September – Tarot of the Month: Hibiscus – Lean into Joy!

Hello beautiful living beings! Stacy here – back with Tarot of the Month for September! (Where has this year gone?!) We here at Rock Oracle hope you’re having a beautiful month so far – filled with abundance and joy – which ties in with the oracle card I pulled, actually – love that! While I’m no “expert” in tarot, I personally love the practice of pulling tarot, especially the way its messages can be interpreted and shared from one well-intentioned heart to another. We hope you’ll come back month-to-month to receive the message and share with whomever you’re called to. Without further ado, let’s dive into it:

This card that popped out during my shuffle this month is Hibiscus – Joy! I pulled from Adriana Ayales’ Oracle deck again (Herbal Astrology Oracle deck). I love the mini history lesson she includes for each card, and the Guidance she provides is so relatable and inspiring. The artwork is also *chef’s kiss* top-notch. (Just look at this card! Shout out again to the incredibly talented Joséphine Klerks!)

Some history behind Hibiscus: This magical plant has been around ever since the Egyptian era. Back then, it was used in tea form. The Egyptians would use it to treat heart and nerve diseases – also to help lower body temperature. It was also used in beauty rituals across several cultures, which is one of the most common uses Hibiscus is revered for today, as well! I’ve always heard it referenced as “the beauty plant.” And, I mean, it’s clear why. It’s a gorgeous flower! (And if you recognize this as a flower you’d see tucked behind the ear of someone in Hawaii, you’d be right! Hibiscus is a tropical flower first and foremost – even though it is possible to grow it here in the U.S. It just doesn’t make it through the winter.)

While I love the overall message from this card, I especially love the connection to hummingbirds, as those sweet little creatures have always held a special place in my heart. I also find myself drawn to the magic flowing out of the featured figure’s mouth. My initial thought was “We have the power to breathe out magic.” Surprisingly, this connects to the message for Hibiscus quite a bit!

“Like Hibiscus, you emanate the essence of Venusian grace. You hold and cradle life. You are the nurturer. Your presence brings renewal and joy to others. Express your creativity to keep attracting this colorful energy back to you. Like the Hummingbird, you are a creature of nectar, a conduit of divine love and joy. Reversed, Hummingbird may represent the inability to see the many blessings you’ve been given. Don’t shy away from your power; you are worthy of it all. Follow the dance of the Hummingbird, journey into your sadness and know that this pain is just a thread within the fabric of joy.”

I’ve decided to share the “Reversed” interpretation, as well, because this card technically fell out of the deck and landed sideways; it wasn’t upside down, but it wasn’t fully right side up. When that happens, I feel both insights for Upright and Reversed can be applicable, and since my intention was to gather a message for “the collective, my community”, I suppose this means some of you are feeling into the creativity, abundance, nectar, grace energy while others might be experiencing the lack of pleasure, self-doubt, and unworthiness energy. Either way, I think Hibiscus has a great message for everyone: lean into joy and abundance.

As Adriana’s message reminds us, pain is part of the journey. If you’re currently feeling insecure or unworthy, I’d encourage you to greet those feelings with curiosity rather than criticism. We are too often our own worst enemies and tell ourselves that our feelings are permanent rather than what they are: temporary. (If you struggle with depression, anxiety, or have a specific diagnosis that directly affects your mood or emotion-processing, please know I’m not saying “Just don’t feel sad!” because … no LOL That’s definitely not the kind of person I am, nor is that the kind of mindset I have around mental health.)

This Hibiscus (divine feminine) energy reminds us we all have full access to “grace, beauty, creativity, and harmony.” We’re able to breathe that energy in, but it is also important to remember we can breathe that energy OUT, as well, into the Universe, to others, etc. It’s a flowing energy and one that deserves to flow with ease. (Because we are all worthy of that kind of joy and abundance!)

Photo courtesy of www.greatgardenplants.com

To speak a bit further on abundance: this is something that takes practice recognizing sometimes. We live in a society that conditions us to believe we don’t have enough time or money – not enough friends, accomplishments, space, opportunities, etc. (Not to say there aren’t people who legitimately do not have enough to live comfortably, as we all should be able … and that’s fucked up.) Abundance exists in so many other aspects of life, though, not just the more obvious parts.

For me, it’s easiest to experience abundance with nature. When I’m standing in a forest, looking up at all the trees and down at the forest-floor plants, all thriving and just simply existing – gloriously thriving with ease – I’m reminded of how abundant my life is because of all the simple things that just exist. Some of those things exist without effort, while others exist only because of the effort I put into them. Either way, there’s so much to be thankful for at the end of the day. We lose sight of that at times – I still have my days where I struggle to “see” the gift of abundance in my life – but this is why I mentioned it takes practice. I think Hibiscus/Hummingbird energy can help remind us of the reward of that practice, though!

In connection to music, I mean, I thought last month’s tarot pull was such a perfect bridge (see here), but Hibiscus is even more so! Music is the embodiment of creativity – literally. The people who make music (at any/every stage of the process) absolutely embody Hibiscus/Hummingbird energy. They pursue that flow in order to send something of true beauty out into the Universe that then brings so much joy to so many people.

While joy can be highly subjective, some artists that come to mind immediately (for me) are: Cher, Hans Zimmer … DOLLY PARTON. (We will miss you so much, dearest Dolly. See here for The Godfather’s piece regarding his mom’s recent visit and their outings that led them to honoring and sending love to Dolly.)

Artists like these more-than-honorable mentions have created such an abundance of good energy with their music – and thank Universe for that. (By the way, if you’re confused why I’d include Hans Zimmer … please go look him up LOL Once you do, you’ll understand the extreme reach he’s had in music – especially the influence and impact his music has had on our generation(s)! He’s a mastermind who so obviously encompasses Hibiscus’ divine energy of beauty, harmony, and creativity. I wasn’t fully aware of his musical impact myself until last year.)

Both photos courtesy of Getty Images

Some other artists that come to mind – who have historically produced some of the most joyful music of our time (past and more recent years): The Cure, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Queen, Scissor Sisters, Bruno Mars, Turnstile … the list could go on and on and dips into every genre!

Paul Cox/Photoshot

Courtesy of Rockarchive.com

Photo by Alexis Gross

Photo by Kevin Tachman

The main point is: music is also a conduit of this Hibiscus/Hummingbird energy. It’s an entity all its own, which is incredible. I don’t want to sound like a broken record (music pun!), but the power of music is truly amazing – indescribable! Music inspires, heals, connects … it brings people together, which is something we here at Rock Oracle are all about *wink*

If I could give one bit of guidance for this month, it would be to allow in more joy. Remember that you are already the embodiment of grace and beauty; so give yourself more grace and allow more beauty (which invites joy) into your life. I promise you won’t be disappointed. And especially remember: YOU ARE WORTHY.

Sending so much love, abundance, and happiness your way, little Starlights. Until next time (and Happy New Moon!) ~