Turn Pressed Flowers into Stunning Botanical Cards
A Green Witch is someone who integrates the magick of nature into their daily life. Green Witches emphasize a deep connection with the Earth, plants, animals, and the changing seasons. They see nature as alive and full of magickal energy that can be harnessed to promote well-being and create balance in life. Living in harmony with nature and respecting all living beings is essential for a Green Witch. Mindfulness in daily actions, such as carefully watering plants or walking thoughtfully in the forest, strengthens their bond with the Earth.
Whether you’re deepening your plant wisdom or just want a beautiful, tactile way to connect with the natural world, making your own botanical cards is a wonderful DIY project. Think of them as a cross between an herbal grimoire and an oracle deck, something that’s both informative and deeply intuitive.
So in this post, I’ll share with you how to create your own set of botanical cards.
Why THESE Botanical Cards Are a Must-Have for Green Witches
Deepen your connection with nature: By selecting and preserving locally sourced plants, you tune into the seasonal rhythms, an essential part of every green witch practice.
Craft unique, personal witchcraft tools: Botanical cards can serve as sigils, spell components, ritual reminders, or divination aids, helping to amplify your witchy spells and rituals.
Eco-friendly and heartfelt: Instead of mass-produced tarot or oracle decks, these handmade cards reflect your personal practice and respect for the Earth.
Get to Know Plants and Herbs
First, let’s explore how to deepen your connection with the local plants around you. Spend time in nature and simply observe which flowers or plants naturally draw your attention. Often, the magical properties of these plants align perfectly with the spells or rituals you’re working on.
And did you know that flowers often grow in response to what the local environment needs most? It’s fascinating to notice how some flowers appear abundantly one year and then disappear the next, almost like nature’s way of sending messages.
Next, take time to learn about their healing properties, culinary uses, and symbolic meanings. You can do this through books, online resources, or by closely observing the plants themselves. Aim to truly build a connection with each plant, understanding its essence.
If you decide a particular plant belongs in your botanical card deck, approach it with respect. Let the plant know you intend to take a leaf or flower bud, and always harvest mindfully, never taking too much, ensuring the plant can continue to thrive and grow.
Press the Flowers or leaves
Next, it’s time to press the flowers or leaves you’ve collected. You can use a dedicated flower press or simply place them between two sheets of paper (or inside a sketchbook) and stack heavy books on top.
I usually leave them to dry for about three days, then carefully flip them to the other side and press for another three days. This helps ensure even drying.
The goal is to have them completely dry and flat, perfect for use in your botanical cards or other projects.
Craft the Botanical Cards
Once you have your pressed flowers or leaves ready, it’s time to create your personalized botanical card deck.
You’ll need:
Pressed flowers or leaves
Cardboard or blank business cards
Scissors
Optional: laminating machine (be careful! most laminators aren’t designed for plant materials!)
Optional: decorative items like cute labels, glitter pens, or anything you like to personalize your cards
Steps:
Cut out the shape you want for your cards. Each card requires two pieces of cardboard or two business cards.
On one of the two pieces, cut a small window so the flower or leaf can be visible.
If you have a laminating machine that works well with botanical materials, you can laminate your flower or leaf now. But be careful, flowers and leaves can get stuck or damaged, and you definitely want to avoid any risk of burning.
If laminating isn’t an option or doesn’t work well for you, here are two alternative methods I recommend:
PVC Glue Method: Glue the flower or leaf onto the bottom card. Then, place a piece of clear foil over it and glue the top card (with the window cutout) over the foil. Press something heavy on top and let it dry flat.
Self-Sticking Foil Method: Simply place self-adhesive foil over the flower or leaf on the bottom card. This method is quicker and easier. After that, glue the top card with the window cutout on top.
If you want to see the full process in action, I also have a short video demonstrating how I make my botanical cards.
What flower or leave would you include in your deck first? :)
Have a wonderful magickal day,
Bebea