The Essence of Sunflower
felicia howe
Sunflower
Latin Name: ‘Helianthus’
Planetary Characteristics: Sun/ Fire Element
The name Sunflower, or Helianthus annuus, comes from the word Greek helios, meaning “Sun,”
Although the word “sunflower” may conjure an image of a giant yellow bloom several feet tall, Sunflowers come in many different shapes and sizes. There are dozens of varying sunflower species native to the Americas (at least 70) that can be found in various locations worldwide, with petals of red, orange, or purple and heights ranging up to 30 feet.
Sunflowers track the sun with their blossoms rising in the east and resting in the west at sunset, this is referred to as heliotropism. Scientists reveal sunflowers have circadian rhythms, which promote this behavior. A young sunflower’s face follows the sun from sunrise to sunset every day and repeats the cycle until maturity. As sunflowers reach maturity, their internal clocks start slowing down until they finish the heliotropism behavior completely. Mature Sunflowers facing East-attract up to five times more pollinators because they warm up faster than westward-facing plants. Sunflowers can self-pollinate in the event of a lack of pollinators such as bees. Its ability to do this can recreate an identical seed to its original origin. The head of the sunflower is a combination of a thousand tiny flowers. Each petal on the circumference of a sunflower is a flower itself. These long, colorful petals are known as “ray florets.” if you look closely at the pattern of a sunflower’s seeds, you’ll notice a spiral pattern. Often, the florets and seeds within the pattern follow the Fibonacci sequence. In this mathematical sequence, each number is the sum of the previous two consecutive numbers, so it goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and so on. Count the clockwise and counterclockwise spirals of seeds to the outer edge, and you’ll often find they add up to two consecutive numbers in the sequence, like 55 and 89. Sunflowers can remove harmful toxins from the soil, such as metals, including lead, copper, and zinc. It's also used in phytoremediation,” a process that employs various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, and destroy contaminants in our soil, water, and air. Compared to other cleanup methods, such as soil excavation or pumping polluted groundwater, phytoremediation has become a clean, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly way to reclaim and reuse land that has been tainted by poisonous chemicals and heavy metals.
The Energy Behind the Sunflower
It is known that Native Americans developed the sunflower plant as a food source. According to a University of Arizona report, sunflower cultivation is thought to have begun over 8,000 years ago. Some even suggest sunflower cultivation began before corn and beans. Although unsuspecting, Sunflowers have a wide variety of healing powers that improves digestion, strengthen bones and muscles, and brain health. Sunflower seeds are protein-rich and contain vitamins A, B, and E. They are rich in calcium and minerals. The glorious patterns in the sunflower reveal the seeds of life that represent all creation. This beautiful geometry shows us its healing and reminds us that we are all connected to higher consciousness. The Sunflower is ruled by the Sun and brings us Fire and passion. However, the Sunflower also has the quality of the element Water and a connection to the Moon that works harmoniously with the Sun's energy to create a balance of inward and outward expression. The Moon pushes the life force energy of the sun into full expression shedding light into the shadow and reminding us of what we are here to create. This co-existence brings the masculine and feminine together in balance with each other. It helps us to harmonize these forces within our relationships and ourselves.Sunflowers open us up to new ideas, and new potential, instilling an innocence and giving us the vitality of the Sun, building our courage and confidence. The essence of Sunflower and the Sun helps us to shine bright through authenticity, healing our perception from a place of a balanced personality building a healthy ego and strong solar plexus. Sunflowers help lift our vibration and help us let go of toxic situations that no longer serve us. Their big, bright yellow petals shine strong and confident giving us support and increasing vitality.
The Sunflower flower essence supports our internal equilibrium it is ruled by the Sun and brings us Fire and passion. However, the Sunflower also has the quality of the element Water and a connection to the Moon that works harmoniously with the Sun's energy to create a balance of our inward and outward expression. The Moon pushes the life force energy of the sun into full expression shedding light into the shadow and reminding us of what we are here to create. This co-existence offers balance with each other. It helps us to harmonize these forces within our relationships and ourselves. Sunflowers open us up to new ideas and new potential, instilling innocence and giving us the vitality helping us to, build our courage and confidence. The essence of the Sunflower and the Sun helps us to shine bright through authenticity, healing our perception from a place of a balanced personality building a healthy ego and strong solar plexus. Sunflowers help lift our vibration and help us let go of toxic situations that no longer serve us. Their big, bright yellow petals shine strong and confident, giving us support and increasing vitality.
