Throughout folklore and fairy tales, petals have often been depicted as possessing magical properties. These enchanted petals can transform, heal, bestow luck, and bring forth powerful spells. These tales often revolve around the idea of petals being linked to specific flowers or plants, with each having their unique abilities. One common theme is the power of love blooming from petals, as seen in stories such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty." In these tales, the true love's kiss is often symbolized by a magical petal, which breaks spells and awakens the characters from their slumber or transforms them into their true forms. Another common belief is that certain petals have the power to grant wishes or bring good luck.
Another common belief is that certain petals have the power to grant wishes or bring good luck. The Four-Leaf Clover, for example, is often associated with luck and finding one is considered a rare and fortunate occurrence. Legend has it that finding a four-leaf clover can grant the finder great luck and protect them from harm.
The Magic Cottage (1986) by James Herbert
The old, quaint cottage of the title is the opposite of the Money Pit in that it actually repairs itself and heals small animals to boot. Having come far from the quick-paced fireworks of The Rats or The Fog, The Magic Cottage finds Herbert in a more eloquent but no less effective mode.
A couple, guitarist Mike and illustrator Midge, purchase the old Gramarye house out in the country after its previous owner, old Flora, kicks the bucket. The house is in a very bad condition but somehow very appealing to Midge, so money (lack of which is resolved, should we say, magically?) and keys exchange hands. The couple hires renovators to fix the myriad problems, only for the repairmen to discover there’s not much to repair. Small things begin to occur, an injured bird heals overnight, shadows lurk on the outskirts of the house and Mike has hallucinatory experienses in the round room, a large room that happens to be, you guessed it, round. Also, their next door neighbours reveal themselves to be affable cultists led by a nice-mannered American, but of course being cultists they are out for blood, or at least the land the house stands on. The battle for English real estate is on.
Herbert knocks it out of the park with the narrator, Mike. Mike’s voice is smart, but not too smart, his reactions to the events unfolding around him realistic and relatable. He’s not a manly hero, most of the time he’s stumbling around like any of us would, even when he nobly takes on a group of punks accosting some of the younger cultists early in the novel. The cultists aren’t badly drawn either, coming across as sensible folks, as cultists always do, I guess, before their masks fall off.
It’s the narration that keeps the novel going, even when the plot itself stumbles towards the end as it becomes wrapped in theories of what magic is (probably realising this, Herbert has the narrator laugh uncontrollably at some of the mumbojumbo spouted by the head cultist). The Magic Cottage isn’t a major horror novel, there’s barely any horror in it, not to mention Herbert’s trademark gore, but it’s a pleasant, well-written little novel in a wonderful setting that slowly unwraps its secrets and delivers where it counts.
**** (4/5)
Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city of London, young couple Mike and Midge are determined to find a home that offers them a brighter – and quieter – future. Much to their delight, that perfect home comes in the form of Gramarye; a breathtaking, isolated cottage that appears too good to be true. Eager to move right in and settle down, they soon experience the enchanting wonders Gramarye has to offer, along with the sinister ugliness that lurks just beneath its surface.
Similarly, in Asian folklore, the Cherry Blossom carries great significance. The delicate and ephemeral nature of these petals represents the transient beauty of life. It is believed that if a person sees a falling cherry blossom petal and makes a wish, their wish will come true. Moreover, petals are often used in magical potions and spells. In Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the petals of a love-in-idleness flower are squeezed onto the eyes of the characters, causing them to fall in love with the first person they see upon waking. This demonstrates the belief that petals can harness the power of love and attraction, acting as a conduit for enchantment. In addition to their magical properties, petals also play a symbolic role in folklore. They are often associated with beauty, fragility, and purity. The image of a single petal falling from a flower can be seen as a metaphor for the transitory nature of life and the passing of time. Petals can also represent emotions such as love, longing, or sorrow, depending on the context in which they are used. In conclusion, petals hold great significance in folklore and fairy tales. From their ability to transform and heal to their power to grant wishes, petals have been woven into the fabric of these stories for centuries. Whether it be through love, luck, or enchantment, the magical petals in folklore continue to captivate our imagination and remind us of the beauty and wonder that can be found in the natural world..
Reviews for "The Scent of Magic: A Journey Through Folklore Flower Petals"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Magical Petals in Folklore" to be extremely boring and lacking in substance. The book promised to explore the enchanting world of magical flowers, but I was left disappointed. The author's writing style was dry and lacked any real passion or excitement. The content felt repetitive and lacked depth. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read about magical flowers.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was completely let down by "Magical Petals in Folklore." The author seemed to have no real knowledge or understanding of the subject matter they were writing about. The book failed to provide any meaningful insights or interesting facts about magical flowers. It was like reading a poorly researched high school essay. The lack of substance and expertise made this book a waste of time and money. Steer clear of this one.
3. David - 2 stars - "Magical Petals in Folklore" was a complete disappointment. I was expecting an immersive exploration of the mythical world of flowers, but instead, I found the book to be scattered and poorly organized. The chapters jumped from one topic to another without any clear structure or flow. The writing felt amateurish and lacked a cohesive narrative. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and informative read about magical flowers.