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HORNBEAM (Carpinus betulus)
Key: Right action
Hornbeam is native to south-east England where hornbeam woodland still exists in places. Elsewhere it has been widely planted for timber and hedging. The tree looks similar to beech though the trunks are often fluted – rarely smooth and round like beech- and the leaves, though a similar colour, are narrower and more rigid with a stronger point and a distinct pleated surface. Hornbeam flowers in spring with both male catkins of green and female flowers at the end of branches emerging from young leaves with green bracts surrounding bright red styles. These ripen to form nutlets held within a three-lobed bract clustering at the end of branches.
Hornbeam means “hard wood” and it is one of the hardest and strongest of timbers formerly used for cogwheels, cutting blocks and wheel axles before iron became generally available. Though the tree can grow to be 100ft. (30m), few old trees of this size survive as it was regularly pollarded or coppiced for its poles.
Hornbeam essence creates the opportunity to clear those stresses that obscure our awareness of how we can achieve the greatest benefit from life.
A flow of energy is created deep within the cellular organism which can stimulate under-energised or stagnant areas and speed up internal communication systems. With these deep levels available core belief systems and prime emotional stances can be transformed and directed towards a more dynamic, evolutionary and creative functioning.
At the same time an increase of self-awareness and a sense of joy enables greater balance, harmony and growth. This can lead to clearer and more appropriate decision-making.
Energy centres that integrate individual consciousness with the flows within the rest of creation allow personal desires and actions to become more successful. Less effort is expended in reaching one’s goals.
The Heart, Kidney and Triple Warmer meridians are affected and this helps to increase self-worth, creative security and the ability to serve within a collective framework.
Anxiety and tension within the solar plexus chakra releases enabling a new creative balance of the mind and emotions, and this, too, increases the joy of life.
Hornbeam also clears away trauma from the deep energy systems of the body, particularly when these have been instigated through speaking out against consensus views. When personal expression has been repressed or censored hornbeam works at the throat chakra to increase confidence in speaking out and simultaneously grounds spiritual knowledge so that it can be of use.
Hornbeam relates to cosmic power and energy as it manifests on the physical level.
Signature: The hard wood becomes a pivot for dynamic activity – the hub of a wheel supporting the separate spokes.
Comment: Edward Bach used this essence where people felt they lacked the ability or stregnth to succeed, or simply lacked energy, though would still manage to finish their tasks.