One on One ~ Camilla Blossom-Bishop, The "Flower Whisperer"
Summer 2007
by Tomi Owens
Ever wonder why certain aromas have the power to
transport you to a different time or place? For me it is orange blossom: one whiff and memories of citrus groves in the Arizona desert flood my mind so intensely that I can nearly feel the sunshine on my skin and taste the dry, dusty air.
Our sense of smell
operates beneath
consciousness. The
complicated, multi-layered human brain processes scent in an area that links directly with our emotional centers. The ancient art of aromatherapy is based on this profound connection.
Camilla Blossom of 3 Flowers Healing practices both aromatherapy and the art of Flower Essence Therapy in her downtown Hood River location. Camilla believes that part of her life’s work is to educate our community about the healing properties of native flowers and how harmony with nature and balance in daily life can be achieved more easily if we find the “healing frequency” in our native environment.
Camilla recently explained to us more about the practice of Flower Essence Therapy and also why she continues to support the Gorge Local Currency Cooperative.
Tomi Owens: The concept of aromatherapy is fairly well understood but the practice of “Flower Essence Therapy” is less well known. Tell us a bit about the process of collecting essences and the theory behind the practice?
Camilla Blossom: Most people are familiar with the healing scents of
essential oils (aromatherapy) and their ability to bring us into a positive feeling state pretty quickly.
I also work
extensively with Flower Essence Therapy—making
formulas from
combinations of flower essences to address
specific intentions. You add drops to water to take them. It is another
beautiful and subtle way to empower people to find greater perspective and balance through life’s
challenges and changes.
It also helps people release limiting emotional patterns and beliefs that keep them from enjoying a fuller life.
I have made flower essences from over 100 different wildflowers in the Gorge. Because it is a vibrational medicine, I do not pick, collect or harvest any wildflowers.
The flower’s
energy life-force or chi is
transferred into water with the Sun. There is a sense of mystery to this process. The best way to really understand flower essences is to try them. They are like holy waters created from
wildflowers. (I recommend Dr. [Masaru] Emoto’s books. He photographs frozen water crystals & flower essences so you actually see the healing patterns.). Ed. Note: You may have seen Dr. Emoto’s water crystal photos in the movie What the #$*! Do We Know?
When you take a few drops of a flower essence, you ingest the flower’s healing nature, beauty, and pattern of wellness. Flower essences help us clear
energetic blocks to a healthy flow of energy. The result: we feel more balanced, energized, and at peace.
TO: You have chosen to utilize native flowers in your practice. How did you come to this decision and why do you think it is so important?
CB: I had a ‘calling’ to make flower essences from the wildflowers of the Gorge. It was like they “whispered” in my ear. I began making them on the Spring Equinox of 2000 with two friends. We were guided to a power spot near Catherine Creek and to the wildflowers Grass Widow and Pungent Desert Parsley. Making the first few flower essences was an incredibly
beautiful experience. I felt such overwhelming love and gratitude flowing through me! In retrospect, this experience was a doorway to my life’s path.
It became quite clear that our native wildflowers had potent healing potential especially for those that live here. Flowers like Barrett’s Penstemon are endemic to the Gorge. As a flower essence, the Barrett’s Penstemon is amazing in helping people release fear and resistance and trust in taking their next step. It’s a very empowering flower essence. I have seen people experience immediate shifts after taking just a few drops in water.
Each flower has a gift. In my practice, I also use flower essences from around the world, but the Gorge’s wildflowers teach us how to be the calm in the center of the storm. They have known cataclysmic flooding,
volcanic activity, and wind storms but they still bloom with incredible beauty.
TO: You moved to Hood River 18 years ago. What are some of most
significant changes you have seen over the years?
CB: Well, there’s a lot more people, traffic, buildings. I have learned not to judge this kind of expansion as good/bad. It just is. What I really notice is a
beautiful shift in awareness. I sense a real expansion of creative energy, environmental consciousness, and desire to create
community. People are showing that they care about each other more. Hood River is reflecting the major planetary
spiritual awakening taking place. I welcome
newcomers who bring so much to our community.
TO: You came here from Ithaca, New York where alternative currency was already in use. What benefits did alternative currency bring to the community of Ithaca?
CB: Ithaca was a great place to live as the
alternative community was thriving. I was a founding member of the Alternatives Credit Union, an
alternative banking system. Ithaca Hours was getting started when I moved, but I believe it really
strengthens the community and develops money consciousness. It reminds people that using
alternative currency circulates the energy of prosperity and creates more abundance for everyone.
TO: How and where do you spend your RiverHOURS?
CB: I like to leave tips using RiverHOURS when I go out to eat. I also use them at Mother’s Market, Acre Coffee, Dog River, and for healing services. I’d like to find a handy man/woman who accepts RiverHOURS to help with small projects. Customers at my 3 Flowers Healing shop using them, but I’d like to receive and spend more RiverHOURS.
Summer 2007
by Tomi Owens
Ever wonder why certain aromas have the power to
transport you to a different time or place? For me it is orange blossom: one whiff and memories of citrus groves in the Arizona desert flood my mind so intensely that I can nearly feel the sunshine on my skin and taste the dry, dusty air.
Our sense of smell
operates beneath
consciousness. The
complicated, multi-layered human brain processes scent in an area that links directly with our emotional centers. The ancient art of aromatherapy is based on this profound connection.
Camilla Blossom of 3 Flowers Healing practices both aromatherapy and the art of Flower Essence Therapy in her downtown Hood River location. Camilla believes that part of her life’s work is to educate our community about the healing properties of native flowers and how harmony with nature and balance in daily life can be achieved more easily if we find the “healing frequency” in our native environment.
Camilla recently explained to us more about the practice of Flower Essence Therapy and also why she continues to support the Gorge Local Currency Cooperative.
Tomi Owens: The concept of aromatherapy is fairly well understood but the practice of “Flower Essence Therapy” is less well known. Tell us a bit about the process of collecting essences and the theory behind the practice?
Camilla Blossom: Most people are familiar with the healing scents of
essential oils (aromatherapy) and their ability to bring us into a positive feeling state pretty quickly.
I also work
extensively with Flower Essence Therapy—making
formulas from
combinations of flower essences to address
specific intentions. You add drops to water to take them. It is another
beautiful and subtle way to empower people to find greater perspective and balance through life’s
challenges and changes.
It also helps people release limiting emotional patterns and beliefs that keep them from enjoying a fuller life.
I have made flower essences from over 100 different wildflowers in the Gorge. Because it is a vibrational medicine, I do not pick, collect or harvest any wildflowers.
The flower’s
energy life-force or chi is
transferred into water with the Sun. There is a sense of mystery to this process. The best way to really understand flower essences is to try them. They are like holy waters created from
wildflowers. (I recommend Dr. [Masaru] Emoto’s books. He photographs frozen water crystals & flower essences so you actually see the healing patterns.). Ed. Note: You may have seen Dr. Emoto’s water crystal photos in the movie What the #$*! Do We Know?
When you take a few drops of a flower essence, you ingest the flower’s healing nature, beauty, and pattern of wellness. Flower essences help us clear
energetic blocks to a healthy flow of energy. The result: we feel more balanced, energized, and at peace.
TO: You have chosen to utilize native flowers in your practice. How did you come to this decision and why do you think it is so important?
CB: I had a ‘calling’ to make flower essences from the wildflowers of the Gorge. It was like they “whispered” in my ear. I began making them on the Spring Equinox of 2000 with two friends. We were guided to a power spot near Catherine Creek and to the wildflowers Grass Widow and Pungent Desert Parsley. Making the first few flower essences was an incredibly
beautiful experience. I felt such overwhelming love and gratitude flowing through me! In retrospect, this experience was a doorway to my life’s path.
It became quite clear that our native wildflowers had potent healing potential especially for those that live here. Flowers like Barrett’s Penstemon are endemic to the Gorge. As a flower essence, the Barrett’s Penstemon is amazing in helping people release fear and resistance and trust in taking their next step. It’s a very empowering flower essence. I have seen people experience immediate shifts after taking just a few drops in water.
Each flower has a gift. In my practice, I also use flower essences from around the world, but the Gorge’s wildflowers teach us how to be the calm in the center of the storm. They have known cataclysmic flooding,
volcanic activity, and wind storms but they still bloom with incredible beauty.
TO: You moved to Hood River 18 years ago. What are some of most
significant changes you have seen over the years?
CB: Well, there’s a lot more people, traffic, buildings. I have learned not to judge this kind of expansion as good/bad. It just is. What I really notice is a
beautiful shift in awareness. I sense a real expansion of creative energy, environmental consciousness, and desire to create
community. People are showing that they care about each other more. Hood River is reflecting the major planetary
spiritual awakening taking place. I welcome
newcomers who bring so much to our community.
TO: You came here from Ithaca, New York where alternative currency was already in use. What benefits did alternative currency bring to the community of Ithaca?
CB: Ithaca was a great place to live as the
alternative community was thriving. I was a founding member of the Alternatives Credit Union, an
alternative banking system. Ithaca Hours was getting started when I moved, but I believe it really
strengthens the community and develops money consciousness. It reminds people that using
alternative currency circulates the energy of prosperity and creates more abundance for everyone.
TO: How and where do you spend your RiverHOURS?
CB: I like to leave tips using RiverHOURS when I go out to eat. I also use them at Mother’s Market, Acre Coffee, Dog River, and for healing services. I’d like to find a handy man/woman who accepts RiverHOURS to help with small projects. Customers at my 3 Flowers Healing shop using them, but I’d like to receive and spend more RiverHOURS.