A petite yet vital tree that yields sweet and juicy drupes ranging from a misty purple to a deep and sumptuous red, the plum (Prunus) is one of the most potent reminders of the obvious magic of the everyday world. Cultivated and widespread since very ancient times, plums have been an important historical food and moisture source for humans in both Asia and North America.
Magical Uses
Abundance and Holiday Magic
In Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite the Sugar Plum Fairy escorts the Nutcracker Prince and Clara to the opulent Land of Sweets, where they are honored at a magical ball. Certainly in popular culture there are few more potent invocations of the sweetness, abundance, and magic at the heart of the holiday season. Serving plum pudding or other treats featuring plum at the holidays is an excellent way to honor the Sugar Plum Fairy while invoking her lavish and whimsical spirit.
Boundaries
Flower essence therapy practitioners suggest cherry plum essence for releasing the stranglehold on one’s feelings and senses in order to open up and experience the world in its fullness. Perhaps counterintuitively, this actually supports positive boundary setting by allowing one to release fear-based boundaries in favor of allowing an innate connection with the earth, sky, and natural world, which in turn nourishes an abiding sense of confidence and strength. For this purpose, take two to three drops of the flower essence under the tongue or in water two to three times per day. As an alternative or reinforcement, spend time in quiet contemplation with a blossoming plum tree (cherry plum is the tree from which the traditional flower essence remedy is made, but any plum tree will do).
Getting Stuck Energy Moving
Just as the flower essence moves stuck emotions and opens blocked senses, the plum tree helps activate energy and get stagnant energy moving. For example, if something feels like it’s at an impasse in your life—a job search that’s seemingly in limbo or an iffy relationship that just keeps you hanging on—the plum tree can help. Interestingly, this is mirrored in the physical body in the way that prunes and plums are eaten to help get the bowels moving, and to remove old toxins in the process.
If any life area feels stuck and you’re ready to get things moving forward, lovingly gather a plum from a tree or a market and empower it with your intention to get things flowing in a positive way. Then simply place it on your altar. You should see a positive shift within a week. (Do be aware that it might not feel positive at first, but that’s just because old toxins and undesirable conditions are rising to the surface so that they can move out of your life.)
Strength
The vibrant nature of the little plum tree, along with her gorgeous blossoms and striking purple or deep red fruit, lend an air of strength and fortitude. Anytime you need to bolster your energy or emotions, or even your physical body, spending time in quiet contemplation with a plum tree would be a good idea. Taking the flower essence or eating the fruit is also an excellent way to fortify your emotional, energetic, or physical strength.
Magical Correspondences
Elements: Water and Fire
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus