All this focus on secret societies in the dusty past seems far distant from the sweet flowers in our gardens. Why do we care about Rosicrucians and Freemasons? The rose has a long heritage as a symbol of these powerful secret societies that many believe have ruled or influenced European and American history for centuries. … Read more
…I too awaitThe hour of thy great wind of love and hate.When shall the stars be blown about the sky,Like the sparks blown out of a smithy, and die?Surely thine hour has come, thy great wind blows,Far off, most secret, and inviolate Rose? — William Butler Yeats Our journey with the Graces, specifically Thalia, continues, … Read more
For what we do presage is riot in grosse,For we are brethren of the Rosie Crosse;We have the Mason Word and second sight,Things for to come we can foretell aright. — Henry Adamson, The Muses’ Threnodie (1638) Our journey with the Graces, specifically Thalia, continues, as She guides us through the magical garden. We are … Read more
Rose of all Roses, Rose of all the World!You, too, have come where the dim tides are hurled.Upon the wharves of sorrow, and heard ringThe bell that calls us on; the sweet far thing. — William Butler Yeats The rose, Queen of the Garden, has had a long history of beauty and mystery, joy and … Read more
Soon the delphinium rises tall, listening to the robin in the pear tree,Silken pansies nestled near the ground hear the flutter of lady bugs flying free,Wildflowers dancing in gorgeous chaos, love the sound of rain best of all,But, Her Majesty the Rose opens her fabulous blooms only at the Goddess’ call. — © 2008, The … Read more
Beauteous flowers why do we spreadUpon the monuments of the dead?Nothing they but dust can show,Or bones that hasten to be so.Crown me with roses whilst I live —Now your wines and ointments give;After death I nothing crave,Let me alive my pleasures have!All are Stoics in the grave. — Anacreaon (554 – 469 B.C.E.) Roses … Read more
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You … Read more
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,Where oxlips and the nodding violet growsQuite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,With sweet musk-roses and with elgantine. — William Shakespeare The lovely Grace Thalia guides us onward, as we tour the magical garden. She reminds us that flowers, the Good Folk, and magick have been woven together for … Read more
Dark of the MoonNew beginningsDark of the MoonPlant a seed tonightDark of the MoonWhat we envisionWill come to be by the Full Moon’s light. The month of July’s flower is the larkspur. It can be a little confusing, because the larkspur shares its common name with the delphinium, its close relative. Both are in the … Read more
Everyday Elsie by Lora Craig-Gaddis Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram;The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ the sun,and with him rise weeping. — The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare Here are a couple of lavender recipes you might like to try this weekend. I have to admit I have not made the tart yet, so … Read more