The Magickal Language of Flowers

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose

“There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.”
–The Language of Flowers, London, 1875

Flowers are so much a part of our everyday life that they are often featured at events or holidays. Flowers are given to those we love. They are used in everything connected with love, including bouquets on Valentine’s Day, wedding ceremonies, bridal bouquets, and flowers in the bride’s hair. Did you know that these flowers also hold meaning? This is how the tradition of delivering bouquets began. Although it was very popular to use flower meanings as messages in the Victorian era, this old tradition of flowers having attributes is ancient – stretching back thousands of years. This old custom is now coming back, with new books being written on the subject.

Although flowers have always held symbolic and religious meanings, a flower language called “floriography” evolved, and was especially used by ‘lovers.’ Medieval magickal beliefs surrounding herbs and flowers evolved as they were planted in gardens for those purposes, and later took on similar qualities with their meanings. These were often derived from the appearance or behavior of the plant. Their colors have meaning as well, and even the same flower (such as the rose) can hold different meanings based on it’s color, including a particular shade. These meanings can also correspond to magickal purposes. Flowers have the ability to fascinate, which is an old word meaning “to transfix and hold spellbound by an irresistible power”, so you can see why they lend themselves well to working magick. Flowers are indeed, bewitching to the senses.

The language of flowers officially began with the publication of flower dictionaries in the Victorian era. Flower meanings, symbols, and gestures were used to communicate feelings. It became a part of everyday life, and its use was important to being well dressed – becoming a part of the wearer’s personal style. A suitor could impress his lady by his choice of flowers, size, how they were combined, or the gesture that was included with the floral gift. Many a secret message was sent in a ‘Talking Bouquet’. A Tussie-Mussie or Nose Gay, which was popular at the time, was a small bouquet wrapped in lace and tied with satin, to say what was dared not to be spoken. An answer of a single flower could be ‘spoken’ by offering it with the right hand, and the left for no.

Are you tongue tied, or artless with poetry or song? Never fear, as you can give flowers to your significant other. Be sure to include a card to explain their meaning. You can also send them a magickal bouquet as a reaffirmation of your love – be sure to write words of devotion for each flower and to bind them with those words repeated, tie with an appropriate color ribbon.

The following are some common flowers and their meanings:

Flower	Purpose	Details
Angelica	Inspiration	Drives away evil. Luck, health, family matters.
Arborvitae	Unchanging friendship	Longevity, known as the Tree of Life
Bachelor’s button	Single blessedness, celibacy	Attracts love, especially when worn over the heart
Black-eyed Susan	Justice, legal	Strengthens magick, spellwork
Carnation	Alas for my poor heart	Protection, strength, vitality, emotional healing
Chamomile	Patience	Attracts love, money, purification, hex breaking
Chrysanthemum	Cheerfulness	Protection, strength
Clover, white	Think of me, memory	Faithfulness, fertility, love, success, protection
Crocus, spring	Youthful gladness	Love, prophetic dreams, visions
Daffodil	Regard	Fertility, love, luck
Daisy	Innocence, hope	Baby blessing, love, luck, lust
Edelweiss	Courage, devotion	Longevity, internal strength, invisibility
Fern	Sincerity	Eternal youth, concentration, mental clarity
Forget-me-not	Forget-me-not	To keep a lover close to your heart
Geranium, oak	True friendship	Fertility, health, love, protection, hex-breaking
Goldenrod	Encouragement	Divination, finding lost objects/people, prosperity
Heliotrope	Eternal love	Abundance, happiness, healing, luck, sun magick
Holly	Hope	Beauty, consecration, dream magick, love
Hollyhock	Ambition	Money, power, strength, success
Honeysuckle	Bonds of love	Psychic powers, honesty, fertility, fortune
Hyacinth	Constancy of love	Peace, fertility, abundance, love, luck, protection
Hyssop	Sacrifice	Banishing, hex-breaking, purification, opening
Iris	A message	Attraction, beauty, courage, faith, reincarnation
Jasmine, white	Sweet love	Aphrodisiac, sexuality, spiritual love, confidence
Lady’s-mantle	Comforting	Healing, compassion, newly wed, beauty
Lavender	Devotion, virtue	Devotion, clairvoyance, love, virtue, wishes, peace
Lilac	Joy of youth	Harmony, wisdom, spiritual aid, psychic powers
Lily-of-the-valley	Sweetness	Calming, happiness, peace, love, marriage
Morning glory	Affection	Peace, protection, travel, beauty, banishing
Myrtle	Marriage, true love	Love, consecration, abundance
Pansy	Thoughts	Dreams, love, plans, divination, air magick
Poppy, red	Consolation	Sleep, love, luck, fertility, prosperity, sleep
Rose, red	Love, desire	Love, feminine magick, friendships, fertility (all colors)
Rose, pink	Less affection than red
Rose, yellow	Friendships
Rose, white	Virtue, chastity
Sweet pea	Pleasures	Courage, love, loyalty, friendship, strength
Tulip, red	Declaration of love	Abundance, fertility, protection, love, luck
Valerian	Readiness	Quarrel mending, harmony, peace, purification
Violet	Loyalty, devotion, faithful	Compassion, inspiration, joy, reconciliation, wishes
Yarrow	Everlasting love	Spells for contacting or seeking a specific person
Zinnia	Thoughts of absent friends	Love, lust, strength