Banyan

Ficus benghalensis

Pisces 

Seeing Life as an Illusion 

The banyan tree is a large, evergreen species of fig native to the Indian subcontinent. It is known for its vast canopy, aerial roots, and massive trunk system. A Banyan begins life as an epiphyte, a seed that germinates high on another tree. Its roots descend to the ground, gradually enveloping the host and developing into thick, woody trunks. Over time, it grows a network of trunks and branches, creating the appearance of a miniature forest from a single tree.

As the Banyan creates the illusion of many trees while actually being a single tree, it reminds us that one soul can create many lives. The belief that the soul or consciousness survives physical death and is reborn in a new body is part of many spiritual practices.  Many Native American, African and Polynesian traditions hold that ancestors return within the lineage. Esoteric eastern traditions teach that the soul reincarnates to gather experience and evolve toward unity with the Divine. Buddhism speaks of rebirth and Hinduism talks about is the soul being eternal, passing through cycles of birth, death and rebirth until liberation. People who have near death experiences talk about seeing life on Earth as a moment in their history and their real "home" is at the soul level. 

People who resonate with the Banyan tree understand the upside down nature of our existence; whereas most trees grow from roots in the earth, Banyan trees germinate on another tree. People are born with the understanding that while most people are focus on life then death, the focus really is on spirit then life. The gowth of the Banyan is dependent on the surrounding ecosystem: Birds that consume the fig-like fruit disperse the seeds, which easily germinate on trees, buildings or rocky crevices. Aerial roots hang from the branches, and once they touch soil, they thicken into supportive trunks, enabling the tree to spread laterally. Banyans can grow more than 100 feet (30 m) tall, with a canopy stretching 200 feet (60 m) or more. Some Banyans live for centuries, supporting entire ecosystems of birds, insects and plants. 

Because banyans constantly put down new roots that become trunks, they can regenerate and survive for centuries. Similarly, we perpetuate the illusion of life with continuous rebirth or reincarnation - our version of putting down new roots to Earth.   

In India, the banyan is honored as the “Tree of Life” and is planted near temples and plays a role in rituals and festivals related to fertility, ancestral connection and protection. Spiritually, the Banyan is associated with the zodiac sign Pisces—the last sign of the zodiac, representing endings, transitions and the endurance of the soul. 

Parts of the banyan tree—especially its bark, sap, and roots—have been used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine. Bark and aerial root preparations have been used for treating diabetes and inflammation. Latex has been used for treating skin conditions and wounds and leaf extracts are used as poultices for pain and swelling. Be aware that raw parts of the tree (especially latex) can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. People who come up against people who adore Banyan trees and rub them the wrong way will likely walk away very irritated. 

 

 

Marigold

Marigold

Tagetes erecta (African marigold, Aztec marigold, Mexican merigold)

Leo

Ceremony, Remembrance 

Native to the Americas, especially Mexico and Central America, marigolds are grown as annuals, although some species are perennial in warmer climates. Depending on the variety, plants range from 6 inches to 3 feet (15–90 cm) tall, with flowers 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) across. Their dense, round or pompom-like blooms come in vivid shades of yellow, gold, orange and red, complemented by deep green, aromatic foliage. Marigolds bloom from spring until the first frost and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Plants tolerate heat, drought and poor soil.

Marigolds are helpful for gardens; they can help repel garden pests such as nematodes, aphids and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects, including ladybugs and lacewings. Their strong scent may also discourage deer and rabbits. Some varieties have edible petals used to add color to foods and teas, while marigold extracts are used in natural dyes and skincare. Some species are used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Marigolds have a long history tied to cultural and spiritual ceremonies in many parts of the world. Marigolds symbolize remembrance - the connection between the living and the deceased. The flowers can be used symbolically when calling in ancestors during prayer or ceremony. In Mexico, they are known as cempasúchil and are central to Día de los Muertos celebrations. Their bright colors and distinctive scent are believed to help guide the souls of deceased loved ones back to their families. This tradition has roots in Aztec culture, where marigolds were considered sacred. Ceremonies hold personal and traditional meaning for the people who perform and participate in them. Use of Marigolds will intensify the intention behind the ceremonies. 

Marigolds are also widely used in festivals, religious ceremonies and decorations throughout India, Bangladesh and other parts of South Asia. 

Marigolds are sometimes considered a birth flower for Leo, alongside the sunflower. Their vivid yellow and orange colors are associated with Leo's fiery, passionate nature, while their ruffled petals are said to resemble a lion's mane.

Jasmine

Jasminum

Cancer, Capricorn 

Clairsalience, Moon Energy

Jasmine grows as a flowering shrub and vine warmer areas of Europe, Asia and Africa. Plants are known for their small, starry white or pale yellow flowers that bloom in clusters. Flowers have an intense, sweet fragrance that intensifies in the evening. Flowers are used for fragrances, teas (made by infusing tea leaves with jasmine flowers), and to make essential oil.

Jasmine plants prefer full sun but will grow in part shade. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Many varieties are evergreen; leaves stay green all year.  Although white and yellow flowers are common, some varieties produce pink flowers. Not all varieties are fragrant. Jasmine shrubs typically grow about 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide. Vining varieties can reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) in height but require support to grow upright. Wherever the vine stem touches the ground, it can root and spread. 

Jasmine blooms at night and releases its strongest fragrance under the moonlight. In India, Jasmine is also called the Queen of the Night because of the strong night time scent. People drawn to jasmine energy tend to feel at ease in nighttime stillness and may find that their spiritual gifts—especially those related to healing, intuition, or dreamwork—are strongest under the moon. Experiment with cleansing crystals or other objects with moonlight--for you this may prove to be more effective than working at other times. People attracted to Jasmine may also be comfortable working with darkness. It supports shadow work, releasing fear-based energies and bringing hidden truths into light.

Jasmine vines can root where they touch the ground. This shows us Jasmine is representative of people who have been doing this work for many lifetimes and are here to perfect their skills or awaken others.

Archangel Haniel may be called on when working with moonlight energies.  

Pay attention to the sense of smell. Working with Jasmine may enhance clairsalience ability--the ability to receive spiritual messages through scent. You may smell jasmine, roses, or even scents like fresh bread or smoke as signs from spirit. This sense is every bit as important as other psychic abilities as all of them provide information from spirit for us to use for ourselves or for others. These sensory messages can offer comfort, memory or confirmation.   

Essential oil extracted from jasmine flowers are used to relieve stress, anxiety and insomnia. Some traditional medicinal practices use jasmine for its potential antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Some varieties contain compounds in leaves, flowers, sap or berries that are toxic to animals and people. However, Jasmine essential oil can be diffused near pets. In the garden, Jasmine attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and is deer resistant.  

The name Jasmine comes from the Persian name Yasmine which means "Gift from God." In Hinduism, Jasmine is offered to deities as a sign of devotion. The white blossoms are seen as pure, sacred and spiritually uplifting.

Popular types of Jasmine: 

• Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is known for its highly fragrant white flowers. It's also known as Summer Jasmine, Poet's Jasmine, or White Jasmine.
• Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) has intensely fragrant, white flowers, especially in the evening.  
• Royal Jasmine (Jasminum rex) is a fast growing vine hardy that produces white flowers almost all year. 
• Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in winter and ability to tolerate colder temperatures.
• Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) produces clusters of fragrant pink buds that open to white flowers 

 

 

 

Yucca

Yucca filamentosa

Aquarius 

Endurance, Spiritual Relationships

Yucca plants are a diverse group of perennial shrubs and trees native to the arid regions of North and South America. Recognized by their sword-shaped leaves and tall flowering spikes, yuccas thrive in dry, sandy, or rocky soils. While often associated with desert environments, many species have also adapted to coastal conditions. Plants store water in their trunks or bases, allowing them to survive extended droughts. 

Yuccas prefer consistent full sun and well-drained soil. They grow slowly and are exceptionally long-lived—some living up to 100 years. Their white  flowers, 1 to 2 inches across, bloom once a year in summer or early fall and grow in clustered spikes that can reach up to 30 feet tall.

The leaves of yucca range in color from green to silvery-blue and may be edged or streaked with variegation. Leaves are typically long (up to 3 feet) and narrow with pointed tips, growing in a rosette pattern radiating from a central point. Some species, like Yucca filamentosa, produce fibrous leaves that Indigenous communities have long used to craft ropes, baskets, and mats. Yucca roots and flowers have also been used in Southwestern cooking, and yucca root extracts have featured in traditional medicine, especially for inflammatory conditions like arthritis. 

Yucca flowers emit a fragrance at night that attracts Yucca Moths. The moths work with the Yucca plant in a unique mutualistic relationship: the moths lay their eggs inside the yucca flowers, and in return, the plant is pollinated by the moth. The caterpillars feed only on yucca seeds. 

The relationship between Yucca flowers and Yucca Moths is symbolic of our relationship to spiritual realms, to our deceased ancestors, angelic beings, guides and others. The Yucca flower emits a fragrance that attracts moths - similar to the way we call to our spirit helpers to assist us in this lifetime. The Yucca Moth reciprocates and pollinates the plant, symbolic of spirit helpers providing us with the guidance and assistance we request or need. These roles can also be reversed; our spirit helpers are always calling us in the direction that best serves us. 

Yucca is an example for people who have come into this world with an understanding of our relationships with spirit, for those who are already on their spiritual paths and ready take those next steps according to how they are called or guided.  

Yucca plants show us a variety of characteristics that personify endurance. Plants can live in desert-like condition yet are drought tolerant. People drawn to yucca plants are those who have landed in conditions that are less than ideal and who thrive. Despite living in difficult conditions, plants are very long-lived. People who chose work with yucca energy can expect to outlast their difficult conditions and live to mature ages. 

The elements of endurance and spiritual relationships that yucca brings are also very grounded, as yucca plants also have very practical uses.Traditionally, plant leaves are used to weave rope and baskets, sturdy staples used to enhance day to day living. Those working with yucca energy can expect to be those who have very "practical" approaches to their spiritual lives.

Yucca flowers are toxic to horses, dogs and cats.

Yucca have been called Adam's Needle or Spanish Bayonet or Spanish Dagger due to the sharp leaves. The Yucca flower is the state flower of New Mexico. 

Alyssum

 Lobularia maritima

Virgo

Alyssum

Sense of Order, Resilience

Alyssum, also known as Sweet Alyssum, is a low-growing, fragrant flowering plant native to Europe. It forms soft mounds 3–9 inches (7–23 cm) tall and can spread 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) wide. The plant produces tiny, clustered flowers—most often white, though pink, purple and cream varieties are also available. Each tiny flower has four petals; flowers have a sweet scent. Plants bloom from spring through fall, especially in cooler weather. 

The leaves are small, narrow, and gray-green. Alyssum is perennial in warm climates but is typically grown as an annual in colder regions. It thrives in full sun but also tolerates partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Known for its resilience, Alyssum tolerates poor soils, light frost, salty air, and even sandy beaches, making it especially suitable for coastal gardens. High heat and humidity in mid-summer may temporarily stop plants from blooming. 

Alyssum symbolizes resilience - the ability to thrive in harsh or shifting conditions without losing perspective or balance. The plants stop blooming when conditions become too extreme. Just as the plants conserve energy during peak heat, we can withdraw until conditions, although possibly still harsh, are once again supportive. Alyssum reminds us that while we may endure chaos, we can also discern which environments are simply too “hot” for growth. 

Shallow-rooted, fast-growing and easy to cultivate from seed, Alyssum often self-sows in garden beds. It attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies and makes an excellent companion plant in vegetable gardens. As a ground cover, it creates tidy borders and fills open spaces evenly, lending a sense of order to garden designs.

People drawn to Alyssum tend to bloom steadily through adversity, offering order and direction in times of disorder. Others may be naturally attracted to them—just as pollinators are to Alyssum—because of the stability and order they bring. Picture the person calmly directing traffic at a chaotic event, guiding cars into neat rows, or the greeter helping people find their way through a busy venue. Yet Alyssum also reminds us: if conditions become too overwhelming—like a crowd turning unruly—we can easily self-sow to begin again somewhere else. 

Physical plant characteristics also are guidelines to the spirit of Alyssum. Flowers have four petals: the number four symbolizes stability, security and direction, supporting Alyssum's themes of order and resilience. Flowers are primarily white which is associated with Archangel Gabriel, who symbolizes purity and has the role of messenger. Meditating or reflecting on the number four and/or asking for assistance from Archangel Gabriel may be helpful when exploring current challenges, especially when determining when your environment becomes too "hot" and next steps are needed.   

The plant contains compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It has been used in folk remedies as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic, often given as a tea. In ancient Greek medicine, the name “Alyssum” (“a-lyssum”) meant “without madness,” and the plant was believed to calm emotional imbalances, especially anger.  In folk medicine, Alyssum was used to treat animal bites.

Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis

Libra 

Resiliency, Walking in Shadows

Jewelweed, also called Spotted Touch-Me-Not, is a native North American annual that thrives in moist, shaded spots like wetlands, forest edges and stream banks. Easily recognized by its striking orange or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers—often dotted with red or orange spots—this plant gets its name from the way its blossoms dangle on slender stalks, each featuring a curved spur that gives a jewel-like sparkle.

Growing 2 to 5 feet tall, Jewelweed blooms from late spring through early fall. Its light green, oval leaves have finely toothed edges and are arranged alternately along smooth stems. One of the plant’s most notable traits is its natural water repellency: rain and dew bead on the leaves, reflecting light and creating a silvery shimmer. This luminous quality speaks to spiritual clarity and the ability to reflect light even when surrounded by shadows—an apt symbol for those who walk among darkness without absorbing it. 

Jewelweed attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, relying on cross-pollination from these visitors. It also produces cleistogamous (self-fertilizing) flowers that never open, ensuring reproduction even in the absence of pollinators. This trait symbolizes quiet resilience—the inner strength to endure, adapt and continue. It mirrors the strength needed by those who navigate shadow realms, whether physical or spiritual. Jewelweed also exhibits resiliency in its growing environment; plants grow at marsh edges and creek sides and also in ditches and road cuts. 

The plant’s natural water-repelling leaves shimmer with rain, symbolizing clarity and the ability to reflect light even in shadowed places. This quality reminds us to maintain our own clarity and boundaries, repelling negativity and holding space for healing. People attracted to Jewelweed are those who can walk into shadows bringing light with them. Despite blooming on delicate stalks, the plant models the resilience required to work in shadow worlds: difficult, heavy or emotionally charged environments. Its presence can be symbolic of professions that enter the dark to bring light: police officers, firefighters, paramedics, therapists, and spiritual healers. These individuals may excel at leaving behind the burdens of what they witness, maintaining personal clarity and light in the face of darkness. 

Its nickname “Touch-Me-Not” comes from the ripe seed pods that burst explosively when disturbed. This can be taken as a reminder for people close to those in helping professions that they too have limits, and can be explosive when pushed to extremes.  

Jewelweed’s sap has been used as a folk remedy to soothe the itching, redness, and inflammation caused by poison ivy’s urushiol oil. Applying the juice from jewelweed’s stems and leaves can help neutralize the rash, reduce discomfort, and speed healing, making it a natural first aid companion wherever poison ivy grows. This relationship symbolizes balance and harmony between challenge (shadow worlds) and healing. Plants have also been used in folk medicine for anti-fungal properties.

Jewelweed is also known as Orange Jewelweed, Common Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed and Orange Balsam.

 

Cosmos

Cosmos 

Libra

 

Universal order and beauty

Named after the Greek word "kosmos," meaning order and beauty, Cosmos is a vibrant flowering plant that produces
Daisy-like flowers with a central disk and radiating petals. Flowers are on upright stems and grow from two to four inches across Cosmos are colorful and can be found in white, pink, red, purple, orange and yellow. Plants like full sun and well-drained soil and can grow in poor to average soil. Flowers bloom profusely from summer to fall. People who are attracted to Cosmos flowers can look on the symbolism of continuous blooming and apply it to life - these are the people who continue to grow and thrive. These are the people that demonstrate continuous color and joy in their lives and extend that joy to others. These are the people you want as friends.

The Greeks named this plant after its primary attributes, order and beauty. Those with Cosmos energy see the natural order and beauty both on the earth and on a universal scale. These are the people who have an innate knowing that all is well at home and on a grand universal scale. These are the people who see through the chaos, disorder or ugliness of a situation to the natural order that guides all systems. For example a decaying garbage dump smalls and looks unsightly but will become compost; the house that was torn down will make room for new land use. They trust that even with violent cosmic events, the point of destruction will become the point of creation. They understand that as above, so below, and therefore all is well with humanity.

Cosmos attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and hoverflies, which help pollinate nearby plants. Cosmos supports the cycle of life by facilitating pollination and continues the propagation of beauty of nearby flowering plants.

Cosmos grow from one to six feet (60–180 cm) tall; their height can provide light shade for shorter, sun-sensitive plants. Plants have feathery, fern-like leaves that are a medium to bright green. Plants grow from  1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) wide.

Plants are typically grown as an annual but some species are perennial in warm climates. Plants are most commonly germinated from seed, which takes from 7 to 21 days. In keeping with the theme that points of destruction lead to creation, cosmos self-seed fairly easily.

Cosmos are heat-tolerant and grow best in warm temperatures.  Plants are deer-resistant and are native to Mexico and Central America. These plants belong to the Asteraceae family, which includes daisies, sunflowers and asters.