Recently there has been a heightened awareness regarding sexual harassment and assault with many women (and men) sharing their personal stories, inspired by celebrities coming forward about their experiences of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry. In the wake of a growing openness and willingness to address the issue of sexual abuse, as a Practitioner specialising in New Zealand Native Flower Essence Therapy I would like to offer advice and support to those who are wanting to heal from sexual trauma.
Sexual trauma covers a wide spectrum of experiences, at it’s extreme this includes rape, sexual violence and sexual abuse. It can also be experienced in more subtle ways including uninvited comments, conduct, or behavior regarding sex, gender, or sexual orientation. Certain gynaecological or urological procedures and the process of giving birth can also have a negative impact on our sexual expression and wellbeing. While sexual trauma can be experienced in various ways, there is usually a common theme with all of these experiences – one is left feeling that one’s personal boundaries have been violated. Sexual trauma can distort our relationship with own sexual nature, diminish our sexual power and lead to sexual dysfunction and dis-ease.
It’s not uncommon for people to feel like they have moved on or resolved a trauma, only to realise years later when triggered by a similar experience that unconsciously they are still very much being affected by the initial event. Traumatic memories can become locked in the cellular consciousness, while our conscious mind may have moved on, the intelligence of our body still remembers. Flower essences are excellent tools for clearing unconscious cellular memories of trauma and abuse without having to re-experience the initial trauma.
The principal plant ally for sexual trauma is No 38 Rasp Fern, which gently clears cellular memories of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and violation of sexual boundaries. Rasp Fern heals the emotional layer of the aura, also known as the astral or desire body and helps us to re-establish healthy sexual and emotional boundaries. Indications for use include avoidance around emotions and sexuality, frigidity, sexual or emotional dysfunction and a sense of soul loss or disconnection from one’s feeling, emotional or sexual nature. Clearing the negative imprints of trauma from the aura with Rasp Fern is the first step to gaining freedom from sexual trauma.
From a holistic perspective everything we have ever experienced is recorded in our aura and this is where trauma will leave it’s imprint initially. These negative imprints if not cleared, can manifest at deeper levels of our holistic being over time. Unresolved trauma creates blocks in our energy body, these blocks impede the flow of life force leading to de-vitalisation and eventually degeneration of our physical being. It is not uncommon for someone to experience a serious trauma and them fall ill within 6 months of the incident. The shaman, medicine men and women of old understood the connection between trauma and ill health and knew how to clear these negative imprints from the energy body. In the 21st century we have plant allies in the form of flower essences to help us with this subtle yet powerful work.
If there has been a sexual trauma and it has not been resolved at the level of the aura within 28 days it can migrate and manifest at deeper levels of our holistic being. Sexual trauma primarily impacts the sacral chakra, our energetic centre for emotions and sexuality. The sacral chakra also corresponds to reproductive organs and it is the chakra we work with when addressing the energetic aspect of health issues such infertility and sexual dysfunction. For historic or ongoing sexual trauma, I recommend working with No 45 Matai, which strengthens, protects and clears the sacral chakra and promotes healthy sexuality. If the sacral chakra has been impacted then you may experience bi-polar mood swings, sexual addictions, poor sense of emotional boundaries, suppressed emotions or sexual expression, guilt or anxiety around pleasure or sexual intimacy, frigidity/impotence, lack of desire and denial of pleasure.
If there is a pattern of sexual trauma in a person’s life or in their ancestral line, then I recommended using the seed essence No 52 Nikau Palm. This essence is helps clear fears, blocks in consciousness and depression relating to sexual exchanges. Unless the trauma is fairly recent (past 8 weeks) and there is not history of similar experiences, I recommend Nikau Palm. Nikau Palm is useful for core negative beliefs and limiting life patterns around one’s relationship with sex, sensuality, pleasure and partnership. Nikau Palm is used to heal distorted sexual behaviours and attitudes and create new wholesome patterns around sexual energies.
For issues relating to sexuality the three essences No 22 Manuka, No 23 Lacebark and No 24 Poroporo can be helpful. Manuka is used for a primal wound to one’s sexual nature and for pain, anger or avoidance relating to sex, sexuality and intimacy. Manuka allows deep pain to be transmuted and purified. I recommend Manuka to consciously reclaim one’s sexual power and to feel at ease with ones powerful sexual energies. Lacebark balances sexuality and sensuality helping one to embrace one’s sensual and desire nature. Lacebark is helpful for stress and anxiety relating to sex, sexuality and intimacy. Poroporo promotes sexual confidence and clarity around sexual values. I recommend Poroporo for any depression, inhibition, despondency or fear relating to sex, sexuality and intimacy. Poroporo is particularly helpful for longstanding deep emotional depression.
For sexual abuse and violence I recommend the shamanic essence No 111 Giant Flowered Broom. It assists in clearing energetic debris transmitted from sexual encounters and shame or guilt related to sexual abuse. As a specialist shamanic essence it addresses and clears the impact of sexual projections on one’s consciousness, whether or not there has been physical contact. For women I also recommend No 65 Tree Fuchsia, which is helpful for the emotional effect of any intrusive physical and psychological experiences directly impacting the feminine including gynaecological procedures.
There are other fern essences that may be appropriate depending on a person’s unique case. If physical violence or threats to one’s physical safety or security have been an aspect of sexual trauma then I would recommend No 37 King Fern. For bullying, intimidation and harassment I recommend No 39 Shaking Brake Fern. Often the perpetrators of sexual abuse are people we already know and if this is the case No 40 Silver Fern can be helpful for abuse of trust. For feelings of shame and humiliation I recommend No 41 Prince of Wales Feathers Fern. There may be other essences that are appropriate based on a person’s personality type, situation and history.
I recommend working with a flower essence blend containing a combination of these essences to help heal from sexual trauma. You can order a custom made flower essence blend here.
To get the best out of flower essences treatment I recommend having a private consultation to get a custom made flower essence blend for your unique situation and symptoms. If you would like to work with me please contact me.
Information sourced from “The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa, Volume One.” by Franchelle Ofsoske-Wyber.
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