WitchCrafting: Dandelion Honey

Few flowers look as much like the sun as do dandelions. With Litha being a time to honor sun deities and celebrate the bounty of the earth, these bright flowers can do both and are quite likely growing in your yard or a nearby field. Be sure the ones you pick are not from lawns treated with chemicals and did not absorb exhaust fumes by being close to the road.

There are many recipes online. I used one by Megan on Tic Tok.

Fill a bowl or basket with dandelion flowers. Pull off just the the petals and discard the bitter green outside. It took me about an hour to get four cups worth. Simmer 30-40 minutes in four cups to water to which you’ve added two lemon and two orange slices. (I added extra.)

Strain out the solids and add the liquid back into the pot with two cups of sugar. Boil for about 45 minutes, or until thick and sticky. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Store in a sterilized jar and use within twelve months.

I made this on astrological Beltane as a way to honor the beginning of summer with one of the few flowers in full bloom and in addition, to show respect for my Sicilian ancestors from MeIilli who would celebrate their patron – Saint Sebastian – that same day.

If I repeat this bit of kitchen witchery, I will cover the pot and let the dandelions steep, perhaps adding some vanilla extract, for several hours or overnight before continuing with the recipe. I also will not turn my back on the boiling mixture because when it bubbles over, it creates a gluey mess. Recipes I read later referred to this as vegan honey, and called for using a wooden or silicone spoon, neither of which I had.

Ingredients:
4 cups dandelion petals
4 cups water
2 orange slices
2 lemon slices
2 cups sugar

About the Author:
All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. It was like coming home to myself. I have been in multiple covens, some virtual. As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.