Friday Flowers Club #27~Duality

Hello Friends.

Whilst habit and routine compel me to look to the Solstice on the 21st to mark the arrival of Litha, it would be remiss not to point out that I write to you today on what is the meteorological passing point of the seasons. June is here and by scientific definition, so is Summer.

Traditionally this is now a period of abundance and celebration. The worrying, hard work and superstition entrenched in the preceding months is about to give way to ripening, harvest and fruition. But I will leave the folklore until nearer the solstice.

Instead, my attention is drawn to the signals and symbols of this key time exploding into life around us, and whether it is a cultivated classic or a hedgerow-born mongrel, this includes the traditional flower of June, that most binary of blooms, the Rose.

I say ‘binary’ in the sense of the simultaneous allure and threat that the Rose offers us. The flower and the thorns. Beauty and danger. A duality reflected in self; is the Rose the most human of all our flowers? Mind and body. Happy and Sad. Self and Other. This is a metaphor understood and passed down through the ages. Medieval knights embraced the Rose as a common emblem or Sigel, a constant reminder that ferocity in combat should always be tempered with gentleness of heart.

I have reflected on this duality a lot over the last few months, encouraged through trust to sit with joy and pain at the same time, and to understand that the two can exist in the same space. The onset of June simply means that we are surrounded with duality; wild dog-roses bursting through hedge borders, climbing roses adorning walls, shrubs and standards punctuating street gardens. Each one a lesson, each one at peace with its own duality, each a celebration of self. incompleteness.

Flower inspiration this week will be “Tutti Frutti palette” of peaches and pinks and with the usual surprises and obviously some seasonal roses.

Please feel free to pass on details to friends or family, I’m always look for new members!

Have a lovely week and as always, “Bringing the Outdoors In”.

Thank you.

Nicola