Kate’s Wedding Bouquet

Kate’s wedding bouquet must smell wonderful today. Of course I’m elated how it symbolizes a royal wedding.

Her bouquet was a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. It draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.

The Language of Flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:

Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness

Sweet William – Gallantry

Hyacinth – Constancy of love

Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection

Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.

Of course I’m loving that Kate’s bouquet featured the myrtle plant; a favorite of mine for many reasons. Myrtle in Hebrew is Hadas, the root word of the name of Queen Esther.  The official wedding web site states that Kate’s bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947. The tradition of carrying myrtle begun after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany. In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today. The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858, and was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride.

So truly fitting is the bouquet for a royal bride.

The myrtle plant is one of my favorites. Currently, Precious Oils Up On the Hill, has true myrtle essential oil from Israel a/k/a Green Myrtle  (Myrtus communis). Green myrtle can not be compared to the lesser red myrtle; there is a vast difference in therapeutic benefits. Green myrtle is linalool and Red Myrtle is Cineole. I’ll post a blog next week to further explain the differences. I use the true Green Myrtle in a few of my blends; Esther’s Anointing Oil and The Overflowing Cup. Also, myrtle is one of the nine oils I include in my Esther gift box.

I write the following in my mini-teaching that I include with each bottle of myrtle oil. Copyright 2008 Precious Oils Up On The Hill

Hadassah

Esther’s Hebrew name is Hadassah, which means “myrtle.” This brings a deeper significance to her story. Esther’s character is revealed by her devotion to justice, living out the nature of her name, Hadas, also known as myrtle.

Like Hadassah, myrtle is a plant that has its own hidden properties. You will find myrtle growing throughout Israel and the Middle East. It is known as the “Tree of Love.” When one looks upon the myrtle plant it looks as it really doesn’t have any purpose and actually is quite plain.

The myrtle plant can withstand drought and remains green even after cutting. The crushing of the myrtle leaves provides a very sweet, fragrant aroma that is used in perfumery. 

In ancient times, two bouquets of myrtle welcomed in the Shabbat each week. Boughs of myrtle were worn by bridegrooms, used in the betrothal celebration and blended in perfumes and anointing oils. Aromatherapy usage of myrtle for skin care, respiratory ailments and the immune system is growing in today’s health and wellness industry.

 The myrtle’s fragrant branches are used symbolically during Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles) in the lulav (four species). You will also find myrtle associated with the Messianic redemption in Isaiah 55:12 &13. In Zechariah 1 we read about “a man standing among the myrtle trees”.

 I pray, as you use this portion of myrtle, that the Myrtle in you comes forth and you find favor with the King. 

As the week ends and Shabbat begins I pray that you have a wonderful time of refreshing with your family and loved ones.

Fragrantly Yours,

Cynthia

http://www.TheFragrantBride.com

Kate Middleton and her father picture is from http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//110429/481/urn_publicid_ap_org_e2d33b5a74d1447689d728a5da18b9de/