Myrtle
Keywords
Fertility, Healing, Love, Luck, Money, Peace, Youth
Historical
Background and Folklore
In Medieval Europe myrtle was revered for its healing properties.
It is connected with love and lovers because it has been associated
with Venus, the goddess of love. Venus is frequently depicted wearing
a sprig of myrtle. In some legends, she is said to have risen from
the sea wearing a crown of myrtle leaves. Myrtle trees were planted
in the grounds around her temples and she was sometimes known as
Myrtilla.
In some versions of the Greek story of Daphne and Apollo, it is
a myrtle tree rather than a laurel into which Daphne transforms,
which may be the basis for the belief that it protects against enchantments.
The name “myrtle” comes from the Greek word meaning
“perfume”. The common myrtle was cultivated by the Romans
and its leaves used as a spice. |
In Victorian England, myrtle flowers were included with the bride’s
bouquet for good luck and fidelity in the marriage.
Associations
Element: water
Energy: feminine
Goddesses: Aphrodite, Artemis, Ashtoreth, Astarte, Hathor, Venus
Other Being/Character: archangel Mareael |
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Zodiac:
Taurus
Colors: light green, pink, lavender
Celestial Body: Moon, Venus
Other Association: attract prosperity; marriage; sabbats: Ostara/Spring
Equinox, Litha/Summer Solstice; Celtic bramble tree (bog-myrtle)
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