centaury flower essence
Updated: May 9
Centaury flower essence
"Kind, quiet, gentle people who are over-anxious to serve others. They overtax their strength in their endeavours. Their wish so grows upon them that they become more servants than willing helpers. Their good nature leads them to do more than their own share of work, and in so doing they may neglect their own particular mission in life." ~ Edward Bach, The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies
A Centaury blockage:
weak-willed
insecure
easily upset and hurt
easily influenced
passive
timid and docile
uncertain
unassertive
can't say no
Positive expression of:
retains individuality
lives own life
knows when (and why) to say yes
serves by choice
follows own personal mission/calling
Centaurium umbellatum
Regardless of whether or not they're presenting in a "negative" or "positive" way, I would be inclined to call Centaury souls the giving ones. Good-natured, quiet, and fairly non-problematic to be around, as children they're often labeled the "easy kids" who don't give their folks much—if any—trouble. Which, as a parent, might sound pretty dang nice, especially when we consider the alternative.
But the reality is a little less rosy and leaves the Centaury soul so busy "nicely" serving others that they ignore their own mission in life. Thus their personal inner calling goes unanswered, and the joy that it would lead to lies undiscovered. That joy is still there for the taking, but the Centaury soul has no time to reach for it, buried as they are in the demands and dictates of others.
doormats & servants
If I could give you only one word to accurately sum up a negative Centaury personality? It would be the proverbial: doormat. If I were allowed to give you a second? Tack on servant. Often insecure and eager for validation, they find themselves unable to say no to anyone or anything.
This is due in part to a need for recognition—recognition that their service will give them. But it's not only the insecurity that turns them into the "yes man," but also their need for peace. Because saying yes is the path of least resistance, and while they very much want to please, they would also like very much to not rock the boat.
A classic example of this is the adult child that takes over the family business even if they feel no inclination to do so. It's the painter that follows in her mom's footsteps and becomes a lawyer simply because it's expected of her. It's the son who never marries, forgoing his own family to instead care for his demanding mum. It's definitely not that the Centaury soul doesn't want to be of service, in fact they're frequently eager to do so but the duties they take on just aren't their calling. And so they find themselves so busy helping and/or pleasing others that they forget to help (and please) themselves.
lack of will
The problem with a negative Centaury personality is that they lack will—or perhaps more accurately—the capacity to assert it. Not feeling as though they're able to stand up for themselves, let alone argue on their behalf, they are easily taken advantage of by the more assertive souls among us. Their wishes go unheard, but largely because they simply don't speak them. And in the presence of these dominant personalities, the individuality of the Centaury person diminishes. Timid and shy, they almost seem as if they've been absorbed into another person or situation.
Not only do they take on jobs and duties that don't serve them, but they also typically take on a far heavier workload than they should. The submissive nature of the Centaury individual leads them to be easily overworked, resulting in low vitality and chronic fatigue. Because if all we do is say yes to everything that is asked of us, it leaves no time to follow our own joy. Our own explorations and discovery of purpose. Not only does this strip the Centaury soul of life's joys, but it also turns them from a helper into a servant.
the flip side
The positively expressed Centaury soul looks much different, however. They are often still the servers of society, but now they do so on a path that is their own and not one set out before them. Mentally active and alert, they have the courage to follow the dreams and wishes that spring from within, staying true to themselves.
Negatively, the Centaury individual can often be persuaded to do things that they really have no inclination towards, but on the positive side we see them following the call of their soul even if when doing so won't please others. They realize that this is their life, and if they won't live it, who will? There's a new inner fortitude that allows them to say no when they need to. And when they do say yes? It's because they've knowingly made the choice to do so and not simply for the validation, the recognition, or the need to maintain peace.
The healthy Centaury soul is also able to retain their glorious individuality. They are now a distinct and separate personality, even when integrated into social groups and settings. No longer are the lines blurred, they are their own person and now possess the will and the confidence to express it ♥
"Are you one of those people whom everybody uses, because in the kindness of your heart you do not like to refuse them anything: do you just give in for the sake of peace rather than do what you know is right, because you do not wish to struggle: whose motive is good, but who are being passively used instead of actively choosing your own work.” Edward Bach
only one
It's important to remember that if only one of the aforementioned blockage symptoms resonates with you, then giving Centaury a try is still a good call. There will be certain personality types that exhibit nearly all of the symptoms nearly all of the time, but that's not always the case.
For a detailed explanation of how to take the Bach flower essences and where to buy them, please visit my post here: Flower Essences: How to Use. And before I leave you for today, I will reassure you that I'm still slowly but surely working through each and every one of the flower essences! You can find them all conveniently located here: flower essences. Individually, this is what I've managed to accomplish thus far (slow and steady wins the race ♥):
I hope I've answered all of your questions on how to take the remedies, but if not, feel free to reach out to Melinda via our contact page! ♥
until next time...
And that'll wrap it up for Centaury! Next on tap: Cerato. Below you can find my cheat sheet that should tide you over until I get through all thirty-eight of the flower essences :)
Much love & thanks for reading,
Melinda
Bach Flower Practitioner
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