Botanical:
The marigold is known in Latin as Calendula officinalis, and belongs to the Compositae family. The calendula genus consists of approximately 20 or more shrubs and annual varieties. It is sometimes called 'the pot marigold' or 'common marigold'. Its occurrence is the result of self-sowing. It has a long flowering period - this fact is reflected in the meaning of the word calendula, which comes from the word calends meaning 'throughout the months'. It has light green egg-shaped flat leaves that are narrow near the steam and bright orange to yellow freely occurring blooms. 

Folklore and History: The bloom has been popular with many throughout history. In the 5th century it was popular in Rome in the garden of Gallic nobles. It was used at Indian weddings and Muslim ceremonies including Dassera where it was used in festival garlands.

To the Hindus the marigold was a holy flower and in the east when it was combined with poppies it meant 'I will soothe your grief'. It was grown in many monasteries and on church land because it was a flower of the Virgin Mary. This association usually indicates a previous association with a nature goddess. 

The plant, a native of the Mediterranean, has been used since the time of the ancient Greeks, and even before that by distant Arabic and Indian cultures. As a garden plant it has been used in Europe since the 16th century. Over the years it has been cultivated to act as an ornamental in the garden, used in cookery and medicine. It is an excellent companion plant to other plants in a garden especially tomatoes and potatoes.

The name calendula comes from the Latin 'calendae' meaning the first month, as it was said that the bloom was always in flower on the first of each month. The plant follows the sun, opening early in the morning and closing as the sun begins to fall from the sky. The marigold was used as a type of clock. It was believed that it opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 3 p.m. Weather lore said that if the bloom had not opened by 7 a.m. the day would see rain and thunder before sunset.

The flower can be traced back to an old legend. In the wild, the Greek marigold was either Calendula arvensis or Calendula officinalis. Both are thought to be the 'sunflower' referred to in the legend of Clytie and Apollo. The god Apollo was deeply loved by a water nymph called Clytie but he spurned her affection. The sad nymph pined day and night. She sat for nine days staring at Apollo as he rose everyday. Her face would follow his movement until at last his sun chariot set for the night. The gods pitied Clytie and turned her into a sunflower, her face becoming the bloom and her neck the stem. Another version is that Apollo's rays melted her into a marigold upon the grass.

In South American and Mexican lore the flower was linked with the killing of the Aztecs by Cortez's Conquistadors in their search for gold. It was said that the red flecks that occasionally appear on the blooms are the blood shed by the Aztecs. The pain and the grief that the bloom seems to symbolize can be dispelled by mixing marigolds in a vase with roses. This then symbolizes the sweet sorrows of love. Marigolds are strongly linked with the customs honoring the dead in modern Mexico, customs which date back centuries. 

The marigold also symbolizes constancy in love and it was popular in bridal bouquets. The bloom was also called 'husbandman's dial' and was considered a powerful aphrodisiac, although in German plant lore it was considered unfavorable as a love flower. It was associated with pain, anger and grief. Picking the bloom had to be done carefully. In some folk tales it was said that picking the bloom or even looking at it courted disaster and that one might fall to the weakness of excessive drinking. 


Herbal Usage:
The flowers are used as a healing agent. They can be added to poultices and salves to speed the healing of wounds and nerve damage. It can be used to stop bleeding after dental work. In the past an infusion was given for intestinal problems and to clean the lymph nodes and blood system.

The marigold has been used in cosmetics and perfumes as well as in healings. It was thought that soaking in a bath strewn with marigold petals would help reduce varicose veins. The Romans used marigold tea to relieve fevers and the juice to cure warts and other skin irritations. It has also been used for insect stings. When combined in a cream base it helps heal sunburn and to keep skin soft. It has astringent qualities to help the body fight infections. It is also antibacterial and helps fight fungal infections.

Bowls of the blooms kept in the kitchen while cooking will absorb any unpleasant or strong odors. The flowers can be used in soups and stews while the leaves can be used in salads.


Magical Uses:
It has used in love divination. If it is picked at noon then the Sun is at its peak, it will strengthen and provide comfort to the heart. If a girl steps on a marigold petal with bare feet she will understand the language of the birds. Another tale of love divination is on St. Luke's Day (October 18th). Maidens would simmer marigold blooms, wormwood and marjoram. Before going to bed the maidens would bathe in the brew so that they could dream of their true love.

There are a few flowers better for rituals of death and dying than marigolds. The dried petals may be added to incense. The petals may be strewn in the path of a casket or urn and the marigold may be planted at the grave site. When honoring a beloved who has passed over, using marigold will add a special loving magic.

It can be carried to court as a favorable outcome. It can be placed under a pillow to induce prophetic dreams. It is well suited for those who have lost property to theft. Marigolds can be used to help see the thief in one's mind and be able to identify the location of the stolen property. 

Those who are the subject of gossips or slander might try the old medieval technique or a modern combination of carrying marigold petals with a bay leaf. 

Sources: 
Beyerl, Paul. A Compendium of Herbal Magick. Custer, Washington: Phoenix Publishing. 1998.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul, MN: Llyewellyn Publications, 2000.

Grieves, M. A Modern Herbal Volumne II. New York, New York: Dover Publications, Incorporated. 1971.

Hopman, Ellen Evert. A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 1995.


Kear, Katherine. Flower Wisdom. Hammersmith, London: Thorson (An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers). 2000.

Telesco, Patricia. The Hearbal Arts. New York, New York: Kensington Publishing Corporation; 1998.

Telesco, Patricia. A Floral Grimoire. New York, New York: Kensington Publishing Corporation; 2001.