We're nearly to the light half of the year. I've got 13 herbs for Beltane to help make your springtime fertility ritual extra magical.
Beltane is the juiciest of sabbats. With the earth full of flowers proudly showing off their beauty, and the birds and the bees doing their thing in every possible way, this is a time of fertility and frivolity. Beltane is flirtatious and fiery. I highly recommend taking part and bringing some of this powerful energy into your life.
To learn more about Beltane, check out these posts:
- How to Celebrate Beltane
- 3 Easy Beltane Rituals
- Recipes to Celebrate Beltane
- Beltane Podcast Episode
Herbs for Beltane
I instantly think flowers when I think of Beltane. Here in Glasgow, flowering trees are abundant, and the whole world seems awash in pink blossoms. The sun has finally started to be more insistent with its power, and it just makes you want to shirk your responsibilities and go outside and play.
Really any fresh flowers and herbs would be suitable. And of course, witches use the term herb to refer to all plants. To get you started, here are 13 different herbs that are tied to this joyful sabbat:
- Birch - This beautiful tree brings new beginnings and birth as well as fertility and love. These were often used to create Maypoles.
- Bluebell - Use this delicate flower to connect with fairies and bring joy, love, and constancy.
- Broom - This plant signals the coming of summer and can be used to sweep away negativity.
- Clover - Sacred to Aphridite, Freya, and Venus, this herb helps bring visions.
- Daisy - A symbol of purity and innocence, this flower can be used to attract true love, hence the game "he loves me, he loves me not." What's more Beltane than that?
- Dandelion - Holding the energy of the sun, all parts of the dandelion are edible and can be used to increase vitality.
- Dill - This delicate, fragrant herb is excellent for cleansing and protection and can be used to clear the mind.
- Hawthorn - These trees are practically raining white flowers on your head at Beltane. Used in the Great Rite, this tree is a symbol of fertility.
- Honeysuckle - Use this flower's sweet scent to call in love and a successful harvest.
- Meadowsweet - This plant is traditionally tied to love, marriage, handfasting, and fertility.
- Oak - This might tree can be used in spells for fertility, strength, and stability.
- Primrose - Used for attracting love as well as protection and purification.
- Rose - Possibly the most romantic flower of all time, the rose can also bring rebirth and is traditionally used in handfasting and the Great Rite.
How to Use Your Herbs
Remember that before you ingest any herbs or flowers, you should make sure they are safe and harvested for the purpose of ingestion. Herbs have powerful magick and also powerful chemical properties that can interfere with other medications. Be sure to speak to a professional if you plan to ingest any herbs.
With the warning out of the way, here are some ideas of how you can use your Beltane herbs.
- Craft a wreath or flower crown to adorn yourself or your home with the energy of the season.
- Use sacred Beltane wood to build your bonire.
- Blend a floral tea for the light half of the year.
- Grind dried herbs to create a loose incense blend.
- Press fresh flowers for future crafting.
- Add dried herbs and flowers to a spell jar or charm bag for fertility and creative energy.
- Add flowers to jams or syrup to preserve their sweetness for future energy.
- Create a ritual oil to anoint yourself and your tools.
Recipes to Use Your Beltane Herbs
As a kitchen witch, I think there's nothing more sensual than cooking something delicious for yourself or your love. Feeding sweet morsels to your beloved is about as sexy as it gets. Use the bounty of the season to heighten the expansive energy.
- Grilled Potato Foil Packets with Lemon Dill Creme Fraiche - Cook this recipe right on your Beltane bonfire.
- Rose Quartz Cocktail - A pretty little love spell for friends or lovers.
- Lavender Cake - Infused with fresh lavender for a subtly floral flavor.
- Goat Cheese Crostini with Macadamia Nuts & Honey - Honey is about as Beltane as it gets.
I hope you have a beautifully magical Beltane, my loves. How do you plan to use your herbs? Let me know in the comments below.
Source:
The Heart Witch's Compendium by Anna Franklin
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