Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on a lexicon (vocabulary specific to a certain subject) of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way” and that’s my plan for approaching this challenge – keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
A is for…
anthomania – obsession with flowers
I love finding a word that feels so perfect you can claim it as your own; as though you’ve really been seen and can settle into that recognition with delightful ease. That’s exactly how I feel about anthomania. I’m really quite obsessed with flowers.
I quite contentedly manage to keep my life infused with flowers in as many ways as possible. Of course there are frequent bouquets, and garden specimens when possible, but that’s just the tip. As a flower essence practitioner I use flower essences every day; as an aromatherapist and natural perfumer I wear essential oils and botanical perfumes daily. I create botanical talismans; enjoy peeking into the nuanced art of floriography, the language of flowers spoken through messages delivered by various blossoms. I love flower oracle decks, and there is always some flower-related book open in my reading pile.
This year I’m returning to a floral project that definitely fell by the wayside in last year’s sheer wobbliness. It will probably end up being one of the largest floral projects I’ve ever considered. The more I think about it, the more it grows in intriguing and fabulous-to-me ways. It began with a series of dreams, and now involves a perfumery project; mapping – both literal and imaginary; ideas about artist books and/or zines; and endless delightful research. Such fun!
There’s so much to love about flowers – their beauty, their scent, their colors, and form. But there’s really a great deal more as well. I consider flowers some of the best wisdom teachers around, and like any good and lasting relationship, they require commitment and investment of time and energy, and a willingness to listen and learn. Of course, you can enjoy them superficially – they give their gifts extravagantly and freely. But to know a flower, to know its medicine and gifts deeply, to enlist its aid as an ally, requires study. The resulting relationship is nothing less than magical in my opinion.
But even if such a thing isn’t of interest to you, simply paying some mindful attention to flowers offers some brilliant lessons on how to be in this world. A flower doesn’t worry if people like it. They don’t think am I taking up too much space? Do I smell fabulous? How do I compare to the flower next to me? They take up exactly as much space as they are; they exist in their beingness, beautiful and wild. Don’t we all want that?
I certainly agree with Beverly Nichols who said:
“To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat.”
My brain and heart are lit with anthomania; I worship in the temple field of flowers; and I wish always to bloom lushly and without restraint.
What about you? Are you marked by anthomania? Have a favorite flower? Working on a long-term project that lights you up with possibility? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
This is an obscure word for sure. I rather like it, and wonder how it could have fallen out of use. Rhetorical question, of course.
I know from your posts of your patio/outside flowers that you have anthomania tendencies – don’t try to deny it. 🙂
Hari OM
Oh yes, a brilliant word to kick off April’s crazy challenge!!! You can be relied upon for interesting and unique offerings, Deborah, and I love them always.
I would definitely be in the anthomanic range; sunflowers, daffodils, gerberas… aw heck – any flower!!! I think I need to order myself a bouquet for my upcoming birthday. I’ve been bloomless for far too long and your post reminded me of that.
Roll on B… (btw loving your bee posts on IG!!!)
My long-term project is just to get through each day the best way I can. Flowers would help. YAM xx
Oh yes Yamini – I absolutely encourage you to order yourself a bouquet. And early b-day wishes! Flowers are such delightful celebratory companions – we really should have them around us whenever we can.
I think your long-term project is perfect, and in the short-term I’m delighted and amazed at your decision to go all out with multiple challenges this month. More good stuff for us to read.
This is such a fun & intriguing theme, Deborah! I am very looking forward to your delightful posts as you journey through an enjoyable month of discovery & whimsy. Cheers!
Thanks Aliyah. I think we’re all in for a fun April – so many delights to discover in blogland.
Nice start! I’ve been noticing lots of flowers as I take Benny for his walk around the neighborhood.
Oh that’s lovely Janet. It’s still a little early here – today is only in the low 30s, but no doubt things will start popping soon.
What a beautiful word! It’s a new word to me, anthomania, and I love it! Well I love flowers too, all of them 😉
Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué
It’s lovely to find kindred spirits Frédérique, and I’m with you with love for all the flowers.
This is a great word to start with, thanks for sharing. I have to many allergies to suffer from anthomania, but I love the word 🙂
https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/01/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-a/
I totally encourage word love. 🙂
It’s funny how I am more attracted to flowers the older I get. I think your attraction is a higher order one than mine, however. Great to share!
That’s interesting, Linda. Dare I say; they must be growing on you. 🙂
I’m in that group that loves the smell of flowers, but they also make me sneeze! So I have to admire from afar. So nice to be back here to your space and see your words again!
Distant admiration is a good thing, too, Eli. And the bees probably appreciate you not sneezing them off course. And thanks for the kind words.
What a fun word! I tend to love flowers that are simple, yet elegant. Orchids, Calla Lilies, Tulips…
Trudy @ Reel Focus
Movies reflect human needs: Agency
Those are some of my faves as well, Trudy. I’ve really come to love mini calla lilies this past year – they’re so lovely.
Wow, I didn’t consciously realise flowers can be used for so many things! I mean, sure, I’ve heard of flower therapy but never tried it. Or I’ve seen floriography on TV but never learned it. And of course I realise perfumes and essential oils use flowers but somehow it didn’t sink altogether. Quite a list indeed!
I loved reading this post, so full of not just enthusiasm but devotion – and the way you’ve phrased it is just beautiful.
“I love finding a word that feels so perfect you can claim it as your own; as though you’ve really been seen and can settle into that recognition with delightful ease.” Simple, yet powerful. I’ll definitely be back for more!
Thanks for your kind words Andrea. It can be wonderful when we see things anew through someone else’s eyes, and that’s one of the reasons I love April and the challenge. I always come away feeling so inspired and having learned so much.
I love that word. I had to read it several times to get the rhythm of it. I have been reading a lot of flower lore and find it very enjoyable. I want to get more books about the language of flowers and get the oracle deck, too.
It’s fun getting to know new words, isn’t it – rolling them around on your tongue, tasting them, listening to them, being curious as you might be with any new acquaintance. There’s so much to discover about flowers, and I have no doubt your continued journey will be great fun.
Flowers are art. The colors and the petals seem magical to me. They are so beautifully formed and with such variety of scent and style.
Flowers ARE art! I love that Margaret.
I feel a little obsession for sure, I love them feel taste smell beauty.
sometimes make essences, always gather roses lavender verbena to make sachets .
and always have to have flowers in the house in most of the rooms – they are a sweet medicine and give so much to us.
recently I had a go at making rose beads from the petals never ever knowing that this was the original rosary – they did not turn out exceptionally well but they are beads and I will make more and try using other flowers.
so much to learn and when it comes to flowers you are inspiration indeed Deborah
bless you
Sandra
I’ve never had particular luck making rose petal beads either, Sandra. My mother had a necklace of them, not rosary length, though. As a child, I LOVED touching and smelling them. I’ve had better luck making beads from dried herbs and/or dried flower petals that have been chopped and using a bit of bentonite clay powder in the mixture. I’m not sure if that’s available where you are, but perhaps a local clay would work as well.
You made such good points!
I love all kinds of plants, though I may lean more on the gree plants. But I love me some nice flower. Nothing as deep as your relations to them, but I totally see where you’re coming from.
I love that you know so much a bout flowers and you live them so totally. I wish I could do the same.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – The Great War
It’s fun to learn what people are passionate about. That’s one of the delights of this challenge to me – getting to see what people are geeked out about and hopping on their train of enthusiasm. And I must say, I’m fascinated by your immersion in 1920’s history.
April is becoming a very special month for me. Reason? I get to read your words.
So, as soon as I read ‘anthomania’, I thought, that’s my word.
Then, I read your first line! We shall have a flower-tickle-battle to claim this one. Shall we? In case you’re wondering…it’s when you tickle your opponent with a flower of your choice till they give up their claim. I just made it up—but it sounds like a better way to settle scores. No?
LOL – it’s a delight to have you visiting my comment box Arti – April indeed is one of my favorite months for catching up with friends. And it seems even more special this year after the wobbliness that was 2020. And, yes, yes, yes, I will willingly engage in a flower-tickle battle with you – I can just imagine us ending on the floor laughing in a pile of flower petals. Not sure it gets better than that.
A fabulous word – thank you for bringing it to our attention. I have been in Crete for 6 months – hiding from the virus and I can’t tell you how many pictures of flowers I took…
Sounds utterly delightful Andrew!
I would love to hear your suggestions for flower oracle decks! My favorite so far is the Enchanted Blossoms Empowerment Oracle, with the little butterfly dragons 🙂
Welcome back to A to Z, I really enjoy your word trivia! 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
Oh how fun – you’ve introduced me to a deck I don’t know about, and with butterfly dragons!
Some of my fave floral decks include Plant Ally cards by Lisa McLoughlin (she’s got a Tree deck as well); Soulflower Plant Spirit Oracle deck; Flowers of the Night Oracle; and Flowerevolution.
Thank you! I will have to check these out! Also, have you seen the Botanica and the Veleda Wood tarot decks?… 🙂
I wasn’t familiar with either of these decks, and they look fabulous. Thanks for pointing me in their direction!
Hi Deborah – you’re a star … always coming up with flower thoughts and anthomania – the passion for flowers – especially as we’re now seeing more and more. Love them! All the best – Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. This is indeed my favorite time of year – watching little sprouts pop their heads out of the ground after a long winter’s nap, and new seeds and flowers being planted. So much magic!
I like that word. It’s one I wish I’d found when I used obscure words for my theme last year! I can’t imagine living without flowers, both inside and outside of my door!
Here’s my B!
I can’t imagine living without flowers either Keith.
This word is so cool! I also love your theme!
Thanks! New-to-us words can be such fun.
I definitely suffer from it 🙂
Not such a miserable malady to contend with, is it? 🙂