Lily of the Valley is considered a “masculine” plant, dedicated to Mercury and associated with the element of Air. If you dream of Lily of the Valley, it can be indicative of a desire to flee the constraints of day-to-day life or re-discover the simple joys of nature.
Lily of the Valley, the flower of May much as emerald is the birthstone of May, since Maia, the daughter of Atlas, was the mother of Mercury. The flower is known by many names: May Lily, Our Lady’s Tears, and Jacob’s Ladder among them. (Daffodil, known as “lent lily,” and the well-known Easter Lily make this May Lily part of a springtime lily sequence.) Associated with the planet Mercury for astrological purposes and the healing gods Apollo and Aesculapius, the Lily of the Valley is a potent plant for magical medicinal purposes and for increasing mental abilities. It can therefore be considered related to the suit of Swords in the tarot deck.
However, all parts of the plant are highly poisonous, including the red berries which may be attractive to children. If ingested—even in small amounts—the plant can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and a reduced heart rate.
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST ABOUT THE FOLKLORE & OCCULT QUALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY, CLICK HERE TO SEE MY FANTASY NOVELS IN WHICH ALL THE MAGIC AND SUPERNATURAL EVENTS ARE BASED ON AUTHENTIC MEDIEVAL-RENAISSANCE OCCULT BELIEFS AND PRACTICES.
Hi, Stephen,
May I post your lily of the valley picture on Facebook, with proper attribution, of course? There’s a flower meme going on and I thought your lily of the valley pictures were especially lovely. I won’t post without your permission, however. Thanks.
Nora: Thank you for asking — post away! Appreciate the attribution!
I too would like to post your Lily if the Valley picture on Facebook!
The request was sent from a dear friend of mine that spans 50 years!
Susan: Glad you like the photo I found!
Hi, I would also like to post your lovely pic of the Lily of the Valley – Merci, Michael
Feel free!
This is my favorite flower along with Lilacs. I can smell the colors and it’s then that I am keenly aware of all the love I am surrounded by…my Mum and My Grandmother. I just lost my Mom…when i lost my grandmother a couple of years ago…my Mum planted me lilac bushes in my yard. They now create a natural privacy fence….one of springs first births and the blossoms are springs first death. In my beloved garden of my 2 female heroes…I know life is never gone…never lost….in the spring they return. The promise of the lilacs…
James: the sight and fragrance of flowers can be powerful memory stimulants. I’m happy that the flowers in your garden serve as such memorials for your mother and grandmother.
Stephen