The Wand Carver – WytchenCrafts

Calendula Indian Prince The Irish Times — Calendula “Indian Prince” ~ The Irish Times

The Calendula flower, or Marigold, as it also known, can put a smile on just about anybody’s face…unless of course, you are bound and determined not to! This flower was revered by the ancient Egyptians for the glow it could give their skin and it has been used in matrimonial garlands in India, garnish in Greece, and pot plants in and around homes in Europe and North America. A sunny garden in Britain has almost always had Calendula growing in it. The plants are very inexpensive and easy to grow. But Calendula was not always just a pretty face. It was used for many different illnesses to relieve pain and suffering or to heal the heart and skin.

Magickal:

Calendula Dried — My dried Calendula ~ Photo by I. Macy

Calendula can clear one’s aura by drinking it in tea form. It can clear negative energy in a room just by using it in a potpourri or placing it in sachets around the room. If you aren’t feeling optimistic and rather gloomy, just carry the flowers in your pockets or you can make yourself a poppet of yourself and use Calendula in it, making your intention known as you create it that you wish to be upbeat and happy again. The same can be used to draw happy and positive people into your life.
Place Calendula under your bed for protection from robbery. It is also a good thing to keep in your pockets for dealing with legal matters. Calendula could easily be said to be a good herb/flower in working with the Laws of Attraction… it will help you to draw to you what you wish for by positive thinking and belief in yourself. The more you use Calendula the better it works for you. And, once you have acquired your needs, be it happiness, wealth, or what-have-you, Calendula teaches you how to maintain it. For Calendula to be its most magickal, harvest during full Sun.

Healing:
Calendula is an anti-inflammatory. It has been used for a wide range of health problems since before the 1600’s. Plasters, or “plaisters” as it was spelled in Culpeper’s were made to bring down swelling and to drink the tea was beneficial to the heart, as well as to “expel any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them”. Another way to aide the heart was to make a plaster with the petals, hog’s grease, turpentine, and rosin [resin] to succour the heart “infinitely in fevers, whether pestilential or not”. It was used as a talisman to prevent one from falling ill with the Plague. Nowadays it is used for everything from acne to varicose veins. Calendula is now, as it always has been, an excellent healer of wounds and is also said to reverse wrinkles as it helps the body stimulate the production of collagen. It can also be used as a pain reliever and is a superb immunity booster.

Correspondences:
Planetary: Sun
Zodiac: Leo
Gender: Masculine
Element: Fire
Powers: healing, protection, anti-negativity
Deity: Ra, Vishnu, Lakshmi
Chakra: Solar Plexus
Other Names: Marigold, Holligold, Bull’s Eyes, Gold Bloom

“The Marigold that goes to bed wi’ the sunne, And with him rises weeping” Shakespeare, A Winter’s Tale

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources:
The English Physician and Complete Herbal, by Nicholas Culpeper
Experience

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram @thewandcarver

hawthorn alone — *lone Hawthorn tree, courtesy of Google images*

The Hawthorn tree represents the sixth month of the Celtic Tree calendar, 13 May – 9 June, and this period is represented by the Ogham for this tree, which is also the 6th letter of the ogham alphabet, Huath (Huathe, Uath). The Hawthorn Tree, or Mayflower tree, is sacred to Roman Goddess Flora, Celtic Goddesses Aine and Brigid, along with the Manx – Celtic God Manannàn Mac Leirr. This Ogham symbol is used in Celtic Reiki and its essence represents the energy of cleansing and preparation. It clears the mind of negative thoughts and mental confusion, offering clarity: it gives patience and offers stillness. The Hawthorn tree is masculine and usually, but not always, grows in hedges, but a lone Hawthorn tree, growing on a hill is a portal to the world of faery and is also considered one of the three trees of the Faery Triad, including Oak and Ash.

We offer a Hawthorn Ogham pendant in our Etsy shop for those born in the lovely month of May, or in fact, to anyone who loves Hawthorn.

Hawthorn Faery

“Along with Oak and Ash, Hawthorn forms the “faery triad” that is especially inviting to the fae. Hawthorn is, in some ways, the faery tree, forming a portal to the faery realm and holding strong magick. The Hawthorn faery offers access to the Other-World, but also protects the unwary, so it is important to be patient with this spirit. She can enchant your life, bringing growth and fertility to all areas, and when the Hawthorn flowers in spring, it represents the bridal gown of the young Goddess. Hawthorn is sacred to the Welsh sun goddess Olwen, the “white lady of the day.” Where she trod she left white footprints on hawthorn, and her father, Yspaddaden Pencawr, was “Giant Hawthorn.” Thirteen tasks were demanded of her suitor, Culhwych, before he could marry her and overcome the power of the giant. Thirteen is a number associated with the moon, for the moon makes 13 circuits of the zodiac to one of the sun. Thus, the Hawthorn suggests union of sun and moon, male and female. The Hawthorn faery promises cleansing, fulfilment, guardianship, and fertility. Keeping grounded and practical is the best way to access her and use her gifts.” ~ The Faery Bible by Teresa Moorey

Oak Ash and Thorn — The Faery Triad Talisman: Oak, Ash, and Thorn ~ *photo by i.macy*

In Ireland, Hawthorns have always been highly respected as faery trees. They were often referred to as ‘gentle bushes’ after the custom of not naming faeries directly out of respect. Solitary thorns were known as the faeries’ Trysting Trees, and frequently grew on barrows and tumps or at crossroads, thought to be a favourite location of pagan altars.

Folklore: Much of the folklore attached to it seems to come from the fact that the tree is covered in long branches of early, white blossom around the time of Beltane – the First of May. In England, the Hawthorn is known as the Mayflower tree in honour of the month during which it blooms. Symbolising hope, it was the name the Pilgrims took for their famous ship, The Mayflower.

*Hawthorn flowers, photo courtesy of Google images*

If 1^st of May seems early and the blossom is not ready – remember that the British calendar was changed and went forward 12 / 13 days in 1752 – trees have long memories and so work to the ancient dates! This is evident as well in Hawthorn’s place in the Ogham Tree Calendar – beginning now on 13th May – it would once have started on May 1st. Hawthorn is still prevalent in May Day celebrations, whatever the case.

Maypole_1500-56a6e0953df78cf77290a7cf — *A Pagan Maypole celebration, led by the Green Man, photo courtesy of Google images*

But whilst Hawthorn was a propitious tree at May-time, in other circumstances it was considered unlucky. Witches were supposed to make their brooms from it, and in some parts, it was equated with the abhorred Elder, as in the rhyme:

Hawthorn bloom and elder-flowers

Will fill a house with evil powers.

In magick, Hawthorn is known as a psychic shield that can lift the spirits, and a little charm of the wood is a thoughtful gift for a friend going through a time of vulnerability or depression. It is also especially effective against malevolent spirits.

Protection Spell:

Carefully gather a few thorns from the tree.

“On a piece of paper, write the name of the person or situation from which you seek protection, and then wrap it around the thorns. Bury this in the ground – if possible near the tree from which the thorns were collected.” ~ Whispers from the Woods, by Sandra Kynes

Correspondences:

Planet: Mars and Venus

Symbolism: Purification, sacred marriage

and male-female unity

Stone: Lapis Lazuli, Blue Calcite

Birds: Blackbird, Owl, Purple Martin

Color: Midnight Blue, Purple

Deity: Olwen, Blodeuwedd, Gardea,

Hymen, Hera, Virgin Mary

Sabbat: Beltane, May Day

Folk names: May bush, May tree, quickset,

thorn-apple tree, white thorn.