{"id":28289,"date":"2023-05-01T01:10:01","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T05:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=28289"},"modified":"2023-04-24T16:45:42","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T20:45:42","slug":"notes-from-the-apothecary-81","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2023\/05\/01\/notes-from-the-apothecary-81\/","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Apothecary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Asparagus<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

\"\"June is the final month for harvesting asparagus in many places, which makes it an ideal plant to look at for our Summer Solstice edition of Notes from the Apothecary. This unusual vegetable crops up in plenty of mythology and folklore throughout the ages, and is used by many modern witches and pagans for love, lust, and luck magic, among other things.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus, or Asparagus officinalis<\/i>, is a perennial which means it grows back year after year. It\u2019s a flowering plant, and, if left to mature, may produce small white or yellow flowers and orange berries. It\u2019s one of those plants that looks wildly different at the various stages during its life, which possibly leads to much of the wonder and weirdness around its history.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Kitchen Garden<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Asparagus is relatively easy to grow but requires something I struggle with: Patience! If you grow it from seed, you\u2019ll need to wait at least three years before beginning your first harvest. It\u2019s much more common to grow asparagus from crowns, or root bundles that are already well-established. Even using this method, you need to hold out for two years to ensure a good crop of asparagus that will grow back every year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Find a good space in your garden or allotment (or other growing space) and dedicate this space to asparagus only. You\u2019ll need to have enough ground available that you can space the plants at least 45cm apart. A sunny spot is best, with soil that drains well and isn\u2019t too acidic. Asparagus loves compost and hates weeds, so carefully till and weed the area and add in some mulch or other organic matter, such as manure. As your asparagus grows, keep the bed weed-free, as asparagus doesn\u2019t cope well with competition from other plants. This includes removing any seedlings that the asparagus produces, although you could replant these elsewhere.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When you let the stems mature, they will eventually flower and possibly produce orange berries\u2014although only the female plants produce these. Do NOT eat these berries. They are toxic and can cause a severe stomach upset.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus stems are very tasty, much less bitter than many other green veggies and remarkably easy to cook. They go very well with eggs, fish, pulses, and other veggies. Steaming them is easiest (in my opinion) but you can boil, roast, or griddle them, as well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Apothecary<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Asparagus is widely available in grocery stores or supermarkets when it\u2019s in season, and it\u2019s popular for its many health benefits as well as its taste. This vegetable is high in fibre, which aids digestion and general gut health. It\u2019s low in calories, but high in many micronutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus is really high in folate, with a single portion (about 90 grams) of asparagus providing 34% of the adult\u2019s recommended daily amount<\/a>. Folate, or vitamin B9, helps your body process protein, produce red blood cells, and break down potentially harmful amino acids. It\u2019s essential during pregnancy, and the supplement folic acid is often taken where there is not enough folate in the diet.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A common medical question about asparagus: Why does asparagus make your pee smell? Asparagus contains acids including asparagusic acid, which when broken down by your body\u2019s digestive system, split into sulphuric by-products. Sulphur (or sulfur) is pretty stinky, which is one of the reasons why it\u2019s associated with hell in some Christian traditions. You process these by-products fast, meaning that as soon as 15 minutes after eating asparagus<\/a> you might notice your pee smells much more pungent than usual!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Witch\u2019s Kitchen<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"If you Google \u201cAsparagus Magic\u201d, you will mostly find commentary on a particular episode of Bluey, a cartoon about a dog and her family. There are whole Reddit threads about it! Thankfully, we\u2019ve got some key points about magic and witchcraft using asparagus to help you bypass the pop culture references.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus can be seen as being associated with hidden truths, concealment, or revealing deception. In Greek mythology, Perigune (?????????) hid herself successfully in a bed of rushes and asparagus. She revealed herself after Theseus committed to not harming her. Due to this, her descendants all revered and honoured asparagus<\/a>. In Victorian times, women could tell if their men were being unfaithful by the smell of asparagus wee: the plant was used as an aphrodisiac, so if it wasn\u2019t served at the dining table, the only reason for men to be eating it is if they had a mistress. The Islamic folkloric character Nasreddin appears in a tale about asparagus<\/a>, where he both says the vegetable is delicious and disgusting, depending on the whim of his king. The tale is one of loyalty and lies, and further links the plant to deception and concealment\u2014although without malice, in this instance.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus is often linked to sex and boosted fertility, due to its phallic shape and its historical use as an aphrodisiac. Asparagus could actually boost some people\u2019s sex drives as it provides vitamin E which can increase blood flow<\/a> and improve circulation, potentially increasing the intensity of sexual arousal. Of course, sex and intimacy are about more than phallic shapes and arousal! So, explore these aspects of this plant as they feel appropriate to you. Gender-wise, while most people view asparagus as masculine due to its shape, the plant itself comes in both male and female forms, with both forms capable of producing the edible spears. It\u2019s a good reminder than gender is rarely what we see on the surface and bears little impact on a person\u2019s capabilities. Also, just like the plant, people come in all shapes, sizes, and types, and it\u2019s healthy to embrace that!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a weird and total opposite take on asparagus\u2019s link fertility, Dioscorides stated that an amulet or tea made from asparagus would make someone barren.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Historically, asparagus is associated with both patience and haste. Patience, because cultivating the plant take time, effort, and care. Asparagus beds need conscientious tending and may not provide food for three years. Conversely, cooking asparagus is fast and super easy! One quote attributed to the Roman emperor Augustus is, \u201cvelocius quam asparagi conquatur\u201d, and it means, \u201cit was sooner done than asparagus is cooked.\u201d In other words, an analogy for something that is very fast to do. Asparagus imagery could be used in magic where you want to hasten something along, or bring something to fruition quickly.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus growth starts in spring, linking it to this season, rebirth, regrowth, and resurrection. Anecdotally, this might be why it\u2019s sometimes served with Easter dinners, as a symbol of Christ\u2019s resurrection. However, it could also simply be that it\u2019s a widely available vegetable at that time of year. All perennial plants can be connected to rebirth, and asparagus is a wonderful example of a nourishing green that, when cared for, comes back year after year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Because asparagus is so seasonal, it\u2019s simply not available as a fresh veggie outside its growing season\u2014although you may be able to find it frozen, canned, or pickled. This links it to temptation and lust, possibly even envy and yearning. The plant can be a symbol for that which is sometimes simply unattainable, and the acceptance of that which we cannot have. It can also symbolise the eventual attainment of goals, and the rewards of patience.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Other common associations include passion and creativity, fire and fire magic, the planets Mars and Jupiter, healing, cleansing, and rejuvenation\u2014especially after a period of struggle. Think of the amazing taste of fresh vegetables after a winter of eating only pickles and dried fruit and veg\u2026 that\u2019s the power of asparagus!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Getting back to that Bluey episode, the titular character uses asparagus as a magic wand\u2013and this is actually an option! If you need a wand for magic or ritual purposes, a raw, fresh asparagus stem with its head intact could make a fantastic wand, especially for magic involving fertility, growth, creativity, or healing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I Never Knew\u2026<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

When left to mature fully, asparagus plants can grow up to six feet tall and the crowns or root masses may grow up to 5 feet wide!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Photos: <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Asparagus bundle photo by Art Rachen<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> [Image ID: A bundle of asparagus wrapped in a dark green ribbon and pale brown string on a black surface.]<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus in a bucket photo by Zoe Schaeffer<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> [Image ID: Asparagus stems poking out of the top of a wood and metal bucket against a blurred background.]<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Asparagus new shoots photo by Rick Whittle<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> [Image ID: A new asparagus shoot poking through green and brown grass; more shoots are visible blurred in the background.]<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mabh Savage<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mabh is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways<\/a>, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living<\/a>. Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Asparagus June is the final month for harvesting asparagus in many places, which makes it an ideal plant to look at for our Summer Solstice edition of Notes from the Apothecary. This unusual vegetable crops up in plenty of mythology and folklore throughout the ages, and is used by many modern witches and pagans for love, lust, and luck magic, among other things. Asparagus, or Asparagus officinalis, is a perennial which means it grows back year after year. It\u2019s a flowering plant, and, if left to mature, may produce small white or yellow flowers and orange berries. It\u2019s one of those plants that looks wildly different at the various stages during its life, which possibly leads to much of the wonder and weirdness around its history.   The Kitchen Garden Asparagus is relatively easy to grow but requires something I struggle with: Patience! If you grow it from seed, you\u2019ll need to wait at least three years before beginning your first harvest. It\u2019s much more common to grow asparagus from crowns, or root bundles that are already well-established. Even using this method, you need to hold out for two years to ensure a good crop of asparagus that will grow back every year. Find a good space in your garden or allotment (or other growing space) and dedicate this space to asparagus only. You\u2019ll need to have enough ground available that you can space the plants at least 45cm apart. A sunny spot is best, with soil that drains well and isn\u2019t too acidic. Asparagus loves compost and hates weeds, so carefully till and weed the area and add in some mulch or other organic matter, such as manure. As your asparagus grows, keep the bed weed-free, as asparagus doesn\u2019t cope well with competition from other plants. This includes removing any seedlings that the asparagus produces, although you could replant these elsewhere. When you let the stems mature, they will eventually flower and possibly produce orange berries\u2014although only the female plants produce these. Do NOT eat these berries. They are toxic and can cause a severe stomach upset. Asparagus stems are very tasty, much less bitter than many other green veggies and remarkably easy to cook. They go very well with eggs, fish, pulses, and other veggies. Steaming them is easiest (in my opinion) but you can boil, roast, or griddle them, as well.   The Apothecary Asparagus is widely available in grocery stores or supermarkets when it\u2019s in season, and it\u2019s popular for its many health benefits as well as its taste. This vegetable is high in fibre, which aids digestion and general gut health. It\u2019s low in calories, but high in many micronutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A. Asparagus is really high in folate, with a single portion (about 90 grams) of asparagus providing 34% of the adult\u2019s recommended daily amount. Folate, or vitamin B9, helps your body process protein, produce red blood cells, and break down potentially harmful amino acids. It\u2019s essential during pregnancy, and the supplement folic acid is often taken where there is not enough folate in the diet. A common medical question about asparagus: Why does asparagus make your pee smell? Asparagus contains acids including asparagusic acid, which when broken down by your body\u2019s digestive system, split into sulphuric by-products. Sulphur (or sulfur) is pretty stinky, which is one of the reasons why it\u2019s associated with hell in some Christian traditions. You process these by-products fast, meaning that as soon as 15 minutes after eating asparagus you might notice your pee smells much more pungent than usual!   The Witch\u2019s Kitchen If you Google \u201cAsparagus Magic\u201d, you will mostly find commentary on a particular episode of Bluey, a cartoon about a dog and her family. There are whole Reddit threads about it! Thankfully, we\u2019ve got some key points about magic and witchcraft using asparagus to help you bypass the pop culture references. Asparagus can be seen as being associated with hidden truths, concealment, or revealing deception. In Greek mythology, Perigune (?????????) hid herself successfully in a bed of rushes and asparagus. She revealed herself after Theseus committed to not harming her. Due to this, her descendants all revered and honoured asparagus. In Victorian times, women could tell if their men were being unfaithful by the smell of asparagus wee: the plant was used as an aphrodisiac, so if it wasn\u2019t served at the dining table, the only reason for men to be eating it is if they had a mistress. The Islamic folkloric character Nasreddin appears in a tale about asparagus, where he both says the vegetable is delicious and disgusting, depending on the whim of his king. The tale is one of loyalty and lies, and further links the plant to deception and concealment\u2014although without malice, in this instance. Asparagus is often linked to sex and boosted fertility, due to its phallic shape and its historical use as an aphrodisiac. Asparagus could actually boost some people\u2019s sex drives as it provides vitamin E which can increase blood flow and improve circulation, potentially increasing the intensity of sexual arousal. Of course, sex and intimacy are about more than phallic shapes and arousal! So, explore these aspects of this plant as they feel appropriate to you. Gender-wise, while most people view asparagus as masculine due to its shape, the plant itself comes in both male and female forms, with both forms capable of producing the edible spears. It\u2019s a good reminder than gender is rarely what we see on the surface and bears little impact on a person\u2019s capabilities. Also, just like the plant, people come in all shapes, sizes, and types, and it\u2019s healthy to embrace that! As a weird and total opposite take on asparagus\u2019s link fertility, Dioscorides stated that an amulet or tea made from asparagus would make someone barren. Historically, asparagus is associated with both patience and haste. Patience, because cultivating the plant take time, effort, and care. Asparagus beds need conscientious tending and may not provide food for three years. Conversely, cooking asparagus is fast and super easy! One quote attributed to the Roman emperor Augustus is, \u201cvelocius quam asparagi conquatur\u201d, and it means, \u201cit was sooner done than asparagus is cooked.\u201d In other words, an analogy for something that is very fast to do. Asparagus imagery could be used in magic where you want to hasten something along, or bring something to fruition quickly. Asparagus growth starts in spring, linking it to this season, rebirth, regrowth, and resurrection. Anecdotally, this might be why it\u2019s sometimes served with Easter dinners, as a symbol of Christ\u2019s resurrection. However, it could also simply be that it\u2019s a widely available vegetable at that time of year. All perennial plants can be connected to rebirth, and asparagus is a wonderful example of a nourishing green that, when cared for, comes back year after year. Because asparagus is so seasonal, it\u2019s simply not available as a fresh veggie outside its growing season\u2014although you may be able to find it frozen, canned, or pickled. This links it to temptation and lust, possibly even envy and yearning. The plant can be a symbol for that which is sometimes simply unattainable, and the acceptance of that which we cannot have. It can also symbolise the eventual attainment of goals, and the rewards of patience. Other common associations include passion and creativity, fire and fire magic, the planets Mars and Jupiter, healing, cleansing, and rejuvenation\u2014especially after a period of struggle. Think of the amazing taste of fresh vegetables after a winter of eating only pickles and dried fruit and veg\u2026 that\u2019s the power of asparagus! Getting back to that Bluey episode, the titular character uses asparagus as a magic wand\u2013and this is actually an option! If you need a wand for magic or ritual purposes, a raw, fresh asparagus stem with its head intact could make a fantastic wand, especially for magic involving fertility, growth, creativity, or healing.   I Never Knew\u2026 When left to mature fully, asparagus plants can grow up to six feet tall and the crowns or root masses may grow up to 5 feet wide!   (Photos: Asparagus bundle photo by Art Rachen on Unsplash [Image ID: A bundle of asparagus wrapped in a dark green ribbon and pale brown string on a black surface.] Asparagus in a bucket photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash [Image ID: Asparagus stems poking out of the top of a wood and metal bucket against a blurred background.] Asparagus new shoots photo by Rick Whittle on Unsplash [Image ID: A new asparagus shoot poking through green and brown grass; more shoots are visible blurred in the background.])   ** About the Author: Mabh Savage\u00a0is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation. Mabh is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,\u00a0\u00a0Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10004],"tags":[14473,10031,10113,10115,13264,14474,13286,10245,11663],"class_list":["post-28289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-monthly-columns","tag-asparagus","tag-correspondences","tag-garden","tag-healing","tag-kitchen-witch","tag-magik","tag-notes-from-the-apothecary","tag-plants","tag-vegetables"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28289"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28295,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28289\/revisions\/28295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}