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.

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.