The first thing that comes to mind when I think about cherries is the description “cherry lips”. So to me, this association brings a sensual quality to the fruit.
And it turns out, it is not just me.
“So we grew together, Like to a double cherry, seeming parted, But yet an union in partition, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem.”
Perhaps it is due to its luscious color, or the fact that they are often paired together. It does look like lovers blushing at the thought of each other.
I also read that cherry fruit is associated with Venus, the Goddess of love (Elune Blue). However, I cannot find any mythology that will connect the two. But I believe it.
So this is what I learned about Cherry’s Magical Property so far:
Love
Beauty
Lust
Youth
I also saw immortality and divination, but I need to do more research on that.
After my brief research, I decided to do a bit of magic with what I have left of the cherries. The seeds. But, while I was able to find plenty of information on using cherry wood and cherry blossom for magick, there was less information about its seeds.
So I did some creative research. I use the general idea of a Love Spell from The Green Witch’s channel. And replace the herbs with what I have and cherry seeds. Here is the Video.
So for this year’s Valentine’s day, I made myself a little love talisman with the seeds.
When: Every time I feel timid or anxious about my new journey, growing plants from seeds it’s always the most comforting and inspiring thing to do.
Where/How: I sprouted them on a piece of wet kitchen towel. Once they sprouted, I transplant them into the pot. However, it turned out to be unnecessary. I actually dropped in one extra seed into the soil, just to see how it might do directly in the soil. It is living and thriving right now.
Why: Cosmo– was the first plant I ever grew from seeds. It was the year I was applying to college. And as many people would know, how stressful that time was. I was done with all my applications and was waiting to hear from the schools. Then I received a mysterious package from the mail, a pack of seeds. It turned out, it was not that mysterious. I made a donation earlier that year, and that is their thank you gift. Little did they know, it started my love for gardening. The cosmos started blossoming when I received my acceptance letter to my dream school. So since I was job hunting this year, I thought this will going to be a full circle. (BTW, I did get that job!)
Cosmos
Marigold– I don’t have any reason why I gravitate towards growing Marigold aside from how cheery they look. That is it. And I think that is plenty of reason to grow them as well!.
Marigold
I am so excited to write about them as well! I will probably do their individual herbology information soon.
But here it is, the first entry of my seedling diary. I hope more will be coming!
In the Harry Potter universe, the Transfiguration class is about changing the property of one object to another.
And I know that there is no way for me to transform myself into a cat or turn the rat into an actual cup. But I could learn from the cat and channel-specific energy to myself.
An animagus is a witch or a wizard who is capable of transforming himself- or herself – into the form of an animal.
It sounds like procrastination, but I find it is easier to concentrate after decluttering my desk. Because as I declutter, it is almost as if I have conditioned my brain to be organized and productive. Or having that seashell I collected from that vacation 7 years ago on my bathtub really makes the experience more soothing.
And I am certain I am not the only one. In Chinese culture, specific moves from kung-fu are often inspired by animal movements. Aside from coming up with innovative fighting moves, you also somewhat channel the animal you are “pretending” to be. Thus, you become as light as a dragon, as direct as the tiger, and as accurate as a crane.
Another activity I found recently is BUDOKON STYLE YOGA.
To put it in a nutshell Budokon Yoga is a hybrid practice between Yoga and Martial Arts.
Budokon yoga was created by Cameron Shayne in early 2001 and is now being taught by Cameron and his wife Melayne Shane in their school in Whitefish Montana and around the world.
It’s considered a science, an art and a philosophy which synchronises classical yoga with martial arts, calisthenics, animal locomotion and mind sciences.
So, I would learn about how to transform my mindset/my energy through different inspirations. From trying out the power poses in front of the mirror to creating a comfort corner where I am allowed to cry.
Little items can have a powerful association and hold immense memories as well. Also, who doesn’t love kitkat?
And this is how I will implement that in my practice.
Transformation- Turns existing energy into something else. For example, when I feel immense anger, how can I turn that into something productive or soften it into something less dangerous.
Vanishment- I understand that sometimes feeling anxiety and sadness is actually very important. And a lot of times, they motivate me to do something (transformation). But when it becomes debilitating or I am in a time crunch, how do I vanish that?
Conjuration- For the past few years, I have experienced quite a lot of numbness. That is usually in a combination of lack of motivation. And those are usually a good time to conjure up some energy. To encourage oneself to do some hobbies or get some work done.
Untransfiguration- My therapist told me once that I was masking feelings and distracting myself from the real problem. Using activities and sometimes drinking to not face my problems. And I believe that is the perfect time to work on untransfiguration.
There is a chance that in the future I will update my understanding of Transfiguration as I learn more. This category is harder to translate in comparison to Herbology or History of Magick because both have some kind of real-life counterpart. That is why I feel like Transfiguration category would benefit from an introductory post to stop me from straying.
But that is it for now!
Let me know what you think about this kind of bringing element from magical books into real life. I am still learning, so anything would be helpful. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions!
The first time I associated Magick with Dandelion is when my sister told me if I make a wish and blow on the feathery seeds, they will travel with the wind to deliver my message. To many, it is considered a common weed, but to me, it is the most magical plant when I was 12 years old.
I am also no stranger to its reputation of being a medicinal herb. If not medicinal, it is at least considered a superfood in my family. My mother and her relatives believe my great-grandmother’s love for dandelions is the reason she lived well into her 90’s. She use to forage plants in the mountains, and apparently, dandelion is her favorite.
Since I began the journey, I have mainly worked with herbs I bought in the store or plants I grew from seeds. But just a few days ago, I came across a little dandelion. It was just poking its little head out from the grass. It was so charming, especially after a few days of winter (I live in Los Angeles, winter is not very long). This little sunshine lit up my heart and warm my soul. I couldn’t help but pick it up and bring it home.
All I could remember thinking was how much the color reminds me of the Disney version of Rapunzel.
Healing Incantation
Flower gleam and glow, Let your power shine, Make the clock reverse, Bring back what once was mine,
Heal what has been hurt, Change the fates’ design Save what has been lost, Bring back what once was mine, What once was mine.
Tangled
And as I walk to the mailbox today, I saw some popping out from my little front yard. Again, I cannot help but pick some of them and bring them into my home. It’s like bringing the sun home.
A little about the Dandelion
The name Dandelion comes from the corruption of Dent-de-Lion, meaning lion’s tooth’ in French. And its Latin name, Taraxacum came from medieval Persian writings on pharmacy.
The entire plant is edible and many cultures, including my great-grandmother, had included it in part of their diet. They have often been used in traditional medicine. I am no medical professional, so I think it is best for me to mention its medicinal properties. However, here are some useful links.
One recipe I found very interesting is the Dandelion Coffee by Emmymade (the link is: here.)
Or usually, I would just stir-fry the leaves with some garlic and olive oil. The leaves and tea are quite bitter. They have this taste that I would describe as burnt rhubarb. And the taste is quite cooling. But, if you are like me this time (unsure if there are pesticides on the plants, concern about how close it was to open road, not really too familiar with foraging, thus ID-ing plants), I wouldn’t eat what I foraged here. I have plenty of luck finding dandelion tea and leaves in supermarkets!
Magical Study of Dandelion
If you do not want to eat it, there are still plenty of things you can do with it.
This time, I have decided to use it as a decoration/offering/press flower. And once they are all dried, I would have plenty of opportunities to use it in a spell or two.
For me, the major association with this flower are:
Healing
Courage and bravery
Wishes
Dispels negative energy
Hope
Perseverance
(Love it or hate it, one quality dandelion reminds everyone of is never give up. Regardless of what environment, this hopeful little flower will try its damn best to survive. And look at that cheery demeanor, it reminds me to persevere and sunnier time will come.)
Lucy's Wonderful Journey 