Who Sings Now? XXII: Second Teacher Revealed...

"Upon the cunning loom of thought we weave our fancies, so and so." ~ Thomas Bailey Aldrich

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~Vittorio Alfieri

Violets, or Violas, have between 4 and 500 species worldwide! The ones I am familiar with prefer shady moist areas and are low-growers (only six inches at most) although they can spread rapidly and wildly. Purple, yellow, white and black... the common colors of a Violet here in the U.S., makes for a pretty potent combination when you look at color symbology.

Purple was a traditional color for Emperors and Rulers. It is considered to be a strengthening and protective color. Shades of purple have a strong impact on the psyche and have been used to soothe patients suffering from a variety of mental and nervous disorders. Indigo, violet, purple and lavender help to balance the mind, transform obssessions and fears, stimulate intuition and imagination, sedate an overactive psyche or calm turbulent emotions. Purple is also associated with artistic and musical  impulses, myster, impulses, beauty, high ideals, sensitivity, spirituality, compassion and creativity.

White, of course, is the ultimate color of Purity. A good all-around color, White is also protective, cleansing, excellent for releiving emotional shock or despair. White can bring peace, freedom, healing, Divine energy, Universal energy, and openess. However, too much white becomes sterile, draining, isolating and lifeless. White is the color that most often represents North on the Medicine Wheel.

Black can represent wisdom, the Void, the passive but creative feminine life force, Creation, mystery, protection, infinity, the unknown, the Night, the Crone aspect, maturity, and Death. A powerful color, too much Black in our lives could keep us from proper growth and the necessary changes so vital to life. Black often represents the direction West on the Medicine Wheel, the direction of Wisdom, water, feminine power, the Void, and maturity.   

Yellow, the traditional color of the East, symbolizes Sun energy, beginnings, air, thought, spring, enthusiasm, newness, creativity, curiosity, mental healing, discrimination, happiness, and illumination. This color can help us when we are seeking to express our innermost thoughts, aid memory, clear our thoughts, make decisions, organization, in assimilating new information or thoughts, hope, aid in seeing all sides of an issue, build self-confidence, and encourage optimism. On the flip side, Yellow is often the color of fear, cowardice, warnings, and caution.

So, while the prodominant color of a violet is purple, it does contain a touch of all these colors. Thus this tiny Singer reminds us that a healthy combination of these qualities will bring sweetness and new thought to your life.

In the language of flowers, violets represent modesty, faithfulness, maidenly shyness, devotion, and watchfulness. Amongst Celts and Germans, violets are heralds of Spring. During spring celebrations in Germany May wine is often drunk, which is made from wine, herbs and violets. Combining wine and violets hails back to ancient Greece where they were not only mixed with wine, but strewn at feasts, and fashioned into garlands as it was believed they would ward off dizziness and headaches. Which is actually pretty interesting when you consider that the Greek word for violet is io, as in Io who bore children to Zeus and was harried across the seas by Hera's gadfly! Surely worth experiences worth at least one whopping headache! Being a Herald of Spring, connects this little Teacher with all Deities of that Season. Napolean adopted this flower as the emblem of his party and it is said that Joesphine wore one in her locket and covered his grave in violets.

In Pakistan, violet tea is drunk to increase sweating and thus reduce fever. They are also reputed to relieve anxiety, insomnia and reduce high blood pressure. In the 17th century throat lozenges, made with violet conserve, were used to treat bronchitis, as well as to combat sinus congestion. Violet sugar was a popular staple in apothecaries of the time, and was used to treat consumption. Violets do have natural antibacterial properties in their blossoms, contain vitamins A and C, and also contain an asprin-like compound. It is used both internally and externally for pimples, abscesses, tumors, and swollen glands. It has also been used as a linament for gout. It is useful in treating malignant growths. Native Americans soaked corn seed in an infusion of yellow violet to prevent insects from eating the seeds.

"He died of a surfeit of violets, they say." The Last Unicorn

"It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help." ~ Miss Manners

"Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles." ~ Confuscius

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Who Sings Now? XXII: 1st Teacher

 Who Sings Now XXI:

Who Sings Now? XX: 2nd Teacher