The Magic of Flowers: A Guide to Their Metaphysical Uses & Properties - Tess Whitehurst 2013

Orchid
The Flowers

As perhaps the most extensive of all flower species, when it comes to the magical properties of this elegant, queenlike bloom, there are many variations on the theme. But regardless of the variety, we can say that orchid’s exotic beauty, otherworldly presence, and unique botanical characteristics put her in a class by herself. As a matter of fact, as I typed that last sentence, I heard her say in my mind, “Rose, Shmose.” (She is not known for her humility.)

In this entry you will find some general guidelines, but to learn the properties of a specific variety, simply tune in to her energy and allow her to speak for herself.

Magical Uses

Beauty and Elegance

It is obvious that orchid’s elegant, refined, pristine beauty is far from ordinary. And she can help us to possess extraordinary beauty as well. To receive this benefit, you might place a living orchid in your bedroom or dressing area. Or you might create a simple beauty potion by placing a few drops of the essence in bubbly water, champagne, or rose petal tea.

Expressing Uniqueness

One only needs to look at the lives of the world’s great artists, inventors, and entrepreneurs to see that, if we channel them correctly and express them in constructive ways, precisely the things that may make us feel weird or odd are the things that have the potential to bring us the greatest success and respect. Not to mention, expressing one’s uniqueness is one of the great joys of life. We only need to consciously step beyond our fear of failure and ridicule by expressing the gold that is at the heart of our uniqueness. And orchid can help us do just that.

For this purpose, bring living orchids (or paintings or photos of orchids) into your home or workspace, take two to three drops orchid essence under your tongue in the morning daily as needed, put ten to twenty drops orchid essence in your bath water, or mist your space or yourself with rose water into which you’ve added ten drops ylang ylang essential oil, five drops vanilla essential oil, and five drops orchid essence.

Goddess Energy and Queenliness

Orchid can help us possess the confidence and regal attitude that will allow us to claim our throne and reign supreme. This can be especially helpful for times when we’re working on our self-esteem and decisiveness, or when we seem to feel as if anyone or anything holds authority over us. It can also help if we are getting our sea legs with a position of authority or if we are entering into any situation where personal authority and queenliness will give us an advantage. For this purpose, try any of the previous suggestions.

Ecstasy and Sexual Pleasure

As in the book The Orchid Thief and the film Adaptation, some kinds of orchids have been employed to reach ecstatic states (though I am not suggesting that you try this at home). Similarly, orchids in general are vibrationally and visually evocative of eroticism and ecstatic spiritual states. For example, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the paphiopedilum orchid is named after Paphos, where, according to author Diana Wells, “Aphrodite was worshipped and prostitutes were available.”

To employ orchid’s ecstatic and aphrodisiacal properties, try bringing live orchids into your bedroom or meditation area, taking two to three drops of the essence under the tongue or in wine or champagne, putting ten to twenty drops of the essence in your bath water, or misting yourself with a mist potion of rose water into which you’ve added ten drops ylang ylang essential oil, five drops vanilla essential oil, and five drops orchid essence.

Fertility

In addition to resembling the female genital, orchid’s name is derived from the Greek word for testicle, and in China she is a symbol of abundant offspring. Additionally, as author Diana Wells puts it, “Orchids go to extremes to propagate themselves.”

To magically assist with conception, take the essence once per day or bring live or cut orchids into your space.

Harmony

In Feng Shui Symbols, authors Christine Bradler and Joachim Sheiner suggest employing orchids to assist with marital harmony and to transmute harsh energy into harmony after an argument or discord of any kind. They also note the I Ching’s statement that “two people living in harmony diminish harshness, because words spoken in harmony carry the fragrance of orchids.” For this purpose, bring the potted orchids into your space, give a potted orchid or bouquet of orchids as a gift, or mist the space and people involved with the orchid mist potion suggested above.

Similarly, potted and cut orchids in the home can assist with a general feeling of household harmony and domestic bliss.

Romantic Love

Because orchids possess that otherworldly, transcendent vibration that is reminiscent of falling in love, orchids can help draw a new love or infuse an established relationship with feelings of excitement and newness. For this purpose, you might place two orchids side by side in a special place in your home, sit in quiet contemplation with an orchid to absorb her energy, incorporate orchid into rituals designed for the purpose, or create a love potion.

LOVE POTION

Add five drops orchid essence to a bottle of pink champagne, along with five drops vanilla extract and two petals from one homegrown or organic red rose. Share with a partner or date.

Spirituality and Intuition

Orchid has a very refined, spiritual vibration that can help one to pick up on subtleties and intuitive messages. To help enhance your spiritual and intuitive connection, take the essence or spend time with the blossoms.

Wealth and Luxury

While the lilies of the field may remind us of the many blessings that money can’t buy, orchid’s vibration reminds us that our supply comes from the Divine; that the Divine is infinite; and that, as such, there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings that money can buy. Furthermore, by replacing our limiting beliefs and attitudes about wealth and luxury, and by infusing us with her resplendent, affluent vibe, she can help align us with our most ideal and luxurious life flow.

Magical Correspondences

Elements: Water, Air

Gender: Female

Planets: Venus, Neptune