Spirit of Thelymitra & Guardian of the Orchids
Thely = female
Mitra = hood
Facing east to greet the sun as it rises over the cliffs, 'Thelymitra' is looking out over the heathland where the sun orchids are. The yellow 'lemon-scented' or 'rabbit ears' orchid - thelymitra antennifera and the blue, tall stemmed 'Great sun orchid' - thelymitra aristata are just two of the species under the watch of this guardian.
The art piece is here to remind us to appreciate and be grateful for the beauty of the sun orchids. Thelymitra's energy of gratitude extends beyond physical form, to all things which interact with the sun orchids, so called because they only open when the sun is out. All things include all of nature and humans, as we are a part of nature, that supports the existence of these orchids.
Sun orchids appear at the end of Margaret Macdonals Flowers of Anglesea presentation or perhaps you will be lucky enough, on a sunny day, to find some near the end of the raised path on the Surfcoast walk. The sun orchid guardian the 'Spirit of Thelymitra' is there to guide you
A special mention to Angair, the group dedicated to protecting our indigenous flora and fauna, the keepers of the knowledge of sun orchids. For the second year now, we are missing the Angair wildflower show, but their efforts have brought the show to us still in online form https://angairnatureshow.org.au/
