Essences
What are Essences?
Essences are vibrational remedies which hold the essential energies of an originating substance, which could be a flower, plant, crystal, or place.
At Chalice Well they are co-created by human consciousness and the over-lighting consciousness of the substance (often referred to as the deva) and water. They offer a holistic approach to wellbeing, operating with the understanding that humans have (or simply are) an energy field and that imbalances within this field, which we experience as maladies, can be soothed by offering an energetic counterpart.
It is believed that essences may have been created by Celtic Druids in ancient times but essences as we know them today were first produced in the 1930’s by Edward Bach (creator of ‘Bach Flower Remedies’), who harvested morning dew droplets from plants in order to relieve various emotional states.
He observed that each plant seemed to have its own particular emotionally and spiritually balancing properties and, through his intuitive relationship with plants, began to produce essences and prescribe remedies for specific conditions.
Working with Devas
The type of essences available has now expanded to include those co-created with crystals, music and Archangels. Many producers also work ‘devically’ when making essences, calling upon the deva or overseer of the variety they are working with. Dorothy Maclean, co-founder of the Findhorn Community who has received hundreds of messages from the Devic realm, paints a picture of Devas as being architects in the natural world:
“The devas hold the archetypal pattern and plan for all forms around us, and they direct the energy needed for materialising them. The physical bodies of minerals, vegetables, animals and humans are all energy brought into form through the work of the devic kingdom.”
Dorothy Maclean | The Findhorn Garden Story
At Chalice Well Essences, working with the Devas is primary in all of our processes. From the initial making, right through to bottling and marketing, the unseen helpers of the Chalice Well are always involved.
Water is used as the carrier for energetic remedies as it is highly receptive to vibrational impression. The recent work of scientist Masuru Emoto has highlighted the impact of human intention, music and even simple written words on water, revealed through the highly structured snow-flake like crystals that form when it is exposed to such influences, frozen and examined under a microscope.
To clarify, essences are not homeopathic or herbal, but in their own realm of activated or living water. The Medicines and Healthcare Products regulatory agency (MHRA) accepts flower essences as being in the category of foods, and for this reason essences have managed to avoid the EU’s push to submit herbal and homeopathic remedies to strict new directives.
Creating Essences
We sense it’s time to make an Essence when a plant or tree in glorious bloom calls to us. There is often a noticeable pull or heightened awareness that draws us to come closer, and we respond by setting a date to make the Essence.
Whenever possible, we work closely with lunar cycles (especially full and new moons), seasonal markers (such as the equinoxes or Solstice points) and traditional festivals (including Michaelmas and Easter Sunday). Provided there is sunshine at the appointed date, then we gather together in the garden early in the morning and collect the spring water into our large crystal bowl.
At some point there is a feeling that the work is done, and we pour the Essence, known as a Mother Tincture, into large glass bottles, adding local Cider Brandy as a preservative. We each share our insights (usually delighting in the similarities of what each has received) and give thanks to the unseen beings involved in the process. And so a new Essence is born.
“I do have a soft spot for bottling those Essences! It’s kind of like the Tardis, once you get in there you realise it may look like a shed on the outside… but inside… Essence Temple!” ~ Essences Volunteer
There is some variation as to how essence producers make their mother tinctures. In our case, as well as focusing particularly on co-creation with the Devic realm, we also utilise the Aquarian Principle of group-work. When many people gather with the same intention, we can harness the element of synergy, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This can potentize the essence as well as allowing us to confirm our understanding of its special properties with each other.
We have observed that there are additional environmental influences which get encoded into an essence during production. For example, when making the Trinity of Holy Thorn Essence, a blackbird followed the Essences Team around the garden, flying to each of the three Holy Thorn trees and singing. In our later blind trials of the Essence, one woman, who visualised entering an inner garden to receive information about the essence, wrote:
“As I open the door… I’m aware of a large blackbird with his beautiful golden beak.”
The bird then proceeded to tell her about the Essence.
Sophie, a member of the Essences Team, had a similar meditation, in which she also saw
“…the blackbird who had flown from tree to tree while we were making the Essence. He spoke of Universal Consciousness through all of creation and in some way he represented that and as he had sung while the Essence was created that was consciously encoded in the Essence. His song was of the sweetness, the lightness and beauty and of this consciousness and vibrational awareness: the glory and wonder of creation.”
For this reason we very aware and welcoming of the animal friends (including bees and robins) who show up when we make our Essences.
Because of the special nature of Chalice Well, sometimes guidance is also given to create an essence that can hold the qualities present at the well in a moment in time. This was the case for the creation of the Heart of the Well Essence, created by the fellowship of companions who all hold Chalice Well as a special place in their hearts.
Workshops
This BFVEA accredited practitioner training programme touches all aspects of working in conscious partnership with nature through vibrational and flower essences.
Each workshop is designed as a stand alone experience. All four workshops combine to deliver a complete professional training programme in Flower and Vibrational Essences Therapy.
Learn and study within the unique environment of this ancient holy well. Imagine the simple joy of making your own essence, or fulfilling your vision of becoming a practitioner or essence producer. These workshops will support, inspire and guide you at every level.
These are advanced workshops open to those who are working towards, or who have existing practitioner accreditation in flower essences. To gain full Advanced Practitioner accreditation, practitioners are required to have a Level 2 Anatomy & Physiology qualification. For those practitioners who need to gain this, Chalice Well Essences offers a home study course.
Note: The courses are not being run this year (2025), but feel free to register your interest to get a notification when it is back up and running.
Tutors
At Chalice Well, Casey is the Flower and Vibrational Essence Co-Ordinator overseeing essence production and training. She feels a deep connection with the sacred waters of the Well and has been spending time in communion with the Chalice Well landscape since childhood.
The animal spirit energy essence range – Wildheart Animal Essences – were co-created by Casey to help people connect with the gifts of the wild animal realm and our beautiful planet. Casey is a British Flower and Vibrational Essence Association Tutor and Advanced Member of the governing bodies BFVEA and also of BAFEP
Sophie is a Trustee at Chalice Well and has been part of the Chalice Well Flower Essence Team since its inception, co-creating essences and working with clients.
She is a British Flower Vibrational Essence Association Tutor and works in Vibrational Medicine, a registered Homeopath, Bioresonance and Natural Health Practitioner.
“A beautiful experience to co-create and learn in a loving space, the sacred process of essence making.”
~ workshop participant
Discovering Chalice Well Essences
During this workshop you will:
- Learn how to attune to the healing power of nature, plants and flowers in the Chalice Well garden beside the living waters. This module gives you an in depth appreciation of flower and vibrational essences
- You will be able to experience plant spirit medicine and increase your sensitive awareness of the healing energies of nature
- You will be able to co-create a special essence to gain an understanding of the Chalice Well Essences approach and philosophy
This is a 3 day module at Chalice Well at a cost of £425. Companions of the Well may be able to book to stay at our lovely Retreat House at an extra cost
Energies and Energy Fields
During this 3-day workshop that helps to deepen your connection with flower and vibrational essences and Chalice Well you will:
- Be able to work with the spiritual dimensions of the Chalice Well Garden to explore human, earth & cosmic energies
- We will explore the human energy field and demonstrate ways of protecting and healing the aura, energies centres and chakras
- In a special dowsing masterclass you will learn how to use dowsing rods to detect energies of place. We will also learn to dowse to select essences for consultations
This is a 3 day module at Chalice Well at a cost of £425. Companions of the Well may be able to book to stay at our lovely Retreat House at an extra cost
Essences for Wellbeing and Transformation
During this Chalice Well Essences workshop about wellbeing and transformation you will:
- Learn about Chalice Well Essences and other ranges
- Combine essential oils with flower essences to make an aura spray and a hand cream
- Develop your intuitive abilities for use in essence consultations and learn appropriate skills for becoming an essences practitioner
- Bring awareness of how to use essences in everyday life, with friends and family
- Carry out practice consultations
This is a 3 day module at Chalice Well at a cost of £425. Companions of the Well may be able to book to stay at our lovely Retreat House at an extra cost
Way of the Practitioner
During this workshop about becoming a Chalice Well Essences Practitioner you will:
- Learn to develop enhanced practitioner skills with clients
- Visualisation and practical ways to create the appropriate environment for you to conduct essences consultations
- Fine tuning the ways of working with essences for treatments
- You will be able to co-create your own Practitioner level flower essence, through your deep connection with the Chalice Well Garden to support you energetically as you follow your Practitioner journey
- As a Chalice Well flower essence practitioner, learn how to apply best practice and ensure your offering complies with legal requirements
This is a 3 day module at Chalice Well at a cost of £425. Companions of the Well may be able to book to stay at our lovely Retreat House at an extra cost
Register your Interest
Use the form below to register your interest