Don't Call Them "Nasties"!!

Those who have been reading my posts may notice that I'm adding a new card deck to my growing collection! This one is the Soulflower Plant Spirit Oracle deck created by herbalist and plant whisperer Lisa Estabrook. As an artist, she has designed this beautifully illustrated deck herself, and as an "oracle," she shares her personal messages from 44 plants. I recently heard her speak on a podcast, and decided to begin using her deck by choosing to feature this blooming annual.

NASTURTIUMS have always been special to me.

I plant them from seed every year, and sometimes they flower, sometimes they don't. It never matters since I'm always glad to at least see their unique round leaves. They remind me of lily pads, and in short, they make me smile!

The flowers often show themselves in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow--all hues that suggest the energy of the sun. In the guidebook that comes with this deck, Lisa connects these cheerful flowers to the idea of "Vitality," and yes, they can be energetic, busy plants! They not only grow and bloom, but some varieties are known to climb and trail.

This makes for some impressive visuals that create such beauty as they enhance a container grouping, climb a trellis or spill over a stone wall. But Lisa goes deeper into how this dynamic botanical provides wisdom that goes beyond just appreciating her visual appeal . Nasturtium, she says "encourages your spiritual and thinking self to come into balance with earthly, physical reality....motivating you into action, as opposed to just thinking about it."

Don't we all have times when we need that kind of call to action boost? I know I do, so if you can also relate, here's a plant that has stepped up to propel you out of procrastination mode.

Others who delve into the emotionally and spiritually healing properties of plant medicine have similar things to say about Nasturtiums. California based Flower Essence Society includes this plant in their 142 repertory of English and American essences. They say that the vibration of this flower is called for when there has been a "depletion of the life force." Working with this essence is said to restore "glowing vitality" and "radiant warmth." On a similar note, Bloom Post says they encourage us to "stop overthinking."

This is one of those botanicals that can boast about being lovely to look at, emotionally balancing and physically healing, but also about how all parts of the plant are edible, Nasturtium flowers can add both color, nutrition and a hint of peppery flavor to any salad. I was amazed to learn that the plant can also be used to make jelly, vinegar and even pesto!

One garden blogger tells us that over the centuries, admirers of these versatile flowers are said to include the ancient Incas, French King Louis XIV, Impressionist painter Claude Monet and US founding father Thomas Jefferson. So if you are also a fan, you're in pretty diverse company!

Speaking of company, seasoned gardeners are probably familiar with the term "companion plants," and apparently, Nasturtiums are good buddies to neighboring plants as well as to those who grow and harvest them. They are especially helpful to vegetables like broccoli and squash that benefit from the flower's ability to attract pollinators while also repelling destructive insects.

So far, mine are growing solo, and they are still in the early stage:

but I have high hopes for what's to come!

When I did a little meditation to see what message the spirit dwelling in these baby leaves might bring, I "heard" a sentiment of gratitude for the "fancy food" which I took to mean the fertilizer that I had just given them earlier in the day. They also reminded me that they were "small but mighty" and did not care for the nickname "nasties" that they are sometimes given.

And in keeping with their magical ability to discourage procrastination, I distinctly heard the caution:

"don't wait for the flowers"

These exact words came from their wise guidance to my (and your) "ears"!!

---

As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:

https://www.plantmedicineandmagic.com/book-online

You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com

For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!