Pressed Flower Magic

The art of pressing flowers has largely dropped out of favor, which is a pity as pressed flowers can be used to decorate any number of objects.

They can also be used to give spells to those around you in a way which is useful rather than overtly 'Witchy', perhaps as a picture or bookmark. Another use is to select one plant for each Sabbat and affix them around a circular board or stone to create your own Wheel of the Year Altar symbol.

Pressing flowers, while sometimes a bit fiddly, is not as difficult as it may appear. You could buy a proper flower press, but you can just as easily improvise with some kitchen paper and a pile of heavy books. First, you need to collect the flowers, with their stems and some leaves, which are in good condition. At first it is best to use smaller flowers rather than ones with thick blooms or stems which will have a lot of moisture in them. Take them straight home and arrange them between sheets of kitchen paper (or brown paper bags), or or two thicknesses unless you have chosen something really fleshy. Then place them on a flat surface and pile heavy books on top. Leave in a dry place for a week or so and you will have pressed flowers. Take care when freeing them as many become quite fragile.

The following are just a few suggestions for pressed flower spells.

Love and friendship: Sweet Pea, Periwinkle and Rose petals.

Household harmony: Lavender, Passionflower, and Morning Glory.

To enhance magical working: Crocus, Honeysuckle, St. John's Wort and Witch Grass.

"Scary monsters lurk inside, but only if from them you hide."


~from the Real Witches Year by Kate West

Pressed Flowers are a beautiful. I use them in my BOS, scrapbooks and in my Book of Herbs. To see the flower on the same page as all the info is so pretty and, when teaching the kids about them it's nice to be able for them to see it and even feel them.

When you do press flowers just make sure you get any bugs off. Not only is it messy and can be unsightly, they also can make things smell bad and discolor the flowers.

Thanks for the share Lady E.

ooh indeshadows that's a good idea with the herb book. i remember my mom had a pressed daisy next to my baby photo in our family photo album, this article inspires me to make a framed photo with a flower for each of my daughters.

nice post