Secrets of The Flowers
Flowers have a traditional lore of their own. Unlike Herbs, Flowers are said to have Qualities and Personalities that range from demure to vain and showy. It is still possible to see faeries, if you sit perfectly still in your garden of forest while they are in bloom. To learn the secrects of Flowers you must know them individually. Once you get to know the Flower you may begin to use it in Magickal Work.
Flowers and Elements
There are four basic methods of using Flowers for Magickal Work, corresponding to the four elements; Earth, Air, Fire, Water.
Earth
Plant a seed in a little pot, charging it with the purpose you wish to accomplish. As the plant grows, so will your wish.
Air
Keep the flower by an open window near your bed; as you fall asleep, ask the spirit of the flower to guide your dreams to answer questions or advise you.
Fire
Burn the essence of the flower, or leave a candle burning by the flower till it blossoms; your request may be burned with the candle or flower.
Water
Let the flower pedals seep in a glass of spring water under the full moon for one night. Drink the water the next night to imbibe the spirit of the flower.
Flowers and Magick
Water Lily
This flowers' botanical name, nymphaea, comes from the Greek word meaning "Virgin". It represents a thing of aloof grace and beauty.
Magical Uses: Water lilies have sedative powers over the heart. When you feel that life is too much to bare, let the spirit of the water lily sooth your troubles. This is especially true if your pain is caused by love problems.
Daisy
The Daisy is old in mankind's history. In Christian Legend daisies represent the tears of Mary. In ancient Greece they were dedicated to Aphrodite, goddess of love. The name daisy comes from the word's "days eye" because the flower opens in the daytime and close at night.
Magical Uses: Everyone knows the common daisy love oracle, "he loves me, he loves me not". Also, the power of the daisy is in thier very commonness. Use the daisy when stress has covered up your capacity to enjoy simple pleasures. They bring the spirit of playfulness back into your life.
Lavender
The botanical name of this plant, lavandula, comes from the latin word meaning "to wash". Since ancient times this flower has been used to scent clothes and bath water. In ancient Rome, lavender was sacred to the goddess Vesta, and her virgin priestesses wore it in thier hair.
Magickal Uses: From the virginal tradition came the custom of scenting bride's beds and clothes with lavender, and it is said that the flowers can soothe the fears of the wedding night. It is also said that the flower is one that witches throw in the fire on Midsummer night as an offering to thier gods. Lavender is used to work magick against unresolved guilt.
White Lily
This flower has come to symbolize purity, athough in ancient Greece it was dedicated to Hera, Queen of the gods, and was said to have originated from drops of the milk from her breast.
Magickal Uses: Keep lilies around you when you feel the need to elevate yourself from the worries of daily life. Use it to purify love when too much petty jealousy or misunderstanding is keeping you from seeing the good qualities of the person you love. Also use it when you want to open your heart to new values and meanings. This plant will enable you to see all good and evil from a core of spiritual love and understanding. In addition a whit lily may represent the soul of an un-born child. Plant one when you learn you are expecting.
Cornflower
This plant grows in the summer cornfield and represents love in abundance. It will give you a sense of fertility, prosperity and joy of the earth's bounty.
Magickal Uses: Use cornflower in matters of fertility, not only of the body but of the mind and spirit as well. Also when you feel like a "spiritual beggar," when the daily grind makes you feel as though riches of life will be forever beyond you, cornflower will help you fill your soul with plenty.
