The Language of Flowers

Editors' Note: The Language of Flowers is a charming old practice dating back to the Victorian era -- when dating itself didn't resemble anything that singles today would recognize. As part of courtship, women would receive bouquets of flowers with a meaning relevant to the giver¹s feeling for them. In those days and going back into medieval times, there was an elaborate and well-recognized symbolism around flowers which is greatly lost today.
Still, in coming to understand the uses of various flower essences, the Language of Flowers has much to teach us. That's why we were intrigued to discover on the internet Kerri's tarot deck based on flowers. Her descriptions are based on the old symbolism, and at first they may not seem akin to various companies¹ uses of that flower. Yet when you think a bit more about those essence descriptions and extend them a bit, you can see the connection -- it's the old story of the blind men and the elephant that we've referred to often in terms of essence descriptions. (We've created links to some in-depth articles about these flower essences from our archives, and you will find others by using our whole site search engine.)


The Language of Flowers Tarot weaves traditional Tarot card meanings together with folk sentiments given to plants and flowers. Those familiar with one set of symbologies will appreciate how practical the comparison makes learning the other. And those studied in both will be especially satisfied with this artful blending of the Victorian & the Arcane. In the spirit of reducing the expression of complex states of being to a single posy or sprig, the card designs are simple. Along with the Tarot title, there is only a portrait of the corresponding flora labeled with its name and sentiment. Although the harmonization of meanings will make it clear why a plant is paired to a particular card, an accompanying Booklet of Summaries explains the choice in further detail. (See the booklet and all of the deck here).

About how this deck came about: I am an artist using plants and floral symbolism in the creation of pressed-glass pieces. After amassing a library of books on The Language of Flowers, I realized how successfully it could marry with my other passion, the Tarot. I shot the pictures for the cards herself. The design was kept simple to honor the tradition of representing complex sentiments with a single posy or sprig.

The Lovers -- The white rose and red rose together say "unity." Love is the amalgamating force that unites opposing elements. In the traditional card design, a man and a woman stand as if ready to embrace. They bring equal and unique energies to the partnership. An angel above them indicates that this union is the right balance for attaining inner and outer wholeness.


The Hermit -- The star of bethlehem says "purity." Astrologically, the Hermit card aligns to Virgo, the virgin, and reflects a virginity attained through reaching true inner purity and self-giving service. The traditional design has the hermit holding a lantern to illuminate for others the path that he has traversed. This guiding light is often symbolized as a six-pointed star.

Wheel of Fortune -- The dandelion says "oracle." Its seed tuft head is blown on to divine answers to questions as diverse as years left to live, a lover's thoughts, and the time of day. The root, used in tea, promotes psychic powers. From its radial spoked leaves to the stages of its flower, the dandelion's circular shapes invoke thoughts of cycles and rotations.

Justice -- Rudbeckia, also called black-eyed Susan, says "justice." Golden petals vibrate in harmony with the traditional yellow of the element of air. The Justice card relates to karma generated by action, literally the reaping of what is sown. A self-seeding biennial, the black-eyed Susan is responsible for the fate of its regeneration by virtue of its own actions.

Temperance -- Azalea says "temperance." Temperance can be defined as moderation, but the traditional Tarot design infers a deeper meaning. An angel pours opposing essences with artful alchemy, blending them so that neither is diluted. Azalea is from azein: to parch or dry. This is the removal of water and the application of heat -- a rebalancing of the life forces.

The Star -- Hawthorn says "hope." Its leaves, worn in a sachet, promote happiness in the sad and grant luck in fishing. The Hebrew letter for The Star is Tz, meaning "fish-hook." Water symbolizes the subconscious, and in the traditional design a woman pours water into a pool by starlight. Heavenly fortune shines upon anglers who restock their own mental reservoirs.

Queen of Wands -- Peppermint says "warmth of feeling." The magnetic personality of those represented by the Fire Queen draws others in like a glowing hearth. Peppermint makes a lovely tea, a drink of feminine commiseration. Its oil, though, can burn too much for comfort.


Page of Cups -- The iris says "message." In Greek myth, Iris is a messenger and cup bearer of the gods. Her symbol, the rainbow, was also used as a sign from heaven promising never again to destroy the earth with water. The Water Page represents the delivering of news.

Queen of Swords -- Clematis says "mental beauty." This card combines the mental acuity of Air with the sensitivity of a Queen. The mind that seeks to rationalize emotions will either develop a profound understanding of other people's feelings, or cut itself off from them.

King of Disks -- Oak says "hospitality." This suit deals with worldly comforts and the drive to attain them. The Earth King represents those whose larders are filled and hearts are open to sharing. Their motivation, however, could ultimately be to bring more people into their debt.


Queen of Disks -- Honeysuckle says "generous and devoted affection." A plant ruled by the element of Earth, honeysuckle can twine so lushly that it shores up an unsteady support. It is used in money spells. The Earth Queen represents a generous nature countered by distrust.

Ace of Wands -- Angelica says "inspiration," which is the singular quality of the Fire Ace. It is the creative spark and the core of faith. Angelica attributes to Michael the Archangel, who, like the suit of Wands, is affiliated with fire and traditionally stationed in the South.

3 of Wands -- Pine says "endurance, daring." The third Fire card represents the expression of spiritual energy in the physical world. It takes patience and courage to actualize creativity. Another sentiment of pine is "pity." This, too, involves extending passion outside of the self.

7 of Wands -- Chamomile says "energy in adversity." Herbal lore claims that it "taketh away weariness." The traditional card has a lone fighter holding off the advance of six foes. A passionate conviction that he holds the higher ground gives him the energy to make a stand.

8 of Cups -- The lotus flower says "estranged love." Having found an established emotional situation untenable, the man in the card's traditional design removes himself from it. There is relief, but little joy. The eighth Water card, like lotus, is influenced by the changeable moon.

10 of Cups -- Lily of the valley says "return of happiness," and is said to lift the spirits when placed in a room. The traditional design of the tenth Water card has a family rejoicing at the sight of cups arrayed in a rainbow. Rainbows herald the return of the sun after bad weather.

4 of Swords -- The Olive says "peace." Extending its branch to someone is a symbolic act of diplomacy. The number four represents stability, so the fourth Air card indicates calm repose of the mind. A break from life's struggles affords this rest and gives all wounds time to heal.

7 of Swords -- Dahlia says "instability," yet also has the seemingly contradictory sentiment of "dignity." The seventh Air card represents the ultimate futility of a plan that is dishonorably executed. The traditional design shows a man sneaking swords from someone else's camp.

9 of Swords -- Marigold says "despair; grief." The traditional card design depicts a woman racked with utter sorrow. Marigolds are also said to have the power of comforting the heart. It is only the force of mindless, powerful emotion that will finally, fully, release and ease pain.


3 of Disks -- Red clover says "industry." Aleister Crowley calls the third Earth card The Lord of Work. Mars in Capricorn lends an aggressive energy to the desire to produce and work hard. Added to bath water, red clover is said to aid in dealing with financial arrangements.

7 of Disks -- The dogwood says "endurance in adversity" and has mystical ties to Christ on the cross. In the traditional card design, a husbandman studies the ripening of his crops as if his heart were there. One last push of energy is required to manifest a transition, or it will fail.

8 of Disks -- Goldenrod says "carefulness." Another sentiment is "precaution." Crowley calls the eighth Earth card The Lord of Prudence, and has it signify intelligence applied lovingly to material matters. The traditional image is an artist learning patience with his craft. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kerri McIntire is an artist who uses plants and floral symbolism in the creation of pressed-glass pieces. She hopes this deck can serve as a tool for comparative study, opening up the world of floriography to Tarot enthusiasts and offering a visually-appealing introductory guide to Tarot novices.



           


                



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