Marigold
and Optimism
Tagetes erecta
Marigolds are the common folk of the garden world. (They should not be confused with the calendula, which is called pot marigold in some parts of the world.) They are everywhere. Depending on the variety, they can resemble zinnias, daisies, or chrysanthemums. Marigolds have a unique fragrance that puts some people off, but there is a lot to love about them. They grow easily, come in a multitude of brilliant colors, reseed themselves without a lot of work on the gardener’s part, and are great companion plants in an organic garden. They repel cabbage moths and are toxic to some varieties of nematodes (organisms that feed on the roots of plants). The small varieties can easily be tucked into corners of a vegetable garden, adding unexpected color, protection, and perkiness.
The seedpods are a tiny bell shape. The seeds resemble small, thin pencils. When marigold flowers are dry, the seeds slide right out, making seed collecting a great activity for young gardeners. Marigolds were some of the first flowers I was aware of as a child; my mother planted them in profusion, and I loved helping collect the seeds in the fall.
If you are not already a gardener, marigolds are a good place to start. They are one of the easiest plants in the world. Marigolds are annuals, so they put all their energy into a vivid display for one season. They flower profusely and although they prefer heat, they seem to deal well with a wide range of climates.
Marigolds vibrate with optimism. Optimism is the belief that we can get through difficulties with an expectation of positive things in the future. Marigold flowers are colorful, cheerful, and uplifting, and they have an abundance of blooms. Their ease in growing and their ability to replant themselves are both symbols of optimism; we know their beauty will return at a future date. Their presence in the garden supports other plants in a multitude of ways.
Optimism is an attribute that can be cultivated and nurtured. Sometimes the world can appear very dark, but when you look carefully, you can see it is intricately composed of both hope and darkness, difficulty and opportunity. When practicing optimism, we don’t ignore the difficulties, but choose to pay attention to the positives as well. It takes a conscious retraining of your attention to focus on an expectation of positive things. And since most of us do not know what the future holds, it is a healthier practice to hold the energy of optimism. As you plant this seed for yourself, be attuned to wherever you can discover optimism around you—in people, plants, and the world.
Morning Attunement Questions
• What connections do I have with marigolds and optimism?
• Where else in the green world and my life do I observe optimism?
• What does this correspondence feel like?
• How can I describe the energetic attribute of optimism in words or pictures?
• Where does this correspondence of optimism resonate most strongly in or around my body or in my life?
Daily Integration Questions
• In what ways is the world reflecting marigolds or optimism back to me?
• What nuances and shades of meaning do I notice about marigolds and optimism?
Evening Reflection Questions
• Where and how did I experience marigolds or optimism today?
• How did I embrace optimism today?
• What wisdom does the marigold’s correspondence of optimism bring to my life?