Plants that remain green and vibrant in the bitter cold winter months, when all of the surrounding plant life is dormant, have always fascinated people. The Pinaceae family, which includes cedar, fir, pine and spruce, was hung on doors to protect families long before it was considered decorative. The plants were thought to have magical powers, and symbolized endurance and eternal life. The evergreens replaced the black chicken that had previously been used for protection.

At one time, in many different cultures, black chickens were revered for their powers of protection. In some areas, witches, feared all year long and not just at Halloween, were honor bound to count every feather before they entered a home.  They usually lost count, gave up, and found an unprotected home to enter. But there were disadvantages of using a hen. Even in the chill of winter, the chicken began to exude unpleasant odors, and wild animals were lured in, making the home owners uncomfortable. 

Fortunately, the idea of the magical evergreens, with their calming colors and numerous needles, caught on, and hanging evergreen branches on doors for the witches to count replaced the "poulet noir"! Other evergreens, such as holly, ivy, juniper, and mistletoe were added for their symbolism, as well as decorative berries in red, blue and white, and gorgeous variations in leaf shapes and shades of green. 

My first evergreen post will highlight the fir. It is estimated that there are about fifty species of fir in the world, including balsam, Fraser, and white. The Santa Lucia, or bristlecone fir, is thought to be the rarest tree in North America, and possibly the world! They are known for lifting their branches high and their cones are at the top of the tree. The fir’s needles  are soft, flat, and singularly attached. Their needles stay attached longer than spruces or pines. This is one of the reasons they are considered the ideal Christmas tree. There are more. 

When Christianity arrived in northern Europe, and the legend of the Christmas tree became known, three angels, Faith, Hope and Charity were sent from the heavens to find the perfect tree!
The perfect tree was to be as 

• Great as Faith
• High as Hope 
• Sweet as Charity, and it was required to
• have a cross on every bough. 

The search ended when they found the fir tree!
They lighted it with stars and it became the first Christmas Tree!

Ginger Orange Spice Tea

• I cup ginger root, chopped or sliced
• 4 cups water

Put ginger in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes

Gather additional ingredients

• I orange, juice and zest
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise 
• nutmeg, grate a pinch on top
• 1/4 cup honey (local is best, especially if you get spring fever)

Remove ginger from heat. Cool slightly. Strain liquid into a quart jar. Add orange juice and zest, honey and spices. 
Pour into mugs. Add more honey if desired and use a cinnamon stick to stir, or as a garnish. 

 Why drink ginger tea?

In addition to tasting delightful,  there are so many benefits! Here are a few!

• Heart Health - ​Ginger lowers cholesterol levels and improves circulation. 
• Anti-inflammatory - ​It has bioactive compounds that reduce inflammation and can provide relief to those suffering from arthritis.
• ​Rich in Antioxidants -​ Combats oxidative stress and protects from damage caused by free radicals.
• Aids in Digestions - Relieves indigestion, bloating and nausea associated with motions sickens, morning sickness and chemotherapy.
• Boosts Immunity - Ginger has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of infections. 

In my previous post, celebrating the Japanese Maple, I referenced “momiji-gari” which means maple viewing or maple hunting, and “kito” - the Japanese name for the maple tree — meaning calm, peaceful, and at rest.

Have you ever wondered why spending time in nature reduces stress?
​
The answer may be found in fractals -  the repeating patterns that shape everything from tree branches to riverbanks, from snowflakes to ferns.

Mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot (1924–2010) discovered fractal geometry — “the art of roughness” — in the late 1970s. In his bestselling book The Fractal Geometry of Nature (1982), he described how patterns echo throughout the natural world.

Building on his work, physicist Richard Taylor of the University of Oregon found that simply gazing at fractal images can reduce stress levels by up to sixty percent! Swedish researcher Caroline Haverhill later used EEG readings to show that viewing fractal patterns increases alpha brain waves, promoting calm and lowering stress hormones like cortisol.
​
In other words — there’s scientific proof that spending time gazing at mountains, trees, and leaves truly improves our health and well-being.

Note to artists:
Just as fractals in nature calm the mind, creating art inspired by them offers a similar kind of peace. When we paint, collage, or journal about leaves and trees, our hands trace the same repeating rhythms that nature does. The act of noticing and recreating these patterns — the veins in a leaf, the branching of roots, the swirl of a fern — invites stillness. Each brushstroke or paper shape becomes a meditation, echoing the beauty of the natural world and helping the heart find its own quiet pattern of calm.
​
Autumn is a glorious reminder that we are immersed in miracles — and they’re literally falling from the sky! Fan-shaped golden ginkgo leaves, chestnut and chinquapin oaks, rosy-red maples, and orange sumac leaves are just a fractal sampling of nature’s gifts.

Zoom in and notice the delicate veins within a single leaf. Zoom out and see the repeating patterns in the branches of a tree. Zoom further still, and you’ll find the same designs echoed in the rolling shapes of the mountains.
​
Give yourself permission to spend time in nature — preferably with loved ones — and let the patterns work their quiet magic. Your body, which is also built upon fractal geometry, will thank you.

The Japanese maple is noted for its ability to create a calm, peaceful mood. It is know for reducing stress and contributing to a happy life! In Japan, the trees are called “kito” which means calm, peaceful, and at rest. The tree is so cherished that there is a Japanese phrase, “momiki-gari”, which means maple viewing or maple hunting. The viewing of maple trees is actively pursued in the fall. ​

My Japanese maple is the most gorgeous shade of rosy red! It took longer than usual for it to get its colors this autumn, and at first it seemed it wouldn’t be as vivid as usual. It was worth the wait! The mountain and sugar maples leaves have already fallen, but were gorgeous as well.  Autumn colors were predicted to be  a bit disappointing this year because of our dry summer,, but it seems they were more spectacular than usual! 

My daughters and I have spent many hours this fall searching for autumn leaves. Spending time with them, while appreciating the spectacular fall foliage, is one of my favorite activities of the year. 

Time in nature is therapeutic and there are many ways to enjoy the season. Visiting gardens, spending time by a favorite lake or pond, watching sunrises and sunsets, stargazing, stopping by a roadside farmer’s market or orchard are a few examples. What are some of your favorite ways to seek out nature’s beauty?

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
​Element: Fire

Gender:    Feminine
Element:  Water
Planet:      Moon 

When I think of grapes I often think of magical summer nights and having a glass of wine with friends under the light of the moon.  Moonlight, friends and wine are a delightful combination! The grape is an herb of the zodiac sign of Cancer (June 21 - July 22) a sign ruled by the moon. People under the sign of Cancer are associated with bringing the feelings of the safety and comforts  of home to those around them. They offer nurturing and protection, and are known for their empathy, intuition, loyalty and devotion. If you are fortunate enough to have a Cancerian as a close family member or friend, you will benefit from their contributions. Speaking from experience, I can also tell you they are a lot of fun - especially if they’ve had a glass of grape juice or wine! 

Grapes were considered sacred to the Greek god Dionysus, and the Roman god Bacchus.. Both were associated with wine, and often the excessive use of it! Abundance, fertility and pleasure were also attributed to grapes, and associated with the ancient gods. 

Considered one of the oldest fruits, grapes are known to have been grown as early as 6500 B.C. in the Neolithic Era. Egyptian grapes were sun-dried and stored in tombs. In an extensive two volume set of the documentation of food in ancient Egypt, Food, the Gift of Osiris, Ramses III contributed 11,872 jars of raisins!

Grapes symbolized wealth in Greece and Rome, and homes of the wealthy and prosperous flaunted their status by displaying frescoes, mosaics and  paintings of grapes. The association continued and expanded.

You may be familiar with the Language of Flowers, used in the Victorian era (1837 - 1901).. Flowers and herbs were assigned meanings, and those who knew the them could send secret messages using bouquets. Seeing the vines and tendrils intertwine was associated with relationships, and the grape was linked to friendship and connection. 

Another positive characteristic is grapes are said to complement and encourage the growth of any other plants growing around them. ​All of these attributes, along with creating sweet dreams and making wine, make grapes one of my favorites! There are even spells to use grapes to make money.

" If you need help releasing sadness from the past to enable you to find future happiness, 
the snowdrop will be useful."

You’ve seen this before but since my fashions have arrived, I decided to the symbolism and message again!

Iris greeting cards, with the message of the iris on the inside left, and
Thinking of You
​ on the inside right are on sale here!

The spectacular iris flower comes in almost every color of the rainbow. For that reason, she is named after the Iris, the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow.

The goddess Iris was considered to be the messenger between the sea and sky. Thaumus the Wonderous, her father, was associated with the sea, and her mother, Elektra the Amber, was a nymph of the clouds. The goddess is credited with carrying water from the sea to fill the clouds, and she carried messages between the gods and goddesses in the heavens, particularly Hera, to the people on earth. She had golden wings, and it is said iris flowers spring up every time her feet touch the earth. Eiris, another word very similar to iris, means messenger. She represents both. 

Deep purple iris are often planted on the graves of women. Seeing the the flowers, Iris would accompany the women’s souls  from earth to heaven. 

The colors of the iris send messages based on the language of flowers (scroll down to find color symbolism in the violet and rose blog posts) and her petals and sepals are also symbolic. The three petals, or standards, of the iris reach upward and represent wisdom, faith and courage. The three sepals, pointing downward, symbolize faith, hope and love. 

The Iris was highly prized in Egypt, in particular by King Thutmose III,  considered by many to be the greatest ruler of ancient Egypt. He was an enthusiastic gardener, and when Egypt conquered Syria, he found them growing in abundance. He brought them back to Egypt and they came to be associated with the renewal of life. He was said to have coveted the iris the way some people coveted gold. 

Some of the most popular iris are bearded, dwarf, Japanese, Siberian, Louisiana and Dutch. Do you have a favorite? I hope you’ll enjoy the many types and colors of iris this spring.