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If you’re drawn to the Ocotillo flower, you may have a habit of being self-critical. You may fear getting it wrong, being viewed as irresponsible or making a fatal mistake. You may have an aversion to being ‘wild’. Although the idea of being spontaneous sounds good to you, if you reflect back on your everyday life, spontaneity simply is not your norm.
At times you may find that you say ‘no’ to a particular experience without really having a reason, or that you simply shut down every once in a while. Ever worried you’re going to screw things up? Cause irreversible damage? Prevent someone from getting what they need? Ruin opportunities? F*ck everything up? Ocotillo Flower Elixir is for that part of us.
Ocotillo Flower (Fouquieria splendens) helps us to see ourselves and others – and even weird occurrences around us – with neutrality and openness. It dissolves criticism of self and others and helps us open up to new and unexpected experiences. We’re more fresh, open and able to allow juxtaposition, irony and paradox without judgment. We’re open to life! We can say ‘yes’! And we can make the most of what we have.
Ocotillo magnifies our ability to be approachable and carefree! When we’re flexible and neutral, we see life in a whole new way. We’re less afraid of getting it ‘wrong’, so we allow ourselves to be more spontaneous. We allow ourselves to experiment and learn. We can take more risks and challenge ourselves and the status quo. And we can take action.
One of the most beautiful plants in the desert for its shape and how it accents the landscape with pops of bright red, Ocotillos grow in the Southwestern United States, from California to Texas, and down to Mexico throughout the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. Found at sea level up to almost 7000 feet, Ocotillos have a unique appearance, because the plant’s hardy stems emerge from its base.
And the majority of the time, the stems are leafless! When it rains, the stems burst with clusters of fresh green oval leaves and remain until the soil dries out again. This happens 4-5 times each year for this flowering spiny shrub. When they don’t have leaves, the stems contain the chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis. Like other desert plants, Ocotillos are known for making the best of times and being able to survive the worst.
Also known as ‘flaming sword’ the Ocotillo has an unusually long lifespan. With no known pests or diseases, it can survive anywhere between 60 to over 100 years old!
Ocotillo means ‘little torch’ in Spanish, named for its clusters of bright red flowers at their stem tips. They bloom in the springtime; the rest of the year depends on rainfall. They’re pollinated by hummingbirds, and in Arizona, their blooming synchronizes with hummingbird migrations.
If you pluck the flowers, you can sip the nectar from the base or eat the flowers whole. They have a mild, yet tangy flavor reminiscent of rose. Add fresh Ocotillo blossoms to brighten up a green salad with flashes of fiery red.
In traditional remedies, Ocotillo bark, roots and flowers were used to address a variety of ailments from sore throats to varicose veins. As an anti-inflammatory, it reduces swelling, especially in the abdominal and pelvic regions, along with stimulating lymph flow.
Although it’s not a cactus, its stems can be spiny, and are often cut and used for building fences. Even living fences can be built. As the stems are lightweight, they’ve also been used as canes or walking sticks.
Culturally, Ocotillo is a symbol of resilience. In folklore, it represents the ability to thrive in harsh conditions. It offers spiritual strength and endurance that helps us face the challenges of life.
MAGNIFIES: Feeling open & carefree; Ability to hold juxtaposition, irony, paradox; Flexibility, approachability & spontaneity; Observing appearances with neutrality
DISSOLVES: Self-criticism & self-editing; ‘Shoulds’, criticism & judgment; Constriction, shutting down or closing off; Fixation on things being only one way
Love & flower petals,
Katie
