Using morning dew in beauty magic
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Seen commonly in beauty magic, morning dew has a long history in folk practice and witchcraft (especially dew from May and June). Here’s how to collect some.🌱
According to one Ozark superstition, “The girl who washes her face in dew, just at sunup on May 1, will marry the man she loves best” (from Ozark Magic and Folklore by Vance Randolph). In Greek mythology, Ersa, daughter of Zeus and the moon goddess Selene, is the personification of dew.
An old folk charm states:
The Maiden fair, who on the first day of May
Ventures to the field at the break of day,
There she washes her face in dew
from the faery hawthorn tree,
Will forever after extremely beautiful be.
One particularly auspicious day to collect dew is the summer solstice, as the water is enhanced with the strength of the sun at its peak. Since it nourishes plants, dew can also be used in cleansing and healing magic. You can use it to asperge your space with an herb bundle or anoint magical tools.
The easiest way to collect dew is to leave thin, clean rags outside on the grass overnight and gather them the next morning. Be sure to stay away from areas that are chemically treated or have poisonous plants. If you want to be extra, find an open field at dawn and drag a long cloth behind you (omg, could you imagine doing this in a dress with a long train?😩).
Once the cloths are soaked, wring them out into a bowl and pass the dew through cheesecloth to remove any bits.
I’ve always used mine quickly, but I’ve read that alcohol is necessary for preserving.🍄