Those thorns protect the fruit of this flower, which is the most versatile of all blossoms in the world. His Goddess mother simply transferred the thorny stings to the plant’s stem. Similarly, the rose bore no color until a drop of Aphrodite’s blood touched it, and it had no thorns until a young Cupid was stung by a bee while admiring the flower. Lavender & RoseĬhristian legend says that lavender flowers had no aroma until Mary dried Jesus’ clothing on a lavender plant (representing comfort and service). Witches use geranium for happiness and prosperity, while lilies protect the bearer from ghosts and also symbolize pure intent. Geraniums, for example, sprang from the sweat of Muhammad, and lilies grew from Eve’s tears when she was expelled from Eden. Geranium & Lilyĭespite their somewhat human failings, the Gods and Goddesses also seemed to give attributes to various flowers and plants, even unintentionally. The violet remains a sacred flower to Cupid, and witches still use Violet in a variety of love spells and love potions. ![]() This was one way Cupid could restore the women’s’ beauty. Or, it was a way to protect them from unwanted Godly attention! Violets are a good illustration being created by Cupid from a group of young maidens whom Venus beat during a jealous rage. It seems many mortals were doomed to be turned into plants due to Divine wrath, as a way of compensating for some divine wrong-doing. It is, after all, a little difficult to get romantic with a leafy herb! Violet Persephone, being a jealous sort, turned the maiden into the mint plant. Mint, for example, received its name from a maiden, Minthe, who was being pursued by Pluto. Some flowers and plants got their names from various Gods and Goddesses who were known to meddle in human affairs. Modernly we continue to use fresh or dried flowers as part of our rituals. In these settings, the flowers were not only visually appealing, but they also filled the air with rich aromas like living incense rising to the heavens. Minerva received olive branches, Mars was given ash spears or poles, Bacchanalia included ivy and grapes (of course), and statues of Ceres might be adorned with poppies during her feast days. For Apollo, bay leaves and heliotrope were predominant. At various celebrations, flower petals and other plant parts littered the temples and parade routes. Offerings weren’t the only reason that flowers and plants were gathered to honor Divine beings. ![]() Roses were also sacred to these two love Goddesses, some myths saying that roses actually sprouted from Venus’s bathwater! To this day roses are associated with the language of romance, and very suitable components for charms. ![]() Venus’s alternative name in some parts of Rome was Myrtilla for this reason. Aphrodite (Greece) and Venus (Rome), for example, received myrtle as an offering. Myths and lore are likely responsible for many flowers and trees having long-lasting associations with Gods and Goddesses of many cultures, and why many Deities received offerings from nature. There were also Divine Beings who cared for the natural kingdom, and still others appeared like parts of nature at whim! And you wondered why that Petunia winked at you! Flowers as Offerings or Part of Celebrations ![]() Some of these Divine beings shared their names and were otherwise connected with various sacred flowers and plants. In looking at the world’s natural history, and how that history affects humans, it’s impossible not to stumble across many interesting stories of Gods, Goddesses, and other important historical or mythical figures. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up … discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” “We do not have to become heroes overnight.
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