For centuries indigenous peoples have been intimately connected with plants and flowers. They see how these beings express themselves through their roots, stems, leaves, shape, and color. They also respect their medicines and gifts. Rhoda PallasDowney founded Living Flower Essences in Cottonwood, Arizona, where she provides consultations and prepares essences and tinctures. She has a diploma of Homeopathic Medicine and is a fellow, graduate, and tutor with the British Institute of Homeopathy. She carries on this tradition by stating:

"Plants have wisdom to share. By joining in relationship with a plant, merging your spirit with the plant's spirit, the strength of the plant's core essence can be found and revered.

"Experiencing oneness with a plant is a sign that you have reached a high level of intimacy with yourself that will only continue to open and deepen. This level of intimacy and personal growth creates an inner availability which will allow you to fully embrace and unite your own spirit with the nature spirit of the plant or flower. As you experience the nature spirit of the plant, you may experience energetic vibrations, openings, releases, and teachings of its wisdom. The power that you may experience as you connect with the nature spirit of the plant will help you discover a profound and multidimensional relationship with yourself."

This excellent paperback includes chapters on healing guidance available from flowers and plants and how flowers and plants relate to the chakra energy systems. PallasDowney has put together a flower card deck with color pictures of the flowers, and a primary quality, voice, insight, energy impact, and affirmation. For instance, the Black-Eyed Susan's primary quality is inner peace; she provides guidance for those on the path of healing who are asked to face their shadow self. An affirmation that goes with this plant is: "I am free and whole. I have the power to believe in myself and to feel at peace with who I am."