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Wish Upon’s
By Ana Hawthorn
“Star Light,
Star Bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may,
I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight.”
(Author Unknown)
Since
this month’s newsletter is dedicated to children, I thought I’d talk a
little about the first magick that all children attempt- wishing. As
children, we wished upon stars, we made wishes on birthday candles, we
blew on dandelion heads. We read about Aladdin’s lamp, Jiminy Cricket
sang to us and we heard creepy stories and folktales about what would
go wrong if we wished selfishly. Do you remember daydreaming about what
you would do with three wishes? Do you remember thinking you’d be smart
and devise a wish that would ensure you’d get more wishes than three? I
don’t know about you, but I still practice wish magick. I can’t help it
if I see that first star or a dandelion gone to seed.
A fair amount of folklore is available about ‘Wish Upon’s.’ Here are some for you to try, or to teach to your little one’s.
Herbal Wish Upon’s
Acorn- If you find the first one dropped, wish upon it and carry it.
Apple- Make a wish when you cut an apple in half and don’t cut a seed.
Bamboo- Carve your wish into a piece and bury it.
Bay-leaf- Write your wish on one then burn it.
Beech- Carve the wish on a beech stick and bury it.
Buckeye/Chestnut- If one falls while you are under the tree, make a wish; also carried for good luck.
Corn- Wish upon a kernel then bury it in the ground.
Crab Apple- Eat one without making a face and you get your wish
Dandelion- Blow on the fluff and make a wish, if you clear the stem in three blows or less it’s granted.
Dogwood- Place some sap on a handkerchief on Midsummer’s Eve and carry it faithfully for wishes.
Four Leaf Clover- If you find one make a wish, carry it for luck.
Fairy Rings- If you find a ring of greener grass or mushrooms, stand in the center and make your wish.
Grains of Paradise- Make your wish on a hand-full then scatter it to the four directions
Heather- To wish for peace or safety.
Haystack- Make the wish and then turn away.
Leaf- Catch one before it hits the ground to get a wish.
Onions- If they burn, make a wish.
Olive- Eat three, making the same wish on each one.
Pomegranate- Make your wish before eating one.
Strawberry- Eating the first one of the season grants the favour of the fairies.
Tonka bean- Make a wish while holding one, then toss it into moving water.
Violet- Gathering the first one will make your dearest wish come true
Wish Bottles and Wish Bags-
A fun gift idea: Fill a corked bottle or a bag with ‘wish upon’ items
to give as a gift with an explanation on how to use them.
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs- Scott Cunningham
Folklore from Kansas: Customs, Beliefs, Superstitions-William E. Koch
Wishing Handbook - Gloria T Delamar
(For Ostara’s Issue, ‘04/ Wort Cunning/Pagan Press)
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