In trying to find some interesting flower spells that are designed for this time of year, and most specifically for the month of August, I stumbled across a spell that makes use of zinnias. If you ask me, nothing says "late summer" more than a colorful riot of zinnias. And I feel that this little spell is just perfect the way it is. I did nothing to change it in any way and I present it to you in its original form, including its beautifully written introduction.
"August wouldn’t be August without zinnias. Their bright cheery colors contain the warmth of the August Sun and echo the region of their origin, Mexico and the American Southwest. When Cortez found them growing in Mexico, the Aztecs already held them in high esteem for their beauty. Use them in spells for strength, health, endurance, or abundance. This spell for health combines them with another late-summer flower, goldenrod. Cut a stem of a red or yellow zinnia and a goldenrod. Tie them together to dry in a dark, airy space. When dry, raise them toward the Sun and say:
Flowers bright as the Sun,
Protect me from winter’s grief
When summer’s done.
Crush them and place them in an envelope as a symbol of their protection. Keep them until next Midsummer, then burn them in a ritual fire. Repeat again when the zinnias and goldenrod bloom."
I am generally not in the habit of merely cutting and pasting other people's spells here, but there isn't much one can do to improve this little gem. This beautiful yet simple zinnia spell comes from a gentleman by the name of James Kambos, a writer for Llewellyn Books and is reproduced here in its entirety courtesy of llewellyn.com.
Photo courtesy of Park Seed on flickr.
2 comments:
My grandparents used to have a border full of Goldenrod (Solidago) many years ago. Insects love it.
It's a common (native) plant in North America, but it's actually quite hard to get hold of these days as a garden plant in England. I've tried.
The name goldenrod is presumably because there's a strong long stem, with a panicle on the end, so it looks a bit like a wand. It's also called Aaron's rod.
There's also a silver variety, called Silverrod. I've never seen it.
The name 'solidago' comes from Latin 'solidare' which mean to make whole, as in solo and solid, presumably refering to the plant's medicinal and healing uses.
My property abuts a wetland and I have goldenrod up the wazoo growing wild all along the banks. It's lovely to watch it swaying in the late summer breezes, but it also wreaks havoc with seasonal allergies. Egads does it make everyone sneeze!
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