Essences help us on so many levels: to soothe trauma, to balance the head and heart, to uncover and release old beliefs that are no longer vital and viable, to open to insight and awareness, to connect to that which is natural rather than normal, and to reconnect us to Nature. But perhaps most importantly of all, they help to raise consciousness - a gift beyond value in these times where unconscious behaviour is arguably causing massive suffering and destruction. We cannot think, live and create in isolation from Nature, expecting her to eternally provide what we endlessly plunder. Nor do we want to. It seems the human spirit is sickening for lack of contact with all that is green, living and vital. For many of us, essences provide a crucial link back to this energy.