EMMA KUNZ: The Polarized Calendula Blooms

In 1953, the Swiss mystic, healer, and artist Emma Kunz conducted an experiment on calendula flowers growing in her medicinal garden. With the aid of a pendulum she applied a process she termed “polarization” whereby the form of the flowers were altered in order to produce additional blooms following a numerical sequence. This publication explores Kunz’s practice and intentions, the process of polarization, number symbolism, and the contextual implications of the era. An appendix provides a summary of historical and medicinal uses of the calendula flower.