the first weeks I just kept repeating the Spike Thorn affirmation to myself and trying to be aware. I felt my heart opening and while I felt very vulnerable I also felt more courageous. The most marked effect I felt after three weeks, when I started to feel quite centred and at ease with myself. I was often under attack at work, but I felt I could see things in perspective and was doing things from the heart, and stopped feeling the need to ‘justify my existence’ as it were.
This culminated in a most interesting exchange at work, where I refused to bend to an aggressive attempt to break my spirit, where it was expected of me that I comply with the rules of a cult of sorts. I stood my ground while expressing my extreme vulnerability, and was acutely aware of what was happening to me. I felt a circle of fire over my heart for the duration of the event. I knew I was really listening to my heart and that was in itself an awesome feeling. I don’t often have such dramatic experiences to share, so I’m very grateful to the Tree of Loving Kindness!” ~ Lisa
The Spike Thorn is used for a number of traditional healing remedies: it has been used to treat pleurisy, easing stomach complaints, for coughs and chest colds. The thorns are also used as a cure for snake-bites. At Platbos, the Spike Thorn creates dense thickets in pockets of disturbed ground around the forest edge. These thickets aid the natural reforestation of these disturbed areas as they prevent buck from grazing on the more palatable tree seedlings that grow up in between the thorns.
Wind-fallen branches are gathered at Platbos and hand-crafted into unique and beautiful pendulums.
Harvesting of any parts of a tree or plant must always be done in a kind, respectful and sustainable manner, and necessary permits obtained from the relevant authorities. Those purchasing natural plant remedies also have the responsibility to ensure that these products have been sustainably harvested as otherwise they too are contributing to the likely extinction of the plant and other animals in the ecosystem that rely upon it for their survival.
Feedback on the Spike Thorn Essence
“The essence that impressed me most is Spike Thorn – it is a very powerful essence which helps to combat the excesses of the dark side of our nature.” Dr.A. Brito-Babapulle (Kinesiologist and creator of the TEK muscle testing methodology, United Kingdom)
“I chose Spike Thorn because I felt I had an overload of unpleasant baggage from the past and was risking turning bitter instead of moving forward with love and compassion. I also found that I was very easily influenced by others’ perceptions of me – I found it hard to hold my centre, so much so that I would identify more with people’s ideas and expectations of me. During the first weeks I just kept repeating the Spike Thorn affirmation to myself and trying to be aware. I felt my heart opening and while I felt very vulnerable I also felt more courageous. The most marked effect I felt after three weeks, when I started to feel quite centred and at ease with myself. I was often under attack at work, but I felt I could see things in perspective and was doing things from the heart, and stopped feeling the need to ‘justify my existence’ as it were.
This culminated in a most interesting exchange at work, where I refused to bend to an aggressive attempt to break my spirit, where it was expected of me that I comply with the rules of a cult of sorts. I stood my ground while expressing my extreme vulnerability, and was acutely aware of what was happening to me. I felt a circle of fire over my heart for the duration of the event. I knew I was really listening to my heart and that was in itself an awesome feeling. I don’t often have such dramatic experiences to share, so I’m very grateful to the Tree of Loving Kindness!” ~ Lisa
We welcome your feedback on the African Tree Essences: if you would like to share your experiences about this essence, please contact us.
References for Botanical & Traditional Medicinal uses mentioned generally in text for Platbos Tree Species:
Moll, Eugene and Glen.1989 Struik Pocket Guide Common Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers
Palgrave, Keith Coates 1984 Trees of Southern Africa (Second Revised Edition). Struik Publishers.
Palmer and Pitman. 1961 Trees of South Africa. Published by A A Balkema, Cape Town.
Pienaar, Kristo 1985 Grow South African Plants. Struik Publishers.
Schwegler, Mathia. 2003 Medicinal and Other Uses of Southern Overberg Fynbos Plants. Published by M. Schwegler, Farm Heidehof, Gansbaai
Van Wyk, Ben-Erik, Van Oudtshoorn, Bosch & Gericke, Nigel. 1997
Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Briza Publications
Van Wyk, Ben-Erik, Van Oudtshoorn, Bosch & Gericke, Nigel. 2000 People’s Plants of South Africa. Briza Publications.
Venter, Fanie & Julye-Ann. 1996 Making the Most of Indigenous Trees. Briza Publications.
Disclaimer:
The African Tree Essences products do not claim to cure, heal, alleviate or prevent any illness or medical condition. Flower essences work holistically at a vibrational level providing emotional and spiritual support. The use of these products and/or services is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.