Myrtus
communis
Myrtle
A tender perennial of
Mediterranean origin, the myrtle is good for love/sex magick and for
protection. It was the symbol of one of the Three Graces, and along
with the dove, sparrow, and swan, represented Aphrodite. On April 1,
the Romans celebrated Verticordia, the day of the heart-turner, Venus (Aphrodite):
Goddess of Beauty, Mother of Love, Queen of Laugher, Mistress of the
Grapes. Just as her statue was bathed and decked with new jewelry,
woman bathed themselves in myrtle-scented water (which is good for the
skin) and wore myrtle crowns. But the men were not left out--this day
was also known as Fortuna Virilis, Men's Luck. Nymphs of the
myrtle tree gave us the arts of making cheese, keeping bees, and
growing olives. Myrtle has often been associated with marriage,
probably because it was originally connected with sex; it was a
Victorian symbol of fidelity in marriage and is still thought to bring
good luck at weddings. In English folklore, a marriage will follow
shortly after a myrtle blooms. The myrtle is also protective; the nymph
Daphne turned herself into a myrtle to escape being raped by Apollo. In
Jewish mythology, Myrtle was a woman who turned into a myrtle tree
after being murdered by townspeople for being a witch; this fits with a
Greek story that the myrtle was once human and was speared to death by
barbarous villagers--this is why its leaves have tiny holes in them.
Myrtle is considered a good ritual remedy for when one is
threatened. In the past, Jews believed that eating myrtle leaves
allowed a person to detect witches, and they also thought that if
leaves crackled when they were crushed in the hand, the person's lover
would be faithful. It was said in the Middle Ages that the Moors
(Muslim Arabs who conquered Spain) used myrtle as a strewing herb on
Midsummer, and the Catholic church used it as a strewing herb at
Easter. The smoke of its wood or leaves gives a bay/rosemary
flavor to grilled food, as is done in Italy and Sardinia, but don't eat
the leaves themselves. Use them to flavor vinegar or marinade. The
berries can be used like juniper berries, and in some cultures were a
substitute for black pepper; ancient Greeks nibbled them as breath
freshener, and it was said that they made a wine that did not
intoxicate. Myrtle is hardy only in warm climates where it doesn't go
below 25F/-4C; there it will grow to 3-5 feet in 3 years and can reach
15ft/4.5 m. The sweet-scented white flowers bloom in summer and are
followed by the black edible berries. It can also be grown indoors as a
bonsai (max height indoors is 3 ft) and makes a good topiary plant, but
watch out, guys - according to English folklore, myrtle will grow only
if a woman plants it. Top
How
to grow myrtle: Soak seed for
24 hours, then sow in Jiffy-7 or put in a small amount of damp sand in
a baggie and store in the coldest part of your fridge (40F/4C) for
30-60 days. Sow, and it will germinate in 14-21 days. Or sow on Winter
Solstice (see special
directions on the Solstice Sowing page). Once they are up,
transplant to full sun or light shade and rich, moist soil. This can be
grown indoors as a bonsai in a bright east window or a few inches under
fluorescent lights for 16 hrs/day (shoplights work). Put outside in
light shade spring-fall. Inside, use a humidity tray or mist daily
besides watering. Don't let it get dried out (but watch out for
overwatering!). You can prune lightly throughout the season--this plant
makes a great topiary. General
growing info
Top
Myrtus
communis
Myrtle
25 seeds $3.50
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to the dried herb
Go to the
essential oil
Looking for bog myrtle?
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Honoring Aphrodite
Love Magick
Protection
Venus Herb
© 2004, 2018 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission