There are few flowers in the garden and in the witches’ cabinet as sunny and cheerful as Calendula. Calendula, also called marigold or pot marigold, is a popular flower among American and European gardeners. Not to mention among green and hedge witches. Here we discover calendula magical properties, medicinal benefits, and learn how to use it in our witchcraft practice in a myriad of ways.

First, What is Calendula?

First, let us define Calendula physically. Calendula officinalis, also commonly called Marigold, is a flower of mysterious origins. We believe it originates somewhere in Southern Europe, but a specific location hasn’t been pinned down. And some speculate it wasn’t necessarily a wild flower but first cultivated in a garden! Which is extra intriguing to me. Perhaps a witch grew the first marigold in her little garden beside her stone cottage?

Calendula is indeed a part of the daisy family of flowers, if you couldn’t already tell. I’ve always sort of associated them with daisies. Maybe it’s the shape of the petals. It is a perennial but typically short-lived. The amazing thing about Calendula is that it blooms nearly year-round in warm, temperate climates. Therefore, in the past, folks added it to their soups and stews over the Autumn and Winter seasons (yes, the flower is edible!) Calendula has many folk names including Bride of the Sun, Summer’s Bride, Ruddles, and Husbandman’s Dial.

This beautiful, bright flower follows the sun’s trek across the sky, just like sunflowers do! In centuries past, if you worked a spell with calendula and bay laurel, you could quiet any rumors being passed around town about you. Even though scholars claim calendula originates in Southern Europe, the people of India have long considered it a sacred flower. They wear it in garlands and use it to decorate their temples, weddings, and religious processions.

Calendula Magical Properties & Associations

How your energy aligns with this herb, this flower, will be different from the next witch. This is because every plant has its own spirit, its own consciousness. Calendula might do something for me that it doesn’t do for you, and vice versa. For instance, I often use Calendula in spells to bring joy into relationships. While my best friend swears calendula is best for boosting one’s personal mood, not in connection with others. You might find it doesn’t do anything related to joy for you, but is a powerful healer.

Without further adieu, you’ve come here for calendula’s magical properties. And that’s what you shall have:

• Name: Calendula officinalis
• Parts Used: Flowers
• Uses: Magical, Medicinal, Edible
• Folk Names: Marigold, Pot Marigold, Ruddles, Summer’s Bride, Bride of the Sun, Husbandman’s Dial
• Planet: Sun
• Gender: Masculine
• Chakra: Solar Plexus
• Element: Fire
• Calendula Magical Properties: induces prophetic dreams, promotes healing of body and mind, boosts mood and brings joy, soothes nerves, brings good luck in legal matters, aids in amplifying psychic abilities, amorousness, helps with seeing faeries, rebirth and renewal, and sleep
• Symbolic Meaning: when given to another in a bouquet, the language of flowers says calendula could mean affection, cruelty, despair, fidelity, grace, grief, health, jealousy, joy, longevity, pain, sacred affection and trouble
• Safety Concerns: None Known (but obviously if you’re allergic, don’t use it)

How to Use Calendula Magical Properties in Witchcraft

This flower is extremely versatile and a great one to have in any witch’s cabinet and/or garden. Use in its freshest form, plucked right from the garden OR dry the flowers out and save for future magical and medicinal endeavors. Save the flower buds or petals in a jar and place them somewhere visible in your cabinet…even just for the pretty aesthetic!

But, when we’re ready to use this powerful plant, how do we incorporate it into our witchcraft? First, let’s talk about adding it to spells.

1. Calendula Magical Properties in Candle Spells

An obvious witchy use for Calendula is to add it to any candle spell with aligned intention. Encircling your spell candle with calendula petals or buds to promote joy, healing, etc. You can also roll your candle in a little bit of oil then in a small handful of calendula petals. Just be aware if you use too much plant matter on your candle, it will catch fire. So, less is more, in this case.

2. Make a Calendula Magical Oil

One of my favorite ways to make magic is by crafting my own oils, salves, and ointments. Calendula is a fabulous herb to use topically, as it is safe for your skin. Make an herb-infused calendula oil by adding a handful of the petals to a glass jar. Then pouring oil over top almost to the top of the jar. Lastly, seal it with an air-tight lid and let it infuse for approximately 2 weeks in a cool, dark place. Then strain, bottle, and use this potent oil in the bath, to anoint your power points, to consecrate tools and altars, and much more.

3. Calendula Bath Tea for Confidence and Affection

A bath tea is a simple and powerful ingredient. Bring a pot of water to boil on the stove, then reduce to a simmer. Add a handful of calendula petals and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat. Then add to your ritual bath to boost confidence and self esteem. It’s also powerful if you’re looking to draw more attention and affection into your life. Not to mention, ladies, if you’re having pH balance issues with your vagina, calendula bath tea is a life saver!

4. Calendula Magical Properties: Add It to Spell Bottles & Jars

In addition to adding calendula to spell bags, add it to your spell bottles and jars too. It looks incredibly pretty in a glass jar or fancy bottle, AND it’s a potent ingredient in healing, protection, beauty, and strength spells. You can even add the petals to vial pendants and braid them into witches ladders.

5. Carry Calendula for Psychic Abilities

According to Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, when young women’s feet brush against calendula petals in the garden, it grants them the ability to understand the language of birds. I’ve never tried this, but next time I see calendula growing…my shoes are coming off! Just by carrying calendula in your pocket or wearing it in a locket, you will amplify your psychic abilities and intuition.

6. Drink It As a Magical Tea

Calendula is good for your health – body and mind. It soothes nerves, reduces inflammation, and calms digestive tract issues. By drinking calendula as a tea, you are taking on its very essence. Add it to other herbs like chamomile OR drink it by itself. Either way, I’ve found raving success with calendula magical tea. I also enjoy drinking it during the Winter when I need to relieve some seasonal depression.

7. Add to Your Salads and Soups

According to Rosemary Gladstar, calendula was once added to Winter stews and soups in the old days. It’s referred to as the “poor man’s saffron”. The bright petals brightened up the soup and was thought to brighten one’s disposition. Maybe that’s why it was called Bride of the Sun. If you grow it in your garden, this is the best way to eat it – fresh. Pop off the heads and throw them in your salad, soup, and it looks pretty on top a garden focaccia bread.

8. Calendula Seeds for Protection

Have you ever seen a Calendula seed? It has spikes up its back, indicating it is protecting itself from being eaten by wildlife. AND the spikes allow the seeds to grab onto other objects. I have had tremendous luck using Calendula seeds in protection spells, particularly when it comes to protecting my kiddos. Add these seeds to your protection spells including candle spells, bottles, jars, bags, even throw them in a simmer pot or threshold powder.

9. Dream Spell Bags

If you’re dealing with bad dreams OR you want to increase your prophetic dreams, make a dream spell bag. You need a sachet or small muslin bag, a tablespoon of calendula petals (dried), and a tablespoon of lavender (dried). Add your herbs to the bag and tie it up. Then put it under your pillow or in your pillowcase to ward off nightmares and encourage divine signs in your dreams.

10. Calendula in Sun Water

Whenever I’m feeling tired but still want to make something witchy, I make moon or sun water. Calendula is a perfect addition to sun water since it is in such alignment with solar energy. Set your jar or bottle of water outside, directly in sun light. Add a pinch or two of calendula leaves to the water and allow the sun to infuse it with its life giving essence. Don’t leave it out for too long, as long-standing water can collect bacteria, etc. Strain out the leaves and pour the sun water into the bath, use it to cleanse your altar and tools, or as offering to a sun god or goddess.

Calendula Health Benefits: Reduce Inflammation, Fight Infection and More!

If you hadn’t already figured it out, calendula magical properties aren’t just useful in witchcraft but also in herbal remedies. Calendula is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and vulnerary. It’s long been used in herbal medicine to treat skin problems such as boils, ulcers, diaper rashes, cradle cap, burns, and bruises. In fact, it’s benefits for the skin is what it’s most known for. When made into a healing salve and slathered over the problem spot, it calms inflammation and soothes the pain.

Because it’s believed to have anti-microbial benefits, some witches use it to treat fungal infections like thrush and vaginal yeast infections. It should go without saying, but if you have an infection or illness of any kind, please seek professional medical care before attempting at-home remedies. And, if you have other medical diagnoses, it’s best to consult a qualified herbalist before going on any herbal regimens. Other sources claim it may have an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effect in-vitro and support proper fetal cell development in conception and pregnancy.

Herbalists like Rosemary Gladstar also swear by Calendula to cleanse the lymph system. If you’re dealing with swollen glands, Calendula tea is just the ticket to wellness. Calendula medicinal components include carotenoids, flavonoids, mucilage, saponins, bitters, volatile oils, and resins. They can be made medicinally into salves, creams, teas, face creams, lotions, ointments, and more.

Sources Used:

• The Complete Language of Flowers: A Definitive and Illustrated History by S. Theresa Dietz
• Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
• Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide by Rosemary Gladstar