FLORA BY ALPHONSE MUCHA
Flora is the spirit of blossoming flowers and springtime. She embodies the flowering of all nature, including humans. Flowers indicate the promise of reproduction. Flowers lead to fruit as surely as sexual intercourse leads to babies. Flora is the spirit who embodies both the pleasures of the moment and the promise of the future. She is the spirit of the pleasures of the flesh.
ORIGIN:
Sabine or Oscan
MANIFESTATION:
A lush beautiful woman crowned and adorned with flowers
FLOWERS:
Although, by definition, all flowers are sacred to Flora, her favourites are fragile, transient lupine (bean) blossoms.
FESTIVAL:
Her festival, the Floralia, is considered the mother of all May Day festivities. Celebrated annually from April 28th through the beginning of May, the Floralia honoured the female body. Beautiful Flora may be understood as the original Queen of the May.
The festival was celebrated in the nude until the third century CE, when Roman authorities demanded that revelers be clothed. The festival survived in this fashion until the following century, when all Pagan festivals were banned.
OFFERINGS:
Flowers! Italian lupini beans; flower waters and sexy floral perfumes; honey; spring water
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.