Shaped like trumpets, narcissus (also known as daffodils), are among the very first flowers of spring. They announce the new season, with their bright yellow petals bringing cheer.
Synonymous with early spring, narcissus represents rebirth, renewal, beginnings, fertility, vibrancy and hope.
To me, they are also equivalent with Aries- the first sign in the zodiac which is an initiator, strong, fiery and forward moving.
And like an innocent maiden, narcissus is bright, cheerful, and beautiful yet not pretentious.
Some varieties of narcissus are unscented, and the ones that are scented (usually the small ones) are ethereally sweet. Tess Whitehurst (author of “The Magic of Flowers”) describes its quality well:
“If you simply relax and tune in after inhaling his fresh fragrance, you’ll receive a wordless, organic sermon on the sweetness and magic of life. The floodgates to the miraculous will be lifted for you, and beings of light and love will whisper messages of hope and renewal from just beyond the veil. Even if you aren’t consciously aware of it, it is happening."
The Origins and Meaning of the Name
Narcissus is the name of a beautiful youth in Greek mythology. Forest nymphs admired his beauty and fell in love with him, but he was too self-absorbed to have any interest in them and he rejected them.
One day, he saw his reflection for the first time in a pool of water, and was transfixed and enamoured by his own image. This led to his demise, and some versions of the story say a narcissus flower (named after him) was found in the place where he had died.
Based on its name, it is not surprising that narcissus is held to be a flower that encourages self-love.
It is supposed that “narcissus” is derived from “narkeo” in Greek, which means “numbness”- referring to the flower’s narcotic effect. It is indeed an intoxicating flower, and needs to be handled and used with care.
Magical Uses
According to Tess Whitehurst, here are the magical uses of narcissus:
Connection to the Otherworld
It is held that the in-between times are times when the veil between worlds is thin. Therefore, this springtime flower could connect us with beings beyond this realm.
Freedom from the Past
Present-Moment Awareness
Reclaiming Personal Power
Self-Love
Spiritual Refreshment
Romantic Love
By strengthening our love for ourselves, we are better able to strengthen our relationships with others.
Ideas for Working Magically with Narcissus
-Gift someone with a bouquet of narcissus to bring them cheer. Or give the gift to yourself!
-There is a belief that if you put a bouquet on your nightstand, it will increase your fertility (for those who would like to conceive). Ooh la la!
-Use narcissus essential oil and a base oil (like jojoba, sweet almond or olive) to create a natural perfume. Charge the bottle under a full moon in Aries. Use it to enjoy its sweet scent and to hold more self-love, personal power and/or vitality. Remember not to use too much!
-Plant narcissus bulbs in a pot or in your garden with the intention to grow your self-love.
-Keep the flowers near you (in your garden or a bouquet at home) or take it as a flower essence for self-love.
-Get a bouquet of scented narcissus (paper whites are perfect) to enjoy their heavenly scent and receive a “wordless sermon” from beyond the veil.