Stellar Lavender

This nocturnal variety of Lavender is a popular magical plant for gardens, and is commonly used to scent teas, lotions, soaps, and even pillows.

## Description

Stellar Lavender is a specifically magical variety of lavender plant that developed naturally in the wild. It is a relative to mint that can be found all across Eurasia and Africa alike, though has spread to other continents through introduction into gardens.

It is a perennial shrub with thin, pine-like leaves. Its whorled flowers are a deep violet hue, shading as deep as black and seemingly dusted with a shimmer of starlight that is only visible when the sun has set. The flowers have a spicy, floral flavor with a hint of mint and lemon.

### Magical Properties

While not all potions with these effects may use Stellar Lavender as an ingredient, these are traits commonly ascribed to the herb:

* Lunar magic
* Astral magic
* Divination, clairvoyance
* Night magic
* Sleep
* Courage and Strength
* Healing: anti-nausea, skin/topical, burns (cooling, soothing), tension, headache, antiseptic.
* Insect-repelling (bracelet vs fleas)
* drives away evil spirits
* fairy-favorite, like Pixiebell Comfrey

## Habitat

This variety of lavender comes from dry, rocky soils of the Mediterranean. It thrives in open forests, shaded meadows, and shady hillsides where the soil drains well. It also does well growing just under Sun Chamomile, whose blossoms shade it during the day and then whither at night, giving the lavender full access to the night sky.

### How to Collect

The blooming stems can be clipped off at night, after dusk when the stars are bright, ideally on a cloudless night. Gather it into bundles. Unless in a greenhouse or indoors, they will only bloom in late spring and summer.

### How to Prepare

Stellar Lavender can be used fresh or dry. Dry them in a cool, dark, ventilated place for a few weeks; once dry, the flowers can be shaken from the stems into jars, or into sachet bags.

## Gardening

Stellar lavender can be grown in gardens or in pots. This particular variety **prefers shade**, however, but needs full access to **starlight at night** in order to grow to its best potency. In planted garden beds, it does best if planted amidst Sun Chamomile to shade it during the day. Otherwise, it requires intervention or moving of the pots to keep it shaded, and then have any barriers or shades removed to give it starlight at night. Too many clouded nights may also diminish the flowers' beauty, but will not impact its magical properties as an ingredient. It is possible to use lunar magic spells to provide the starlight it needs at night in a greenhouse or indoors.

Stellar Lavender prefers dry soil and **should be only lightly watered 1-2 times a week;** too much moisture will cause the roots to rot. It should be pruned back to ~2/3 height in autumn; in the winter when it is dormant, water it even more rarely, and protect it from frost. It is difficult to grow from a seed, but can more easily be grown from stem cuttings of established plants, which can root quickly if rinsed with willow tincture.

In large plots, they can be used by bees to make a high-quality honey.

Not good for dogs/cats to ingest.

## Known Uses of Stellar Lavender

In addition to its uses as a magical essential oil, cooking, and evening flower arrangements, Stellar Lavender is used in the following recipes:

* Sleeping Tea
* Calming Tea
* Focus Tea
* Invisibility
* ...?

Caution should be exercised as some have allergic skin reactions to stellar lavender.