#08, CHICORY Remedy, Spiritual Positive,
Motherliness and Selfless Love.

after "Bach Flower Therapy: Theory and Practice"
by Mechthild Scheffer


CHICORY relates to the principle of Motherliness and Selfless Love.

A potential for great inner strength and true ability to love is one description of the great maternal energy which is embodied in the Positive Chicory state. Following the direction set out by the Personal Spirit as an extension of Spiritual Guidance, the Identity takes in the positive energies from the universe that are available for the Mission at hand. There is a tremendous power of security, acceptance, and acknowledgement felt by the individual who receives continually Spiritual Guidance which confirms their selection, Mission, and the steps to the performance of that positive contribution. Even as one experiences losses and sympathizes with the turmoils of others, there is a satisfaction in knowing that these are being lessened by one's participation.

A great sense of inner emptiness and lack of fulfillment plague the person in the negative chicory state. It is as if they have never received any acknowledgement, affection, or self-assurance from their parents or relatives, community or culture. Starving for attention, it is easy to see how as children they are quick to turn such self-centered obsession into flattery, deception, distraction, manipulation. Demands are made with offers of negotiation in order to exert influence and control. As if they have received little, the reality of their behavior is more that they have lost what they most wanted: love, acceptance, security, and protection.

As the person becomes more adult in age and role, so also their obsession to receive love and attention becomes modified by shaming from their parents and the society such that it is mutated into compulsive giving in place of compulsive taking. There is an appearance of social acceptability and sincere caring in their over-mothering. Intense in expression, the negative Chicory person, like the Oral Character, forces their children and spouse into co-dependency. Withheld from learning self-responsibility skills and adopting an attitude of self-directness, they may find it easier, yet depressing, to let super-mom or super-dad rule their lives. The extreme toxic shame thrown upon them for daring not to accept the attentions of the negative Chicory dictator are often too painful to sustain or continually rebel against.

The longer-term negative Chicory pattern is continually sabotaging of love and respect as the reality played out in the reactive GIVING pattern ensures that the recipients feel ignored, criticised, held at a distance, and hated. It should be kept in perspective that hate is a longer-term continual emotion of DISLIKE. Like other emotions, it can vary in intensity of expression. If one constantly criticises, blames, defends, demands, and avoids another person they are conveying to that person that they do not like to be near them. They are making the experience of the other person one of disharmony and dislike. Often, the receiving person will have less and less open communication with the possessive character and trust communication will disappear, if it had ever been allowed expression. Not to hear what is desired is to get criticised and ridiculed for being truthful.

The detail of the actions and statements of the negative Chicory state are easy to compare with those of the positive Chicory state. In the negative, the insecure and needy person imposes much assistance on other persons. It becomes quickly evident that this concern and caring is selfishly motivated for there is considerable sensitivity about the degree of immediate acknowledgement returned. Constant commenting is meant to elicit constant return attention.

Others are held "responsible" for not thanking the negative Chicory type for the interferences they have made in the lives of others who never asked them to. When gifts and comments of appreciation do not materialise, intense anger, sadness, jealousy, defensiveness, pride, and selfishness may be expressed. There is often a considerable degree of inner tension in the negative Chicory type which fuels a good degree of hyperactivity. Together these minimise the quality and emotionally sharing time which the negative Chicory person spends with others.

For the person in the positive Chicory state, there is a feeling of continual Grace of Love from God. One acknowledges daily and hourly that by such Grace they have life, choice, and opportunities for happiness and involvement. They are secure in themselves and bring love to themselves by their awareness of what they like and prefer. They do for themselves rather than expect that all of the benefit they should have must come from others. With a sensitivity of themselves and a love of themselves they can share their happiness and joy with others with the careful discernment of when others are receptive.

Assertively and sensitively offered, it is evident that such attention is offered selflessly with nothing expected in return. The positive Chicory person is often calm and contented as they soak in the spiritual energies available to them for their strength.

EXAMPLES: CHICORY, Remedy #08
NEGATIVE <--- ---> POSITIVE
imposing <--- ---> warmth
vengeful <--- ---> kindness
criticizing <--- ---> sensitivity
self-fear <--- ---> secure in self
manipulative <--- ---> protective
domineering <--- ---> devoted