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The First Light® Blog

Explore a treasure trove of insights, inspiration, and practical advice on holistic healing and personal growth with First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®

Do Flower Essences Work? Exploring Popularity, Science and Real Life Experiences

Do Flower Essences Work? Exploring Popularity, Science and Real Life Experiences

Flower essences are making waves in the world of natural wellness and are gaining more and more recognition. Not just amongst ‘new agers’ but among holistic practitioners and in mainstream wellness and beauty circles. They’ve been recommended by lifestyle platform, Goop and featured in Vogue. They are increasingly sought after for their energetic and emotional […]

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Break Free From Twelve Fears and Negative Core Beliefs

Break Free From Twelve Fears and Negative Core Beliefs

Have you ever felt trapped by fear or weighed down by or your own negative self-talk? Ever noticed the same limiting patterns holding you back? What if the key to breaking free was deep inside of you – at the level of your DNA… At a metaphysical level, DNA is the basis for all relatedness, […]

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Reconnect with your inner healer, craft your own flower essence blends

Reconnect with your inner healer, craft your own flower essence blends

For centuries people have followed an inner calling and discovered wonderful ways to connect with the wisdom of the earth. They have stepped into forests, and been guided to gather flowers and plants.   They created natural remedies and plant medicines for body, mind and soul, and brought balance and holistic wellbeing to themselves, their […]

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How do you know your flower essences are working?

How do you know your flower essences are working?

If you are new to flower essences, you might wonder: How will I know when they are actually working? Or perhaps you’re curious about what others experience when they use them. Every journey with flower essences is unique, but one thing is certain: they work in subtle yet profound ways. At first you may notice […]

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Feeling impatient, irritable, on edge or exhausted?

Feeling impatient, irritable, on edge or exhausted?

First Light® No 2 Native Flax – The Enthusiasm Essence. Are you feeling impatient, irritable or on edge? Finding yourself flaring up easily or reacting to things that you usually brush off? Perhaps you’ve taken on too much, exhausted but unable to slow down… Or does your energy feel scattered, your inner spark dimmed… What […]

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Wishing you had a little more joy or hope?

Wishing you had a little more joy or hope?

Today is a perfect day to share some light… For a limited time only, we are giving away some ‘Joy’ and a little ‘Hope’ for you to enjoy with your next order.* So if you wish you could feel more optimistic or you’d like to tap into some hope, inspiration and luck – you can […]

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Heightened sensitivity?  Feeling drained or overwhelmed? Here’s help.

Heightened sensitivity? Feeling drained or overwhelmed? Here’s help.

Last week we heard from a young woman who shared that her heightened sensitivity made being in busy places, and around other people, really draining and stressful. She found herself feeling so anxious about going out that she often chose to stay home instead, feeling safer and more at peace in her own space. If […]

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Peri/Menopause –  5 Simple Strategies – Your Top Take Aways to Feeling Your Best Self

Peri/Menopause – 5 Simple Strategies – Your Top Take Aways to Feeling Your Best Self

Top take aways from our recent Peri/Menopause Webinar Real Talk. Real Strategies. Real Life In a Nutshell: 5 Simple Strategies, Your Top Take Aways to Feeling Your Best Self: 🧡 #1 Movement: Get Slow and Strong: Movement is medicine.  When you exercise and your muscles contract, they secrete protein-like hormones called myokines – scientists call them […]

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See the Light at the End of the Tunnel with the ‘Hope’ Essence

See the Light at the End of the Tunnel with the ‘Hope’ Essence

First Light® No 79 Fragrant Fern – The Hope Essence. This native New Zealand plant essence supports deep levels of holistic healing. It helps us to remember that we are never alone, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. When life feels difficult or ‘dark’ this essence reminds us that anything […]

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October 2024 Supporting the people of Dunedin after flooding with donations of First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© blends

October 2024 Supporting the people of Dunedin after flooding with donations of First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© blends

Our wonderful First Light® tutor Patricia Stowell (left) has flown down Dunedin to meet Sarah, the practice manager at Taste Nature Organic Supermarket with some donated blends of First Light®Disaster Relief Support© – so you can grab yours for a koha at their dispensary on 131 High Street. 💚 Help to move beyond Trauma: This […]

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What Some Of Our Practitioners Are Doing To Help Those In Need

What Some Of Our Practitioners Are Doing To Help Those In Need

We are working on more ways to help people and animals in need with First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®.Stay tuned for an update on how you can join us. As thousands of New Zealanders are struggling to recover and get back ‘on their feet’ after the devastation caused by floods and the Cyclone Gabrielle, many of our practitioners are making up First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® […]

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February 2023 New Zealand Cyclone Gabrielle – Enabling 7000 Crisis Support© Blends to Help People and Animals in Distress, in Collaboration with with Anna, Gaia and Shanti

February 2023 New Zealand Cyclone Gabrielle – Enabling 7000 Crisis Support© Blends to Help People and Animals in Distress, in Collaboration with with Anna, Gaia and Shanti

We have donated 100 x 10ml stock bottles (valued $3300) to enable 7000 x 25ml Crisis Support© blends to be created for people and animals in distress In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle amidst the devastation that affected many parts of New Zealand, it has been inspirational to see selfless members of our community helping people and […]

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Updates from the Crisis Support© Roadie to Hawkes Bay, March 2023, After Cyclone Gabrielle, NZ

Updates from the Crisis Support© Roadie to Hawkes Bay, March 2023, After Cyclone Gabrielle, NZ

What an amazing few weeks it has been for young equestrian sisters, Gaia Aplin (18 years old) and Shanti Aplin (15 years old), who have so far made up and handed out just over 2000 Crisis Support© blends to help people and animals in distress after Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc throughout New Zealand this year on […]

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2020-2022 COVID Global Community Support Initiative – Enabling 7000 Crisis Support© Blends to Reach to People

2020-2022 COVID Global Community Support Initiative – Enabling 7000 Crisis Support© Blends to Reach to People

We are Donating 100 x 10ml stock bottles of First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Crisis Support© to our Global Community  As an unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic sweeps through communities worldwide,  First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® are donating 100 x 10ml stock combination essence bottles of First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Crisis Support©, […]

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Support From Nature When You Need It – Our Practitioners Shared Their ‘Go To’ Essences

Support From Nature When You Need It – Our Practitioners Shared Their ‘Go To’ Essences

As the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions eased and we considered venturing back into our communities and workplaces, some people were feeling uncertain, stressed, anxious or overwhelmed.  Nature is always at hand to help in the most practical of ways – and we asked some valued members of our First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® community to […]

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Revolutionary Natural Tools and Training for Holistic Wellbeing

Revolutionary Natural Tools and Training for Holistic Wellbeing

We are noticing that there is a powerful shift in the world with more and more people making conscious choices towards holistic and natural ways of living. It is evident that the opportunity to assist those who are seeking natural ways for self-healing and holistic wellbeing has never been greater. Revolutionary Holistic System First Light […]

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Nature’s Holistic Healing Matrix for Natural Wellbeing

Nature’s Holistic Healing Matrix for Natural Wellbeing

The full significance of knowing how to access the vast wisdom of Mother Nature has traditionally been understood in all cultures and healing traditions from time immemorial. Throughout the ages, humanity has looked to nature to facilitate healing by having recourse to Mother Nature, our guide and teacher. The sacred healing methods and resources that […]

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Clear Life Trauma, Hurt and Suffering

Clear Life Trauma, Hurt and Suffering

“We only begin to heal when we address our initial wounding and its associated pain and trauma. This trauma can result from a single event or from repeated experiences of abuse or deprivation.” – Anthony Wyber After the initial shock, the energetic imprints of trauma can linger at an unconscious cellular level for a very long […]

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Unique Holistic Healing Power of First Light® Fern Essences

Unique Holistic Healing Power of First Light® Fern Essences

Aotearoa, New Zealand is a very special country for many reasons one of which is the sheer variety and proliferation of ferns that are endemic to this land. As a distinct feature of the landscape of New Zealand, ferns can be found growing on the highest mountain peaks right down to where the land meets the […]

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How to Clear Trauma From Your Life

How to Clear Trauma From Your Life

Did you know that the impact of all types of trauma is stored in your aura? If you have ever experienced a shock, an accident (even a minor one), a bereavement, sudden change in circumstances, given birth, had dental or other surgery or had a ‘close call’ that gave you a fright, among a myriad […]

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Russian Dolls and Mother Nature’s Secret to Holistic Healing

Russian Dolls and Mother Nature’s Secret to Holistic Healing

As somebody supporting others on their holistic healing journey – or traversing your own – you may have noticed how some people seem to be doing all the ‘right things’ to help themselves and yet they struggle to make a real break-through. …they tend to come up against the same old obstacles time and time […]

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Say No to Fear – Mother Nature’s Answer in a Time of Need

Say No to Fear – Mother Nature’s Answer in a Time of Need

With so much happening in the world right now, you may be feeling fearful. It is true to say that collectively humanity is experiencing significant and unprecedented challenges and it is easy to get swept into the negativity, chaos and fear that we are constantly confronted with in others and by the media. We have […]

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How Anna Gentry Found Her True Purpose in Life and Now Helping Young People Experience ‘Magical’ Transformation

How Anna Gentry Found Her True Purpose in Life and Now Helping Young People Experience ‘Magical’ Transformation

There are many paths that lead a person to discovering First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®. Sometimes it is through trying the very first personalised blend made by a friend or a practitioner, sometimes it is a synchronistic find on Google search or a serendipitous encounter on social media.  Today I am sharing a powerful […]

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Support Through Physical or Financial Difficulties with No 37 King Fern

Support Through Physical or Financial Difficulties with No 37 King Fern

We recently received a question from a young mum who is facing a difficult situation financially. We know that there are probably other people and families who are facing similar issues so with permission we are sharing this question and the answer we gave in this email with you. “I feel so traumatised with what is […]

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Shining the ‘Healing Light’ – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Tutors

Shining the ‘Healing Light’ – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Tutors

It is my experience that we each have a unique light that we have come to shine out into the world in our own special way. The photos above are of our team of wonderful First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® tutors who are teaching First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® workshops in New […]

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What Is The Difference Between Flower Essences, Essential Oils and Other Natural Healing Options?

What Is The Difference Between Flower Essences, Essential Oils and Other Natural Healing Options?

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between different natural healing modalities such as essential oils, psychic healing, supplements, herbs and flower essences – and what their healing capabilities actually are? With so many choices on offer it can be really overwhelming to know what the right solution for you and your family is, when you are looking for support […]

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Maria’s Story and How She Funded Her Studies to Become a Flower Essence Practitioner

Maria’s Story and How She Funded Her Studies to Become a Flower Essence Practitioner

Today I am sharing an inspiring story from Maria Gerathy, a First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® practitioner and tutor in Sydney, Australia, who is a mother of 4 and has been using flower essences with her family and with her clients for over 25 years.   People come to First Light Flower Essences […]

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The Voice of the Plant Spirits… The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa Vol 1

The Voice of the Plant Spirits… The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa Vol 1

It always fascinates me to hear stories about how people find their way to First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®.   My book The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa Vol 1 was first published in 2009 and thousands of copies have been sold to people around the world. Over the 12 years since it was published, […]

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Dec 2010 – Jan 2011 Queensland Flooding – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Community Support 

Dec 2010 – Jan 2011 Queensland Flooding – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Community Support 

 Facts: Significant flooding occurred in many areas of Queensland during late December 2010 and early January 2011, with three quarters of the state declared a disaster zone. Contacts and Collection Points:  Brisbane Julie Hannah First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Registered practitioner Email  [email protected]

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Sep 2010 – Feb 2011 Christchurch Earthquake – Volunteers Helping 4500 People with First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief©

Sep 2010 – Feb 2011 Christchurch Earthquake – Volunteers Helping 4500 People with First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief©

Facts: A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand at 4.35am, 4th September 2010. In the six weeks following over 1500 aftershocks, many of them violent and up to magnitude 5.0, continued to traumatise the people of Canterbury. A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand just before 1pm, 22 February 2011. First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® […]

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November 2010 Greymouth Coalmine Explosion – 1000 x 25ml Blends of First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© Donated to Greymouth Red Cross

November 2010 Greymouth Coalmine Explosion – 1000 x 25ml Blends of First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© Donated to Greymouth Red Cross

Facts: An explosion takes place at the Pike River coalmine near Greymouth, on 19th November 2010 at 3.45pm trapping 29 miners underground. A second explosion on the 24th November occurs at the mine and it was publically announced that none of the 29 trapped miners could have survived.  First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® immediately donates 1000 ready […]

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March 2011 Japan Earthquake – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Community Support

March 2011 Japan Earthquake – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Community Support

Facts: A magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on 11th March 2011, triggering a series of tsunami.  Concerns around impact on unstable nuclear plants. Contacts and Collection Points for First Light® Disaster Support© and Crisis Support©: Minako Hama First Light Flower Essence of New Zealand® Registered Practitioner and Tutor 2-12-3 Omorinaka Ota-ku,Tokyo, Japan Ph: +81-(0)3 […]

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Jul-Aug 2013 Wellington Earthquake – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© Blend

Jul-Aug 2013 Wellington Earthquake – First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© Blend

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Wellington, New Zealand at 5.10pm, 21st July 2013. Another magnitude 6.6 earthquake was confirmed on Friday, 16th August 2013 at 2.31pm centred just off Seddon at the top of the South Island.  A specially formulated First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Disaster Relief© – Quake Mix flower essence blend is available in exchange […]

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The First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Founder Community Initiatives 2013 – 2015

The First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Founder Community Initiatives 2013 – 2015

First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® is built on the foundational principle that nature is and has always been the greatest healer and teacher. Nature teaches us that everything is interconnected, inter-related and an integral part of the great pattern or web of life.  At First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® we see this web […]

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Celebrating Young People and Their Passion for Helping Friends, Family and Communities

Celebrating Young People and Their Passion for Helping Friends, Family and Communities

PHOTO: (left to right) Anna Gentry (tutor), Shanti Aplin (15 years old), Faline Davis (16 years old) and Gaia Aplin (18 Years old) at the First Light® Plants – Life Enhancement workshop in Tutukaka coast, New Zealand, May 2023 We loved seeing Faline, Tallulah, Shanti, Gaia and Selena attending recent First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® workshops and […]

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The Difference Between Herbs, Aromatherapy, Flower Essences and Other Modalities

The Difference Between Herbs, Aromatherapy, Flower Essences and Other Modalities

As we journey further into the 21st century and the Aquarian Age, an informed groundswell of people is arising and we are, consciously choosing to actively participate in our own healing journeys. Many of us are choosing to work with nature-based healing modalities but… With so many options and products available out there, it is […]

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Q&A: Need More Sleep?

Q&A: Need More Sleep?

There are some things that you may not know about the First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Online School. One feature that our students tell us they really love is the “Ask Franchelle” Section where they can submit their study related questions and any questions they have about flower essences and holistic healing directly to […]

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How is Sacred Plant Medicine Made?

How is Sacred Plant Medicine Made?

“All living creatures have their own medicine messages to share with those that are willing to learn their language.” Native American First Nation medicine woman and author Jamie Sams Since time immemorial highly skilled healers and ancient wisdom keepers throughout the world have been aware of the powerful and extraordinary intelligence that is imbedded in […]

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True Love Chocolate Truffles

True Love Chocolate Truffles

A divine love-filled treat that is easy to make and melt-in-the-mouth delectable. Includes a special combination of flower essences to support heart-based connections and the light of true love. Cream together: Then add 1 cup chopped nuts and/or dried fruit. (We used pistachio nuts, crystallised ginger and dried apricots, finely chopped.) 4 drops each of […]

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The Making of Sacred Plant Medicine

The Making of Sacred Plant Medicine

Ancient wisdom keepers Since time immemorial healers and ancient wisdom keepers throughout the world have been aware of the powerful and extraordinary intelligence that is embedded in nature. Throughout all cultures, indigenous people have understood their connection to nature and to the web of oneness or the unity of all life. They have traditionally worked […]

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Flower Essences: Addressing the Link Between Dis-Ease and the Human Spirit

Flower Essences: Addressing the Link Between Dis-Ease and the Human Spirit

Healers, medicine men and women and wisdom-keepers of old saw a direct connection between the state of illness or dis-ease in a person and the condition of the human spirit. They fully understood the interconnection of the human spirit and the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of the being. They understood that all true […]

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The Unique Holistic Healing Power of New Zealand Native Plants

The Unique Holistic Healing Power of New Zealand Native Plants

New Zealand has long been recognised for its unique flora and pristine energy. New Zealand’s native flora is some of the most ancient on the planet and it has some of the oldest forests on Earth. My journey of working with New Zealand native plants has been a magical one of loving intelligent cooperation with the plant […]

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What You May Not Know About Flower Essences

What You May Not Know About Flower Essences

Flower essences are becoming more and more popular and whilst you may be seeing incredible results from working with First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®, there may be some very unique aspects to the way that this sacred plant ‘medicine’ is made and how it actually works, that you may not know about… Made […]

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Clearing 7 Types of Trauma During These Challenging Times

Clearing 7 Types of Trauma During These Challenging Times

A growing number of mental health professionals are calling the pandemic a collective trauma.   A mass or collective trauma takes place when the same event or chain of events traumatises many people within the same period of time.  In many ways, COVID-19 and events associated with it have presented some of the biggest challenges […]

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Plant Profile: First Light® No 10 Starry Hibiscus: The Tenderness Essence

Plant Profile: First Light® No 10 Starry Hibiscus: The Tenderness Essence

First Light® No 10 Starry Hibiscus Deva’s Blessing “I bring the gift of tenderness and inner sustenance. Through me you find the inner ocean of the cherishing light where there are no tides – only a serenity and calmness that knows no ebb.” Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber, Founder and Creator Starry Hibiscus is now not so common in […]

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Plant Profile: First Light® No 23 Lacebark – Fearlessness

Plant Profile: First Light® No 23 Lacebark – Fearlessness

First Light® No 23 Lacebark Deva’s Blessing “I bring the gift of fearlessness. Captain of your Soul – rightfully steering your vessel through the tempest of life. Through me you are steady, rising above the waves of excess – brought safely back to shore.” Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber, Founder and Creator Lacebark is a fast growing shrub […]

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Plant Profile: First Light® No 84 Kawakawa – Faith

Plant Profile: First Light® No 84 Kawakawa – Faith

First Light® No 84 Kawakawa Deva’s Blessing I offer you the mantle of faith. Through me you reach for the impossible – believing in your zenith. Knowing no limitation, a Child of Light a Master of All.” Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber, Founder and Creator Kawakawa is a well-known New Zealand native plant that has large shiny aromatic […]

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Plant Profile: First Light® No 12 Native Harebell – Tenacity

Plant Profile: First Light® No 12 Native Harebell – Tenacity

First Light® No 12 Native Harebell Deva’s Blessing “I bring the gift of emotional tenacity with its powerful eddies and swirls. Through me you experience the powerful pull and complexity of feelings but are reborn in the caressing waters of love.” Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber, Founder and Creator Native Harebell is a small creeping alpine herb whose flowers […]

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