Lovely Lavender

Lavender is much beloved by insects, humans and faeries. In high summer lavender bushes are literally humming and thrumming with honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies. Yet it is despised by mosquitoes meaning that its oil and dried bunches of it can be used as a handy mosquito repellent!

Its name is said to either come from the French Lavandre which in turn comes from the Latin Lavare meaning 'to wash' or from the Latin Livere meaning 'Blueish'. Lavender is one of the mint family.

Lavender comes in a variety of colours; its purples range from silvery blues to royal purple, but it also comes in pinks and even white. Traditionally lavender is considered the Queen of Herbs and is so loved by faeries and elves that one of its old folk names is 'Elf Leaf'. Wherever lavender grows, there you will find faeries so if you are looking to work with faeries, do plant some lavender in your garden/window box. Even the scent of lavender in the form of dried flowers and organic lavender perfumes will attract them.

Known as a very deeply spiritual herb, lavender is credited with cleansing, relaxing, calming and refreshing properties. Oil from the plants has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The scent of lavender has long been said to promote sleep, deep levels of relaxation and a meditative state. Lavender is still popularly used for treating anxiety, headaches, migraine and sleep problems, and as a migraine sufferer I agree that the scent of lavender can provide much valued relief from pain. Because its scent can have such a powerful effect on our senses, lavender is said to enhance all of our six senses to new levels. Cleopatra was famously said to have used lavender in her perfumery to enchant her various lovers and many perfumes, creams, lotions and potions on the market today utilise the scent of lavender.

Lavender was one of the holy herbs used in the biblical Temple to prepare the holy essence. It is a favourite herb of Witches and Folk Magicians; in folk magic lavender has been used in spells and pouches to promote love, sleep, divination, good health, and to protect against the evil eye and evil entities. Lavender was placed in bedding or under the pillow to not only promote sleep but to attract lovers and spice things up. In days past if young ladies wanted to see or dream of their future lover they would drink a tea of lavender  on St Luke's Day (18th October), while they recited "St Luke, St Luke,
Be kind to me,
In my dreams,
let me my true love see."

With its purple flowers it is associated with the Third Eye and Crown Chakras, which ties in so well with the deeply spiritual energy of lavender, but with its link to love magic it is also a herb of the Heart Chakra.

Lavenders can be grown indoors or outdoors (depending on the species) from seed or purchased as grown plants and make a wonderful addition to faerie altars or faerie gardens as faeries flock to their wonderful, uplifting and deeply spiritual energy. Having lavender in the home or garden is also alleged to protect the home and its occupants from negative energies and entities.