Alex | Sagittarius | Official Vodka Aunt.
/// Tarot reader, writer, and professional drama queen.
///
I'm really chatty so if you don't want to listen to me, just blacklist the tags spksies (chatting with people) and alexstuff (personal updates and rants)
The culinary use of flowers dates back thousands of years to the
Chinese, Greeks and Romans. Many cultures use flowers in their traditional
cooking, medicine, and magick.
Adding flowers to your food can be a nice way to add color, flavor
and a little magickal whimsy. Some are spicy, and some herbaceous, while others
are floral and fragrant. The range is surprising. Flower petals can be
used in salads and as garnish for desserts, but they also inspire magickal
creative uses as well. Use them to make floral spirit water for rituals, as a
medicinal tea, or add to a healing spell or love potion…. the possibilities are endless.
TIPS FOR SAFE AND TASTY DINING:
Not all flowers are edible (those listed below are safe for consumption) - As lovely
as eating flowers can be, some can also be a little … deadly, so only
eat flowers
you know to be consumable — if you are uncertain, consult a reference book on
edible flowers and plants. (Always refer to the botanical name when verifying whether a flower is
safe to eat.)
Just
because a flower is edible doesn’t mean it will taste good. Some will be more to
your liking than others – it’s all a matter of taste. Keep in mind that the
stamen, pistil and sepal of some blossoms are bitter and can contain pollen
that may detract from the true flavor of the flower. Consuming only the
petals will further heighten the appeal factor.
Eat flowers you have grown yourself, or know to be safe for
consumption. Flowers from the florist or nursery have probably been treated
with pesticides or other chemicals.
Do
not eat roadside flowers or those picked in public parks. Both may have been treated with pesticide or
herbicide, and roadside flowers may be polluted by car exhaust.
Eat
only the petals, and remove pistils and
stamens before eating.
If
you suffer from allergies, introduce edible flowers gradually, as they may exacerbate allergies.
To
keep flowers fresh, place them on moist paper towels and refrigerate in an airtight
container. Some will last up to 10 days this way. Ice water can revitalize limp
flowers.
1, Allium
All blossoms from the allium family (leeks,
chives, garlic, garlic chives) are edible and flavorful. Flavors run the gamut from delicate leek to
robust garlic. Every part of these plants is edible. Garlic is masculine in nature and associated with the planet Mars, the element fire and the sign Aries. It is sacred to Hecate and is a suitable offering to her left at a crossroads. Garlic has antibiotic properties, but should
not be used directly on wounds or in poultices or salves because it can be
irritating to the skin and may inhibit blood clotting.
2. Angelica
Depending on the variety, flowers range from pale lavender-blue to deep rose
and have a licorice-like flavor. Believed to have
originated in Syria, angelica is now found just about everywhere. In ancient
times it was used to ward off the plague and evil and as a cure for poison and…
well, just about everything else.
Angelica is associated with the angels Michael and Gabriel.
It is aligned with the sun and the element of fire and sacred to Venus. Angelica tea is useful for colic, gas,
indigestion, hepatitis, heartburn, nausea, ulcers and various other digestive
ailments.
3. Anise Hyssop
Both flowers and leaves have a subtle anise or licorice flavor. Anise
is one of the oldest known plants that were grown for both culinary and
medicinal use. Anise is associated with the element of air, the God Apollo, the planets Mercury and Jupiter, and the astrological sign Gemini. Anise is also considered masculine.
4. Basil
Blossoms come in a variety of colors, from white to pink to lavender; flavor is
similar to the leaves, but milder. The word Basil comes from the Greeks, meaning
“King”. Basil is sacred to Vishnu, Tulasi and Erzulie, masculine in nature, and
associated with the element of fire and the planet Mars.
Basil helps steady the mind, brings happiness, love, peace, and money
and protects against insanity.
5. Calendula / Marigold
A great flower for eating, calendula blossoms are peppery, tangy, and spicy —
and their vibrant golden color adds a dash of magick to any dish. The
ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all loved calendula and used it for
culinary and healing purposes. During the medieval period it was considered a
cure for just about everything. Marigold is associated
with the Sun. Calendula
symbolizes love and constancy. It is great for wedding bouquets and
decorations. It is the traditional “he loves me, he loves me not”
flower and is useful for love potions. Dried
petals can be strewn to consecrate an area or burned in consecration incense.
They are also a good addition to dream pillows.
6. Carnations
Petals are sweet, once trimmed away from the base. The blossoms taste like
their sweet, perfumed aroma. In ancient Rome,
carnations were known as “Jove’s Flower” as a tribute to their beloved king of
the gods, Jupiter. Carnations are
masculine, associated with the Sun and Jupiter, and with the element fire. Those things that fall
under the rule of Jupiter are ideal for use in magickal applications related to
luck, money, good fortune, status, legal matters, fertility, friendship,
ambition, career, success and protection. The
flowers can be used to lend strength in healing applications. The practitioner
can also use carnation essential oils to increase health and vigor.
7. Chamomile
Small and daisy like, the flowers have a sweet flavor and are
often used in tea. Ragweed sufferers may be allergic to chamomile. The Romans used Chamomile for incense. Chamomile was used in ancient Egypt for
fevers and was dedicated to their Sun God Ra. Chamomile is associated with the sun, Leo and the element of water. It helps cleanse and invigorate
the throat chakra (5th). It is associated with
various Sun Gods, including Cernunnos,
Lugh and others. It is used
in spells for money, peace, love, tranquility and purification.
8. Chrysanthemum / Mum
A little bitter, mums come in a rainbow of colors and a range
of flavors range from peppery to pungent. Use only the petals. In Celtic folklore, chrysanthemums in the garden were considered a
meeting place for the faeries. Chrysanthemum
is masculine in nature and resonates with the
energy of the Sun and the element of fire. Chrysanthemum has been used
for burial rituals and is a suitable decoration for Samhain and for ancestral altars. The dried flower heads of
chrysanthemum can be burned during house blessings ceremonies.
9. Dandelion
The bright yellow
flowers should be gathered as soon as they open. Remove the green bits from the
base of the flower before using. These can be added to wines, vinegar or
jellies. The name dandelion comes from the French, “dent de lion” which
means “tooth of the lion”. The dandelion is
masculine in action and associated with the planet Jupiter, the element of air and both Pisces and Sagittarius.
It is also associated with any solar deity, Hecate, Brigid and Belenos. A tea of the flowers and leaves may be consumed to increase psychic ability, while pouring boiling water over a bowlful of roots
will aid in calling spirits. You can also make a
wish and blow the seeds off a dandelion head.
10. Lavender
Sweet, spicy, and perfumed, the flowers are a great addition
to both savory and sweet dishes. Some of the earliest
recorded uses of lavender are by the Roman soldiers who used the wild-growing
plant to perfume their bathwater and wash their clothes. Lavender is
masculine in action and associated with Mercury. It is also associated with the element of air and the astrological sign Virgo. It may be used as an asperging herb (to sprinkle water for purification purposes) and dried lavender sticks or wands can be burnt
like incense. It is also useful in spells to sharpen the mind, to
encourage or strengthen pure love and to encourage fertility. The scent of lavender is
relaxing and uplifting all at once making it a great aromatherapy for stressed
out or depressed individuals. Try adding some lavender oil to your bath or add
it to mild oil for a relaxing massage at the end of a hard day. Stuffing a
pillow with lavender buds may help insomniacs relax and fall asleep and soothes
headaches.
11. Oregano
The flowers are a pretty, subtle version of the leaf. Oregano is ruled by Venus and the element of air and
associated with Aphrodite. It is
used in spells for happiness, tranquility, luck, health, protection and letting
go of a loved one. It can also be used in spells to deepen existing love. When
worn on the head during sleep, it is said to promote psychic dreams. Oregano symbolizes
joy. Use it for rituals celebrating joyful occasions, or in spells to bring joy
into one’s life.
12. Rose
Remove the white, bitter base and the remaining petals have a
strongly perfumed flavor perfect for floating in drinks or scattering across
desserts, and for a variety of jams. All roses are edible, with flavor more pronounced
in darker varieties. From the time of Solomon, the rose has been the
flower most closely linked with love. The rose was sacred to Venus, the Roman
goddess of love, and was connected to her messenger, Cupid. Roses have
been cultivated for over 5,000 years. Roses are associated with Aphrodite, Adonis and Eros.
Rosewater is a protective agent worn on clothes. Rose petals can be added to
charms against the evil eye.
13. Rosemary
Flowers taste like a milder version of the herb; nice used as
a garnish on dishes that incorporate rosemary. The word Rosmarinus is from the Latin meaning “dew of
the sea”. Rosemary is also associated
with Aphrodite and appears in many ancient images of
Her. Rosemary was used to ward off evil spirits and nightmares. The wood was
used to make musical instruments. Rosemary is male in nature and ruled by Leo, the element fire and
the sun (or Moon,
depending who you ask). It’s sacred to Hebe, Aphrodite and the Virgin Mary. Rosemary can be used in spells
for fidelity and remembrance as well as to dispel jealousy. Rosemary is useful
for ritual baths, and for making
sacred herbal water for ritual cleansing, blessing and purification. Bathing in
rosemary will enhance your memory.
14. Sage
Blossoms have a subtle flavor similar to the leaves. Sage is
a hardy perennial of the mint family. The
Romans regarded sage quite highly and much sacrifice and ceremony was
associated with its harvest. They believed it stimulated the brain and memory
and used it to clean their teeth. Sage is masculine in nature and associated the element of air and
the planet Jupiter. Sage is
sacred to the Greek Zeus and Roman Jupiter. It is also a symbol of the
Virgin Mary. Sage is used in
magical workings for immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection and the
granting of wishes. Sage is also believed to help alleviate sorrow of the death
of a loved one.
15. Sunflower
Petals can be eaten, and the bud can be steamed like an
artichoke. Sunflower is associated with the sun and
all solar deities. Its essence helps balance the first chakra and also helps
with confidence in leadership roles. Sunflower
oil can be used as carrier oil for healing oils used in massages and ointments.
16. Violets
Another famous edible flower, violets are floral, sweet and
beautiful as garnishes. Use the flowers in salads and to garnish desserts and
drinks. In Roman mythology, violets were said to be
lesser goddesses who once dared to rival the beauty of Aphrodite, goddess of
love and beauty. Violets are affiliated
with the planet Venus or Pluto and are associated with the nymphs of ancient Greek myths. Violets are also
associated with death and rebirth through the story of Attis.
Violets are useful in love spells and may be carried as an amulet to increase one’s luck in love. Try
combining them with lavender for an enhanced effect.
Sources: HerbalRiot, Cheralyndarcey, Witches of the Craft, Inspirationforthespirit,
Witchipedia
Plants and herbs are a common ingredient in many forms of magic. Whether you are making incense, stuffing a sachet, or brewing a folk remedy, if you practice long enough, you’re eventually going to have a use for them. When that’s the case, you’ll want to use the best possible ingredient.
While store bought herbs will do in a pinch, I prefer to harvest my own. This way: you can be confident of freshness, you can establish a relationship with the donor plant, and you can harvest with intent, contributing to the power of the destined spell. Your spell work begins with the gathering of components, so treat the activity with the focus it deserves.
Your Toolkit
The first thing you will need is a cutting tool. Some traditions recommend the use of a sickle-shaped tool with a white handle, called the Boline. Here’s an example of what one looks like:
Personally, I don’t recommend the use of a Boline. Here’s why:
They tend to tear the plant instead of cutting it. The jagged edges this leaves behind are more prone to infection, and susceptible to insect attack.
They’re conspicuous, and the layman may mistake it for a weapon. Enjoy explaining to a cop that it is a “special knife for witchcraft”.
They require considerable care to keep sharp
If your beliefs don’t specifically demand the Boline, I instead recommend a pair of garden pruning shears with white handles. They are affordable, inconspicuous, and designed to do as little damage as possible to the plant.
Once you’ve chosen your knife, you should consecrate it. It should never be used for any purpose other than the harvesting of plants. When it isn’t in use, store it near your altar.
Next, you’ll need something to carry your herbs in. I use a large linen hip bag with an over the shoulder strap. You’ll also need some twine or string to divide the herbs you’ve collected, and a “harvest journal” so you can take note of the location of plants you find.
Finally, you need an offering to thank them for their gift. In magic, there is nothing without sacrifice. In the store, you pay with money. In nature, you can pay with fertilizer. I generally carry around a re-purposed water or soda bottle filled with fertilizer mix.
Finding Your Herbs
Some of us are lucky to live close to forests or natural fields on public land, but for many it can be a challenge to source wild herbs.
If you live in a city, find out if there are any nature trails or reserves in your area, then check what their policies are. You can also search for vacant lots, or neighbors with a green thumb. Make sure to ask before helping yourself! Sometimes you can find areas beneath power lines where herbs and flowers are allowed to grow freely. Taking plants from those areas is usually allowed.
You should try to avoid harvesting near a road (where the plants will have taken in a lot of pollution), from very small plants, or plants that appear to be sick. You don’t want to eat a sick plant, and you don’t want to kill a plant by taking from it. A good rule of thumb is to never take more than 25% of the plant’s total growth.
Asking Permission
Before you cut the plant, you should take some time to connect with it. Examine it to see if it is healthy. Take your time identifying it. Feel the plant’s energy and let it get to know you. Once you’ve determined that the plant is a good candidate, you should ask its permission to take it.
This process is intuitive. Some believe you should ask aloud, others that you can ask silently, communicating with the plant by focusing your intent. Let the plant know what you want to use it for, and invite it to participate with you. Then, wait a few minutes and listen for a response.
You should get an impression on whether or not it is okay. This could come in the form of a sensation, such as an inviting warmth, or a chill that turns you away. It could just be a sense of satisfaction. Trust yourself and go with what you sense is right. If you feel unsure or anxious, find another plant.
Harvesting
Using your sharp implement, make a clean, angular cut near a joint. This will make it easier for the plant to heal and regrow. You will want to choose a portion of the plant that is not the oldest (dark and woody), and not the youngest (the lightest with the most budding leaves). A good middle-aged branch is best. Be sure to never take more than 25% of the total plant growth.
While you are harvesting the plant, you should focus yourself on the intent of the spell you’re collecting it for. If you’re gathering chamomile for a healing tea, visualize yourself getting well. If you’re casting a money spell, see yourself getting that big cheque! If the goal is a love spell, see yourself with your ideal partner.
No specific goal? If you’re harvesting for general purposes or to replenish your stock, you can focus on the properties of the plant, and enforce your intention that it should lend strength to your work.
Tie the plants that you have collected into a bundle so that they wont get lost in your other herbs when you put them in your carrying bag.
Giving Thanks
Having taken from the plant, you should give thanks for the gift. Tell it that you’re grateful, and assure it that it wont be misused. Then, provide payment!
Pour the fertilizer you brought at the roots of the plant. If you stumbled upon the plant accidentally and don’t have your fertilizer with you, make some other form of offering. Traditionally, a small coin at the base of the plant can show your willingness to give. Don’t litter! The scrap of paper or cloth in your pocket is probably not a suitable offering.
Before you go, spend a moment tending to the plant. Clear debris from around it, untangle it from choking weeds and pluck off any dead matter. Practice respect by leaving it in better condition than it was when you found it!
Storing and Preparing for Use
To use the herbs fresh, simply wash them in cool water and pat them dry. They can be kept lively for a few days by putting them in a vase of water and keeping them in a cool area (if your fridge isn’t too cold, that’ll do nicely).
If you wont be using them within a few days, or want to put them in a sachet, tea or incense, you will probably need to dry them.
Tie a string around the base of a bunch of the washed, dried herbs and suspend them upside down in a warm place with good ventilation. To avoid collecting dust, I like to tie brown paper bags over them. Check them once a week, and take them down when they are dry and brittle, but before they turn to powder beneath your thumb. The length of time they’ll take to dry will vary widely based on your climate and the thickness of the plant.
When they’re dry, keep them in a labeled, airtight container for up to six months.
Use Them!
Record any observations you make while working with the herb along with it’s location in your harvest journal. If the plant is particularly fragrant or effective, write it down so you know to go back! If it doesn’t work well for you, make note of that, too.
And that is how you harvest herbs for magic! Happy Crafting!
Hi Mama Bree! Do you know of any blogs, books, websites, etc that have information on potions, tinctures, salves, and such things? Im interested in learning about that stuff and potentially becoming an herbalist. Thanks!
Good for you! Practical herbalism is a fun and very rewarding line of study. It was a big part of how I got my start as a witch, and boy do you get familiar with Latin in a hurry….
Please note before you begin that in order to practice publicly in the United States, you DO need to be a certified herbalist. (I’ve said “licensed” in the past and it’s been brought to my attention that that is the incorrect term.) There are several colleges that offer certification programs through distance learning, and you’ll need to do that before you start recommending herbal cures, treatments, or therapies for anyone outside yourself and your own home. And yes, that includes online posting. (If you post any recommendations on your blog, make sure that you include a disclaimer that you are unlicensed and remind people to consult a doctor first.)
Home practice requires no license, just make sure you do your homework. Also, I strongly recommend consulting a primary care physician before taking any herbal cure or beginning any herbal treatment regimen. Herbs have interactions and side effects just like any other medicine, and it’s important to know if they clash with pre-existing health conditions or with medications you (or your family member) is already taking).
All that being said, here are the books from my personal library that I most recommend to get you started.
The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines (Fetrow & Avila) - This reads like a physician’s medical reference. It includes the uses and safe dosage levels for several hundred commonly-used herbs and botanicals, and every entry has health and safety warnings. (I.E. Do not use if you’re taking Coumadin or bloodthinners. Do not use if pregnant or nursing.) This is a must-have, in my opinion. It’s well-organized and makes for quick and easy reference.
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (ed. Kowalchik &
Hylton) - This is a great text for reference on all the practical
aspects of growing and preparing herbs for home medical use. It’s been
updated a few times, so make sure you’re getting the most current
edition. (Look in the front for the original and current printing
dates.) It’s a 500+ page TOME of a book, and includes indispensable
knowledge for anyone who wants a good thorough grounding in practical
herbalism. There are also tips on garden design, pest control, dyeing with plants, and tons more.
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (Chevallier) -
This reads like an expanded textbook edition of the Fetrow & Avila book. There are color photos and illustrations with every entry, lists of traditional and current uses, and preservation techniques. There’s also a whole section on how to make and administer tinctures, powders, oils, ointments, and pretty much any herbal preparation you could want. There’s also a page that discusses what to look for when consulting an herbal practitioner, and what the regulations are for the practice. Chevallier also published a Visual Reference Guide to herbal remedies that makes an excellent companion to the Encyclopedia for quick reference.
Peterson Field Guides (pub. Houghton Mifflin) - These little
books are another must-have, especially if you’re going to be
wildcrafting ANY of your herbs, for witchcraft or for practical
herbalism. (I don’t recommend wildcrafting for medicine unless you’re
very experienced; too easy to mistake a toxic plant for a safe one.) All
the Field Guides are easy reference and fully-illustrated, with
information for identifying plants by their components, where they can
be found, and which are safe to consume and which should be avoided. I
recommend “Edible Wild Plants” and “Medicinal Plants and Herbs” to get
you started. These books are keyed to geographic regions, mostly
North-American, so check your local bookstore to see if there’s one available that covers your area. (Or just pick up the ones you can find and go from there.)
The New American Herbal (Orr) - I just picked this up recently, but it’s a gorgeous book. Full-color photographs on every single entry, and like Rodale’s, it is a LARGE book. This text is more geared toward identification and basic techniques for growing a preparing herbs, and does include information on which herbs are safe to consume. There’s also a smattering of recipes that might seem more at home in a cookbook, but that doesn’t take away from the overall usefulness.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide (Gladstar) - I’ve been reading Gladstar’s books on herbalism since my first day out. It’s like sitting down with that auntie who could always tell you what flowers were in the bouquet you brought in from the fields. It’s very practical and sensible stuff, and she does include some health warnings. This is a good book to get you started on identification and simple usage, and I recommend it alongside the next book.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health (Gladstar) - This is where you get into more complex recipes for teas, tinctures, salves, and whatnot. It’s a retitled reprinting of her earlier work, “Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal,” so if you see that one, don’t double up. The book is broken up into sections, mostly by usage, and again, there are some health warnings but they’re fairly simple. (This is why I recommended the Fetrow & Avila book first. Much more comprehensive on the health warnings.)
On a slightly more metaphysical note, you might want to check out Beyerl’s “The Master Book of Herbalism,” which relates more to the magical side of the craft than the practical. It’s a good tie-in that shows where the practices overlap and is heavily based on classical texts like Culpeper’s “Complete Herbal and English Physician.”
For sourcing your herbs, I recommend hitting up a reputable botanicals vendor, rather than an occult shop. If you’re going to be using herbs for medicine, you need to be sure that they’re clean and of good quality, and most importantly, that they’re not blended with something you don’t want. (Some shops cut their herbs with less expensive plants to add bulk, or put old herbs and new herbs in the same container. Not bad for witchery, but not the best for medicine.)
My go-to for this is Starwest Botanicals. You’ll have to order in bulk (this is the case for most botanicals vendors), but the prices are reasonable and the products are very high quality. They also carry accoutrements that you’ll want for making various preparations and treatments.
Hope this helps! :)
(Oh and witches - TAKE NOTE! If you’re going to be working with herbs in your magic, I strongly advise that you get your hands on some practical texts to go along with your magical ones. This list is a good place to start.)
Thanks for all this, Bree! I’ve been thinking about studying herbalism more myself.
I second the general utility of having an herbalism text as a witch even if you’re not an herbalist. As we all know, sometimes some pretty crazy stuff makes it into the witchy information pipeline, and it NEVER hurts to double-check the safety of the ingredients in any spell that requires you to consume something.
My personal favorite is pagan authors recommending MUGWORT TEA for every ailment from period cramps to headaches, without a single word about the side effects, the possible interactions with blood pressure or mood stabilizer medications, or the danger to people who are pregnant or nursing or sensitive to thujone or allergic to hazelnuts.
Just… “mugwort all the things.”
-HISSSSSS-
Witchlings, promise me you’ll pick up at least ONE reputable book on practical herbology to supplement your magical texts. Just please do that for me.
Anonymous said:
liir-thropp-ko said:
Dawn is Coming
