Ostara Herbs: Jasmine, Rose & Violet

BY NICOLE LAU

The Power of Ostara Herbs

Herbs have been central to Ostara celebrations for centuries, used for love magic, fertility rituals, manifestation work, and honoring the Maiden Goddess. Ostara herbs carry the energy of spring—some (like jasmine and rose) are fragrant flowers representing beauty and love, while others (like violet and primrose) are delicate early bloomers symbolizing new life and hope. Working with these plants engages all senses, creating a full-body experience of the season's magic and grounding our celebrations in the natural world.

The three primary Ostara herbs—jasmine, rose, and violet—represent the sabbat's essential energies: love and manifestation (jasmine), beauty and the Maiden (rose), and wishes and faithfulness (violet). Together with supporting botanicals, they create a complete herbal toolkit for honoring the Spring Equinox, working fertility magic, and manifesting intentions for the growing season ahead.

This guide provides comprehensive information about Ostara herbs, their magical properties, traditional uses, safety considerations, and practical applications for ritual, manifestation, and celebration.

The Sacred Three: Jasmine, Rose & Violet

Jasmine: The Flower of Love and Manifestation

Botanical name: Jasminum (various species, especially J. officinale and J. sambac)

Appearance: Climbing vine or shrub with small, intensely fragrant white or yellow star-shaped flowers. Blooms in spring and summer. Leaves are pinnate (feather-like). One of the most fragrant flowers in the world.

Magical properties:

• Love and attraction
• Manifestation and wishes
• Prophetic dreams and visions
• Prosperity and abundance
• Spiritual love and connection
• Moon magic and lunar energy
• Psychic abilities
• Peace and calm

Ostara uses:

• Love magic: Attracts love or deepens existing relationships
• Manifestation: Powerful for bringing intentions into reality
• Maiden Goddess: White flowers honor her purity and beauty
• Spring scent: Fragrance evokes spring's sweetness
• Fertility: Supports conception (physical or creative)
• Balance: Calming energy supports equinox equilibrium
• Moon connection: Balances solar equinox with lunar energy

How to work with jasmine:

• Burn dried flowers for love and manifestation
• Add to ritual baths for attraction
• Wear jasmine oil for love magic
• Place fresh flowers on altar
• Use in Ostara incense blends
• Make jasmine tea for prophetic dreams
• Carry flowers for prosperity

Jasmine love spell:

1. Gather fresh or dried jasmine flowers
2. Light pink candle
3. Hold jasmine in both hands
4. Say:
   "Jasmine sweet, flower of love,
   Bring romance from stars above.
   By the Maiden's gentle grace,
   Love finds me in this place.
   As spring brings beauty, joy, and light,
   Love comes to me, pure and bright."
5. Place jasmine on altar or in sachet
6. Carry or wear until love manifests

Safety considerations:

• Generally safe for most people
• Essential oil should be diluted before topical use
• Avoid internal use during pregnancy
• Some people may have allergic reactions
• Use dried flowers for smoke cleansing

Harvesting and storing:

• Harvest flowers in morning after dew dries
• Pick when fully open for maximum fragrance
• Dry by laying flat in dark, ventilated space
• Store dried flowers in airtight container
• Retains fragrance for 6-12 months

Rose: The Queen of Flowers and the Maiden

Botanical name: Rosa (many species and varieties)

Appearance: Woody perennial shrub with thorny stems and compound leaves. Flowers range from white to pink to red to yellow. Five petals in wild roses, many more in cultivated varieties. Intensely fragrant.

Magical properties:

• Love (all forms)
• Beauty and youth
• Divination and psychic abilities
• Healing and health
• Protection and blessing
• Luck and good fortune
• Fertility and passion
• The Maiden Goddess

Ostara uses:

• Maiden Goddess: THE flower of the Maiden, especially pink roses
• Love magic: All forms of love work
• Beauty: Enhances beauty and youthfulness
• Spring blooms: Classic spring flower
• Fertility: Supports creative and physical fertility
• Balance: Thorns and petals represent balance of opposites
• Divination: Enhances psychic abilities

How to work with rose:

• Burn dried petals for love and beauty
• Add to purification and love baths
• Wear rose oil for attraction
• Place fresh roses on altar
• Use in Ostara incense and sachets
• Make rose water for ritual use
• Drink rose tea for love and divination

Rose beauty ritual:

1. Gather fresh rose petals (pink or white)
2. Draw warm bath
3. Add rose petals to water
4. Light pink candles
5. Enter bath with intention
6. Say:
   "Rose petals, soft and sweet,
   Make my beauty now complete.
   By the Maiden's youthful grace,
   Beauty shines upon my face.
   As spring brings flowers fresh and new,
   My beauty blooms and shines through."
7. Soak for at least 20 minutes
8. Emerge feeling beautiful and renewed

Safety considerations:

• Generally very safe for most people
• Culinary use is safe
• Essential oil should be diluted
• Watch for thorns when harvesting
• Some people may have pollen allergies

Harvesting and storing:

• Harvest flowers in morning after dew dries
• Pick when partially open for drying
• Dry by hanging or laying flat
• Store dried petals in airtight container away from light
• Retains properties for 1 year

Violet: The Flower of Wishes and Faithfulness

Botanical name: Viola odorata (sweet violet) and other Viola species

Appearance: Low-growing perennial with heart-shaped leaves and small five-petaled flowers. Colors include purple, blue, white, and yellow. Sweet fragrance. Blooms in early spring. Edible flowers and leaves.

Magical properties:

• Wishes and manifestation
• Love and faithfulness
• Protection and peace
• Healing and health
• Luck and good fortune
• Psychic abilities and visions
• Modesty and humility
• Faery magic

Ostara uses:

• Wishes: Powerful for wish magic and manifestation
• Love: Attracts faithful, lasting love
• Spring blooms: One of first flowers to bloom
• Maiden Goddess: Delicate flowers honor her gentle nature
• Edible: Can be used in Ostara feast
• Purple color: Honors spirituality and magic
• Faery connection: Spring is faery season

How to work with violet:

• Burn dried flowers for wishes and love
• Add to ritual baths for protection
• Wear violet oil for luck
• Place fresh flowers on altar
• Use in Ostara incense blends
• Make violet syrup for ritual drinks
• Carry flowers for wishes to manifest

Violet wish spell:

1. Gather fresh or dried violets
2. Write your wish on paper
3. Fold paper around violets
4. Hold in both hands
5. Say:
   "Violets blue and violets white,
   Grant my wish with all your might.
   By the Maiden's magic true,
   Make my wish come fully through.
   As spring brings life to all the land,
   My wish manifests as planned."
6. Bury packet in garden or pot
7. Plant seeds on top
8. As plants grow, wish manifests

Safety considerations:

• Generally safe for most people
• Flowers and leaves are edible
• Some species may cause mild stomach upset if eaten in large quantities
• Generally very safe herb

Harvesting and storing:

• Harvest flowers and leaves in spring
• Pick in morning after dew dries
• Dry by laying flat
• Store in airtight container
• Use within 1 year for best properties

Supporting Ostara Herbs

Daffodil: The Herald of Spring

Properties: New beginnings, rebirth, hope, spring's arrival

Ostara uses:

• THE flower of Ostara and spring
• Yellow represents sun and joy
• First major spring bloom
• Symbol of hope and renewal
• Fresh flowers on altar
• NOT for internal use (toxic)

Primrose: The First Rose

Properties: Youth, new beginnings, love, protection

Ostara uses:

• Early spring bloomer
• Variety of pastel colors
• Youth and the Maiden
• Love and protection
• Fresh flowers on altar
• Some varieties edible

Lavender: The Purifier

Properties: Peace, purification, love, protection, happiness

Ostara uses:

• Purification and cleansing
• Peace during transition
• Love and harmony
• Stress relief
• Add to purification baths
• Calming spring energy

Mint: The Prosperity Herb

Properties: Prosperity, purification, healing, energy

Ostara uses:

• Money drawing and prosperity
• Fresh spring energy
• Healing and health
• Purification and cleansing
• Add to prosperity spells
• Refreshing Ostara tea

Basil: The Royal Herb

Properties: Prosperity, love, protection, purification

Ostara uses:

• Prosperity and abundance
• Love and fidelity
• Protection for new ventures
• Fresh spring herb
• Add to Ostara feast
• Plant seeds at Ostara

Chamomile: The Comfort Herb

Properties: Peace, prosperity, purification, sleep

Ostara uses:

• Gentle purification
• Prosperity and money drawing
• Peace and calm
• Soothing tea for Ostara
• Yellow flowers honor sun
• Comfort during change

Creating Ostara Herbal Blends

Ostara Love Incense

Ingredients:

• 2 parts rose petals
• 2 parts jasmine flowers
• 1 part violet flowers
• 1 part lavender
• 1/2 part cinnamon (powdered)

Instructions:

1. Grind herbs with mortar and pestle
2. Mix thoroughly while setting intention
3. Store in airtight jar
4. Burn on charcoal for love magic

Manifestation and Wishes Blend

Ingredients:

• 3 parts jasmine
• 2 parts violet
• 1 part mint
• 1 part basil
• 1 part chamomile

Use: Burn for manifestation magic or add to spell jars

Ostara Blessing Sachet

Ingredients:

• Rose petals
• Jasmine flowers
• Violet flowers
• Lavender
• Mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Combine in small pink or white cloth bag
2. Tie with pastel ribbon
3. Hang on altar or carry for blessings

Maiden's Tea

Ingredients:

• Rose petals
• Chamomile flowers
• Mint leaves
• Lavender flowers
• Honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix dried herbs in equal parts
2. Steep 1 tablespoon per cup of hot water
3. Strain after 5-7 minutes
4. Sweeten with honey
5. Drink while warm
6. Perfect for Ostara rituals

Herbal Rituals for Ostara

Three-Flower Love Ritual

What you'll need:

• Jasmine (attraction)
• Rose (love)
• Violet (faithfulness)
• Pink candle
• Fireproof bowl

Process:

1. Light pink candle
2. Burn jasmine first: "I attract love"
3. Burn rose second: "I open my heart to love"
4. Burn violet third: "I welcome faithful, lasting love"
5. Visualize love coming to you
6. Say: "By the Maiden's grace, love comes to me. So it is."
7. Let candle burn completely

Rose Beauty Bath

What you'll need:

• Fresh or dried rose petals
• Epsom salt
• Rose essential oil (optional)
• Pink candles

Process:

1. Draw warm bath
2. Add Epsom salt and rose petals
3. Add few drops rose oil if using
4. Light pink candles around tub
5. Enter water with intention
6. Say:
   "Rose petals, soft and sweet,
   Make my beauty now complete.
   By the Maiden's grace divine,
   Beauty, youth, and love are mine."
7. Soak for at least 20 minutes
8. Emerge feeling beautiful

Violet Wish Ceremony

What you'll need:

• Fresh or dried violets
• Paper and pen
• White candle
• Small pot with soil

Process:

1. Light white candle
2. Write wish on paper
3. Fold paper around violets
4. Hold in both hands, visualize wish granted
5. Say:
   "Violets sweet, grant my wish,
   Bring to me what I most wish.
   By Ostara's balanced might,
   Manifest my wish in light."
6. Bury in pot
7. Plant seeds on top
8. Water and tend daily

Harvesting, Drying, and Storing Ostara Herbs

Ethical Harvesting

• Never take more than 1/3 of any plant
• Ask permission before harvesting
• Leave offerings (water or gratitude)
• Harvest sustainably from abundant populations
• Consider growing your own herbs
• Purchase from ethical sources when needed

Drying Flowers

1. Harvest on dry day after morning dew has evaporated
2. For flowers: pick when partially open
3. Tie small bundles with string
4. Hang upside down in dark, well-ventilated space
5. Avoid direct sunlight (degrades properties)
6. Dry for 1-2 weeks until crispy
7. Store in airtight containers away from light

Storage

• Use glass jars with tight lids
• Label with herb name and harvest date
• Store in cool, dark place
• Most dried flowers retain potency for 1 year
• Refresh annually, returning old herbs to earth with gratitude

Safety and Respect

General Safety Guidelines

• Research any herb before internal use
• Consult healthcare provider if pregnant, nursing, or on medications
• Start with small amounts to test for allergies
• Keep herbs away from children and pets
• Use only food-grade herbs for teas or cooking
• Burn herbs in well-ventilated spaces
• Never leave burning herbs unattended

Respecting Plant Spirits

• Approach herbs as allies, not just tools
• Thank plants before and after use
• Work with intention and respect
• Build relationships with plants over time
• Listen to how each herb wants to work with you
• Honor the wisdom plants carry

Final Thoughts: Floral Allies for Spring's Arrival

Ostara herbs are some of our most beautiful allies in celebrating Spring Equinox and the Maiden Goddess. Jasmine attracts love and manifests wishes, rose embodies beauty and the Maiden's grace, and violet grants wishes and ensures faithfulness. Together with supporting botanicals, they create a fragrant, powerful toolkit for honoring the season's sacred balance and welcoming spring's full arrival.

Start simply—perhaps with rose petals from a bouquet, jasmine tea from the store, or violets from your garden. As you work with these plants, you'll develop relationships and preferences. Some people resonate deeply with rose's beauty; others prefer jasmine's manifestation power. Trust your connection to each plant.

These herbs carry ancient wisdom in their petals and leaves. When you burn rose at Ostara, you join countless ancestors who did the same. When jasmine brings manifestation, you access the same floral magic sought by practitioners for thousands of years. The plants remember, even when we forget. Let them teach you.

Spring has arrived. The flowers are blooming. Let them guide you through balance and into new growth. Blessed Ostara. 🌸✨🌿