“Consider that songs are geometrical patterns that convey emotion and vibration in a universally recognized way. In fact, a 2008 study from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences has effectively demonstrated that people are frequently able to identify the emotions in songs from cultures that they are all but completely unfamiliar with. Similarly, each flower posses what might be seen as its own unique, recognizable energetic signature, though everyone’s experience of the flower will naturally be somewhat different based on his or her emotional makeup and current life situation.” – Tess Whitehurst
Right to the point – Having Fresh Flowers can:
- Increase Creativity
- Put you in a better mood in the morning
- Help with Anxiety
- Relax
- Bring joy
- Make people more mindful of their clutter (inspire cleanliness)
- Enhance productivity
Click the image to take you to buy the book
I’m kind of harsh on a lot of things, overly judgmental for all that I preach an open mind. For my birthday last month I was given a book called The Magic of Flowers: A Guide to Their Metaphysical Uses and Properties by Tess Whitehurst. It was a lovely thought, and directly corresponded to a discussion I had previously had about the personalities of plants and said personalities and representations used in literature (for example, Shakespeare’s Hamlet). However, flower magic for some reason has always seemed..”fluffy” to me – which I will happily point out my fault in reasoning: I hold herbs in the highest of standards. I am a certified herbalist and believe in the magical properties of herbs. See how silly I am?
Any way, I have been putting the book to use, mostly in regards to essential oil recommendations. However, there is a section that has an instruction for a set up of an alter with a desired outcome. It calls for a bouquet of x amount of y flowers to be in the center.
Turns out it’s the wrong season for the flowers it directly called for, so I looked up some of the flowers with similar properties. I ended up with a list of five different flowers, but when I was at the store got three different bouquets containing five or six of three of the flowers on the list. I made my bouquet, having some of each flower left over. I arranged the remaining flowers nicely and gave them away to my mother, who was thrilled (moms dig flowers, in case you hadn’t heard). I followed through with the instructions for the alter, which is separate of my standard alter. It’s directly across the room from it in fact, hanging out on an old wood stove that hasn’t needed to be put to use yet this year.
I can’t stop staring at my new alter with flowers on it. It could be a response to what the alter represents, but I really do think ti’s the flowers. They bring an element of renewal and regeneration into my little ritual room. I’m quite sad to know that the flowers will wilt and wither, but I look forward to getting my next batch of flowers for the room. I have certainly felt their influence since they’ve entered.
In Whitehurst’s “Orientation to Flower Magic” she describes working with flowers as:
“…defined as employing a flower as a focal point for our intention or as a window into our own divine aspect in order to affect a desired positive change. While simply spending time with a flower can provide an infusion of nourishment and spiritual sustenance, flower magic can take many additional forms.”
Emotionally, simply having flowers around can enhance one’s mood. In a Harvard Study on About Flowers, they determined that people that are groggy or grumpy in the morning actually do better when there are fresh flowers around. It also showed that people feel more relaxed and the presence of fresh flowers can quell anxiety some.
“The final study results demonstrate that flowers impact people emotionally at home, causing them to feel less anxious and more compassionate. They even reported a boost of energy that lasted through their day.
‘What I find interesting is that by starting the day in a more positive mood, you are likely to transfer those happier feelings to others – it’s what is called mood contagion,” says Etcoff. “And, the kitchen is the place where families tend to gather in the morning – imagine how big a difference a better morning mood can make.'”
Other studies have been done yielding similar results from Rutgers University and Texas A&M University as well. Other studies have found that hospital patients with flowers in their rooms need less pain medications, were more positive, and had lower heart rates and blood pressure.
Regardless of their ritualistic properties, do yourself a favor and get yourself some flowers in your house. As mentioned in a previous post, looking after your physical and mental well being contributes just as much to your magickal outcomes as the intentions and rituals themselves do. You can look up some magical correspondences to help you in a specific area as you spread your flowers throughout your house, or you can go for something colorful, or something that links with the seasons.
Here are a couple quick lists just to get you started and thinking about what you might want to surround yourself with – compliments of Tess Whitehurst’s above mentioned book (which I do truly love, by the way).
Image borrowed from Selohaar, perfect example of a simple altar with flowers
Balance:
- Chamomile
- Dandelion
- Iris
- Lavender
- Rhododendron
Clarity/Focus
- Chrysanthemum
- Forget-Me-Not
- Lavender
- Morning Glory
- Oak
- Pansy
- Sage
- Sunflower
Cleansing/Detoxification/Purification
- Clover
- Daisy
- Geranium
- Holly
- Iris
- Lavender
- Lily
- Marigold
- Pansy
- Peony
- Rose
- Sage
Creativity/Imagination
Image borrowed from Fellow Blogger, Aniza Santo. Click on the image to go to this blog
- Iris
- Lupine
- Magnolia
- Petunia
- Sunflower
Depression, Healing From
- Bleeding Heart
- Lavender
- Marigold
- Poppu
- Primrose
- Valerian
Energy
- Narcissus (Daffodils)
- Oak
- Poppy
- Sunflower
Grounding
- Dandelion
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Tulip
- Ylang Ylang
Happiness
- Chamomile
- Crocus
- Dandelion
- Morning Glory
- Sunflower
Harmony
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Lily
- Morning Glory
- Orchid
Rose Smudge Sticks
Home, Happy
- Lavender
- Marigold
- Orchid
- Petunia
Strength
- Carnation
- Clover
- Echinacea
- Geranium
- Sunflower
Stress, Relief From
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Morning Glory
- Pansy
- Wisteria
This is an extremely condensed list, and I only listed flowers that I thought would be easiest to find outside or in shops. There are more flowers listed for each aspect, and far more aspects listed in the book.
Go on, go treat yourself to some flowers!
**Jane is a student in Bellingham, Washington of Academics and a self-study pupil of magickal arts. She has spent time over a span of 15 years practicing meditation and attuning to the Universe, though her Will leads her along the path of the Written Word. You can read her other blog, Scribing English or her other articles on her Hubpages account, ThompsonPen
Plight of the Magus 