Preserving Magick with Flower Pressing

s spring begins its bloom, so do the opportunities for working with nature. One of the most powerful ways to involve Mother Nature in your practice is by using plant life. Due to the changing seasons and growth phases, your favorite plants may not be abundant. For this reason, we’ll take a look at how to preserve the power of delicate flowers even when winter comes. Enjoy the magick of flowers year around. A

Step One: Gather Your Materials

To press your flowers, you only need a few materials: A pair of floral scissors or a sharp blade A basket or a bag A book or pressing kit Blotter paper if using a book Weight such as a brick or another book

To gather your flowers and work with nature, look to forage from around you. When foraging, it’s important to know your environment and possible hazards so that you can prevent uncomfortable or dangerous situations. Also getting permission is important if it’s not your land.

When looking for your flowers, try to stick with flowers that aren’t too large in size (usually 3 - 4 inches in size). Some like clipping them at their growth point (where stems branch out) or just below the base of the flower. Making clean, careful cuts will ensure that you won’t damage the plant, and that the flower can bloom again in the future. It’s also a good idea to look for flowers when it is dry outside, as it can be tricky to press wet flowers. When choosing your flowers, connect with your intuition.

Do you want perfect flowers or flowers with unique qualities? This decision is unique to you and your preference. When collecting your blooms, move quickly so that they don’t have time to wilt before you’re ready to use them.

Tip: When foraging, it’s also a good idea to become familiar with local foraging laws in your state or country. Also, beware of taking from the side of the road as roadsides are often sprayed with pesticides and contain pollutants from the air around them, which includes exhaust fumes.

Step Two : Prepare

When you get back home, it’s time to prepare your flowers to be pressed. Start by laying them out on the counter and trim away any extra or unwanted stem and foliage. Dirt should be carefully brushed off,

and the stem should be cut at an angle. If you are unable to use them quickly, your flowers can be put in the fridge in a ziplock bag. It’s important to note that flower pressing is best when it’s done immediately after gathering.

Step Three : Press

While there are multiple flower presses available for purchase, you don’t need any special tools to successfully press flowers. You can just use a book.

You’ll just need a heavy book that you don’t mind being damaged, as the moisture can wrinkle the pages. Put the flower between two pieces of blotter paper, and put them in the book. If the book is big enough, you can often do more than one flower at a time. After the flowers are placed in the book, set either another book or a brick on top of it and set it aside.

This process usually takes a few weeks, and you’ll want to change the blotter paper every few days. Once they are dry, they are ready. When removing, do so carefully.

Magickal Properties of Specific Flowers

Daffodils - Fertility, love, luck.

Hibiscus - Love, lust, passion, prophetic dreams. Lilies - Abundance, fertility, rebirth, renewal.

Tulips - Prosperity, love.

Violets - Protection from evil, sweet dreams, restful sleep.

How To Use Pressed Flowers In Magick

Once you’ve gotten your flowers pressed and are ready to use them, there are a variety of different ways you can do that.

Some witches choose to place them on their altar to increase the energy of the space. Others may choose to burn them with their incense mix on charcoal, put them in a spell sachet, add to cleansing baths, or to infuse into oils. How you use them depends on what your intentions you have.

Don’t take the spring season for granted. Gather those flowers and press them to allow you to continue to preserve their magickal benefits all year round.

Preserving Magick With Flower Pressing