Latin Name: Hottonia palustris

Group: The first twelve essences

Emotional GroupLoneliness

Failing: Aloof

Personality: Isolated

Virtue: Joy

Method: Sun

Indication

For those who in health or illness like to be alone. Very quiet people, who move about without noise, speak little, and then gently. Very independent, capable and self-reliant. Almost free of the opinions of others. They are aloof, leave people alone and go their own way. Often clever and talented. Their peace and calmness is a blessing to those around them. [Bach: Twelve Healers and Other Remedies 1936]

Affirmation

…you are learning to stand absolutely alone in the world, gaining the intense joy of complete freedom, and therefore of perfect service to mankind. And when this is realised it is no longer sacrifice but the exquisite joy of helpfulness even under all conditions. [Bach]

State of Being

These are very beautiful people in mind and often in body. They are gentle, quiet, very refined and cultured and yet are masters of their fate and lead their lives with a quiet determination and certainty. Like to be much alone. In illness they may be a little proud and aloof and if so this reacts upon them. Even so, they are very brave and try to fight alone and unaided and be of no anxiety or trouble to those around. They are brave souls indeed who seem to know their work in life and do it with a quiet certain will. They do not often form strong attachments even to those nearest them. They bear adversity and illness calmly, quietly and bravely without complaint. [Bach]

Habitat

General
Water Violet grows in drainage ditches and other slow moving water. Many of its traditional habitats have been destroyed- mechanical ditching has cleared the channels too efficiently, many of the wetland fens have been drained by lowering the water table and various chemicals pollute the dykes.

Britain
Water Violet is increasingly hard to find but in general terms it grows in the southern and eastern counties of England.

Water Violet

The flowers are pale mauve, rather the same hue as the pale Impatiens and both are remedies for loneliness. With a yellow centre the Water Violet flower points to self-knowledge and the calm assurance of an unemotional understanding, it has knowledge of life, a certain calm detachment. The stem is glabrous (smooth, without hairs) and we should note a general lack of that responsive, emotional sensitivity found in Chicory.

Water Violet is unusual in the structure of the flowering stems. The flowers are arranged in whorls around the stalk, like a coronet of lights that shine with a soft intensity. Three, five or sometimes up to seven individual flowers open at the same time, while on the whorl above, the buds are still developing. Six or seven rings of flowers will usually develop, depending upon the weather in May and June. We can tell, at a glance, what stage this plant has reached, reading off a clear calendar the stage of life development. This is in distinct contrast to plants like Chicory or Cerato where, looking at a photograph, one would be hard put to say whether the flowers were the first or even the last of the season. In its structure, Water Violet demonstrates a clear and straightforward purpose in life.

£4.25/10ml