Looking for the Magic✨: A Nature Almanac
July 2025 / It is all about the Dahlias 🌼
Welcome to Looking for the Magic✨: A Nature Almanac
There’s a certain magic that lingers in the air during summer. The light clothes, the stretch of sunlight, music floating from park events, and quarts of ice cream eaten with three spoons. We stay up too late watching movies, untethered from routine.
It feels a bit like summer camp – if summer camp included emails and deadlines. But working from home blurs the hours. No one’s keeping track of our time.
In July, the Dog Star Sirius rises with the sun. Ancient civilizations believed this pairing intensified the sun’s power, ushering in the hottest days of the year – what we now call the Dog Days of Summer (July 3–August 11).
My favorite part of the Dog Days? Those late-evening walks with my family, when it is the golden hour, and everyone is emerging from their homes into the warm summer air.
Things included this month:
The flower of the month: Dahlias, lots and lots of them
Grow An Indoor Garden: If I can do it, you can do it
The Buck Moon is July 10th
Creative Prompts to inspire joy
The Dahlias
When I first stumbled upon The Mystic Dahlia last year, I was smitten. I thought it was some exotic plant hybrid. But no. Just a dahlia. But is there really JUST a dahlia. There are 42 different species of dahlias. They come in every color but blue.
My daughter and I picked out one to bring home. She declared that it is a “Goth Flower”. It reminds me of a vintage circus with it’s cotton candy stripes and purple leaves. They come in an array of bold color combinations. The Mystic Dahlia has won me over. They are one of my favorite flowers to sketch.
In the last few weeks, our local botanical garden has been featuring dahlias. They grow midsummer through fall - so be sure to plant some of these tuberous perennials to enjoy all summer long. They are said to be a symbol of resilience because of their ability to withstand the summertime heat. They are also said to evoke creativity. I might concur with that one. Here are some of my favorite photos.
Propogate Your Plants & Grow Seeds
First, I will never get over how plants instinctively reach for the light. Second, I truly believe that my ability to keep a plant alive mirrors how present I am in my daily life. When my plants begin to wilt, it is not just about water or light, it is a sign that I am lost at sea. I need to slow down, get quiet, and look around.
Most of my plants have come from vintage flea markets around Los Angeles – little treasures I’ve collected over time. After years of sticking to low – maintenance succulents, I’ve slowly taught myself how to care for a wider variety. I usually just snap a photo, drop it into Google, and learn everything I can.
And here’s one of my favorite discoveries: In many cases, if you clip a piece of your plant (look up the best spot for your specific variety), place it in water, and give it time… something magical happens.
Tiny roots begin to grow - searching for the earth. And when you finally move that little start into its own pot with fresh dirt and a little care – it begins to thrive. It is free and it is delightful. I look forward to waking up each morning and seeing these babies grow in the light of the morning sun.
The Buck Moon 🌙 July 10th
In late winter or early spring, the deer mating season is over. The base of the buck’s antlers begins to weaken. They become soft and eventually fall off. By July, new ones have emerged. By now, they have grown back to their full velvety glory. This velvet covering protects and nourishes them until late summer when the buck rubs it off to reveal the bone beneath.
The Buck Moon symbolizes a time when things come to fruition. It is a time of strength, renewal, and personal growth. It is a time to slow down, renew, and bask in the light of the sun.
✨ The Buck Moon Meditation:
Create a little space: Light a candle or incense, sip some tea.
Take some slow breaths: Let yourself be in the moment.
Reflect: Think of all the things you love about summer.
Write it down: I call it a braindump. List all the things you would love to do this summer to replenish. Things that fill you up. Ways to slow down.
Circle the top 5 favorites on your list: How can you incorporate these things into your weekly schedule? Remember that we are creatures of habit. If I don’t plan for it, I go on autopilot.
Okay, this is so extra, but I kind of love it: Moon Water Magic
I’ve started doing this every month. Leave a bowl or jar of water out overnight to soak up the moonlight. The next day, use it to water your indoor plants and infuse your space with a little lunar energy. I keep a mason jar of moon water by the plants at my art desk. It just feels a little bit magical. 😊.
🌿Creative Prompt Ideas for July:
Propogate a Plant: I promise this will delight you. Pick a plant you have, snap a photo, and drop it in Google Images. Then search for how to propagate it. I find putting mine in water works much better than soil because it is so dry here. I collect jars from food products and cool glass vases at flea markets to decorate my windowsills. I warn you, it is addictive.
Forage Found Nature: Collect shells, leaves, twigs, or whatever falls on your summer forest floor. Make a little summer nature altar. Mine evolves with the seasons. I even place little odds and ends around my glass jars.
Visit the Botanical Garden: Take time to visit your local botanical garden. Did you know they usually always offer a free day a month to the public? Check their website because tickets are released at a special time and you have grab them. Or you can be fancy and ask for a yearly membership as a gift (my MO). Bring your sketchbook and sketch to the sound of birdsong.
The Buck Moon Meditation: Maybe you think meditations are too woo-woo? Or maybe you can’t sit still to save your life? I’ve been there. But you know what, I was wrong. Sitting in silence with yourself is a gift you need to learn to give. And I’m still not good at sitting still, but the better I get at it, the more I see. We all have to begin somewhere.
Until Next Time✨,
Kim
Summer is my favorite time of year, too. I live in Florida so it's crazy hot, but I absolutely love how long the days are and how much light we get - that makes my heart happy. There is freedom from schedule and routine, long lazy weekends, and precious time with family.
I've been wanting to try propagating some of the plants in my garden, but it seems a little intimidating. Maybe I'll give it a try - thanks for the push!