Garden Witchery Read online

  Florigraphy is known as the language of flowers. During the Victorian era, people often utilized flowers to declare their feelings. A romantic and “secret” way to communicate with members of the opposite sex, this custom developed into a language of flowers. This floral language was based on the traditions of older mythology and folklore.

  There are many different modern versions of florigraphy to choose from. However, I wanted something with a little history. While researching this subject I came across several lists, all of which had been published in the late 1800s. By far, my most interesting find was an antique, massive “floral vocabulary” that was noted in the back of a modern-day gardening book, published about ten years ago. The modern author credited his source as belonging to a Miss Mary M. Griffin, from her book Drops from Flora’s Cup. My curiosity was piqued.

  The full title of the book is Drops from Flora’s Cup, or the Poetry of Flowers. Published in Boston by G. W. Cottrell and Company, in the year 1845, Miss Griffin’s book is considered rare by both the author who perpetuated her work and the main branch of the St. Louis Public Library. As of the spring of 2001, there were no copies of it available within Missouri’s library systems. They could confirm that the book did indeed exist and that at one time the library did have a copy of it. Unfortunately, that might have been as long as over one hundred years ago.

  This sent me on a quest for other antique “language of the flowers” lists. But where to find them? I contacted the Missouri Botanical Garden’s library and hit paydirt. The gracious ladies who work there informed me that they had at least thirteen books on the subject, many dating from Victorian times. The books were not available to check out, however they did have a copy machine. Was I interested? I assured them that I was. As soon as our work schedules permitted, my husband and I coordinated our days off and drove into the city to see what we could find.

  We spent some interesting hours at the botanical library. You’d be amazed at what you discover when you look hard enough. There is older information on folklore and magick. Contrary to what you may have been told, you can uncover interesting magickal folklore that was published before the 1980s. Yes, sometimes it is over-romanticized or prejudiced, but it is there. I feel that a good-natured warning is appropriate here. When searching through antique books, you need to keep your sense of humor handy. You will need it.

  During the time period of the mid to late 1800s, the Druids, it seems, were looked upon as noble, romantic figures, while witches were considered thoroughly evil. (No big surprise there.) When I found an entire chapter dedicated to plants used by witches in their “cruel sorcery,” not to mention their “nefarious trade,” I grumbled and hissed.

  Nefarious trade? Oh, please . . . My husband just grinned at me, quietly made a rude remark, and made me laugh. Still, we kept researching. I took many notes and found some interesting information on faeries, weather lore, and floral love charms.

  Many of the flower folklore books at the botanical library were indeed over 120 years old and fragile. Filled with the fanciful style of poetry that was popular at the time and some beautiful color plates of botanical drawings, what I would have given for a color copier! A few of the books that had floral languages matched up word for word with Mary Griffin’s. It is interesting to note that these books had been published approximately twenty to forty years later than Griffin’s.

  I believe that Miss Griffin’s work deserves to see the light of day once again. Her original floral vocabulary is immense, and many of the plants are difficult to find. Listed below are some highlights of the more familiar plants. From Mary M. Griffin’s Drops from Flora’s Cup, in the language of the period (1845).

  Miss Mary's Floral Vocabulary

  Allysum: Worth beyond beauty

  Angelica: Inspiration

  Aster: Beauty in retirement

  Bachelor's Button: Hope in misery

  Betony (Lamb's Ear): Surprise

  Bluebell: Constancy

  Buttercup: Ingratitude

  Chamomile: Energy in adversity

  Chrysanthemum: Cheerfulness

  Clematis: Mental beauty

  Columbine: Folly

  Coreopsis: Ever cheerful

  Daffodil: Delusive hope

  Daisy: Innocence

  Dahlia: Dignity and elegance

  Dandelion: Oracle

  Dogwood: Durability

  Elder: Compassion

  Elm: Dignity

  Fern: Symmetry

  Fennel: Strength

  Forget-Me-Not: True love

  Foxglove: I am ambitious for your sake

  Fuchsia: Confiding love

  Geranium, Rose: Preference

  Geranium, Scarlet: Consolation

  Heartsease (Pansy): Think of me

  Heliotrope: Devotion

  Honeysuckle: Bonds of love

  Ice Plant: Your looks freeze me

  Iris: A message for you

  Ivy: Friendship

  Jasmine, White: Amiability

  Jasmine, Yellow: Elegant gracefulness

  Larkspur: Fickleness

  Lavender: Acknowledgment

  Lilac: First emotion of love

  Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness

  Lily, White: Purity and modesty

  Love-in-a-mist: Perplexity

  Magnolia: Love of nature

  Marigold: Inquietude

  Mimosa: Sensitiveness

  Peony: Ostentation

  Periwinkle: Sweet remembrances

  Phlox: We are united

  Primrose, Pink: I am more onstant than thou

  Rosemary: Remembrance

  Rose: Beauty

  Sage: Domestic virtues

  Snapdragon: Presumption

  Tansy: Resistance

  Thistle: I will never forget thee

  Thyme: Activity

  Tulip: Declaration of love

  Verbana: Sensibility

  Violet, Blue: Modesty

  Violet, White: Candor

  Witch Hazel: A spell

  Yarrow: Thou alone canst cure

  Zinnia: Absence

  A kiss of the sun for pardon,

  The song of the birds for mirth,

  One is nearer God’s heart in a garden

  Than anywhere else on earth.

  Dorothy Frances Gurney

  Cottage Flower Folklore

  Old cottage gardens were thickly planted with flowers and herbs, not only for their appearance but for their magickal properties. Part of the tradition and mystique of the wisewoman was her cottage garden stuffed full of aromatic and mysterious herbs and plants. Oldfashioned, romantic, and a reminder of less-complicated times, cottage-style gardens are once again becoming popular.

  Forget the slick, modern, and formal garden. A cottage garden places the emphasis on comfort and easy maintenance. There are no hard and fast rules on plant arrangement and color combinations in cottage gardening. Do you like orange marigolds and purple petunias together? Go ahead. Plant some silvery betony (lamb’s ears) with them as a neutral blending color and enjoy. A cottage garden offers a miscellany of plants, all with different heights, colors, textures, and bloom times. Vegetables, flowers, and herbs may be grown together in a whimsical arrangement. The more the merrier!

  A cottage garden can be any size and shape. Think of an enchanted garden, complete with ivied walls and old clay pots overflowing with flowers . . . rustic privacy fences for seclusion or charming white picket fences to frame the garden . . . trellises and arbors that support climbing roses, clematis, and morning glories . . . a bird bath for the songbirds to splash about in, and . . . oops! Sorry, I got carried away. Back to cottage garden flowers.

  When choosing plants for your new co
ttage garden, or for pumping up your established garden, look for easy-to-grow varieties. Be sure to add wildflowers that are native to your area, such as California poppies for the West Coast or purple coneflowers for the Midwest.

  Roses in cottage gardens are traditional. If you’re leery of growing roses, consider English or Rugosa roses for a low-maintenance rose. Usually disease resistant, they require no spraying and are more cold hardy than fussier hybrid teas. Rugosa and some varieties of English roses may only bloom once per season; however, they are carefree and their blooms are very old-fashioned.

  The symbolism of cottage garden flowers can be a useful tool for the garden witch. Growing a magickal garden is easy if we know something of the old flower folklore. Refer to this list of blooming shrubs, garden plants, and flowers as you design spells of your own creation. You may care to coordinate these flowers with color magick for an extra boost. This fragrant vocabulary may include the following nostalgic favorites.

  “We can talk,” said the Tiger-lily,

  “when there’s anybody worth talking to.”

  Lewis Carroll,

  Through the Looking Glass (1871)

  The Language of Cottage Flowers

  Alyssum: Sweet purity

  Apple Blossom: Beauty and goodness

  Astilbe: Earthly pleasures

  Azalea, White: First love

  Balloon Flower: Faraway friends

  Begonia: Premonition

  Black-eyed Susan: Fairness

  Bleeding Heart: Brokenhearted

  Bee Balm: Irresistible

  Bridal Wreath Spriea: Victory

  Butterfly Bush: Wantonness

  Caladium: Joy

  Carnation, Pink: Encouragement

  Carnation, Red: Passion

  Carnation, White: Pure devotion

  Cinquefoil: Beloved daughter

  Cockscome: Humor

  Coneflower, Purple: Skill and resilience

  Coral Bells: Study and hard work

  Crepe Myrtle: Eloquence

  Daylily: Siren

  Dusty Miller: Respected grandmother

  Enchanter's Nightshade: Witchcraft

  Evening Primrose: Humble devotion

  Everlasting Flower: Death of hope

  Fern: Tempestuous passion

  Feverfew: Protection

  Flowering Almond: Hope

  Forsythia: Good nature

  Hollyhock: Enthusiasm and zeal

  Hosta: Devotion

  Hydrangea: Moodiness

  Impatiens: Speed

  Lamb's Ear: Support

  Lavender: Distrust

  Lemon Balm: Health

  Lupin: Overassertiveness

  Meadowsweet: Lovely bride

  Mock Orange: Virgin bride

  Morning Glory: Greet the new day

  Nigella: Kiss me

  Pansy, Purple: Happy memories

  Pinks (Dianthus): Forever lovely

  Plum (Blossoms): Fertility

  Pussy Willow: Friendship

  Queen Anne's Lace: Return home

  Quince: Temptation

  Rose: Love

  Santolina: Protection from harm

  Sedum: Peace

  Sunflower: Royalty

  Sweet Pea: Tenderness

  Sweet Woodruff: Eternal life

  Tansy: Safe pregnancy

  Tiger Lily: Erotic love

  Trumpet Flower: Fiery passion

  Verbena: Spellbound

  Vervain: Witchcraft

  Weigela (Bloom): A heart that’s true

  Yarrow: Witch’s herb

  Zinnia: Faraway friends

  I met a Lady in the Meads

  Full beautiful, a fairy’s child

  Her hair was long, her foot was light

  And her eyes were wild—

  Keats

  Flowers for the Lady: Goddesses and Associated Plants

  If you are calling on a particular goddess, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have as many things in sympathy with her as you can find. I have found that the Lady seems to appreciate the extra work and thoughtfulness of the gesture. Most modern magickal books have a candle and color correspondence chart, and the text will tell you what lunar associations the goddesses have. But what about plant, flower, and even fruit correspondences for the ladies? Those are harder to find. Never fear, I’ve got some for you.

  In keeping with our backyard magick, these everyday plants are easy to obtain. The fruit shouldn’t be any more difficult to produce (sorry, bad pun) than a trip to the grocery store. If you have trouble locating vervain, try growing annual flowering verbena—you may use those brightly colored blooms as a substitute.

  Aradia: Rue, vervain/verbena, and apple

  Artemis: Artemesia, daisy, and cypress

  Astraea: Aster, Michaelmas daisy

  Bast: Catnip

  Brighid or Bride: Dandelion, crocus, helebores, and blackberries

  Cerridwen: Vervain/verbena

  Demeter or Ceres: Red poppy, wheat

  Diana: Apple, rue, and rose

  Freya: Maidenhair fern, daisy, rose, primrose, and strawberries

  Hathor: Rose, grapes

  Hecate: Cyclamen, willow, and monkshood (aconite)

  Hera: Iris, willow, and apples

  Holda: Rose in full bloom

  Iris (Greek goddess of the rainbow): Iris (in all colors), rose

  Isis: Rose, heather, and purple iris

  Lady of Guadalupe: Red and pink roses, poinsettias

  Lilith: Lily; deep-red, thorny, garden-style roses; and the willow

  Minerva: Thistle, olive, and mulberries

  Nephthys: Lily

  Persephone: Parsley, pomegranate

  Selene: Rose, bluebell, nicotiana, and all white and night-blooming flowers

  Venus or Aphrodite: Violet, morning glory, rose, and all true blue flowers

  The more simple we are,

  the more complete we become.

  August Rodin

  Flower Fascinations: The Art of Simpling

  Fascination is defined as “to bewitch and hold spellbound by an irresistible power.” Flower fascinations are elementary flower spells and charms for various magickal uses.

  A simple is described as a medicine plant. A simple is also known as a basic element, having only one ingredient, such as a flower or an herb. The yarrow love charm in chapter 8 is one example of a simple. The art of simpling consists of working with select magickal herbs and flowers. You can sew them up into charm bags, or fashion flowers, foliage, and herbs into a small enchanted bouquet, or posy.

  Working within the legacy of the folklore of plants, you can create your own simples and flower fascinations. Try herbs for protection and prosperity, or flowers for love and healing. These flower fascinations and charms, of my own design, were inspired by my research into the 1800s flower folklore. Work these enchantments with positive intentions and they will make you smile. Basically, these are fun, fast, and—dare I say it?—simple.

  A small nosegay of lily of the valley, bleeding hearts, and violets, arranged in a tiny jar, will bestow blessings from the faeries and help cheer you up after a hard day at work. Tie the flowers up with a white satin ribbon, and breathe in the scent! (All of these flowers should be blooming at the same time in your garden, late April through early May.) My daughter calls these miniature flower arrangements “faery bouquets.”

  Faery posy of white, pink, and blue

  Help me out here, my boss is a shrew.

  Safe now at home, I’m so glad to be

  Rid me of anger and negativity.

  Walking around a blooming snapdragon three times in
a widdershins (counterclockwise) direction is thought to cure you of any bewitchment. Likewise, a few stems of snapdragons in a vase will help to protect you from manipulative intentions.

  An archaic example of a simple is to place snapdragon seeds inside of a small blue linen bag and wear the bag around your neck. This will prevent any negative energy from affecting you. Nowadays, tuck the little bag in your pocket or purse. Try this charm to go along with it.

  Snapdragon seeds in a pouch of blue,

  I request your magick, my need is true.

  Now protect me from hatred, send evil away,

  Lord and Lady, bless and guide me each day.

  Heliotrope has the folk name of “cherry pie,” and was thought to grant the power of invisibility. If you plant this herb in the garden close to the area where you perform magick, it will help you to keep a low magickal profile. Your discreet magickal actions should pass unnoticed by those curious neighbors or your in-laws. (Of course, if you are lighting a huge bonfire and the coven is dancing around the backyard skyclad on Friday nights, I don’t know how effective this will be.) Ahem. Anyway, try planting this perennial in the waning moon. As you add this herb to your gardens, intone the following:

  Heliotrope was called cherry pie,

  Help shield my magick from mundane eyes.

  By the dark of the moon and power of the sun,

  Grant me privacy and peace, an’ let it harm none.

  A decorative broom adorned with ribbons, dried yarrow, and rosemary would be a excellent gift for a wedding or a handfasting. The herb yarrow was thought to have the power to keep a couple happily together for seven years. Rosemary signifies faithfulness and remembrance.

  Place a clover in your lover’s shoe before they leave on a trip, and they will remain faithful during their absence.

  Carry the flowers of the blue bachelor's buttons’  in your pocket to draw success in love. (This is another example of a Venus flower hard at work.)

  Keeping a few acorns in your pocket is a charm for fertility, love, and attraction.

  A blooming redbud tree contains great magick. In areas of the Ozarks, it was once thought that to cut branches off a redbud while the tree was in bloom would call down extreme bad luck on yourself. Instead, try tying a ribbon on a blossoming branch as you make a wish.