Sacred Myrtle

In Greek myth, myrtle is sacred to Aphrodite. She wore a belt of myrtle that made her powerfully attractive. So a myrtle girdle created irresistible eroticism. Sexy! However, in Jewish mysticism, myrtle was a symbol of masculine force, and myrtle branches were given to grooms before they deflowered their new wife. Maybe myrtle is just good for sex, no matter what gender. 

Myrtle is also used during Sokkot, which is sort of a Jewish Thanksgiving. For this holiday, a Sukkah is built of four kinds of plants, citron, palm, willow and myrtle. Then while celebrating, people are supposed to eat in this structure. Ritual and prayer are also involved.  

Myrtle has white flowers and fragrant leaves. It grows about 15' high and can make a lovely evergreen hedge. 

Oak

This is the coast live oak growing in my backyard. It started out as a sapling when we moved in, but it is huge now. It is home to many insects, which attracts birds. But this post isn't really about my tree. It is about tree magic. 

To the druids, the oak was sacred. Not much is known about the Druids, because they didn't write anything down. But they worshiped outside in groves of oaks. Trees are also home to many small magical creatures, like elves,sprites, fairies and dryads. 

When the Christians wanted to covert the Druids, they built  churches in the groves. I guess it worked, I think the Druids died out, but it seems sacrilegious to me. 

Milkweed

Milkweed is the host plant for Monarchs. The butterflies lay their eggs on the the plant and the caterpillars eat the leaves. Seems like most people know that. 

But did you know that the scientific name of this plant is Asclepias curassavica? And it was named after the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. This plant has been used for "what ails you" for thousands of years. Intestinal parasites? Got it. Warts? Got it. Syphilis? Got it. And the list goes on. 

So, since it was named after a god, I consider it a sacred plant. 

Pomegranate--Another Sacred Plant

In Greek mythology, the pomegranate is a symbol of the underworld. It grew from the blood of Adonis, god of beauty and desire. 

Most people have heard the story of Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Zeus. When she was out picking flowers, Hades came up from the underworld and stole her away. She was probably picking flowers in a botanical garden, which we all know is SO WRONG! Don't pick anything in a botanical garden! The pic was taken in the herb garden. at the UC Botanical Garden.

Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility was sad and angry. She used her power to cause famine. Zeus decided to use his power to get his daughter back on earth. Here is where the pomegranate, food of the underworld, comes into play. Persephone ate pomegranate seeds while in the underworld, so she was obligated to stay. The gods and goddesses worked out a compromise and Persephone was forced to stay in the underworld part of the year. During that part of the year, winter arrives on earth. 

So we can thank the gods and goddesses for the seasons. 

Growing Pipevine from Seed

So, it takes about a year. In June, cover the Aristolochia californica fruits so that the wasps don't eat the seeds. When the fruits split open, near the end of summer, take out the seeds and plant them. They sprout in January or so. And by June, the seedlings are looking good. My bags are now in place for the next crop.

Tortoiseshells

For years, I have seen Tortoiseshells at the UC Botanical Garden in March. I have looked for the offspring, but have never found any. Until today!

Today, someone told me that they had found Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars on some ceanothus. I believed that they had seen caterpillars, but Pipevine Swallowtails on Ceanothus? Not likely. But she was able to tell me where so that I could find them. I am calling these Tortoiseshells. I only saw them on one spot on one bush, but there are probably others in the Garden. I will have to keep looking!

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Aberrant Gray Hairstreak

A friend sent me this pic, asking for ID. I couldn't figure it out, so I asked the experts. They said Gray Hairstreak. Normally, this butterfly has orange spots on the hindwings, but not the forewings. So this one looks different than most. I wonder what happens......?