The Floral Oracle by Catherine and Nagasiva Yronwode

In this installment of "Your Wate and Fate," we take a sneak-peek look at an upcoming page that will eventually be on display to the public. As a Patreon supporter, you have access to the page one full year before the public does.

• Patreon Release Date: September 7th, 2022.
• Public Release Date: September 7th, 2023.

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• "It's All Ephemera with Cat Yronwode"

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Patreon Supporters Only: On public view September 7th, 2023

All of the material you have access to here -- the instructive booklets, the nostalgic business cards, the boldly graphic postcards, and all of the historical information researched and shared from the mind of the woman who is making it all happen -- can easily fit into one 8 x 10 foot room in an old Victorian farmhouse, but you would never see it without the investment of the time it takes to produce such a site and the caloric input such a site requires in the form of food for the writer, graphic designer, and database manager, as well as the US currency needed to pay for the computers, software applications, scanners, electricity, and internet connectivity that bring it out of that little room and into the world. So, as you can see, this site is the darling of many, and it is growing at a rapid rate ... but although it is "free," there also is a cost. Your financial support underwrites this cost.

Each new web page or sample pdf is circulated to Patrons as an unpublished galley proof or advance copy. After one year access for Patrons, each web page will be released to the public, while book pages will be available to the public as printed books, and copies will be sent to Patrons who subscribe at the upper two tiers.

Patrons have access to a Private Patreon sub-forum within the Lucky Mojo Forum, and will be accorded special Red Star Avatar badges at the Forum.

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Floriography or The Language of Flowers

Hi, this is cat. As many of you know, nagasiva and i have been producing mini-ads that announce when i am online at Hoodoo Psychics. (Wait. Stop. If you don't know about Hoodoo Psychics, it is the coolest psychic line on the internet. Go to HoodooPsychics.com right now and check it out. If you go to the Hoodoo Psychics Facebook page at facebook/com/hoodoopsychics and like it, you can sign up for a FREE PSYCHIC READING GIVEAWAY every Monday, and if you win, you can pick any Hoodoo Psychics reader you want, including me!)

Okay, so starting in October 2020, i made a commitment to go live on Hoodoo Psychics once a week. To let people know when i was available, i wrote, and siva photoshopped, one entry of floral symbolism each week, to fit the Facebook and Lucky Mojo Forum format. I drew upon my collection of antique 19th century floriography books, and early 20th century floriographic postcards. This is an unusual project for us, since i am doing the writing and he is producing the art.

Through these ads we were able to give folks a taste of floriography and to promote my reading career at the same time.

In January 2021 i started an Instagram account.

In November 2021 i decided to go live on Hoodoo Psychics twice a week, and also to redesign the flower photos to fit the squarish Instagram format. Some of the vertical Facebook images were reconfigured to fit the Instagram format, and some never made the transition.

As it has turned out. Instagram hasn't done much for me -- all of my followers and friends find me through Facebook, the Lucky Mojo Forum, and our weekly radio show. The only good thing about IG is that cute little squarish layout, like an endless run of nine-patch quilt blocks.

By September 2022, we had more than 90 flowers and their meanings completed -- some vertical, some squarish, and some in both formats. It was while working on the latest week's text that i suddenly had the desire to publish the whole lot as a stand-alone project. I realized that if i took the Hoodoo Psychics ad material off the image and simply ran the name of the flower and a few keywords, followed by the text, i would have produced a teaching tool and fortune telling device in one item.

I introduced the idea on the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo Rootwork Hour for September 3rd, 2022, and asked listeners for their opinions. I got some great feedback -- but i also feel that you folks, my Patrons, know better than most what it is that i do and what makes me tick.

So i am bringing the question to you.

This is our first pass-through of a new fortune-telling oracle by means of the Language of Flowers. This page contains 24 flowers and their meanings, and there will be a total of 4 such pages.

This page is comprised of the more-or-less square forms (600 x 650 pixels at raw size), which were designed for use at Instagram. As you can see, each image had a block of type beneath it, approximately 100 words in length. This format or aspect ratio would more or less fit on the page of a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" book in which the live text/art area is 4' x 6" But it would not work as a deck of cards.

Next week we will try out a more vertical format (600 x 900 pixels at raw size), which were designed for use at Facebook and the Lucky Mojo Forum. This is an aspect ratio similar to a a playing card or trading card. In this format, the image, with the flower name, and a few keywords, would fill a full book page or go on the front of a card, and the text would go on a facing book page or on the back of a card.

There will be four different weekly releases -- a total of more than 90 different flowers in all -- and during this time, we want to hear from you. What should we do with the material?

A Floriomantic Freebie, Supported by Patrons?

• Keep it as a web page with low-resolution (72 dpi) graphics:

• It could be used to teach the Language of Flowers.
• It could not easily be used for fortune telling because there is no way to perform sortilege on a static web page.
• Square format reads faster as you scroll.
• Vertical format is more impressive to look at.

An Illustrated Book on Floriography or The Language of Flowers?

• Use the square format to produce a high-resolution (600 dpi) printed book.

• It could be used to teach the Language of Flowers.
• It could not easily be used for fortune telling unless one approached it as a form of bibliomancy, opening pages at random.

The Floral Oracle, or Fortunes in Flowers?

• Use the vertical format to produce a high-resolution (600 dpi) deck of oracle cards

• It could be used to teach the Language of Flowers.
• It could easily be used for fortune telling by shuffling and dealing out a "three-card bouquet" for floriomancy
• Card decks are expensive to produce and this one would have more than 90 cards, making it fairly costly.

Don't Choose Yet. Wait Until Next Week!

Don't choose which format you think is best until you see Week Two, with a different batch of flowers, all presented in the vertical format. We want you to view both formats, for a fair comparison.

And now ... the first batch, in squarish format:

A Symbolic Bouquet of Meaningful Blossoms

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  The Acacia is a symbol the afterlife and of the persistence of the spirit after death. In Freemasonry it symbolizes the immortality of the soul and is employed in funerary services, and in traditional Judaism it is the custom to plant an Acacia on the grave of a loved one. Acacia wood, which is quite resistant to decay, is also mentioned in the Bible as the wood from which both Aaron's rod and the Ark of the Covenant were made. Branches of blooming Acacia make a sturdy bouquet for the bereaved; but some people sneeze when Acacia is in bloom.

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  The Althaea is a symbol of spiritual and therapeutic healing, and of emotional compassion. A member of the Mallow and Hibiscus family, its name means "The Healer" and its mucilaginous root has a long history of medical use in the making of poultices for wounds and decoctions for easing sore throat. In trying times, the Althaea calls in beneficial spirits and helpers who soothe tense thoughts and smooth rough speech. When Althaeas are presented in a bouquet, the meaning is one of caring and amelioration of difficulties, for help is at hand.

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  The Apple Blossom symbolizes anticipation, for it is a Spring-time harbinger of coming harvests. Like other members of the Rose family, it has five petals, so the flowers look like tiny Roses. It is an English custom to go into the Apple orchard on January 6th and sing to the oldest bearing tree, encouraging it to flower and bring in a bountiful crop: "Hats full! Caps full! Bushel, bushel, sacks full! And my pockets full too! Hurrah!" Christians relate the Apple to the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; it thus appears in the tarot card of The Lovers.

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  The Azalea is a symbol of feminine beauty, elegance, abundance, temperance, and nurturing. It exemplifies love and gentleness, and its long life and cheerful annual blossoms are an omen of enduring beauty and commitment when planted in the garden. Dark pink Azalea blossoms are a symbol of romance and passion. Because it is a woody shrub and its flowers ade fairly quickly when cut, it is rarely presented in a bouquet, so its beauty, and its meaning in the Language of Flowers is best enjoyed out-of-doors while strolling hand in hand with the one you love.

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  The Banksia or Yellow Lady Banks Rose is, like other Roses, a symbol of love, but it differs from other Roses in many ways. First, it is virtually thornless, with very soft petals, representing the gentlest of love. Second, it blooms all along its lengthy canes, not at the tips. Third, it does not smell like a Rose, but has the fragrance of Violets, giving it the soothing qualities of Pansy or Heart's Ease. Fourth, it blooms a full month ahead of any other Rose. And fifth, it is tender-hearted, a native of Southern China that only thrives in regions with the lightest of Winter frosts.

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  The Barberry or Holy Thorn, also known as Mountain Grape, Oregon Grape, or Yerba de la Sangre ("Herb of the Blood") is a symbol to some of the crucifixion of Jesus, and his crown of thorns. However,its magical and medical attributions are not always religious, for it is used in hoodoo spells to "bar the way" or stop named people from entering a location. Additionally it is a well known folk remedy that reduces fevers and acts as an antiseptic throat wash, and also has mild laxative qualities. Given in a bouquet ,either in flower or in fruit, its spikes are highly protective.

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  Basil is a symbol of good wishes, domestic happiness, and a loving marriage. Because it is an herb with inconspicuous flowers, it is rarely given in a bouquet, but it is often presented to newlyweds as a potted plant during a housewarming party. Like many other members of the large Mint or Lamiaceae family, Basil has plentiful uses as a culinary and medicinal herb, and it can also be employed in spells of magic. It is sacred to the Hindu god Vishnu and his consort Tulasi, and in European occultism, it is said to be ruled by the Planet Mars in Scorpio.

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  The Begonia is, a tender tropical flower, comes in many hues, with varied petal forms and spectacularly diverse leaf-shapes. It is a popular potted plant, but in the Language of Flowers, the gift of a Begonia conveys a powerful warning, for it means "Beware!"and alerts the recipient to danger, false friends, untrustworthy family members, a straying spouse, or coming financial ruin. The nature of the trouble is deciphered by the colour of the blossom. For instance, the Yellow Begonia warns of a jealous rival, while the Red Begonia tells of a deceitful lover.

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  The Black-Eyed Susan, a member of the large Daisy family, is a symbol of justice, and also represents encouragement and motivation to persist in what is right. It is a hardy native of North America that adapts well to many regions and is the state flower of Maryland. Like other members of its family, the Black-Eyed Susan has a place in herbal medicine, where it provides support to the immune system and is used to treat sores and mild infections. When a bouquet of Black-Eyed Susan is presented as a gift, the message conveyed is one of social and political support.

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  The Cactus family is large and varied, but taken as a whole, the cacti are known for their sharp thorns and extreme drought tolerance. It is no surprise, then, that the Cactus is a symbol of endurance under difficult conditions, persistence in times of poverty, and self-reliance in an inhospitable location. Because of its thorns, the cactus is never given in a bouquet, but the gift of a potted cactus signifies non-aggressive self-protection and emotional feelings under heavy armour. In the Language of Flowers it may also mean, "Touch me at your own risk."

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  The Calendula, known in England as the Marigold, is a member of the large and colourful Daisy or Aster family. The "Mary" in its English name refers to the Virgin Mary, and its bright yellow flowers symbolize the Sun. Its American name, Calendula, is Latin for "Little Calendar" or "Little Clock," and refers to its circular form. In hoodoo, the Calendula is one of several yellow Daisies that represent golden coins. It brings good luck in money matters, especially in games of chance, through lucky dreams, and in court-case magic, where a financial settlement will be of benefit.

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  The Camellia, like many flowers that come in a range of white, pink, and red blossoms, is associated with love; the white for a crush or new love, the pink for romantic and devoted love, and the red for sexual and marital love. The Camellia is a not a little garden bloom; it can grow to be a sturdy 20 to 30 foot tall tree. In addition, because the Tea plant is a species of Camellia, the Camellia, when floated in a low glass bowl with its leaves, evokes the notion of alertness and vivacity. Just think, every time you read the tea leaves, you are reading a Camellia!

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  Candytuft is a darling, low-growing woody sub-shrub with white, lilac, or purple blossoms that attract butterflies and bees. It loves to grow in full sunlight and in warm climates it remains evergreen all Winter long. Because of its diminutive habit of stiff, shrubby growth, it is not found in bouquets, but according to the Victorian Language of Flowers. if you are given a little branch of Candytuft in bloom, the meaning it conveys is Indifference and Detachment -- quite an unexpected load of negativity to attribute to this sweetly-named and charming miniature plant.

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  The Carnation is also known as Clove-Pink or Clove-Gillyflower; the word "Clove" alludes to its fragrance, resembling Clove spice. The Carnation is a symbol of love and fascination, but because it comes in a variety of colours, each tint has a subtly different meaning. White Carnations signify new and hopeful love. Pink Carnations tell of friendship leading to romance. Red Carnations indicate deep heart-felt love. Striped and variegated Carnations warn of fickle love. These rosy-peach Carnations remind us of naked, carnal sexuality with a romantic tinge.

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  The Cattail or Reed Mace is a symbol of sheltered peace and prosperity ensured by noble patronage. The stalks are tall and thus Cattails are rarely found in small bouquets, but a bunch of these aquatic reeds in a large vase makes a powerful statement when placed on display at the opening of a new shop or business. or in a hotel lobby The messages conveyed are those of financial security and charitable provision for the local community, and of power and strength that supports all those who seek safety and aid under the majesty of a true leader.

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  The Chamomile is a small white flower with with a strong, sweet fragrance. It is a medical remedy that brings restful sleep and good health for children. Magically, because of the flower's golden-yellow centers, Chamomile is also found in spells of money-luck. Finally, like several members of the Daisy or Aster family, Chamomile is widely used to predict love futures by young women, who pull the white petals off one by one, while reciting, "He loves me ... he loves me not," and hoping for a truthful outcome when the final petal is plucked.

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  The Chive is best known as a small and mild member of the Onion family, whose fresh leaves and flowers are used in cookery, most often as a garnish. This accords with its symbolic meaning in the Victorian Language of Flowers, where the significance of a Chive flower is Usefulness, Practicality, Fitness, and Effectiveness. Due to the distinctive food-like scent of Chives, they are rarely presented in a bouquet, but a pot of growing Chives makes a lovely house-gift for a cook, as useful as it is pretty. If treated well, it reproduces by division and from seed.

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  The Chrysanthemum is a perennial in the Daisy or Aster family that blooms from Summer through Fall. It comes in many colours, from yellow and orange through bronze and purple. In the Language of Flowers, "Mums" convey cheerfulness, good health, and relaxation during the harvest season. When given in a bouquet or as a potted plant, the Chrysanthemum tells the recipient, "You're a Wonderful Friend." In Asia, the Chrysanthemum likewise represents health and happiness, but it may also symbolize nobility, for it is the national flower of Japan.

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  The Clematis, known to many as “The Queen of the Vines,” is a beautiful, sun-loving climbing plant with spectacular blossoms. It represents mental beauty and an ingenious or clever mind. It comes in a variety of colours, from the purity of white to the softness of lilac and the harshness of magenta, and including the flashy mentality of pink stripes — but the most beloved form is the Purple Clematis, which takes the idea of intellectuality to the highest reaches and associates the twining, climbing flower with aspiration, exaltation, and the crown of success.

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  The Coreopsis is a symbol of happiness, and when presented in a bouquet, its meaning is "Always Cheerful." Like other yellow members of the large Daisy or Aster family, it is associated with the Sun's life-giving solar energy, which warms and stimulates us, Furthermore, because it resembles a golden con, it also symbolizes wealth and prosperity. In the end, whether your joy comes from the ornamental beauty of nature's golden light, or the prospect of holding many coins, the Coreopsis conveys an sunny mood and foretells a brighter day to come.

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  The blue Cornflower or Bachelor's Button looks upward to see the blue sky, and thus it symbolizes anticipation and hope for the future. It is a member of the large Daisy or Aster family, and it lends a charming rustic quality to a bouquet of wildflowers given by an unmarried man to the one he favours in romance. As a blue flower, the Bachelor's Button is also one of many similarly-hued blossoms that represent a peaceful and modest home where contentment reigns — which is exactly what the bachelor wants when it comes time to marry and settle down.

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  The Spring Crocus is a symbol of new beginnings, beauty, and joy — but there are many species of Crocus, and among them is one that blooms out of step with the others. This is the magical Autumn or Saffron Crocus, which is cultivated for the three tiny thread-like stigmas within each blossom. When plucked and dried, these are the rare and costly seasoning called saffron, which imparts a golden hue and subtle scent to cooked rice. To serve a man saffron rice is a classical seduction spell, and saffron threads are also found in the best love oils used in magic.

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  The Cyclamen is a peculiar flower. Emerging from a lush bed of patterned and veined green leaves, the tall floral stems bend down to face the earth, but the five petals reflex up and backwards toward the sky, resembling a flock of butterflies. It grows from a plump tuber, but is too fragile for bouquets, so it is given as a potted plant, Associated with the planet Venus, its white, pink, or magenta flowers imply romantic love but, according to the Language of Flowers, when presented to a loved one, its reversed petals convey Resignation, Diffidence, and Farewell.

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  The Daisy is a symbol of innocence, purity, and loyal love. When presented in a bouquet, it assures the recipient of the giver's circumspection, discretion, and willingness to keep a secret, for its meaning in the Victorian Language of Flowers is "I'll never tell." The Daisy is also famous as one of the flowers used in a folkloric divination called "He loves me, he loves me not," in which petals are pulled off the flower one at a time, and the final petal gives the answer to the question of whether a person of interest loves or does not love you.

To Discuss This Patreon Page

This Patreon Bonus Page is part of the series titled "Your Wate and Fate." To discuss it with me and the Patreon community, please visit our Private Patreon Forum at

http://forum.luckymojo.com/your-wate-and-fate-t93995.html

Thank you.

catherine yronwode
curator, historian, and docent
Your Wate and Fate

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Special thanks to my dear husband and creative partner nagasiva yronwode for illustrations, scans, and clean-ups.

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