Into the Tiger's Maw: Sacred Medicine - Marigold

 Region: MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA, Contemporarily world wide, had a presence all over europe and asia before western european "first contact" and there are 50 different strains in this genus that are very similar and are present across the world. 

Species: Calendula officinalis, Catha officinalis, Tagetes erecta 

Wild "Mexican Marigold"

(ABOVE) Tagetes Erecta

Aka: Holigold, Solis Sophia, Solis Solidad  

THE EYE OF CHRIST

THE SOUL OF SOPHIA 

or as the "Aztec" people knew it - cempazúchitl. the flower of the dead. 

 the word calendula, note its similiarity to the english word calendar, means "throughout the months." this, again has a double meaning. this plant is woven into the mythology of many a nation: marigold is full of the magic of abundance, from the moment when it flowers in early spring, throughout the summer up to late autumn, remaining yellow and cheerful all this time. It grows in many types of soil, in different climates, it is self-pollinating and does not require much care. This is how it gives us a lesson about both physical and mental vitality and reveals the secret of abundance, as if whispering to us that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we should always flower, turn to the Sun and never give up.

the saxons had a word for this plant that meant "rises with the sun" . this isn't because of what the flower does botanically like the lotus we talked about, but instead the boons that it provides spiritually and medicinally that helps one to be tenacious. 

used all over the world, what i know about this plant mostly comes from respectful learning via shamanic peoples that descended from the people of mesoamerica - the people of the sun, as it were. this flower is held sacred across the globe and in the west is most commonly associated with Mary Magdalene and in a more mainstream way, the mother of Christ , the "virgin" Mary.

the tribes now known as the aztec, known as the Nahuatl to our people, saw this flower to represent not only the brevity but the bravery and ultimate meaning and importance of life. legend has it that when the spanish slaughtered the various Mexica peoples that mexican marigolds grew in the place where they fell.

while this flower has names that allude to things being year now, this flower only blooms in october in  central america and has a top tier importance and sacred link to the day of the dead. 

Cempaspuchitl is the Nahuatl name given to the Mexican marigold flower, meaning twenty petals; it is like a ball with many flowers joined together. The flower has a different name depending on the region and the most common one is the Nahuatl, which later became “flor de cempasúchil” in Spanish. As mentioned before, in some places it is also known as the October flower since it annually grows in October and lasts for only one season.

No doubt, it is one of the most representative elements of the offerings for the dead. But what do marigolds represent? There’s the meaning of the cempasuchil flower and then there’s the marigold symbolism. It is not only used on altars for its color and aroma but there is a legend behind it.

- Herba Svet

Medicinal Uses: 

Healing Qualities in short: reducing inflammation, wound healing, improves blood flow, calming affect on ulcers and cramps, eases menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. 

• the oestrogenic effect of marigold helps women balance the menstrual cycle, it helps with inflammation, painful and irregular periods, dysmenorrhea and PMS; it reduces discharge, candida, protects the uterus, soothes breast pain and mastitis in breastfeeding women and soothes the symptoms of menopause;
• it is great in dermatology: it soothes skin inflammation, hives, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhoea, herpes, baby rash, ulcers, fungal infections, it moisturises the skin and prevents dandruff, relieves itching from insect bites, prevents infections and pressure sores in bed-ridden patients, protects burnt skin and helps its healing, and is also beneficial for mucous membranes and in gingivitis;
• it has extremely regenerative properties and is proven to soothe inflammation and speed up wound healing
• it occupies a special place in cosmetics: it prevents and heals acne, tightens, softens and nourishes the skin, both face and body; it rejuvenates, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, closes enlarged pores, protects from the sun, removes age spots and pigmentation;
• it is excellent in diets as it helps to flush out excess water from the body, it stimulates the lymphatic system, increases sweating, detoxifies the body and increases metabolism;
• it has a beneficial effect on the digestive system: it calms the stomach, soothes cramps, gastritis, stomach and duodenum ulcers, cleanses the liver and the gallbladder;
• it is excellent for blood vessels: it has a soothing effect inflammation and bruises, it is good for arteriosclerosis, it reduces cholesterol, improves circulation, calms palpitations and is extremely efficacious against hemorrhoids and is very good for varicose veins;
• cold marigold infusion is used as an eye rinse, against inflammation and conjunctivitis;
• it strengthens the immunity and studies have proven that it has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancerous and anti-carcinogenic effect; latest research shows that it is effective in fighting HIV.
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For use as a Sacrament and for meditation, or taken for its spiritual and energetic properties this flower is linked with:  prophesy, prophetic dreams, psychic energy, seeing magical beings, love, clairvoyance, legal affairs and renewing personal energy.

this flower is wonderful when used for introspection during periods of the spiritual winter or "dark night of the soul" as ya'll love to call it. as a northern american, Anishinaabe shaman, it is not within my bounds or my rights to talk about the sacred uses and stories that the Nahtauhl people used this for in specifics. for that i will ask a friend to elaborate if she'd like, and i'll update later.  

this sacred plant is associated with the solar plexus chakra. 

it is quite useful when dealing with emotional, spiritual and karmic blocks and is linked to the divine feminine throughout history. it is linked to mary, sophia, and some "Aztecian" dieties to be specific, and if you were to ask me, that means it has a lot to do with divine introspection and emotional regulation. very useful for fire signs. that's all for now.

- thunder clearsky