Zinnia

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

Aries

Comfort, Diversity

Grown in a variety of colors and shapes, Zinnias are annual plants native to dry grasslands and can withstand hot temperatures and drought.  Zinnias do well in fertile soil in full sun. Flowers are in shades of white, yellow, orange, red, purple and multicolor.  Some varieties grow up to 4 feet tall.  Zinnias are easy to grow from seed, and progress to flowering plants within weeks.  Flowers continue to bloom throughout summer. At the end of the summer, gather flower heads and allow to dry for seeds for the next year.

The simplicity of growing zinnias and the wide variety of colors imply comfort - a version of life that comes easily and is colorful enough to add some variety to the every day normal.  Zinnia is a great plant for those who want life on an even plane with enough simplicity to even out those highs and lows and enough variety to hold off complete boredom.  Use zinnia if you feel like your lows need to be brought up or if your levels of excitement are so intense you get tired from them.

Zinnia plants and flowers also bring us diversity within the comfort of everyday life.  For those who are willing to take a deeper dive with their experience, to go beyond the every day and to consciously create their desires, Zinnia is a great example for contemplation.  This simple flower that grows easily has levels of complexity: varieties grow from 6 inches to 4 feet tall; have a single row of petals with a visible center or multiple rows of petals; and are in many colors, including multicolor.

Zinnia is unique in that it represents simplicity - the comforts of every day - as well as complexity - the diversity and advancement of your consciously created life.

The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

The flowers are native to Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America.

Fern

Tracheophyta

Endurance, Diversity

Ferns are perennials that grow in woodlands and swampy areas. Ferns have a variety of leaf colors, shapes and sizes. Most ferns die back to the ground in fall and do survive very cold winters. Ferns like to grow in soil rich in organic matter. Ferns native to the tropics can be grown indoors in northern climates. Ferns are nonflowering plants that produce spores instead of seeds. The leaves, called fronds, uncurl from a tight spiral, and grow in height from under 1 inch to a species native to eastern Australia that grows up to 50 feet tall (Dicksonia Antarctica). Spore dots grow on the underside of many fronds and are used for reproduction, a process that predates reproduction by seed. They are an ancient plant, dating to more than 350 million years ago. Although lifespan is dependent on species, some ferns can live up to 100 years. Ferns can begin to grow as early as 1 year after a lava flow.

In Europe, fern seeds (spores) were thought to bring invisibility and to find treasure. Ferns are also associated with fairies.   Roots are used in some herbal remedies for stomach and intestinal ailments and other issues. In Native American culture, ferns were eaten, used in herbal teas and woven into mats and were used to treat many common ailments.

Ferns have a reproductive methodology older than use of seeds, showing us the deeply rooted nature and endurance of all life.

Ferns are one of the first plants to grow in natural disaster areas such as lava flows, giving us again, strong symbolism into the tenacity of life. Draw on fern symbolism and energy when you perceive everything going "wrong" in your life and you'd like to start fresh, when you are starting a new career or when you are making significant life changes.

The quick regeneration is a gift from plant to humans and to the earth, turning barren ground into a food source.

Ferns area a strong conduit into the spirit world. Fern leaves spread out from both sides of the central stock, forming a ladder to the spiritual realms. Fern leaves are also not solid, providing a view through our physical world into the world of spirit. Meditate on fern symbolism to enhance your connection to the world of spirit.

Ferns are very small to very large, showing us the beauty of diversity - even within one plant or human family. Fern shows us how to celebrate diversity and see it as a positive trait.

Dianthus

Dianthus

Sagittarius

Diversity, Variety

The sun-loving flower Dianthus can be found as an annual, biennial or perennial. Many of the more than 300 species of Dianthus, as well as hundreds of hybrids, have flowers with a fragrant scent and notched petals. Flowers bloom in spring or summer through to autumn and can be many shades of pink, red, white, rose or lavender. Plants have blue-green foliage and range from small ground cover to plants 30 inches tall. Common names are Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), Pinks or Sweet William.

Dianthus are native to Europe or Asia, and are now also grown elsewhere. Dianthus comes from Greek words for the Greek mythological god Zeus and flower, roughly translated as "flower of Zeus" or  “flower of the gods”.

Dianthus bursts with color, which blooms repeatedly through the summer. Working or planting Dianthus will bring bursts of color in our lives; color brings joy to our spirits. 

Dianthus can also produce multiple colors on one bloom, showing us many lessons on diversity and variety and how they can support us joyfully. Dianthus is an example that we have the choice of many paths and each one, or a few, may be right for us.  Feel free to explore a path that calls to you, and later, if another calls, know the new path is right at that time.  

Different varieties of Dianthus have fairly flat surfaces, and others have layers of petals similar to carnations, giving us the idea that many flavors can belong to the same family or group and thrive together. We all bring the unique aspects of ourselves and each of these strengthen, enhance or highlight unique aspects of others.

Dianthus shows us the variety of personal choices, including those right for you. For example, your family may be of people you've chosen instead of those related by blood.