Nature's Guide: August
Flowers, trees, herbs, wild edibles, and celestial happenings
Welcome, August! And with it, another installment of Nature’s Guide, where I shine a light on things growing, thriving, and existing below our feet and above our heads.
August is a bittersweet month for many. Children return to school, and cooler, longer nights slowly settle in. Carefree days are replaced with schedules and routines are reestablished. But every season exists for a reason, with the Earth spinning on its axis to rotate us in and out of phases of excess and restraint.
Let’s examine some elements associated with this month of transitions.
(Gladiolus image from here).
August’s Flower: Gladiolus
If ever there were a flower emblematic of strength merged with elegance, it’s gladiolus. The very name itself is a reference to the Latin word for sword, “Gladius”, understandable given the appearance of the flower’s long, pointy-tipped leaves (the common name “sword lily” being rather apropos). Standing tall, though sometimes requiring a bit of staking support, gladiolus are symbolic of strength, courage, integrity, faithfulness, kindness, and independence in the world of floriography, also known as the language of flowers.
We grow gladiolus in a medley of colors, from a cardinal red, to a nearly black purple, and, my favorite, a canary yellow hue. There’s something so majestic and impactful about them, whether coupled with other flowers or arranged in a tall vase on their own. To me, it’s just not high summer until the gladiolus are out and in regal bloom!
(Hazel image from here).
August’s Tree: Hazel (August 5-September 1)
The Celtic tree calendar is based on lunar months, of which there are 13 in a year. Each of those months is associated with a tree representing a particular energy that can serve as a sort of guide, both for those born in that lunar month and for those seeking instruction and guidance for the month ahead.
Hazel trees are associated with deep, endless wells of wisdom and learning. It is the tree for those seeking out truth and inspiration. According to Celtic lore, those who eat the tree’s fruits (hazelnuts, in this case) are purportedly cloaked in a powerful magic. Given that Nutella is composed largely of hazelnuts, I’ll gladly volunteer my services in exchange for a magical cloaking.
