#flower essences

[becoming-persephone]

Poppies: Their Magical Properties, Myth, and Connection to Persephone

Poppies, with their delicate petals and vibrant hues, have fascinated cultures throughout history, not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for their mythical associations and purported magical properties. From ancient mythology to modern folklore, poppies have woven themselves into the fabric of human imagination, often symbolizing both life and death, sleep and awakening.

Mythological Roots:

In Greek mythology, poppies are deeply entwined with the tale of Persephone, the daughter of the harvest goddess Demeter. According to the myth, Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, while she was picking flowers in a meadow. As the story goes, Demeter's grief over her daughter's disappearance plunged the world into a barren winter until Persephone was allowed to return for part of the year, bringing spring and renewal with her.

It's said that during her time in the underworld, Persephone ate pomegranate seeds, binding her to Hades. When she returned to the land of the living, poppies bloomed in the fields where her tears fell, marking the spot of her sorrow and resilience. Since then, poppies have been seen as symbols of both the ephemeral beauty of life and the cycle of death and rebirth.

Magical Properties:

Poppies have long been associated with magic and mystery. In various folk traditions, poppies are believed to possess potent magical properties, including the ability to induce sleep, offer protection, and even grant visions.

One of the most well-known magical properties of poppies is their association with sleep and dreams. In folklore, it's believed that carrying a poppy flower or keeping it beneath one's pillow can induce restful sleep and bring about prophetic dreams. This connection to the realm of dreams has led poppies to be associated with the subconscious and the mysteries of the mind.

Moreover, poppies have been used in various magical rituals and spells for protection and love. Some traditions hold that wearing poppies or carrying them as an amulet can ward off evil spirits and negative energies, while others believe that using poppies in love charms can attract romantic energies and strengthen bonds between lovers.

Poppies, with their rich mythological background, magical properties, and timeless symbolism, hold a unique place in human culture. From their association with the goddess Persephone to their role in folklore and modern symbolism, poppies serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of life, death, and the mysteries that lie beyond. Whether admired for their beauty, used in magical rituals, or worn as a symbol of remembrance, poppies continue to captivate and inspire people around the world.

[hearthspeaker]

[anakedpriestess]

Some flower essences today for easing the TT ban news, preparing for the inauguration, and building class consciousness. Pick the image you most gravitate towards. Meditate with the image for a few minutes. What thoughts, feelings, and emotions first come to you?

•

•

•

1. English Holly (Ilex Aquifolium)

Encourages the ability to show goodwill and love towards others, in the awareness that what enhances us enhances all. Helps to pull us out of anger and begin to develop comradery with others.

2. Black Cohosh (Actaea or Cimicifuga racemosa)

For those who are caught up in toxic and abusive systems and relationships. It gives the strength and courage to confront these threatening situations.

3. California poppies (Eschscholzia californica)

To pull people out of cult mentalities. For those who have obsession with outside sources of spirituality and helps them find spiritual experiences within. Helps to stick to inner values rather than follow a crowd.

[primordialpriestess]

🦋 the beloved butterfly pea flower 🦋

botanical name: Clitoria ternatea

chakras: crown, throat, root/womb

planetary ruler: mercury

gender: female

spiritual benefits of working with butterfly pea:

🦋 assist with transformation/transition

🦋 helps in birthing new ideas + creative expression

🦋 strengths connection to Source wisdom

🦋 boost feelings of interconnectedness

🦋 activates throat chakra for effective communication + channeling

🦋 helps one to embody their truth + authenticity

🦋 helps one tap in with their own divine feminine energy

[sevenseptember]

Reading on Pine Tree and its connection with Saturn's archetype. "For it has learned to live with this darkness, finding within it transformative impulses for a future ascent into light." (Fesflowers)

[katherinebotten]

[gardeniaherbs]

~ A Herbalist in Gardenia ~

Hello Tumblr,

Welcome to my wonderful garden of Gardenia- an online diary of my pursuits into Christian herbalism, flower essences, gardening, natural living and communion with and within the natural world.

I'm so excited to start my journey here so I thought to give an introduction. My real name is Adreena and I've lived 28 rotations around the sun as of current. I'm a self studies student of spiritual ecology, community herbalism and flower essences. I'm currently earning my "certification" as a community herbalist through The Herbal Academy until I reach the advanced level.

These days I've been slowly coming back to myself after a many years of depression, comparison, anxiety and imposter syndrome. So the most recent of hobbies I've begun to explore is writing, ballet, creating (through any media really) and allowing myself to dream big. The most engages hobby is what you see here and all that will continue to grow here.

Gardenia is my sanctuary for exploration - back to myself, to nature and the healing of embracing our inner Spirit. In relation to God and Christianity, Gardenia demonstrates a safe space for believers to explore interacting with the natural world as an extension of our relationship in faith. It's a practice I'm learning to grow so nothing with be perfect or always professional but it will be tenderly honest and expressive in its truest form. Also, though my content will reference the Christian faith, it is open to all people and opinions.

I hope you will join me and if there are any questions, please feel free to reach out :) Welcome to the garden.

[myloveeflows]

[sidewalkchemistry]

[edensking]

Building an “As You Go” Lifestyle

One of the things I learned early on in my journey into the charismatic and things involving the power of the Holy Spirit was that so much of it is meant to be done on a daily basis as we go throughout life.  I remember hearing Bill Johnsons preach once and he was explaining how a visitor came to Bethel church and asked to go out with their “mall ministry.”  Bill was confused and said something…

[vulpine111]

I ordered three different ointments from The Poisoner's Apothecary. I am excited. I chose Unguentum Venenum, Skin-Leaper's Salve, and Trickster's Secret Salve. I also got a little bottle of oleander flower essence. The ointments have ingredients like datura, wolfsbane, amanita muscaria, etc. in them. Super great for working on art! I am sure it will help me open up in my work much more. My order cost $77 but it will last me months. A little bit goes a long way.

[idadart]

[prismaticfloweressences]

✨ HOLIDAY SPECIAL! ✨

Save 25% on your spiritual journey with Prismatic Flower Essences! 🌸

Use code: prismaticny25

Enjoy 25% off everything:

• Flower Essences

• Aura Sprays

• Reiki Attunements

• Online Courses

Valid through New Year's Day 2025! 🎉

Transform your path to wellness with our rainbow of healing essences 🌈

[anakedpriestess]

I love working with plant and flower spirits. Touching a snowball bush and having images of brides wearing a fake smile, struggling to keep everyone else happy. (used for those who need relaxation and excitement amongst so much responsibility and duties)

Ingesting plumeria flower essence and reconnecting with estranged siblings. (for healing childhood and family trauma)

Meditating with wood betony leaves and having the image of a great eyeball planet shine directly into the solar system. (an herb used for calmly reaching spiritual events and for conjunctivitis)

Each one of these perfectly fit the description of their traditional use when I began studying about them in written research after working with them first. Plants communicate in such a different way than what we're used to, but they want to speak.

Communing with Spirits to Create Personal Correspondences

Buckle up witches, we're doing spirit work!

So over the last ten or so years I've been working on connecting with spirits of the land in order to create my own personal set of correspondences.

Now, I'm not going to just list my personal gnosis about the various flora and fauna of where I live because unless you also live in Gubbi Gubbi Country, it won't be of much use to you. Instead, I'm going to give you the tools to do this for yourself so you can take your witchcraft from a beginner level where you're using common correspondences written in books, to an intermediate level where you're making your own.

Let's do this thing!

So, first you need to step away from the witchcraft books, with their carefully curated lists of correspondences, and step outside. It's important to note that most of the common flora and fauna used in traditional witchcraft originates from Europe. If you live in Europe, this makes it easier for you to make your own correspondences. If you don't... well be prepared to do a bit of hard yakka yourself.

"Using what is local and connecting with one's own land is fundamental." (Horne, 2019)

Step 1: Take a Walk

I know it might seem simple but you're going to walk around your local area. Wear some sensible shoes; fill a water bottle; bring your phone and keys; a plastic bag to put rubbish in; and a small notebook with a pen/pencil. I like to put all of this in a backpack but use whatever works for you.

If this is your first time doing this, you're not going to be making any correspondences. As you walk, reach out with your magic and introduce yourself to the local spirits. It will take time for them to be open to you, so the more often you do this, the better.

Don't pick any flowers or plants on these early journeys. Just take your time and if you see any litter, pick it up. This is a great offering to local spirits and helps pave the way for your connection to the land.

You will soon begin to 'sense' local places where there are stronger / more cognisant spirits. I like to call these 'places of power' and have made a hand drawn map of my local area with little symbols showing where these spirits reside.

Step 2: Learn Your Spirits

Now, learning the 'personality' of these spirits will help you to create correspondences later on down the line. Here are some general guidelines that I've found for my local spirits. Yours may be different.

Because I live in a colonised country, many local spirits don't like colonisers and will be actively hostile towards people who are not indigenous. For example, during the 1700s and 1800s there were massacres of the local Gubbi Gubbi people on this land by colonisers. The spirits of the land remember the blood of their cousins spilt by outsiders. In the 'lifespan' of older spirits like rivers, islands and mountains, these atrocities didn't happen that long ago... so you can understand why they wouldn't like non-indigenous people.

Water Spirits

Rivers tend to have strong spirits associated with them. They are slow moving, often nourishing, revitalising and cleansing. They're also OLD, like thousands of years old. The age of the river usually dictates the wisdom of the spirit. But you also need to do research into the history of the river, what plants and animals call it home and how it's been treated by humans as this often dictates how hostile the spirit will be with you when interacting with it. Most of the time river spirits will ignore you. Don't be discouraged, but understand that you are just one of the millions of entities living on their banks. Be respectful and persistent. It takes time.

Creeks and Streams are much younger than rivers most of the time and their speed reflects this. They often have more energising, almost playful spirits but this is not always the case. For example, there is a creek in Gubbi Gubbi Country called Murdering Creek... It's called that because in 1862, approximately 25 Gubbi Gubbi men were simply fishing in canoes during bunya season only to be ambushed and massacred by the Manager of the Yandina Station, Walter Taplock Chippindall, and five other stockmen (Gibbons, 2014). The spirit of this creek understandably does not like white people and did not want to work with me. That is totally fine and I respected its wishes. Just like people, not all spirits are going to like you. That's okay.

Lakes are often more calm spirits. They nourish the land around them and are often more reflective and quiet. You often have to really listen closely to connect with the spirit of a lake. Do not expect a quick response from a lake... let them ruminate for a while and come back later.

Swamps are simultaneously teeming with both life and death; with fallen trees, rotting logs, buzzing mosquitoes and all manner of wildlife. Spirits of swamps are slow and stagnant like the water that inhabits them. Not much phases them most of the time as they are used to the quickly turning wheel of life and death that lives in or around the swamp. They don’t really care about you most of the time… almost like an indifference that tastes like death and rebirth.

Freshwater springs are usually lively spirits bursting with energy bringing forth life-giving, generous refreshment from beneath the surface of the earth. They are cool and bright with an almost ‘mineral’ taste. There aren’t really many freshwater springs where I am that don’t have bottled water companies taking the water so admittedly, my connection with these types of spirits is limited.

The Ocean… Stand in awe at the majesty of these spirits. They are both life-giving and devastating. I love the ocean and feel safe when in its waters, but I also know it doesn’t give a shit about me. It is vast, ancient and tumultuous. There is deep, deep wisdom here… be respectful and you’ll be fine.

Earth Spirits

Mountains here are often proud and headstrong. The spirits of the Mountains on Gubbi Gubbi Country often have stories associated with them. The most famous are the volcanic plugs known nowadays as the Glasshouse Mountains. They’re a family: Tibrogargan, the father, and Beerwah, the mother, had many children. One day, Tibrogargan was gazing out to sea and noticed a great rising of the waters. He ran to his children and told them to flee inland. He told his eldest son, Coonowrin, to help his mother Beerwah, who was with child. But Coonowrin fled, leaving his mother behind. Enraged, Tibrogargan pursued Coonowrin and hit him in the neck with his club, leaving it crooked and bent. When the floods had subsided the family returned to the plains. Feeling ashamed, Coonowrin begged Tibrogargan for forgiveness, but filled with shame at his son’s cowardice, Tibrogargan could do nothing but weep copious tears, which, trickling along the ground, formed a stream that flowed into the sea. Then Coonowrin went to his brothers and sisters, but they also wept at the shame of their brother’s cowardice. The lamentations of Coonowrin’s parents and of his brothers and sisters at his disgrace explain the presence of the numerous small streams of the area. Tibrogargan then called to Coonowrin, asking him why he had deserted his mother. Coonowrin replied that as Beerwah was the biggest of them all she should be able to take care of herself. He did not know that she was pregnant again, Then Tibrogargan turned his back on his son and vowed that he would never look at him again. Even today Tibrogargan gazes far out to sea and never looks around at Coonowrin, who hangs his head and cries, his tears running off to the sea. His mother Beerwah is still heavy with child, as it takes a long, long time to give birth to a mountain.

Trees here in Australia have all sorts of different spirits and personalities. For example, most paperbark trees feel revitalising, like a snake shedding its skin, they are often spirits of renewal and change. They are also protective and healing as paperbark was used to make waterproof shelters,bedding, bandages, rafts, containers and more. The leaves were also used to add flavour to cooking, and a traditional ground oven will often include layers of paperbark leaves. Tea Tree spirits are also cleansing and healing. They often live beside lakes or swamps that are traditionally called “healing lakes”. The tannins of these trees leach into the water making the water change to a tea color while infusing the water with antibacterial and medicinal qualities. Eucalyptus or Gum tree spirits are often cleansing and protective as the leaves have traditionally been used in smoking ceremonies for millenia and their wood for shields. These spirits are also closely associated with fire as the leaves and bark don't decompose and are filled with a highly flammable oil. Eucalypts are therefore destructive, protective and even regenerative as our landscape needs fire to survive with many native plants requiring heat and smoke to crack open seed pods and help them germinate in the new carbon-rich soil.

Step 3: Write your Correspondences

I’m not going to go into detail here as Bree @breelandwalker has an excellent post all about Creating Correspondences which I will direct you to look at.

So yeah ~ hope this was helpful!

~ Marci 

References

Gibbons, R, 2014, ‘Deconstructing the Myth of Murdering Creek’.

Horne, R 2019, 'Folk Witchcraft: A Guide to Lore, Land, & the Familiar Spirit for the Solitary Practitioner'

[angel-inbloom]

i love making flower essences

[sevenseptember]

Star of Bethlehem Flower essence

"To allow the radiant Star of the Self to shine through any trauma or distortion that robbed the soul or knowing its own dignity and authenticity (Kaminski and Katz, 2004)."