Peony Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Paeonia, Garden Peony, Piney
A lush, many-petaled flower for protection, good fortune and a blessed home.
- Intentions
- Protection, Prosperity, Love, Banishing
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- The Sun
- Zodiac
- Leo
- Day
- Sunday
- Moon phase
- Full Moon
- Parts used
- Flowers, petals, seeds (for charms only)
How to use it
- Blessing bouquet
Bring a vase of peonies into your home at the start of summer and ask them to bless everyone who lives there. When they fade, dry a few petals for a protection pouch.
- Petal sachet
Tuck dried peony petals into a small cloth bag with a bay leaf and a coin. Keep it in your wallet or purse as a charm for good fortune and a generous year.
- Seed necklace
Following an old European custom, string dried peony seeds as a small protective charm to hang by a bed or doorway. Keep it high, well out of reach of children and pets.
Works well with
History and folklore
The peony is named for Paeon, physician to the Greek gods, whom legend says Zeus turned into a flower to save him from a jealous teacher. Across Europe its seeds were strung as charms against nightmares and harm, and it was planted near homes for protection. In China the peony is the king of flowers, a symbol of wealth, honor and happy marriage. Witches use it for a richly blessed, well-protected home.
A lush, many-petaled flower for protection, good fortune and a blessed home.
- Intentions: Protection, Prosperity, Love, Banishing
- Element: Fire
- Planet: The Sun
- Zodiac: Leo
- Day: Sunday
- Moon phase: Full Moon
- Parts used: Flowers, petals, seeds (for charms only)
Safety: Peony is toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA list), mostly from the roots and bark. Do not eat any part of the plant, seeds included, and keep seed charms away from children and pets. Some people get a mild skin rash from handling the plant, so wear gloves if you are sensitive.
How to use it
- Blessing bouquet. Bring a vase of peonies into your home at the start of summer and ask them to bless everyone who lives there. When they fade, dry a few petals for a protection pouch.
- Petal sachet. Tuck dried peony petals into a small cloth bag with a bay leaf and a coin. Keep it in your wallet or purse as a charm for good fortune and a generous year.
- Seed necklace. Following an old European custom, string dried peony seeds as a small protective charm to hang by a bed or doorway. Keep it high, well out of reach of children and pets.
Works well with: Pink Candle, Litha, Rose Quartz, Sunday, The Sun
Folklore
The peony is named for Paeon, physician to the Greek gods, whom legend says Zeus turned into a flower to save him from a jealous teacher. Across Europe its seeds were strung as charms against nightmares and harm, and it was planted near homes for protection. In China the peony is the king of flowers, a symbol of wealth, honor and happy marriage. Witches use it for a richly blessed, well-protected home.
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.