These essences reflect the major challenges in your environment and the power of your individual influence in this world. They will challenge every decision you make and they will encourage you to direct your influence to a greater purpose that will help the wider community. These challenges relate to your adaptability and courage to change, and the responsibility that comes with leadership.


BLACK PANSY
It is time to complete unfinished projects or unresolved issues and move on. This is a time of major change and the decline has already begun. An established practice, career or product is now outmoded. Take care and remain calm, you are in the centre of a moving situation and have no influence on the outcome. Become involved with new opportunities.

The challenge is to develop new strategies.   

AMBER
The change is not yet complete. The gentle Yin is now full with the responsibility to lead the world out of confusion and chaos and back to order. The Yang is exhausted. Yield to the changes, be accepting of these times and allow the old grief to heal. With courage, life begins anew. 

The challenge is to heal the deep wounds of the past.   


NOBLE ORCHID
When a ruler is strong-willed, others will gather to work on community interests. Seize opportunities when they first arise and do not hesitate with commitment. As the leader you recognise the need for unity. Take care with your relationships, remain separate allowing some to come and others to go.  Then allow what has been set in motion to flow without effort. 

The challenge is leadership

PLUM BLOSSOM
Listen to the clear communication of your truth; do not let the opinions of others cloud your judgment. In nature, we see the penetrating influence of the invisible wind as it sculpts the landscape and scatters fragile blossoms. In mankind, it is the penetrating clarity of judgment that disperses resistance and goes into the depths of our consciousness to awaken the hidden good.

The challenge is to listen well.


CAMPHOR LAUREL
There is an unequal balance of forces in this situation and you are dependent on your current circumstances. Feeling unsafe and insecure, you sense the need for protection. This powerful environment, steeped in tradition, is much like a well-established family structure. Be still, know who you are and maintain your individual identity.

The challenge is maintain your identity in any environment.

ROCK ORCHID 
Remain strong and grounded in this stormy environment. Stand firm in your decisions; this is your power, for you know the storms will pass in time. Your influence carries responsibility for those dependent on you and who follow after you have left. Continue with a leadership of traditional values. Great power is a reflection of right timing, self worth and knowing when it is time to go.
  
The challenge is to stand firm.

JAPONICA 
The influence of a great ruler is everywhere. Just like the wind as it blows, it sets in motion the commands from heaven. Beware of inferior energy and deal with it swiftly. It's unwise to do business with people of questionable principles, tolerate them but do not give them power. With correct ideals, something of great significance begins to develop, bringing peace and security to the world. 

The challenge is to know the power of influence.   

CRUCIFIX ORCHID
When feeling out of step with the rapid changes occurring around you, reconnect with the influencing forces. Release the deep sadness of the past as you consider the direction of your life. Deal with the realities rather than the potential. Let go of the artificial thoughts and yield to the changes occurring within you and the environment.

The challenge is congruency with the changes in the universe.

SLATE 
You have now reached your goal and the potential for this project is spent. According to the universal law of events, emptiness follows fullness, just as contraction and expansion are a part of life's cyclic changes. Abundance can only endure when you set yourself a bigger goal that others can share. Only then can the movement continue without turning into decline.

The challenge is continuing the quest.