Words of Appreciation
“Open your heart. Open your hands. Open this book. Receive the gifts of the plants. Smile. Repeat. Ahhh. Green blessings are everywhere.” —Susun S. Weed, Wise Woman Herbal Series
“Sylvia Marie’s book is a beautiful way to connect with the deeper healing processes of nature.” —Gay Hendricks, Author of The Big Leap
“This is probably the best written flower essence book in terms of poetic and literary skill. We don’t need that to guarantee that we are looking at a good, competent treatment of the subject: Bach himself had a difficult time defining the emotions corresponding to plants, but he was first. Since we cannot always know a flower essence before having extensive experience with it, it gives us confidence to find the emotional states well-defined and even poetically written. We don’t have to puzzle over what the author had in mind, or how the sentences hang together into a coherent whole. We need some variation from the original theme and we get that as well. Frankly, this ought to be used as a textbook about how to define flower essences. I have known Sylvia Marie for over thirty years…This is a flower essence book I can highly recommend.” —Matthew Wood MSc (Herbal Medicine) Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism, Author of The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicine and many others.
“From the Heart of the Sun is a beautifully written tribute to flowers and flower essences. Sylvia invites us to connect and interact with flowers in a deeply intimate and spiritual way and then provides the necessary tools and guidance that allows us to do so. As Sylvia states, ‘in this book the flowers speak to you,’ and I found that to be true. I loved reading about each of the flowers we are introduced to, and also enjoyed the bits of Earthly wisdom tucked in every page. The author has a deep connection and love of nature, which shines through the entire book. For anyone interested in deepening their relationship with flowers, flower essences, nature and healing, this book will be a valuable resource.” —Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist, Author of Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, and many others.
“I found From the Heart of the Sun, charming, informative, and actually hard to put down. I was surprised by its depth and insights, and pleased with the constant referral to natural law and the healing powers of nature and plant essences. Sylvia’s history with Bertelle’s Bird Circus seems to have opened a portal for these understandings and the fundamental importance of one’s relationship with nature and one’s own internal essence. This seems reflected in her transformational psychotherapy practice, going beyond talk therapy, following the rhythm and healing powers of nature. From the Heart of the Sun is a humbling reminder of our relationship to nature and is a meaningful introduction to the potential of flowers and flower essences in the realm of healing.” —Fritz Frederick Smith, MD, Founder of Zero Balancing, Author of Inner Bridges: A Guide to Energy Movement and Structure and The Alchemy of Touch
“I love your book! I hope to meet you one day. Dostoyevsky said: ‘Beauty will save the world.’ Without exaggeration, if enough people take to heart the message of the Heart of the Sun, and put it into practice we will live on a new Earth. In an age of cynicism and violence, the flowers and their essences are the perfect healing counterbalance. Thank you, Sylvia Marie, for continuing in your own way the work of Machaelle Small Wright and so many pioneers in this vital, yet often misunderstood, field.” —Sky Otter (Bill Pfeiffer), Sacred Earth Network, Author of Wild Earth, Wild Soul
“From the Heart of the Sun is lovely and informative, giving me several perspectives and ideas about how to be with flowers and learn from them. My husband and I are meditators, so we will use the meditation to clear, empty, and make us available to the flowers. There is so much to learn! And, I love the idea of coming closer to the essence of the flower itself, rather than standing back in admiration and awe (which is okay, but there is much more to life than standing back!). This book has subtly influenced me to open to the life in my garden and in the world, to be in relationship with what I see as well as observing it. Thank you again for this wonderful walk in the woods of your book. Your writing is beautiful and nuanced, yet plain spoken as well. You have, perhaps, unpacked the experience and knowledge, a layer at a time, so that I was better prepared to ride along with you into the world of flowers. Thank you, Sylvia Marie. I loved the commentary from the flowers themselves, how they inform us of their strengths and healing capacities, and how there is room for a flower to touch my life in different ways than I might think.” —Angel Booth, Author of Sobering Thoughts – A Memoir: Alcoholism, Family, Courage and Redemption
“I love the energy in From the Heart of the Sun. Sylvia urges us to connect with the spirit of the flowers, meditate, interact with the flowers and plants, and that the flowers lead us to connection to a larger whole and provide a way for the oneness to come through to us. It is a well-written book and I found it easy to keep reading, as I liked the flower energy that jumps off the pages. A powerful point is that plants are not about fixing, but instead, moving to a higher vibrational pattern. This is a guide to being empowered by flowers, playing with them, joining with their spirit and absorbing their uplifting essence.” Sanaya Roman, Author of Living with Joy and several others. Co-Founder of Luminescence
“What a beautiful book! We love it. I will be showing it to all the medical students I instruct at UCSF each month as part of my ‘alternative medicine’ lecture…” —Allen Flach, MD, Pharm D, Professor of Ophthalmology, Author “From the Heart of the Sun is a transformative journey into the heart of nature’s healing power. With deep wisdom and grace, Sylvia illuminates the unique virtues of 17 distinct flowers, offering a profound understanding of how each can attune us to the qualities within ourselves. This beautifully written guide goes beyond the surface, inviting readers to connect with the essence of each flower, and in doing so, nurture their own inner energies and potential for healing. It’s a book that resonates with both the mind and soul, opening pathways to harmony, balance, and well-being. A must-read for anyone seeking personal growth and a deeper connection to the natural world.” —Gary Sherman, MSW, Author of Perceptual Integration: The Mechanics of Awakening, and Tales of a Committed Visitor: Living and Learning as Spirit in Form