Solar Gifts from Calendula
- Linda Crider
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
We're moving into Autumn in my part of the world, and like many I have to say it's my season of choice! Orange has always been considered an uplifting color, and this time of year nature brings it to the forefront in the cheerful hue of pumpkins and the many golden/ orange shades of changing leaves. You can see it dominating this month's plant medicine card that highlights and celebrates the orange/yellow petals of the CALENDULA flower.
While Autumn heralds a time of harvesting crops, slowing down and anticipating the hibernating respite of winter, herbalist and creator of the Herbal Astrology Oracle deck Adriana Ayeles connects the medicine of Calendula to the vibration of "new beginnings." Astrologically, she tells us, it's a plant that is ruled by the Sun as its flaming color resembles the Sun's radiating brilliance. It's therefore imbued with the power to energize and recuperate vital forces. That's quite a testimony for a delicate, daisy-like bloom!
This Calendula flower has been used medicinally for a very long time. Like so many herbs that are recommended by natural medicine practitioners today, it was popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans for a variety of healing purposes--internally, externally and spiritually.
When it comes to physical healing, herbs
have multiple properties or "actions," and among those that Calendula offers are anti-microbial, anti-viral, astringent, and anti-inflammatory. A tea made from the dried flowers is a gentle digestive aid and can also serve as a healing mouth wash or gargle for sore throats. This is especially helpful during cold and flu season as it works to fight any infection while simultaneously soothing irritated tissue.
Its vulnerary or wound healing property has made Calendula a popular remedy for external use, and many herbalists consider it to be the "go to" herb for skin care. Anyone in the process of putting together a natural medicine kit would be wise to include at least one topical form of this herb. I can personally say from experience that a salve or cream made with it is the absolute best antidote for minor burns, rashes and insect bites, especially when you mix in a few drops of Lavender and/or Tea Tree oil.
In India, Calendula is considered to be a sacred plant, and the flowers are often strung on garlands to adorn statues of deities and to decorate for weddings and other festive celebrations. Folk traditions of several cultures include the practice of putting Calendula flowers under one's bed for protection and prosperity.
You could say that all flowers are healing since their visual beauty is sure to automatically elevate a gloomy mood, but each kind has its own special magic. Author, artist and herbalist Candice Hunter, from The Practical Herbalist sums up the more spiritually healing qualities of this plant too perfectly, so allow me to directly quote. Notice that she assigns it a masculine gender as is the case with other plants (such as St. John's Wort) that are ruled by the Sun:
"Calendula’s flowers follow the sun, gathering in those gentle, fiery, nourishing energies. His magic is warming, coaxing us into a brighter disposition and offering us a glimpse into the sunny possibilities even when we’re feeling mired in the dark of winter. He asks us to seek similar energies in our lives and to use them to bring ourselves and our work into blossom."
Ayales also suggests that in order to be truly allowed access to what she refers to as the Sun's "angelic realms" of light requires childlike innocence and purity. We can see evidence of this on the card pictured above as a naked child approaches a shining path that leads to an inviting place of radiance and the promise of joy.
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:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
Happy Autumn Equinox!!
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