Pagan Blog Project-D is for Dandelion

Dandelion is a masculine herb, associated with the planet Jupiter, the element of Fire, and the Goddess Hecate. 

It is also known as swine snout, puffball, lion's tooth, piss-a-bed, and white or wild endive.  I love learning all the alternate names of herbs; it really gives a new understanding to some of the unusual ingredients you read about in old spells. 

Dandelion is often used as an altar decoration: it is appropriate for many rituals-the yellow flower for Ostara, Beltane and Litha, and the seed head for Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain.

Magickally, dandelion is used for divination, calling spirits, and the fulfillment of wishes.

It is said that you can learn how many years you will live by blowing on the seed head of a dandelion.  Count the seeds remaining and that is the number of years in your life.

To heighten psychic powers drink a tea made from dandelion root.  You need to dry, roast, and grind the root, almost as if it were a coffee bean to make this tea.  If you wish to call spirits, instead of drinking the tea leave a still steaming cup of it at your bedside before retiring. 

You can send a long distance message to a loved one by visualizing your message, facing the direction that they are in, and blowing on the seed head of a dandelion.  

Burying dandelion in the northwest corner of your house promotes favorable winds. 

Children traditionally make wishes while blowing on the seed head of a dandelion, and carrying a sachet or charm made containing the leaves and root helps make wishes come true.

  Dandelion, like many plants, has multiple healing uses.  It is especially useful in treating the urinary and digestive systems, and as a skin cleanser.  As always, any information given here is not meant as a substitute for medical advice.  Please contact your medical professional with any and all health concerns. 

The leaves and root are used to treat liver, gall bladder, kidney and joint problems.  They are also helpful in treating poor digestion. 

The dandelion plant is especially high in the A, B, C, and D vitamins and in potassium.  This makes it a good detoxifier for one's system, and it can help to clean the blood and lymph systems.

It is also high in fiber, and it's cleansing properties also help to clear the skin as toxins are flushed from the body.  A face wash made with dandelion flowers is also helpful in treating skin conditions such as acne and eczema.  

A tea made from dandelion root is useful in treating incontinence, including bedwetting, as it helps to tighten the sphincter of the bladder preventing. 

In cooking dandelion leaves are used in salad, the leaves or the root (as already mentioned) are used to make tea, and let us not forget dandelion wine, made from the flowers of the plant. 

Dandelion is also said to drive away negativity, and with its bright, cheerful yellow color, and multiplicity of uses, I have no trouble believing that at all.  

Blessings!