Magickal Ironing

Iron is very important in magic and was once regarded as sacred to the goddess Epona of the moon and horses, the Celtic deity equivalent to Diana, who was revered in witchcraft.  Iron is a powerful metal that stores the knowledge of the "dark world" -- which means not evil or negative magic but that which is hidden from us, in the realms where the earth sleeps. This is a product of the womb of mother earth.  You might wish to invoke Epona's blessing when doing your ironing, or perhaps a goddess of steam and fire such as Pele or Chantico.

Epona by Sandra M. Stanton

Although ironing freshly laundered linens and clothing is performed throughout the wheel of the year,  in winter especially this task recalls the magic of iron; it is connected with the old-fashioned pressing implement, reminding us that in the past irons were indeed made from iron.  The process of scenting your linen at this time of year with the aromas of the summer months buffets your sinking spirits and wafts gladness into the psyche.  Don't underestimate the importance of the task nor the lovely result of fragrancing your clothes in this way.  When roses and lavender are diluted into distilled water for the ironing, you are indeed recalling the energy of the sun and producing magical effects from the iron itself.  By all means use commercial linen sprays, but if at all possible make your own, for no commercial product quite reaches linen kissed in winter by your own preparation.

Use 5 drops each of rose and lavender oil with 3 drops of rosemary oil and 2 drops of bergamot oil, add to 50 ml distilled water, blend well and add to the water chamber of your iron. The resulting scent will help to counter cigarette smells, laundry chemicals and bacteria, and will lift your spirits majestically above the grey winter skies. 

If you are ironing for a love date, increase the rose quantity to 8 drops and omit the rosemary. There is a real property in these flower oils, but a magical one too. All of them heal magically and all attract "butterflies" in the best sense: in other words, the goddess attends you. Always iron your clothes or linen this way on an important day/date for luck from above -- and add a pink ribbon around the handle of the iron if you are meeting your lover.  For other special occasions, such as job interviews or holiday meals, choose appropriate scents for your ironing water and add a ribbon in a related colour to the iron's handle to boost your magick.  For a list of colour correspondences see the Enhancing Your Kitchen Magick page of A Kitchen Witch's Book of Shadows.

You can boost the iron's gifts with a swag made up in late autumn from the last rosemary and lavender.  Tie it with a purple ribbon and hang it upside down in your linen cupboard, where it will discourage insects as well as negativity. Always scent your sheets in this way if you like to sleep with romance.