Hyacinth

Hyacinthus

 

Virgo

Relationships, Rebirth

Hyacinth is a sun-loving plant that sprouts highly fragrant flowers in spring from bulbs planted in fall. One bulb usually produces one stalk and one cluster of flowers. After Hyacinths flower, the plant continues to store energy for the bulb until the leaves have yellowed.  The flowers are best known for their violet blue to purple color but area also grown in other shades as well as red, orange, pink, white and yellow. Hyacinth bulbs are toxic to humans and pets. 

Hyacinth is a native of the Middle East. The flowers became popular in 18^th century Europe where many varieties were grown in Holland, leading to the name Dutch Hyacinth.  In ancient Roman mythology, the god Apollo accidentally killed a young man and the flower grew from his blood. Hyacinth bulbs are toxic to humans and pets. 

The cluster of flowers in a hyacinth bloom is symbolic of our families and relationships; a single stalk produces a cluster of flowers.  The cluster is our reminder that we are surrounded by our family and friends and ancestors.  Even when we are seemingly alone, we have the spirit of our ancestors carrying us through our joys and difficulties. Hyacinth is a reminder that we are never alone and if we feel we are then we can call on the spirit of nature and the spirits of our ancestors. 

  

Hyacinths are symbolic of rebirth, emerging early in spring. The flowers bloom in spring colors bringing us true joy and vibrancy from the earth and plant kingdom. Their fragrance is also a gift, reminding us to enjoy the sweetness of life.

Tulip

Tulipa

Aries

Balance, Essence of Life

Tulips are sun-loving flowers that grow from bulbs and flower in the spring in every color, including multicolor, except blue. One flower grows on each stem and flowers may be single, double, ruffled or fringed.The flower buds are known to be almost perfectly symmetrical.Tulip petals are edible raw.  After tulips flower, the stem and foliage continue to produce energy for flowers next year. The bulbs like a period of cold and dormancy to rest in between flowering.

In Central Asia, Tulips were cultivated by Turkish growers as early as 1,000 AD. They were brought to Europe in the 16th century and Holland grew into a primary tulip grower and exporter.  Some 3,000 varieties of tulips are registered.

Tulips bloom each spring after a period of dormancy, emphasizing the theme of rebirth.  Plant or purchase tulips or look at an object with the tulip image to bring the energy of rebirth into your home and life.

Tulips bring a rainbow of colors to the earth, including red, pink, purple, violet, white, cream, yellow, orange, black and green. They can be used to balance chakras: using the live flowers or image (real or imagined), bring the color of the flower into the chakra you want to balance, with the intent that it be perfectly balanced. Repeat for all chakras.

Tulips are here to remind us of the colorfulness, vibrancy and essence of life after a long winter.

The flowers show us that after being patient we too can open in a colorful way to all that life has to offer. 

Tulips grow in many shapes and colors, mirroring humanity on earth. Meditate with tulips for bringing balance into global situations or conditions with wide-ranging impacts.

The plant shows us the possibility that to live simply, focused on our life purpose, without self-created drama and complications, can be colorful and joyful.

Tulip plant leaves open and reach for the heavens, showing that we too can open and reach to the heavens with our wants and desires. The leaves form a cup – encompassing the physical manifestation of our wants and desires – holding them close and dear to us.

Tulips bloom from bulbs each spring, thereby teaching us to enjoy these moments in the sun, and once the flower is gone, to remember we all live in the sun.

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.

Poison Ivy

Rhus radicans

Boundaries, Balance

Poison ivy, native to North America and known for causing itching on contact, is a vine with clusters of three leaves on the end of stems. The tip of each leaf is pointy. The plant is green in summer, and frequently turns red in fall, which makes it easier to identify. It can grow as a vine on trees and other vegetation, and can also grow as a single plant. Urushiol oil, which causes a rash and itching, is though out the plant, not just on leaves. Recovery can take from one to three weeks; a severe reaction will require medical treatment. Poison ivy is not toxic to deer, who may eat it as a source of food. Jewelweed is a natural remedy to poison ivy rash.

How are you at setting boundaries?  Poison ivy teaches us that having boundaries is healthy, and when you allow others or events to push or exceed your boundaries, you can get very itchy.

Poison ivy grows as vines and as plants, showing us that things toxic to us can come in any shape or size.

Some people are very sensitive the the oil in the poison ivy plant.  Are you having reactions to what others are saying?  Know that you have your own truth and others will always have opinions and thoughts that may or may not align with who you are and how you think. Let your opinion of yourself be dominant in your experience.  

Nature gave us a plant that causes an uncomfortable rash, and also a plant to counteract the irritating oil.  In this way, poison ivy is an example of how we can look at two sides of an issue, and how balance in our lives is important. If you're encountering poison ivy, meditate on what areas of your life could use more balance.

Myth: A poison ivy rash is contagious.
Truth: Human reaction is only to urushiol oil.
Myth: Some people are very sensitive to poison ivy and some are immune to the effects of the oil.  Truth: People's sensitivity to poison ivy can change over time.

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.

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.

Caladium

Caladium Bicolor

Growing Life Purpose, Calming

Caladiums are tropical plants that like warm soil and hot weather. Known for their attractive foliage and intricate leaf patterns, the plants are perennials in the tropical South, and are commonly planted as annuals in the North. The leaves may be in shades and patters in red, pink, rose, white and green. The plant likes full shade or diffused light and grows up to 20 inches tall.

Caladiums originated in South America; they need well-drained soil rich in organic matter. In the Tropical South, the tubers may be left in the ground and the plant will become dormant. Elsewhere, the tubers need to be dug up in the early fall and kept in organic matter such as peat moss. Tubers can be replanted the following spring when the soil temperature is above 65 degrees. Caladium is also known as Elephant Ear, Heart of Jesus and Angel Wings.


Caladiums were used by native people in Latin America as part of hunting traditions.

Caladiums have broad leaves that provide shade in tropical climates for the earth. Use Caladiums to "cool" hot emotional issues, and to "shade" their intensity.

The foliage has vibrant colors and hues as well as intricate patterns. This shows us that beauty can be found in those things common, ie. the leaves, not the flowers. The plant encourages us to take joy in the common events of every day life.

Caladiums are grown from bulbs which store energy from which the vibrant leaves emerge. Know that you too have this store of energy, and can use it to grow your life purpose.

Native to tropical areas but grown widely in other areas, Caladiums remind us to be aware of the seasons, those brought about by nature and within ourselves. If you have a strong love of this plant, your primary season may be summer - the hotter the better!