Nests- Vessels that Hold Love

 

     Nests are vessels, woven from bits of twigs, grasses and moss, that hold and protect new life. Finding empty nests blown down from trees after storms I couldn't leave them behind as they looked so forlorn. So I'd take them home and tuck heart stones or crystals, or little symbols of things I wished to grow in my life inside. Nests are symbols of building a happy home, new beginnings, life, protection, good luck, commitment, and prosperity. 

     So when I began Flora Sophia, The Wisdom of Flowers, a symbolic dried flower business, one of my first inspirations was to create manifestation nests or "Soul Nests" as I call them. I've created nests to be used as a tool that help aid one in manifesting Abundance, Healing, discovering Spiritual Purpose, and Love. The design above is a Housewarming Nest gift bringing the blessings of the flowers to the household as they build a new happy home. This design has three eggs which are symbols of new life and new beginnings and of the Earth. The number three is a sacred number that represents the unity of body, spirit and mind as well as past, present and future. Truly a nest is a meaningful gift of blessing to mark the joyous transition into a new home.  

     

                                                   "Love Nest" Manifestation Nest

     All of my nest designs use flowers, herbs and preserved greenery that bring their special meanings to the energies of the nest. 

     Using the nest as a manifestation tool I suggest first creating sacred space. Then holding the nest in your two hands while visualizing that which you wish to bring into your life, speak your intention out-loud. Then blow your breath fully into the nest. See your intention, Feel your intention and know that your nest will hold it protected within. Set the nest on your home altar or any place where you will see it everyday so that you will be reminded. Then fill your nest with symbols that represent your intention; stones, crystals, hand written notes, etc. Use your imagination. 

Soul Nest of Healing.

My Wild Heart Creativity Nest

Another Soul Nest design for Healing Energy.

Christmas Nest Ornament.

     Being from Scandinavian descent a nest was always included on our family Christmas tree. We would fill it with candy or coins or a sweet little mushroom bird. It symbolized good luck for the coming year and blessings to the home. I've taken it a step further and decorated the nest with berries, preserved greens and flowers that bring further blessings of well-being, prosperity, and embracing change. 

Visit my Etsy shop for these designs and more as well as other dried florals that will add beauty and meaning to your home and life.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Florasophia?ref=profile_header

Blessings

Love In A Mist- Nigella

 

     Let me introduce you to one of my favorite dried flowers, Nigella Love in the Mist, Nigella damascena L. Besides it's common name of Love in a Mist it is also known as Kiss-Me-Twice-Before-I-Rise, Lady-in-the-Bower, Love-in-a-Tangle, Bird's Nest, Blue Spiderflower, Blue Crown, Devil-in-the Bush, Ragged Lady, St. Katharine's Flower, Fennel Flower,  Jack-in-Prison or Jack-in- the Green, Love-in-a-Puzzle, or Gith. It is an annual Buttercup in the Ranunculaceae family and has been a favorite cutting flower in cottage gardens in England since the Elizabethan times. One of about 20 species in the Nigella genus which derives it's name from the word Niger for its intensely black seeds it originated from North Africa and Southern Europe. Egyptian women are said to have consumed great quantities of the seeds in hopes of "plumping up" which was a sign of beauty! The flowers range from various shades of blue, light purple, white and pink. 

      Nigella damascena. Photograph by Maggie McCain via Flickr.

     It gets its common name from the delicate and feathery thread-like leaves that create a halo or ruff around the flower. The fruit of this flower blows up like a balloon and dries into the distinctive seed head that is popular in dried floral arrangements. 

     It's sister plant Nigella Orientalis, also has a distinctive flower and dried seed head.

    

     In the Language of Flowers Nigella- Love-in-a-Mists meaning's are; "the Bonds that Bind us Together", Harmony, Love, Perplexity, You Puzzle Me, Be Open to Love, and Kiss Me. It was used in Victorian times in Tussie Mussie bouquets and it is said to be a flower that you gift a friend on Friday's.

      Love-In-a-Mist seed pods have a subtle burgundy stripe and I use them in most of my "Love" designs for their distinctive look as well as their meaning. 

Photo and "Love," tussie mussie bouquet featuring Love-In-the-Mist by Noel Knower, Flora Sophia. 

                      Manifestation Nest featuring Nigella-Orientalis by Noel Knower, Flora Sophia.

                         https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/Florasophia/tools/listings/1059251525

                                                 "Persian Jewels' Nigella Love-in-a-Mist

                   Flora Sophia, The Wisdom of Flowers, Bringing Beauty and Meaning to Life.