RED CHESTNUT (Aesculus x carnea)
Key: Fear for others
The red chestnut is a hybrid between the horse chestnut and the red buckeye from North America. It is thought to have originated in Germany and was available in the 1820’s. Although a hybrid, it is fertile and breeds true, although most trees are grafted onto the more robust horse chestnut. It is a lighter, much smaller tree reaching a height of 22m (65ft) and is not as long-lived. The leaves are smaller, darker and less splayed than horse chestnut. The spikes of flowers are pink or dark red and appear in May and June.
With red chestnut comes a feeling of security and protection at a very deep level of being. There is a peace and detachment from emotional issues to do with expectancy and hope. This encourages the ability to live in the present rather than with the possibilities of futures.
All the subtle bodies are brought into balance where fears and needs are countered by the awareness of joy and happiness. This arises because the sense of underlying security allows one to deal with and balance up fears and anxieties.
Communication with others is made stronger and without the stabilising balance this essence brings, such close links might upset personal equilibrium and boundaries.
There is a greater balance between the mind and the imagination. This again, helps to resolve fears and phobias caused by experiences in the past.
There is an ability to manifest, or increase the possibility of manifestation, of what one thinks. It is therefore useful that red chestnut encourages a balanced positive view and breaks the hold of self-fulfilling worry.
Signature: The red candles suggest stability and strength of action carrying strong emotions effortlessly with the ability to discard or transform them where appropriate.