A Dandelion Ritual Balm

Ritual balms or protection oils can be used during your ritual preparation, when you’re cleansing yourself before or after ritual. They’re also used to purify and protect you and your ritual space before, during, and after any magical workings. 

Protection oils are typically made with a base oil such as olive, almond, jojoba, or coconut oil, which is then mixed with herbs, spices, or essential oils. Depending on your intention or preference, these oils can protect from negative energy, as well as bestow blessings of health and good luck (common ingredients used in protection oil recipes include frankincense, myrrh, bay leaves, rosemary, lavender, sage, and thyme). 

Protection balms are solid, wax-like substances made with a base of beeswax or cocoa butter, and then combined with herbs or oils. Protection balms can be used to anoint or consecrate. They’re handy as they’re easy to apply and travel with, and you can draw protective symbols and sigils on the body or into the balm itself. (You can make them even handier, and treat them like a moisturiser for a bit of mundane magic on the daily!)

Using dandelions

There’s a few reasons why dandelions are perfect for a ritual balm. The main reason is because throughout the year, the humble dandelion is everywhere! This readily available plant is not the ‘useless weed’ we were taught to think – it’s highly medicinal, edible, nutritious, and has wonderful healing properties. Alternatives to dandelion are calendula or marigold.

Harvesting dandelions

Dandelions play an important role in local ecosystems, and are heavily used by bees and other insects. If you’re harvesting them from one location, make sure you’re harvesting ethically, and you’re not taking everything within sight! Try finding a few locations, and harvest a little from each. Also make sure you’re selecting those away from run-off areas, or where they may have been chemically sprayed.

After you’ve picked them, sit them in a tray for a few hours to allow any bugs to relocate.

Then, lay your dandelions out in the sun to dehydrate further (you can also use a dehydrator for this too!)

Making your own ritual balm is simple and effective – you only need a bit of time, and patience.

Instructions

1. Put the coconut oil into the canning jar. 
2. Place the jar in the small saucepan.
3. Fill the saucepan with enough water to reach a couple of inches up the side of the jar.
4. Set the saucepan over a low heat, until the coconut oil is melted through
5. Once melted, add the dried dandelion flowers to the oil, focussing on any intentions or magical purpose. Keep it on low heat.
6. Let the flowers steep in the oil for approx two hours (watch the water level during this time, as you may need to top it up as it evaporates). After two or so hours, turn off the heat and let the glass jar cool down in the water.
7. When it’s cool enough to hold, strain the oil into the mixing bowl. It should be a sunny yellow colour! Discard the dandelions with thanks.
8. If you’re using lavender essential oil, then add this now and gently mix through the oil.
9. Put the oil into the fridge until firm, but not solid. When firm, whip the oil with your mixer until it looks like whipped butter. It’s now a balm!
10. Put the balm into your permanent container, and store it in the fridge – it will melt like butter once applied to your warm skin.

Use your protection balm to

• anoint or consecrate your tools, skin or spaces

• apply it to your skin before heavier ritual, like shadow work, or when working with new intentions

• rub between your hands before channeling or casting circle.