We are sending love and rejuvenation wishes for all of the caretakers and nurturers among us, with two earth allies that reflect both loving gentleness and enduring strength. Balance requires that what we are willing to give to others, we also offer to ourselves, at least some of the time. Loving care and personal rejuvenation go hand in hand. When we forget, and begin feeling depleted or even resentful, here are two very feminine wisdom holders who can remind us.
Rhododendron
Mid May is marked by the blooming of Rhododendron flowers, commonly found as ornamentals in home gardens and cultivated public lands. Their fragrant pink and white flowers call to mind the transition from Spring to Summer, yet the grouping of plants known as Rhododendron hold a wide variety of over 1,000 species in the wild, and a wide range of magical meanings and uses as well. In the ornamental flower realm, they can be found in shades of purple, red, and white, as well as pink, and include the sweet smelling Azalea in their ranks. The name Rhododendron comes from the Greek word for “rose tree,” and they range from a hearty shrub to a large flowering tree, while maintaining their dual aspects of vulnerability and strength, just like their namesake. Perhaps because of this complexity, and due to their toxicity, there is less written about Rhododendrons’ spiritual and herbal applications, and yet they have a lore and an intriguing magical signature. The large leaves on the Rhododendron tree grow in a spiral pattern, moving down from the top of the branch. A spiral represents remembrance of our eternal connection with the divine, as well as the cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth, and the gradual journey of spiritual growth. As an expression of sacred geometry, the Rhododendron can help us to stay connected to this larger cosmic perspective when we find ourselves overwhelmed by the details of daily life. Rhododendrons are also a form of conifer, meaning that they stay evergreen throughout the seasons, a beautiful reminder of rejuvenation and endurance. This can be seen as a gentle nudge towards preserving one’s vital energy and allowing for movement through life’s seasons, while preserving a sense of inner balance. Rhododendrons lose a few leaves, but remain strong and green all year, while storing their energetic resources for the blooming of Spring and Summer. Perhaps their example can teach us how to move with similar grace and flexibility, instead of overworking and responding to the stresses of life, relationships, and caretaking in a manner that depletes us.
Rhododendrons are easy to grow and maintain, and can allow for the abundant presence of flowers around the home and garden. Flowers are medicine, each with its own nuance, but overall emotionally cleansing and uplifting to the mind and heart. My elder teacher of Curanderismo in Mexico, Doña Enriqueta Contreras, once said that she won’t enter a home without flowers present, because the emotional energies inside become too dense and stagnant without their cleansing effect.
In a home garden, Rhododendrons can support us by increasing our capacity for lightness and joy, our connection with the magical realms of nature and our resonance with the principle of renewal inherent in the natural world. They encourage the balance between the forces of gentleness and power within. As soft and gentle as their appearance may be, these flowers can be dangerous as well. Rhododendrons can be toxic to animals and hallucinogenic as well, though in careful preparations, by trained herbalists, there can be medicinal applications. The safest way to work with these flowers is outside, or by engaging them as an essential oil or incense. (Even in flower symbolism, Rhododendrons are associate with caution, awareness, and staying alert.) Considered sacred in Nepal, where they are the national flower and grow in the form of a larger tree than is found in most landscapes in the U.S., Rhododendron incense and oil is used in ritual cleansing and consecration.
Suggestions for working with Rhododendron:
Plant them with intention around your home and garden and ask for their support in staying connected with the larger rhythms of renewal.
Add the essential oil to a restorative bath.
Rhodonite
Rhodonite is known as “The Stone of Love,” though the true meaning of this might be different than what first comes to mind. The word “Rhodonite” comes from the Greek language and means rose-red, and the appearance of this crystal is a deep, rose colored pink. Pink stones, in general, share a relationship to loving self and others, yet the nuanced aspect that Rhodonite brings to this family of healing aids is one of deep restoration, and retrieval of what is most essential.
What does it mean to reactivate the heart? Fear, loss, trauma, abuse, negative emotions like rage and resentment, and overextension all create emotional depletion. When these issues reside too long in the heart and energy body, we can become stagnant, walled off from the ability to give or to receive love. Our true gifts and our sense of trust in life can become blocked. With compassion, Rhodonite seeks to find and sooth these wounded parts, clearing the wounds of the past, cleansing our heavy emotions, and helping us to increase our inner sense of balance and self esteem, all while restoring our ability to send love outwards.
Sacred nurturers of all kinds are able to do what may seem impossibly difficult, supporting others through illness, trauma, and the uncertain transitions in life, primarily because of a deep inner calling and capacity to give. When we give, we receive what the tradition of Nahualismo calls “The Good Winds,” something like an invisible karmic current that may bring blessings or growth, and other gifts. Gratitude from others may be offered too, but more than both of these is the reward of having been of service in a beautiful way that helps others, and puts a personal sense of calling into practical application. This is how it tends to feel when one is in balance. However, when over giving, stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma lead nurturers to a place of depletion, without the ability to renew and restore naturally, illness and emotional dysregulation ensue. What’s more, this cycle can lead to a feeling of having lost one’s inner gifts, and can contribute to talents going underground in a manner that may result in generational trauma and soul loss, as well as Depression. Holding, wearing, meditating with, and bathing with Rhodonite can help to disrupt this negative cycle, stimulating more love, balance, confidence, and resilience, so that the ability to offer love and generosity is replenished. These stones can absorb negative energy, so don’t be surprised if they get hot when you hold them. That means they are working, and cooling the more heated, and toxic, emotions within you. If this happens, just rinse your stones with cold water afterwards for cleansing.
Furthermore, Rhodonite has an affinity for recovering, and discovering, innate gifts which have been hidden to the light of our awareness. Like a spider, pulling on various interconnected threads in an invisible web, it can support its holder in finding a proper expression of soul purpose, drawing those who may benefit from our truest talents, while teaching us how to bring them fully into the world. This exchange encourages us to believe in ourselves, teaches us more about our personal soul paths, and points us in the direction of service to life and community, in a balanced and loving way.
Suggestions for working with Rhodonite:
Try sleeping with this stone. Ask it to rebalance your nervous system and restore your energy body, while bringing clarity about your soul path, within the realm of your dreams.
When you need support, use this stone to charge the water you use for drinking and bathing.
Suggestion for working with Rhododendron and Rhodonite together:
This plant and crystal pairing is a deeply harmonious one, as evident by the shared name and color expression. Bathing rituals are powerfully rejuvenating, particularly when feeling too depleted for complex energy practices, or unmotivated towards other acts of self care. If you have fresh Rhododendron flowers in your garden, consider bringing some into the bathroom, in a vase or bowl. Light a pink candle if you have one. Run a hot bath and add 15-30 drops of Rhododendron essential oil. Hold your Rhodonite crystal and breath deeply. You can ask for help in specific ways, or just for some clarity and rejuvenation. Place yourself and your stone in the bath and relax. If emotions come, let them. Try to release what you’ve been holding. Pour the water over you with a bowl, cup, or ladle. Recharge, and offer yourself a little nurturing too. Be sure to wrap up in a blanket afterwards.
If you don’t have a bathtub, or if the weather is sunny and enticing, this small ritual would be very strong outdoors, in the restorative sunlight. Run some hot water into a large pitcher or bowl. (Glass or clay would be ideal, as opposed to plastic or metal, but use whatever you have.) Add some drops of Rhododendron essential oil and place your Rhodonite crystal inside of it. Set this fragrant mixture in the sun for an hour or more to let it infuse. If you can be near some fresh flowers, even better. Rest in the sunlight for a bit. When you are warm and ready for a cleansing, remove the crystal from your charged water, and pour it over all of yourself, gradually.
Ometeotl.
May you find the time, permission, and sacred space for renewal.
With gratitude, love, and caring,
the eleventh house
-This blog was written by Melusina Gomez. For more information about her work and healing practices please visit www.metzmecatl.com