My name is Alison McCabe and I live near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. I have been a flower essence practitioner and producer since 1999 and am qualified and registered with the BFVEA. I am also a freelance storyteller developing environmental projects linking global communities of children and artists. I am a qabalistic priestess working in the Western Mystery Tradition of the Golden and a Sekhem Master (an Egyptian form of Reiki). I have found my lodge work very much connected to the Sisterhood of the Rose which was one of the first essences I ever purchased

I first got into flower essences when I was the manager of a holistic ‘user led’ crisis between 1997 – 2003. I used them in my own recovery from manic depression and have since been a passionate advocate of this form of healing, which is both very gentle, but effective, even on illnesses considered to be incurable. I was diagnosed with a life long condition and have been free from medication for many years. I collected a great deal of experiences working in the crisis house with others on a regular basis. Since leaving this job I work as a freelance storyteller, consultant in health and education and a flower essence practitioner.

As a practitioner I work creatively with essences using many ways to explore the deeper issues, choose suitable essences and support the healing process. These include:
• Mythical stories – traditional stories are a powerful way in which to understand life transitions and events. By taking a problem into the realm of story one is able to look at it creatively and use the power of the imagination to influence change. Essences are used to support this change and develop deeper insight.

• Creative Healing rituals – as a priestess ritual is a daily part of my life and keeps me whole and balanced. By developing the skills of ritual magic one is able to use creative intention to bring about healing.An example of a healing ritual I did with Sister Moon Oils was at the International Flower Essence Conference in Gigha in 2005. I purchased Sisters of the Moon Time spray which suggested doing a ritual as part of the menstrual cycle.

On the Isle of Gigha there was a small, beautiful white beach near by and I decided to make my ritual to dance on this beach each morning at dawn. One morning I was moved to create myself from organic material on the beach. When I stepped back and looked at the picture I noticed the lines around my face were barely visible, so I make them much stronger. This reflected how I felt at the conference as a bit invisible and uncertain. The woman was surrounded by the moon cycles. The next day when I returned a dog had walked on the full moon by her feet and a bird on the new moon by her head, which I felt was a magical healing from the animal kingdom bringing qualities of lightness, intuition, inspiration and devotion .

I wrote this poem that day:

Her skin is filled with the light of the moon,
And is the softest of pure, white sand.
Her eyes as dark as coal
and limbs nimble,
reaching around the moon.
Her hair is entwined
with the new silver moon,
and the footprints of bird.
Her legs entwined with the heavy full moon
And the footprints of dog.
Her soft breasts are mossy seaweed
And her body black
she dances in her sacred space
connected to the moon and the sea

In bed at night I would imagine the sea rushing up to her, cleansing her and possibly she would disappear altogether in the great cycles of life. I also started using Defining Edges and Radiant Strength Dancing Light Orchid essences around my face and within 3 days people were commenting on much better I looked.

• Sekhem Reiki – Sekhem is an Egyptian form of Reiki and can used both in person or as distance healing. I have found it very effective combined with using essences in the aura directly to clear energy blocks.

I find most pleasure in working with my own and the clients creativity as a way of making recovery fun and meaningful. I work locally with people in person or can work with clients in the UK and in Europe sending essences by post chosen through email conversation, dowsing and card readings.
I find Dancing Light Orchid essences and the Sister Moon oils really resonate and enhance this creative way of working.

Please contact me for further information on 01422 882 071 or email baobabloom@hotmail.com.