Primrose; The Flower of February

COMMON NAME:  primrose GENUS:  Primula SPECIES, HYBRIDS, CULTIVARS: P. denticulata-lavender, purple, or white flowers; grows to 12 inches. P. japonica 'Millar Crimson'-flowers whorled around 24-inch stem; blooms May-June. P. polyanthus-best known; colors are red, pink, blue, gold, and white, all with small yellow eyes. FAMILY:  Primulaceae BLOOMS:  spring TYPE:  perennial DESCRIPTION:  Primroses form an attractive …

Was Four Thieves Stolen?

History of Four-Thieves Vinegar When researching the history of Four Thieves Vinegar I realized there are many more versions of this folklore than I expected. The reason there are so many versions is that the story itself dates back centuries. A popular recount is that during an outbreak of the plague in Marseilles around 1772, …

Indefinitely Wild; Foraging Wild Strawberries

Once abundant, wild strawberries provided helpful medicine to Native Americans and early settlers. Picture it; An abandoned field of wild strawberries, ripe and shimmering under a bright June sun. The field is isolated, bounded on three sides by leafy, benevolent hardwoods. A light breeze moves gently through the leaves and sparse grasses. A Berry in …

15 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT DIAMONDS

Diamonds are the birthstone for the month of April. To celebrate these dazzling gemstones, we’ve rounded up fifteen interesting facts and bits of lore about diamonds’ origins and history: 1 The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that diamonds were tears cried by the gods or splinters from falling stars, and Romans believed that Cupid’s arrows …

The Meaning and History of Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March. The seawater color of aquamarine has given this gemstone its name as the name “aquamarine” is derived from the Latin word for seawater. The specific term “aquamarine” was apparently used in an important gemological work by Anselmus de Boodt in his Gemmarum et Lapidum Historiia,” published …

The Blood Energizer Stone: Bloodstone

The combined colors of bloodstone allow it to function at the levels of the base and heart chakras. It encourages a balance of energy; practicality with the desire to grow; calming strong emotions, and is both stimulating and motivating. Bloodstone is also known as heliotrope and has a long tradition of magical use. A variety …

The Meaning and History of Bloodstone

There are two forms of Bloodstone; the plasma and the heliotrope. Heliotrope is transparent and displays red within the stone. Plasma is deep green and opaque with little or no red in it. The transparent quartz is known as “heliotrope” (“sun turning” in Greek), because in ancient times, stones were described as reflecting the sun, which …