How does the depression of Sweet Chestnut compare to that of Mustard? And how does it compare to the hopelessness of Gorse and Gentians lack of faith?
Gentian is for a mild despondency after a setback. For example, you might have applied for a job and failed to get it. You say ‘I might as well give up’ – but eventually, with a sigh, you fill in another application form for a different job. Gorse is when you feel very pessimistic. Something has gone wrong and you decide to give up because there is no point trying again. To use the same example, your respones to not getting a job is to say, ‘that’s it, I give up’ and tear up the other application form. Sweet Chestnut is different altogether. Dr Bach listed Gentian and Gorse in his ‘Uncertainty’ group, because in both instances the problem is not genuine despair but rather a lack of faith. If Gentian and Gorse were more certain of their success they would not be depressed at all. The Sweet Chestnut state comes when all avenues really are closed off. Imagine someone who has failed to get a job. All the time he is out of work the rent remains unpaid. His wife and children are starving. He
