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Foxglove Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
The Latin name of the foxglove tree derives from the daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia, Anna Paulowna, who became the wife of King William II. The tree was first discovered by Westerners in Japan, by a German botanist, E. Kaemfer, in the 17th century. It is native to China where it has been highly regarded as a bringer of health and longevity.
In May, before the very large, heart-shaped leaves open, upright bracts bear a loose pyramid of purple flowers that resemble, both in shape and size, the flowers of the foxglove. The tree is airy and open and grows up to 23ft (7m) in southern England wherever it can escape from the late spring frosts.
The Essence.
Keywords: “Harmonious flow”; ending of turbulence; strengthens aura and life-force; happiness, relaxation; sharpens mental focus; increases energy efficiency; quietens all systems; smooth waters.
Foxglove tree has a powerful action on the underlying and fundamental energies of the body. It has the ability to help in the removal of emotional blocks – caused by emotional wounds, shocks and traumas – that can then lead to a profound healing of the self on many different levels. There is an integration of different systems and a smoothing of all functions, similar to the effect that removing debris from a river brings all dangerous turbulence to an end, restoring a natural, harmonious flow.
This effect begins at the level of the etheric body where many potential problems are located, and from there it flows through all the subtle levels of the system, especially the meridian system. In this way the entire aura of a person is strengthened and balanced. Creative energy becomes available at all levels and this naturally increases life energy. There is a relaxation of tensions and an ability to enjoy living and to be much happier with oneself, without any need for self-deception or pretence.
Indeed, at the Brow chakra there is an energy increase that produces a strong amplification of discrimination and clarity. So at the same time that feelings are heightened, the mental focus is also sharpened. It becomes possible to understand and release inaccurate and unsupported beliefs and fears. With this reduction of confusion it is much easier to express what is truly felt and understood in a clear way that people can understand. This would be not so much at the level of everyday or intellectual understanding but more at the empathic and intuitive levels going beyond the limitations of language.
Foxglove tree energy can be of great use in quietening a turbulent mind. Like those who continually have radio or television playing in the background suddenly feel uncomfortable when there is no noise, so the mind can feel unnerved when there is a reduction of background thought and it immediately ‘turns up the volume’ to familiar levels. Foxglove tree makes it easy to accept new levels of quietness in the mind – caused mainly through an increase in efficiency that has resulted from the reduction of turbulence and stress. In a noisy mind, silence is often equated with emptiness and a loss of individual identity. Here, silence is now experienced as a natural function of the easy flow of energy and so causes little concern.
A similar state of flow and intuitive understanding occurs within the emotions, which also naturally reduce their activity to levels appropriate to the time and place. Emotional states arise and are expressed in a natural, easy way. They are neither held onto beyond the time they are relevant, nor are they suppressed because of a belief that they might be wrong in some way. The ease and flow that this essence brings to the whole system ensures that a genuine expression of the individuality is maintained without creating turbulence or upset to those around.
At its finest level foxglove tree takes the harmonious flow of the individual’s energy patterns and integrates them within a transpersonal, universal pattern. Support, integration and an ability to transcend personal limitations, however those may be conceived, is possible at this level.
Signature:
The open, spacious appearance of the tree. Large purple flowers (integration of energy creating silence in the system)