Foxglove: Folklore & Saturn Rulership
Foxgloves are a mystical and well-loved flower known to be loved by the Sídhe, the fae, and fairies. Coming across theses dreamy flowers whilst out in nature is a sign that their presence is near. You can also attract fairies to your garden by planting their favourite flowers; such as foxglove.
Enjoy this post about some of the folklore surrounding foxglove, and how this pairs with their Saturn rulership. Do you have any folklore surrounding these magical flowers where you live? If so, please share down below in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
Foxglove Folklore
Dew collected from the blossoms can be used in ritual spells for communicating with with Sídhe. Gloves must be worn when handling the plant as it’s incredibly poisonous. When needing spiritual protection, you can carry a sprig of foxglove with you to invoke both the flowers protective energy, and the protection of the fae. They will guard the wearer of the foxglove as though they are the flower themselves.
Planting foxgloves around your home, especially close to doors, is an excellent way to add a layer of protection and boundaries to any interfering or ill-wished energy. It’s interesting to me how folklore and tales vary between cultures, even ones in such close proximity on the British Isles. In some places in the North of England, it is said that having foxgloves too close to the door of your home can invite the devil inside. So decide for yourself if planting foxgloves is for you or not.
In the Scottish borders, foxgloves leaves were laid around babies cradles for protection from bewitchment. It is said that creating a boundary of foxgloves keeps the evil eye away. In Shropshire, England, they were put in children's shoes for the same reason (and also once used as a cure for Scarlet Fever).
Picking foxglove flowers is said to be unlucky. This is the case for any flower loved and protected by the fae. Stories say you will face consequences from these mischievous beings should you disrespect their flower. In Devon and Cornwall local folklore is that picking foxgloves is bad luck as it robs the fae, elves, and piskies of a plant they delight in.
In Roman times, foxglove was a flower sacred to the goddess Flora, who touched Hera on her breasts and belly with foxglove in order to impregnate her with the god Mars. Due to this folklore tale, foxglove has been associated with midwifery and women's magic in certain places in Europe ever since. It is also told that "white witches" (practitioners of benign and healing magic) who live in the wild with vixen familiars, hold enchanted foxglove bells around their necks as a symbol of protecting fertility.
In medieval gardens, the plant was believed to be sacred to the Virgin Mary. In the earliest recordings of the Language of Flowers, foxgloves symbolized riddles, conundrums, and secrets, but by the Victorian era they had devolved into a negative symbol of insincerity. I think this is yet another example of the monarchy trying to squash folk magic as this association didn’t last. The people always find truth.
A lovely old legend told in the West Country (in England) explains why foxgloves bob and sway even when there is no wind: this is because the plant is bowing to the fairy folk as they pass by.
Seeing foxglove around the sacred woodland near me let me know that the fae are near. A place filled with mystery, magic, stories & secrets. I find foxgloves deeply enchanting and love the joy they bring to bees. I’ve never seen a foxglove without a bee bottom sticking out. This is reason enough to love them.
Foxgloves and their Saturn rulership
Foxglove is influenced by both Air and Saturn which in turn gives this flower an Aquarius rulership. This plant was named after the Folk who live in the woods, where Foxglove likes to grow. “Folk's Glove” is the plants folklore name. Though it is known in many places simply as “fairy flower”.
Foxglove is a powerful baneful herb that’s been a staple in witches gardens for centuries. This flower is often used for connecting to the astral realm and its essence can aid in vision work.
Foxgloves are said to be a flower of the Underworld, and therefore is paired with a Saturn rulership. One of boundaries, reaping what you sow, respect, and beauty.
“All kinds of bees, from honey bees to bumble bees to mason bees, love these flowers; the spots show them where the nectar is. Ruby-throated hummingbirds like this plant too.”
Air ruled Saturn plant allies tend to have the following traits:
Plants that grow in crevices
Plants that produce a lot of seeds
Invasive plants (teach us to know our boundaries)
Plants that like shade or have deep roots (coolness)
Foxglove Occult Uses:
Attracting Fairies
Protecting the garden of a Bean Draoí
Baneful Work
Divination
Working/connecting/remedying with Saturn
I’d love to know of foxglove folklore and tales from the land you call home. Do you use foxglove for magic that hasn’t been mentioned? Share with me in the comments below!
Slaínte
With love,
Em
