HoTM: Lotus

January's Herb of The Month is Lotus!

Do you use lotus in your practice? If so, do you use the plant or just incense? How do you work with it? Do you know it'smagickalproperties? Do you know it's background? Share with us on how this plant influences you!

The lotus is of the Nelumbonaceae family, and an aquatic perennial. It is native to South Asia and Australia.

Here are some links to where I found the information and some generaly interesting ones:

https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/exoticflowers/lotus

https://www.lotusflowermeaning.net/

http://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/lotus_facts/540/

http://www.clovegarden.com/ingred/pr_lotusz.html

There is a term in Greek mythology called "lotus eaters", which can metaphorically mean "to forget". But more specifically is applied to a tribe of people who eat lotus. The affects of thi made them forget themselves and be overcome by a feeling of bliss.

In a specific story, the Greek hero Odysseus sends some of his men to shore only for them to meet the lotus-eaters, and be convinced to eat the lotus flowers. Because the do this, they start to forget who they are and only feel the need to eat more lotus flowers. They had to be dragged back to the ship and chained there.

Sources other than memory:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lotus-Eater

https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-summary-of-the-Lotus-Eaters-in-the-Odyssey

http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Odyssey9.php#anchor_Toc90267834

I do not use lotus flowers in my practice, although I think they are very pretty and would grow them if I had the chance! I thought I'd reply to this since no one has yet, maybe it'll spark the interest of someone else. I did find it interesting that they are edible! Personally I always assumedthey weren't but this seems to be a very versatile and beautiful plant.