Darwin’s Barberry
Berry Essence

Definition:

To give one a second chance.
Feeling like “I had my chance, and I blew it”.

To get back on the horse after falling off.
Feeling defeated - this essence helps one to get up
and try one more time.




Made 2 January, 1999, from berries growing on the Darwins Barberry bushes on the slopes of Mt. Kaukau, Wellington. The Darwins Barberry is rapidly taking over large parts of Mt. Kaukau.

It is a very hardy bush, with prickly leaves and masses of black berries that the birds just love, hence the seeds get spread far and wide. It has become a problem in some areas around Wellington, and according to an article in the "Western News" of 16 April, 1999, scientists from Hort Research, and the Environmental Ministry are working with the Wellington City Council to try and eradicate it from Wrights Hill and surrounding areas.

This is one of those essences where the circumstances surrounding the making of the essence relate very closely to the definition of the essence.

(For others like this see Lotus, Bright Lights Beet and Mahoe.)

The previous spring, I had made an essence from the Darwins Barberry flowers,
and I knew then that I would also make an essence from the berries once they appeared
later in the season.

But, on subsequent trips up Mt. Kaukau, there was never any sign of any berries.
As soon as any appeared and ripened, the birds ate them all!
I thought that I had blown it!

However, I was given a “second chance”.
Later in the season, while collecting flowers from the same area to make the
Blackberry essence, I noticed a few berries in positions underneath the leaves
where the birds had not noticed them.....
Here was my second chance!
There were just enough berries to make an essence.

This essence has proven to be very useful. I have used it many, many times,
for a wide variety of clients. It seems to have a very wide application,
being for just about any “second chance” type situation, and is now, of course,
the principal essence in the “Keeping On” Super-Essence.

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Main Super-Essence:       Keeping On

Other Super-Essences:   Stress
                                            Creativity
                                            Masculine
                                            Home

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Principal Category:          Trauma

Other Categories:             Addiction
                                            Legacy of War

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Affirmation:

     “This is a new moment, and a brand new opportunity.”