The enchanting and sacred moonflower, aka datura, known by many names by many different cultures since ancient times (including Devil's Trumpet, Jimsonweed, Devil's Weed and Thornapple), is one of the sisters of the notorious Nightshade family; the Solanaceae. Most members of the nightshade family are poisonous or toxic in some way or another, and this one is the Queen of the family. Her deadly court includes belladonna (aka deadly nightshade), henbane and mandrake. Potent amounts of alkaloid compounds are present, which potentially cause convulsions, hallucinations, and even death if ingested. Her psychotropic properties have been both revered as sacred - and abused for nefarious purposes - since ancient times.
The plant is known as one of sorcery, magic, myth, enchantment and bewitchment. Her sweet-smelling and innocent-looking, yet startlingly huge, pure white trumpet-shaped flowers hypnotize and seduce those who are pulled close by her beauty. Her forbidden fruit whisks mortals off to the Otherworld, showing them both wonder and horror, returning them (hopefully) dazed and confused....but she can just as easily kill you dead or cause eternal madness. Her powerful perfume and arcane beauty makes her a symbol of mystery, seduction and peril. The duality of innocence and danger made datura flowers a favorite subject of famed painter Georgia O’Keeffe while she was living in New Mexico.
Moonflower magic with her celestial influences and strong feminine associations have been said to help one connect with the Fairy Realm, Dark Goddesses, and to nocturnal allies such as the owl and moths like the luna or sphinx moth. It is also associated with dream magic, flying (where do you think legends of flying witches originated?) and shamanic journeying (hedgefliers). Perhaps even Peter Pan utilized moonflower magic in his flight travels!
Obviously, we DO NOT recommend that you ingest any poisonous plant! But a moonflower blooming in a moonlit garden is a truly magical and otherworldly delight for the properly educated garden witch. If you do choose to plant sacred datura at home, it’s wise to treat it like a museum specimen: properly labeled, rarely handled without gloves and best viewed safely from a distance. **NOTE!!! If you prefer a safer species, the botanically similar (in bloom appearance only) moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba) from the morning glory family is less toxic (though its seeds are still psychoactive and toxic) and is able to be safely handled.
Our Moon Blooms bar features green and white swooping layers upon an inky black base. She is scented in a sweet and sultry blend of soft florals accented by nectar-rich, juicy ripe pear and a powdery heart of dark musk and amber. You'll swoon over her intoxicating elixir!
Approx 3.5-4.0oz bar
NOTE: These bars are slightly smaller than our standard size bars and thus have been priced accordingly.
Handcrafted soap will continue to evaporate water and lose weight over time. This makes for a finer, harder, and longer lasting bar.
Ingredients: Olive oil, Distilled water, Coconut oil, Cocoa butter, Hi-oleic Sunflower seed oil, Sodium hydroxide*, Mango seed butter, Avocado oil, Castor oil, Fragrance, Citric acid, Sodium lactate, Micas & Titanium Dioxide
*None remains in final product
Moon Blooms Artisan Botanical Soap
Are you fascinated by the sensory delights of a moon garden? Here's a few tips on growing your own. Moon gardens are designed to come alive at dusk, unfurling their petals only at night and releasing their intoxicating fragrance in the twilight. While some moon gardens rely primarily on white and silver blooms that reflect the moonlight, that's not a hard rule - moon gardens are meant to trigger all of your senses...as well as your imagination. When planning your twilight garden, think about the sensory experience that will maximize the ethereal enchantment and magical ambiance.
- Moon themes - Some moon gardens feature celestial elements like a moon gate and/or are shaped like a crescent moon or a star.
- Nocturnal symphony - Your evening-blooming garden will attract creatures of the night like frogs, fireflies, and luna moths. Luring these visitors to your garden will fill the air with their melodic serenades and fluttering wings. And don't forget to include plants that move in the breeze, like ornamental grasses, and add whispers of movement for extra intrigue.
- Reflective ponds - Water features that reflect the moonlight and mirror the night sky enhance the allure of the garden. As a bonus, frogs and other wildlife will inhabit and welcome this pool.
- Daytime aesthetic - By filling your moon garden with various textural plants and a few day blooming varieties, you'll ensure an attractive garden no matter the hour. This is a great place to plant some flowers with dark blooms or foliage for a pop of dramatic daytime color! At night, these darker hues will add a dose of mystique!
- Reflective foliage - flowers aren't the only show in the moon garden. Look for plants with silvery, grey, or variegated foliage for added drama. Think silvery lambs ear with its touchably soft velvet leaves reflecting in the moonlight!
- Whimsical edibles - Want to elevate your moon garden with a whimsical touch? Add in some white vegetables like ghost pumpkins or white eggplant.
