Meadowsweet, Mead, and a Faery Queen

The sovereignty Goddess of the province of Munster, Áine was one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a tribe of magical people (also regarded as deities) who arrived in Ireland before the Celts. Áine was also regarded as a goddess of love, fertility, light, and summer. Celebrated at Midsummer, June 23rd is sometimes regarded as Áine’s Day.

Áine is also known as the faery queen of Munster. Her residence was Knockainey, Cnoc Áine in Gaelic meaning “Áine’s Hill.” Bonfires were lit at Midsummer on Knockainey and offerings left by the spring/well at the foot of the hill. Knockainey is not far from another site associated with her, the enchanted lake of Lough Gur. Both Knockainey and Lough Gur were believed to hold entrances to the faery realm. According to legend, Áine was traditionally crowned with meadowsweet and reputedly gave the flowers their pleasant, sweet, almond-like fragrance.

Blooming from June through August, meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria syn. Spiraea ulmaria) is also known as bridewort, meadwort, and queen of the meadow. Growing up to four feet tall, it has toothed leaves with prominent veins and whitish down on the underside. The tiny, five-petaled flowers are creamy white and grow in loose clusters atop the stems.

The plant’s common name comes from the Anglo-Saxon meodu-swete, meaning “mead sweetener.” Traces of meadowsweet have been found in Neolithic (New Stone Age) drinking cups, attesting to its use in brewing for thousands of years. Its use as a medicinal herb continues today.

The Anglo-Saxons also used meadowsweet as a strewing herb to sweeten the air of homes. Queen Elizabeth I reputedly would have no other herb in her chambers. In Ireland, meadowsweet was sometimes used to break enchantment by faeries, however, faeries were also said to dance amongst the meadowsweet in the fields. Considered sacred by the Druids, in a legend from the medieval Welsh collection of stories known as the Mabinogion, meadowsweet was one of the plants used by the wizard Gwydion. A master of magic and poetry, Gwydion is also regarded as a trickster and somewhat dubious character.

Magically, when used in a handfasting ritual, meadowsweet helps foster a successful marriage. When used around the home, it promotes feelings of harmony and security. Meditate with a cluster of flowers in each palm to bring your energy into alignment or to help you find inspiration. Grow meadowsweet in your garden or sprinkle the powdered herb around your home to delight the fae. In tribute to Áine, prepare a candle with the flower essence and light it in her honor. Sweeten your spells with the queen of the meadow.

If you would like to read more about plants and magic, check out my books The Witches’ Encyclopedia of Magical Plants and Magical Faery Plants.