This is the third Easter in a row that I’ve foraged for wild violets. These five petaled beauties sprinkle hillsides better those rainbow dots of sugar on a birthday cake. I usually search throughout town for abundant areas to forage from but this season I was able to go flower picking in my own front yard. Since moving into this house 6 months ago, I’ve had a hard time adjusting to it. But everything has started to feel much more magical since these flowers began to bloom.
I’ve always desired to be some sort of herbalist, community healer or witch. It takes discipline and courage to become a gatherer. There’s always doubt on whether you’ve accurately identified, harvested and prepared a gift from the forest. However through foraging, I’ve regained self-trust, self-confidence and self-love.
Achieving your goals in part requires some unwavering belief in yourself making it happen. Then there’s also believing in your Source or Higher Power to help make it happen too. I wouldn’t say I put blind faith into my manifestations, I have crystal clear faith in what I speak into existence coming true. But then again my Human Design type is Manifestor and my track record is pretty good for making my dreams come true.
Now my violet syrup is my most prized foraging recipe that I create. It’s not overpowering like how a rose or lavender syrup can be in a beverage. The soft, floral and earthy notes against any strong flavor like coffee or lemonade are memorable. Desirable. Irresistible! My toddler actually threw a full tantrum because we only would give him a sip of the lemonade at a time. Once I make the syrup, I try to use it sparingly because I have to wait until the following year to make it again. If you try this recipe (or spell?) you’ll understand my devotion to this flower.
Magical Pink Lemonade
1 cup fresh picked violets
1 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
8 lemons juiced
1 cup cold water
1 jar, 1 pitcher, 1 strainer
My method:
I collect as many violets as I can in a sitting. Probably about a cup’s worth. Rinse them in cold water briefly. Add to a glass jar with 8oz of boiling water. Allow them to steep overnight covered. The color flows out of the petals into the water. It’ll be blue water with ghostly looking flowers floating to the top. Strain the flowers out. Then add equal parts sugar to liquid in a saucepan on low heat. Stir with your trusty wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved. Transfer into a fancy, clean glass jar. Be careful, it will be hot!!! Once it cools, it’ll be ready to pour into any beverage as a sweetener.
I failed chemistry class in college but got a B in chemistry lab. Therefore, I can’t really tell you why this happens but can show you how to do it. I’ll just say there’s magic behind the scenes. Pouring this blue syrup into a pitcher of lemonade at a party could be considered a cool magic trick. We’re told blue and yellow makes green not pink but when there’s magic involved, anything is possible!
Before their season ends, I highly recommend trying out this recipe. The flowers are edible raw too so you could just pick some to put on top of a dessert as well. Flowers are wonderful like that. Incredibly versatile and delectable. If you try this out please let me know!
With love,
Your favorite Cottage Witch - Carrington
Hyphae
Today these are just more research related links on violets:
https://foragerchef.com/violets/
https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/blog/2021/12/21/queer-botany-the-sapphic-violet/
https://www.calicoandtwine.com/blog/violet-benefits-and-uses
Thanks for the recipe and your radiant smile.
I love a good lemonade but I'm terrible with recipes so I'm just going to have to enjoy the special ones made by others lol this sounds so good though!