FLOWER RXS HOME

AGRIMONY
ASPEN
BEECH
CENTAURY
CERATO
CHERRY PLUM
CHESTNUT BUD
CHICORY
CLEMATIS
CRAB APPLE
ELM
GENTIAN
GORSE
HEATHER
HOLLY
HONEYSUCKLE
HORNBEAM
IMPATIENS
LARCH
MIMULUS
MUSTARD
OAK
OLIVE
PINE
RED CHESTNUT
RESCUE REMEDY
ROCK ROSE
ROCK WATER
SCLERANTHUS
STAROF BETHLEHEM
SWEET CHESTNUT
VERVAIN
VINE
WALNUT
WATER VIOLET
WHITE CHESTNUT
WILD OAT
WILD ROSE
WILLOW

The remedy Centaury belongs to Bach's group of Oversensitive to Influences and Ideas, along with the remedies of Agrimony, Walnut, and Holly. The Centaury sensitivity is described as a heightened serviceability that is marked by the inclination to please and accommodate others.

In the mental realm, the balance of perception is tilted overly in favor of others. In the Centaury state, the mind is easily impressed with the needs and demands of others, to the point of wishing to do good and be of service. One gives others priority over oneself, seeing their needs first and de-emphasizing one's own.
This attitude is truly enriching for oneself and others, except under certain circumstances. As a person's life unfolds, there comes a moment when a decision of destiny has to be made. Old ties are meant to be loosened or broken at such a point and new commitments envisioned. The Centaury mentality might be so strong, the habit of serving so encompassing, as to impede one's view of fresh horizons leading to deepened self-realization. Feelings of guilt and loyalty may further bind and narrow one's way. Hidden talents may not be furthered; life may seem more as drudgery than adventure.
The other mistake the service-oriented person may make is to overlook growing personal weakness and exhaustion. As needs of others seem predominant, one's own assume less importance, and one's health and strength may be undermined slowly. Change of perception is important at such a point, shifting from the overemphasis on the value of others to one's own value as a person with needs and wishes, from unceasing helpfulness to still reserve, recreating one's strength.
In mental illness, if excessive submission and attempts to please others are part of the underlying dynamic, Centaury is of service, as in dependent personality disorder (cf. Cerato).

In the Centaury state, emotional involvement and relationship issues may be strong.
Serving others may be a refuge for some, a binding up of one's identity with a positive attitude, a way to build self-esteem and find approval by others. Usually, however, Centaury people feel true love and sympathy for others which motivates them to be helpful and kind. They find joy in service and often do not understand why others are not equally giving and unassuming.
If give and take is unequal between two people, however, there may easily develop the attitude of servant and master, one humbling himself, the other augmenting himself. From this may grow resentment or frustration in the helpful person as opposed to insensitivity and neglect in the demanding person.
Joy of service may change into duty over time, as parts of the personality become too enmeshed with the needs of others and personal creativity and satisfaction are hampered.
The helpful person may also lack courage to make his needs known, or his ethical principles may forbid to entertain resentful impulses and to assert over the needs of others.
There may be sadness within, due to unfulfilled potential or unanswered needs. There may also be disappointment in people and an inner sense that one has not been recognized for one's output. Yet, the unceasing and reliable satisfaction of service is experienced, healing the soul continually and impeding

To give strength of self-realization. To recreate energy and stamina. To help free from wrong obligations and stifling commitments, while upholding genuine desire to serve.