SOOTHING ROSE & CALENDULA SALVE
Both rose and calendula have been seen as sacred allies in cultures all over the world. Calendula has been used in magical rituals for centuries, and it’s no wonder, since it radiates a beautiful golden color — the color of protection and abundance. What a wonderful healer to bless ourselves and our skin — our own protective boundary — with!
Rose — a flower of the heart — will soften you. It will heal your wounds. Rose will also soften dry, hardened skin. And in softness, there is so much strength. Together these two make for a soothing, nourishing balm for any minor cuts, scrapes, burns, or dryness that you might encounter on the day to day.
This simple salve is perfect to keep in your bag, next to your gardening gloves, or on your nightstand and can be used all over your body, from rough hands or dry lips to an anointing balm on the place between your eyebrows when you need a little extra magic.
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SUPPLIES
Dried calendula
Dried rosebuds
2 16 oz mason jars
Chopstick
Coffee filter and rubber band
Fine mesh strainer
Cheese cloth
1 oz beeswax
Small tins for storage
Rose essential oil (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
First, sterilize the jar you’ll be using and wash your hands thoroughly.
Gently place the dried rose and calendula in a 16 oz mason jar. Don’t pack the flowers down or overfill. You can choose the ratio, but 1:1 works great!
Fill the jar with olive oil (or another oil of your choice) until all plant matter is covered.
Use a chopstick to move the plants around and get rid of any trapped air. Top off with more oil if needed.
Sing to the plants as you work, thanking them for sharing their medicine with you.
Cover with a coffee filter held on by a rubber band.
Label and date, then place in the sun to steep for half a moon cycle.
Move the plant matter around every day or two by shaking the jar.
After two weeks time, into a new sterilized jar with clean hands, strain the plant matter out of the oil using a fine mesh strainer.
Strain again through cheesecloth to catch any tiny particles left over.
Now you have your herbal oil.
Melt 1 oz beeswax slowly on the stove using a double boiler method.
Once all the beeswax is melted, stir in 4 oz of your herbal oil until the two liquids are thoroughly combined.
Remove from heat and add a few drops rose essential oil if you choose. Use your discretion here in how much scent you’d like to include.
Quickly pour the hot mixture into salve tins before it hardens.
Allow the salve to firm up in the tins. Wait until it cools to put the lids on.
Label and store in a cool, dry place. Enjoy and share the nourishing medicine you’ve created!