Fortunes and Dreams / A practical manual of fortune telling, divination and the interpretation of dreams, signs and omens

by Astra Cielo

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

Oh, flowers, you darlings of Nature, How lovely and sweet are you; But the first to give you a meaning Was a lover faithful and true. May you convey what I would impart To the maiden who’s captured my heart. —Goldsmith.

There is a sentiment about flowers which appeals to the heart of everyone. The lover conveys his message of love, the friend, his token of friendship thru a bouquet or box of blooming flowers. Every incident of our busy and eventful lives can be celebrated by the gift of flowers. Births, christenings, birthdays, graduations, confirmations, weddings, anniversaries and funerals:—all are appropriately observed by the sending of plants or blossoms. It is not strange, therefore, that among most nations a sentimental language has been created in which the flower speaks its part and repeats the message of the heart. While there is no fixed vocabulary, the following table gives the sentiments most frequently associated with flowers.

By combining flowers, various shades of sentiment can be expressed and whole messages conveyed.

For instance—

A camellia, rose and carnation would mean, “Your loveliness attracts me. Smile upon me, and cheer my poor heart.”

Moss rose and myrtle mean, “Your superior merit makes me love you.”

Lily-of-the-Valley and ferns mean, “You fascinate me and my happiness returns.”

Yellow rose and ivy mean, “My love increases, can I hope for matrimony?”

A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the sentiment, “I fear no longer; I hope.” Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, “There is nothing to hope or fear.”

A full-blown rose placed over two buds signifies “Secrecy.” “Yes,” is implied by touching the flower given to the lips. “No,” by pinching off a petal and casting it away. “I am,” is expressed by a laurel leaf, twined around the bouquet. “I have,” by an ivy leaf folded together. “I offer you,” by a leaf of Virginia creeper.

Flower	Sentiment
Acacia	Just love is what I feel.
Acacia Rose	Friendship without end.
Acanthus	Modesty is your nature.
Adonis	Sorrowful remembrances.
Agrimony	Thankfulness and love.
Almond	Hope for better days.
Aloe	Quarrel.
Althaea	Consumed by love.
Alyssum	Worth beyond beauty is yours.
Amaranth	Immortality; devotion.
Amaryllis	Splendid beauty is yours.
Ambrosia	Love returned brings joy.
Anemone	Expectation of desolation.
Anemone, Garden	Forsaken by one I love.
Angelica	Inspiration; ecstasy.
Apple	Temptation to tell all.
Apple Blossom	Preference for you.
Arbor Vitae	Unchanging friendship.
Arbutus	Clinging passion.
Arum	Ardor; aspiration.
Ash	Grandeur of affection.
Ash, Mountain	Prudence and care.
Aspen Tree	Lamentation for lost hope.
Aster	Thoughts of love of you.
Attricula	Avarice is bad.
Azalea	Happiness is mine.
Bachelor’s Button	Hope in love for you.
Balm	Sympathy; strength of soul.
Balm of Gilead	Healing my heart.
Balsam	Impatience at delay.
Basil	Hatred and disdain.
Bay Leaf	Change of heart.
Beech	Prosperity with you.
Bee Orchis	Error and pain.
Bell Flower	Gratitude to you.
Belladonna	Coquetry becomes you.
Birch Tree	Meekness is a virtue.
Bluebell	Fidelity to my love.
Box	Constancy; pity.
Bramble	Envy of those about you.
Broken Straw	Dissension is cruel.
Broom	Neatness a virtue.
Buckbean	Calm repose to my heart.
Bugloss	Falsehood.
Buttercup	Riches in your smile.
Calla Lily	Feminine beauty is yours.
Camellia	Loveliness of soul.
Candytuft	Indifference to all but you.
Canterbury Bell	Gratitude to you.
Cape Jessamine	Ecstasy in your presence.
Cardinal Flower	Distinction.
Carnation, yellow or white	Disdain and sorrow.
Carnation, red	My poor heart grieves.
Catchfly, white	A victim of your spells.
Cedar	I live for thee.
Cedar of Lebanon	Incorruptible memories.
Celandine	Future joys be yours.
Cherry Tree	Education of my heart.
China Aster	Variety desired.
China Pink	Aversion to love.
Chrysanthemum, rose	True love.
Chrysanthemum, white	Truth will out.
Chrysanthemum, yellow	Forever love and happiness.
Cinquefoil	Beloved girl.
Clematis	Artifice, coquetry.
Clover, 4-leaf	Good luck to all.
Clover, red	Industry helps.
Clover, white	Think of me always.
Coboea	Gossip is cruel.
Cockscomb	Affectation mars.
Coltsfoot	Justice follows.
Columbine	Folly to be loved.
Columbine, purple	Resolved to win.
Columbine, red	Anxious waiting.
Convolvulus Major	Dead hope.
Convolvulus Minor	Uncertainty and pain.
Corchorus	Impatience to see you.
Coreopsis	Love at first sight.
Corn	Wealth and joy.
Cornelian, Cherry Tree	Durability of love.
Cornilla	Success in wooing.
Cowslip	Pensiveness.
Cowslip, American	My divinity is here.
Crape Myrtle	Eloquence in pleading.
Cress, Indian	Resignation.
Crocus	Cheerfulness with you.
Crown, Imperial	Majesty of your glance.
Currants	You please me.
Cypress	Mourning for you.
Cypress and Marigold	Despair in my heart.
Daffodil	Chivalry tells.
Dahlia	Forever thine.
Daisy, Garden	I agree with you.
Daisy, Michaelmas	Farewell, my dear.
Daisy, white	Innocence and faith.
Daisy, wild	I think of you.
Dandelion	Coquetry is not like you.
Daphne Odorata	I would have you always.
Dead Leaves	Sadness in my soul.
Diosma	Uselessness of pleading.
Dock	Patience will tell.
Dodder	Meanness is despicable.
Ebony	Hypocrisy hurts.
Eglantine	Healing my heart.
Elder	Compassion from you.
Elm	Dignity in your attention.
Elm, American	Patriotism.
Endive	Frugality wins.
Eupatorium	Delay no more.
Evening Primrose	Inconstancy is pain.
Evergreen	Poverty disguised.
Ferns	Fascination.
Filbert	Reconciliation with you.
Fir Tree	Elevation to your heart.
Flax	Kindness wins.
Flowering Reed	Confidence in you.
Forget-me-not	True love.
Foxglove	Insincerity disgusts me.
Fraxinella	Fire purifies.
Fuchsia, scarlet	Taste differs.
Gardenia	Ecstasy is mine.
Geranium, Apple	Preference for you.
Geranium, Ivy	Happiness will come.
Geranium, Nutmeg	A meeting soon.
Geranium, Oak	Deign to smile on me.
Geranium, Rose	Preference for me.
Geranium, Silver Leaf	Recall that word.
Gillyflower	Beauty wins.
Goldenrod	Be cautious, dear.
Gooseberry	Anticipation of evil.
Goosefoot	Goodness conquers.
Gorse	Affection for you.
Grape	Charity at home.
Grass	Utility.
Guelder Rose (Snowball)	Winter is near.
Harebell	Grief sears the soul.
Hawthorn	Hope for spring.
Hazel	Reconciliation.
Heartsease	Think of me.
Heartsease, purple	You cheer my thoughts.
Health	Solitude is harmful.
Helenium	Tears conquer.
Heliotrope, Peruvian	Devotion to an ideal.
Hellebore	Scandal is ripe.
Hepatica	Confidence wins.
Holly	Foresight is best.
Hollyhock	Fruitfulness.
Hollyhock, white	Ambition will conquer.
Honesty (Lunaria)	Sincerity for you.
Honeysuckle	Sweet love.
Honeyflower	Secret love in my heart.
Hop	Injustice hurts.
Hornbeam	Ornament.
Horse-Chestnut	Luxury will be yours.
House-Leek	Economy is best.
Houstonia	Content be mine.
Hoya (Wax Plant)	Sculpture.
Hyacinth, white	Unobtrusiveness wins.
Hyacinth, blue	Constancy a blessing.
Hyacinth, purple	Sorrow.
Hydrangea	Heartlessness grieves.
Indian Cress	Resignation.
Iris	Message of love.
Iris, German	Warmth of heart.
Ivy	Fidelity to me.
Jessamine, Cape	Joy and rapture.
Jessamine, white	Amiability.
Jessamine, yellow	Elegance of dress.
Jonquil	Return of affection.
Juniper	Protection and love.
Justicia	Perfection of duty.
Kennedya	Beauty becomes you.
Laburnum	Pensiveness.
Lady’s Slipper	Win me! I am for you.
Lantana	Rigor of conscience.
Larch	Boldness of action.
Larkspur	Fickleness will lose.
Laurel	Glory and fame.
Laurestinus	Don’t neglect me.
Lavender	Distrust me.
Lemon Blossom	Discretion is best.
Lettuce	Cruel girl.
Lilac	Emotion of love.
Lilac, white	Youth and hope.
Lily	Modesty becomes you.
Lily-of-the-Valley	Happiness is here.
Lily, Day	Coquetry harms.
Lily, Water	Eloquence tells.
Lily, yellow	Gaiety.
Linden Tree	Conjugal love.
Live Oak	Liberty of action.
Locust	Affection for me.
London Pride	Frivolity is bad.
Love-Lies-Bleeding	Hopeless passion.
Lungwort	Life art thou to me.
Lupina	Imagination fails.
Lychnis	Feeling for me.
Madder	Calumny harms.
Magnolia, Chinese	Love of nature.
Magnolia	Peerless girl.
Magnolia, Swamp	Perseverance wins.
Mallow	Mildness is best.
Mandrake	Horror of evil.
Maple	Reserve of force.
Marigold	Cruelty weakens.
Marigold, African	Vulgar-minded.
Marigold, French	Jealousy pains.
Marjoram	Blushes for shame.
Meadow-Saffron	Age comes rapidly.
Meadow-Sweet	Uselessness of refusing.
Mignonette	Charm of love.
Minosa	Sensitiveness.
Mint	Virtue.
Mistletoe	Kisses that delight.
Mock Orange (Syringa)	Counterfeit love.
Moonwort	Forgetfulness of pain.
Moss	Maternal affection.
Motherwort	Secret love.
Mountain Laurel	Treachery to none.
Mulberry, black	I will not survive trouble.
Mulberry, white	Wisdom of the heart.
Mullein	Good nature.
Mushroom	Suspicion of infidelity.
Mustard-seed	Indifference to me.
Myosotis	Forget-me-not.
Myrtle	Love me always.
Narcissus	Egotism harms.
Peach Blossom	Marriage with one’s love.
Pride of China (Melia)	Worry and pain.
Primrose	Youth is jovial.
Primrose, Evening	Inconstancy.
Privet	Mildness of temper.
Quince	Temptation.
Ragged Robin	Wit and gaiety.
Reeds	Music has charms.
Rose	Love will win.
Rose, American	You are lovely.
Rose, Bridal	Happy love.
Rose, Burgundy	Unconscious beauty.
Rose, China	Grace is yours.
Rose, pink	Smile upon me.
Rose, damask	Freshness of youth.
Rose, hundred leaved	Pride of innocence.
Rose, Moss	Compassion of love.
Rose, red	Hastefulness.
Rose, Sweetbrier	Sympathy with you.
Rose, Tea	Always lovely.
Rose, white	I am worthy of you.
Roses, withered	A transient joy.
Rose, Wild	Worthy of you.
Rose, yellow	Jealousy in my heart.
Roses, Garland of	Reward of virtue.
Rosebud	You are a girl of taste.
Rosebud, white	Innocence.
Rue	Disdain me not.
Rush	Docility to me.
Saffron	Danger threatens.
Sage	Esteem me.
Satin Flower (Lunaria)	Sincerity.
Sensitive Plant	Timidity becomes you.
Service Tree	Prudence is best.
Shamrock	Light-heartedness.
Snapdragon	Presumption of love.
Snowball	Thoughts of bliss.
Snowdrop	Consolation be mine.
Sorrel	Jest not.
Southernwood	Jesting is cruel.
Spearmint	Warmth of passion.
Speedwell	Fidelity.
Starwort	Welcome home.
Stock, Ten-week	Promptitude of action.
Stramonium	Disguise your feelings.
Straw	Agreement with me.
Strawberry	Excellence of taste.
Strawberry Tree	I esteem you.
Sumac	Splendor of thought.
Sunflower	An adorer is here.
Sweet Pea	Depart not from me.
Sweet William	Finesse is necessary.
Sycamore	Curiosity to know.
Syringa	Memory of the past.
Tansy	Forgetfulness.
Teasel	Misanthropy.
Thistle	Sadness at home.
Thorns	Severity of deed.
Thyme	Activity will win.
Tuberose	Danger is near.
Tulips	Declaration of passion.
Verbena	Pray for me.
Violet, blue	Loving-kindness helps.
Violet, white	Modesty and passion.
Weeping Willow	Forsaken by all.
Witch-Hazel	You cast a spell over me.
Yew	Sorrow is mine.

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POPULAR BELIEFS AMONG THE ANCIENTS
AS TO THE INFLUENCE OF
PRECIOUS STONES

It would require a volume to give a summary of all the quaint and mysterious beliefs that cluster about precious stones. From very ancient times they have been more or less associated with the idea that they influence human life and happiness. Below we give a few of the many traits and influences of the stones in general use. We do not desire to appeal to the credulity of our readers, but merely to enlighten them as to the folklore of this subject.

These indications are taken literally from “many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.”

Agate.—An old popular notion regards it as a guarantee against drunkenness. The water in which it is steeped is said to cure sterility. It is said also to counteract magical charms.

Batrachite.—This substance, which is really silicate of magnesia, used to be regarded as a stone found in the body of a frog, and it was supposed to have great powers against poison and sorcery.

Beryl.—The water in which this stone has been dipped causes sympathy between those who drink it.

Chrysolite.—Albertus Magnus regarded it as a preservative against frenzy, but it is also a penitential stone, causing sorrow for wrongdoing in the heart of the sinner who wears it. Finally it is a cure for the gout.

Chrysoprase.—Has the property of strengthening the eyes, raising the spirits and rendering a man liberal and joyous.

Coral.—Was said to protect any house against epidemic disease, to stop the flow of blood, to drive away evil spirits, to avert lightning and hail.

Diamond.—It would be curious if many traditions of occult power had not centralized about this precious stone, and a bare enumeration only of its virtues is possible in the present place. It prevails against poison, plague, panic, insomnia, charms and enchantments. It soothes anger, reconciles husbands and wives. When it has been consecrated under the planet Mars and engraved with an image of that deity, it renders the wearer invincible, whence it naturally inspires courage. Worn round the neck, it insures safe childbirth. In some other ways, it seems to have been regarded as unpropitious.

Emerald.—If ground into powder, this stone was supposed to cure dysentery and the bites of venomous animals. There is a chance that those who wear it will not be subject to epilepsy. It also strengthens memory and maintains chastity.

Heliotrope.—The stone bearing the name, in common with a beautiful and well-known flower, should be sought by the curious, as it renders the wearer invisible. But it is unknown in these days.

Hematite or Bloodstone.—Valuable for its power in incantations, against the sorcery of the evil eye, and to cement the bonds of friendship among male persons.

Hyacinth.—This also is a preservative against the plague, which was a common scourge in the old days, and was therefore an especial concern of occult medicine and its substitutes. The hyacinth was also a cure for dropsy.

Jade.—This is another stone which protects against venomous beasts.

Jasper.—This stone is noticeable chiefly as a favorite gem on which magical signs were engraved, so that they might be worn as amulets. But it also preserved the wearer from poisonous bites.

Linurgas or Lapis Lineus.—A stone of ancient repute which would turn white if enveloped in a linen cloth, and the use of it would then prove beneficial in projects of magic. But it has been decided that the gem itself is fabulous, not to speak of the properties attributed thereto.

Onyx.—When engraved with the head of a camel, this stone procured evil dreams. It may have been used against enemies.

Opal.—The malefic influence which is sometimes attributed to this jewel, by which it has almost come to be regarded as unfortunate in the world of gems, has little authority in past traditions. It acted rather like a cordial to the heart of the wearer, was a safeguard against poison and contagion transmitted in the atmosphere; it served to raise the spirits and was valuable in affections of the eye.

Pearl.—If worn on the neck, it preserved chastity; if ground to powder and taken in milk, it sweetened irritable tempers; if ground with sugar, it cured pestilential fevers.

Perithe.—Whether precious or not, this stone seems unfamiliar to lapidaries, and as regards its appearance we can only report that it was of yellow color. Its virtue was to cure gout, and it had the power to burn the hand when it was held firmly. There are other fabulous stones, as, for example, Lapis Aguila or Eagle Stone, said to be found in the nest of that bird. It assisted childbirth, and according to Dioscorides, served to discover thieves.

Ruby.—The range of auspicious influences possessed by precious stones is exceedingly restricted, and the same virtues recur continually. The ruby resists poison, preserves from the plague, banishes melancholy and diverts evil thoughts. If it should change its color, this is a sign of approaching misfortunes, but it reverts to the original hue when the evil has passed away.

Sapphire.—This stone was good for inflammation of the eyes, and it also attracted good fortune.

Topaz.—This has the faculty of cooling boiling water, and it has been said that those who desire to regain lost positions should not fail to carry it about their person. It procures the sympathy of the whole world.

Turquoise.—We find only that this gem is liable to change its color when worn by certain people, not otherwise described.