Marigold Medicine Day

 

Day two of Leo’s influence brings us to marigolds and the medicine we gain from them.  Of course, the colour of the day is marigold yellow.  And, of course, again, the scent is marigold for incense or oils.  There are four Medicine Wheel aspects of marigold; their influence on everything; physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.

Marigold flowers/plants are found all over the world.  Marigold is awesome good medicine.  It was used, by Mayans, Aztec and Mayans to honor gods and spirits.  Mayan priests would bathe themselves in marigold infused water before proceeding to ceremony to call on the spirits.  They, also, used marigold for fevers and stomach aches.  Ointments were made as extracts or infusions, for jaundice, ulcers, pink eye, liver problems, burns. and wounds to stop the bleeding.

In modern days, marigold symbolizes positive energy.  Of course, the color is bright yellow of joy and optimism (India uses the colorful blooms for festivals of all kinds).  To Hindus, it is said that it represents surrender to God. We know the bright yellow blossoms as herb of the sun, happiness, and luck. 

Marigold protects other plants near the plant.  And, in some areas, marigold also represents the shadow side; the jealousy, grief, mourning and despair.  In, yet, others, it represents remembrance and honoring those past. 

Marigold is associated with the Sun and, because the petals collect dw overnight and then it drips off, it represents grief. 

Right now is a great idea to start marigold seeds in the house.  I use cardboard egg cartons as seed-starters.  We can start them 6 – 7 weeks before end of frost, let them get started in the house, then put them out on warmest sunshine days until they are ready to go into the ground or pots. 

Let’s do that…even the promise of spring, in a seed starting to germinate in a pot, is enough to start energizing us and brightening up our hope for soon to come.

©Carol Desjarlais 3.5.23

 

Leo Leaps Into the Moonscape

 

 

I know very little of astrology, but I am learning.  Some signs, like Leo, are either cardinal, mutable, or fixed with sun’s energy.  Leo is a cardinal sign and symbolizes ‘a starter’.  The zodiac signs assume unique strengths, weaknesses and influence. Leo embodies the start of Spring.    During the time of influence, cardinal signs will affect our leadership qualities, our ambition and vision.   Leo is a fire sign that sparks a change.  Today you may be a bit hard-headed and tunnelling into a certain person, place or thing to focus on.  Try not to fall back into ‘your way or the highway’ mentality. 

No matter the moon sign, today, for the next couple of days Leo will be driving you.   How we feel, during these next couple of days will not matter as much as courage to keep on keeping on.  And, with this, a need to express your emotions, to someone safe, is foremost. 

Right now, you need to have others hold space for you to be able to do that.  You can sense a drama-episode about to erupt and a friend or family member is one who you could seek support from, but remember, they, too, are under this influence.  Choose carefully.  We all need reassurance that we matter and our feelings matter. 

So some self-care, for sure.  Express your feelings through baking, through art, through creating.  Express your identity, express yourself in your own personal style, and express positive self-esteem.  (You will notice, btw, that there will be a lot of ‘selfies’ online without them even knowing this is in direct correlation with Leo’s influence.)

Find ways to move into fun, leisure, playfulness, laughter…. lots of laughter…and love wherever you can love.

©Carol Desjarlais 3.4.23

 

Kayas: A Long Time Ago

 

 

Once, a long time ago, people knew when to plant seeds by watching the phases of the moon.  The moon told them when to harvest.  They knew when to hunt what by the light of the moon.  They knew when to gather herbs/medicine.  Women all menstruated exactly with her and the women gathered together away from the men and learned the lessons of the feminine.  (Read THE RED TENT)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4989.The_Red_Tent

Women, especially watched her and followed her as she waned and waxed.  When the moon was dark, they stayed in and were quiet and contemplative.  If we were in ancient times, women would be gathering yet since the new moon.  The moon is strongest for us during this time.

Scientists know that the moon affects our limbic system and that is our emotional quadrant of the medicine wheel.  Our emotions are in an area with the most water and like the oceans are affected, so are we. 

Since our whole Medicine Wheel is affected by having even one area is influenced, we can be out of balance if we are not aware and nurturing of all the four areas; physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.  We are universally connected to each other and to the moon.   The three main signs of healing are Virgo (naturopathic healing), Scorpio (shadow and magic healing), and Pisces (compassion and acceptance), we need to really understand how those three work in our personal lives.  

Getting to know more about astrology, the goddess, the moon, and their influences can help us be in balance and to live better lives where we fulfill our purpose more ‘purposefully’. 

Today is a Cancer Moon influence, using the color Rose, and using thyme as herb for smudging or in our baking, etc. 

https://www.acouplecooks.com/thyme-recipes/

©Carol Desjarlais 3.3.23