PEONY— Keeper of Beauty · Bloom of Devotion · Altar of Abundance | Plant Bible
The peony is the lush and unapologetic queen of the garden — a bloom so full it spills over herself in waves of silk. She arrives like a slow seduction, unfurling petal after petal, and then — when the moment is right — bursts into full bloom, flooding the air with her sweet, heady perfume. She is both fleeting and eternal: the blossom fades quickly, but her rootstock can live for a century, returning each year to remind us of devotion, patience, and the cyclical nature of beauty.
PEONY (Paeonia spp.)
Botanical Profile
Family: Paeoniaceae
Type: Perennial flowering plant
Parts Used: Petals (fresh or dried), roots (in Traditional Chinese Medicine), seeds (rarely)
Energetics: Cooling, calming, moistening, heart-opening
Flavour Profile: Lightly sweet, subtly floral, with grounding undertones in the root
▶ Skincare & Body
▸ Petal Infusion (Oil or Water): Softens and soothes skin, helps reduce redness, hydrates deeply. Perfect in tallow balms for sensitive or dry skin.
▸ Peony Root Extract: Traditionally used for calming inflammation and easing skin flare-ups.
▸ Bath Ritual: Add dried petals to a warm bath for a sensual, skin-softening soak.
▶ Ritual & Spirit
Symbolism: Romance, prosperity, honor, compassion, healing of the heart.
▸ Energy Work: Peony opens the heart space, softens guarded edges, and draws in beauty in all forms.
▸ Sacred Use: Place dried peony petals on your altar for love and abundance; use as an offering to honor the divine feminine.
▸ Seasonal Magic: Best worked with in late spring to early summer, aligning with Beltane and the season of blooming.
▶ Internal & Folk Uses (Tradition + Caution)
▸ Herbal Tea: Peony root has been used in TCM to ease menstrual discomfort, support the liver, and relax muscle tension. Always use under guidance from a qualified herbalist.
▸ Flower Essence: Gentle emotional support for grief, heartbreak, or self-worth wounds — invites softness and receptivity.
Harvesting & Preparation
▸ Petals: Harvest in full bloom, ideally in the morning once dew has dried. Air-dry in a shaded, ventilated space until crisp.
▸ Roots: Harvest in fall from mature plants (3+ years old), clean, slice, and dry thoroughly.
▸ Storage: Keep dried petals in airtight glass jars away from heat and light.
WYLDE GOLD Ritual: Bloom Below — Steam or bathe with peony petals, rose, calendula, and chamomile. As the warmth rises, imagine each breath pulling beauty and abundance into your body. Let the petals kiss your skin, soften your edges, and remind you that you are worth slowing down for. When the water cools, return the petals to the earth in gratitude — what she gives, she gives for the cycle to continue.
▸ Bring the Bloom Home: For an effortless way to experience this ritual, we’ve crafted Peony for Your Yoni — a wild + feminine steam and bath blend, brimming with hand-harvested petals from our own gardens. It’s the same heart-opening bloom magic, ready to pour into your next sacred soak or steam.
