The Apollo's and Sun's Flowerbed: the Laurel

July describes a period totally dedicated to the Force of Apollo and the Energy of the Sun (I repeat again, to be intended as metaphysical, cosmic, symbolic and universal entity rather than an astronomic object). 

One of the plants highly representing, in the Green Language of the Nature, this force and energy is surely the Laurel. The Laurel is therefore the Apollo's plant by definition.  

According to the Arval Knowledge, this plant is placed in the the Sun Flowerbed (one of the 4 main flowerbeds in the Hortus Arvalis) together with the helichrysum, chamomile, incense, rosemary, hypericum, angelica, euphrasia, calendula, mistletoe, potentilla tormentilla. 

The Sun's flowerbed describes a dry and hot dimension, the Gold dimension, yellow, where the vital power of the Sun is evidenced. Here the Sun is described as the Vital Spring capable to include qualities and characteristics of the other Planets. These plants have sudorific, tonic and stimulating properties.

The laurel in particular represents power, supremacy, eternity, immortality, art, honor, glory. It is an important prophetic plant showing a very complex symbolism. It is quite redundant to cite the well-known link between the laurel and the Pythia.

Used as medical remedy, the laurel may stimulate the physical energy regenerating the physical inner balance of the body. In the same time it provides (according to the tradition) "wide clairvoyance".

The Laurel's sacred name is Daphne.

The laurel, according to the Roman tradition, cannot be hit by thunders: this is the reason why frequently in the country the laurel is planted near the houses where it can reach even remarkable dimensions. Tradition nonetheless describes the idea that this plant, describing the Apollo and the Sun power and energy, is so important for the community of Cultores and Cultrices, both in material and metaphysical/symbolic terms,  to be considered sacred ("The Untouchable") also by the Celestial Gods and Goddesses.

The Goddess Victoria is always represented having a branch or a crown (symbolic circular control tool - like rings and necklaces) of laurel as symbol of supremacy of the Order over the forces of Chaos. This is the reason why the Roman Emperors, consuls or generals had the crown of laurel during the triumph: not accidentally these crowns were put down over the knees of the statue of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Everything related to the Laurel, as sacred plant, is therefore connected to complex liturgies, rites, meanings, symbols, myths and mysteries whose sense and meaning still remain completely obscure for many profane individuals.