Pagan Portals by Steve Andrews

Author:Steve Andrews [Andrews, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-78535-303-1
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
Published: 2016-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

Periwinkle is also a herb of the Mother Goddess and has its place in women’s magical rituals. It is also seen as a herb of protection that can ward off evil if it is hung over a doorway. Macer’s Herbal, published in the 11th century, claimed that Periwinkle had power against ‘wykked spirits’.

Periwinkle found its place in the writings of the poets too. Wordsworth wrote: ‘Though primrose tufts in that sweet bower, The fair periwinkle trailed its wreaths.’

Rose (Rosa)

It is probably no surprise to you to learn that the Rose is included in the herbs governed by the goddess and the planet Venus. The Rose has become a symbol for matters of the heart. This beautiful flower has been associated with love and romance for a very long time and the ancient Greeks and Romans identified it with their goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus. The Rose has often been used as an ingredient in love potions and spells to attract a lover.

There are many species of Rose and hybrids and varieties that are popular in gardening. Everyone knows what a Rose looks like so there is really no need for a physical description.

The Rose has many legends about it and magical attributes that add to its status as a herb of love and a mystical flower. Early Christians believed that the five petals of the Rose represented the five wounds of Christ. Red Roses became associated with the blood of martyrs and the flower also became identified with the Virgin Mary. The Rose is an important symbol in heraldry too. It is the national flower of England. A red Rose held in the hand is a symbol for socialism. A bouquet of the flowers in this colour is used to show true love and is a traditional gift on Valentine’s Day. The Rose Cross is the symbol for the mystical Rosicrucian order.

There is the legend that the original Rose that grew in the Biblical Garden of Eden was white, but it turned red as it blushed due to the shame of Adam and Eve’s sin and fall from grace.

Roses have their uses in herbal medicine too. Rose hips are often made into jam, jelly and syrup and are an excellent source of vitamin C. Rose essential oil is used in aromatherapy for depression and anxiety. Rose petals and hips are recommended as a treatment for colds, bronchitis and gastric problems. It is important that the rough seeds in the hips are not swallowed though because they can cause irritation and have been ground up to make ‘itching powder’.

Distilled rose-water is used to flavour confectionery such as Turkish delight. Dried petals and flower-buds can be added to pot-pourri and the essential oil of Rose adds its perfume to many beauty products.

Culpeper had a lot to say in praise of the Rose and tells us:

Of the Red Roses are usually made many compositions, all serving to sundry good uses, viz. electuary of roses, conserve both moist and dry, which is usually

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