Kitchen Witchery: Edible Flowers

When people think of the symbols of spring, flowers are almost always one of the first things to come to mind. For spring rituals and the Ostara and Beltane sabbats, flowers are used in decoration, spell work, and more. But did you know that many flowers are edible and can be incorporated into your Ostara celebrations through kitchen witchery as well? Flowers are extra potent in kitchen witchery dishes at Ostara because their power is heightened as a symbol of the sabbat.

Flowers can be incorporated into your sabbat feast in many ways. Some lend themselves well to savory dishes and can imbue sauces and glazes with their energies. Others make fantastic editions to beverages, both alcoholic and not, and can provide their energies in that way. Many work splendidly in desserts as both a main component and a garnish. The most important thing to remember with kitchen witchery is to prepare and eat with intention, especially when kitchen witchery is being used as part of a sabbat feast. The preparation itself is a ritual and should be treated as such.

You can turn most recipes out there for dishes that use edible flowers into a kitchen witchery dish by researching each ingredient’s energies and adding in other key components for the preparation ritual—for example, lighting a colored candle to strengthen the energies of the dish you are making. Choosing incense that does the same. Setting the mood with music that matches the energies you are working with while also incorporating other symbols of the season into the feast.

However you decide to incorporate edible flowers into your celebration, you are sure to make an impact on your fellow celebrants. Here are some edible flowers and how they can be used in kitchen witchery at Ostara.

Rose

Genus: Rosa

Energies: love, happiness, psychic awareness

Roses might be known for smelling sweet, but their flavor is more subtle and has a bit of fruitiness. Roses work in all types of dishes and drinks but are most often used in desserts and breakfast pastries. An enduring symbol of love, roses should be incorporated into love diets and dishes paired with other foods high in love energy.

Candied rose petals can be eaten with intention to harness their happiness energy. The white portion of the flower on the petal is bitter and needs to be removed before using rose petals in dishes.

Lavender

Genus: Lavandula

Energies: calming, protection, healing, purification, peace

You might notice when doing recipe research that many recipes pair lavender and lemon. That’s because this flower’s flavor is floral with a hint of citrus notes, making it pair very well with lemon. Lavender is a versatile taste that works from savory to sweet.

It’s a flower that is at home as part of an appetizer, main course, dessert, or beverage. You can use lavender to make an herbal brew or to flavor black tea.

Carnation

Dianthus: caryophyllus

Energies: strength, protection, creativity, stability

It is believed carnations originated in the Mediterranean region, but the location isn’t known due to extensive cultivation around the world. Like roses, the bitter white base needs to be trimmed from the carnation before using it in dishes meant to be eaten.

Surprisingly sweet, they have a clove or nutmeg-like scent. Carnations are often added raw to salads, but they work well as candy, soaked in wine, or as dessert decorations. Carnation is an ingredient in the French liqueur Chartreuse, so cocktails made with it and adorned with fresh carnations have an extra kick of their power. Carnations are a symbol of labor movements, so add them to meals shared in solidarity and strength with those fighting for their rights as workers.

Hibiscus

Genus: Hibiscus

Energies: creativity, divination, love

There are several hundred species of hibiscus, all native to sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world. The hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii and is worn ornamentally by many Hawaiian and Tahitian women. Hibiscus has citrus overtones combined with a tart cranberry-like flavor. Their slightly acidic petals work best used sparingly in dishes like salads. Their citrus notes make them great for drinks, such as teas and cocktails. If you’re looking for some magic for the eyes as well as accessing their magickal properties, add a fresh hibiscus into a glass of champagne or prosecco and watch how the petals bloom and move with the bubbles.

Violet

Genus: Viola

Energies: healing, luck, peace, protection

Violets have become a symbol of romantic love between women because of lines from a few poems by Sappho. They can be used to protect a new relationship. Violets have a floral, sweet taste, so they easily work in salads, drinks, and desserts. One cultivar, Rebecca, has a minty vanilla flavor, making it perfect for ice creams and other desserts. Violets, in particular, are gorgeous when candied and added to cakes and other decorative desserts. Violets are high in antioxidants and are used medicinally in several cultures.

Some additional edible flowers and their energies:

Edible Flower

Energies: