Myrtle Symbolism & Magical Properties [Explained]

Myrtle is a plant that is used in cosmetics for its amazing scent and its beautifying properties. However, did you know that the myrtle has always been a powerful witchy plant? Today I want to explain a bit of myrtle’s origins and history, its best usage, and most of all, we are going to explore myrtle’s magical properties.

What is Myrtle?

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to south-eastern Europe and northern Africa. Myrtle is often grown as an ornamental plant. It blooms from mid-June to early August. The fruit ripens by the beginning of November and these edible berries are dispersed by birds. The leaves, flowers, and fruits are rich in aromatic oil used in perfumery.

Myrtle Symbolism

The myrtle’s magickal properties and Green Magick

The myrtle plant and fundamentally its leaves are considered a symbol of romantic love (in fact, it is one of the magick herbs for love) and it is used to decorate churches, party rooms, bridal bouquets, and crowns.

It is used in energy cleansing rituals to attract positive energy, but its most common use is in love rituals.

It is used in infusions, together with herbs and spices for love bath rituals and cleanings. Only the flowers are used to make love amulet bags and in the form of powder, to blow on a couple or person you want.

It is also used to make conditions change quickly or change a person’s mind or opinion.

Old origins of its magickal uses and properties

Myrtle was an incredibly famous plant in ancient times, it was considered a symbol of both love and beauty. It was cultivated for its flowers and its aromatic leaves and was considered the symbol of love and beauty along with the rose, as it was one of the plants dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite.

In classical Greece, the myrtle or bayberry symbolized both fertility and fidelity.

Pliny the Elder describes, in his Historia Natura, nuptial rites in which the spouses were crowned with myrtle during the banquet. It is one of the plants with the highest erotic content, myrtle or myrtle button, was the name by which the clitoris of a woman in Greece was known.

Olympic champions were honored with myrtle crowns, in ancient times. It is also used as an anti-cold remedy and as an antiseptic.

In Roman times the plant did not lose its erotic uses, as corsages of myrtle were used to whip women during the festivities of the Bona Dea to increase their fertility, as described by Ovid in his Fastos. In Rome, the temple of Venus was surrounded by these bushes. It was also said that the myrtle was consecrated to Venus because of its soft smell, always green, or because the myrtle leaves sprouted two by two, just like love, which is free and reciprocal. The fruit of the myrtle is black, melancholic and generates concern.
It was also said to have aphrodisiac properties.

Another story from the classical world relates myrtle to funerary uses; that of Dionysus going down to Hades to rescue his mother, Semele, who was killed by the rays of Zeus. Tradition has it that he had to leave a myrtle bush in the underworld to get his mother out.

In the Renaissance, myrtle was linked to marriage. Because it was perennial, it ended up being associated with fidelity and eternal love, and as such was represented in marriage allegories.

In the Mediterranean, myrtle was a symbol of love and immortality. The plant was widely used in its culture and considered essential.

“Instead of the hawthorn the cypress will grow,
instead of the nettle the myrtle will grow” (Is 55,13a).

Christianity used myrtle, now for its sense of purity and fidelity, to crown new Christians in early times or by representing the Virgin with a branch as a sign of virginity. Today the symbol of virginity is often attributed to the myrtle wedding crown.

It is considered a romantic love symbol and used in church decorations, party rooms, and bridal bouquets or crowns.

Among the Jews the myrtle symbolized peace.

Correspondences for Myrtle

Here’s How You Can Use Myrtle in Magickal Practice

For Spells

Myrtle is a wonderful ingredient for some love spells to boost a couple’s connection and intimacy, but to also protect yourself from deception. You can use it as a fresh ingredient or in an essential oil format.

You can also read more about powerful herbs for love spells here

For Amulets

You can create an amulet to protect yourself from those around you who might not want what’s best for you, and from those who are lying to you all the time creating a spiral of lies and illusions.

For Baths

Adding myrtle to a bath is a powerful way to create a spell bath for protection and cleansing your mind and soul, thanks to the aromatherapy benefits of myrtle. Plus, you can use it against acne and irritated sensitive skin, also myrtle has always been used as a cosmetic beauty ally.

You can also read more about herbs for a protection bath here

For Rituals

I often use myrtle during rituals, especially when I want to be rid of bad energy from someone who was not to be trusted by me and shut them out from my life. I often use it during my Full Moon rituals.

Powerful tell-me-the-truth spell with myrtle

Today I will explain how to get the truth with this spell.

Before starting each spell, prepare all the elements as instructed, read the directions, and get advice if needed. Turn off your cell phone and wait for the right time.

Have faith and trust the power of magick and the universe.

You will be able to discover the truth you need to know.

Ingredients:

• A myrtle branch
• 1 red candle
• Some drops of vinegar
• 3 laurel leaves
• A handful of earth
• 2 glasses of water
• A little plot of land
• 1 red pen/marker
• 1 sheet of white paper
• 1 jar with lid
• 1 cauldron (if you don’t have one or use anything similar, like a saucepan)

All the ingredients must be fresh.

How it’s done

Put the pot or cauldron on the fire and add:

2 glasses of water (better if bottled), 3 drops of vinegar, 3 laurel leaves, the myrtle branch, and a handful of earth.

Leave to cook on low heat, occasionally stirring with a wooden utensil counterclockwise until the water evaporates.

On the sheet of paper, write the name of the person you want to tell the truth with the red pen and ask them to tell the truth. Then fold the paper as many times as you can. The writing must be on the inside of the folded paper.

Continue to stir the contents of the pot until the mass remains dense. Once the mass is ready and the water has evaporated, let the potion cool. Then, place it on a flat surface (desk, table, etc.), light the candle, and place it near the pot or cauldron.

As you light the candle, say this sentence aloud:

“The passion so red, fixed on the fire, that you tell the truth, as is my desire”

Once the candle is consumed, put the remains of the pot inside the jar and seal it with the airtight lid. Go to a place with sand or earth and trees or flowers. Dig a small hole in the ground and put the folded paper inside.

Now open the jar and throw it all in the hole and add the sand/earth to fill the hole.

Sprinkle what you have buried with the water, and you are done.

Additional tips:

This spell is also effective for those who tell lies about you.

Here’s how you can do this additional spell.

The best time to perform the ritual is in the afternoon, afternoon, and before nightfall. The best lunar moment is the rising moon phase or the full moon. It can be canceled after 4 weeks if you are having second thoughts. Follow the directions in the order indicated and with the elements described. You can repeat it if necessary, after 4 weeks.

Choose a day when you are feeling great and in positive spirits, as with all spells, attitude is especially important, to the point that negativity can stop spells from manifesting.

On the paper, you must write the name or names of the person/people you want to unmask and find the truth. They could be family members, friends, couples, boyfriend/girlfriend, or rivals. It is much better to write their surname and date of birth on the paper. If you don’t have them, then first names will suffice.

Make sure that the place where you will cast the spell is safe and quiet and you will not be disturbed. This spell requires you to move the final mass from your home, to make a hole in the earth, I find the best places are a beach or near a river because the power of water exerts a magickal boost.

The phrase pronounced during candle lighting is translated from ancient Latin texts. It is immensely powerful.

If minors are involved, the power can triple and its protective magick will be strengthened.

The person does not have to tell you the truth, but a mutual friend may receive it, by message, a phone call that unmasks the traitor, it can come in your dreams, increased perception or signals that leave room for no doubts or uncertainties about the truth.

Truth can express itself and come out in various ways.