Making the Santa Barbara Stream Orchid Essence: The Story of Pituitary Master

by Star Riparetti

Stream Orchid Epipactis gigantea
"Pituitary Master"

After returning from Peru in April, I began to get information about the one wild orchid that grows here on the central coast of California: Epipactis gigantea (which is funny because it is certainly not gigantic- the blooms are quite small, between the size of a nickel and a quarter). This stream orchid, which grows in boggy areas, is quite rare and had been elusive to me for years. I had seen the plant, and never seen it in bloom. I mentioned it to a couple of friends, and- it was another one of those "everything that could go right, went right" sort of events. First it seemed as though its blooming time was over... Then my dear friend Katherine Grace located it- in bloom.

There is a place here in Santa Barbara county called Arroyo Hondo (which, interestingly, means "Deep Stream")- it is a land preserve and it is usually open to the public two days a month, and you have to have a reservation, and it is often booked several months in advance. Katherine Grace knows the caretaker of the land and was able to get us permission to go in and to make the essence. In fact, the caretaker was excited for us to come, which made it even better. Everything fell into place beautifully and we had an exquisite journey to the land to make the powerful essence of the Santa Barbara Stream Orchid.

The Epipactis gigantea stream orchid essence is called "Pituitary Master." The Pituitary is our main control center. It secretes oxytocin- the hormone of love. This essence awakens and strengthens this gland, which can accelerate our connection to the divine source, and connect this energy to the physical. Using this essence can also help us to have a feeling of contentment. It can help to create calmness- especially around a mate. It may even play a roll in autism, as one somehow has more appropriate social behavior.

Making the St. John's Wort Essence: The Story of Be Happy

by Star Riparetti

St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum
"Be Happy"

I was walking my labyrinth at first light on the Solstice. The St. John's Wort began to talk to me, and asked me to make it's essence on St. John's Day.

The St. John being referred to is St. John the Baptist. (I had to look it up.) Jesus once said of his cousin:

"Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist"
- Matthew 11:11

(I especially love the 11:11 part- always loving the signs... )

St. John's day is June 24. That day is also the day of the Inti Raymi in Peru- a huge festival honoring the Sun. We made the St. John's Wort flower essence on June 24, also called Midsummer's Day. In ancient times, midsummer's day was an occasion to pay homage to water, fire and plants. It was also a time to cleanse one's soul as well as to celebrate the summer solstice.

The new St. John's Wort essence is christened "Be Happy."

This essence is a beautiful reminder to do what all of the sages and gurus over time immemorial have said: Be Happy. It is so simple, so powerful, so important! Release the worry. Be Happy. Taking Be Happy is allowing your own personal flower guru to remind you to choose and to think the thoughts that bring you joy, the ones that make you feel happy.