Convallaria majalisLily of the Valley
This European native plant was first cultivated in 1420 and is belovedby the Fae and humans alike. It is sometimes called Fairy Cups, becausethe flowers look like cups the fairies have hung up while dancing. Theflowers are said to ring when fairies sing and to form ladders fairiesuse to reach reeds from which they weave their cradles. Obviously, thisis a good plant for attracting the Folk to your magickal garden. According to folklore, this plant blooms on the grave of someone whowas executed for a crime they did not commit. It is thought thatplanting them in the garden will protect the home from ghosts and evilspirits. Although some people consider it bad luck to bringthe flowers into the house, in France, people still trade gifts of thisplant on May Day in order to have good luck through the year. The scentof this flower is said to attract nightingales and to givepeople the power to see a better world. In the language of flowers,lilies-of-the-valley represent the return of happiness. They aregenerally a symbol of humility, purity, and sweetness.
In Mythology
This plant is connected with Maia, the oldest of the Seven Sisters andthe goddess of growth, increase, fields, and spring. She and Zeus arethe parents of Hermes (Mercury), and so she is the grandmother ofmagick, which was invented by her son Hermes (pic shows family snapshotof Maia, Zeus, and Hermes at home). The month of May is named for her,and the 1st and 15th of May are her sacred days. Her worship survivesas the celebration of the Queen of May in the Catholic church. In thepast, only women were allowed to worship Maia. In ancient Rome, May wasa time of purification and religious rituals, so it was a veryunlucky month to get married (pretty interesting considering thatnowadays lilies-of-the-valley are a standard in the bridal bouquet andrepresent marital longevity). TopIn Magick
Lily of the valley is associated with Gemini because of the Mercuryconnection. Gemini rules divination and summoning, and since Mercuryrules magick, this is a good plant to use for ceremonial magick ordivination (even though it is not Moon, the usual choice fordivination). You could make a great oil for aiding divination bymacerating (soaking) the flowers in almond or olive oil. Make a number ofmacerations in the same oil to get a good buildup of scent. The lily ofthe valley perfumescommonly available are made from synthetics. Growing the plant is theonly way to acquire a natural perfume of the flowers. Top
In Herbalism
Considered a Mercury herb, lily of the valley was in the past usedfor illnesses of the head or brain, such as melancholy, depression, epilepsy, andstroke. Its decoction was mixed with lavender and peppercorns andspread on theforehead and back of the neck to bring someone to their senses.However, later it became much used as a far less poisonoussubstitution for foxglove and applied to heart disease. Historically,Germans have made a raisin wine with some of the flowers.This demonstrates that although the plant is toxic, the poison ispoorly absorbed. The sap can be a skin irritant, however. Leaves ofthis plant furnish a green dye in spring and yellow in autumn. TopIn the Garden
The sweet, bee-attracting flowers appear in May; folk belief says planttomatoes when you see them appear. It makes a great groundcover aroundshrubs, especially under lilacs (blooms at the same time). This is agood plant for the corners of your house, where nothing else will grow.It produces berries but reproduces mainly through creeping rhizomes. This plant is also known as Little Maybells, Mary's Tears, OurLady's Tears, Ladder to Heaven, Jacob's Tear, May Lily, and Male Lily. Top
How to Grow Lily of the Valley
These seeds must be cold stratified. Check out the Making Winter page. Weta paper towel, wring out, sow seeds in towel, fold, and put in baggiein fridge for 4-8 weeks. Some people freeze the seeds, which is said to increase the length of viability. (We have not tried this but it does get very cold here in winter and we regularly find these plants growing in new places.) Take seeds out andsow, barely covering. Cold-stratified seeds germinate better when theyget light. Or just plant outside in fall. This seed is a good candidate forthe soaking method - soak seeds in cold water in the fridge for twoweeks, changing for fresh water daily. Take out and plant. These seedsdon't have any Mercury speediness in their growth - they can take 2 months or more to germinate. Grow them in a pot and givethem winter protection the first year, then put them in the ground inrich, moist soil and shade or dappled shade. They won't bloom if theyget too much sun or are too dry, but they can grow in heavy clay andfull shade. They are hardy to zone 6 (-10F/-20C) and are rabbit-proof. They spread bycreeping rhizomes and sometimes can be invasive. Once they areestablished, divide them in September. General growinginfo Top
Convallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley
10 seeds $3.75
Uses in Magic & Witchcraft:
Fairy Magic
Protection Spells
Honoring Maia
Love Magic
Divination
Alchemy Works products are offered for use in spiritual, ritual, meditative, and magical practices, not for medicinal or cosmetic purposes. The information on this website is provided for its folkloric, historic, and magical value. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
