Sweet Violet: A Witch's Guide to Spring's Magical Bloom

Sweet Violet

One of the first signs that spring has sprung is the appearance of the bright, purple flowers we know as violets. Their heart-shaped leaves are a welcome sight after months of cold winter which is why they are the perfect flower for Ostara. They carry the energy of hope for the coming season of life and new possibilities. They are strong in the magickal energies of love, chastity, rebirth, and wishes, making them a staple in any witch's apothecary. So let us discover just what makes the sweet violet so very sweet and see how we can use them in our craft.

Correspondences

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus/Aphrodite

Element: Water

Powers: wishes, love, luck, rebirth, peace, and healing

Legends & Lore

In the ancient stories surrounding sweet violets, we see the same symbolism popping up again and again. Most of the stories teach lessons about faithfulness, modesty, chastity, and rebirth—for instance, a Greek myth involved the goddess Artemis turning one of her nymphs into a violet to protect her from the lustful eye of the god Apollo. Because of this tale, the sweet violet became a symbol of chastity and innocence all throughout Greece and, later, Rome.

Aphrodite/Venus also has a strong association with violets. The mythos around her tells us that violets spring up wherever the goddess walks. The Three Graces also adorned her with a crown of violets. Due to their association with the goddess of love, the bright flowers became a staple in love potions.

But violets are also a representation of death and rebirth. In another Greek myth, the maiden Persephone was picking violets when Hades captured her and brought her to the Underworld. As the myth goes, she remained in the Underworld for half the year, during which the land would grow cold and barren. Her return in the spring would be indicated by the return of the violets.

In ancient Phrygia, we turn to the fable of the god of vegetation. Attis was loved dearly by the goddess of fertility Cybele who, one day, discovered that her love had been unfaithful to her. In a frenzied rage, Cybele killed the nymph that Attis had cheated with, which drove him to madness. Attis mortally wounded himself under a pine tree and bled to death. Wherever his blood dropped to the earth, violets grew on the spot.

Magickal Uses

The energy of the sweet violet is strong in love, life, modesty, and innocence. They are perfect for love spells and also spells of rejuvenation. You can use the power of this flower when you need a fresh start after closing a chapter in your life. Working with the plant will help you release the old and accept a new way of life and thinking.

Many witches like to save the first violet they find in the spring and create a pendant out of it. Its energy will be intensely strong in rebirth and love magick. In fact, that first flower of the season is the most popular ingredient in new love spells or spells to ease heartbreak. To attract new love, try keeping the petals in your right shoe for seven days. To ease heartbreak, soak in a bath with the petals for nine days straight.

Want to enhance your natural beauty? Who doesn't?! Try infusing some flowers in a bottle of water or facial oil and spritzing it on your skin. Or rejuvenate your face in the steam of some freshly brewed tea. A healthy glow will follow.

Are you a dream seeker? Putting some violets under your pillow will enhance the psychic powers of your third eye chakra and help you garner more powerful insights into the dream realm.

Want to strengthen your relationship with someone? Bake them a cake and decorate it with candied sweet violet petals. Your bond will be strengthened in no time!

These versatile flowers are also a welcome addition to any funeral rite. The petals can be spread over a grave or in a coffin to signify rebirth through death—a symbolic celebration of the soul transitioning from a physical life to a spiritual one.

Medicinal Uses

Sweet violet is a powerful anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, laxative, diuretic, diaphoretic, and expectorant.

Perhaps the most common remedy that the sweet violet can offer is to those suffering from cold/flu symptoms. The best way to consume it is in a strong tea so that it can work as an expectorant. The tea is great at treating upper respiratory infections and clearing congestion caused by mucus.

Another use for sweet violet is as a facial treatment. Due to the salicylic acid content in the plant, it makes a great balm that can be applied to the skin to treat inflamed skin, sores, hemorrhoids, infections, and varicose veins. Many swear by the anti-aging effects of the flower, so you will find the violet as an ingredient in many anti-aging creams on the market today.

Got puffy eyes? Well, sweet violet can help with that too. The leaves, fresh or dry, can be used to make an infusion that can reduce eye puffiness. Sweet violet really does appear to be a woman's best friend.

Culinary Uses

If all that wasn't enough, the violet also makes a great addition to the culinary landscape. The flowers are rich in vitamins A and C, which does the body good. The young leaves taste faintly of celery and can be added to salads, soups, and cocktails. They also make a popular cake decoration for weddings. But perhaps the most common way to consume them is in a hot cup of tea. Nothing soothes the body quite like a steaming brew of sweet violet tea.

If you are into wine, then why not try to make some sweet violet wine? The ancient Romans were wine-crafting experts, and sweet violet wine was a staple at many banquets and festive occasions.

Conclusion

Clearly, sweet violet is a plant that can be used for many purposes. From love spells to cold remedies and much in between, there are so many reasons to try working with this plant if you haven't already. So go out and harvest a good helping this Ostara. It will last you all year and provide you with the magick of spring when you need it most.