Calendula: Folklore, Healing & Magical Properties

Some magickal herbs could help you with healing magic, while others can help remove hexes or enchantments. So let us take a look at calendula’s magical properties.

What is Calendula?

Calendula is frequently located at graves. It is widely used in bouquets for people that passed away since it is believed that the light collected by their flowers will accompany them wherever they go.

This magical plant is known as the flower of every month.

It grows everywhere, as long as there’s plenty of sun.

However, it is also called a “dead flower” due to what has been explained above.

Below, I’ll frequently use the word marigold, instead of calendula. The reason for this is the fact that marigold is actually a calendula.

Calendula Magickal Origins

Different legends are related to this magical plant.

One of these legends tells that a Greek maiden in love with Apollo waited every night in search of the first ray of the sun every day. One day Apollo noticed her, and he gave her affection. However, the love he gave her was so strong that she died by this affection (sun rays). On the place where she died, marigolds were born.

There’s another legend about Apollo. In this one, four nymphs were in love with him. They fought because of jealousy and in the end, Artemis, Apollo’s sister, turned them into marigolds.

But speaking of their tradition in history, the Greeks used calendulas or marigolds to decorate houses in celebrations.

They also formed collections as a form of praise to the sun gods.

However, the tradition with these most recurring magic plants is that of the consecration to the goddess Mahadevi, in India. In this celebration, all people carry marigolds and offer them to the goddess.

Calendula Magical Properties and Uses

Calendula’s flowers have fantastic healing properties. Most of the time, their petals are crushed and mixed with some cream. With this, we create a cold cream with which to heal joint ailments.

It also serves to make menstruation less painful. Women can take them in the mixture (tea) a week before the menstrual cycle begins and, thus, have less pain. Similarly, they can avoid any delay or other complications.

If you have a cold, you can also drink them as tea. Even if you get the flu since it has sweaty properties. In this case, you should take it twice a day mixed with honey.

Uses in Practical Magic

This wildflower does not have a particularly pleasant smell but does not cease to possess magical properties. It has excellent healing properties, but it is also used in other kinds of magical rituals.

Currently, many people use it to improve the quality of sleep. It also protects you from evil spirits if you place it under the pillow before sleeping.

In ancient times it also served to discover the adulteries of wives.

Women in the church were told that, if they were faithful, they agreed to remove calendula (marigold) from a bouquet before leaving. If they did, they would be free. It was a sign of his infidelity if they didn’t do it.

Calendula Refreshing Bath

Calendula can be used to make a refreshing and cleaning floral bath that is capable of generating a lot of positive energy in us.

We will need a marigold plant, sea salt, and olive oil. The ingredients are mixed and placed in the sun for a few hours to absorb all the energy from the sun’s rays, and then we bathe with this preparation.

This combination of elements is highly beneficial since calendula flowers channel positive energies. Olive oil will help our skin to revitalize and moisturize. On the other hand, sea salt helps us to discharge all negative energies.

Beauty Spell for Acne with Calendula

Millions of people around the world suffer from acne. For this widespread problem, we have this simple acne spell.

It will help have a soft, clean, and attractive skin that will restore your confidence.

Don’t miss check other beauty spells.

When you should cast it: New Moon

Things you need:

• A small jar
• A Cup Of Apple Cider Vinegar.
• A small amethyst.
• A Cup And A Half Of Marigold Flowers.
• Green Tea.
• Rosemary.
• Sage.
• Laurel leaves.
• Ginger.

I recommend starting with a marigold tincture at least one week before performing this spell.

To make a tincture, simply add apple cider vinegar to the marigold flowers and let it sit overnight, apple cider vinegar is anti-bacterial and a very popular home remedy for acne.

How it’s done:

Prepare a small amount of green tea, rosemary, sage, bay leaf, and ginger on the new moon.

Wait for a few minutes and then strain this mixture and tincture of marigold into a jar.

Take the amethyst in both hands and visualize yourself without acne with a clean and beautiful face. Feel how the amethyst receives that energy of beauty, and how it is filled with light.

When you feel that the amethyst is full of that energy, repeat the following words :

“May the beauty and purity of this amethyst be manifested in me. So be it.”

Now put the amethyst in the jar with the water of the herbs you strained before and let it sit overnight in the moonlight.

Next day you need to follow these steps:

1. Wash your face with your regular product. Use as natural, trustworthy products as you can.
2. Dry the skin and apply this watery mixture.
3. Visualize your beautiful and spot-free face.
4. Repeat at least twice daily, in the morning and at night.
5. Soon you will see your acne disappear.

This beauty spell with calendula is extremely useful as it combines the healing properties of plants, your energy, visualization, the energy of the beauty of the moon, and finally the amethyst.

Dawn’s Thoughts on Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a Mediterranean annual that has become a popular garden plant in much of the world. It has pale green leaves and bright yellow or orange ray blooms at the top of long single stalks that keep going from spring to autumn.

Leaves are pale green, slightly hairy and long and narrow, but wider and rounded at the end. The plant is branchy, slightly sticky and aromatic. Calendula grows about a foot tall, though flower stalks can be taller if it’s really happy.

Other Names pot marigold, English marigold, poet’s marigold, Husbandman’s Dial, Marybud, Merrybud, Marygold, Summer’s Bride

History and Folklore

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all loved calendula and used it for culinary and healing purposes. It was considered a cure for just about everything during the medieval period. During the Renaissance, it was a popular garden flower and commonly used as a pot herb earning it the name pot marigold.

Shakespear honored the flower in a verse in A Winter’s Tale

“Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram;
The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ the sun
And with him rises weeping: these are flowers.”

It was said that if the marigolds didn’t open by 7 am there would be a thunderstorm.

One medieval belief about marigold was that it would strip a witch of her will.

Propagation

Calendula likes a full sun position but doesn’t like too much heat. It will grow readily from seed and will reseed if allowed to do so in mild climates. Those who live in colder climates should gather the seeds in autumn and replant the following year.

Seeds should be planted right in the garden as soon as the danger of frost has passed and barely covered. Thin to 12 inches apart. Although they are tolerant of poor soils, calendula prefers to be planted in a nice bed of compost and some mulch around its roots once it gets going in the summer.

They do well in pots and window boxes too. However, many people find their aroma to be too overpowering for indoors.

Calendula are attractive to aphids, making them a good diversion plant for more delicate plants. They are also susceptible to mildew if it is too hot and humid. Use a soap spray to get rid of aphids and a gentle fungicide will take care of the mildew.

Harvesting & Storage

Pick flowers as soon as they open as they get progressively more bitter the older they get. Dry upside down in a dark place with good ventilation. Once they are dry, remove the petals and store in a sealed jar away from light and heat which can damage the oils they contain.

Magical Attributes

Marigold is associated with the Sun.

Calendula symbolizes love and constancy and is great for wedding bouquets and decorations. It is the traditional “he loves me, he loves me not” flower and is useful for love potions.

Wreaths of marigold hung over a door are said to keep evil and negativity from entering.

Dried petals can be strewn to consecrate an area or burned in consecration incense. They are also a good addition to dream pillows.

Household Use

Calendula makes for long-lasting cut flowers, but the scent is overpowering for some.

Petals can be used to make a lovely yellow dye. It has been used to lighten hair.

Healing Attributes

Calendula is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and is often added to healing and skin soothing salves.

Culinary Use

Calendula petals can be used as a food coloring agent and has traditionally been used to color butter and cheese. It can be used to make yellow rice without saffron. They are also good in salads or sprinkled over cakes for a festive look.