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Glitter Witch Gardens

Magnolia

By 02/28/2025No Comments

Materia Poetica

(Sung to the tune of, “You Are My Sunshine”)

You’re heptapeta
and liliflora,
two species joined to
create a new
hybrid magnolia
known as a Saucer,
with early springtime
blooms you debut.

Your age bears wisdom,
your blossoms ancient,
outdating most trees
and dinosaurs.
Your in brides’ bouquets
and their arrangements
to bring them, love,
prosperity, and more.

You love rich soil and
the morning sunlight.
It’s late day sunshine
you’ll do without.
So many species and
and flower colors,
you are queen of the
garden no doubt!

isolated magnolia blossom
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Magnolia x soulangeana

Magnolia

Magnolia s.1 covers about 120 species of magnolia trees, but I will be primarily referring to Magnolia x soulangeana, known commonly as the Saucer Magnolia. The Saucer Magnolia’s story began in Japan2 as both the Magnolia heptapeta and the Magnolia liliiflora, but it was Étienne Soulange-Bodin, a retired French cavalry officer from Napoleon’s army who cross bred the two species to create the beloved hybrid known today as Magnolia x soulangeana.3,4

The Saucer Magnolia is noted to live up to 20 years, but my own Mother Magnolia is around 90+ years, as she was planted when my home was built in 1930. Every year her buds begin to noticeably enlarge around Imbolc and by early March, they begin to swell. Mid to late March, they burst open as if to say, “Spring is finally here!”

My beloved Mother Magnolia was planted in the eastern corner of my yard where the soil is rich and the sun is perfect. She provides homes to a few birds’ nests and playground to families of squirrels, as well as protection for the patch of Goldenseal and Solomon’s Seal growing beneath her breadth of canopy. Her corner of our yard has become a “no mow” zone so the flora and fauna of my neighborhood have a safe space to live. It is always interesting to see who will pop in for a season to grow under her branches. 

 

FUN FACTS

  • The Magnolia flower is the official state flower for both Mississippi and Louisiana.5
  • While ginkgo is said to be one of the oldest living tree species (pre-dinosaur), the magnolia is thought to be the earliest known flowering tree. In fact, the first ever flower is magnolia’s ancestor dating over 140 m years ago.6
  • The two oldest trees on the White House grounds in DC are magnolias, planted by Andrew Jackson in memory of his wife, Rachel. She passed away two weeks after he was elected president.7
  • To avoid self-pollination, the stigmas receive pollen brought in by foraging beetles during the day. At night, the inner tepals (a combination of sepals and petals) close and trap the beetles for the night. In the morning, the beetles are covered in fresh pollen from the flower’s anthers and the tepals open to release the beetle so it can fly away.8
  • There are over 200 Chinese patent drugs based on magnolia flowers9
Sheri with fresh magnolia flowers spread out on a table. A corner pic of dried flowers
Preserving

Harvesting and Drying

Magnolia’s are usually one of the earliest plants to bloom near me, usually right after the forsythia. Every year about the second or third week of March and my beloved Mother Magnolia bursts into glorious color. The gray of winter has worn me down a bit, so this brilliant show of spring always fills me with absolute joy. My camera roll is always filled with photos, even though I probably have hundreds of pictures from this tree already. She is really that magnificent to behold. 

Magnolia’s flowers are sweet smelling and soft to the touch, but they soon brown when plucked from their tree. When harvesting, you’ll only have about a week or two before they start dropping, so get them when they are fresh, but remember that those pollinating beetles have also been waiting all winter. It is their survival, so don’t be greedy with how many you take. 

Drying can be tricky. I have found that my best success comes from using my dehydrator at the lowest temperature (94° F) and checking on them regularly. 

Be sure to lay them out flat and don’t let them overlap. You want plenty of air circulation so they dry evenly and quickly. You will see the white part turn off-white – that’s okay. The trick is to dry them so the smell stays strong and the pink parts don’t turn brown. Once they are dry (really dry), store them in a glass jar away from light, heat, and moisture.

Herbal Actions & Medicinal Uses

Parts Most Frequently Used: Flowers & Bark (we’ll focus on the flowers here)

Flavors: Sweet, bitter

Properties: Warming

Used Most Often As: Infusion (flowers), tincture

With any herbs and supplements, always consult with a licensed health professional before use.

Herbal Actions

When looking for resources about medicinal uses for magnolia, it was usually referenced in the context of Chinese medicine. This surprises me because magnolia is so prevalent here on the East Coast. While it is true that the blooms only last a short time, there is so much goodness offered from the flowers in that 1 to 2 week window.

Magnolia flowers are used for digestive upset, abdominal bloating and diarrhea, as well as relieving damp coughs and wheezing.10 He also mentions the bark being known to stimulate digestion and relieve stomach upset, as it is very bitter.11 The Florida School for Herbal Studies also mentioned the flowers being used to treat cough, but more specifically with the flowers being infused in honey to make a cough syrup.12

Below are definitions of the herbal actions. These are some of the herbal actions associated with Magnolia:

  • Analgesic – Supports a reduction in pain.
  • Anxiolytic – Reduces anxiety 
  • Decongestant – Relieves nasal congestion
  • Neurotropic – Improves cognitive abilities through various physiological mechanisms.

⚠️ A contraindication for this herb would be to avoid using magnolia if you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Avoid using before surgery, as it can slow down the central nervous system.13⚠️

Magnolia tincture in the making
Recipe: Infusion

Magnolia Blossom Tea

I personally love a nice hot cup of magnolia blossom tea with its peppery taste and its warming effects, especially because here in New Jersey, despite the showy display of spring, it is still cold outside!  

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES

  • 1 handful of fresh magnolia petals
  • 8 ounces water, just off the boil

DIRECTIONS

Fill a tea kettle with water and bring that water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Put your magnolia flower petals in a heat safe glass jar or glass measuring bowl. Carefully pour the hot water over the flower petals to create an infusion. Cover the glass container and let it steep for a minimum of 15 minutes. Once done, sip on your tea, relax, and enjoy. If you need to, add just a tiny touch of honey to sweeten the deal. 

Magnolia Tea
JOIN OUR MAGNOLIA TEA TASTING EVENT

Horticultural Information

As we mentioned early in this monograph, Magnolia x soulangeana is a hybrid cross between the Magnolia denudata and the Magnolia liliiflora. The Saucer Magnolia is also known as the Yulan Magnolia and the Lily Magnolia. It is a member of the Magnoliaceae family, which is a flowering plant family, specifically the magnolia family.14

Saucer Magnolias like rich, well-drained and organically rich loamy soil that is on the acidic side. The best place to plant is an area where they will get early sun, but not afternoon baking sun, as this can promote early blooming that is subject to blossom loss due to frost. Their branches can be easily broken, so also consider planting them where there is some sort of wind break. Ours is planted by the house on the eastern corner, so it gets morning sun and the house protects it from strong winds.

I must say though that having it next to the house presents some potential issues. The tree is pollenated by crawling insects and flies – ants love her! We have to be mindful to trim her branches regularly to ensure they do not touch the house. Any contact point means the ants end up in our home. We don’t mind ants… just not inside our residence.

They will take up quite a bit of space after about 10 years, so plan accordingly. While they are more shrub-like early on, in the right conditions, they can reach heights of 30 feet and breadth of about 25 feet. 

If you decide a Saucer Magnolia is for you, here are a few tips:15

PLANTING:
Plant in early spring or fall
Dig a hole that’s twice as wide and as deep as the root ball
Place the tree in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil
Fill the hole with soil and water thoroughly
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree

WATERING:
Water regularly until the tree is established
Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings
Avoid waterlogged soil

PRUNING:
Prune in late spring or early summer
Remove dead branches or branches that cross
If pruning for shape, only prune what you must

New USDA Hardiness Zone(s), as of 2023: 4-916

New USDA Hardiness Zone Map as of 2023
New USDA Hardiness Zones as of 2023

Materia Magicka

In Japan, the magnolia flower is called Hanakotoba, meaning that the magnolia flower represents a love for nature, nobility, perseverance, dignity.

Magnolia represents divine feminine power, so wield her responsibly. When working with Magnolia flowers, consider what species of tree and what the flower colors represent:

  • White magnolia flowers: purity and perfection
  • Pink magnolia flowers: youth, innocence, and joy
  • Purple magnolia flowers: good luck and health
  • Green magnolia flowers: joy, health, luck, and good fortune

Below is some of the symbolism associated with Magnolia.17,18,19

Planets: Constellations:
  ♃ Jupiter, ♄ Saturn, ♀ Venus   ♉︎ Taurus, ♎︎ Libra
Element: Chakra:
  🜄 Water & 🜃 Earth   ◉ Third Eye
Energy: Crystals/Stones:
  ☯ Yin   Moonstone, Jade
Day of the Week: Energy:
  Friday   Devine Feminine
Deities: Tarot:
  Norse: Freyja
  Roman: Venus
  Greek: Aphrodite
   Major Arcana: The High Priestess
  (Tarot’s Feminine Divine)
Magnolia Crown Chakra

New Beginnings Mojo Bag

If you live and/or work in the US, you know what I mean by, “thinks are a chaotic, shitty mess right now” – and no, there is no nice way to say it. Transition is eminent whether we want it or not, so we might as well set some serious intention on what it is we DO want. With that said, the below directions are for a mojo bag and a bit of extra to cover you from top to bottom. This focuses on personal growth and new opportunities. The “shoe” part is to add an element of financial success to the mix.

*Please note that all spells you read (including this one) should be considered a guide, as your intuition and intention are the power behind them. 

What You’ll Need:

  • A gold colored bag or cloth to make your own
    • Gold represents achievement, abundance, ambition, and power, signifying the attainment of goals and high aspirations.
  • A charm of some sort
    • Something that represents a time in your life when you were happy and felt empowered 
  • 1 Yellow Candle
    • Focus, Clarity, New Ideas, Will power
  • 1 Purple Candle
    • Intuition, Guidance, Opening third eye, Psychic power
  • 1 Green Candle
    • Luck, Earth magic, Prosperity, Healing, Money
  • Lavender flowers
  • Magnolia buds/flowers/seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Magnolia Leaves
    • Two is perfect

Preparations: (best if done on the eve of a New Moon)

  • Set up your sacred space – whatever that looks like to you. 
  • Light your Yellow Candle and focus on your idea – what it is you want to manifest. Be as specific as possible about the outcome you want.
    • Say it is a new job – don’t just focus on the job, but your boss(es), co-workers, work environment, communication styles, etc. Imagine yourself being in that new job and every aspect around it.
  • Light your Purple Candle and focus on your support. Be as specific as possible about the support you want.
    • Say it is that new job – will it be in a new industry? In a new location? Feel the power in all the knowledge you have gained over your life and feel self assured that you will bring so much to this new role. Imagine who your mentors will be (human or spirit) to support you on this new journey. There is no imposter syndrome here – you’ve got this.
  • Light your Green Candle and focus on your success. Be as specific as possible about your definition of success.
    • Staying with the new job example, what do you need to be happy – really happy. We live in a mindset of growth, but what do you need to be in a mindset of community? How much would you like to be paid so you can have a work/life balance to facilitate that mindset?
  • After your candles are lit, make and fill your bag with the charm, flowers, and seeds. 
  • Focus on the above and, if you feel called, you can ask your preferred deities to assist you in your ask. 
  • Next, you are going to grind up the magnolia leaves and sprinkle one leaf in your left shoe and one in your right.
    • Magnolia leaves in your shoes leads to good luck and financial success.
  • Wear the bag or keep it close to you until you have obtained what you seek.
    • When you do, give an offering of your bag to the Earth and thank all entities who helped you reach your goals. This includes those on this world and those in the spirit plane.

 

✨💖 ✨ Blessed Be. ✨💖 ✨

References

The following sources were used to research the above information. 

  1. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 27). Magnolia. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia#cite_note-3
  2. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia) Magnoliaceae. (n.d.). Lake Forest College. https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/magnolia-x-soulangeana-(saucer-magnolia)-magnoliaceae
  3. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, July 4). Magnolia × soulangeana. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_%C3%97_soulangeana
  4. ENH-545/ST386: Magnolia x soulangiana: Saucer Magnolia. (n.d.). Ask IFAS – Powered by EDIS. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST386
  5. Chakra Flowers & Symbolic Meaning. (2024, December 21). Vocal Medicine With Kathleen Karlsen. https://kathleenkarlsen.com/chakra-flowers/
  6. Vallejo-Marin, M. (n.d.). Revealed: the first ever flower, 140m years ago, looked like a magnolia. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/revealed-the-first-ever-flower-140m-years-ago-looked-like-a-magnolia-81861
  7. Farm, A. H. T. (2018, July 30). Magnolia Tree Facts | Arbor Hill Tree Nursery | Omaha & Elkhorn. Arbor Hill Trees Omaha Blog. https://arborhilltrees.com/blog/magnolia-tree-facts/
  8. HealyPa. (2021, March 12). The Botany of Magnolias. Smithsonian Gardens. https://gardens.si.edu/learn/blog/the-botany-of-magnolias/
  9. White Rabbit Institute of Healing. (2023, March 20). Magnolia Flower (Hou Po Hua, Xin Yi) | White Rabbit Institute of Healing. https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/magnolia-flower/
  10. Tierra, L. (2022, May 13). Magnolia Magic: A Spring-Blooming tree may be your medicine – East West School of Herbology. East West School of Herbology. https://planetherbs.com/blogs/lesleys-blog/magnolia-magic-a-spring-blooming-tree-may-be-your-medicine/
  11. David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies. (2016, March 31) The Magnificent Magnolias | Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/profile/100057799953870/search/?q=Magnolia
  12. Florida School of Holistic Living. (2021, May 2). Plant Profile: Magnolia with Maggie [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVWyN-AEr6M
  13. Magnolia: health benefits, side effects, uses, dose & precautions. (2021, June 11). RxList. https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/magnolia.htm
  14. April 2024 – Saucer Magnolia | Princeton, NJ. (n.d.). https://www.princetonnj.gov/1533/April-2024—Saucer-Magno
  15. Bender, S. (2024, May 3). How to grow and care for magnolia trees. Southern Living. https://www.southernliving.com/garden/magnolia-trees
  16. Magnolia × soulangeana – Plant Finder. (n.d.). https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a885
  17. Admin, & Admin. (2024, October 1). The incredible symbolism of the Magnolia tree. The Magnolia Company | the Magnolia Company Blog. https://www.themagnoliacompany.com/blog/symbolism-of-the-magnolia-tree/
  18. Daniels-Perrin, C. (2010, October 1). Magickal Correspondences, lesson 3. PaganPages.org. https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2010/10/01/magickal-correspondences

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