Fertility, Flowers, and Fire: Celebrations, Festivals, and Magic in Honor of Beltane

Beltane brings enchanting transformations to our environment: green foliage reappears in the trees, wildflowers bloom in bright colors, thunderstorms rumble in through the skies, and days grow brighter and longer. At Beltane we finally arrive at the warm, vibrant, and fertile season of the year. This fire festival awakens feelings of hope, passion and inspiration. It is a time of abundance, vitality, passion, and fertility. Beltane comes at the opposite point in the calendar to Samhain and marks the passage into the light side of the year. And, much like Samhain, Beltane has an Otherworldly and liminal feeling of being in-between times and places as we transition into the summer season.

Beltane commences the Faerie season. When nature grows, so does the influence and presence of the Fae. It is believed that the ancient faerie race of Ireland, the Tuatha De Danann, arrived in Ireland on Beltane. There are other legends that say trooping faeries moved from their winter homes to their summer homes on Beltane Eve. Bells were carried to keep away mischievous faeries, who were thought to be extra curious about humans at this time of year. Both Beltane and the Summer Solstice (Litha) are associated with the presence of the Fae. I prefer to focus on abundance, growth, wildlife, and fertility and at Beltane; then, at Litha, I turn my focus turns to dreams, playfulness, love, fantasy, happiness, and Faery magic. My opinion is: the gate for the Fae to come through and interact with our world opens at Beltane, and by Litha they active and thriving. Even though I personally make this distinction for keeping order in blog entries and my second draft of Eight Extraordinary Days, feel free to use the summer season, or any season that resonates with you, as an optimal time for work with the Fae (if you do so with knowledge, reverence and caution).

The Origins of Beltane and Historical Festivals of May

Beltane’s origins are much like Samhain: they take us back to the time of the Celts. In Celtic regions, May 1st was considered the beginning of the summer season. This was a major fire festival celebrating the season of fertility and growth.  The word “Beltaine” comes from the Celtic word meaning “Bright Fire.” The name is also said to honor of the Celtic deity Bel, a sun god, much like Apollo. Bel is a god of healing, crops, and springs. In The Provenance Press Guide to the Wiccan Year, Judy Ann Nock explains the reason why a sun god can also be connected to water: “The Celts believed that by night, the sun traveled underneath the world to heat the waters in the thermal springs, uniting the energy of the sun with the healing properties of water.”

Beltane was a time for fertility, health, and good luck rituals, many of which involved bonfires that were lit in certain regions of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. According to Melanie Marquis in in Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore, and Celebration, the fires were sacred and magical: “Their flames, their smoke were all believed capable of granting health and protection.” Men and women would leap the fire for good luck in the coming year. Animals were herded through the smoking embers for purification and protection. The ashes from the Beltane bonfires would be scattered on the fields to ensure a bountiful crop. Hearth fires would be extinguished and would be relit with embers from Beltane bonfires.

Today in Scotland there is still a very popular celebration in Edinburgh called the Beltane Fire Festival. According to their website, the event is meant to reconnect participants to nature: “It is important to note that the purpose of our festival is not to recreate ancient practices but to continue in the spirit of our ancient forebears and create our own connection to the cycles of nature.” The festival is held at Calton Hill where there are performances and drumming, many in extravagant costume and makeup. Thousands attend the event each year, inviting people to experience the sacred and theatrical aspects of the ancient Beltane fire festival.

There are other historical holidays that honored the fertile and abundant energy of May. The Romans celebrated the Festival of Floralia at the end of April and the beginning of May in honor of the goddess Flora. Flora was a goddess of flowers, spring, and fertility. One myth of Flora, who was originally a nymph, tells of her having gone for walk outdoors on a spring day in her original homeland of Elysium. Zephyrus, god of the West Wind noticed how beautiful she was, chased her, and then named her his bride, making her a goddess. Flowers were the main decoration for Floralia.

Even during the Roman festival, the awakening of nature heralded in a sensual, evocative, and celebratory event. As nature was seen as untamable and wild, so were the celebrations. Melanie Marquis describes the celebrations of Floralia: “Though ultimately a serious event expressing great reverence for Flora, the festival had a strong element of fun that predominated it. Lots of wine and lots of boisterous singing and dancing created an atmosphere of raucousness, the noise of which may have been believed to help Nature fully wake up and get energized after a long winter’s slumber.”

In England, the celebration of May Day was a practice believed to have its roots in Beltane, having been celebrated in Medieval times and earlier. Puritans banned celebrations in the 16th c., but Charles II restored the holiday in the 17th c., and since then May Day traditions are still enjoyed in areas of England. We are fortunate to have these celebrations today, as they allow us to have a glimpse at what may potentially be ancient traditions that survived beyond Christianity’s conquest.

On May Day, English Villages would crown a May Queen and a May King. The May Queen was said to be an embodiment of fertility and agriculture. Her consort, the May King, was an embodiment of the spirit of vegetation. This May King is also honor in the form of the Green Man or Jack-in-the-Green. Many villages would erect (perfect wording for Beltane) a Maypole in their village. The Maypole is a tall pole that would be topped with a crown of flowers and long ribbons. Each villager would take a ribbon and participate in a weaving dance around the pole to wrap the ribbons around the pole in a braided decoration. I remember as a child dressing up in white on May Day and dancing around a Maypole at my elementary school. To this day there are still villages that have Maypoles: the English village of Barwick boasts having one of the tallest Maypoles in the England. And, you can see a May Day procession in the village of Gawthorpe, which features the May Queen and her maidens, horses, music, and costumes.

In Cornwall, a unique take on Beltane in a festival known as Obby Oss. This celebration takes place in the village of Padstow, which hosts a special May Day procession that features Oss Obbys, which are depictions of hobby horses, but especially peculiar due to the large black disc shape that surrounds the horse’s head. There two Obby Osses: the Blue Obby Oss and the Old Obby Oss. Those wearing the costumes would dance through the procession, concluding at the town’s Maypole and their return to the stables.

Walpurgisnacht, or Walpurgis Night, is a celebration that originated in Germany but is celebrated over areas of North and Central Europe. Walpurgisnacht is in honor of St. Walpurga, who was said to protect people against pests, whooping cough, and witches. Worshippers would pray to her for protection against witches and evil forces. Her date of celebration was designated on May 1st because this is when she was canonized, though the holiday and its practices are believed to pre-date Christianity, much like Beltane. Walpurgisnacht has a spooky feeling, and writer Audra Grigus suggests that it acts very much like a “second Halloween.” This is fitting with modern witches’ observances of otherworldly, liminal energy being apparent at both Beltane and Samhain. It was believed that Walpurgisnacht was a time when spirits roam freely and that witches are riding through the sky. There was a believe that witches congregated at the peak of Brocken Mountain in Germany. Church bells would ring, special herbs were hung on doors, offerings of bread and butter were made, and bonfires were built to keep evil at bay on May Eve. And today, Walpurgisnacht is celebrated with bonfires, music, festivals, and setting off fireworks.

Embracing the Season of Beltane

Beltane is lovely opportunity to reflect on how you are developing and growing things that you are passionate about. If the theme of the Spring Equinox was to plant the metaphorical seeds of the things you wish to manifest in your life, consider Beltane’s theme to be doing whatever it takes to ensure those seeds are positioned in the right environment to grow. In other words: take a moment to pause at Beltane and assess how your goals and dreams are coming along and shaping in reality. Make concrete plans, timelines, and lists to keep you on target for success. While you’re at it, sprinkle in a little spell work for abundance and growth to ensure things keep moving in the right direction. Beltane is a time to deeply know that you are worthy of happiness and success.

For most of us, Beltane is a time of warmer weather that allows for wildlife to thrive. Because of this, Beltane is an excellent time to connect with nature and animals. If you are an outdoorsy person, use this time to walk forest trails, go birding, or camp with an overnight bonfire. If you are a domestic witch, use this time to tend to your house plants, work in your garden, or look for magical wildflowers on your lawn. Take extra time to connect with your pets: perhaps this is a nice time of year to give them offerings (aka treats) as one would for the Fae. You may also consider volunteering with animals to ensure that less fortunate animals find love and safety.

Since Beltane is a gateway into the light half of the year, consider doing divination to see what lies ahead for you in the warmer season. Ask the divination to highlight the path to your higher purpose or to the path of least resistance. You may want to do house blessings and spell work to attract good luck and happiness in your life. To connect with the Fae in an amicable manner this summer season, you can leave them a sweet offering of milk, honey, cream, berries, or even sweets.

•  Here are some questions to contemplate or write about at Beltane:

• If you could have three wishes right now, what would they be?

• Have you ever had an encounter with faeries? If so, what happened?

• Who is someone you’ve loved romantically? How has that shaped your life?

• What opportunities are happening right now that you think will be a benefit to you?

• What are you excited about doing over the summer?

• What projects or activities outdoors are you eager to catch up with and make some progress on?

• What activities do you participate in that are fun and playful?

Correspondences for Magic and Celebrations at Beltane

Names: Beltane, May Day

Date of Celebration: May 1st, or the sun is positioned 15 degrees relative to Taurus, or the cross point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Some also begin celebrating Beltane on May Eve (the night of April 30th).

“Sensing Beltane” (moments when it feels like the Beltane season):

• When cicada broods re-emerge

• When you smell honeysuckle or jasmine blossoms

• When the trees fill up with green foliage

• When it is easier to go outside without a coat or sweater on

• When there are thunderstorms

• When your allergies start kicking up from pollen

• When you wake up to birds singing outside

• When seasonal farmer’s markets and farm stands are open for business

Deities Honored:

• Aphrodite

• Artemis

• Bel

• Cernunnos

• Diana

• Dionysus

• Flora

• Freya

• Green Man

• Maia

• Pan

• Venus

Beltane Animal Allies:

• Badger

• Bear

• Bumblebees

• Cicadas

• Dear

• Fox

• Frog

• Hedgehog

• Robin

• Sea Turtles

• Snakes

• Squirrel

• Toad

Magical focuses:

• Abundance

• Animal Magic

• Beauty

• Divination

• Faerie Magic

• Fertility

• Forest Magic

• Growth

• Healing

• Love

• Passion

• Prosperity

• Purification

• Sensuality and Sexuality

• Tree magic

Suggested Activities:

• Collect Dew for beauty and love spells

• Dance around a Maypole

• Enjoy singing and dancing

• Go birding

• Go for a hike

• Go swimming

• Have a bonfire

• Host an outdoor

• Leave an offering of berries and cream for the Fae

• Make a flower crown or flower wreaths

• Perform magic to cleanse, purify, and protect your home

• Practice Divination

• Plant seeds and garden

• Tend to houseplants

• Volunteer at an animal shelter

Altar Decorations:

• Chalice

• Faerie Figurine

• Green Leaves

• Miniature Maypole

• Pictures of Pets

• Ribbons

• Wildflowers

• Yellow Flowers

Food and Beverages:

• Almonds

• Asparagus

• Avocado

• Bannock (oatmeal cakes)

• Broccoli

• Candied Flowers

• Carrots

• Cherries

• Cream

• Goat Cheese

• Greens

• Honey

• Leeks

• Mango

• Mead

• Mushrooms

• Peas

• Pineapple

• Rhubarb

• Salad

• Strawberries

• White Wine

Plants, Herbs, Incense:

• Bluebells

• Cinquefoil

• Cowslip

• Daisy

• Fern

• Foxglove

• Hawthorn

• Hibiscus

• Honeysuckle

• Ivy

• Jasmine

• Lily of the Valley

• Mayapple

• Marsh Marigold

• Mint

• Primrose

• Rowan

• Sweet Woodruff

• Thyme

• Tonka Bean

• Vanilla

• Wood Sorrell

• Ylang Ylang

Crystals:

• Carnelian

• Chrysoprase

• Emerald

• Fluorite

• Garnet

• Malachite

• Rose Quartz

• Ruby

• Sapphire

Colors:

• Blue

• Burgundy

• Forest Green

• Plum

• Red

• White

 For a complete list of works referenced in this article, please click on this link.

Abundant and Steadfast Springtime Wildflowers: Eleven Magical Wildflowers to Discover this Spring

Springtime Magic doesn’t need to be designated to the exact days of the Spring Equinox or Beltane: it is an entire season where we admire nature’s return and growth. There is magic in observing the organic growth and reemergence of nature gradually: one opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the beauty, abundance, and growth of the spring season is to observe and soak in the magic of spring wildflowers. Flowers conjure inspiration, joy, and magic. Their fragrance carries through the woods, just as their magical energy can be felt by witches and healers.

For the sake of keeping this blog to a (slightly) reasonable length, I am sharing with you a mere handful of my favorite springtime wildflowers, their lore, and their magical properties. Although it is not a complete list, it compiles some commonly found wildflowers in northeast America (and beyond). The shift from the rainy days of spring to the floral days of spring may occur at different times, depending on where you live. For folks in the south, spring flowers may appear in the early weeks of March, whereas folks in the north may have to wait for the cold to diminish a bit longer. You can cross reference this list to see if there are any that are in your location. I also encourage you to see if there are an uncover wildflowers unique to where you live worth having a magical visit with this spring season.

Buttercup - image via Unsplash

Buttercup - Ranunculus acris

I recall picking buttercups as a child and holding them under my chin, believing the yellow reflection it created was a sign that I liked butter. As a dairy fanatic, I can confirm this; but science also has shown that the petal’s unique sheen and composition create its delightful shine. This shiny effect also inspired a more twisted folktale, where it was believed that having the flower shine its yellow reflection on your neck under the moonlight could make you go insane. It’s also interesting to note that buttercups are poisonous – in Medieval times beggars would purposefully rub themselves with buttercups to induce blistering wounds, in hopes that their sickly state would gain pity and coins from those they begged to. Buttercup’s planetary ruler is Mars due to its bitterness; however, I also would consider associating it with the Sun due to its famous yellow reflection. Buttercups are commonly used in spells for attraction, abundance, nostalgia, and happiness. Fill a dark scrying bowl with water and place buttercup and dandelion blossoms on the surface for a uniquely spring-like scrying experience.

Botanical Image of Red Clover

Clover (White and Red) – Trifolium repens and Trifolium pratense

There are dozens of varieties of clover, though here we will examine two common varieties: the white and red clovers, as they are the most common. Most clovers have three leaves, and these have as much magical punch as their rare-four leaf siblings. Clovers are said to be very protective, and the Druids associated the three-leaf clover with the Earth, sky, and sea. Sought after four-leaf clovers are said to be signs of good luck, the four leaves meaning hope, faith, love, and luck. One superstition says that if a girl puts a four-leaf clover in her shoe, she will marry the next man she sees. There are folklore traditions that say that four-leaf clovers can help people to see fairies. There is a story from the late 1800s in Cornwall where a man was able to see fairies after applying an ointment on his eyes made from four-leaf clovers he gathered under the moon. Clovers are now becoming a beautiful and sustainable lawn cover, being much more environmentally friendly than the bland green lawn. Clovers are incredible pollinators, make a great meal for livestock, and balances the nitrogen levels in soil. I like to admire them as having the personalities of good neighbors, being a solid support for those who approach the lucky clover. In this sense, clovers can remind us to be generous, altruistic, and kind to those around us. Clover’s planetary ruler is Mercury. Clover is used for luck, money, protection, and success spells. Use clovers to enhance magic, awaken psychic abilities, and to attract abundance and good luck into your life. White clover flowers are used for good luck, purification, and to remove the influence of hexes. Red clover flowers are used to banish negative energy but can also be useful in love and lust spells. If I were to make an ointment to see the Fae, I would likely suggest including a blend of clover leaves, coltsfoot, dandelions, and violet blossoms.

Common Daisy - image via Unsplash

Daisy (Common and Oxeye) - Bellis perennis and Leucanthemum vulgare

As with many of the flowers we are learning about, there are several different types of daisies. Here we will examine two types: the common daisy and the oxeye daisy. The common daisy is also known as the English daisy or lawn daisy, and the flowers are about an inch in diameter. Oxeye daisies, also known as moon daisy or Marguerite, is larger than the common daisy, having a flower that is between one and two inches in diameter. Both varieties are native to Europe but are naturalized in North America. Both varieties have the recognized appearance of many white petals surrounding a bright yellow center. The daisy’s planetary ruler is Venus, and use for pleasure, joy, purification, friendship, and fairy magic. They are also used in love spells, though I consider the daisy for love spells that are more innocent and loyal in nature. Add a vase of daisies to a recently cleaned, cleared, and decluttered space to enhance clarity and simplicity. To create a dream pillow to attract the Fae in your dreams, blend dried daisies, cowslips, honeysuckle, clover blossoms with a drop of honey. Add a piece of amethyst, fluorite, and apophyllite. Put these contents into a small purple pouch and keep by your bed or under your pillow.

Dandelion - image via Unsplash

Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

Magical people know better than to believe dandelions are a nuisance. Dandelions, which have also been called Fairy Clocks and Priest’s Crowns, got its name from the French words “dents de lion,” meaning, “the tooth of the lion.” Dandelions offer plenty of nutrition – I have heard people say that adding dandelion leaves to salads adds years to their lives and keeps them healthy. This checks out, seeing as the greens have vitamins A, B, C, D, and zinc, potassium, and iron in them. Tea made from dried dandelion root not only acts as a substitute for coffee, but also may help with digestion, liver health, and cleansing the kidneys and bladder. Dandelions are a powerful ally for the green witch in many ways. Ruled by Jupiter, the dandelion is used for making wishes, enhancing dreams, triggering divinatory messages, and calling on spirits. Dandelion Wine is a perfect offering or libation at Beltane celebrations; but for those who do not drink alcohol, dandelion tea sweetened with loads of honey and cream has the same Fae-like vibe. There is a belief that if you whisper the name of a loved one and then blow away dandelion seeds that person will receive your amorous message. Dandelion’s “Tooth of the Lion” makes me associate the flower with the Sun and the boldly confident astrological sign of Leo. I think of dandelions as icons of radical self-acceptance and positive disruption since they happily grow wherever they please, even when an HOA or Home Depot commercial declares them to be a weed. The very vision of the dandelion’s bright yellow flower shooting up from a curated lawn feels like a middle finger pointed at The Man. This tooth of the lion questions the modern status quo by willingly living up to its label as a weed and leaning into it with a dark sense of humor that anyone who has an adverse reaction to the suburbs can deeply appreciate.

Japanese Honeysuckle - image via Unsplash

Honeysuckle – Lonicera

There are several different varieties of Honeysuckle, though one that is commonly seen because it is an invasive species is Lonicera Japonica. Lonicera Periclymenum is common honeysuckle, and a beneficial plant for hummingbirds and pollinators. Honeysuckle has one of the most notable fragrances: sweet and inviting, it is a welcoming fragrance for the spring. Depending on the source you review, Honeysuckle’s planetary ruler is Mercury, Venus, or Jupiter. Honeysuckle is used for prosperity and good luck. The flowers can be used in money charm bags. Although oil-infused honeysuckle does not smell as sweet, it is a powerful addition to prosperity and wealth oils. Honeysuckle is also used to release unwanted emotions: breathing in the scent releases shame, fear, and ego. It is also helpful during transitory times of change. Honeysuckle is also said to enhance spiritual energy and enhancing psychic powers. In Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham suggests “Lightly crush the flowers and rub on the forehead to heighten clairvoyant powers.” Honeysuckle can also be added to a spell to “sweeten” its outcome. To make a batch of “Spell Sweetener,” combine one cup of sugar with ¼ cup dried and chopped up honeysuckle leaves and vanilla beans from one pod (you can also finely chop up the pod and add in as well). Blend and place in a glass jar with a piece of citrine and rose quartz. Sprinkle into spells that would benefit from sweetness and a little boost of radiant energy.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit - photo by Kiki Dombrowski, taken at Old Stone Fort TN

Jack-in-the Pulpit - Arisaema triphyllum

Coming in as one of my all-time favorite strange flowers to find in the woods, the Jack-in-the-Pulpit took its folk name from its shape, a conical shape with a hood covering it. Native Americans had many purposes for it, and although the root is incredibly acidic and poisonous, they would dry or roast the root and use it for treating coughs and sore throats. The shape of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit represents shelter and protection, like a safe space a trusted and loving friend can offer you. Also known as Marsh Turnip, Brown Dragon, Dragon Root, and Devil’s Ear, I have not come across a planetary ruler for this charming plant. I would perhaps assign it to Mars since it is acidic and has folk names tied to dragons; however, Georgia O’Keeffe did make a series of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, alluding to a more sensual and feminine observation of the plant. Perhaps Georgia would suggest the Jack-in-the-Pulpit has more of a Venusian energy. This Mars-Venus association is quite fitting for the Jack-in-the-Pulpit, since it is one of only a few plants that can change sex from year to year, depending on its corm size (underground food storage for a plant). This shows the plant’s fluidity and disregard for limitations and expectations, doing what it needs to successfully thrive. In that sense: Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a symbol of being your true self, accepting who you are, and entertaining all that can occur in your life when you are thriving and in an abundance mindset. In Plant Witchery, Juliet Diaz makes the astute observation that the Jack-in-the-Pulpit “deals with a lot of hidden aspects of the self, things no one else knows but you. She will teach you to embrace all the sides and shades of who you are.” Either way Jack-in-the Pulp invites you to plug into the spirit of the forest, especially if you have interest in connecting with the Green Man and Pan.

Mayapple - image via WikiMedia

Mayapple – Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple dots the forests in most of eastern North America, its foot-high two-to-five-lobed leaves look like hands waving up from the forest floor. Mayapples eventually blossom white flowers, which eventually produce small fruits late in the summer. Mayapple is also known as Devil’s Apple, Puck’s Foot, and American Mandrake. It is important to note that Mayapple has no relation to the European Mandrake, though some magical practitioners use it as a substitute for its friend from “across the pond.” Depending on the source you read, Mayapple’s planetary ruler is Mercury or Saturn. Mayapple can be used for prosperity and money magic and to also bring protection to the home. It is also worth considering that Mayapple may be a great liaison between you and Pan or the world of the Fae, based on its namesake of Puck. Please note that the roots and leaves are incredibly poisonous, and it is important to mention that the berry alone is edible but has a well-known (and unpleasant) laxative effect. If you wish to work with Mayapple, you may just want to safely admire it from a distance, telepathically letting the plant spirit know the wishes you want to see manifest in your life, waving back to it when your communication with it is complete.

Wild Blue Phlox - photo taken by Kiki Dombrowski at Edwin Warner Park TN

Phlox (Wild Blue) - Phlox divaricata

There are over 60 phlox species, including many charming varieties that are cultivated in magical gardens. The one examined here is the Wild Blue Phlox, which is native to fields and forests in eastern North America. Also known as Woodland Phlox, Blue Moon Phlox, and Wild Sweet William, this variety is excellent for soothing the magician who carries it. This variety grows well in shade, so I like to consider it an excellent flower to work with when you are in recovery, looking to heal from difficult situations, or need peace after an intense period of shadow work. Phlox has a calming effect that supports in emotional balance, gentle meditation, and kind diplomacy. Because it has five petals, I would associate it with Venus (the Morning Star), though its mellow vibes and folklore namesake of Blue Moon also connect it to the energy of the Moon. One way to work with Phlox is to incorporate it into a charm bag that I call “The Mellow and Tranquil Bag,” to assist with keeping things calm and quiet around you. This is especially beneficial to highly sensitive people. Blend phlox blossoms, lavender, and violet blossoms together. Blue lotus and or wild passionflower petals are optional additions.  Stir in a couple drops of lavender essential oil, lemon balm essential oil, and sandalwood essential oil. Fill the contents into a dark blue bag and add a piece of sodalite, aquamarine, and selenite. If you wish, write on a small piece of blue paper with blue ink what peace and quiet looks and feels like to you. You can also use my nifty incantation: “I am mellow, I feel safe in this tranquil vibe. I love enjoying this quiet energy and content peace of mind.”

Eastern Spring Beauty - image via WikiMedia

Spring Beauty – Claytonia Virginica (Eastern) and Claytonia Lanceolata (Western)

Spring Beauties often are the first flowers to appear in the springtime. It is surprising that for such a common flower there is such little content out there on using Spring Beauties in a magical setting. Depending on whereabouts you are in North America, the flower can be from white to pink in color. Because there are five petals on the Spring Beauty, this flower’s planetary ruler is Venus. Spring Beauties can be uses in love and beauty spells and glamor magic. It is a sweet-smelling flower with a valuable purpose for woodland creatures: animals such as moose, deer, elk, and small rodents dine on the plant in the early spring. Livestock also could eat the plant, and its flowers are pollinators for bees and butterflies.  The deeper-colored lines on the flowers’ petals guide bees to the pollen. The tubers, which are a storage structure for plants in the soil (just like potatoes), are named “fairy-spuds,” and are a well-loved edible that apparently taste somewhere between potato and chestnuts. Because of this, I associate Spring Beauties with the magic of nurturing support, since they guide us to sustenance after muscling through a cold and dark season. Spring Beauties also have a curious scientific secret: they do not have a constant number of chromosomes from plant to plant, with there being over 50 combinations observed. Because of this, I like to think of the Spring Beauties as a shapeshifting, mystical plant with a pretty face and a joyously clever mind. Spring Beauties remind us that when we go below the surface, when we make the effort to dive deeply into understanding something, we can find valuable and mystical wisdom in the web of fairy spuds. Spring Beauties have very strong and flexible stems that do not break in the wind. Because of this, Spring Beauties can be used for feminine empowerment, self-love, and to strengthen self-esteem.

Trillium - photo by Kiki Dombrowski taken at Edwin Warner Park TN

Trillium – Trillium

One of my motivators for early spring walks is the opportunity to see some of the first trilliums. There are several species of Trillium found in North American woods, and there’s a spectacular variety on the Tennessee trails I walk. Trillium is a wildflower revered by First Nations people of North America as sacred and feminine; thus, it was used in love potions. The root would be boiled, and a drop of the concoction would be dropped into the food of one’s love. Folk names for Trillium include Toad Shade, Wood Lilly, and Wake Robin. The name wake-robin was given to Trillium because its arrival coincided with the arrival of robins, thus indicating spring’s arrival. Depending on your trusted source, Trillium’s planetary ruler is Venus or Saturn. It used for love, luck, and money spells. You may attract love and good fortune to you by carrying trillium root. Due to its Saturnian nature, I like to think that Trillium allows us to consider our love and fortune options with caution. While there are attracting aspects to Trillium, I also see it as protecting us from harmful emotional and energetic investments. Because it has three petals, three sepals, and three leaves, it is associated with themes of the Triple Goddess. When Trillium appears on your path consider it a sign that a great Goddess is watching your back!

Common Blue Violet - image via Unsplash

Violet – Viola

Violets are as much a sign of spring as robins and painted eggs. There are dozens of species of the violet, though the Common Blue Violet (Viola Sororia) is what we enjoy seeing pop up in our yards. This easily accessible flower can add a lot of sweetness to your springtime magic.  Violets have a long history of lore and charm. Violets are a well-adored flower by Ancient Greeks, so much so, they became a symbol of Athens. Ancient Romans made wine from violet blossoms, and believed that consuming violets would reduce the effects of intoxication. Violets have long been a flower used to decorate graves, and Romans used them to celebrate the dead alongside roses and lilies. Violet’s planetary ruler is Venus, and they can be used in love, healing, peace, and protection spells. Their magic is intertwined with the world of the Fae, so they make a lovely decoration for Fae-themed altars at Beltane along with an offering of lilac or violet wine! Violets create a feeling of calmness, clarity, and serenity: they have a gentle and sweetly caring energy that can help you with self-love and self-exploration. Violets are also used in love spells and said to aid in renewal of romantic love. According to Scott Cunningham, if you gather the first violet in the spring you will have a wish granted. He also suggests that they can arouse lust when combined with lavender. Violets are excellent for creative minds as they are said to help inspire brilliant and beautiful ideas: keep a vase of violets, lily of the valley, and sprigs of rosemary to bring an enchanted and inspired touch to your artwork. If you’d like to bring violets into your kitchen witchcraft, there are two easy recipes you can create with violets: Violet Jelly and Violet Simple Syrup. I always recommend the culinary magic over at Gather Victoria, and their Wild Violet Whipped Honey Butter is a heavenly magical treat for springtime as well. 

A Final Note about Wild Crafting

When harvesting wildflowers please be mindful to do so in a responsible manner. Wildflowers in public parks and forests are not to be picked, nor should any be picked without the appropriate requests. Harvesting rare and hard-to-find wildflowers is not recommended: only harvest what you need, and in small quantity. Know about what you are working with: if you are prone to allergies, perhaps you do not want to handle the flowers. Read up on which flowers can be poisonous, avoid them, and proceed with caution.

It isn’t necessary to pluck and harvest every single flower you see on your path to feel the full potential of its magic. There are many ways to engage with the magic of a plant. You can sit by it and quietly meditate or observe the plant. Or you can take a beautiful photograph or create a drawing of the flower in honor of its beauty and energy. Perhaps the plant will call out to you, seek you out in visions, or appear in your dreams. Sometimes just searching for a specific flower in the wild and discovering it has magical rewards in the form of a floral quest. Simply enjoying flowers can give you a spiritual connection to their energy as well as add to your own understanding of how they function magically. Make the old phrase “stop and smell the flowers” one where you breathe in the magical power of nature, letting it evoke memories, joy, healing, and growth.

For complete list of works cited in this blog, please click on this link.