Coltsfoot Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Colts foot, Colt's Foot, Coughwort, Foalswort, Son-before-the-father, Tussilago farfara
An early spring flower for love, peace, tranquility and visions.
- Intentions
- Love, Peace, Divination
- Element
- Water
- Planet
- Venus
- Day
- Friday
- Moon phase
- Waxing Crescent
- Parts used
- Dried leaves, flowers
How to use it
- Peace sachet
Tie dried coltsfoot leaves in a blue cloth with lavender and keep it where you rest to invite calm.
- Love petition
Write a gentle love wish on paper, fold a coltsfoot leaf inside and keep it under a pink candle while it burns.
- Spring welcome
Leave the first coltsfoot flowers of spring untouched in the ground and greet them on your walk as a sign of returning light and new beginnings.
Works well with
Substitutes
History and folklore
Coltsfoot gets its name from its hoof-shaped leaves. Its yellow flowers appear in late winter before any leaves, which earned it the old name son-before-the-father. It was once so trusted as a cough remedy that its flower was painted on apothecary signs in Paris, though it is now known to be harmful when taken. Witchcraft herbals list coltsfoot for love, peace, tranquility and visions.
An early spring flower for love, peace, tranquility and visions.
- Intentions: Love, Peace, Divination
- Element: Water
- Planet: Venus
- Day: Friday
- Moon phase: Waxing Crescent
- Parts used: Dried leaves, flowers
Safety: Toxic if swallowed: coltsfoot contains compounds that can damage the liver. Do not eat, drink or smoke it, keep it away from children and pets, and avoid it entirely if pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to use it
- Peace sachet. Tie dried coltsfoot leaves in a blue cloth with lavender and keep it where you rest to invite calm.
- Love petition. Write a gentle love wish on paper, fold a coltsfoot leaf inside and keep it under a pink candle while it burns.
- Spring welcome. Leave the first coltsfoot flowers of spring untouched in the ground and greet them on your walk as a sign of returning light and new beginnings.
Works well with: Pink Candle, Blue Candle, Rose Quartz, Lavender, Imbolc
Folklore
Coltsfoot gets its name from its hoof-shaped leaves. Its yellow flowers appear in late winter before any leaves, which earned it the old name son-before-the-father. It was once so trusted as a cough remedy that its flower was painted on apothecary signs in Paris, though it is now known to be harmful when taken. Witchcraft herbals list coltsfoot for love, peace, tranquility and visions.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.