Lotus is a plant and an herb.

• botanical information
• history
• part used
• astrological correspondences
• magick correspondences and uses
• magick incense
• Goddesses and deities
• Chinese herbology

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Nymphaea officinale

    Common name: lotus

    Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.

    There are no true essential oils for lotus, but there are lotus bouquets. You can use lotus bouquet in the same manner as a true essential oil in any recipes or formulas that call for lotus oil.

history:

    History: Lotus was commonly grown in ancient Egyptian temple gardens.

    Lotus represented Upper Egypt.

part used:

Part Used: Seeds, flower petals, flower stamens, pods, and leaves. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

    See also Chinese herbalism below for Chinese gender and Chinese flavor.

astrological correspondences:

    Astrological planet: Moon

   

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Incense: Lotus incense or bouquet is appropriate for burning in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell.

    Lunar spells: Lotus (as a bouquet) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to lunar matters (compassion, dreams, family, fertility, gardening, healing, love, peace, promoting sleep, prophecy, prophetic (or psychic) dreams), psychic awareness, sleep, and spirituality). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on the Moon for a list of herbal substitutes for lotus.

    Using essential oils: There is no true essential oil for lotus, but there are lotus bouquets. You can use lotus bouquet in the same manner as a true essential oil in any recipes or formulas that call for lotus oil. Essential oils are just too concentrated and too expensve to use without dilution. If you purchase pure essential oil from a source such as Mountain Rose, you will want to place just a drop or two into a neutral carrier vegetable oil or jojoba. This conservation is typical of the use of essential oils in spells and other magick. It is wise to test a bit of any essential oil on your inner wrist before use. If any irritation occurs, do not use the essential oil. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and away from heat and light. See the article on essential oils for detailed information on how to mix and use essential oils.

    Love spells: Lotus flowers are appropriate for use in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell.

    Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.

Magical Uses Protection, Lock-Opening information courtesy of

deities associated with lotus:

• Nebt Het [Nephthys] (Kemetic [ancient Egyptian] Goddess)

Chinese herbalism:

    Chinese gender: (for lotus root) yin (cool)

    Chinese flavor: (for lotus root) slightly sweet

Some herbs may be poisonious under some conditions. Exercise appropriate care.

    Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Some plants can be toxic just by touch. Even experts can make deadly misidentifications of wild plants. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).

   

See also: lotus root and herbs.

next herb