August is a month of endings and beginnings, a month that simultaneously drags and is gone in the blink of an eye.  Here on the East Coast, the weather is hot and heavy.  It is a time for ending old patterns, reflection, self appreciation, and goal setting. August is also Leo seaon. Leo, a fixed fire sign, is characterized by generosity, warmth, confidence, and strength. The Strength Card in the Rider-Waite deck is representative of Leo: outer strength requires an inner strength that comes from love and courage. During this season of endings and beginnings, we will need an inner strength to face new challenges and forge a new path ahead.

This Magic bouquet is made up of the last handful of flowers that are truly seasonal, dahlias, geranium, cosmos, zinnia, and marigolds.  Unlike roses, hydrangea, or orchids that can be found year round, this group of flowers is very specific to late summer, especially August.  The colors of these blooms are bold and saturated, all the colors of the rainbow: perfect for any Leo in your life. And, since it's Leo season, it is an ideal composition for an outdoor dinner party with your 20 closest friends, the included geranium and marigolds are even rumored to keep the mosquitos away!

The August Magic Bouquet is greened with a base of geranium foliage.  Geranium is an incredibly potent plant with a very strong, soapy, lemony scent.  It is said to bring the qualities of positivity, beauty, removing negativity, good health, love, protection, resilience, courage, strength, supporting children, friendship, heart healing, and a happy home.

Marigolds are perhaps one of the most widely recognized mystical flowers.  Used in ceremonial practices all over the world, the only thing more noticeable than their hot colors is their pungent,  skunky  scent.  If you are noticing a strange scent and can’t figure out what it is, it's probably the Marigolds.  They are said to be mood lifters, detoxifies, can help with healing long standing emotional wounds, happiness, healthy skin, easing depression, vitality, protection, and success.

Dahlias, which typically start to bloom just around the beginning of July are in full force during the month of August. If a flower could be thought of as fully whole and self confident, it would be the Dahlia.  They have a specific set of powers associated with them including protection, inner strength, elegance, and can aid in both shadow and dreamwork.  An excellent flower to have nearby when you are trying to access personal fulfillment or self evaluation.

Zinnia are one of my most favorite flowers of all time.  They are delightfully unassuming and come in all the shades and tones you could possibly desire.  They are for platonic and romantic love, endurance, daily remembrance, acclaim, and lasting affection.  They can be both short lived and long lasting, much has to do with when the flower is picked and how clean the water stays, they are very vulnerable to bacteria in the water.  The beauty of the Zinnia is the more they are picked from the garden, the stronger they grow.  A reminder to share your talents and wisdom with others, and that by doing so you will be rewarded with an even greater fulfillment and understanding of the world around you.

Last but not least, we have the Cosmos fleur.  A sweet little flower that is both delicate and sturdy.  In the August Magic Bouquet, the cosmos floats above the other flowers, and is not noticeable on first glance.  The Cosmos brings order, harmony, balance, tranquility, peace, love, modesty, joy, beauty, and innocence to the admirer.

Credits:

Christina Cuomo-Diver co-author, background research, and discovery.

Tess Whitehurst, “The Magic of Flowers.”