In centuries past when a woman dreamed of love and finding her man often she would resort to using herbs and spells to help her. Since Valentine's Day is almost upon us I thought it would be fun to go back to those days.

In ancient pagan days February 14th started a whole month of celebration in honor of the Goddess of Love and Marriage. Goddess Juno was celebrated in Rome while the ancient Greeks bestowed their blessings onto Goddess Aphrodite, to bring passion and harmony to courting couples and good luck to any singles who are searching for their ideal soul/lovemate.

The Victorian era saw herbs used in very symbolic ways. Soon bouquet's of flowers and herbs were exchanged. Each flower and herb expressed a special meaning. One could give a bouquet to someone and without saying a word express their feelings. You might find rosemary sprigs meaning "remembrance and fidelity" or lavender meaning "loyalty" all in a bouquet of flowers. Some examples of what may have been used in these bouquets, called tussy-mussies were:

Red rose "love, desire, I love you"
White rose "regard, I am worthy of you"
Lavender "loyalty"
Lemon verbena "You have bewitched me."

Many herbs are associated with love. Some are:
Gardenia which is used for attracting a new love. Juniper for attracting love. Wearing Lavender is for love. Using Rosemary was for contentment in a relationship and last of all the Rose. Rose is best used for love wishes and true lasting love.

Imagine your a young lady and you are in love. You may have made a love potion like this. 3 cups spring water, 3 tablespoons salt, 3 rose petals (or 3 teaspoons rose water), 1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. You simmer this for a couple of minutes. Light a candle and project your thoughts for love. When the potion has cooled, tightly cap it in a bottle. Then wear it.

Always remember that the most important things for love do not come in herbs or potions, it comes in the form of a hug, a smile and a kind word ... but most of all, what is in the heart. Happy Valentine's Day!!

"Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for its duration."
D. H. Lawrence

"By all those token flowers, that tell
What words can never speak so well."
Byron