I asked the Floracle what we need right now, and she offered up the wisdom of Moonwort. Moonwort or lunaria annua, part of the turnip family, known as Honesty, or the Money Tree. The origin of “Honesty” came from 16th century Europe because the seedpods it creates are transparent, and thus 'honestly' revealing their contents. It is also called the money tree since the dried seed pods look like silver coins.
There are actually two plant species commonly called moonwort - the popular silver dollar moonwort is called Lunaria Annua, since the silver seedpods also resemble the pale full moon. Originally from Spain, this moonwort has since transplanted over most temperate climates. The other moonwort, Botrychium lunaria, is a fern that produces fans instead of flowers and is used in rituals associated with secrets, hidden information, and the breaking of locks. It grows mostly in the Pacific Northwest and is actually hard to find. This article is about the silver dollar Annua Moonwort.
In the garden moonwort is a very hearty plant. They grow very well in full sun or partial shade. The mauve, pink, or white flowers are fragrant, especially at night and attract lots of insects and pollinators to the garden. They bloom from early Spring through mid-summer
After blooming the flowers dry and turn into seedpods called silliques, which are moon shaped with a silver sheen, pale appearance. If properly dried the silique seedpods can keep for years and I love these as an altar display or spell jar component.
Moonwort is an apothecary ingredient has been associated with luck, wealth, protection, and honesty. It’s connected with fertility and femininity representing the lunar cycle. It’s also known to have alchemical properties to reveal the truth and transform elements. Stick a leaf in a poultice for some added insight, sprinkle dried seeds under your bed for protection, or even just put a seedpod in your pocket on the way out the door for a little luck and good fortune on your day.
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