Chickweed: not just for the chickens!

 Botanicals 

Chickweed 

It ain’t just for chickens!

Element: Water

Day: Friday
Planet: the Moon
Zodiac: Cancer
Associated Celebrations: Quickening
Deities: Brigantia

Parts used: Herb

Magical Properties: Fertility, love, healing,fidelity, relationships

Stellaria media, commonly known as common chickweed, is a low-growing annual herb with opposite, oval leaves and distinctive white, deeply notched petals that form perfect five-pointed stars. Its Latin name Stellaria (“little star”) and media (“in the midst”) evoke its celestial appearance amid garden chaos. Native to Europe but now a cosmopolitan “weed” thriving in disturbed soils worldwide, chickweed emerges early in spring, offering one of the first fresh greens after winter. Chickens adore it (hence the name), and humans have long recognised its dual gifts: practical healing for the body and subtle nourishment for the spirit.

The Medical Profile: Cooling, Soothing, and Nutritionally Dense

Chickweed’s medicinal reputation stretches back to ancient Greece, where Dioscorides recommended it as a poultice for eye inflammation, and through European folk traditions where it treated everything from scurvy to skin eruptions. Modern phytochemistry confirms its richness in bioactive compounds: flavonoids (especially apigenin and isovitexin derivatives), saponins, phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic), carotenoids, vitamin C, and minerals including iron, calcium, and magnesium.  

Its primary actions are cooling, demulcent (mucilage-rich and soothing), anti-inflammatory, and mildly diuretic. Topically, fresh chickweed or its infused oil or salve excels at relieving hot, itchy, inflamed skin conditions—eczema, psoriasis, urticaria, insect bites, burns, boils, and minor wounds. The plant’s ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes such as lipoxygenase and hyaluronidase underpins these effects; aqueous and ethanolic extracts demonstrably reduce intracellular ROS in human skin cells after UV exposure.  

Internally, chickweed acts as a gentle alterative and lymphagogue, supporting detoxification and fluid balance. Traditional uses for respiratory catarrh, bronchitis, and cough align with its expectorant saponins, while its diuretic nature aids mild edema, cystitis, and rheumatic complaints. Animal studies suggest anti-obesity potential: chickweed juice or extracts inhibited intestinal fat and carbohydrate absorption, reduced body weight, liver fat, and serum lipids in high-fat-diet or progesterone-induced obesity models in mice.   

Limited in-vitro and animal data also hint at antidiabetic, anxiolytic, antimicrobial, and even anti-proliferative (cancer-cell) effects, though robust human clinical trials remain scarce.

Nutritionally, chickweed shines as a spring tonic—eaten raw in salads or lightly steamed, it supplies bioavailable vitamins A and C, supporting immunity, vision, and collagen integrity. A simple pesto or tea (1–2 tsp dried herb per cup) delivers these benefits gently.

Safety notes: Chickweed is generally recognised as safe when consumed as food or used topically in moderation. Excessive intake (due to saponins) may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, nausea, or diarrhea. Rare contact dermatitis is possible. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, and those with known allergies to the Caryophyllaceae family should exercise caution or consult a practitioner; large medicinal doses lack extensive safety data

The Metaphysical Dimension: Lunar Waters, Star Protection, and Emotional Cooling

In the language of traditional Western herbalism and magic, chickweed is a Moon-ruled herb of the Water element—cool, moist, receptive, and deeply feminine. Culpeper called it “a fine, soft, pleasing herb, under the dominion of the Moon.” Its star-shaped flowers mirror protective hex signs and pentacles; its sprawling, interlacing stems symbolize community, fidelity, and resilient love. Where the body experiences “heat” (inflammation, anger, dryness, stuck grief), chickweed brings soothing moisture and flow—moving lymph, emotions, and stagnant energy alike.  

Metaphysically, chickweed is prized for:

•  Love and fidelity magic — Its tenacious, community-forming growth habit makes it a natural ally for binding spells, fidelity charms, or drawing a loving partner. A sprig worn in the hair or tucked into a love-drawing bath (with rose, jasmine, and lavender) is traditional.

•  Protection and warding — The five-rayed flowers evoke guardian pentacles; planting or carrying chickweed is said to create quiet, steadfast shields around home or person.

•  Emotional and spiritual healing — As a “soother of fires,” it cools deep-seated anger, grudges, or emotional inflammation. Flower-essence practitioners use it for those burdened by unresolved past experiences who struggle to move forward. Its lunar nature supports dream work, intuition, and gentle release of emotional “damp stagnation.”

•  Abundance and resilience — As a prolific seed-producer that thrives in cracks and poor soil, chickweed teaches humility, persistence, and finding nourishment in unlikely places.

In Druidic and contemporary green witchcraft observation, chickweed’s botanical sigils—the pentacle-like flower, triskele-like pistil, and star sepals—mark it as a powerful protective and healing ally. It is the “friendly grandmother” of the herb world: unassuming, ever-present, and quietly profound.

Holistic Synthesis: Where Science and Spirit Converge

Chickweed elegantly demonstrates the unity of material and subtle realms. Its mucilage and flavonoids cool physical inflammation while its lunar-water signature cools emotional heat. Its nutrient density rebuilds the body while its star symbolism rebuilds the spirit’s sense of protection and belonging. In holistic practice, one might prepare a chickweed salve for eczema while meditating on releasing anger, or sip chickweed tea during a lymphatic cleanse while journaling about fidelity to self.

This little “weed” invites us to look again at what we dismiss. In an era of complex pharmaceuticals and spiritual disconnection, chickweed reminds us that the most potent medicine often grows right underfoot—cooling, nourishing, protecting, and teaching resilience in star-shaped silence.

Whether you harvest it for a spring salad, infuse it into healing oil, or weave it into a love charm, chickweed offers the same quiet invitation: slow down, cool the fires within and without, and remember that even the smallest star can illuminate the darkest garden.

Flying Ointment: Real?

 Witch Flying Ointment 

Fact or Fiction?

Witches’ flying ointments, known historically as unguentum venenum, “green salve,” or “witches’ salve,” were legendary preparations tied to European folklore and witch trials from the medieval period through the early modern era.

These ointments were said to enable witches to “fly” to sabbaths—often astride broomsticks—by inducing vivid hallucinations of flight, levitation, and nocturnal revels. Rather than literal physical transport, the “flight” was likely a delirious trance state caused by potent anticholinergic compounds absorbed through the skin.

Our Elder Carrie-Anne Grove has tried a prepared and self made flying ointment that were made from the original ingredients. She has had several experiences using this ancient witch potion “having used flying ointment I can attest that it does create some interesting and powerful effects, I can see why witches in the past believed that they were flying!!”

WARNING!!

THE INGREDIENTS OF TRADITIONAL FLYING OINTMENT ARE VERY TOXIC AND THEREFORE EXTREME CARE MUST BE TAKEN IF MAKING OR TRYING IT. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRYING IT ESPECIALLY ALONE AND WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF ANY ILL EFFECTS EXPERIENCED. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

Key Historical Ingredients

The core active components were tropane-alkaloid-rich plants from the Solanaceae (nightshade) family:

•  Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) — a primary ingredient, producing dissociation, body suspension, and visionary “flight.”

•  Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) — causing pupil dilation, delirium, and intense hallucinations.

•  Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) — linked to ecstatic visions and sleep-like stupor.

•  Jimsonweed/Datura (Datura stramonium) — adding vivid, often terrifying delusions.

Other plants occasionally appeared: hemlock, wolfsbane (aconite), poppy, or mugwort. Bases were typically animal fats (lard, rendered child fat in sensational accusations) to facilitate transdermal absorption, reducing oral toxicity while allowing alkaloids like atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine to cross mucous membranes or skin—especially “hairy” or pulse-point areas.

Fact or fiction: flying on a broomstick 

Legend has it that witches used to believe they could fly and travel riding on their broomstick. Made up ? Yes and no. We know that the flying ointment can be made and of have some powerful hallucinogenic properties and highly hypnotic. It is believed that witches used to rub the ointment on their broomstick (besom) and then place it between their legs with their exposed genitalia so that it could rapidly absorb the ointment via the blood rich thin membranes of their “lady bits” . Using the ointment in this manner could well cause hallucinations if light whilst astride their trusty besom!

Historical recipes vary wildly. A 1267 account by Theodoric of Cervia lists henbane, mandrake, hemlock, opium, and others. Giovanni Battista della Porta (16th century) included children’s fat boiled with aconite, poplar leaves, and soot. Francis Bacon attributed versions with “fat of children” from graves, wolfsbane, and cinquefoil.

These accounts often stem from inquisitorial confessions, scholarly speculation, or anti-witch propaganda, blending pharmacology with demonology.

Effects and Interpretation

Users reported sensations of soaring, attending sabbaths, or erotic/ecstatic encounters, followed by amnesia or terror. Modern pharmacology explains this as anticholinergic delirium: fragmented reality, time distortion, and out-of-body experiences mimicking shamanic soul-flight.

Some scholars debate whether such ointments were widely used or largely a myth amplified by witch-hunters to explain “flight” without conceding supernatural power. Others see them as entheogenic tools for altered states, possibly rooted in older pagan or folk practices.

Today, modern reconstructions in some pagan or entheogenic circles use safer herbs (mugwort, clary sage, wormwood) for astral or dream work, avoiding toxic nightshades due to severe risks: heart issues, coma, or death. The historical ointments remain a potent symbol of the boundary between medicine, magic, and madness—where plants dissolved the self to reveal other worlds.

Modern safe reconstructions of witches’ flying ointments focus on non-toxic, legal herbal alternatives that evoke dreamwork, lucid dreaming, astral projection, or trance states through mild sedative, visionary, or oneirogenic (dream-inducing) properties—without the deadly anticholinergic delirium of historical nightshades like henbane, belladonna, mandrake, or datura.

These contemporary versions, popular in modern paganism, witchcraft, and herbalism communities, replace toxic tropane alkaloids with safer plants traditionally associated with spirit-flight, divination, or altered consciousness. 

Common bases include olive oil, jojoba, coconut oil, or beeswax for salves; essential oils may enhance scent and subtle effects. Application is typically to pulse points, temples, soles of feet, or “third eye” area before meditation, sleep, or ritual—never ingested or applied to mucous membranes.

Key Safe Herbs in Modern Reconstructions

•  Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): Classic for vivid/lucid dreams, astral travel, and visionary states.

•  Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): Adds stimulating, dream-enhancing thujone (in low doses).  WARNING: toxic in high doses 

•  Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): Promotes relaxation, euphoria, and dream clarity; often as essential oil.

•  Cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.): Magical association with power and flight; non-psychoactive but symbolic.

•  Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus): Linked to shamanic flight in folklore.

•  Balm of Gilead (poplar bud): Soothing, visionary carrier.

•  Others: Bay leaves, vervain, sandalwood, lavender, or lemongrass for calming and scent.

These herbs work synergistically for mild entheogenic or oneirogenic effects via absorption, aromatherapy, and placebo/magical intent—far gentler than medieval poisons.

Example Safe Recipes

From pagan herbalists and online witchcraft sources:

1.  Simple Mugwort-Based Flying Oil (for dream/astral work):

•  Infuse dried mugwort, bay leaves, and sandalwood in jojoba or sweet almond oil (1 part herbs to 3 parts oil) for 2–4 weeks.

•  Strain; add a few drops clary sage essential oil.

•  Anoint before bed for enhanced dreams.

2.  Herbal Salve with Classic Safe Blend:

•  Melt ¼ cup beeswax + ¼ cup olive/coconut oil.

•  Stir in powdered dried herbs: mugwort, wormwood, clary sage, cinquefoil, dittany of Crete (small amounts, ~¼ tsp each).

•  Optional: benzoin powder or clove oil for preservation/scent.

•  Pour into tins; use sparingly on skin for trance or sleep rituals.

3.  Advanced Symbolic Blend (e.g., inspired by practitioners like Kelden):

•  Cinquefoil, balm of Gilead, dittany of Crete, wormwood, mugwort, clary sage.

•  Infuse in oil or make into salve; focus on magical correspondences for “flight.”

Modern versions prioritize safety: avoid toxic nightshades entirely, start with patch tests, consult herbalists if pregnant or on medications, and treat as ritual aids rather than guaranteed hallucinogens. Effects are subtle—relaxation, vivid dreams, meditative states—rooted in herbal tradition and personal gnosis rather than pharmacology of delirium.

These reconstructions honor the historical motif of boundary-crossing while adapting to contemporary ethics and legality, turning the witches’ salve into a tool for inner exploration rather than dangerous poisoning.

Mineral Marvels: Fluorite

 Mineral Marvels 

Fluorite: the fluorescent crystal 

Mental clarity, focus, protection, emotional balance and spiritual growth 

Chakras: different colours of fluorite relate to the chakras they vibrate most with. Using the various colours you can work on all chakras 

Sign: Libra, Capricorn and Pisces

Planet: Mercury 

Element: Air

Fluorite, with its perfect cubic crystals and octahedral cleavage, embodies metaphysical order amid apparent chaos. Its lattice—calcium ions coordinated with fluorine in flawless symmetry—mirrors the mind’s capacity to impose structure on scattered experience. 

Holding fluorite invites clarity: it teaches discernment, turning noise into signal and fragmentation into coherence.

Rainbow fluorite, with its layered bands of purple, green, blue, yellow, and clear, reveals a deeper truth: true illumination is polychromatic, not monochrome. Each hue resonates with a domain of awareness—violet for transpersonal insight, green for heart-centered integration, clear for pure witnessing—showing that wholeness arises through harmonious inclusion of all colors within one unified form.

Trivia time:The term fluorescent comes from fluorite. 

Its fluorescence under ultraviolet light offers the most profound symbol: what appears ordinary in visible light glows vividly when excited by an invisible higher frequency. This mirrors spiritual awakening—not creating light, but revealing the latent radiance already present within. Fluorite thus reminds us that enlightenment is excitation of inherent potential through the right wavelength of attention.

Modern crystal alchemists call fluorite the “Genius Stone” and “philosopher’s stone for the modern mystic.” Its elemental rulership is primarily Air (intellect, the volatile Mercurial principle) with strong Water undertones (flow, emotional dissolution). 

Alchemically, it balances coagulatio (crystallising insight) and solutio (cleaving open for higher understanding), embodying the rhythm of spiritual growth. 

Planetary correspondences include Mercury (swift discernment, communication) and Neptune(mystical dissolution of boundaries). Rainbow varieties perform the ultimate alchemical marriage of opposites: all colors layered in harmonic bands, teaching that true rubedo is not a single scarlet but the integrated spectrum held in coherent form.

In ritual or inner work, fluorite acts as both catalyst and container. Placed in a grid, it organises chaotic energies; held during meditation, it grounds spiritual download into usable insight; in emotional alchemy, it turns “leaden habits” into “golden self-awareness.” It absorbs negativity like a flux draws slag—yet must itself be cleansed lest it shatter under the weight, reminding the practitioner that even the alchemical vessel has limits.

Above all, fluorite affirms immanence perfected: divine order is not imposed from beyond but inscribed in matter itself—from atomic lattice to thought. To sit with fluorite is to remember that clarity is a structural condition. When perception aligns along its faultless planes, the world remains the same—yet everything appears luminous, ordered, whole.

In its quiet geometry, fluorite quietly revolutionizes perception: not by escaping the world, but by seeing its inherent symmetry—and becoming transparent to the light that has always shone through.