Sweet strawberries aren't immediately associated with witchcraft, but they have healing and magical properties just like everything else. Let's explore the magick of these gorgeous red berries.
Strawberries take me right back to my childhood. I'm running barefoot through my great grandmother's backyard on a hot summer day. She lets me pick strawberries from her garden. She sprinkles some sugar on a plate and lets us dip the strawberries in it to make them even sweeter. It's pure summer sweetness.
There's nothing like a fresh, homegrown strawberry eaten moments after it's picked, still warm from the sun. That energy of pure pleasure and delight is exactly what I want to evoke when I work with this lush berry in my witchcraft practice. Let's explore the specifics of the enrgy of the strawberry.
Healing Properties of Strawberries
Though strawberries didn't become popular in European cultures until the 17th century, they were being used by native peoples in the Americas for much longer. Some North American tribes used them for "women's medicine" for things such as clearing toxins and supporting fertility.
It's detoxifying properties were used in China as long ago as 2600 BCE where the Emperor was making an infusion of strawberry leaves for anti-aging. The Romans used strawberries as well to improve mood and reduce bad breath.
Today, we happily eat strawberries as part of our five a day. Strawberries are lower in calories than other fruits, so they make a great healthy snack. They're also loaded with a variety of nutrients that help with things like heart health, blood sugar, cancer, and brain function. They also help support a healthy gut.
Strawberries are a common allergen, so check before you serve them to friends and family. And always speak to a professional before beginning any herbal treatments.
Magical & Spiritual Properties of Strawberries
Strawberries are strongly tied to goddesses such as Venus, Aphrodite, Freya, and even the Virgin Mary. It's often used in spells for love and romance. The berry's strong tie to fertility also shows up in a Bavarian custom of tying strawberries to the horns of cattle as an offering to nature spirits. In exchange, farmer's would receive healthy calves and abundant milk.
Strawberry leaves carried in a woman's pocket were believed to relieve the pains of pregnancy. A very nurturing plant, they're also tied to spells for motherly love. A mother plant will give its energy to the offspring to sustain it in unfavorable circumstances. You can call on strawberry energy when you need to help your creations grow stronger. Call on this berry for perseverance and extra energy to succeed in any situation.
Unsurprisingly, strawberries carry feminine or receptive energy and are tied to the elements of water and earth and ruled by the planet Venus. They're celebrated at Midsummer festivals like Litha. They also make a lovely offering for fairies.
Witchcraft Uses
If you grow your own berries, be sure to leave some for the fairies and nature spirits.
Create an offering to love goddesses or maternal ancestors.
Brew a fertility tea (magical, not medical) with dried strawberries.
Add dried berries to a spell jar or charm bag for love and romance.
Recipes for the Kitchen Witch
Of course, the best way to work with the magick of strawberries is to eat them. Feeding strawberries to a lover is a classic spell for romance. You could also incorporate them into recipes and baked goods to bring nurturing, dedication, or creative abundance.
Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started.
- Strawberry Lemon & Basil Infused Water
- Strawberry Soju Slushie
- Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
I hope you're inspired to begin using strawberries in your witchcraft practice. I'd love to know how you use them. Leave me a comment below or reach out on Instagram to share your berry magick.
Leave a Reply