Scott Cunningham writes that lavender flowers are burned or smouldered to induce sleep and rest, and scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness. Its powers span love, protection, purification, happiness, and peace, and its scent was long said to be conducive to long life. It is the herb we reach for when the day has taken more than it gave.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and related species) is a Mediterranean shrub of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its scent comes chiefly from linalool and linalyl acetate, concentrated in the flower spikes rather than the leaves, which is why lavender is harvested in bud and bundled by the stem.

Scott Cunningham records the old belief that simply gazing upon lavender when sorrowful causes sadness to depart and joy to settle on the observer., Folk tradition holds that lavender placed beneath the pillow, with a wish held in mind, will reveal in dreams whether the wish is to come true., and Known as Nard in the ancient world, lavender was among the precious aromatics of Mediterranean temples, bathhouses, and trade.

The day is done and I release it. I gather quiet around me like a blanket, and whatever tomorrow asks of me, tonight belongs to rest.