12 Earth-Body-Soul: Learning How to Grieve from the Calendula
“Hark, hark! the lark at heaven’s gate sings,
And Phoebus ‘gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
On chaliced flowers that lies;
And winking Mary-buds begin
To ope their golden eyes:
With every thing that pretty is,
My lady sweet, arise:
Arise, arise.”
“Nothing can happen more beautiful than death.”
Daily Word of Intention
Grief
Centering Thought
I am sorrow; I am grief; I am frail, and yet I greet the new day with beauty.
Questions
Do you avoid grief?
Do you grow your own calendula?
Did you know that you can eat some flowers?
How do you grieve; how do you express sorrow?
Gratitude:
I am so thankful for my ability to learn. I am thankful for the internet that makes research so easy. I am thankful for history. I am thankful for all of the insights I have learned today about this flower. I am thankful for what this flower teaches me about grief. I see my grief. I feel my sorrow. I embrace it. I invite it near to me in the alter of my soul. And in my grief and sorrow, still I welcome the new day with all of my love, and my healing energies, and my beauty.
Reflection
I am the calendula. Native to southwestern Asia, Western Europe, Macaronesia and the Mediterranean, I grow around the world. Of the Asteraceae family, I am cousin to chamomile. I am an annual and die each year. My blooms are large and yellow and orange. Called Bride of the Sun, Holigolde, and Summer’s Bride, my petals open each day to follow the sun and close at night. I am brightness. I am warmth. I am beautiful. Called Mary’s Gold and Mary-Bud, I am a sacred flower and have been placed near the feet and around the necks of holy statues such as the Virgin Mary. The flower of Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, I represent the frailty of life and guide the souls of those who have passed to the alter. Around the world I have symbolized grief and sorrow. In the Victorian flower language, I communicate, “My thoughts are with you.” My scent is strong, and spicy, and clean. I am hardy. My blooms are lasting. My blooms are dependable. I am fire. Plant me in the full sun or partial shade if the zone is a hot one, and in well-drained soil. I grow to at least 12 inches high, and up to a foot or more in width. Deer do not like me, and most plant eating insects avoid me, but pollinators are drawn to me. Unless you are pregnant and breastfeeding, I am good medicine. I am anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial. I promote the healing process. Use me to clean, and soothe, and heal sores, sprains, overworked muscles, cuts, bruises, burns and rashes. I soothe the skin. Infuse me and blend me into creams and salves; I will enhance your beauty. I am great help with bug bites and stings. Tincture me and add me to your bath and tea. I bolster immune systems. I protect. I am great for your skin. Bathe with me, and you will glow, and attract others to you. The brighter my orange petals, the more potent I am. For ages I have been used in these ways. And for ages, I have also been used in the kitchen. In fact, I am often called pot marigold because I am commonly used in cooking. Do not confuse me with all marigolds; we are NOT the same. We are different all together. Called poor man’s saffron, dry me and use me instead of saffron or turmeric for that golden coloring. Note, when used this way, I add the same color, but not the same taste. Cook me into soups; stew me. I also and beautiful on your plate raw as a a garnish. I am a beautiful addition to cupcakes and cakes. Toss me into your salsas, and salads, and smoothie bowls, and nice creams. Eat me. I clear all blockages. I warm you and increase your circulation. I purge all that doesn’t belong out of your system, physically and emotionally. I am powerful. I protect. Warming, I set your mind on positive vibes. My energies are nourishing. I help you to recognize possibility, potential, especially in relationships. In Ancient Greece and Rome, I was made into garlands and crowns to festive celebrations. In India, I am strung into garlands for weddings and religious rituals. I can predict the future and enhance intuition. When placed in pillows, I encourage prophetic dreams. When dealing with legal matters, carry me in your pocket for positive outcomes. The original flower of the “he loves me, he love me not,” round, I am associated with love and have also been used in love potions. I increase energy. I put you in alignment with great wealth.
Works Cited
“Calendula.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, Jan. 2018, p. 1; EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=funk&AN=ca010300&site=eds-live.
Dillon, Katie. “The Role Marigolds Play in Dia de los Muertos.” LaJollaMom.Com. https://lajollamom.com/the-role-marigolds-play-in-dia-de-los-muertos/ Assessed 8 July 2021.
HEIKENFELD, RITA. “Calendula: Nature’s Sunshine Herb and More.” Countryside & Small Stock Journal, vol. 101, no. 4, July 2017, pp. 18–21. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=124434212&site=eds-live.
Hunter, Candice. Calendula History, Folklore,Myth, and Magic. The Practical Herbalist. https://thepracticalherbalist.com/advanced-herbalism/calendula-myth-and-magic/. Assessed 8 July 2021.
Ting, Deanna. “Special Ingredient: Calendula.” Better Nutrition, vol. 68, no. 7, July 2006, pp. 42–43. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=21331907&site=eds-live.
Blessings
Thank you for joining me today! I hope you have a beautiful day! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. And - if you are reading this today, and you are Samuel Beasley - Happy birthday to you my son! Happy beautiful birthday! Peace for now - and remember, stay CHARMED ~