One of the things I love about this cute house we live in is the harmonious, zen energy inside and out. It really lends to supporting a balanced and peaceful state of mind and a great platform from which to birth all the things that come through and for all the things that are to come.

And the yard has finally taken off as well, creating a beautiful nature sanctuary that not only attracts faeries like me, but brings many small birds, hummingbirds and insects that help cultivate a circle of life.

The sanctuary is watched over by my Buddha statue with his guardian hummingbird lanterns that glow by candlelight, and receives an infusion of energy from the seashells and stones from special and exotic places that are housed on the iron shelf on the patio.

Alongside the 6 fruit trees – peach, persimmon, kumquat, tangerine, apple, and lemon, (and oranges that grow over our wall from our neighbor too 🙂 ), my next favorite things are the beautiful Buganvilia and these four Star Jasmine that have quickly sprouted up the four-post trellis patio and are now blossoming abundantly for their first season.

Things are really taking shape and I’m enjoying watching the growth evolve in reflection to things on the inner plane of my experience.

The white Jasmine blossoming are simple star-shaped, five-petaled blossoms – ethereal and magical. White Jasmine is both known as poet’s Jasmine and the “Queen of flowers.” They have an intoxicating fragrance that draws in hummingbirds, butterflies, and humans alike.

Common white Jasmine most heavily bloom in summer and linger into early fall, but can start in spring and then go into slumber around October until March.

Different varieties of Jasmine have varying blooming times and characteristics, but these Star Jasmine of ours are a vining habit, have evergreen leaves, and produce a strong sweet scent. These will usually begin flowering in May, as they are now, and continue through June. A mature plant may have hundreds or even thousands of small, white flowers.

While the season of blossoms may be short, it will definitely be sweet. The arrival of their blossoms and sweetness is something that I’m cherishing at this time and heralds a sweetness of experiences birthing in my own life.

Interestingly, and synchronously, the original Jasmine flowers are thought to have originated in the foothills of the Himalayas – a sacred area I am currently researching for my personal retreat this year, having been guided to this destination for the next part of my soul journey.

Over the centuries, appreciation for these flowers and their fragrance has spread from India to the rest of the world where they are now cultivated in abundance for their beauty and symbolism. There are more than 200 different species around the world!

Not all got their start in the Himalayas, though most originated in tropical Asia and parts of China, as well as Persia, then were brought to Europe in the 17^th century through Spanish endeavors.

Jasmine flowers symbolize many things to many different cultures.  Some of these include love, romance, modesty, sensuality, amiability, nobility, grace, and elegance. However, the Jasmine also holds strong spiritual and religious significance, as it has been a constant symbol of divinity and hope.

There are many ways you can work with, imbue the energy of, or embody the essence of Jasmine symbolism. Here are some of the ways they have been, and are, used by cultures spanning time and the globe.

In India the Jasmine flowers are particularly spiritually significant and often used in religious ceremonies where blossoms are used in votive burnings as religious offerings. In Hindi they are symbols of divine hope and one of the double variety of Jasmine is said to be held sacred by Vishnu, the Supreme God in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism.

In Thailand the Jasmine flower symbolizes motherhood and the selfless virtue of life-giving that a mother provides to her children. This makes Jasmine a popular gift on Mother’s Day, which is just three days away, falling on Sunday, May 12th.

In China the Jasmine flowers are a symbol of feminine sweetness, kindness, beauty, deep affection, and happiness. A traditional Asian belief is that Jasmine penetrates the soul and opens up emotions.

The Balinese people plant Jasmine in their public and private temples. The Siwaratrikalpa, an ancient Javanese text, states that Jasmine should be used as an offering to Ciwa, the native Javanese name for God. A common girl’s name, it comes from ancient Persian and means “gift from God.”

One variety of Jasmine, Sampaguita, comes from the Pilipino words “sumpa kita,” which in English translates as “I promise you.” This began a tradition, long ago, of exchanging sampaguita necklaces much like couples exchange wedding rings today.

In Victorian Britain, Jasmine symbolized cheerfulness, grace, elegance, amiability, and used it as a complement to shyness and modesty. It was highly valued because of the hardships of growing it in a cold climate and when used in a flower arrangement, provoked the joy found in sunshiny days.

In Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra was very fond of Jasmine and used its oil to seduce Anthony. It remains a favorite ingredient in perfumes all of the world and is produced as an essential oil by countries such as India, Egypt, China and Morocco.

I had opportunity twice while in Egypt to visit the essential oil producing facilities and to purchase the pure oils directly, a couple of which I still have and are as potent as the day I purchased them. I’ve never been one to like perfumes (which you can also purchase there), but the natural pure oils of particular scents are truly magical and I remember how enchanting the pure Jasmine oil was – like bathing in a sacred bath of Jasmine blossoms that caress you body and soul.

The divine scent of Jasmine from these starry blossoms evokes a sweet remembrance. They release their fragrance at night (the time when they are collected for their best oil-producing scent) after the summer sun has set and the moon is waxing towards its fullness, leaving you floating on wings of petals and dreams of hope and love, if you are so lucky to catch their breath in the wind.

Perhaps releasing their joyous fragrance in the twilight hours also lends to the enchanting faery evenings that are celebrated as we dream. 😉

Jasmine remind you that all is in Divine order with the Divinity of your existence.

Wishing you an enchanted day!