In considering the themes of the Mexica New Year and how to best align with them, we turn again, as always, to our sacred Mother Earth We have been provided with so many allies and supports, that as we meet the shifts of cosmos and terra, perhaps our challenge with these alliances is in knowing which to choose, and how to learn from them and engage them for our purpose. Below are some suggestions for harnessing the year’s opportunities for aligning with the Moon, for cultivating manifestation and creativity magic, and for grounding into the best version of ourselves, while transforming unconscious patterns that may try to cloud our clarity.
Evening Primrose
In the Springtime, our attention naturally turns towards flowers. In a year and season associated with the archetype of Rabbit, the Moon holds special importance and, magically speaking, it is the force with which we should work most closely, when directing our intentions and designing our personal rituals. So, the question, perhaps, is what flower can provide us with a deeper connection to the moon, call to mind the freshness and renewal of Spring, and help us to focus our manifestation efforts. Evening Primrose stands out as uniquely gifted at enhancing each of these purposes.
Oenothera biennis is the latin name for the common Evening Primrose. These are biennial plants, with cup shaped yellow flowers that usually bloom in the second year and give a lemon-like fragrance. Though there are several varieties called Evening Primrose, and which may have yellow or pinkish flowers, pay attention to the name and description of any seeds or plants you buy, because not all of this group actually flower at night. Oenothera biennis and Oenothera flava (called Yellow Evening Primrose) are two options that do bloom in the evening and close again by noon the following day, and either would be a nice addition to a moon garden.
Evening Primrose flowers have four petals. This is significant because the number four holds a special importance in nature, and thus in creating movement and transformation. There are four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter), four phases of the moon (new, waxing, full, waning, and dark), four parts of a day (morning, afternoon, evening, and night), and four elements (air, earth, water, and fire), all of which are easy to observe and name. These are not the only systems of four, as we ourselves have life processes in four, including the four chambers of our hearts and the four aspects of our energy system, which in Nahualismo are described as our teyolia (our soul/ heart/ memory), tonal (our waking self/ego/mind), our nahual (our dreaming body/energetic body), and our ihiyotl (our physical life force). There are more examples of the expression of four within and without, and the purpose of bringing these to light is to begin to understand why four is a sacred number in many traditions, particularly those who are closely aligned with the Earth. In the ancient Anahuac traditions, as well as in others, this principle is visualized as an equal distance cross, which in Nahuatl is called Omaxatl, The Cosmic Cross. It is engaged as a symbol for creating or stopping movement, in alignment with the cosmic order. All of this is to say that this night blooming flower, with its four petals, appears to be in communion with the forces of sacred movement and transformation, in association with the number four and the Moon, which grants aid in manifestation for those who cultivate her favor, on the earthly plane. To take these alignments one step further, yellow is the color of the East wind in the Mexican traditions of Anahuac, the kindest wind, the one which brings blessings to our path. I have not yet attempted to grow Evening Primrose, but I think I just convinced myself to start.
In addition to this sacred magical potential, Evening Primrose is an edible flower! It can be enjoyed as a delightful culinary garnish, while infusing its medicine into your system.
Medicinal primrose oil is also used to relieve pain and inflammation. It is said to have a positive effect on uterine muscles, metabolism, nervous system. A tea can also be made from its roots for treating obesity. The oil is used in skin care for rejuvenation and clearing of blemishes, and a finely ground powder from the flowering stems is sometimes added to cosmetics.
In researching the folklore surrounding Evening Primrose, I was most intrigued by three ideas for how to work this delicate, and yet potent flower. The first involves its relationship to protection, not only as a protective plant ally but as one that helps to create a feeling of safety. Being safe and feeling safe are often two entirely different things, and each need attention. Evening Primrose is said to invite a strong feeling of safety, which is something essential to both quality of life and the art of manifestation. When we are overly occupied with survival fear or anxiety, our minds and energetic systems are too busy, and perhaps too clouded, to truly be effective in directing intention and trusting our relationship with the unseen. Feeling safe allows us to connect with forces beyond our own thoughts, and opens us to more possibility. That alone is a huge magical service. Secondly, perhaps due to its alignment with the Moon, Evening Primrose has an affinity for healing the unconscious, particularly in the arena of unravelling the influence of one’s parents and childhood circumstances. When we are young, we have no real defense against absorbing the emotions and patterns of our parents, and no matter how hard parents work to avoid this, at least some of our human weaknesses are passed down. To truly address our Rabbits, our unconscious destructive habits and patterns of behavior, we must address this level of inheritance. Evening Primrose can be a support in healing on this level, and perhaps an ideal flower to use in herbal baths and limpias for children. The third interesting folkloric reference for Evening Primrose is for luck with hunting, making it a solid manifestation ally, particularly when it comes to one’s basic needs. The Complete Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, by Susan Gregg, I found this beautiful suggestion:
“Traditionally, Evening Primrose was used in rituals to ensure good hunting. Though few people actually hunt for their food today, you can still use this herb to help you hunt for a job, relationship, happiness, lover, etc. Place the petals on your altar while clearly stating what you want. After you state your intent, sprinkle the leaves into the wind and allow them to be carried away. Do this in each of the four directions, leaving a few petals on your altar to remind you of your intent.”
This flower also grows an oblong shaped fruit, about one inch long, which contains many red seeds. Red is the color of physical healing, purification, and rejuvenation. If you are able to harvest or purchase these seeds, hold them and consider the unconscious influences that interfere with your feelings of safety and agency, and that which stands in the way of what you most want to manifest. Whisper to them, asking them to transform these influences, to bring movement to what is stuck. Then send them into the dark earth, so they can take root and do their quiet work.
Finally, although the expression is common, we might consider…what truly is walking the Primrose Path?
Bloodstone
Bloodstone is an earthy green, opaque stone, with spots of deep red (or sometimes brownish-orange) that very much look like drops of blood. The sight of it alone calls to mind some alchemical union of soil, plant, and animal life. In Medieval lore, its red spots were said to be the result of Christ’s blood, from the final spear thrust, dripping onto a green Jasper stone laying at the foot of the cross, and from this came the notion of Bloodstone as a stone of sacrifice, capable of bringing out the most altruistic aspects within us. Bloodstone, however, is primarily a form of Chalcedony, and its rich lore goes much farther back. The Greeks called it Heliotrope, meaning “Sun Turner” or “Sunstone,” and mythic reference from their culture describes the stone as reflecting the sun within the earth, creating the blood red markings. There is also reference to heliotropic plants, which turn towards the sun and share a similar coloring. The red within Bloodstone comes from its iron oxide inclusions.
Interestingly, “Sunstone” or “Piedra del Sol” is also the name given to the Aztec Calendar, though this is because of its content not its material, which is carved basalt. In the ancient world, including Grecian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and even Aztec cultures, Bloodstone was widely renowned as both a healing stone and one with great metaphysical powers, and was a key ingredient in medical procedures, potions, and ritual. It was used as a coagulant, to staunch bleeding, and was dipped in cold water and placed on the body for this purpose, in one form of treatment, as well as carried by warriors in battle. This cold water method is still used, to stop nose bleeds, for example, or in the making of Bloodstone infused waters that can be soaked in to treat varicose veins and other ailments. Perhaps based on its appearance, or on its iron content, it has long been deeply associated with regulating systems of blood flow in the body, including heart health, circulation, menstruation and hormonal regulation, anemia, and hemorrhage, as well as with increasing vitality and immune system strength. At the same time, Bloodstone was considered to have strong manifestation powers that could be even be used to control the forces of weather, and yet the effect may have been primarily focused on creating movement where one was emotionally stagnant, such as cultivating change with the calling of wind, and inviting purification and release with the invocation of rain. Like herbal medicine, perhaps this stone has a dual action, stopping the flow of something that may cause harm, and creating movement, while renewing strength, in areas where we feel blocked or impeded. This theme is the one that most relates to how we might engage Bloodstone as a healing ally at the dawn of this year and season.
Bloodstone activates the Root Chakra, helping us to ground within the Earth and within our physical bodies. This is crucial for the work of manifestation, or that which we glimpse with our intuition and feel an imperative to create, from a place of soul calling, may not easily come to full blossom. We need the permission of the Earth in order to create, and for that our feet must be firmly rooted upon her soil, so to speak. It is interesting that Bloodstone is the original birthstone for March and the zodiac sign of Pisces, before the lovely Aquamarine. It is a perfect stone ally for Pisces personalities, and those who similarly thrive in the mystery pathways and the abstract, but struggle with remaining connected to the body and the earthly plane. It can be of great help to anyone who struggles to make clear decisions, as it increases clear thinking and commitment to one’s most soul aligned path, even through the obstacles placed before us. Bloodstone helps to cultivate an inner sense of safety, similar to Evening Primrose, and can support the feeling of being at home in this world versus feeling out of place, abandoned, or overwhelmed, permeated by all that is around. It can help in trusting ourselves and the Divine enough to persevere in the face of difficulty. We must feel at home in our bodies, and grounded in reality, before we can be effective in harnessing the more esoteric energies of the cosmos and earth.
But more than offering encouragement and focus, Bloodstone seeks to provide protection and courage when emotional, psychic, and physical threats are present. It helps to purify the auric field of negative influence, and draws away negative energies from the environment, as well as the electromagnetic stress that is ever present in our times. When facing oppositional relationships and difficult situations, from hard family dynamics to school bullies and oppressive adult circumstances, Bloodstone shows its strength as a mover of energy, obstacles, and the problems that deplete us emotionally and physically. When called on in this way, it has even been known to give its iron oxide to the issue, turning white where once it had been dark red, after the work of moving what was stuck is complete.
Bloodstone is also a stone of fertility, Increasing intuition, motivation, creativity, and dreaming. It was once the talisman of Isis and considered a potent fertility charm, especially when carved into a Tet Amulet, also known as the Buckle of Isis. Yet, even without any special design, wearing this stone as jewelry or within a charm bag, is effective and recommended for the purpose of bringing fertility to that which is desired, while fortifying oneself physically and energetically throughout the work of seeing our manifestations and healing transformations to completion. In this year, as we engage the energy of 10 Rabbit, we are asked both to recover our clarity and energy from habitual destructive patterns and to find the courage and focus to bring our dreams and plans to blossom. Bloodstone may be just the ally to engage in helping us through the places where we feel most stuck, discouraged, and also most ready to rise to the occasion.
I found this simple, but potent, fertility spell from The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells, the ultimate reference book for the magical arts, by Judika Illes:
“Bloodstone Spell (2)
Lay pieces of bloodstone directly over the womb and ovaries to heal and stimulate fertility.
Lie quietly and leave the bloodstone in place for at least 30 minutes.
this is most potent if timed to coincide with the exact phases of the moon– New Moon, Full Moon, and quarters.”
This could be done over the womb or over the navel, which is also the place of dreaming and manifestation for any gender, and any number of creations might called into being. Begin with the Dark Moon, asking for the release of what stands in your way. Then repeat on the New Moon, asking for what you hope to create. Follow with the Waxing Moon, asking for your courage to increase and your dream to grow in strength and support. Finally, repeat it on the Full Moon of the same month, asking for your creation to blossom into fullness on this Earth. Perhaps incorporating the wearing of jewelry or placing a stone in a pocket or charm bag, and rubbing it whenever you feel stuck or discouraged, can provide a consistent support as you engage this process.
Suggestion for working with Evening Primrose and Blood Stone:
These two allies feel so similarly aligned, and so in harmony with the energies of Moon, Rabbit, and the Mexica numerology of Ten, that we should feel free to design many rituals of clearing unconscious influence, and manifesting what we were born to create and contribute to our soul or ancestral legacies. Here is one suggestion that combines some of the ideas above:
Choose the evening of the Full Moon for this working. Gather the red seeds or petals of Evening Primrose. Whisper your intentions and request to them, and to any Bloodstone crystals you have.
Use the petals or seeds to design a symbol on the ground, something that represents the healing change or new dream you are intending to create. Infuse some petals and a Bloodstone crystal in distilled water, and place it near the altar to charge.
Lay yourself down on the altar you have made. Place your Bloodstone on your navel to stimulate fertility on all levels. Remain there with your flowers, stone, and moonlight for thirty minutes, while you visualize the way to your dream being opened before you with ease and support.
When this is complete, gather the petals or seeds and offer them to the four directions and winds. Sing a song, or offer a prayer or poem, asking for the rain to come and allow your dream to manifest in beauty.
Give thanks to your allies, and offer a little of your infused water as a gesture of gratitude to the Earth for her many gifts. The rest you should drink, taking this medicine deeply within.
Ometeotl.
May you dream in beauty and create unimpeded.
Sending wishes for fertility and grace,
the eleventh house
-This blog was written by Melusina Gomez. For more information about her work and healing practices please visit www.metzmecatl.com