The Flower Essence Game

Designed by award-winning Napoleonic wargame designer Kevin Zucker, this flower game is used for learning the names and properties of flower essences.

Seven flower cards are dealt to each player, dealing the cards one at a time, picture side up, so that all the cards can be seen at the same time. Three symptom (green) cards are laid out in the center of the playing area face-up. The players agree on a famous real or fictional person who fits the "patient profile".

Players scan over the flower cards and turn over 1, 2, or 3 cards that their eyes land on first. Each player turns over his or her own cards. Read the separate cards and pick one that relates to the symptom or symptoms, explaining to the other players how this addresses the symptom. Each player in turn plays one flower card that best addresses the symptom or symptoms, explaining how this applies. Players scan over the remaining cards in front of them and pick those they wish to turn over. Repeat these steps until all the cards that each player wants to introduce have been played.

Discuss which of the flower essence cards introduced into play by the players best fit the symptoms. Refer to the Flower Essence Repertory as needed. There may be more than one right answer. The goal is to agree on up to 5 essences for the perfect blend to fit the patient's symptoms.

Items required

• One deck of Affirm a Flower affirmation cards (published by FES)

• One deck of Green Apple cards from the game Apples to Apples®

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Example of play: If Marilyn Monroe is considered to be the "patient", the following might happen when the flower cards are examined. The first player played "Pretty Face" which says "I accept all parts of my self. Light shines through darkness and pain. My whole self is my beautiful self. I am this Shining Star." The second player played "Dogwood" which says "My body is healed by flowing grace. I release what has become hardened. This gentle purity fills body and soul. I feel the blessing of grace-filled life." It was determined that either flower card would help address the life challenges of Marilyn Monroe, and both players were considered to have right answers.

There are also solitaire and advanced versions of this game.