Hi, my loves and welcome to WiccaNow. Recently I’ve been sharing guides about the magickal and medicinal properties of all my favourite herbs and plants, like this post about the magickal properties of basil. I’ve also shared a guide to aloe, another about using apples in magick and a post all about catnip along with my most recent post about the magickal properties of comfrey. Today I want to continue along this path by sharing my guide to the magickal properties of daisies.
Daisies are an ancient healing herb which have been used for centuries to treat various medical ailments such as wounds, broken bones and gastric distress. Their magickal properties include love, friendship, divination, healing and protection along with many others which are detailed below.
Disclaimer: Any medicinal benefits given here are a product of my own research and as such should not be taken over the advice of trained medical professionals. If you are ill, please go and see a doctor. Always make sure that anything you consume is 100% safe. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife before consuming something you haven’t tried before.
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Table of Contents
History of Daisies
Daisies, the most common species of which is called Bellis Perennis, are part of the Asteraceae family. They’re also known as the common daisy, lawn daisy or English daisy and used to go by the name of bruisewort and woundwort. Daisies are native to northern, central and western Europe but have been naturalised all over the world in temperate regions.
Daisies have been around for thousands of years, with evidence that they were grown by the ancient Egyptians as early as 2,200BC for use in herbal remedies. There are stone carvings depicting what looks like daisies from 3000BC.
Many herbalists believed that because the flower opened during the day and closed again at night, which mimics the eye, they would help heal ailments of the eye. In ancient Rome, daisy oil was extracted and used to soak bandages to make them sterile and to help wounds heal. They were so beloved, in fact, that the Roman legions would take sacks full of daisies with them for use after battle.
During the 16th century, the famous herbalist John Gerard recommended dairies as a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding, migraines, swelling and bruises. Henry the 8th reportedly ate platefuls of daisies to cure his stomach ulcers and it was believed that daisies crushed into wine and drunk for 15 days would cure insanity.
During the hippy movement in the 60s and 70s, daisies became a common motif and came to symbolise all things “flower-power”.
Fun Facts about Daisies
- The name daisy comes from “day’s eye” because a daisy will open its petals in the morning and close them again at night.
- Daisies are edible and if you pick the unopened, young buds, you can pickle them much like you would a caper.
- You can eat the young leaves of a daisy as part of a salad. The older the leaves the more bitter they become.
- According to some, cows won’t eat daisies and if they do eat them, it will make their milk taste bitter.
- Daisies are the flower of spring, with old folklore stating that spring hasn’t started until you’ve stepped on at least 12 daisies.
- Daisies grow on every continent except Antarctica.
- There are over 20,000 different types of daisies.
- A gerbera is a form of daisy and is one of the most well-known flowers in the world. It’s relatively new to Europe though as it was discovered in South Africa in 1884 and arrived in England in 1890.
- The Netherlands is the biggest grower and distributor of Gerberas in the world.
Medicinal Uses of Daisies
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antifungal
- Daisies are strongly astringent, meaning they help to bind wounds together faster.
- May help with coughs and colds
- May help with liver problems
- May help to brighten skin
- May aid digestive health
- May help those suffering from heavy menstruation
- May help those suffering from postpartum bleeding
- May help to reduce fever
- May help to heal broken bones
- Mild laxative effects
Magickal Properties of Daisies
The magickal properties of daisies have been used for a long time in love spells. Most of us will have already used daisy magick when younger. Remember pulling out daisy petals one by one and saying “she/he loves me, she/he loves me not”? That’s a very simple form of a love spell… You can also use this method as a form of divination to find out the answer to any other yes/no question.
If you want to re-ignite an old love affair, place some daisies under your pillow. This will help to bring the person you’re yearning for back into your life while also making you dream of them. Daisies are generally not seen as a flower for passionate love. They are used in love spells for long-lasting love or friendship
Fill a small sachet with dried daisies and hang it over your children’s beds to keep them safe at night. Fill small vases with daisies and keep them in the home to form a protective net which keeps you feeling safe joyful. Placing daisies on your desk will help to reignite your passion for a project you’re struggling with.
Daisies are often made into simple flower crowns to be worn during Beltane and other summer Sabbats. They are also a favourite of faeries and are thought to attract woodland dryads.
- Love
- Protection (particularly for children)
- Happiness
- Joyfulness
- Creativity
- Abundance
- Playfulness
- Healing
- Clarity
- Friendship
- Divination
Magickal Associations of Daisies
Deities – Artemis, Aphrodite and Freya
Magickal Correspondences of Daisies
Zodiac – Taurus
Planet – Venus and the Sun
Element – Water
Gender – Feminine
Crystals – Rose Quartz, amethyst and yellow jasper
So, my lovelies, I hope this gives you all the information you were looking for about the magickal properties of daisies! May your days be filled with joy, your nights filled with gentle loving-kindness and your friendships blossom like a daisy under the sun.
Until next time,
Blessed be,
Amaria xx
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