The Bridal Bouquet

The Bridal Bouquet

The tradition of carrying a bridal bouquet dates back to medieval times when the bride carried a bouquet of garlic and herbs to ward off evil spirits as she processed toward her groom.  Over time the bouquet evolved into a bouquet of flowers instead.

Flowers, as you know, all have their own symbolic (magickal) meanings and uses.  A wise bride will choose her bridal bouquet carefully in order to enchant her day to her utmost benefit.

I designed my bridal bouquet from roses.  I have ten red roses, symbolizing the ten years Frank and I have been together and two white roses, symbolizing the two of us coming together anew and embarking on our path as a married couple.

Red Roses mean passion, love.

White Roses mean purity and innocence.

When you mix white and red roses together they meant “Unity“.  What better meaning for a bridal bouquet?

My Matron of Honor is carrying a bouquet of Pink Roses, Pink symbolic of my saying “Thank You” to her for her extensive assistance in planning this wedding, and Light Pink Roses, which symbolize happiness.

Where did the tradition of throwing the bouquet come from?

Now that’s an odd one…

I am one-quarter English, and this is a tradition that originated in England many centuries ago.  Attendees at the wedding wished to share in the happiness of the bride and would grab at her clothes and her person, trying to get a “piece” of her happiness.  At times, they would actually chase her!  The bride actually began throwing the bouquet as a self-protective act and as the tradition grew, it came to develop into the tradition of tossing it to all of the single women at the wedding, with the “catcher” of the bouquet predicted to become the next bride.

Geez, I’m glad I don’t have to try to run in the dress I’m wearing!

Copyright © 2007 Brigid Bishop

 

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Brigid Bishop’s Tarot Thought for the Day

Brigid Bishop’s Tarot Thought for the Day

 3/5/08

I enjoy the energy and sheer power of this card and I am so happy that it is coming up as our pick for the day as it bodes well for all of us in the essence of its pure feminine energy.

The Empress.  Think about the title.  If you are a female, imagine how it would feel to be an Empress.  Feel the POWER!  Do you feel that it is your duty to nurture those you are responsible for?  Do you feel gracious and noble?  Contemplate how you would feel if you, yourself, were an Empress.

The Empress vibrates to the number three, the number three symbolic of having made a successful start and beginning the work that is at hand.  She is Venus, the Goddess of Love, symbolic of femininity, sexuality, pleasure, creativity, union and fertility.  She is ruled by the planet Venus, who in turn rules the zodiac signs of Taurus and Libra, the sensual earth signs.  She is associated with Daleth, which means a door, and also relates to the planet Venus.

When The Empress appears in a spread she can represent an individual, a mother (usually), or also the onset of a marriage or serious relationship.  She is fertile, and guards her upcoming harvest with all of her feminine powers.  She is all that represents the power of the female and the pleasures inherent to the female gender.

Think of the qualities of Mother Nature in regard to interpreting The Empress.  She can represent a specific individual or the feminine characteristics stated above becoming active within the querent themselves.

Since The Empress is associated with fertility, it can be assumed that her appearance in a spread denotes a relationship that is physical in nature.

Bring out The Empress within today and take control of your surroundings!