The Magic and Medicine of Lupines

I feel grateful every day to live in this modest home, where the soil is rich and the seasons guide the work. Tending to the garden brings a sense of rhythm and calm. I watch the bees and butterflies move through the space, doing their quiet work. It reminds me how much life there is in stillness.

When the time comes to prune, I gather the spent stalks. Some go into arrangements around the house. Others I save for later use; nothing is wasted if it can still serve a purpose. My first home in NL had only a balcony, but I felt the same sense of care and reward there. A small space can hold a lot of joy when you treat it with attention.

Discovering the Lovely Lupine

Today, I'll share what I've learned about Lupines.

Lupines belong to the Legume family, and they come with a rich history. Culpepper associates Lupines with Mars, noting their value in bitters for stimulating appetite. He also highlights their use in uterine care, especially for expelling a miscarriage. In addition, he includes a recipe for an anti-aging cream. This tracks; Lupeol, a compound in the seeds, promotes collagen production, which supports skin elasticity and firmness.

The historical significance of lupines stretches back to ancient times. Pliny claimed, "No kind of fodder is more wholesome and light of digestion than the white Lupine when eaten dry." He adds that regular use improves complexion and lifts the mood. Virgil called it tristis Lupinus, translating to "the sad Lupine," likely due to its raw bitterness. Just like a child eating a lemon, it pulls the mouth into a frown.

The name Lupine derives from lupus, Latin for wolf. Roman actors used the seeds as prop money, referring to it as nummus lupinus or "wolf coin."

Nutritional Benefits of Lupines

The flowers are also rich in antioxidants. They contain peptides that help protect skin and reduce damage that contributes to early aging. These effects are genuine; however, toxicity can vary. Improper preparation can leave behind harmful alkaloids. Some varieties are high in anticholinergics. Bitter lupin must be soaked and processed by someone knowledgeable. Although they are often confused with aconite, lupines are actually closer relatives to peanuts.

Lupines are unique in that they are the only legumes native to both Eurasia and South America.

Magickal Uses of Lupines

The Power of Lupines

• Money

• Protection

• Imagination

• The Otherworld

• Regeneration

• Happiness

• The Fae

• Creativity

• Shapeshifting

• Gamblers’ luck (especially blue bonnets)

• Dog healing (not intended for direct contact with dogs)

  
  

Occult sources link Lupine to shapeshifting, both mythic and psychic. The wolf-root etymology supports this connection, suggesting themes of wildness, instinct, and transformation. Some hedge witches place lupine pods in charm bags to guide lucid dreams or journeys to the Otherworld. Others use them as offerings to the Fae, who are said to favor their spiral-shaped blooms.

In folk magic, dried lupine flowers are burned for inspiration or sewn into sachets for creative work. Blue varieties, particularly the Texas Bluebonnets, are carried by gamblers for a steady hand and better odds.

Historical Roots

In rootwork, lupini beans were sometimes used in money-drawing spells. One Italian charm involved soaking lupini in wine and drinking a sip before casting lots. This was said to invite fortune while keeping malevolent spirits away.

Have you ever worked with lupine? If not, you might find that incorporating them into your practice can bring unexpected benefits.

Lupine and Louisiana Iris

Information is based on the wisdom of the early 19th century and presented as historic data. As such, some of the information regarding medical claims may now be considered inaccurate or not in accordance with modern medicine. OfAlchemy makes no claims or statements on medical advice; this is solely for historical reference. Please consult a professional naturopath or doctor for further advice.