Mystical Musings: Honeysuckle and the Gift of Happiness
Spending time studying honeysuckle meant spending time meditating on what it means to be truly happy. Yes, honeysuckle represents happiness in the natural world, but what does that really mean?
If the honeysuckle vine’s magical energy were to reach out and touch our lives with the gift of happiness, what would that look like?
Happiness is an emotion, but it is also a composite of emotions. It’s almost like an umbrella term that describes a flurry of emotions, like joy, pleasure, and excitement.
We feel happy sometimes when we look back and reflect on our childhood through the rose-colored glasses that nostalgia often lends us.
Nostalgia is a bit of an oxymoron in that it is a bittersweet form of happiness – a happiness that brings with it a little pang and yearning for something that we had once…and then lost.
A little smile dares color our faces when we reminisce on more innocent times when the world was simpler…easier…happier.
But we also feel sadness as we look through the looking glass to a time that has come and gone. Those moments of magical, bubbling joy now belong to the past.
Honeysuckle treats us to happiness by way of nostalgia, so that yes we have joy in our pleasant memories…but we also experience the pain of yearning. Pain and joy, are coupled together so that we truly feel the emotion of happiness. Every good emotion must sting…just a little so that you know it is real.
Emotions are magical…and fleeting. We are becoming less and less a people capable of emotion as cultural changes and societal shifts demand that we feel less and less in order to survive.
In our endless quest to heed our own survival, we often lose sight of what we’re surviving for – to be happy. What is the point of all of this if it doesn’t bring us joy? Why bother clinging to the mortal coil if it doesn’t make us happy?
Honeysuckle teaches us that in our search for happiness, we must focus on the little things, like the sweet taste of honeyed nectar like a secret treasure to be discovered within its petals, or the effervescent, scintillating aroma the flowers emit at peak bloom.
These things are all wonderful little miracles Mother Nature provides to remind us that the best things in life are free and that sometimes the simplest phenomena can bring the most joy.
Yes, a new shiny car or a bigger house can bring you a measure of joy, but eventually, you are prone to get bored of these things, as they are material and subject to erosion, wear and tear.
But the magical scent of the honeysuckle’s bloom, from season to season, will always be a spellbinding marvel of Nature that nothing man-made can replicate. The pleasant taste of honeysuckle nectar will always rival even the best delicacies that the most seasoned cooks have to offer.
Happiness, at the end of the day, is natural. Happiness is Nature-made.
*FDA Disclaimer
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not render medical or psychological advice, opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a medical or psychological problem, you should consult your appropriate health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Links on this website are provided only as an informational resource, and it should not be implied that we recommend, endorse or approve of any of the content at the linked sites, nor are we responsible for their availability, accuracy, or content.
There’s something about the magic of the rose that is enchanting, seductive, and mystical. Their energy compels and romances us, forcing us to confront the truth of our emotions and unravel the mystery of our deepest passions. There are many ways to enjoy roses’ power, whether it be to appreciate their alluring beauty or to be fancied away by their tantalizing scent.
Roses also offer a bewitching dining experience when enjoyed in a scintillating rose-inspired recipe. We’d like to provide you with a mesmerizing floral twist to a popular condiment — the magic of roses and honey combined in a rose honey recipe. A truly magical coupling.
Magical Ways to Use Rose Honey
Rose honey is simple to make and can provide a heightened, sensuous and mystical experience to any dish that could benefit from a dash of honey. Use it to sweeten your morning cup of tea for a bewitching sunrise experience, or partake in a romantic breakfast of English muffins drizzled with rose-infused honey with the one you love. This rose honey is also perfect for Beltane celebrations, so use it to sweeten your Beltane honey cakes and cookies.
This rose-infused honey is a great addition to your next homemade soap project. Honey is a natural skin moisturizer, and the natural sugars within honey will help the soap lather more robustly. Roses provide excellent benefits to the skin as well, being effective in countering acne and lessening inflammation. For a sore throat, this rose-infused honey is just what the doctor ordered, as both roses and honey can provide soothing relief.*
All-in-all, this rose honey not only provides a decadent and divine addition to your pantry but a potent healing addition to your medicine cabinet as well. And while we recommend using all-natural, raw honey for your infusion, as raw honey is full of amazing health benefits and magical power, processed honey will do just fine.
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not render medical or psychological advice, opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a medical or psychological problem, you should consult your appropriate health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Links on this website are provided only as an informational resource, and it should not be implied that we recommend, endorse or approve of any of the content at the linked sites, nor are we responsible for their availability, accuracy, or content
Elderberry is a fruit of opposites. It has been used for protection from evil, as well as to summon evil in. An elderberry tree’s roots are shallow, yet the plant is robust. Elderberry is a potently magical fruit used for healing and blessings, but it also finds itself used for curses, summoning ghosts and evil spirits, and banishing.
Elderberry Represents Holle, Goddess of Death and Regeneration
Elderberry has the power to bridge the divide between the physical and the spiritual realm. It represents Holle, Goddess of Death and Regeneration, who protects the life cycle and those transitioning into death and the Underworld.
Holle, Gatekeeper of The Underworld
Holle is a gatekeeper of Death and the Underworld. She resides in a cold, dark residence at the bottom of a well, but she is considered a kind, benevolent goddess who is generally not feared and even loved. Holle is also a goddess of life and vegetation. Anyone who traverses into her realm will be rewarded justly, either good or bad, depending on the reward they deserve.
Elder Twigs for Holle’s Protection
Elderberry and the elder tree are associated with death and the Underworld. Elder twigs were often placed in coffins or buried with loved ones to beseech the protection of the Goddess Holle and grant them safe passage into the Underworld.
The Dryad in the Elder Tree
Some cultures believe that a tree dryad inhabits the elder tree. This dryad is viewed as a kind and benevolent spirit when treated with honor and respect who protects those who care for the elder tree.
The Merciless Elder Tree Dryad
The dryad in the elder tree shows no mercy to those who use the elder tree improperly. The dryad will hunt them down and curse them with bad luck. To please the dryad, the materials from the elder tree were only to be used for medicinal or protective magic and charms and only after garnering the permission of the dryad.
The Elder Tree Protects
Elderberries and the elder tree carry protective energies and do well to ward against evil energies. Bundles of elder twigs around the home can also protect the household, and it is believed that where an elder tree grows, lightning will not strike.
Harnessing The Elder Tree’s Protective Magic
Keeping elder leaves and branches hung over doorways and windows will also stave off negative energies and entities. Crowns also made of elder twigs can help with seeing spirits and reverse evil magic, and a cradle made of elder wood was said to protect the baby that lay within.
Using Elder Branches and Berries in Blessings
Elder branches and berries can be used in blessings. The oil can be used in blessing rituals, scattering elderberry and elderberry leaves to the winds while naming the person or object you wish to bless, then scattering leaves on that object or person will grant a blessing.
Marital Blessings and the Elder Tree
The elder tree is considered a sacred symbol for marriage as well. In some cultures, it is believed that elder twigs can bring good luck to newlyweds, and in Britain, it is said that if a man and woman drink ale infused with elderflowers, they would be married within a year.
Crafting Magical Tools with Elder Branches
Magical tools made with elder branches can ward off evil from magical practice. Elder branches have a soft, malleable core that is easily removed while remaining soft and sturdy on the outside. This makes them ideally suited for woodwind instruments, the music said to be loved by the spirit world. Wands and flutes made from the elder tree can even be used to summon spirits.
The Elder Tree Stimulates Vivid Dreams
Elderberry is known for its ability to stimulate vivid dreaming. It is said that falling asleep under an elder tree would inspire dreams of faerie lands.
Identifying Elderberry
You can identify the Elder tree by the white or yellow flowers it produces that bloom all year. The flowers eventually turn into dark, blue elderberry. They usually grow about 25 feet high, and 1 foot in diameter, and the tree has light gray or brown bark. The trunk is characteristically short, and the branches form a rounded crown at the top of the tree.
Where to Find Elder Trees
Elder leaves are slightly thick with sawtoothed edges and have a leathery texture. Elder trees can usually be found in the woods along the path of streams and in desert and desert grasslands. More locally, one can find elderberry at times growing along a roadside. Elderberry is a member of the honeysuckle family, and red elderberry is generally toxic.
Is Elderberry Edible?*
It is important to note what parts and kinds of the elder tree and berries are edible. Black or deep purple elderberries when ripe and elderflowers are edible. If there are lingering concerns about the toxicity of elderberries, boiling and baking can take care of any toxic properties.
Parts of the Elder Tree Can Be Toxic
It is not safe to consume raw elderberries as they are poisonous. They contain a trace of cyanide that can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Because they are also toxic, steer clear of consuming elder roots, leaves, bark, and stems. Do not make teas from the leaves and branches of the elder tree, and raw red elderberry can also cause nausea.
The name “elder” is believed to come from the Old English word ailed, which means “fire.” Its genus, Sambuca, is also the name of a musical instrument made from branches of the elder tree. The elder tree was seen as the tree of witches, and as Christianity began to rise, so did the persecution of tree worship.
Christianity’s Initial Suspicion of the Elder Tree
Christians feared the elder tree and viewed it as a symbol of sorrow and death. It was believed to be the tree that Judas Iscariot hung himself on, as well as the wood used for Jesus’ cross, a belief that has contributed to Christianity’s wariness of the elder tree.
How to Elder Tree Became A Part of Christian Tradition
Due to the prevalence of folklore and magic in Europe in the Middle Ages, Christian and pre-Christian beliefs soon merged to create new traditions and rituals. The elder tree and elderberry magical rituals started to assimilate into Christian practices. A Christmas Eve ritual involving the stems of the elder tree was created to reveal witches.
FDA Disclaimer
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not render medical or psychological advice, opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a medical or psychological problem, you should consult your appropriate health care provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Links on this website are provided only as an informational resource, and it should not be implied that we recommend, endorse or approve of any of the content at the linked sites, nor are we responsible for their availability, accuracy or content.
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