Did anyone else read the title of this, to find their mind wandering to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – the resurrection stone?
Above is a picture of my resting plant, I have had her since 2016.
It may be an idea to get a cup of tea/coffee and slice of cake ready, this is a long blog post! A recording of a chat about this amazing plant can be seen here –
The Rose of Jericho, as can be seen from my picture, is not a type of rose. It is a small green plant that can be bought in a dried ball. When you put the ball in water, the plant opens and becomes green again, with delicate fern-like leaves. It is, because it can appear to die, but then come back to life again, that it is also called the resurrection plant. Other names associated with it are resurrection flower, Jericho Rose, resurrection fern, Maryam’s flower, hand of Fatima, and Kaff Maryam.
There are historical references describing the use of the Rose of Jericho plant in traditional medicine to treat various health problems, such as stomach aches, respiratory infections, and skin conditions.
The Spiritual History of The Rose of Jericho
The Rose of Jericho in the Bible is referred to as the resurrection plant or the plant of Jonas. It is associated with the story of the prophet Jonah, who was swallowed by a whale and later emerged unharmed. According to the Bible, Jonah was thrown into the sea during a storm, and a giant fish swallowed him. After three days and three nights, the fish vomited Jonah onto dry land. In the spot where Jonah was vomited out, a Rose of Jericho is said to have grown.
According to Catholic lore, the Rose of Jericho has a strong connection to Jesus, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. In some places it can be found in homes, displayed in a bowl of water during the Christmas season as a symbol of the birth of Jesus, and again at Easter, to commemorate Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, the plant is believed to bring blessings to those who display it in their homes during these times. It is a powerful reminder of the cycles of life and death, and the promise of new beginnings and renewal that come with faith in a higher power.
Hoodoo practitioners incorporate the Rose of Jericho into conjuring spells to attract prosperity and success. It is believed that the water the plant sits in contains powerful magical properties that can be harnessed to bring good fortune and abundance into one's life. The plant is also used in love spells to attract a desired partner or to mend a broken relationship.
In Santeria, the Rose of Jericho is associated with the Orisha Shango, the spirit of thunder and lightning. The plant is placed on Shango's altar as an offering to honour him and seek his protection. It is also believed to bring joy and happiness to those who bless themselves with the plant.
In Voodoo, the Rose of Jericho is used for spiritual and ritual purposes, being believed to possess strong protective properties, it is used to ward off negative energies and evil spirits. The plant is also used in rituals to attract abundance and good fortune, as well as to bring luck and prosperity to one's home or business.
To awaken your plant
Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the plant once it opens. Glass bowls are preferred, but any sealed or glazed bowl with non-toxic material is good.
Hold the dried plant in your hands and connect with its energy, then using your intuition undertake meditation, prayer, chanting, or visualization to awaken the plant. Once you feel the energy of the plant, place it in the bowl of water. The plant should begin to open and come back to life in a matter of hours or days.
To keep your plant healthy and thriving, change the water in the bowl every few days to prevent it becoming stagnant. Put the plant in a location with ample light but avoid direct sunlight, temperature of 60-75°F (15-24°C) is best.
Magical and Spiritual Uses
It can be used for purification, protection, prosperity, change, transformation, new beginnings, life, death and rebirth, love, and healing.
The Rose of Jericho is a weirdly beautiful, sacred plant. The water it sits in is thought to be filled with powerful spiritual energy. You can use it in any spell or ritual for rebirth, changes, transitions, new life, or new awakenings. Save the water, and use it on yourself, your belongings, and your home to bring in prosperity, keep away evil and envy, and protect you from misfortune, also can be used on candles or other items during spell work. In businesses, it can be sprinkled on counters, tables, or cash registers to bring in more business, or added to floor washes for good fortune. Place the plant in a shallow bowl of water by your front door to invite prosperity into your dwelling. Place five coins in the water to increase your opportunity for success.
Rose of Jericho Oil is made from the outer leaves as they fall off the plant, as it is resurrected and grows. Pick the leaves from the water, put them somewhere safe to dry. Or use the already dry pieces that fall off in its resting box when it is asleep. Once completely dry, place them in a small bottle of virgin olive oil whilst praying, chanting, or visualizing the energy of the plant infusing into the oil. This can then be used to anoint in the same way as the water, see above.
Good Luck Candle Spell
It is good to start this ritual during a waxing moon phase, when the moon is increasing in size. Hold the candle in your hands and imagine it filling with the energy of good luck and prosperity. If you have any specific things that you need luck with, carve the word or symbol for them into the wax.
Wash the candle with the Rose of Jericho water. Allow it to air dry, then dress it with the oil and set it in a safe place.
Once a day, light the candle, sit quietly, and pray or meditate on the good luck coming your way. When you are done, snuff and thank the candle. Repeat every day for seven days leading up to the full moon.
Protection Spell
I can’t remember where I heard about this, and could not find any reference to it online, so if anyone knows the source, please put it in the comments.
If you have someone or something that needs strong protection, awaken your plant, tell it who you want it to protect and why. Write the name or a description if an event on a piece of paper, place this in the centre of your plant, remove it from the water and allow it to dry, so that it closes over, encircling the paper. Keep the Rose of Jericho like this until the danger is passed.
References and further reading –