Mary’s Nimbus of Flowers and Light
and the divine promise that never lets us down
As many of you are entering Autumn and the quiet of winter,
I am entering Spring and the revitalizing sun and summer
Marigolds are now blooming here in glowing colours
as though reflecting the promise of sun filled days and
renewed energy for projects and undertakings.
Marigolds are a sacred flower in so many cultures of the world
and she often forms an important part of ritual and offerings.
Marigold is Mary’s Gold and is said to have derived that name
from earlier christianity when these glowing flowers were placed
on Mary altars instead of coins.
In India I came to know her as Astera, also the name of a devi.
The marigold is one of the most important flowers in Hindu
culture; you will receive a marigold garland during a homa or puja
or when entering a temple or haveli (pilgrim house).
Marigolds are also offered during ceremony and placed on the altar.
Here in my home continent they are known as African asters, or in
Afrikaans as Stink Afrikaners, not a complimentary name at all
and referring to its wonderful pungent fragrance.
In Mexico, the flower is also important in altar decorations and offerings
for many religious festivals including Dia de los Muertos
and they are called Flowers of the Dead (flor de muerto) or Cempasuchitl,
In Cheralyn Darcey’s oracle The Language of Flowers,
the meaning of marigolds are
‘time to begin again, stronger, better’.*
They are also linked to the sun and has healing properties for the liver.
“What you seek was seeking you.”
Rumi
How is it
that when I was
looking for You,
You were seeking me also?
Silently You watched and waited.
Sometimes gave me
a brief glimpse
or taste
of who You were,
like a shy deer in the forest
that vanishes when
you turn to look.
And so I roamed,
looking here and there,
gazing at the hieroglyphs on trees
or peering into the throats of flowers for secret revelations,
listening to the waves
pounding the shore for messages,
examining books and stars,
seeking essence.
Finally I gave up my searching,
surrendered my deep desire
to stillness.
And then You gave me a kiss
that lasted forever.
Dorothy Walters
As we are approaching the end of these thirty days of
Walking with Mary I would like to extend an invitation to
those who would like to deepen the journey.
I am offering a limited number of places in
The Order of the Dove.
I am offering the opportunity to existing patrons first
and if there are still places available I will open it to everyone else.
If you are interested, please visit
www.patreon.com/thefrenchmadonna
on 6 October for all the details.
blessings
Hettienne
*Thank you Kasia @tarotmap for sharing these cards with me.
