In a previous article, we discussed the differences between Walnut and Wild Oat; both with life ambitions, but whilst Walnut are following their ideals, Wild Oat are yet to discover them.
Walnut is an interesting remedy in other ways too as it has wide-reaching uses.
In his booklet ‘The Twelve Healers & Other Remedies’ Dr. Bach describes it as the remedy which is:
“For those who have definite ideals and ambitions in life and are fulfilling them, but on rare occasions are tempted to be led away from their own ideas, aims and work by the enthusiasm, convictions or strong opinions of others.
The remedy gives constancy and protection from outside influences.”
So Walnut is for those who are living their life, determined and centred on their particular path, but may be tempted away by the expressed considerations and opinions of others – or persuaded that the ‘grass will be greener’ if they went a different way. Just as a diversion sign on an unfamiliar road can be distracting, so Walnut’s emotional ‘diversion’ similarly causes a degree of doubt and uncertainty. The Walnut remedy, then, helps to steer us back to the road we were on and protects us from persuasive forces that try to divert us.
At the Bach Centre, we teach and frequently recommend that, in addition to its protective uses, Walnut can also be helpful during periods of change. This can sometimes cause confusion because Dr. Bach doesn’t specifically mention the word ‘change’ in his final description.
However, a change in life’s circumstances can be disrupting and unsettling. And can adversely affect, or cause us to be influenced by, circumstances that may not have been part of our original plan or chosen path in life. Of course, not all change is unsettling; some life changes are welcomed and wanted. But others – maybe a change of school, home, job – or one of life’s major milestones – can make us feel like ‘a fish out of water’ and throw us into turmoil. If this is the case, Walnut is the remedy to help us find our way and feel settled. Here is what Dr. Bach said about Walnut in his story ‘The Walnut Tree’:
“This remedy, Walnut, is the remedy of advancing stages: teething, puberty, change of life.
Also for the big decisions made during life, such as change of religion, change of occupation, change of country.
It is the remedy for great change. The remedy for those who have decided to take a great step forward in life. The decision to step forward, to break old conventions, to leave old limits and restrictions, and to start on a new and better way, often brings with it physical suffering because of the slight regrets, the slight heart-breakings at severance from old ties, old associations, old thoughts.”
So although this reflects Dr. Bach’s early thoughts about Walnut which he later refined to the description we see in ‘The Twelve Healers & Other Remedies’, it shows the development of his thinking and how the two ideas align: That change can be unsettling and that adjustment to change demands protection and constancy. They go hand in hand.
Walnut is a wonderfully versatile remedy; not only does it help us be who we are and live our life without being adversely affected by our circumstances or by the opinions of others, it also helps us manage change. Dr. Bach described it as “a great spell-breaker”, breaking the link that binds us to past issues by helping us resolve them by letting them go. Only then are we free to move on and enjoy life without being at odds with what went before.
Judy Ramsell Howard