 Magnolia grandifolia Gender - Feminine Planet - Venus Element - Earth “Blossoms on our magnolia ignite the morning with their murderous five days’ white.” ~ Robert Lowell, poet, from Man and Wife When I lived in Lake Walker, in Baltimore, my next door neighbor Bob was always kind enough to let me take a few blossoms to sketch. I haven’t found a source of magnolias in Newville, but if you have any you’d be willing to share, I’d be delighted! Some of my favorite memories in Baltimore were sketching on my front porch.
My fascination with the magnolia has always been its extraordinary beauty and eloquence, so short lived. Nature teaches us lessons, and my lesson from the magnolia is to live life to the fullest, as it is fleeting. Thankfully, we have more than five days! Aren’t we fortunate to have decades to bloom?
The first documentation of the magnolia’s discovery was in the West Indies and the flower was named after Pierre Magnol, the innovative botanist who devised a naming system for plant classifications, a century before Linnaeus. At that time, there was thought to be only one species. There are currently estimated to be two or three hundred varieties.The Magnolia grandiflora is the large, showy pink that most of us think of first. Buddhist monks favored the pure white Magnolia denudata, the Yulan magnolia, as a symbol of purity. The blossoms come in white, pink, magenta, purple, yellow and green. Do you have a favorite? Since life on earth began, there have been five mass extinctions, ice ages, mountain formations, continental drifts and other changes in climate that have eliminated most plants and animals from those early years. Magnolia is one of the very few survivors. It arrived ninety-five million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period, estimated to be almost twenty-seven million years before Tyrannosaurus rex. Magnolias were here long before bees and were pollinated by a flightless beetle. Their petals are strong and durable to avoid damage from the beetles. This contributes to their strength and longevity. They are exemplary survivors: titans of resilience and adaptability. Herbalists define herbs as ‘any plant that is useful’. The magnolia’s beauty is useful enough for me, but they have other functions. They are edible, and the petals, if gathered as they first begin to bloom, can be eaten raw in salads. Their flavor is described as spicy, similar to a ginger and cardamon blend. I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ll let you know when I do! They are also dried and ground to flavor pastries and rice. The buds can be pickled or broiled. The entire flower can be dried and used for tea, to flavor miso, or they can be deep fried and dipped in sauces. The intensity of the flavor is related to their color. The light blossoms are mild and the darker ones are spicier. They have medicinal benefits as well. The bark and buds have been used to treat headaches, asthma, inflammation, depression, stress, fever, and digestive problems. Magnolias have also been used to improve heart health and treat stroke. This is just a brief overview of the magnolia’s many attributes. As always, I encourage you to continue to research and explore if this plant captures your interest! Send me an e-mail, [email protected], or answer in the comments below if you have stories or information you’d like to share!
0 Comments
 Dancing Snow Drops, Mikell Youell Worley, 8 1/2 “ x 11” $30 for fine art quality print " If you need help releasing sadness from the past to enable you to find future happiness, the snowdrop will be useful." Galanthus nivalis |
 |  |
The sunflower’s ruling planet is the sun, making its zodiac sign Leo!
It’s Leo Season!
July 23 - August 22
Happy Birthday to all Leo’s and those of you who have
Leo as your Rising Sign (me!) and/or Moon Sign.
"The sunflower follows the sun, even on cloudy days."
~ Robert Leighton (1919 - 1997). renowned physicist and astrophysicist.
Helianthus annuus
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Sunflowers are associated with wishes, manifesting, spiritual enlightenment, optimism, and peace! What more could you ask for? The sunflower is one of the most powerful plants on the planet and simply looking at it can warm the heart and bring joy!
Golden sunflowers are associated with Lion’s Gate and serve as a catalyst for magnetizing dreams and wishes. On August 8 (8-8) every year, the Lion’s Gate Portal opens. It officially starts on July 26 until August 12, with August 8 being the most powerful time period. During this time, Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, aligns with Mars in Leo. The number 8 is associated with abundance and infinity, and during this brief opening, there are powerful opportunities for personal growth, transformation, wishes, and manifesting. You are encouraged to dream of your ideal life, and to have faith that through your unique talents and gifts, they will unfold.
Cutting a sunflower at dawn and making wishes on it at any time will result in your wishes coming true. Place the blossom under your bed and any secrets that have been kept from you will be revealed in your dreams.
Sunflower seeds have been used for protection during times of illness and plague, and were carried in cloth bags, or strung like beads and worn as necklaces to prevent illness. The seeds are associated with fertility, and women who want to become pregnant have eaten the seeds to increase fertility.
As the sunflower grows, it turns its head to follow the sun and look for the light. Its focus encourages optimism and growth. Wishing you a joyful Lion’s Gate Portal and an end of summer filled with belief in your talents and gifts, personal growth and transformation, and dreams come true!
Golden sunflowers are associated with Lion’s Gate and serve as a catalyst for magnetizing dreams and wishes. On August 8 (8-8) every year, the Lion’s Gate Portal opens. It officially starts on July 26 until August 12, with August 8 being the most powerful time period. During this time, Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, aligns with Mars in Leo. The number 8 is associated with abundance and infinity, and during this brief opening, there are powerful opportunities for personal growth, transformation, wishes, and manifesting. You are encouraged to dream of your ideal life, and to have faith that through your unique talents and gifts, they will unfold.
Cutting a sunflower at dawn and making wishes on it at any time will result in your wishes coming true. Place the blossom under your bed and any secrets that have been kept from you will be revealed in your dreams.
Sunflower seeds have been used for protection during times of illness and plague, and were carried in cloth bags, or strung like beads and worn as necklaces to prevent illness. The seeds are associated with fertility, and women who want to become pregnant have eaten the seeds to increase fertility.
As the sunflower grows, it turns its head to follow the sun and look for the light. Its focus encourages optimism and growth. Wishing you a joyful Lion’s Gate Portal and an end of summer filled with belief in your talents and gifts, personal growth and transformation, and dreams come true!
I’ve had a few requests about lavender wands so I’m reposting how to make them. They last for years and making them is therapeutic!
Lavender Wands
To make the lavender wands you will need:
Gather 15 stalks of freshly cut lavender. Cut as close to the base of the plant as possible.
Be prepared to use them while they are still pliable.
Thread to tie the stalks together.
3 yards of 3/16 “ wise good quality satin ribbon.
Enough time to complete them in one sitting.
Gather 15 stalks of freshly cut lavender. Cut as close to the base of the plant as possible.
Be prepared to use them while they are still pliable.
Thread to tie the stalks together.
3 yards of 3/16 “ wise good quality satin ribbon.
Enough time to complete them in one sitting.
 First step in Lavender Wands Cut lavender stems as close to the base as possible. Remove the leaves to use for potpourris or other projects. Gather and loosely tie the flowers at the base with thread. Trim the stalks to an even length.  Lavender Wands, Begin Ribbon Weaving Begin weaving the ribbon, over and under each stalk. |  Lavender Wands, Folding Stems Over Tuck the end of the ribbon into the stalks to secure it. Gently fold each of the stems back over the lavender flowers.  Lavender Wands, Securing Ribbon Continue weaving until you reach to bottom of the flowers. Secure the ribbon in a know but don’t cut it. |
Lavender Wands, Weave Ribbon Around Stems
Wrap the ribbon diagonally down the stem, secure at the base of the stem with a couple of knots, then cut the ribbon.
Botrychium lunaria
Gender - Feminine
Planet - Moon
Element - Water
Planet - Moon
Element - Water
My grandmother introduced me to lunaria and called it the silver dollar plant. It looked a bit rough and raggedy until we rubbed off the casings around the silver disks and then it sparkled! It has a silvery glow, and finding and carrying it has been said to ensure that money is on the way! Other folk names include the money plant, money in both pockets, two pennies in a purse, the money tree, satin flower, penny flower, and honesty, for the translucence.
 Don’t discard this as a weed. There’s a treasure inside! |  Removing the seed casings |
Elegant lunaria!
The name lunaria is from the Latin word luna, referring to its round shape and silvery glow, resembling the moon. Moonwort, another folk name, also refers to the moon, and wort indicates it is a useful plant.
Another folk name, “unshoe horse", pertains to the extensive documentation through out history of blacksmiths having to replace horse shoes from horses who had lost their shoes because they accidentally stepped on the plant. This unfortunate occurrence has afflicted people as well. Through out the years, stories have been shared about people stepping on the plant and returning home barefoot to treat their aching feet. I’ve found most herbal powers to be positive, but at times, some, like this one, are unsettling.
On a brighter note, if you return from your journey and can’t find the key to open your door, lunaria has the power to open locks! Hopefully you’ve carried a sprig of the plant home. Simply place the plant in the keyhole, and you will be able to enter your home and soak your feet!
In addition to ensuring wealth and opening locks, every part of the plant is edible! The roasted seeds are known for their spiciness and can be used as a mustard substitute. Young leaves can be eaten in salads and the roots can be peeled and eaten. And if that isn’t enough - it’s anti-aging! Lunaria oil is a moisturizer and is used in cosmetics to reduce lines and wrinkles!
The promise of wealth, prolonged youthfulness, and open locks is certainly worth losing your shoes!
Planting seeds of inspiration with words, art, and lessons from nature.
Welcome to my Blog!
Do you love celebrating nature, botanical art, herbal recipes, crafts, legend and lore? I’d love to hear about your favorites. I’m inspired by words, the alphabet, and things that begin with the letter v- variety, vases, vulnerability, violets, vintage, vacations, vanilla, and velvet. Do you have a favorite letter of the alphabet? What is it, and why do you love it?
RSS Feed
Categories
All
Botanical Illustrations
Celbrations
Herbal Crafts
Herbal History
Herbal Lore
Herbal Recipes
Lessons
Quotes
Symbolism