Sunflower - In the Garden - August

Plant Magic: A Year of Green Wisdom for Pagans & Wiccans - Sandra Kynes 2017

Sunflower
In the Garden
August

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

*Also known as annual sunflower

There are about eighty species of sunflowers; however, this is the quintessential one that can grow over ten feet tall. It has thick branching stems and coarse, heart-shaped leaves covered with rough hairs. Its large, yellow-rayed flower head tracks the sun’s daily journey across the sky. The flower head can measure four to twelve inches wide.

Its genus name comes from the Greek helios, meaning “sun,” and anthos, “flower.” 84 Indigenous to the North American prairies, all parts of the plant were used by Native Americans for a wide range of medicinal remedies. Additionally, it was considered a ceremonial medicine plant, especially for war dances.

Growing sunflowers in the garden brings prosperity to your home. If you don’t grow them in your garden, purchase a few flowers and sprinkle the petals around your property as you say:

Sunflower, sunflower, bright and yellow; help us feel calm and mellow. Beautiful flower, bright as gold; bring prosperity to this household.

Sunflower petals add strength to spells for attracting money. A sachet of petals under the pillow brings clarity for solving problems and to dream work. Burn a small piece of dried leaf as you visualize what you want to release from your life. This can also be done to dispel negative energy. To help manifest desires, make a wish as you float petals in your bath water.

Sunflower is associated with the element fire, and its astrological influence comes from the sun. This flower is associated with the goddesses Demeter and Modron and the gods Apollo and Helios.