Amaranth and Grace
Amaranthus cruentus
Amaranth is an ancient plant, sacred to the Aztecs. When the Spanish invaders arrived, they tried to eradicate the plant because it was intertwined with Aztec spiritual practices. Thankfully, the Spanish invaders were unsuccessful.17
The correspondence for amaranth is grace, and it has a dual meaning. The physical form of the plant radiates elegance and grace. It is a tall plant that can grow up to eight feet tall. In the summer, long plumes in shades of scarlet and orange sway gently in the wind. In the fall, if the seeds are left unharvested, thousands of them shake loose from the plant, cascading to the ground over a period of weeks like tiny rainstorms.
The word grace also has the connotation of a kind of cosmic gift or blessing. It’s not a blessing achieved by effort, just a gift freely given by the infinite. A state of grace feels like a portal opens and blessings flow through from the universe. Amaranth was sacred to the Aztecs for many reasons, not the least of which is it sustained them and was perceived as a gift from the gods.
Amaranth is a tough plant; it can be grown in places where it is difficult to grow other plants. It thrives in hot weather and is drought resistant. It is also incredibly nutritious—the seeds are high in protein and can be made into flour. In addition to protein, amaranth contains other important nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. The leaves are also edible as salad greens or when cooked.
A plant that sustained the Aztecs in a harsh environment was indeed a cosmic gift, and it created a state of grace. Attuning yourself to grace allows you to shift your awareness to the ways you are supported every day by the earth itself, by other species, and by your community. Like the Aztecs, you could focus daily on the flow of blessings that keeps you alive. Perhaps all life on the planet is an act of grace.
Morning Attunement Questions
• What connections do I have with amaranth and grace?
• Where else in the green world or in my life do I observe grace?
• What does this correspondence feel like?
• How can I describe grace in words or pictures?
• Where does this correspondence of grace resonate most strongly in or around my body or in my life?
Daily Integration Questions
• In what ways is the world reflecting amaranth or grace back to me?
• What nuances and shades of meaning do I notice about amaranth and grace?
Evening Reflection Questions
• Where and how did I experience amaranth or grace today?
• How did I embrace the energy of grace today?
• What wisdom does amaranth’s correspondence of grace bring to my life?
17. Cole, Amaranth, 17.