‘The shock of serious news, the loss of someone dear, the fright following an accident and such like’
(Dr Edward Bach, the Twelve Healers)
Permission to Cry … A Chance to Heal
Bach Flower Remedy Star of Bethlehem – initials S O B = SOB – permission to cry, a chance to heal…
This is how I describe this extremely valuable flower remedy that everyone, at some point in their lives, will have in a mixer bottle of the Bach Flower Remedies. It is also a vital remedy in the Rescue Remedy mix that Dr Bach created.
Star of Bethlehem is used as a comfort in times of grief and sorrow. It is given to any client who has had a bereavement, recently, or in the past.
If a bereavement is recent, there is always an element of shock, however much the death was expected. It is that raw reality of the loss of someone dear to us, that exposes the shock element in grief. Suddenly your routine changes, because you don’t have to focus on the sick person. Or if the death is totally unexpected, shock is the overriding emotion. Star of Bethlehem will be given, along with other remedies to help with the shock.
Why give it then, for a bereavement in the past, even years ago? Simply because we all ‘muddle through’ a bereavement as best we can, not really sure of what to do next and in how we feel. Feelings are very hard to process after a grief and so it becomes easier to bury them and simply carry on with the familiar. They however, will still be there, waiting to resurface at some point or in some way.
Loss Can Be Many Things
Putting bereavement to one side for a moment, many people will experience ‘loss’ at some point in their lives, even if they don’t feel that a bereavement is still affecting them. Loss can be many things: loss of a job, retirement and loss of a sense of purpose, moving house and the loss of a familiar environment, even if we thought we wanted to move. Loss also, when children leave home and don’t need us anymore. Or maybe a very significant relationship has ended in separation or divorce and there is an acute sense of loss then, for the life we had. Loss can also occur after what is seen outwardly as a happy occasion – such as after a child’s wedding or after having a baby. Suddenly life is completely different and life as we knew it has changed out of all recognition.
So Star of Bethlehem is an extremely valuable remedy in the Bach Flower System, bringing as it does, comfort.
It helps us to quietly come to terms with what has happened and to start to heal.
A Final Word …
A quick word about the beautiful Star of Bethlehem flower: It closes at night and opens only, on sunny days. Like the flower remedy itself, it reminds us there really is light after our loss, albeit intermittent initially. As with loss, Life will never be the same, but it can be as good.
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Please Note: This post is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological or other advice. If you need medical or other advice, you must contact a doctor or other suitably qualified professional.
Unless otherwise stated, images courtesy Pixabay
