Her delicate beauty is hard to miss. On the side of the road, scattered in the yard demanding attention, filling fields like fresh snow, lining the interstate on your commute to work, a beautiful ‘weed’ that snuck into the garden under the protection of night. Too beautiful to ask to leave, so you allow her to stay for a spell.
This year, I’ve seen her everywhere - more so than any other year. A mural on the newly decorated doctor’s office wall, a random painting hanging at the bar, on a notebook I found whilst gallivanting in VT, and last weekend she made a debut appearance on the front lawn of what I lovingly refer to as, The Witch Cottage.
I began to feel a strong pull to work with her, create with her, and understand her. In doing so, I wanted to share my intrigue, what I found along the way, and my experience when I decided to listen.
Lore, Lace Tatting, & More!
Lore holds the tale of a Queen who pricked her finger while needling a beautiful piece of white lace, a drop of blood falling to the center; symbolizing the dark dot in the center of her bloom. Some say, the name is in honor of Queen Anne from Denmark who embarked to wed King James of Scotland, while others insist her namesake is St Anna (or Anne); the Virgin Mary’s mother. However, I have read a few accounts that it was in fact Queen Anne who reigned in 1702 that was the inspiration, as she had many pregnancies, but sadly none survived.
The Queen’s Baneful Cousin
Visually, she can easily be mistaken for poison Hemlock. A rule of thumb is to check the stems for “the Queen’s hairy legs” to determine ‘tis not her baneful cousin. Many tales have been written about accidental death through Hemlock ingestion and in some cases, intentional death. It was easy to craft a potion, elixir or brew with maleficus intent when there was no such thing as forensics back in the good old medieval days.
I always think of the scene in Shakespere’s Macbeth where the witches’ are stirring the cauldron and chanting: “Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witches’ mummy, maw and gulf. Of the ravin’d salt-sea shark, Root of HEMLOCK digg’d i’ the dark.” (Double, Double,Toil and Trouble: Witches’s Chants, Macbeth (4.1.1-47))
Hemlock was also used in ancient cultures for executions. Let us not forget Socrates who opted to drink an infusion made with Hemlock to avoid the crimes of said heresy.
My point of discussing poison Hemlock is to stress how important it is to know how to identify both and confirm each by the leaves and stems, and flowers. Queen Anne's Lace is the siren of the fields, but if due care is not taken - poisonous Hemlock can take off the mask to reveal its true self.
The Queen’s Magickal Correspondences
Although Queen Anne’s Lace is considered masculine, associated with the planet Mars, and the element of Fire - I find her to be an extremely powerful plant ally for female empowerment. Her subtle energy emits confidence, spiritual awareness, intuition, love, lust, and self-love.
When we ingest, wear, carry, or ‘sit’ with our plant allies, we experience or communicate with their ‘energetic signature’ on a deeper level. Allowing us to absorb those frequencies and work with them on a spiritual or personal level in ritual, magickal workings, spellwork, or personal intentions.
The Magick & Medicine of The Queen
Her botanical name is Daucus carota. Her roots are similar to a garden carrot, which is why Queen Anne’s Lace is often referred to as “wild carrot”. I’ve read boiling the root into a love philtre is said to incite lust from a potential partner, or increase the potency of a current one - if you can somehow convince them to drink it. A wine infusion has crossed my mind, but in full disclosure I have yet to try this method to confirm. With that said, I have placed the beautiful flowers into a ritual bath when working to increase confidence, instill self-love and appreciation to my own witchy self. Let’s be honest, she’s a beauty floating in the water when doing a ritual bath for a specific intention, such as inducing love or confidence prior to a date - toss in a Lush bath bomb and embrace your witchy self.
One of the main reasons I feel Queen Anne’s Lace is so empowering to those who ovulate, is because the seeds have been used as a natural contraceptive to control one’s menstrual cycle for centuries. Many old herbals refer to using the seeds as an ‘abortifacient” and it is documented that Hippocrates use to prescribe the seeds as a daily and emergency contraceptive.
I remember reading an article in the Washington Post awhile back that referenced Appalachian women in Virginia and North Carolina. The article talked about how they would mix a teaspoon of seeds into a glass of water and drink after sex to avoid getting pregnant.
When used in fertility magick, the flowers can be placed in the center of an altar, weaved into flower crowns, placed in bridal bouquets, infused in oil to anoint ritual candles, used in ritual baths, and woven into wreaths to place on the front door of a family trying to conceive.
Disclaimer: do not touch or work with Queen Anne’s Lace if someone is pregnant. This includes, but not limited to ritual oils, teas, harvesting, and preparing.
A Chat With the Queen
When I pulled up to The Witch Cottage, after not visiting for over a month, I was greeted by a beautiful front lawn filled with Queen Anne’s Lace. Quite fitting, as it is said when Queen Anne’s Lace appears or is planted around your home, it will increase the clarity of your intuition or provide guidance in a particular matter.
It was in this moment, I decided to ‘sit’ with her, have a chat and listen to what she had to say. It began to rain, so I went inside to grab a crystal bowl so I could make a flower essence. I placed the bowl under her bloom, and watched the rain drip from her flowers and collect below. I cut one of the biggest blooms and placed it in the bowl, allowing it to sit under the light of the Full Moon in Aquarius.
I woke up to perform a sun invocation. The mist had yet to retreat over the lake and it was eerily quiet. As I sat with the “Queen”, I couldn’t help but feel empowered. If I were to envision her in a Tarot deck, tossing correspondences aside, I see her in the hand of the High Priestess.
After placing several drops of the flower essence under my tongue, I felt a sensation at the crown of my head, which eventually travelled downwards to my energy center. I felt a sense of clarity, understanding, and awareness. The rain returned and I did not want to leave. I smiled as the breeze encouraged all of the blooms to dance in unison. I watched as the water began to collect in some blooms that had already begun to curl inward, like a chalice. It felt she was telling me there were emotions I needed to acknowledge, release, or perhaps learn from.
Out of nowhere, a tree frog hopped over and sat under the largest bloom. I welcomed him and offered him a sip. As a child I had a fascination with frogs and toads. I’ve always felt frogs symbolize strength, transformation, and the ability to adapt to our surroundings - as they are born from water and can walk on land. The perfect balance of emotions and grounding.
I felt in that moment, he joined me not as an uninvited guest, but as a trusted advisor, seer, and guide to the Queen. She had called him in to guide me, to confirm a decision I had made - regardless if my heart was bleeding and emotions were a hot mess. She reminded me that it’s not the situation that controls me, but how I respond and learn from them that propels me.
Personal Herb Magick
Honestly, I will never be able to gaze upon her without unrelenting respect, love and admiration. I truly believe when certain plants appear in our lives, frequently in various situations, we are receiving a message and we need to listen.
When you feel a pull or consistently see a particular plant ally, stop, listen and push yourself to learn, research, connect, and communicate with the plant. Give it a drop of your blood if you truly want to connect, and then look up reference after various references until you know everything you can possible fit into your memory.
Ask questions. What are the astrological correspondences of the plant? What element is associated with the plant? What magickal lore is attached? What medicinal qualities do they possess? Are there certain rituals that call for this plant?
The wisdom they hold in confidence until you are ready, may be the answers you seek.
As above, so below,
Kris Gurky
