#woolflower

One of a genus of Amaranths native to tropical Africa, SE Asia, and the Americas, named from the Greek for 'burning', after the luridly coloured flower heads. Some cultivars commonly grow into fasciate mutations, as here, adding to their visual appeal if you like your plants looking particularly alien.

Other common names include woolflower, or if fasciated, cockscombs. In Swahili they're known as mfungu, and one edible species is called Lagos Spinach or soko yokoto, meaning "make husbands fat and happy" in Nigeria.

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