The 10 Commandments of Edible Flowers

1. Eat only those flowers you can positively identify as safe and edible. Learn the Latin or botanical names, which are universally accepted (common names may vary from region to region).

2. Do not assume that restaurants and caterers always know which flowers are edible. Just because it is on your plate does not mean it is edible (see Rule #1).

3. Eat only those flowers that have been grown organically.

4. Do not eat flowers from florists, nurseries, garden centers or public gardens (see Rule #3).

5. Do not eat flowers if you have hay fever, asthma or allergies.

6. Do not eat flowers picked from the side of heavily trafficked roads.

7. Eat only the petals of flowers; always remove and discard the pistils and stamens before eating. (Except for the tiny flowers like thyme where it would be like performing microsurgery to remove the pistils and stamens.)

8. Not all sweet-smelling flowers are edible; some are poisonous.

9. Eat only the flowers of the recommended plants; other parts may be toxic or inedible, even though the flower may be delicious.

10. Gradually introduce flowers into your diet – one at a time and in small quantities, the way you would new food to a baby.

Source: Organic To Be

Flower Butters

Both savory and sweet butters can be made with edible flowers. Probably the most versatile savory butters are made from chive blossoms or nasturtium flowers. Serve these savory butters with a crisp French bread or melt them over vegetables, fish, or poultry. Or also add savory herbs, lemon juice, or other flavorings such as ground chipotle peppers or grated fresh ginger.

Sweet flower butters can be made with roses, violets, lavender, and pineapple sage and are a treat on egg breads, sugar cookies, or as a mystery filling between layers of pound or sponge cake. Not all edible flowers are equally tasty. Before you prepare the blossoms taste a few petals to make sure they please your palate.

Making any flower butter involves the same process. First, remove the petals from the flowers and wash them well in cold water—check for critters. Gently pat them dry in a towel or dry them in a salad spinner. Using a very sharp knife, mince the flowers and any leaves. (Mincing is easier if you roll the blossoms into a small ball before cutting them.)

Cut a stick of room-temperature butter into 6 or 8 pieces and then mash them with a fork. When the butter is fairly soft, slowly incorporate any flavorings and the flowers and leaves. With a rubber spatula put the mixture into a small butter crock or decorative bowl. Refrigerate until serving time.

Flower butters can be frozen in sealed containers for 2 months.

Source: Organic To Be

Flowers You Can Eat

Here is an extensive but by no means complete listing of edible flowers. I've listed them as follows:
Common name: (botonical name):  Flavor - other information.

Please note: While the flowers mentioned in this edible flowers list are edible, other parts of the plants mentioned in this list may be poisonous. Know what you're eating! Also, be sure that no pesticides of other potentially harmful substances have been applied to the plant. Avoid plants growing along the sides of roads as they may have absorbed toxins from passing traffic.

Anise (hyssop Agastache foeniculum): Licorice
Apple (Malus spp.): Floral - Eat in moderation since flowers contain cyanide precursors
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria sativa): Peppery - once flowers form, the leaves become bitter

Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Herbal
Bachelor's button (Centaurea cyanus): Vegetal - petals are edible; the calyx is bitter
Bee balm (Monarda didyma): Minty, sweet, hot
Begonias Tuberous (Begonia X tuberosa): citrus-sour - Stems can be used in place of rhubarb. The flowers and stems contain oxalic acid and should not be consumed by individuals suffering from gout, kidney stones, or rheumatism.
Begonias Wax (Begonia cucullata): - The fleshy leaves and flowers are edible raw or cooked. They can have a slight bitter after taste and if in water most of the time, a hint of swamp in their flavor.
Borage (Borago officinalis): Cucumber - use sparingly - diuretic effects, combines well with nasturtiums
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea, Botrytis group): Spicy

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): spicy to bitter, tangy to peppery, sharp taste resembles saffron
Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus - aka Dianthus): Sweet - cut petals away from the bitter white base of the flower.
Canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum): Peppery
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis, Chamaemelum noblis): Sweet apple - use in moderation, contains thuaone; ragweed sufferers may be allergic to chamomile
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium): Herbal
Chicory (Cichorium intybus): Slightly bitter
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Oniony - avoid eating whole flower; taste can be overwhelming
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium): Tangy, slightly bitter - Always remove the bitter flower base and use petals only
Clover (Trifolium species): Sweet, anise-like, licorice - Raw flower heads can be difficult to digest.
Cornflower (Centaurea cynaus): slightly sweet to spicy, clove-like flavor.

Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis): bitter - Often mistaken for Phlox. Leaves should be picked before the plant flowers. Seed can be sprouted and added to salads.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Sweet, honey-like, slightly bitter - use young flowers, mature flowers become bitter
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.): Like sweet lettuce or melon - may act as a diuretic or laxative; eat in moderation. Not to be confused with other types of Lilies which may ontain alkaloids and are NOT edible.
Dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus): Sweet, clove - remove the narrow base of the petals (bitter)
Dill (Anethum graveolens): Herbal

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): Sweet - do not wash flowers as it removes much of the flavor
English daisy (Bellis perennis): Slightly bitter

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Mildly anise
Fuchsia (Fuchsia X hybrida): Slightly acidic - The berries are also edible.

Garden Sorrel (Rumex acetosa): Tart, lemony
Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum): Garlicky
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Gingery
Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp): - nondescript flavor, vaguely like lettuce - remove anthers

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): Mild citrus, cranberry-like
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea): Mild nutty
Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): Sweet honey flavor - only the flowers are edible. Berries are highly poisonous - do not eat them!
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): Strong herbal

Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana): Sweet
Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): Floral, Sweet (roots), Nutty (seeds) - Every part is edible. The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea. Seeds are roasted to make puffs called mahkanas. The plant's roots are ground up to make lotus meal.

Japanese plum (Prunus ‘Mume’): Sweet almond
Jasmine (Jasminum sambac and J. officinale): Sweet floral
Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor): Slightly minty, wintergreen - petals have little flavor unless the green sepals are included.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Strong floral - use sparingly due to intense flavor
Lemon (Citrus limon): Sweet citrus
Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla): Sweet citrus
Lilac (Syringa spp.): Very fragramt, slightly bitter. Has a distinct lemony taste with floral, pungent overtones. - The flavor of lilacs varies from plant to plant.
Linden (Tilia spp.): Sweet, Honey-like - Frequent consumption of linden flower tea can cause heart damage
Lovage (Levisticum officinale): Celery

Marigold (Tagetes patula): Citrus, bitter - Lemon Gem and Tangerine Gem have the best flavor
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare): Herbal
Mint (Mentha spp.): Minty - each type of mint has its own unique flavor
Mustard (Brassica juncea): Spicy - some people are highly allergic

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): Peppery
Nodding onion (Allium cernuum): Oniony

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens): Sweet cranberry
Okra (Abelmoschus aesculentus): Mild, sweet
Orange (Citrus sinensis): Sweet citrus
Oregano (Origanum spp.): Herbal

Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana): Slight minty, sweet green or grassy flavor; petals have a mild flavor; whole flower has a wintergreen flavor
Passion flower (Passiflora spp.): Vegetal
Pea (Pisum sativum): Pea-like
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora): In China the fallen petals are parboiled and sweetened as a tea-time delicacy. Peony water was used for drinking in the middle ages. Add peony petals to your summer salad or try floating in punches and lemonades.
Phlox, Perennial Phlox (Phlox paniculata): Slightly spicy taste - It is the perennial phlox, NOT the annual, that is edible.
Pineapple (Feijoa sellowiana): Sweet tropical
Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans): Spicy, sweet, fruity, hint of mint and spice
Primrose (Primula vulgaris) Cowslip: Sweet bland

Radish (Raphanus sativus): Peppery, a distinctive, spicy bite - best used in salads
Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Pea-like
Red clover (Trifolium pratense): Sweet - raw clover flowers are not easily digestible.
Rose (Rosa rugosa or R. gallica officinalis): Flavors depend on type, color, and soil conditions. Flavor reminiscent of strawberries and green apples. Sweet, with subtle undertones ranging from fruit to mint to spice. NOTE: Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals.
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): Mild
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Mild citrus
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Herbal
Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus): Bean-like

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius): Bitter
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Herbal
Scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Vegetal
Scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.): Floral - the flavor is usually similar to the scent of the leaves, NOTE: Citronelle variety may not be edible.
Shungiku (Chrysanthemum coronarium): Slightly bitter
Signet marigold (Tagetes signata) (T. tenuifolia) Citrusy, herbal, similar to tarragon - may be harmful if eaten in large amounts; other marigolds are edible but have a tangy to bitter flavor
Snapdragon (Anthirrhinum majus): Delicate garden variety can be bland to bitter. Flavors depend on type, color, and soil conditions. Probably not the best flower to eat - best used as a garnish
Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea): Sweet garlicky
Squash (Curcubita pepo spp.): Vegetal
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis): Herbal
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Flower is best eaten in bud stage when it has an artichoke flavor; petals of open flowers have a bitter-sweet flavor. The unopened flower buds can also be steamed like artichokes - pollen can cause a reaction for some people
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum): Fresh, sweet and grassy with a hint of nutty, vanilla flavor - Can have a blood thinning effect if eaten in large amounts

Thyme (Thymus spp.) Herbal
Tuberous begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida): Citrus
Tulip (Tulipa spp.) Flavor varies from tulip to tulip, but generally the petals taste like sweet lettuce, fresh baby peas, or a cucumber-like texture and flavor. NOTE: If touching them causes a rash, numbness etc. Don't eat them! Don't eat the bulbs ever. If you have any doubts, don't eat the flower. Some people have had strong allergic reactions to them.

Violet (Viola odorata): Sweet floral

Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata): Both the young rolled up leaves and flowers can be boiled for five minutes and served with butter.
Winter savory (Satureja montana): Herbal

Yellow Pond Lily (Nelumbo lutea): The young leaves and flower buds were eaten as vegetables, roots baked and ground into flower, seeds eaten fried.
Yucca Petals (Yucca species): Crunchy with a mildly sweet taste (a hint of artichoke) - In the spring, they can be used in salads and as a garnish.

For an even more comprehensive listing of edible flowers visit Edible Landscape Design and Permaculture Wiki

Edible Flower Canapés

Edible flowers provide a striking palatte with which to decorate food. With a small garden of edible flowers you can make your canapés look like edible art.

• ½ cup (25 g) snipped fresh dill or chive leaves
• 1 lb (500 g) organic cream cheese, softened
• 2 large loaves of dense sandwich or rustic-style unsliced bread, or 2 packages melba toast
• A selection of organic edible flowers, 4 or 5 dozen: nasturtiums, borage, calendulas, pineapple sage, runner bean flowers, pansies, violas, violets, and mustard flowers
• Herb leaves: sage, parsley, mint, dill, and basil

In a mixing bowl, add the dill and 3 tablespoons of water to the cream cheese and mix until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water.

Trim the crusts off the bread and cut it into slices 1/3 inch (8 mm) thick. Cut the slices into large squares or rectangles 2½ to 3½ inches (6-8.5 cm) wide. Spread the cream cheese mixture on the bread—approximately 1 tablespoon per square—and arrange the squares on cookie sheets. Cover them lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to decorate.

Carefully wash the flowers and herbs and gently pat them dry on paper towels. Lay them out on damp paper towels and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use, but not for more than a few hours.

Decorate each canapé square with an edible flower or two and an herb leaf or two. Re-cover the canapés lightly with a plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving time. The canapés may be made a few hours in advance, but do not prepare them any earlier, or the garnishes will wilt.

Put a paper doily on a decorative tray, place decorated squares on the tray, and serve. Serves 6 to 8 as an appetizer.

From Rosalind Creasy

Sun in Taurus

The Sun is in Taurus from approximately April 20 to May 20, depending on the year.

Symbol: The Bull
Ruler: Venus
Season: Spring
Modality: Fixed
Element: Earth
Placement in the Zodiac: 2nd Sign
Metal: Copper
Stone: Emerald
Color: Green
Flowers: Rose,
Anatomy: Neck, throat

Keywords: persevering, down-to-earth, stable, stubborn, possessive, prosperous, dependable, physical, sensual

There is something very solid about Taurus natives, no matter what the rest of their charts say about them. Though they are dependable most of the time, this generally shows itself more in habit than in outright helpfulness.

Taurus natives are sensual folk--and this includes sex, but extends to pleasures in all areas: they delight in the sensual pleasures of food, a comfortable blanket, a richly colored aquarium to look at, the smell of flowers or spring rain, pleasing melodies coming from their stereos, and so forth. Some might even say they live through their senses more than most.

When Taurus natives work, they work hard. They do it with a steadiness that may rarely be considered quick--rather it's a dependable, plodding, and steady effort that has its payoffs. Security is immensely important to Taurus--some of them actively seek wealth, while others are content to be "comfortable". The Taurus definition of "comfortable" may not be exactly the same as the rest of the signs, but comfort is definitely a driving force.

Although hard-working, their fixed and comfort-loving nature sometimes makes them appear lazy. This is only because they separate work and leisure so well. When they work, they work hard, and when they play, they don't really "play" as such...they relax. A Solar Taurus who has kicked his or her feet up is rooted there--you'd be hard-pressed to get them to move. On a mental level, you'll likely have the same problem. Taureans stick with things and ideas, and therein lies one of the reasons why they are known for their stubbornness. Taurus is a fixed sign, and they have a fair measure of tradition and steadiness in their make-up that keeps them rooted.

The possessiveness associated with Taurus shows up in all areas of life in some way. Taurus likes to own things (and sometimes people). A nice home, a piece of land (this can be modest), a paid-off car, that aquarium mentioned earlier, a couple pets, maybe a solid business...In love and relationship, there is an earthy kind of possessiveness that may be considered jealousy by some, but there is actually quite a difference between being possessive and being jealous. Taurus natives are rarely jealous and petty. They do, however, think of the people they love as theirs--it adds to their sense of security.

Source: Cafe Astrology

Sign of the Poppy

"I provide beauty to your senses."

If you were born between April 20 and May 19, you are a poppy among the zodiac flower signs. You love the finer things in life, and you love to share them with other people. You have a flare for design, a good eye for detail, and a knack for putting things together with style. Refinery comes natural to you, and you have a classy way about you that others find alluring. Poppy people are about pleasure: giving and receiving it. You enjoy security and comfort. Those with the flower sign of the poppy are very resilient too, and can weather any storm because of their patience and headstrong nature.

Source: What's Your Sign

Willow Tree Lore

Each month of the Celtic Lunar calendar bears the name of a tree. The 5th Moon of the Celtic Year - (April 15 - May 12) is the Willow Month.

• Celtic name: Saille (Sahl' yeh)
• Latin name: Weeping Willow: salix babylonica; black Willow: salix nigra
• Folk or Common names: Willow, Witch's Tree, Pussy Willow, Salicyn Willow, Saille, Sally, Withe, Withy, Witches' Aspirin, Tree of Enchantment, Osier, Tarvos Tree, and Sough Tree.
• Meaning: The Anglo-Saxon 'welig' from where the name 'willow' is derived, means 'pliancy'.
• Parts Used: Bark, sap, twigs, branches, wood.

Herbal usage:

The bark of the Willow has been used as a pain killer... the bark contains a glusoside called salicin that forms salicylylous acid which is the 'active ingredient' in aspirin. The bark has astringic qualities and can be used for rheumatic conditions, heartburn and as a diuretic. The sap gathered from the tree when it is flowering can be used to treat facial blemishes and dandruff.

Magical History and Associations:

The bird associated with this month is the hawk, the color is haze, and the gemstone is blood-red carbuncle. The Willow is associated with water, and is an herb of the moon. Willow wood is one of the nine traditional firewoods to be added to the Belfire that is burned at Beltane - as the tree of death that is Sacred to Hecate, Willow is added to the fire as a celebration of death.

The Willow is sacred to Minerva who invented numbers and also to Artemis, Ceres, Persephone, Brigid, Hera, Helice, Mercury, Belili, and Circe. The Sumerian goddess Belili was a goddess of trees, and Willows in particular.

The Willow is also associated with Orpheus, regarded by the Creeks as the most celebrated of poets. It is said that Orpheus received his gifts of eloquence and communication by carrying Willow branches on his journey through the Underworld. A bas-relief in a temple at Delphi portrays Orpheus leaning against a Willow tree, touching its branches.

Pagan associations with the Willow have always been strong, for they are often revered as trees of the MoonGoddess, she who reflects her moon magic upon the waters of Earth. Willow was often the tree most sought by the village wise-woman, since it has so many medicinal properties, and eventually the Willow's healing and religious qualities became one and the tree became called 'witch's tree'.

The Willow is also associated with the fey. The wind in the Willows is the whisperings of a fairy in the ear of a poet. It is also said that Willow trees can uproot themselves and stalk travelers at night, muttering at them.

Magickal usage:

The Willow has applications in magick done for enchantment, wishing, romantic love, healing, protection, fertility, magick for women, death, femininity, love, divination, friendship, joy, love, and peace. Placed in homes, Willow branches protect against evil and malign sorcery. Carried, Willow wood will give bravery, dexterity, and help one overcome the fear of death.

If you knock on a Willow tree (knock on wood) this will avert evil. A Willow tree growing near a home will protect it from danger (I know this to be true. When the tornado hit our farm, the only reason we only lost part of the roof, rather than the whole house, was because the grove of Willows around the house protected us. Our poor Willows got pretty battered by the storm, lost most of their leaves and quite a few branches, but have recovered fully now!).

Willows are also a good tree to plant around cemeteries and also for lining burial graves for its symbolism of death and protection. Willows can be used in rituals for intuition, knowledge, gentle nurturing, and will elucidate the feminine qualities of both men and women. If a person needs to get something off their chest or to share a secret, if they confess to a Willow, their secret will be trapped. Also, wishes are granted by a Willow tree if they are asked for in the correct manner.

Willow leaves, bark and wood add energy to healing magick, and burning a mix of Willow bark and sandalwood during the waning moon can help to conjure spirits. Uses of Willow in love talismans include using the leaves to attract love. Willow leaves or twigs can also be used in spells to create loyalty, make friendship pacts, treaties, or alliances. A rejected lover can wear Willow as a charm to win back the love.

To determine if you will be married in the new year:

"Throw your shoe high up

into the branches of a Willow tree;

If the branches catch and hold the shoe,

you soon will married be."

Willows have many uses to Witches, the most common is that the wood is used to make wands for moon magick. Willow wands can also be used to dowse for water (underground), earth energies, and buried objects. (The Witch should be careful to ask for the tree's blessings before taking a branch to make a wand.) The supple long ending branches of the Willow make good weaving materials to use to weave circlets and wreaths. Willow wood is good for making magical harps.

Recommended Reading:

• Year of Moons, Season of Trees
• Tree Medicine Tree Magic
• A Druid's Herbal
• Celtic Astrology
• Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World
• The Book of Druidry

Found at: Dutchie.org

Daisy Magick

Ruler: Venus
Type: Flower
Magickal Form: Petals and flowers

The Daisy is traditionally assigned to the month of April. A flower of friendship and courtship, the daisy is used to open up social or romantic opportunity. Add the petals to bathwater on Wednesdays to draw new friends. Place whole flowers on a love altar with pink candles to attract romantic possibilities. The daisy is the emotional and intellectual "getting to know you" flower.It is not a flower of passion and it is a great choice for young men and women who prefer a long courtship based on friendship and common goals.

From: The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients