Bach Flower Database

Botany: Pinus sylvestris
Preparation: Boiling Method
Represents: Self-Acceptance

Pine corresponds to our ability to move beyond guilt (especially unwarranted guilt) and find self-acceptance. Positive pine personalities place great trust in the Universal Love and take comfort in knowing that they are part of a larger plan. Warts and all, they believe, everyone "fits" and everyone belongs.

In the negative state, however, guilt rules to such an extent that the person's quality of life is dramatically affected. This guilt doesn't have to be tied to anything the soul actually did, either. Oftentimes, it's rooted in a childhood and comes from a suspicions that they were, perhaps, never really wanted. A child whose mothers died giving birth or needed an emergency hysterectomy after childbirth will often carry that unspoken guilt throughout their lives.

Sometimes the guilt becomes such a ruling factor in negative pine personality that he or she neglects basic needs and sacrifices even the most modest of comforts in a effort to punish himself or herself.

Imagine a woman tormented by memories of events long past. Decades ago, as a scared and lonely teenager, she terminated an unplanned pregnancy without confiding in anyone. All these years later, she is still consumed by guilt even though she secretly suspects that she made the right choice at the time.

Her guilt extends beyond life-changing decisions, though. In her closet hangs a lovely cashmere coat that she purchased several months ago on sale. And there it will stay--tags still attached--because our young woman feels guilty wearing such a luxurious piece of clothing when so many of the world's children have no coat at all.

At the supermarket, without even realizing it, she will choose the oldest produce so she can leave the fresh vegetable for those who "deserve" it. She'll make no effort to look for the freshest bread or the milk with the longest shelf life.

This young woman is in a negative pine state. To others, she seems as though she has to apologize for her very existence. Coworkers find her morose and difficult to talk to. They avoid working with her whenever possible. Her need to punish herself for the "sins" of her past are driving others away. And in a strange way, she finds comfort in that.

Ultimately, she is rejecting the one universal truth--we are all worthy of God's love.

The Positive Pine State

The positive pine personality believes that all people are created as equals and that every person is born with inherent human rights. They accept responsibility for their own mistakes without allowing guilt to rule their lives.