Butterfly Pea

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

Also known as: Asian Pigeonwings, Blue Tea, Shankhapushpi, Butterfly Bean

Appearance & Origin:
Perhaps the most enchanting flower on our list, Butterfly Pea blooms in stunning electric blue—a color so rare in nature it feels almost otherworldly. Each flower resembles a small conch shell or, as the common name suggests, a butterfly at rest, with a distinctive white center that draws the eye inward. Native to tropical Asia, this climbing vine winds its way through the landscapes of Thailand, Malaysia, and India, where it has been used for centuries both as a brain tonic in Ayurvedic medicine and as a natural food coloring that transforms dishes into celestial blue creations.

The Witch's Wisdom:
Butterfly Pea holds a secret most herbs don't—the ability to change color based on intention. When steeped, it gifts you with liquid sky, but add lemon (or any acidic element), and it transforms to violet before your eyes. This is the herb of shape-shifters, of those who understand that identity is fluid and magic is adaptation.

Magical Correspondences:

• Planet: Moon ☾ (for its color-changing nature), Mercury ☿

• Element: Water 💧, Air 💨

• Zodiac: Pisces ♓, Gemini ♊

• Deities: Shape-shifting deities (Morrigan in her changing forms), Hecate, Isis, Ganesha (remover of obstacles to vision)

• Chakra: Third Eye (vision), Crown (higher wisdom)

Magical Properties:

• ✦ Psychic Vision – Enhances clairvoyance and inner sight

• ✦ Adaptability – Aids in navigating change and transformation

• ✦ Illusion Magic – Helps in glamours and perception-shifting

• ✦ Clarity – Clears confusion, reveals truth beneath surface

• ✦ Communication – Aids in expressing complex ideas

• ✦ Ancestral Wisdom – Opens channels to ancestral knowledge

Common Magical Uses:

• Brew as tea before scrying or tarot reading

• Use in glamour spells (drink or add to bath)

• Create color-changing potions for ritual revealings

• Add to communication spells (especially with difficult conversations)

• Offer to ancestors during Samhain rituals

• Use in "unveiling" ceremonies

Safety at a Glance:

• Safe to Burn: ✓ Yes

• Safe for Tea: ✓ Yes (organic culinary grade)

• Note: May affect blood sugar; consult healthcare provider if diabetic

Level II Application:
Create a "Veil Water" by charging butterfly pea tea under a New Moon. Add lemon juice during ritual to "reveal" hidden truths as the color shifts before your eyes—use this moment to speak aloud what has been hidden.

**Disclaimer**

Before consuming any herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider. Little Witch Shop does not provide medical advice or recommendations. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only.