The Magick of Milkweed

As mentioned, the genus name for the species comes from the Greek god of healing and medicine. There is a reason for that. Though toxic, milkweed has been used for centuries for medical purposes.

The sap helps remove warts. It has also been used to treat many lung disorders. It was also possibly used as an abortifacient, though that isn’t entirely clear as it was referred to as a type of contraceptive. Several Native American tribes, including the Omaha, the Menomin, the Dakota, and the Ponca, all used milkweed medicinally. Unfortunately, some of those practices have been lost due to colonization.

Milkweed has also had many uses outside of medicinal ones. The silky floss has strong insulation properties and has been used as insulation in winter coats. It is also lofty and soft, so it has been used as pillow stuffing. It is called “The Silk of America,” and though not a large commercial product, it is grown commercially for jackets and pillows.

The plant has also been used to craft cords, ropes, and string. Its toxic properties don’t just protect the caterpillars that feed on it from predators. Indigenous peoples of Southern America and Africa have poisoned the tips of their arrows and spears with milkweed to hunt more effectively. This is due to the cardiac glycoside in milkweed, which breaks down the membrane of animal cells.

To use milkweed in modern magick, you don’t need to worry about safely ingesting a plant we’ve mentioned a few times is toxic. Instead, you can use the plant in rituals, sachets, and more. There are a few rituals and spell types milkweed lends itself well to:

• Medicine and Healing

• A plant named after a god of healing and medicine can’t help but have strong energies in those areas.

• If you are undergoing surgery, a sachet with milkweed and other protective and healing herbs is a powerful charm to have with you.

• If someone is battling a long illness, grow milkweed outside their window or place sachets of milkweed in their room.

• Sleep with a pillow stuffed with milkweed silk to heal emotional pain or injury.

• Protection

• Though dangerous to many, the toxicity of milkweed serves as protection for itself and the monarch caterpillars that make their home on the plant. That protective energy can be tapped into for rituals and spells.

• Plant milkweed in your garden to protect against illness and bad energy.

• Carry milkweed when going into situations in which you fear harm may come to you.

• Transformation

• Just as milkweed assists in larva becoming caterpillars and then butterflies, so can it assist you in your own transformation.

• Include milkweed in rituals focused on self-transformation, especially those related to growth.

• Home, Family, Parenthood

• The milkweed, being the first home and source of food for monarch butterflies, makes many people associate them with the energies of the home, family, and parenthood.

• Plant milkweed in the yard of new parents.

• Hang sachets of milkweed in a new home.

• Use milkweed in rituals focused on reconnecting family or strengthening family bonds.

• Butterfly Magick

• Though most closely associated with monarch butterflies, milkweed is a food source for many butterfly species.

• Include milkweed in rituals where you are honoring butterflies or calling on their magickal energies.

• Fae Magick

• Milkweed is a favorite of the fae, not only for its connection to pollinators but also for its connection to the spirits of the dead.

• Plant milkweed in your faerie garden to attract more fae.

• Use milkweed in offerings to the fae, especially when asking for their blessings or to borrow their magick.

Check which plant zone you are in, and make sure the seeds and soil you get are appropriate for it. Most milkweed species prefer full sun, so plan to plant in the sunniest area—but check your species to make sure it isn’t one of the few that favors partial sun.

Set your altar. Agate to the north, bergamot incense to the east, green candle to the south, and the small vessel of water to the west (leave the water for watering the soil off the altar). Place the milkweed seeds in the middle. Focus your intentions. Light the candle and use it to light the incense. Meditate on your purpose today. What is the goal? Why are you planting milkweed? Why are you doing it today? Are you planting milkweed for the pollinators, the fae, or both?

Using your wand or athame, direct the energy from the stone into the seeds. Do the same for every element, visualizing the energy passing from each into the seeds. You may wish to recite an incantation—it is up to you.

Once the seeds are charged, take them to your planting area. Keeping your intentions focused, place the seeds ¼ to ½ inch apart. Once all seeds are placed, cover with a quarter-inch of soil. Water the area, and make sure you water it frequently in the coming days and weeks. As you water, recite this incantation: