Marigold, the “birth flower” of October

 

Marigold blossoms can be strung between doorposts to keep evil out of the house. If a girl steps onmarigold petals with her bare feet, she will be able to understand the languages of birds.

Marigold blossoms can be strung between doorposts to keep evil out of the house. If a girl steps onmarigold petals with her bare feet, she will be able to understand the languages of birds.

The flower symbolism associated with marigolds is indicated in the name: Mary’s Gold. Marigold flowers were “golden gifts” offered to the Virgin by the poor who could not afford to give actual gold. Marigolds were used in Mary Gardens. Marigolds are symbolic of passion and creativity. Marigolds are also known as the “Herb of the Sun.” Marigolds have been used as love charms and incorporated into wedding garlands. In some cultures, marigold flowers have been added to pillows to encourage prophetic or psychic dreams.

The flower symbolism associated with marigold is grief, despair and sorrow. Marigold blossoms in wine are said to ease indigestion and the petals are used in ointments to cure skin irritations, jaundice, sore eyes and toothaches.

Like the sunflower, the marigold blossom follows the sun; as a result, it has earned the nickname “Sun’s Bride.”

In Germany, the flower was often called ‘monk’s head’ because when stripped of its petals, the remains look like a monk’s tonsure.

It is believed that when Shakespeare wrote about “merrybuds,” he was referring to the blossoms of marigold.

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Aster and Morning Glory: September’s Blossoms

Aster, one of the "birth flowers" of September, is also called Michaelmas Daisy.

Aster, one of the “birth flowers” of September, is also called Michaelmas Daisy.

September’s birth flowers are the aster and the morning glory. Asters, also called a “michaelmas daisy” for the Michaelmas holiday on September 29, are a feminine flower associated with the element of water and the goddess Aphrodite. They are used in sachets to attract love. You can also give blooming asters to someone whose love you wish to attract.

Morning glory, however, while also associated with water is a masculine flower and attractive to Saturn. Its seeds can be placed beneath pillows to stop nightmares and a garden that contains morning glory is a source of peace and happiness. Morning glory root can also be used in a sachet to attract wealth (anoint it with mint oil first). The roots can also be steeped in oil and the oil used to anoint items to be used in magical practice.

Gladiolus

 

Gladiolus_illyricus

The long, lovely gladiolus is the birthday flower for August. A member of the iris family, “glads” are also called sword lilies because of their sharply pointed leaves and tall stalks of flowers with pointed tips. The Latin name for Gladiolus is gladius, a clear reference to the sword-swinging gladiators of ancient Rome.

There are 255 species of gladiolus and the plants range in size from two to five feet tall with elegant trumpet-shaped blossoms that grow in a double row along the stem. You can find hybrid varieties with ruffled, wavy or frilled petals and the flowers can be found in every color.

Gladiolus is native to tropical Africa and areas around the Mediterranean and Middle East. It is believed that gladiolus plants were first brought to Europe in the early 18th century. Around the 1820s, gardeners began to seriously cultivate gladiolus and create hybrid varieties that became very popular in gardens and as cut flowers.

In floral history, gladiolus flowers have several different meanings. Because of their association with gladiators, they traditionally symbolize strength, sincerity and moral integrity. Gladiolus flowers also represent remembrance. And even though their sword-shaped leaves hark back to ancient swords and battles, Victorian romantics determined that gladiolus flowers were capable of piercing someone’s heart with their beauty, adding infatuation to the list of traditional floral meanings.