This morning I noticed two Red Lotus buds emerging from the sun-rayed leaves of the Lichenwood Pond's newest Lotus plant. Last year we experienced our first Lotus blooms with a Pink Lotus named "Lavender Lady". Lotus has a big presence. You can sense its ancient heritage and the important work that it wants to do with human beings. I was able to create a Lotus flower essence last year and hope to work with this plant in the next few weeks to co-create another. I'll be updating the progress of the Lotus buds here on the blog so you can see how quickly and magnificently these flowers develop. Below is a broader overview of this plant within the overall Pond waterscape.
The Pink Lotus was overwintered in the unheated basement workshop along with other plants that are too delicate for New England's wintry blasts. She is doing well again in the pond this summer, but presently is still much smaller and a few weeks behind the Red Lotus which had been shipped to our local pond store from a more tropical climate. This should work out nicely with the bloom of Pink Lotus following Red Lotus by a few weeks, extending our Lotus flower viewing into late August or early September.
Lotus fascination led me to purchase some Blue Lotus essential oil from Nature's Gift a few years ago. Lotus essential oil is so precious and costly that it must be diluted 10% in fractionated coconut oil to make it even remotely affordable. I was able to buy a tiny amount and I have used it in anointing oils for ritual. It has a very sacred and otherworldly scent that feels like a direct connection to the divine realms.
The Blue Lotus was the most sacred plant of Ancient Egypt, prized above all others. It was frequently depicted in works of art, where it is most often shown in party and other social scenes, and sometimes in scenes of sexual debauchery. The flowers were noted for their delightful perfume, suggestive of the sweat of Ra; 'A divine essence, for bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility'. The Blue Lotus was also a symbol of creation, and was according to legend the first object to emerge from oceanic chaos. Though exceedingly rare in the wild today it is thought to have been widespread across Ancient Egypt, where its psychoactive properties were apparently well known.
The flower essence that was co-created from Pink Lotus at Lichenwood has a strong affinity for the crown chakra. This chakra, located at the top of the head, facilitates connection with your higher self, with soul-filled spirituality, and higher consciousness. A healthy crown chakra imbues the soul with humanitarianism, idealism, and a desire to be of service for the higher good. Lotus helps to connect and harmonize the interaction of all the chakras. Lotus offers one of the highest vibrations of any flower. It is the symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, of intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge. Lotus can be added to an essence blend to magnify and balance the actions of other flower essences, bringing an added sacredness and spirituality. Lotus helps us reach our full spiritual potential. Lotus will enhance meditation practice and prayer.
There is a fascinating article online, The Egyptian 'Lotus' Nymphaea Caerulea, the Blue Water Lily
By Caroline Seawright . Enjoy!