Praying mantis witchcraft is a term that refers to the supernatural beliefs and practices associated with praying mantises in certain cultures. Although it may sound bizarre, these insects have been regarded as magical and mysterious creatures in various folklore and traditions around the world. In many African cultures, the praying mantis is considered a symbol of power and protection. Some believe that the mantis possesses supernatural abilities and can bring good fortune or ward off evil spirits. This has led to the belief that the mantis can be used for divination or as a familiar for witchcraft practices. In other cultures, such as in ancient Egypt, the praying mantis was also regarded as a symbol of divinity.
Orchids have long been associated with fertility because their name is derived from ‘orchis’, the Greek word for ‘testicles’. Please don’t try this at home, but supposedly, if you eat small orchid tubers while pregnant, you’ll give birth to a baby girl. If your male partner eats large ones, you’ll welcome a son. It goes without saying that this superstition has no basis in science!
It is the favourite flower of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who called it a must for every gardener when the RHS Chelsea Flower Show went virtual in 2020. Together the two sets of associations suggest death followed by heavenly rebirth, which may be one reason for the tradition of placing or planting flowers on graves.
In other cultures, such as in ancient Egypt, the praying mantis was also regarded as a symbol of divinity. It was associated with the god of insects, called Myiagros, who was believed to possess the ability to communicate with insects and control their actions. This connection between the mantis and divine presence further fueled its association with witchcraft and mystical powers.
Magical flowers in mytology
I recently learned that my favorite flowers are linked to my Greek heritage and Greek mythology [1]. Unbeknown to me, my favorite flowers and the ones I grow in my garden are daffodils, lilies, gladiolus, and roses. Other favorites associated with Greek mythology are anemones and peonies. For some reason these flowers don't seem to grow well in my yard, probably due to my clay soil.
One of the most famous floral myths involves the Narcissus flower, commonly known as the daffodil. This springtime favorite is named after the beautiful Greek youth, Narcissus, who became so enchanted by his reflection in a river that he stayed on its banks, staring at himself until he died. Other stories say he was so absorbed by his looks that he fell into the river and drowned. Either way, daffodils sprung up on the spot where he perished, bending their necks towards the water as he had done. Hence, the term ‘narcissistic', means a fixation with oneself.
Lilies are associated with Hera's milk in Greek mythology. Her husband, Zeus, the god of thunder and lightning had an affair with a mortal that led to the birth of Hercules. However, Zeus knew that Hera's breast milk was the best for raising gods; thus, he drugged her to sleep. But Hera woke up as the child suckled and flung him away spraying milk across the sky (Milky Way) and as it touched the earth, the white lilies sprouted.
In classical Greek mythology, the Gladiolus flower means links to the god Apollo. One story revolves around Hyacinthus who was accidentally killed by the discus of the god Apollo, a gladiolus flower sprouted from his corpse. Another myth is about Demeter the goddess of the harvest. She had a sacred grove from which an irreligious man, Erisichton, repeatedly stole firewood. One day the man beheaded one of Demeter's worshipers and from the disciple's blood sprouted a gladiola. Another version is that Demeter punished Erisichton with famine. He became poor and he tried to sell his daughter, fortunately, she managed to escape from him. Demeter found her in the grove and turned her into a gladiola [2].
A Rose by any other name is still a rose, which is symbolic of romance. You thought Shakespeare but jumble up the letters of ‘rose' and it's an anagram of ‘Eros', the god of love. Legend has it that Chloris, the goddess of flowers, stumbled upon a lifeless nymph while walking through the woods one day. Saddened by its death, she turned it into a flower so beautiful that all the gods would consider it the Queen of Flowers. Indeed, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was so struck by its beauty that she named it ‘rose' in honor of her son, Eros. "There's a rival Greek myth that connects the red rose to devotion." (“These Are Some of the Best Floral Myths - Thurs.”) The story goes that, upon discovering a plot to kill her mortal lover, Adonis, Aphrodite ran through a bush of white roses to warn him. Its thorns scratched her ankles, and her blood turned the petals red.
Sadly, Aphrodite was too late, as Adonis had already been gored by a wild boar. His blood mingled with her tears and burst into Anemones. In another version of this story, the anemones were white before the death of Adonis, whose blood turned them red. (“Flowers in Mythology - Myth Encyclopedia”)
Popular Peonies signify compassion and are named after Paean, the physician who tended to the wounds of the gods. One day, Paean healed Pluto, the god of the underworld, with a milky liquid taken from the root of a magical flower he had found on Mount Olympus. His success humiliated Asclepius (his teacher) who plotted to kill his pupil for outsmarting him. Zeus, the king of the gods, took mercy on Paean by turning him into the plant that had saved Pluto's life. Peony roots, seeds, and petals were widely used in ancient times to treat a variety of aches and pains. Research has since proven that they can indeed have anti-inflammatory effects, so perhaps there's truth to myths after all.
Flowers and folklore have long been intertwined, with many of our favourite blooms weaving their way into magical spells and superstitions over time.
The praying mantis's unusual physical appearance and behavior also contribute to its reputation in witchcraft. Its elongated body and front legs that can be folded like in a praying position give it a distinct and enigmatic look. The mantis's predatory nature and its ability to remain motionless like a statue further add to its mysterious allure. While praying mantis witchcraft may be regarded as folklore and superstition by many, it is important to note that these beliefs hold significance in various cultures. They reflect the fascination and reverence that humans have towards the natural world and its creatures. Whether or not one believes in the magical powers of the praying mantis, it serves as a reminder of the awe and wonder that nature can inspire..
Reviews for "Praying Mantis Witchcraft: Embracing the Shadow Self"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars: I did not enjoy "Praying mantis witchcraft" at all. The plot was confusing and lacked a clear direction. The characters were undeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite poor, with awkward sentence structures and grammatical errors throughout. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
2. Andrew - 1 star: "Praying mantis witchcraft" was one of the worst books I have ever read. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, with unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the overall plot. The main character was incredibly unlikeable, making it difficult to root for her or care about her journey. Additionally, the writing was boring and lacked any sort of excitement or energy. I was extremely disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: I had high hopes for "Praying mantis witchcraft" based on all the positive reviews, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The pacing was incredibly slow, with scenes dragging on for far too long without contributing much to the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the characters and their interactions. The ending was also unsatisfying and left many loose ends. Overall, I found this book to be lackluster and would not personally recommend it to others.