Sacred poison

Thor, the god of thunder, sometimes named Thunor, is associated with many plants. He was regarded as the god of thunderstorms as well as fertility and the land. Farmers used to worship him and called upon him to bring thunder and rain in order to grow crops. 

I mentioned Burdock in a previous post that this is one of the plants of Thor Himself. Now the pretty blue flowers in the picture on this entry are Aconite, also called wolf's bane, monkshood, blue rocket and Thor's helmet. It's a poisonous flower, belonging to the Ranunculasae species that also include family members like the buttercup and clematis. It's one of the oldest plant families on earth. The Aconitum Aconite grows in chilly hilly landscapes of the Northern hemisphere. Associated with wolves and it's folklore place in werewolf stories, the origins of that may be linked to ancient myths of Cerberus, the three-headed dog of the underworld. Also the side effects of eating wild Aconite is strikingly similar to the effects of rabies. Throughout European history were legends of monstrous dogs carrying poisonous rabies like Cerberus, Fenrir and Garm, the Norse and Germanic hellhounds. Aconite was also used by the berserkers and ulfhednar to help gain werewolf strength. The ancient tribes of Germany called Aconite "storm helmet". Arrowheads were dipped in Aconite poison and so this toxic plant was the earliest ingredient for ancient biological warfare.   

Summer thunder

Twice since the first day of July 2015 there's been thunderstorms here in this part of England.I've seen it form right above my house and the sky turned dark with electric clouds. It was after a hot few days. The thunder started off like exploding cannons on a battle field, or very loud sonic booms. There was no rain or lightning except a series of bangs. Then I left the house to head for school. As soon as I left the front door, lighting and massive roars of thunder followed by gushes of rain. I ran straight to the building without pause. Still it was so hot. I'm in awe but still.
That's my weather chat over with. There's nothing like a summer thunderstorm. Even the summer rain is very severe. I need a honeydew fizz now.

Gold stars

Gold crystals are rare and some crystallised gold are found in quartz. These magical combinations are a striking of hot and cold, the sky and the earth. Gold is a potent and magical metal, with bases in history, legends and folklore, philosophy and symbolism. Gold crafts and golden coinage has been used for so long in human history founded on the trails of the blazing stars that brought the noble metal here to begin with.

It is mainly believed that gold is made from stars. Most of the world's gold sank to the earth's core during the earth's beginnings when it was a molten hot planet. Although a soft and edible metal, it has a very tough immune system that is resistent to acids and errosions.

The word "Gold" is from the Anglo Saxon "gaolo" and the ancient Germanic word gulda, "gleam" and "glow" as well as the Latin "aurum" or aurora. Atomic number of gold is 79, meaning AU and from Latin "aura". 

There are too many stories about gold to put all in one entry today. There is the tale of King Midas who turned everything to gold by his touch. The legend of the golden fleece that healed wounds. Golden apples that gave immortality. Even the sought after city of gold El Dorado. It's all hypnotic but deep beneath the drooling lust for wealth and power, there is the misunderstood goal to reach for the stars, where gold came from and will take us, physically and spiritually. 

Flower of thunder

The god of thunder, Thor/Thunor, is associated with many plants, including the oak, thistle, rowan and monksroot.
His particular flowers, his maidens of beauty and protection, are called Arctia, or burdocks. These plants are of the Thistle family group.
Born from roots rich in iron, these delicate purple flowers bloom and then turn spiky like little ultra violet stars. These flowers are filled with medicinal juices, healing powers and nutrients.
The flowers' roots are edible, and classed as a salad, eaten raw and cooked. 
Burdock is associated with protection and can be used as a special amulet to ward off evil spirits. It's healing and positive energies make it an ingredient for perfumes, bubble baths and insense. Burdock is able to purify blood and ailments.