| Author(s): Scenic Spring
Date: 16 April 08 C6. Visit a local nursery or plant store that stocks plants native to your area. Make a list of all the plants you find there: include scientific and common name. Write a research piece on one of the plants. Include reference to the plant’s magickal uses. Any team members that do this task cannot also do task C7. What I found at the Nursery
Common Name Scientific name Rhubarb Rheum
rhaponticum Lilac Bushes Lilacs are a great asset to mundane life as well as the magickal realm. Their characteristics and beauty bring great joy to the surroundings. The lilac is a beautiful, scented flower that soothes all who behold it. There are so many things about Lilacs I never even knew; even living in New Hampshire it astounds me. They can be viewed in a few different colors. The most common color is purple; both light and dark. There are also lilacs which are of a white and pale pink color. In spring, a lilac bush produces flowers that are 5-20 mm long and 5-10mm in diameter. The bushes themselves reach 2-10m tall. The flowers are bisexual--meaning they have a stigma and a stamen. This helps them to reproduce on there own. The grain of the lilac is fine, creamy and smooth. This makes it great for carving. Lilacs tend to be used in gardens, parks, and other landscape locations. They tend to prefer slightly alkaline soil. More flowers grow if they are un-pruned: pruning means cutting off some of the wood and flowers in an attempt to help them produce more. With lilacs, pruning works the opposite way--you will have less flowers and it will take 1-5 years to get the flowers growing again. This beautiful flower grows every year in the spring time if left alone. If for some reason you have to prune the flower, do it right after flowering season before the next years bloom when buds are grown. Lilacs have color resemblances similar to roses. Light purple lilacs resemble first love and the emotions of first love. White lilacs depict youthful innocence. In places like Greece and Cyprus lilacs are a strong symbol of Easter time.The lilac is the state flower of New Hampshire because it reflects the character of the men and women of New Hampshire. The lilac has a variety of magickal uses as well as scenic aspects. The lilac is thought to drive away evil wherever the plant is placed. The reason it was originally planted in New England was to keep evil from the properties. Lilacs can be used for several other magical reasons. You can gain happiness, clairvoyance, peace, protection, deviation, harmony, exorcism, physic awareness, and reincarnation. Some believe that Lilacs carry, and aid in, wisdom, good luck, and memory. The aroma is thought to give creativity to the receiver. Lilacs are associated with Gemini and are sacred to the twins. It is thought that lilacs can provide energy from the root. This plant, as mentioned above, is the underpinning of much intellect and spiritual growth. This flower is also sacred to androgynous and quicksilver Mercury. These rule over things like writing, air, speech, song, and reason. Due to its root, 'Gal', it is thought that it gives the gift of being gifted, talented, and giving love. The lilac is great for union, attraction, sexual enhancement, illusion, communication and intellect, imagination, concentration, and detection. The lilac is a vital asset to magickal life. It can be used in so many ways and has a wide range. It is a great herb to add to any spell having to do with love, wisdom, creativity, or even attraction. It can be wonderful in mundane life for beauty, love, and protection through magickal relevance. It is beautiful and full of magical secrets and properties. It is a must-have in any area of life magickal or mundane. Works Cited:
Miller, Joelle. <http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Herbs/l-herbs.html>. |
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