Flower Essences for Reptiles

Flower Essences for reptiles? Sure, why not! Here’s a flower essence program for 2 lizards who haven’t been getting along with each other.

Hi Lila,

I have two indoor pet lizards, troubling each other with violent sibling rivalry, and I’m sure that they could greatly benefit from a flower essence program. They are male and female, same age (16 months). This problem has been severe for about 8 months but there were hints of it before then.

They have been separated for about a year, but do interact at times (which usually results in an aggressive attempt from the male). They are siblings and so have been together since birth. While it’s hard to discipline lizards, we make sure not to reward negative behaviour and are quick to separate or distract them if things are likely to escalate. Both get plenty of human interaction, environmental enrichment and some carefully monitored “together” time.

Regards,

Sandra

Dear Sandra,

How are you?

I can see why you were thinking of Grape Essence, being for territorial issues. However, as territorial creatures, it’s to be expected that they wouldn’t want to “hang out” together. As mentioned in my book, Flower Essences for Animals, flower essences will not override an animal’s instinctive behavior, though they can be used to support that behavior. Let’s look at some other flower essence options below.

You didn’t mention their particular breed, but lizards by nature are solitary, not social, animals. So the fact that they don’t get along, even though they grew up together, is instinctive behavior on their part. Putting them together rather than having separate living spaces for them can “put them off their feed,” which can be a symptom of their stress.

When we use flower essences, they always support the animals’ instinctive wisdom, since that’s what they’ve been given by Mother Nature. In other words, their behavior is purely instinct-driven, which means it’s pre-determined by both their species and breed. Territorialsim is not “bad” behavior on their part, nor do they have a choice in that behavior. It’s perfectly normal.

Flower essences can be used to enhance their innate wisdom. In the case of your boy and girl, they could both be given Lettuce Essence for one week to help them feel calm and “heard” at the same time. Through their behavior, they are doing their best to communicate with you and to express what they need for their well-being. Most likely, you’ll be seeing at least the beginning of results within the first 3 days of putting it in their fresh water supply each morning.

Next, you can give them Corn Essence, for vitality and new beginnings. Once their natural boundary instincts have been honored, they can relax into their new life.

To complete their program, Peach, our “mothering essence” for unselfishness is suggested–which might seem to contradict everything I’ve just written! Yet in their case, Peach Essence is for nurturing each of them and helping them to feel that it’s okay for them to be exactly who they are, and to be accepted on their instinctive terms. To put it simply, Peach Essence can let them know that it’s okay to be lizards!

As I quote at the beginning of Flower Essences For Animals, “Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough.” (George Washington Carver) Rest assured, with an understanding of their special needs and a compassionate program of flower essences, you can have two very happy reptiles, and two happy caregivers!

Please write and let me know how they do with this program, and give them my best.

Kind regards to you all,

Lila