Poinsettia

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Capricorn, Sagittarius

Joy, Growth

Native to Mexico, the poinsettia flowers from December to January and is frequently used as a decorative Christmas plant. The red "flowers" on the poinsettia plant are modified leaves called bracts, designed to attract insects to the tiny yellow flowers at the center.  In Mexico the poinsettia is a perennial shrub that will grow 10-15 feet tall. The plants are not cold tolerant. Red poinsettias have also been called the Christmas Star, Christmas Flower, Painted Leaf, Lobster Flower, Flame Leaf Flower and Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night.

All of the wisdom of poinsettia points to having the ability to experience joy.  Year end holidays are joyful times, and may be more joyful if we allow ourselves the time to refresh ourselves and acknowledge the joy within us and all around us.

Poinsettias are prominent in the North America during December but may show up as an interest at any time. It brings to mind the lesson of allowing.  As the plant allows it's leaves to become flowers, are you allowing yourself to bloom?  Are you allowing your very "ordinary" self to bloom into your "extraordinary" self?

Poinsettias tend to show up when we are very busy in our lives.  Are you allowing yourself to rest and rejuvenate yourself?  The plant shows us that we should take time daily to refresh ourselves and to take time to meditate and find inner calm and restfulness. 

The Aztecs used the leaves to produce red dye and the sap was used as a medication for fever.
In Mexican folklore, a young girl gave a handful of weeds to the church at Christmas as an offering, and the offering took on color and became the miracle of the poinsettia plant. 

The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are symbolic of the biblical Star of Bethlehem. 

Myth: Poinsettia plants are poisonous.
Truth: They have a milky sap that may irritate the skin of some people and animals.