Yesterday I bought three seed packets (Dark Opal Basil, Lady Lavendar, and Zinnia) and one beautiful potted plant of Celosia (aka Cockscomb aka Woolflower aka quail grass aka Soko), specifically Celosia argentea. I can’t seem to find Celosia’s magical properties books at all! (I have Cunningham’s Encyclopedia, Llewellyn’s Magical Correspondences, an Llewellyn’s Illustrated Encyclopedia).
I’m also having a hard time finding stuff about it online, but here’s what I’ve found so far:
In alchemy, it’s considered to be ruled by Saturn.
Its leaves are edible! (As are its “young stems” and “young inflorescences”.)
Apparently in Nigeria it “makes husbands fat and happy”, which isn’t a magical belief, but I think that points to its uses in love and happiness
It produces a lot of seeds. (Which can point to its uses in fertility.)
It’s monoecious (produces male and female flowers on the same individual) so idk maybe it can add some extra energy to nonbinary people or helping people find their masculine/feminine side or work with projective/receptive energy when they’re used to the other one
It’s used for Dia de los Muertos (which makes me so happy as a Chicana! I’ve never seen it used up here, but apparently this is popular in Oaxaca)
Supposedly in India people plant it to repel murderous spirits, but I’m not seeing anything on where or what ethnic groups, so this could be bunk if any Indian people want to chime in
Supposedly people in China use it to clear vision, stop hemorrhaging, and treat diarrhea. Again, no information on ethnic groups, regions, or practices, so this could be bunk if any Chinese people want to chime in.
This place said it’s good for protection
This place says it means “silliness” in flower language, which indicates a use in happiness
My book “A Victorian Flower Dictionary” by Many Kirkby says it means “think of me”, which indicates a use in love
