Oleander

Nerium oleander

Aries

Boundaries, Illusion

Oleander are flowering shrubs that grow in warm and subtropical areas. The 5-petal flowers bloom in spring and continue into the fall, growing in clusters of white, yellow, purple, pink or red. In contrast, the pointed leaves are long (up to 7 inches) and narrow (less than 1 inch) and are a deep green. The plants grow from 6 to 12 feet tall and are about the same width. They can grow from 1 to 2 feet a year. Oleander typically grow in mounds but can be trained to grow as trees.

Oleanders like full sun and well-drained soil but will adapt to other soil conditions. Once established, plants tolerate heat, drought, salt spray and wind. Cuttings from Oleander can be grown in water before planting or grown in soil. Oleander can also be grown from seed.

Plants are native to North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean areas. Oleander was introduced to Florida in the 1500s and grows in North American temperate areas. It can be damaged by the cold.

All parts of the plants are toxic to animals and people. Sap from Oleander causes skin irritation. If plants are burned, the smoke is also toxic. 

Oleander flowers have 5 petals. The angelic meaning of the number 5 is that positive life changes are present, and to be optimistic about current conditions to create positive future conditions. 

Oleander's poisonous qualities show you how to set boundaries. You can meditate using the image of Oleander flowers or call on the energy of Oleander if you have the need to set limits on your time, space or resources. It also helps to teach how to set limits on our emotions and how to effectively detangle emotions of others from our happiness.

Oleander shows us the power of illusion. On the surface, Oleander is an ornamental plant that is very tolerant of growing conditions in warm regions. The idea that Oleander is only an ornamental plant is an illusion, as it really is a poisonous plant. It shows us that people can present themselves as "ornamental" when they are really much more complicated. Oleander teaches us to look beyond the face value of a person and beyond what they say (the illusion) to the qualities the person embodies, to their true nature. Conversely, Oleander teaches us about the illusion that life is the whole of our reality, when the universal reality is that we are powerful souls who have a long history and a long, evolving future.  

Oleander has been used for heart conditions, asthma, cancer, and other conditions. It contains chemicals that can slow the heart rate. 

Common names for Oleander include Kaner, Rosebay and Rose Laurel.

 

Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Connection to Spirit, Working with Spiritual Realms

The Evening Primrose originated in North America and grows throughout South America, Europe and some parts of Asia. The plant produces four-petaled flowers that are fragrant. The plant is best known to produce yellow flowers that are 2 inches across. Some plants produce flowers in pink, red, purple and white. Flowers are closed during the day and open at sunset, attracting moths and bats. Before flowers close in the morning, they attract bees, butterflies and birds.

Plants grow from 3 to 5 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. Because they self seed, plants tend to sprawl. Plants grow well in full sun or partial shade and like well drained soil. They are drought tolerant and deer resistant.

Evening Primrose seeds are used to make Evening Primrose oil, which is used for skin conditions, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause symptoms. Native Americans used the plant as a topical skin conditions such as bruises and inflammations. Leaves were ingested for sore throats. 

Flowers are used to make a flower essence that is suggested for use to treat emotions from early childhood. 

Evening Primrose flowers have four petals. The number four is associated with many divine properties: the four elements (air, earth, water and fire) and with the four directions (east, south, west, north). The elements and directions have application in shamanism, the path of direct revelation in the spirit world and way to connect with all of creation. In numerology, the number four is associated with the energy of the Archangels, who work with people continuously through messages, healing and in all things when asked.

Evening Primrose symbolizes working with spiritual realms for healing, providing loving messages from loved ones who have passed (mediumship), providing messages from guides, angels or brothers and sisters of the light (ascended masters) and light councils for messaging (channeling) or healing (Reiki and other hands-on modalities).

Those who identify with the qualities of Evening Primrose are also able to see things in the dark, meaning those places where lower energies reside. Those who work in spiritual realms can call that which is in darkness into the light, to send lower energies to the light or to remove lower energies so that people may live more fully.  

Evening Primrose are primarily or most commonly yellow.  Yellow symbolizes joy, and those who connect to spirit and who work with the spiritual realms experience the joy that spirit brings to all of us. 

The Evening Primrose Flower has also been called Common Evening Primrose, Evening Star, Sun Drop, Fever Plant, Hog Weed, King’s Cure-all or Cure All.