❁ Flower of the Day ~ Agapanthus

FLOWER OF THE DAY
Agapanthus






Will Assist You In ~
Most aspects of romantic love. This flower can help you connect with your true feelings and desires and can revel the hidden affections that another may hold for you.
Wonderful plant allies for those who have issues with security and particularly money. Releases victim mentality which can surround those struggling with self-belief in attaining financial security.

Language of Flowers Oracle ~
Someone may be secretly in love with you! A love you thought long~gone may return soon and this wont just mean romantic love, but also friendships which inspired deep feelings of love within you or even things which you held great passion for.
A change for the better in your ability to make money, attain a more secure position or even a promotion of some sort could be indicated.
Be very careful of becoming too materialistic, holding on to what you really do not need or being greedy because it will backfire on you.

Gardening Notes ~
Often referred to as un~killable, they are very easy to grow in most conditions. They do prefer sunlight, regular watering and feeding to produce abundant flowers. You can lift and divide via root division in winter which will not only create more plants but keep your planting neat and manageable. Deadhead quickly to stop seeding as you do need to be mindful of where you plant them and how they are managed as they can become a weed and a problem for our bush land.

bunches of blessings,
Cheralyn xx
PS, you are always welcome to download/share

Image ~
A beautiful first~season Agapanthus on my Lake Walk yesterday. Very windy up here on The Lakes so photo is a tad blurry but ahhh how wonderful and wild Nature is!

❁ Flower of the Day ~ Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

FLOWER OF THE DAY
Nasturtium
(Tropaeolum majus)

Will Assist You In ~
Remaining optimistic, obtaining a victory, in being successful in a hard or long drawn out issue of conflict and most importantly will offer you ways to increase your personal vitality.

The Language of Flowers Oracle ~
Success is indicated as it a boost in resources. You are being warned to watch over your personal energy because although there is almost an abundance of it, you could waste it or let others zap too much from you.

Gardening Notes ~
Oh so easy to grow and can actually take over if you are not careful. they will self~seed everywhere! Most types are edible and make a very yummy peppery addition especially in summer salads when they are at their peek.

My photo here shows Nasturtium growing wild along the shore of the Lake near my home last night. I would not advise eating any found like this as councils do spray with pesticides.

They don't like frost or very cold areas but will tolerant shade exceptionally well. Best results are in well draining sunny positions.

Botanical History & Traditions ~
Originating in Peru, the Incas referred to Nasturtium as 'Golden Nuggets' due to their role in an almost Indiana Jones style legend of stolen gold, mountain chases, a vengeful God and a good man protecting what was right. Along the way Nature stepped in and disguised hidden gold as bright yellow Nasturtiums so it wouldn't be taken by Spanish Conquistadors and so it was eventually returned to the Incas.

The name 'nasturtium' translates from Latin as 'twisted nose' referring to it's rather strong and perhaps not so nice scent.

Now this is one tradition I personally practice ~ plant three red nasturtiums (some traditions call for black) to ensure protection unwanted visitors do not set foot in your home. I once lived in an apartment without a garden and had three small hanging baskets of bright red nasturtiums at my doorway, perfect!

May Nature bless you always and may you in turn always be a Blessing to Nature,
bunches of love,
Cheralyn ❁ xx

❁ This Magickal Gardening Week ~ broccoli, snapping dragons & the celery forest

It's a busy week with my work as I complete illustrations for my fourth Flower deck which will be released early next year and I'm sure being lost each day in the dreamy tones of spring in these delicate watercolours is no coincidence. I have found I work best when what I am creating aligns with the turning seasons, with what is occurring in my garden and environment. The energy, messages and wisdom I am then sharing through my writing and art is pure and clear.





Today in the garden ~ 




artwork I'm creating for my fourth flower oracle deck ~ 



A few Flowers in my garden this week ~ 

Snapdragons!
Antirrhinum
I planted these out last year and it is a joy to see their return. Chattering to each other in a quiet corner of my back garden, they seem to hold court while watching over their soon to arrive flower friends, daisy, jasmine and cornflower. 
The Language of Flowers: truth~telling, grace, secrets, "I long for you" 




A tiny Snapdragon visitor ~ 




Bottlebrush 
Callistemon
Oh it is time for cleansing away the sleepiness of winter, of letting go of the dream~state and awakening and so Bottlebrush is making a most welcome appearance not only in my garden but naturally everywhere! 
The Language of Flowers: balance, cleansing, clarity "I understand"




Pigface
Carpobrotus 
Nothing speaks to me of childhood summers really like these. They grew in abundance in the rockeries of my grandparents home. 
Perfectly strong, yet somehow a little unreal with their bright petals springing forth from leaves which to my eye, never really looked somehow matched to these flowers. 
The Language of Flowers: survival, tenacity, forgiveness "I forgive and let go" 


Some interesting Pigface Flower Facts: 
http://www.sgaonline.org.au/pigface-carpobrotus-glaucescens/



Calendula
Calendula officinalis
So blessed with the love of this plant. She is growing so well nestled next to my Wormwood with brilliant orange faces greeting each dawn. 
The Language of Flowers: contentment, cleansing, healing "I am grateful" 





And so the Veggie Garden
It is time to harvest the last of Winter and so prepare for Summer. Memories of rosy red tomatoes and crisp green lettuce are enticing me to being the preparation of the soil, to rest some areas, to work others so all will be ready. The chill is leaving our mornings and nights and the earth is opening, warming and ready to welcome the plants of the coming seasons. 


Harvest this week: 

Celery
We have been enjoying celery for weeks and weeks but we are heading into a very abundant time and I'm loving adding it to juices and just about everything from frittatas to asian dishes.



Broccoli 
The time is over for nibbling as we delight in the very last of this year's crop. One of my all time favourite vegetables, I'm personally just about living on it and the taste is amazing. Steamed with a tiny bit of lemon juice ~ YUM! 




Herbs
Well I'm constantly harvesting herbs, its the best way to ensure they grow but right now I have a really bumper amount of thyme, rosemary, wormwood, vervain, calendula, parsley, rocket and society garlic. 



may Nature always bless you but more importantly, 
may you always be a blessing to Nature 
bunches of love, 
Cheralyn❁


Cheralyn Darcey is a passionate gardener and botanical history author and artist who loves sharing her three plus decades wealth of flowers and plant wisdom, stories and knowledge through her publications, presentations and workshops.

This weekend I will be presenting a workshop at Sydney's wonderful Festival of Dreams at 3:30pm Saturday.
I'll be sharing all things Flowers, Plants and Gardening and how you can find personal healing, guidance and a little magick with Nature ~ 

FLOWER OF THE DAY ❁Billy Buttons (Pycnosorus globosus)

❁Flower Affirmation ~ I seek peace and understanding. 

                                                                                                                         permission granted to share this post/image

❁ Will Assist You In ~ 
Time of negotiation. It will clear the air and settle emotions so that progress can be made. Supports those involved with any sort of problem solving. Let's new thinking and education be assimilated more easily.

❁ The Language of Flowers Oracle ~ 
Stop fighting whatever it is that you are at the moment. Billy Buttons often shows up to say "STOP! This can not go on. Make peace and progress" The flower also can indicate that you are in denial about something or perhaps you may be making a very 'big deal' out of a challenge and exaggerating it's worth or difficulty. You actually do know you can do it and how that will look! This flower also indicates the end of a difficult situation is near.

❁ Gardening Notes ~ 
Billy Buttons, a perennial, are also known as Drumsticks in some parts of Australian, a native to this country, they are drumstick shaped flower heads which grow to a height of about 40cm which love locations which are rather swamp~like so prefer a moist yet well drained soil structure in a sunny location.

bunches of blessings,
❁  Cheralyn xx

card from Australian Wildflower Reading Cards
artwork ~  'Billy Buttons', block print and gouache on paper, 2012, Cheralyn Darcey

 

Flower of the Day ~ Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea

FLOWER OF THE DAY
I love opening up my flower research journals and finding our flower of the day. Especially old sketches! Today I did so and a very appropriate one appeared for us.


 

We are all aware, I'm sure, of the immunity and healing properties of echncea and its messages are very aligned of course.
Be very aware of situations which are toxic or moving that way on all levels today and be sure to act with grace and dignity. This precious flower reminds up to stay true to ourselves and to look after our personal wellbeing through living in wholeness.
You can grow Purple Coneflower very easily. An autumn flowering beauty that adds a gorgeous display as well as being a natural organic accessible source of the healing gifts it has to share. Be aware that it a largish flower bed plant and needs a little more room than you would imagine. Most people seeing mine in the garden seem to express their delight in their size. Butterflies adore them so they are not only helping you but nature too!
Bunches of love,
Cheralyn xx

Mind Body Spirit Festival, Plant Magick, Garden Goodness

It's been a week of feeling the fresh chill of winter roll in across the Lake and the bracing winds from the Sea, with of which seem to be emulating my tides of life at the moment. I'm slowly getting my feet back after a setback with my work and finding a way forward. It's easy to hide, to hibernate and withdraw completely for the warmth of comfort or the known at times like these but it's very liberating to rug up and be brave and forge forward. That's what I'm doing and feeling enlivened by it. Rug up and don't you give up either! There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choice. 






The Language of Flowers and Plants and Magick


I love to garden, I adore exploring botanical history and I especially find interesting the way folk lore helps us with indications to the energy and therefore meanings of flowers and plants. Through these explorations across time, cultures, places and faiths, time again I find people practicing various Plant Magick. 
But what is Plant Magick? Does it exist? How can you experience it? 

 



My Garden This Week 
We found a daybed for the garden! *yah* 
This meant we needed to quickly learn how to build a retaining wall and do a bit of serious landscaping.

  

Veggies: 
Beans! More beans are sprouting this week and making their way up the fence. 
I put in a new eggplant. 

only two so far before the cold sets in I hope more might make it!

Harvesting: beetroot, celery, silverbeet, spinach, french beans, lettuce and a late tomato struck from some dug in compost. Very sweet tiny toms! 

adore my French Beans. Such pretty and delicate beauty

In The Studio
I am creating new labels and expanding the range of my Flower Mists. Many stores have now asked to stock these and I am busy making that happen. There's a lot of logistics that need to be properly set up. It's exciting getting this interest from people and places who already have my cards and now would like to make a deeper connection with my work. Very grateful. 
I will have a list of stockist available on my website soon and for those not able to find a nearby stockist, I will have them in my Etsy store. 




A flurry of joyful activity surrounds the creation of a Flora Flower series of books and I am incredibly grateful for a business which is encouraging me to "get her out into the world!" Flora loves plants and people and is looking pretty good in a series of books I hope to share with you all very soon. 

 





Mind Body Spirit Festival, Sydney 


I am delighted to be sharing two seminars at the upcoming festival in Sydney. 
Seminars are free for all Festival visitors and Festival entry tickets are free for those who register online  at this link: https://tickets.exponews.com.au/822


"Flower Reading for
Divination & Healing"
Saturday 29th May
11:30am Seminar Room B
Learn how you can Read Flowers
for healing and for insight in this interactive
workshop.
I will also gift a mini reading to each participant at the workshop.

"Sacred Flower Meditation"
Sunday 30th May
2:00pm Seminar Room B
Cheralyn invites to a beautiful healing
Flower meditation. Let us explore your
Flower Guide and hear what he or she has
to say to you.
I will also leave each meditation participant with a beautiful 
Spirit Guide Flower Reading.




Plant Resource of the Week
Every now and then the work of this wonderful author comes up in conversations and I love to share it. This week it was during an interview I was giving for a magazine. For those of you who have not explored the botany of desire, I'd really love to suggest the book/documentary. I'm not 100% aligned with Pollan's views on flowers but the heart of what he explores and sets forth is fascinating and will really help those of you also interested in ethnobotany and the language of flowers and plants. 
The Botany of Desire by Micheal Pollan book enliven my work and sent me on many different areas of thought and research when it was released and for a long time now the documentary has been around based on this amazing book.
I've mentioned both a lot throughout the years online, (on my blog and social media) and in my every one of my workshops and presentations. Again the past week it has come up again with those I've connected with.
Here is a link to a preview. It is shown from time to time on various services and available on DVD or you could read the book!

 



FLOWER OF THE DAY
If you follow my Florasphere Facebook Page you will find I share a FLOWER OF THE DAY postcard with interesting additional information, like the one below each day (at about 8am Sydney time). The artwork is either from one of my decks or books or from my journal or other art. I share the flower which I feel best connects with the energy of the day and perhaps it may contain something for you as well. To enjoy a new card each day which you are welcome to download and also to share them online, go to the Florasphere Facebook Page and click like and then click the like button again to set up how you would like to see the page in your timeline. 


The floral emblem of the Australian State of Tasmania is the flower of the magnificent Blue Gum Tree. They can grow to 70 metres in height with a 2 metre diameter trunk, an impressive guardian of the forests, plains and coastal regions of southern Victoria and Tasmania.
If this flower connects with you it may be indicating a need to look after yourself physically at the moment and to take a little extra care.
Be very careful of losing faith and hope with things which are challenging you at present. Stay the course and look at what you may need to let go of or even accept in order to move forward.
Can you grow a blue gum? Of course you can and you should grow trees! I would suggest that you go and have a chat with your local council and look at planting 'local native gums' as well. Your local wildlife and other plants will love you.
I would also suggest you chat with a local arborist/garden centre about the best places to plant in your garden so you do not have problems later on.
Flower blessings,
Cheralyn xx

Florasphere Flower Colouring Sheet 
Thank you for the many emails and messages thanking me for last weeks' sheet. This week, on request, i've created another Chrysanthemum Florasphere to colour with a larger blank centre. You can use this as a frame for an image or perhaps to add a name of quote. If you share online once finished, please ensure you add credit and if you share uncoloured, please do so as is (with all credit information). 

click on image for a full sized copy




The More I Know Bees ~ 
Colour is often explored for it's meaning and the ways in which it corresponds and interrelates with other energies and lifeforms. I found this article very interesting about iridescence this morning. Another layer to explore ~

Article link: 
Less Brilliant Flowers still keep Bees coming back
Bumblebees prefer petals that have a bit less shimmer

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Exhibition Sydney
I have two dates in July, and spots are now nearly filled ~ 
TO BOOK : Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Exhibition Sydney Bookings
From the renowned collection of Jacques and Natasha Gelman, 40 brilliant artworks by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Complimenting this important collections is a selection of 50 photographs by Edward Weston, Lola Alvarez Bravo and Frida’s father, Guillermo Kahlo, to share with us insights into both artists’ worlds and their relationship.

Facebook Event Page (which has gone a little crazy) 

Join me for a relaxed friendly gallery tour with like-minded Frida & Diego lovers.
After our walk~through, you are welcome to join us for light refreshments to chat
​and share our experiences.

The cost of the group visit will be the face value of the tickets ($30) plus $5 donation to the Frida Kahlo Foundation, helping children and women in need.
In the unlikely event that circumstances prevent tour, a full refund will be sent to you immediately. Refunds are not available for other reasons, sales are final, tickets are transferable.
TO BOOK : Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Exhibition Sydney Bookings

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
may Nature fill it with beautiful blessings,
Cheralyn xx

This Week ~ Book Completed, Yoga & Free Running Nasturtiums

BOOK COMPLETED 

To finish creating anything , a book, an artwork, anything creative, is a very strange mix of emotions. 
This week, Friday at 2:30pm Sydney time to be exact, I completed writing what I refer to as my 'Big Book'.



Well, it's not particularly big but it has filled a very big part of my world for decades. It's a book I wanted and couldn't find and it's a book which is particularly special as I feel it brings all my work together and provides a very good foundation for what is to come.
I got to a certain point with the book two months ago and I realised something additional needed to be included and I have worked solidly around the clock to make that happen for Deadline. It has meant that I did need to put many things aside and I haven't been the best friend, family member or even participant in a lot of things while I made it all happen. My mind, body and soul were 100% focused on the book for that time.
Some relationships were tested and others strengthened by it and new ones emerged because there is no more selfish thing to do than to completely give yourself over to a creative project, without out-sourced administration or a daily living infrastructure to support you. The bottom line, I can not afford either and need to be pretty much the soul provider of these these things for various reasons.  I think if I could afford to provide these things? I would probably love a cleaner, a manager and an assistant. In that order. 
Now I am out the other side, I have to say that as wonderful as the moment is, it didn't come without a few scars. I've put on a few kilos. I went to the gym 5 times a week but sitting on your bum all those hours and getting the nibbles because you gave up coffee will do it! So the mission is on to remove those now. I've missed really good opportunities as I have not been able to follow up on them or notice them before it was too late and I've not participated in many activities, groups and involvements which I enjoy. Oh and my house is as dusty as a haunted house and let's not go into the fridge/science experiment! 
But the garden is wonderful.

planting winter goodness

The seasons stop for nothing and without my dawn gardening daily ritual, I think I would of 'lost it'. 

I am incredibly grateful for those who supported me with their friendship, love and interest. 
There are many people who follow my work surrounding Botanical History and the branch of Ethnobotany I follow with the focus I have with Flowers and I am blessed with the path crossings and the time we spend together. While it is also true I have also experienced a few disappointments along the way recently, the majority of people are really lovely and genuine, without an agenda and with an honest interest in this field of work and for that I have found a lot to be grateful for. 


So the 'Big Book' is completed and I have illustrations to tidy up and finish over the next week and then await the machinations of publishing to happen. It's an exciting time and a funny time. You finish and now you wait and wonder what will be for your baby, but you need to let go. Of course I wonder and worry if I did enough, if I did it 'right' but I did what was in my heart and I created from a place of loving nature, botany, gardening and people and it comes from the foundation all the work I have done and all the experiences I have had in this field for over three decades so if nothing else, there is complete truth to the work.

Now off you go book, fly and be free and may you land in the hands of those who love the subject as I do and perhaps bring sunshine and warmth as you have me.

YOGA
So through all this last couple of months, I joined the local gym, found an amazing Personal Trainer, who happens to be the gym Yoga Teacher so not only did i start doing some more serious working out but I began doing Yoga. I love both. Firstly Helen, my trainer, has done amazing things getting me to do weights again by working around the injury issues I have, to the point that I can now raise my arm to all extension (yes I'm amazed!) I've also overcome my fear of Yoga. Well not Yoga itself, just the uber competitiveness and cliqueiness of any classes I've tried. Helen runs the most wonderful space and I adore going. 
Not only have I begun Yoga, so has Mr Darcey!

that's a pretty good tree

 
TRAVEL
Sadly we have had to postpone our trip to Uluru in a few weeks for personal reasons. We did share with all our friends and family that this was happening but as those close to us know, it really won't be possible right now. All things sometimes for a reason. 
We are now looking at September and perhaps may even be able to extend to a bit of a Wildflower Trek as well.


FLOWER GARDENING
It's defiantly Nasturtium time for me!


Yes they can run wild and need to be looked after but there's something uplifting and enlivening about these flowers happily tumbling over everything isn't there? They are connected with vitality and victory and heal those feeling deflated or exhausted. They seem to give you that kick you need to get over the line. Yes yes, I did find much strength with my Nasturtium friends in the garden the past few weeks myself ;) 




So easy to grow and they are delicious in salads, wraps and sandwiches. I grow mine in areas which are challenging for other plants as they provide a pretty fill while still being useful. As I said, you need to watch these cheeky guys as they will take over! I've planted standards, climbing and dwarf and hopefully will have some black velvets to show you in the coming weeks. 

WHAT'S COMING UP?
Well my poor old social media sites, websites and so on are looking sad at the moment so you can look forward to new energy over at my Youtube Channel this week with Flower of The Day Videos beginning! I know how much you all love the postcards so this is an extension of that 

Hop on over and subscribe so you never miss an episode: 
FLORASPHERE YOUTUBE CHANNEL LINK  


More colouring in and creativity videos are also on their way ~ all with Flower love and inspiration!  
I have just noticed I seem to have somehow lost my URL and need to find out what happened there. Ah another technical task to do this week. 



FLORA FLOWER 

I have shared Flora publicly for a few years now after being frightened for a very long time of someone 'stealing' her.
Silly as she deserved to be out in the sunshine. 

I've shared the story of the young flower girl who loves gardening and nature with many people for many years before that and I've often wondered where she would 'end up'. I'm still not sue but rest assured that behind the scenes I have been working on a few projects which involve her. My dream is to see her animated one day but before that in a series of books. 
You can be her friend on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MsFloraFlower
and follow her board on Pinterest
https://au.pinterest.com/florasphere/flora/



THIS SUNDAY
So looking forward to this wonderful day at Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden. 
I have a few of these days planned for the rest of the year too and one later in the year in Brisbane. 
If you are in Sydney, you are most certainly invited. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/186234388411774/





So until next week, 

May Nature always bless you and may you always be a blessing to Nature! 

Bunches of Love, 

Cheralyn xx 










 

Flower of the Day ~ Texas Bluebonnet

 

My days are very long at the moment, but I am joyfully creating something that I love and so while it is a huge challenge, it is one that I am incredibly happy and grateful to have. I feel a tad disconnected from the world of people, very much time poor but I am so content with the completion of something very special.
So the Flower of the day made me smile. I moved a stack of journals earlier this morning, looking for a certain volume containing my notes about orchids and this sketch fell before me and I smiled as I remembered Texas and the friend I have there. I remembered seeing bluebonnets and wanting to paint and write and dream in their embrace for days while learning their language and I remember too that it was then that I learned of the value in giving something up so that something else may grow within you.
On hearing the phrase "the sky falls upon Texas" I also realised that creative sacrifice isn't a bad thing but an organic flow, a needed process. We can do anything but not everything. So whenever I again see these much beloved blossoms, I am reminded of new beginnings, of giving up some things so that others may thrive.
Oh and I very much miss the wildflowers of America, I really do.
May Nature always bless you
and may you always be a blessing to Nature
Cheralyn xx

Flower of the Day ~ Fairy Iris

FLOWER OF THE DAY
A little elemental help while being reminded of your own abilities.



Fairy Iris also indicate a return to health, a new vigour for projects and freedoms and energies which may have been hard to obtain in the past. They do warn of deceit and of confidences broken so you need to be a little extra vigilant.
Wonderful to connect with when you are trying to heal after a confrontation so that the next steps may be undertaken to balance.
Gardening ~ Other common names include Wild Iris and White Iris.

A very hardy perennial, they have become an environmental weed in some parts of Australia so plant with care. Native to South Africa, they have become a very popular flower garden plant throughout the world. They love full sun, grow from tube stock and work wonderfully well as a border plant in larger areas or near water features.
My Florasphere Postcard for you today features a sketch from my journal.


May Nature always bless you and may you always be a blessing to Nature,
Bunches of Love,
Cheralyn xx

Red Rose ~ Flower of the Day

Red Roses are so intricately entwined with love for most us because they signal relationships and passion in all it's facets. The youthful tightness of a new bud, holding so much promise and mystery. The new bloom going through the stages of unfurlment and discovery, growth and then gently letting go of petals to reveal the new life to begin again. The strong stem needed to hold up the blossom signifying the strength and direction a relationship requires and then the thorns which are both protective and challenging. The leaves so green and jagged, mapping the many detours and rises and falls along the way.
I not only think of them for romantic love but also for love of projects, of situations and of dreams and to love is to be courageous, not matter where you place that love.


Sketching Red Rose this morning ~







May Nature bless you always and may you be a blessing to nature in all that you do.
Cheralyn xx