Primrose - The symbol of safety and protection, in ancient times it was placed on the doorstep to encourage the fairy folk to bless the house and anyone living in it, and it was also said that if you ate the blooms of the primrose you would see a fairy. 
Both the cowslip and the primrose were thought to hold the keys to heaven and so were considered to be very sacred by the Celtic people. For this reason the primrose was placed on the graves of a departed child or sweetheart. 
Unfortunately, during the time of the pagan peoples converting to Christianity, the Primrose became negatively associated with death, due to the very different view Christians had of dying, and so lost favour for many years. Although happily it is once again a favourite flower for many a gardener, its sacred meaning has been lost to all but a few over the years. During the Victorian era especially, it became the symbol of great sadness, but nothing could be further from the truth where this pretty plant is concerned.

It was the flower of Love and bringer of good luck, and was the symbol of the first day of spring and so was laid across thresholds to welcome ''May Day''. 
Also considered to be a bringer of great inspiration for poets, the flower of youth, birth, sweetness and tenderness. The flower was often used in medicine throughout the ages as it has similar properties to aspirin, it has always been known as a ''healing'' plant, and so was often used extensively 
in foods. Even today it is known for its healing properties and is used as a healing tea, while in the world of the flower essence, it is said to help heal those who have experienced the loss of a mother figure as a child.

During my research of this beautiful flower, I also found out that "Cowslips" are closely related to the Primrose, [both being from the Primula genus family], so much so in fact, that their symbolic meanings often cross over, depending which book you read. The original wild primrose has a smaller and paler coloured flower than the brightly coloured hybrids you see in garden centres today. 
If you want to find the wild primrose, ancient woodlands or very old churchyards are the place to find them. The Virgin Mary, who was credited as "keeper of the keys to heaven", was associated with the cowslip, hence the cowslip was also known as "Our Lady's Keys". 
The poem/prayer below was written for those children who have lost their mothers and their own lives because of wars, famine and neglect, but also for those people who are out there trying to help and make a difference.

 

The Gift
 

 

Upon a day

That was dark and foreboding,

A lone child grieved for her loss.

A glowing light appeared at her side,

As a gentle voice whispered in her ear...

"I heard your prayer

Although I was far away,

I heard your prayer

Deep within my heart".
 

 

She felt someone hug her tight,

As she was lifted into a warm embrace.

The gossamer wings beating ever so gently,

Had not gone unnoticed by the bright-eyed child,

As smiling amber eyes looked tenderly into hers,

The Lady Fey spoke once more...

"I have brought you a gift

From noble hearts far away".

Upon opening her hand for the child to see,

A primrose blossomed forth,

Scenting the air with a delicate perfume.
 

 

It comes with this prayer...

"May caring and compassionate hearts

Be drawn to the plight of the children

May there be many helping hands

To make light of the work that needs to be done.

To all who find their way to the Primrose Path,

May you find kindness and love

Upon the road that must be taken,

May you be blessed with Angels

To watch over you, to guide you and keep you,

May your acts of kindness bring happiness,

And in so doing may your soul light shine bright

That others may follow, to love you in turn".

 

 
[Raising the gift to the heavens]

"May this prayer held within this flower

Receive a blessing from The Sweet Mystery

That it may be carried swift and sure

To all those who are ready to receive".
 

 

"Namaste My Children

Namaste".

 

By Ali Clarke

Wisdom and Healing of Flowers

“How do I live in the Magic? Be asked… Well… I find a cup of tea works wonders {{chuckle}}, as no matter what the weather, or what time of day or night it is, when the stresses of life threaten to overwhelm, I make a cuppa and join the fairy folk in the garden.

For those few precious minutes, my mind switches off while I stand and listen to nature.

Hence my mantra 'while there's tea, there's Hope.’  Not to mention of course that tea leaves sprinkled around roses help stop 'black spot'

My Grandmother always told me 'Keep things Simple’ and the older I've become, the more I understand how right she was.”

Ali spent more years than she cares to remember as a qualified alternative health practitioner, but now leaves the rushing around for the younger generation, and has moved into absent healing via meditation and prayers.

Four years ago she took up painting again after more than thirty years since she’d last held a paintbrush, wanting pictures to go with her many prayers, blessings and poems. One day she hopes it will all go into a book to raise money for charity, whilst bringing healing, hope, pleasure and uplift to yet more people that need it, through colour and the spoken word.

“It is important to have a dream, even if the goal is never reached, as you just never know how many lives you can touch in a positive way, without actually knowing it.

Healing Blessings”

Ali has been a member of Enchanted Folk since September 2007

members.enchantedfolk.com/www.sacred-echoes-art

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