Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum

Scorpio

Collaboration, Completeness

Also known as Mums, Chrysanthemums are fall blooming flowers. Chrysanthemums wait until the height of summer in many locations, until there are about 10 hours of sunlight per day, to produce buds and then flower 6 to 10 weeks afterwards.  A hard frost stops bloom time. The behavior of this fall blooming flower bring to us the energies of collaboration, cooperation and completeness. Completeness means projects are wrapping up so you can look forward to the next, as well as transitions from the present to completion. The idea of completeness brings the concept of new beginnings. The fall bloom time signifies a time of maturity in the cycle of life.

The plants grow in a range from under 1 foot to up to 6 feet, and are perennials but are often grown as annuals. The flowers are in white and many shades of red, pink, orange, yellow and purple. Some varieties are bi- and tricolor. Blooms are from 1 inch in diameter to 3 inches. 

The lengthy sunlit days needed to begin flowers blooming is symbolic of the time spent learning a trade or honing skills to proficiency or performing a job to the point where one has achieved a number of life goals, such as a stable job, a stable home, a stable family or circle of friends. It represents the jumping off point to levels of higher satisfaction reached through collaboration and cooperation, with work associates, with family and with one's spirituality or spirit.  It very much carries the satisfaction of reaching a plateau, of perceiving that one doesn't have to work so hard to achieve goals, and of the ability to have a more balanced perspective that things really do work out well.

Mums like well drained soil and bloom more profusely if planted in full sun. The wide variety of plant heights and flower sizes and colors are indicative of the wide variety of interests and traits of all of us. 

Chrysanthemums originated in Asia and are now grown worldwide. The flowers are edible. Flowers and leaves are used in Chinese medicine for reducing fever and other uses. The flower has also been studied and is sometimes used for anti-inflammatory purposes. Dried flowers have been used to make tea.

Chrysanthemums can be propagated from seed. New plants are fairly easy to start from cuttings, suggesting that even as the plant represents maturity in the cycle of life, so also does it show us new  beginnings.