Carole Guyett - Sacred Plant Initiations: Communicating with Plants for Healing and Higher Consciousness

Acknowledgments

G rateful thanks go to everyone who has taken part in the plant diets I have led and especially to those who have generously shared their stories. Many of your names have been changed to protect your privacy, but you know who you are, and the book would not have been possible without your valued contributions. Particular thanks go to my treasured friends and labyrinth sisters Martina, Rose, and Joan. I am forever grateful for your constant loving hearts, endless support, good humor, and practical assistance. You are angels in human form.

Thanks to Judith for your beautiful illustrations and to Rowan and Erin for your photographs. Gratitude to Henrique for your lovely flute playing, to Tommy for lending us instruments, and to Ruth for passing on the Key Flower story. Thanks also to Camaleonte from Damanhur for assisting me with the plant biofeedback device, thereby allowing us to hear the songs of the plants.

Thanks to Liz for diligently reading the manuscript and giving so much sensible advice. Gratitude to the team at Inner Traditions, especially my helpful and understanding editors, Laura Schlivek and Claire Diamond; you have been a pleasure to work with. Thanks to Penny for your advice at the start of this project and to Eleanor for holding the connection with Islay.

Grateful thanks to Arwyn, whose wise teachings have shaped my work. Blessings to you and Tree for your generous hearts, your unfailing support, and your inspiring commitment to a Dream of Beauty. I would also like to thank Dawn and my teachers, guides, and helpers from all of the worlds who have offered so much support and guidance for this book. Boundless thanks go to the plants who are always there for me. I am honored and privileged to be in your service.

Immeasurable thanks go to my dear soul sister Pam. Heartfelt gratitude for the gifts of your love and friendship, and for our shared dreams and dedication to the plant world. Our bond is a rare and precious thing, and I give thanks for your presence in my life. Your enthusiastic encouragement has driven me onward and your constant support has kept this book afloat when it might otherwise have floundered. Bless you for your generous advice, for your detailed comments on the original manuscript, and for giving me an American perspective. Further gratitude to you, Mark, for the comfort of your outstandingly warm heart.

Thanks to Carol and Yukari and to all my loving and supportive family and friends. Particular thanks go to my wonderful sons, Josh and Rory. You are bright, shining lights in my life and your influence on this book has been immense. Thanks for your laughter and love, for your inspiration and philosophical discussions, your computer skills, your cooking, and so much more. Special thanks for taking on the audio tracks and bringing such expertise, dedication, and fun to the project.

Finally, I send thanks to my beloved husband, Steve, brave and strong-hearted enough to share this journey. I give thanks for your precious love and commitment and for always believing in me. Thank you for your guardianship, humor, and support and for honoring my dream. I love you.

FOREWORD

Becoming Truly Human

M y first plant initiation began in the spring of 2010 while I was in rural England on a work assignment teaching GreenBreath and plant communication to a group of interested students. The plan was for a relatively simple and consolidated round trip, including time on the front end to touch down in Ireland for a few precious days with my so distant yet close friend Carole Guyett. Days later in the course of teaching in England, I happened early one morning to take notice of a vast array of little yellow Primroses painting the hillside behind my lovely little guest cottage in the Cornwall countryside. I had never seen so many in one place, certainly not at home in Vermont where