Surrender: A Bach Combination Remedy

Every once in awhile a particular word kind of "strikes" me.  This was the case the other day while talking with a friend. We were tossing around the word "surrender".  This seems to be one of those words that a lot of spiritual advisers use as advice to live by. We are told we should surrender.  It almost becomes a mantra.  Sometimes a word like that just slips into our everyday language and we don't really consider what exactly it means or maybe we use it so frequently and flippantly that we lose site of what it means. I started to think...

I started to question how you would know when you reached the point of "surrender".  If it's something we are supposed to do, practice, achieve, how will we know when we get there?? Hmm...

I drove my friend a little crazy with my questions and analyzing I think, but like all my friends, she is very patient with me and later sent me a definition she found  on Wikipedia for "surrender":

"To surrender in spiritualtiy and religion means that a believer completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and teachings of a higher power."

Hmm, maybe.... But the picture I can't quite get out of my mind when I hear the word surrender is of someone waving a white flag of surrender.  The kind of flag flown when battles were being fought and lost in civil wars maybe.  Or maybe even a scene from a wild west movie when the tavern is being shot up by the bad guys and someone sticks a white handkerchief out a window and waves it in an act to promote cease fire.

The more I thought about it, the more I figure surrender means the act of giving up control.  More particularly, giving up a false sense of control. In so doing, you actually gain control.  If I go back to the tavern scene.... the handerchief of surrender is extended when you have run out of bullets anyway and you know you are completely outnumbered.  Rather than really loose the fight, and perhaps your life, you decide to give up the false idea that you can protect or control something . The point is, you realize you don't have control, you can't win this one, so you extend the flag.  But once extended, you actually do win.  If the other side is playing by the rules, they stop shooting or fighting you.  You are actually the one that calls an end to the battle and it would seem, in this way, you actually maybe come out the winner?

At least in the movies, the flag of surrender is always white. Sometimes it's a big white flag designed for that purpose.  Sometimes it's a delicate white lace handkerchief.  But it's always white.  That's how it is recognized.  White is the symbol for peace I guess.  It's also the color that resonates with the Crown Chakra- that higher self again, that knowing, the part of you that knows you don't actually "control" anything when you hang on tightly, but only when you let go.  Hmm...

Although it's easy to I don't think it's easy to find that place of surrender.  It's back to finding the place of trust again
http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-new-paradigm-of-trust.html  It's a place where you aren't attached to outcomes, or methods, but just find a place of peace.  Not easy but well worth finding.

I believe there are some Bach Flowers that can help you find this place of surrender.  I include in this combination; Cherry Plum, Rock Water, Cerato, and Elm. 

Cherry Plum is included because it is the remedy for the fear of loosing control.  I've written about this before. It's helpful when you are holding on so tight it hurts. The Cherry Plum state can be one of deep despiar where you fear you may lose control of your behavior, or are on the verge of a breakdown.  It's the fear that if you start to cry you'll never stop.  Cherry Plum can help restore your calm mind.  It can help allow you to wave the white flag in the most rational of all acts.

I also include Rock Water in the combination I'm calling "Surrender". Rock Water types set really high standards.  They belief they have to defend the saloon no matter what and no matter the circumstance. They defend their sense of control because they can't really see another way to do it.  Rock Water will allow some flexibility to your letting go.  Who knows, maybe the new bartender can really make some great drinks!

I don't think you can find the point of surrender without trust. And for that, Cerato is the Bach Flower to turn to.  Cerato helps you listen to your higher self, your Crown Chakra, your place of knowing.  Once you listen and believe in what you're hearing, you've found the place of peaceful letting go- and ultimate surrender.

If you find yourself in a place to be considering surrender, you've likely been through a bit of a battle.  No battle is easy and the energy involved can be immense. No doubt by this time you are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer responsibility.  I think most people find surrender when they have exhausted their resources and got to the point of exhaustion. If that's the case, Elm can help restore your normal capable self.  If taken before you "hit the wall", Elm might help you put things in perspective so you can allow yourself the luxury of letting go (surrendering) some of that responsibility so you don't get to the point of being overwhelmed.

So, I think my personal definition for "surrender" would be "having the self trust to let go of those things overwhich you don't really have any control in the first place". Open the saloon doors and let in some new energy. 

I surrender. Ahhh....

Animal Signs: Reindeer

Judging by the amount of hits my post last year on Rudolph the Reindeer has been getting lately, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2011/12/reindeer-bullies-bach-flowers-for.html  it seems as though a lot of people are thinking about reindeer. I guess it is the season. Or at least getting close.

When a lot of people become focused on the same thing I think "the thing" is worth examining a bit. So I decided it would be a good day to look at the spirit of Reindeer as an animal sign that might be providing us humans with some welcome direction.

It would seem some flexibility is required here.  Reindeer wasn't exactly listed in my Animal Spirit Guide books. But Caribou are. And if I saw anything like the critter  in today's picture, at this time of year, I would call her a Reindeer. I hope that wouldn't be insulting to the Caribou- I mean it as a term of endearment and respect of the season. And I think they probably share pretty similar Spirit.

As is often the case, when an Animal Spirit shows up in your life, the significance can still be somewhat open to your perspective and interpretation.  In Steven Farmer's Animal Spirit Guides, there seem to be five somewhat different messages that may apply depending on your situation.

1. Farmer writes that a reindeer (well okay, Caribou) showing up "may indicate it's time for you to make a decision and act with resolve." He suggests you consider it a symbol to make the decision, stick with it, and take appropriate action. Hmm...

That's pretty good advice "when the shift hits the fan" I think  http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/11/when-shift-hits-fan.html  It might be interesting to note that in the Caribou clan, unlike reindeer actually, both males and females have antlers.  There obviously (if you are a Caribou/Reindeer) are other ways to distinguish male and female! but it's not by looking at their heads. As the shift occurs and we embrace and become connected to the feminine aspect of being human, we might still need to pay attention to our masculine side as well. It isn't a competition, it's a balance to be obtained.   http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/03/energetic-tug-of-war.html  And if you're going to make a decision, stay with it, and take action, I believe you might want to tap into your masculine side a bit. 

2. Farmer also writes the appearance of reindeer/caribou may indicate "something is bugging you, and you need to address whatever it is and either try and change, it, get away from it, or surrender to it. " Perhaps that's what you need to make the decision about. Seems like  Reindeer energy is about not maintaining status quo, but about enabling change to happen. That means facing up to your negative side, or the negative things in your life so that shifts can occur. It's not about ignoring them, sugar coating them, or pretending they don't exist. It's about facing them and creating change.

3. Steven Farmer suggests when a Caribou shows up it means; "There is solidarity and camaraderie among the people you know and trust, which is something your soul is yearning for at this time, so indulge yourself and seek out these folks. "  This is a time to focus on and surround yourself with those people that make you feel good and shift away from people and situations that don't match with where and who you want to be.  Hmm...

4. According to Farmer, the Caribou may indicate "the long emotional and spiritual trek you've been on is about to conclude.".  He goes on to write that "once it does you'll reap the rewards, benefits and pleasures of having done it. "  More reinforcement to stick with your path and keep moving forward secure in the belief that the shift is for positive gain even if slightly uncomfortable along the way. 

5. Finally, the message from Caribou Spirit may be, "although your journey may seem rather lengthy, as long as you seek the support you need, you will succeed."  Caribou are herd animals.  Santa has a team of reindeer and even though Rudolph may be shining up there in front, there is a whole team following behind her pulling that sleigh full of gifts.  Rudolph doesn't "go it alone". Find your herd and don't be afraid to get other people to pull their weight too. 

If you need a little help pulling the Reindeer/Caribou signs into your life, the Bach remedy combination that could help might include  Agrimony, Scleranthus, Cerato, Water Violet and Gentian. 

I'd recommend Agrimony so you could come out behind that mask you're putting up to pretend everything is okay.  A few drops of Agrimony might help you face that "yucky" situation that really is bugging you when you're honest with yourself.

Once you're facing the issue head on, a few drops of Scleranthus might help you pick a direction and go with it. If you have no idea how to proceed ,Wild Oat might be more helpful, but I have an idea "when the shift hits the fan", if you're honest, you'll see two directions.  Pick one.

Once you've picked the direction, Cerato can help you trust yourself, your decision, and your inner knowing in order to follow through and stick to the plan when those other reindeer from the other side of the river are trying to pull you over and across thin ice.

Once you've made your decision, picked your direction and want to stick to it, you might find out you could use a few more members on your team.  That sleigh can be pretty heavy even if it's full of great things.  Water Violet can help you reach out to others, accepting help and reinforcement.

Finally, the trek through the cosmos can get kind of dark by times even when you know you're heading towards the light.  A few drops of Gentian might help restore your conviction that the reindeer really do bring the message that the journey is about to end with positive results.

So.. if you think your hear the thunder of hooves behind you these days, consider that it just might be a team of Caribou disguised as Reindeer, or Reindeer disguised as Caribou - it doesn't really matter.  They are likely pulling a whole sleigh of wonderful gifts right to you. Make way for the wonder.

And, in the meantime, if you could use the Reindeer Remedy of Agrimony, Scleranthus, Cerato, Water Violet, and Gentian, go to my website www.pixiedusthealing.com  It's had some shifting as well and has a new look.  Send me a message and indicate you'd like a Reindeer Remedy and I'll send it ahead of the herd. 

Enjoy the Spirit!