Wreaths are like rings. They represent the Universal Circle
(“Let the circle be unbroken …” as the song lyric goes) and also
the idea of circulating love, wealth and prosperity for yourself
and neighbours. Usually they are hung on the front door, over
the fire place or over the dining room table to commemorate
special occasions or the changing of the seasons. To make the
frame for your wreath you will need strong thread, glue and
branches from the appropriate tree. Try to make your wreath from
branches you find on the ground, however if you can’t, be sure
to thank the tree if you end up breaking off any its limbs.
However, probably the easiest way is to buy a pre-fabricated
frame for it at Walmart or a local craft store. Most craft
stores sell very nice circular frames made from varnished grape
vines that look very natural and authentic. A wreath can be
complicated and hung with a cornucopia of herbs, fruits and
flowers or it can be as simple as a bunch of pussy willows
braided together and formed into a circle. Below I have made a
few suggestions for different wreaths you can make to suit
different purposes.
LOVE DRAWING WREATH For this you all you need is some kind of
circular armature, or the above mentioned grape vine wreath.
However if you want to make your own circle, the branches from
any fruit tree (apple, cherry, or orange) are perfect. Leave as
many leaves on the branches you can and make sure they are thin
and pliable enough so you twist them into a the circle. Once you
have constructed the circle decorate it with dried roses. Pink
and red are the best colours. The darker the red, the more sexy
the wreathe. You can dry your own roses in advance. However, if
you have no dried roses available, fabric flowers will work just
as well. Tie the buds of the roses into the wreathe and then
decorate it with pink, red and white ribbons, Although kind of
lush and girly, it is designed to bring love into your life.
PROSPERITY DRAWING WREATH This little wreath is beautiful,
simple, classy and it smells great. Use a grapevine armature and
intertwine sprigs of basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage, and
bay leaves. All of these herbs draw wealth to the home. You may
attach small oranges or kumquats. For an added dash of spice to
your life, stick each orange with pins which have been threaded
with cloves – an orange stuck with cloves is an ancient way of
drawing money to you fast. CHINESE PROSPERITY DRAWING WREATH Use
dried or fresh red, orange and yellow chrysanthemums, which
symbolize autumn, protection and money. With this one you can
use a Styrofoam board backing to affix the flowers to the
backing. Or you can tie them to a grapevine armature. Decorate
with red ribbons. PROTECTION WREATH Take long thin branches of
holly that still have berries on the vine and braid and twist
them into a circle. Holly is known to protect from evil spirits
and bring blessings to the home. Decorate with a white ribbon.
CORNOCOPIA OF THE GODS WREATH Take pine or spruce branches and
using wire and players, twist them into a circle. Decorating
this is not unlike decorating a Christmas tree, only you are
going to attach pomegranates, oranges, walnuts in their shelves,
kumquats, pine cones, acorns, bay leaves and chocolate covered
coins. I like using fresh stuff, but there are many versions of
the wreath that could be made using plastic replicas of food
such as grapes strawberries and oranges. Finish this masterpiece
off with gold, yellow and green ribbons. MARTHA STEWART ‘S OSHUN
HAPPINESS WREATH I stole this one off of Martha Stewart who
probably didn’t realise that she was inventing something that
would honour the African Orisha of the Rivers, Love, and Wealth,
Oshun. It is Oshun who takes care of love and relationships,
money, and all the things that make life sweet. For this one you
will need hundreds of pins, and bags and bags of pink, orange
and yellow gumdrop candies. Use the pins (or use glue) to press
these candies onto their backing. The effect is a sunburst of
joy. Finish it off with a big bow of pink, yellow and orange
ribbons, However save this one for the mantelpiece. Oshun is not
the only being that loves sugar. You don’t want an army of birds
or squirrels attacking your front door!