“For those friendly, calm, gentle people who are overly anxious to serve others. In all their efforts, they overestimate their strength. They identify so closely with their zealous endeavours that they become more like slaves than willing helpers. Their good nature leads them to do more than is their duty, and in doing so, their own life’s purpose may be neglected.”^[1]

Bach flower Remedy: Centaury – Willpower

The Bach flower Centaury: The plant

Centaury (Centaurium umbellatum/Centaurea minor), also known as “Pfund-Jäger”, belongs to the gentian family (Gentianaceae). This common, herbaceous plant grows in fields and in the shade of other plants. It reaches a height of about 60 cm and has a slender, delicate stem. It is found throughout Europe, with the exception of Scandinavia. It flowers in summer. Its flowers are delicate and pink, its fruits are capsules, and its leaves form a rosette.

How does the Bach flower Centaury work?

The Bach flower Centaury is traditionally used to help people who find themselves in a state of submissiveness, excessive obedience and passivity. It strengthens the individual from within and helps to build greater self-confidence.

The person in question is supported in recognising and respecting their own needs and wishes. They learn to set boundaries and communicate their needs without feeling guilty. They are able to define and actively pursue their own values and goals, whilst perceiving the expectations of others as less significant.

Centaury can also help to strengthen the ability for self-reflection and self-assessment, thereby enabling a deeper understanding of one’s own needs and emotions. This allows the person to learn to be mindful of themselves and their needs, and to build a healthy relationship with themselves and others.

The Bach flower Centaury in a balanced state

When in a balanced state, the Bach flower Centaury provides a healthy balance between the ability to help others whilst also attending to one’s own needs. The person feels strong and self-assured, sets clear boundaries and is able to say “no” when necessary. They are not prepared to sacrifice their own needs and desires to make others happy, but recognise that it is important to look after themselves as well.

At the same time, they are friendly, helpful and attentive to the needs of others, but in a healthy and balanced way. They are able to build healthy relationships with others, in which they respect their own needs whilst still being able to help others without overburdening themselves. Overall, when in a balanced state, Centaury imparts a sense of strength, self-confidence and inner calm.

The Centaury character

Centaury is very often prescribed as a remedy because it relates to one of the “survival strategies” most commonly employed by people: it is suitable for those who use their energy and strength for others in a way that is more about serving than helping. This can go so far as to lead them to live a life of subservience.

Overbearing parents

These people were often confronted with parents whose authority was experienced as castrating, judgemental and intrusive. Consequently, they were unable to build a solid sense of self-worth or to connect with their talents in order to nurture them. They were never able to realise that it is possible to relate to others in a dignified and equal manner. They may also have felt unloved or, due to feelings of guilt, unworthy of love.

On a psychological level, the traits of the Centaury personality overlap with those of the emotionally dependent personality. They find it difficult to make decisions and rely on the advice of others. They delegate responsibility out of a fear of having to make decisions themselves.

Coming into one’s own strength and setting boundaries

Fundamentally, the meaning of life for these people lies in helping others. They make great sacrifices, particularly for those they love. If this pronounced trait is not brought into balance, it drains them of a great deal of energy. They neglect their own needs. One of their tasks is therefore to learn to deal with the demands of others, to set boundaries and to follow their own ideas. Otherwise, they suffocate and suffer from an unbearable level of frustration.

The person in question feels they are worthless on their own. They do not know how they will survive if they are abandoned. Consequently, they go to great lengths to meet every expectation, particularly in relationships. This pattern leads to a dead end of submission, of “sub-mission”: one’s own mission remains unfulfilled, and instead one devotes oneself to tasks that fall short of one’s actual potential.

Further aspects of the Centaury personality

Freedom and autonomy are experienced by the Centaury personality as loneliness and deprivation. This stems from their fear of separation and their constant need for closeness. One could say that the Centaury type has not yet fully completed the process of weaning. They struggle to start projects or get things done on their own because they lack confidence in their abilities. This, in turn, leads to a lack of motivation and energy.

If a break-up occurs, it takes the Centaury type back to episodes from their childhood in which they were marginalised. This is discouraging, and before long they will once again try to fill this void by submitting to someone with a stronger will than their own.

Recognising one’s own strength

In fact, however, these people are capable of bearing the burden of those most in need. Once they recognise their power and strengths, they can utilise them in the best possible way. Centaury is a great support on this journey, as it helps one to break free from emotional dependence.

The Bach flower Centaury as an emotional state (mood)

If one finds oneself in a temporary “Centaury” state, Centaury can be used to mitigate the negative effects of an unhealthy attachment. In fact, it is not necessary to have dependent personality traits to benefit from its effects.

Centaury offers benefits to everyone, regardless of their personality type, because sooner or later everyone is confronted with someone who prevents them from expressing themselves freely. Such a person traps us in a space that is not our own and in which our qualities cannot be freely expressed. Here, we may also be subjected to verbal or physical abuse.

Centaury encourages us to recognise our personal space and thus enables us to return to it fully once more. In my opinion, Centaury is essential during Bach flower therapy, because we are all vulnerable to something or someone.

Reaction patterns of a person in a disharmonious Centaury state

People in a disharmonious Centaury state

show excessive weakness
have difficulty asserting themselves and persevering – they tend to give up straight away
do not assert their interests and do not say what they want
tend towards passivity and submissiveness and constantly look to others for guidance
are willing, docile, helpful and unpretentious
are more attuned to the wishes of others than to their own
immediately pick up on other people’s expectations and cannot help but meet them.
in extreme cases, their desire to please others can drive them to self-sacrifice
are easily deceived in business negotiations
are easily subjugated, driven and “overwhelmed”
have low self-esteem and unconsciously allow others to tell them what to do
are easily persuaded to do things they do not actually want to do
allow others to take advantage of their willingness to help
place themselves at the service of a self-centred individual: this may be a parent, a partner or even a superior
unconsciously tend to imitate the gestures, turns of phrase and opinions of a stronger personality
are prepared to accept an excessive workload because it would be more exhausting to resist it than to take it on
often commit to giving more than their resources actually allow
run the risk of losing sight of their life’s purpose
as children, they are very sensitive to praise and criticism

Moods and symptoms of the Centaury personality

Difficulty saying no
A desire for validation from others
Excessive helpfulness
A great deal of love (for others) that causes one to neglect one’s own interests
Excessive concern for the well-being of others
A tendency to sacrifice oneself and, as a result, to feel taken advantage of
low self-esteem
an unconditional desire to please others
a lack of decisiveness
Fear of enjoyment
A reluctance to engage in discussions
Shyness
Fear of expressing one’s own individuality

Typical statements of the Centaury personality

I can’t say no.
The habit of smoking is stronger than my will to quit.
I can’t stick to a diet.
I’m very understanding with my children.
I buy my children whatever they want.
My partner has betrayed me, but I can’t leave him.
I can’t do without food/certain games, etc.
When I see something I like, I can’t resist the temptation.
I’m happy to make myself available to my business.
I always say I’m fine.

Physical aspects in which Centaury is indicated

Anaemia
Exhaustion and tiredness
Consequences of abuse and maltreatment
Dependencies and addiction problems
Digestive problems

Psychological aspects in which Centaury is indicated

Desire to express one’s personality
Digestive problems resulting from the habit of “swallowing” things
Fear of not being good enough to be loved
Fear of rejection and loneliness
Fear of separation and a lack of affection
Weakness, exhaustion, atony, lack of psychophysical energy
Passivity
Sensitivity and gentleness (particularly with regard to the needs of others)
Difficulty setting boundaries
Dependence and addiction
Willingness to make sacrifices, docility and obedience
Shyness, insecurity and being easily influenced
Frustration when one gives more than one receives
Idealisation (e.g. of one’s partner)
Immaturity, childishness, naivety
Inability to express anger
Inability to assert oneself
Incorporating the identities of others
Hyperemotionality
Lack of self-respect
Lack of willpower
Masochism
Denial of one’s own needs
Inability to affirm oneself, leading to a search for attention and approval
A tendency to offer unconditional help
Fulfilment through satisfying the needs of others

The positive potential of Centaury

Recognising one’s own needs
Realising one’s life plan
Knowing when to say “yes” or “no”
Integrating well into groups whilst maintaining one’s own identity

Harmonising the Centaury state

People who find themselves in this state have a strong need to rebuild themselves and discover their true selves. To do this, they must first realise that their way of being is not genetically determined, but rather an unconscious choice arising from the need for acceptance and the fear of being abandoned and/or excluded. Consequently, they will realise how destructive and misleading this strategy is, and how many resources and talents it serves to obscure.

Life would be more pleasant if the feeling of powerlessness were replaced by the ability to express and act upon one’s own will. What these individuals need to establish is a healthy practice of generosity and openness towards themselves. People with this temperament gain energy through harmonisation and become more determined.

Bach flower Centaury for animals

Centaury is associated with animal personalities that display a lack of willpower and a tendency towards submissiveness. They are very good-natured, easily influenced and find it difficult to assert themselves. In the negative Centaury state, animals are often strongly focused on their primary carer and adapt completely to that person’s wishes. They also carry out their tasks to the point of utter exhaustion. It is, above all, their intense fear of separation that drives them to behave in this way.

With the appropriate remedy, the animal can learn to free itself from dependence and develop its strength and capacity for self-determination. It can recognise and communicate its needs without losing its natural kindness and empathy. In this way, it can achieve a healthy sense of self-confidence and a better balance between its own well-being and caring for others.

The Bach flower Centaury for children

The Centaury child is a ray of sunshine, with their friendliness and willingness to help. They are exceptionally well-behaved and always mindful of others’ needs. They sacrifice themselves for others and, in doing so, forget to look after themselves.

At school, these children are often subjected to bullying or feel drawn to more dominant children, who influence them. They are very sensitive to praise and criticism and try in every conceivable way to make themselves indispensable, as this is how they can feel loved. Their self-esteem is low and they are afraid of being rejected if they do not do what is asked of them.

With the help of the Bach flower Centaury, these children learn not to become dependent on the opinions of others and to develop a strong will. This boosts their self-confidence and enables them to prioritise their own needs without losing their natural friendliness and care for others.

Differences and similarities when compared with other Bach flowers

Given the varied behaviours and symptoms of those who benefit from Centaury, this remedy can also be associated with many other types.

Mimulus, for example, is helpful when this type of person fears being abandoned, excluded or dominated by others.

For Cerato, it can be helpful when their insecurity is so great that they do not take responsibility for making independent decisions.

In the case of Hornbeam, Centaury may be prescribed if the person feels they lack sufficient physical and mental strength.

Chestnut Bud is appropriate when submissiveness is an imitation of life that repeats itself constantly, beyond one’s will to change.

For Agrimony, it can be a good choice if, in this state, one constantly puts on a good face.

Furthermore, it can help the Holly type if the person concerned perceives their condition as harassment imposed from outside.

Apart from that, Centaury can also be prescribed to the Larch type if they suffer from feelings of inferiority towards others and a paralysis of initiative due to a fear of failure.

Finally, it also helps Pine and Crab Apple when they develop a sense of subservience as a result of feelings of guilt or unworthiness.

Common combinations of Centaury with other Bach flowers

For those who hide behind a mask of pathological good nature:
Agrimony with Centaury

For those who are submissive due to a personality weakness:
Cerato with Centaury

For those who practise self-serving self-sacrifice and emotionally blackmail others:
Chicory with Centaury

For those who suffer from weakness of personality and will and find it difficult to make decisions:
Gentian with Centaury

For those who, out of hopelessness and pessimism, neglect their own needs:
Gorse with Centaury

For those who feel overwhelmed due to a lack of independence and find it difficult to take responsibility:
Hornbeam with Centaury

For those who are willing to help others because of feelings of inferiority and who wish to gain recognition:
Larch with Centaury

For those who are submissive due to anxiety and wish to avoid conflict:
Mimulus with Centaury

For those who sacrifice themselves out of a sense of guilt and feel responsible for the happiness of others:
Pine with Centaury

For those who care deeply for others and feel excessive anxiety about their well-being:
Red Chestnut with Centaury

For those who lack self-reliance, are easily influenced and find it difficult to make their own decisions:
Walnut with Centaury

For those who, due to weakness of personality, have given up and are losing their zest for life:
Wild Rose with Centaury

The credo of the Centaury personality

“I can’t say “no”.”

Positive affirmations for the Centaury personality type

I recognise myself and lay the foundations for an authentic life.
I live my greatness.
I stand by myself and my opinions.
I recognise my needs and fulfil them with joy.
I value myself and respect myself.
I am seen, valued and respected.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this article. If you have any further questions or would like to share something with us, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Bibliography

Bach, Eduard (2000): Heile Dich selbst: die geistige Grundlage der Original-Bach-Blütentherapie. München: Hugendubel.

Krämer, Dieter (2017): Neue Therapien mit Bach-Blüten 1: Die sanfte Heilmethode effektiver angewandt über die zwölf Schienen. Bad Camberg: Isotrop Verlag.

Krämer, Dieter (2017): Neue Therapien mit Bach-Blüten 2: Die sanfte Heilmethode effektiver angewandt über die zwölf Schienen. Bad Camberg: Isotrop Verlag.

Orozco, Ricardo/Rodríguez, Boris C. (2007): Intelligenza emozionale e fiori di Bach. Tipi di personalitá nella psicologia contemporanea. Moriondo Torinese: Centro Benessere Psicofisico.

Orozco, Ricardo (2009): Fiori di Bach. 38 descrizioni dinamiche. Moriondo Torinese: Centro Benessere Psicofisico.

Orozco, Ricardo. (2017). FLORES DE BACH Patrón Transpersonal® y aplicaciones locales Territorios tipológicos. Barcelona: El Grano de Mostaza Ediciones

Scheffer, Mechthild (2015): Die Original Bachblütentherapie: Das gesamte theoretische und praktische Bachblüten-Wissen. 2. Auflage. München: Irisiana Verlag.

Scheffer, Mechthild (2020): Die Original Bachblütentherapie für Einsteiger: Die Blüten – Die Anwendung – Die Wirkung. 6. Auflage. München: Irisiana Verlag.

Bach, Dr. Edward / Petersen, Jens-Erik R. (1988): Heile dich selbst mit den Bach-Blüten. München: Knaur, p. 164. ↑

4. Bach flower Centaury: Discover your strength

The Bach flower Centaury: the flower of willpower and service