LATIN: Salix matsudana x pendulina

GOOD FOR: Crutch essence. For those who cling to others with an unhealthy 'crutch-like' behavior.

DID YOU KNOW:

To say the least, you are a mental giant. You think a lot--maybe too much. Your mind is sharp, curious, quick to jump and make up your mind about something. You do very well in academic surroundings. And you're good at memorizing things. Able to learn in classroom situations, you are a "book learner" type. Verbal by nature, you can communicate well in speaking as well as writing. Your world consists of using logic and rationalization. A prove-it-to-me kind of person.

THE HEALTHY YOU:

You're a gut-hunch kind of person whether you realize it or not. A lot of your decisions are based upon primal instinct which may or may not even tweak you consciously. However, you're a wonderful amalgam of rational mind (left brain) and right brain (instincts and intuition) IF you want to be. If you are truly in balance, you become very "whole-brained", utilizing both hemispheres of your brain to a very high degree. Not only can you know the answer to an Algebra problem before doing the math on it, you can also do the math to prove how you know the answer! That's a pretty neat trick!

THE UNHEALTHY YOU:

Insomnia can dog your heels because you are the one that gets the "gerbil running on the wheel" at night, and you can't shut off your thoughts. They just keep rolling along even though you'd like some sleep! You can get dogged, stuck and very stiff-necked about your belief system. Worse, you will be arrogant about it and you're right and the rest of the world is wrong. It's "my way or no way...." kind of blinders-on attitude. The old saying: You are cut off from the neck down, implies that you allow your logic and rational to rule you and you suppress your emotions--not a good thing in the long run!

ARTICLE:

WILLOW by Eileen Nauman, DHM (UK)

Copyright 1998 - 2004 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved

Willow is for the person who feels they can't go on or live without the other person in their life. I call this the 'crutch' essence wherein we give our power/emotions/life away to another individual (be it on a personal level, a career level or otherwise). When you observe a willow tree you note quickly how all the limps are limp, completely flexible and move at the slightest breeze. They are limp, and at the will of the weather.

A woman or man who is unconsciously leaning on their partner is never healthy. However, I have seen marriages like this one that endure for 20 or 30 years; it's a symbiotic relationship where weaknesses integrate the people involved accept it at that level. I'm not going to address this type of marriage. If the two partners are satisfied with it, then that is their choice.

However, let's say, for example, a woman is leaning and completely dependent upon the man. They are having problems. If the woman is not wanting to leave the relationship because she will feel emotionally abandoned or put adrift--that life is not worth living or fighting for--then think of Willow. This is for a man or woman who has transferred his/her power to the other spouse. They feel as if they have no ability to make a decision for themselves, or indeed, cope with Life without the other spouse being in charge or running interference for them.

Willow gives the persona backbone, puts them in touch with their own unique gifts, strengths and experiences that can help them not only survive, but actually start standing on their own two feet by themselves.