Bachelor’s Buttons, or cornflowers, are delicate blue wildflowers steeped in centuries of magical and medicinal tradition. Their striking color and gentle form have made them a symbol of love, hope, and protection across Europe and beyond. In ancient Greece, the flower was associated with the centaur Chiron, famed for his healing abilities, and in medieval Europe, knights would wear Bachelor’s Buttons as tokens from their beloved, believing the flower’s vitality would reveal the strength of their partner’s affection. These flowers have been woven into garlands, crowns, and even bridal bouquets, their presence marking rites of passage and moments of heartfelt intention.
In magical practice, Bachelor’s Buttons are cherished for their ability to attract love, encourage fidelity, and invite new beginnings. Their vibrant blue petals are believed to symbolize clarity, communication, and emotional healing. Historically, young women would use the flowers in divination rituals, placing them under their pillows to dream of their future spouse or to receive guidance about matters of the heart. In some regions, it was customary to float a Bachelor’s Button in a bowl of water—if the flower drifted toward the person’s heart, it was seen as a sign of true love approaching.
Bachelor’s Buttons are a staple in love spells and rituals. One traditional spell involves weaving the fresh flowers into a small charm bag with rose petals and lavender, then carrying it close to the heart to attract a new lover or deepen an existing bond. For fidelity, practitioners may dry the petals and mix them with rosemary and thyme, placing the blend in a sachet under the mattress or within a shared pillow. In Slavic folk magic, Bachelor’s Buttons are sometimes braided into hair or worn as a garland during midsummer festivals, believed to draw the attention of a destined partner.
For divination, Bachelor’s Buttons are used in several ways. In Victorian England, bachelors would secretly wear the flower to signal their romantic intentions, and the state of the bloom would reveal the fate of their courtship—if the flower remained fresh, love was reciprocated; if it wilted, the affection was unreturned. In rural France, young women would pluck the petals while reciting the names of potential suitors, the last petal indicating the true love. Some contemporary practitioners use the petals in tarot spreads or scrying bowls, believing the flower’s energy enhances intuition and reveals hidden truths.
Bachelor’s Buttons are also valued for their protective qualities. In Italian folk magic, dried petals are scattered at doorways and windowsills to keep out ill fortune and gossip. In the British Isles, the flowers are sometimes placed on altars or in the home to bring peace and shield against unwanted influences. For a simple protection charm, tie a bundle of dried Bachelor’s Buttons with blue thread and hang it above your bed or in a central room. Some practitioners blend the petals with salt and sprinkle the mixture around the perimeter of their home for energetic cleansing.
For dreamwork, Bachelor’s Buttons are often placed beneath the pillow or brewed into a gentle tea to promote peaceful sleep and enhance psychic abilities. In some Eastern European traditions, the petals are combined with mugwort and lavender in a dream sachet, believed to invite prophetic dreams and protect against nightmares. Always ensure the flowers are safe and free from pesticides before ingesting. To manifest a wish, write your intention on a slip of paper, wrap it with Bachelor’s Button petals, and tie it with blue thread. Place it beneath your pillow or on your altar, focusing on your desire as you do so.
In summary, Bachelor’s Buttons are treasured in witchcraft for their associations with love, fidelity, hope, and protection. Their magical uses span from love charms and divination to protective rituals and dreamwork, all rooted in centuries of folklore and tradition. Whether woven into a midsummer crown, tucked beneath a pillow, or scattered at a threshold, these blue blossoms continue to inspire practitioners around the world, connecting them to the wisdom of the past and the magic of the present.
Bachelor’s Buttons – Love.
