Clare Florist Blog

For most of us the holidays are now over and it's back to the grindstone, but if you find yourself feeling low, struggling to get up in the morning and packing in the biscuits at coffee break, it may not be the return to work that's dragging you down so much as the ongoing winter skies.

The swallows and geese migrate, the hedgehogs and bats hibernate, it seems only natural that us human beings will be affected too, by the short days and cold winds, never mind the frequent anticlimax of the new year after Christmas with its mixture of joys and strains. It's not known exactly how, but it's thought that the lack of daylight during the winter in northern countries leads to alterations in the levels of mood- and energy-related chemicals in the brain. In particular, the hormone melatonin (which can invoke sleepiness or lethargy) is thought to increase and the neurotransmitter seretonin (which is linked to mood elevation) to decrease. This would explain the depression-like symptoms that some people experience during the winter, which is known, in more severe cases as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Of course, we can't really afford to sleep throughout the winter, nor to all go on holiday to South Africa, and, given that the process that causes these winter blues isn't fully understood, no one's yet managed to develop a sunshine-replacement pill. Fortunately, however, there are other ways to lift your spirits once the festivities have finished...

• When you can, get outside for some fresh air and to soak up what daylight there is! (You could also try upping the artificial light when you're indoors. Some people buy special bulbs or lamps which emulate natural daylight to combat the winter blues).
• Exercise: whatever kind you most enjoy — it boosts the production of happy hormones :)
• Eat well: keep the vitamins flowing in with plenty of fruit and veg.
• Try to get to bed early so you can fit in plenty of sleep.
• Be good to yourself! Make sure you get a good dose of both fun and relaxation in your life: treat yourself to a long, candlelit bath; meet up with friends for a hot chocolate and a chat; get yourself laughing with your favourite comedy; make yourself a wholesome, warming winter meal; brighten your home or desk with some flowers!
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With all the excitements of the summer months, it's easy to forget that we're already into September and autumn is approaching faster than a blink. The shining flower of September, Aster, symbolising elegance and afterthought, is the ideal calming influence after those months of summer madness!

Myths and Legend

This little star of the flower world (their name literally means star in Latin) is the herb of Venus, as perfume from burning their leaves were believed to have magical powers of warding off evil serpents in the ancient times.

Like their starry origin, Asters come in a variety of colours such as blue, white and purple, just like the glow of starlight. The most common flower used by florists in China, one of the popular myths about Aster is that one can hear the slightest whisper if you listen to them closely enough.

According to legends, Asters grew from the tears of the goddess Virgo (also known as Asterea). It is believed that she was saddened by Jupiter's decision to flood the entire race during the Iron Age that she requested to be turned into a star, and when she sees the muddy aftermath, her tears fell as stardust and became delightful Asters.

Yet another legend on the origins of Asters is that once upon a time the surviving sisters of a tribal war begged the Herb Woman for help. Seeing that they would be hunted down in the future, the Herb Woman used some magic and gave them leaves using a potion. One of the sisters became the golden rod, while the other became the Aster as she was wearing a fancy looking lavender-blue dress.

Other Random Facts

• Asters are also known as the queens of the daisy family.
• In the Hungarian language of colours, Asters represent autumn.

The Clare Florist prize draw winner for August was Miss Blair of Birmingham.
Miss Blair wins a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers worth £50 which will be delivered free to her with our compliments.

Send lovely fresh flowers throughout the UK, next day and without any fuss - Clare Florist.

I know that we are well into June now, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I am afraid these items have not been posted as early as I would have liked – but you know what they say... better late than never!

Anyway, I hope you find this introduction interesting...!

Some basic facts relating to June

• The Flower for June is the Rose, as a symbol of beauty, passion and love - there is also a possible link with where the word “June” came from (please see “June Weddings” below).
• The Birthstone for June is the Pearl
• Star Signs: Those born in June will either be: Gemini (until 20 June) or Cancer (21st until the end of June)
  

  June Weddings

  The name “June” came from the Roman goddess of marriage, Junno. Due to this, June has traditionally been seen as the best month to have a wedding.

  To back this up, a very short poem from folklore:

  Married in the month of roses – June, Life will be one long Honeymoon.

  Anyway, watch this space for more!

  Prepared by Viki, posted by Bob

May 1^st – or “May Day”

Although not the official start of summer in the modern calendar, May Day is traditionally celebrated as the start of summer. There are a great many traditions surrounding this day – many of which are centuries old – some are geographically specific, whereas others are more well known (although possibly no longer actively practised throughout the UK).

Origins of "May"

The month of May was most likely named after "Maia" – the Greek goddess (please see: this Wikipedia entry for more on Maia.  (Maia was the eldest of seven sisters and  was famed for being the most beautiful and the shyest of all the sisters and was also the goddess of fields.

The birthstone for may is the Emerald, and the traditional bird associated with May is the Nightingale. The flower for the month is lily of the valley (or the hawthorn).

Maypole Dancing

Children (and adults) after much practising, put on a type of dance around the “May pole” where each of them hold a long ribbon attached to the top of the “pole” at the centre. As they dance around the pole a pattern is made of the ribbons from the top of the pole downwards. This is often part of a community event – a gala or fair is often held in many areas (particularly primary schools) where parents and locals gather to watch the dance.

Morning Dew on the first day of May

It is a tradition in many areas to wash one's face in the morning dew at dawn on May Day. This is said to bring beauty and to cleanse the skin for the coming year. Obviously the place where this is done depends on locality – an example is Edinburgh, where locals traditionally go to “Arthur's Seat” to wash in the morning dew – but other areas may have their own traditional place to perform the ritual.

Prepared by Viki, posted by Bob.

There is some uncertainty over where the name “April” came from, but one theory is that it evolved from the Latin festival word “aperire” meaning “to open”. This is quite possibly due to all the new flowers growing and buds opening again after the cold winter months.

The traditional flower for April is the Sweet Pea. The sweet pea is said to have been first cross-bred in Wem, Shropshire by Henry Eckford in 1887 (for more on Eckford's contribution to the world of horticulture, and the sweet pea itself - please see here. The Wem website boasts that it is “home of the modern sweet pea”, and even has an annual Wem Sweet Pea Festival.

Eckford is noted by many as having revolutionised the sweet pea, with his cross-breeding he made sweet peas into the larger flower we know today, with a variety of colour formations. However, the actual origins of the sweet pea (although disputed) do go back much further than Eckford's cross-breeding in 1887. The first written record of them appears to be when a member of the order of St. Francis (Francisco Cupani) wrote of seeing them in Sicily in 1695. Still to this day, there is a variety available known as the Cupani, with purple upper and deep blue winged under petals. (Pictured here)

The Diamond is the gemstone for April, and thus is the birthstone for those born in this month. It is a traditional gift for those born in this month to receive a piece of jewellery containing a diamond (although I think women born in any month would appreciate this equally!) It is considered good luck to wear your birthstone, and the “luck” which the diamond is said to bring includes: good luck with relationships and increased inner strength.