Marsh Marigold - The Yellow Plant of Beltane
Today I noticed that there are more marsh marigolds present around our fields and forests than I have ever seen. Now, when a plant is giving off this much of a presence I tend to pay attention, I listen.
Marsh Marigold’s Latin name is Caltha palustris: ‘caltha’, from the Greek kalathos, meaning ‘goblet’, and palustris, meaning ‘of the marsh’. I have always loved their return after a long winter as a sure sign that spring is truly arrived and their bright yellow color only lifts the spirit. I have taken up the practice of seeking them out every year and simply observing their slow unfurling to the bloom of the five petaled flower. Like the five pointed star it has always felt like a significant flower to this land and its poisonous quality adding another layer of boundary work curiosity for myself as someone who works deeply with this place.
Today on my walk I noticed they are in full bloom pretty much everywhere you look and even up to the sides of the road which I have never seen them do. Getting close to them has not typically been an option because they love the deep swampy areas around me. Pockets of water and muck, they fill a cavern of light in the lower, darker places of the woods. That feels powerful to me.
I have been wanting to get into a particular spot where they are spread so thick that the frequency they are giving off is really potent, but it has been so thick and brambly that I haven’t found a space. But today something shifted. As I walked by the outskirts of a large plume of blooms, the crows cackled up loudly, screeching at me from my right so loud that I turned quickly in their direction. As I turned I saw an opening in the thicket I had not seen before and felt guided to go. I felt that the crows had called me to this entry and so I went, bent down low to quietly sneak in trying not to bother any of the creatures and living beings. I made my way in, feet sinking in the muck few times, but got close enough to take some photographs and videos. Trying to capture how large a plume this was, was not easy at all. It was all so absolutely stunning to the eye and I soaked in as much as I could.
After retreating from this space I noticed the marigolds that had crept up to the sides of the road a bit more. I felt a subtle draw to make an essence of one. I walked over to one in particular and bent down to ask, I felt it was ok and shared some gratitude, then plucked a very small stem of three flowers. In that instant I felt I had been a bit careless. I knew immediately that this plant was giving off a poisonous plant vibe, which I love, but not after the fact. I placed the stem in my pocket and on the way home it left me. It simply disappeared, another indication of that intuitive nudge. When I got home, still unsure of any toxicity I washed my hands in hot soapy water followed by alcohol to remove any possible oils. I also noticed that I picked the stem with my left hand, my left arm….my left shoulder, which had been in freeze for almost a year after my closest Auntee’s passing last spring. Interesting, I thought. Why was it drawing me in? Why did the crows go out of their way to get my attention? What it the medicine for me here?
After cleaning my hands I sat down to look up some information and found some interesting key points.
In European folklore, marsh marigold was believed to possess protective powers and was often used to ward off evil spirits and negative energies. Hence the boundary energy I felt. Any poisonous plant is a boundary work ally, and to see this year how much it had spread I felt the support and extra protection for myself and the land.
In Scottish folklore it was known in Gaelic as Lus bhuidhe bealtuinn, ‘the yellow plant of Beltane’. Marsh marigold was one of the flowers collected and placed in windows and over doorways, along with sprigs of rowan, gorse, hazel and, of course, hawthorn – the May tree itself. On the Isle of Man it was known as Lus y Voaldyn, the herb of Beltane, and was believed to be a powerful protection against witches; while in County Antrim, children would push a kingcup blossom through the letterbox of every house in the village, as a token to ward off evil.
Some flower essence depictions:
Eases constrictions in the emotional body helping us to access our flowing, yin, and receptive side. Helps us to release mental constructs that prevent our authentic self from coming forward. Good for those who want to connect with the sacred and earthy. - Essence Alchemy
Helps to get in touch with your inner source, strength, inspiration; remain true to yourself; rediscover your original path in life, create your life yourself. - Mamboya Flower Essences
This essence dissolves cluster patterns of thought that “weigh heavy”. The weight of these thoughts has the potential to become physically destructive (or may already have manifested physically). Stepping off the hamster wheel of harsh repetition offers you the chance to move forward into ways of thinking that are more in tune with your higher consciousness.
For abuse/abusive situations. For those who are hard on themselves, very self critical. For those heavily critical of others. - The Energy Center Essences
Marsh Marigold encourages attunement to the Golden Ray. It also helps to raise the frequency of the solar plexus chakra. - Crystal Herbs Flower Essences
Some medicinal info:
“Its roots were used by Native Americans to treat colds and sores, to induce vomiting, to protect against love charms, and as an aid in childbirth. A tea made from its leaves was also believed to relieve constipation. The plant’s leaves, well cooked, can be eaten like spinach, but when left raw, every part of the plant is a strong irritant, and can damage the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, or mucous membranes. The buds soaked in vinegar have been used as a substitute for capers.
A Dr. Withering wrote in the early 1900’s, “It would appear that medicinal properties may be evolved in the gaseous exhalations of plants and flowers, for on a large quantity of the flowers of meadow routs being put into the bedroom of a girl who had been subject to fits, the fits ceased.” Early colonists of the southern Appalachian region used the plant as an antidote to snake venom, and learned from Native Americans the trick of mixing the tea with maple sugar to make cough syrup.
More recently, the marsh marigold as well as many other plants in the family Ranunculaceae (the buttercups) has been found to contain a toxic compound called ranunculin. Ranunculin is an inert glycoside which is enzymatically converted to protoanemonin, an acrid, poisonous compound that may have some beneficial effect in fighting tumors. This compound acts as a skin irritant causing redness and blistering and potentially can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.” - (Foster and Duke, p.101, www.sierrapotomac.org, & www.botanical.com)
To me, the marsh marigold feels a lot like a creator of light. A frequency of nature that builds up to its bloom and fills up those dark spaces in the caverns of the hollow. Although there are many variations of the essence and healing properties, as I observe it, I see something additionally here. When something brings this much light to the dark, I think of it as a shadow worker. It moves gently, slowly, quietly, yet its still fierce with its poisonous qualities which calls for space and respect. A direct reflection of some of the qualities a healing practitioner needs in their work. It lights up the dark with such beauty, a literal carpet of light, drawing me to the darkest places in our forest to seek its light out. So maybe, just maybe the marsh marigold is a guide on the journey of initiation, healing, and shadow work. An ally in keeping the light within lit firmly, opening the solar plexus, helping us shine brightly as we navigate the muck and mud of life. Keeping us in our pure frequencies and in touch with our light even when we feel like all lights around us are going out.
Always eternally grateful for the chance to listen and learn from the plant spirits. To be humble and always see them as teachers on the path. They deserve our utmost respect, all of them, even those labeled as invasive because they have a message for us. A very important one.
Might I try to make an essence one more time? Maybe. Or I might just let it work its magic around me and my home instead.
