Crocus

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The Crocus was thought to inspire love, and was among the flowers used copiously in Garlands and Chaplets in ceremonial rites among the Greek. Indeed, many plants have had a superstitious connection to celebrations and days of the year. Crocus in particular said “to blow before the shrine at Vernal Dawn of St. Valentine". Closely allied is the superstitious and sacred reverence paid to certain trees and plants, wherein "every plant is the Emblem of a God". Of these, the Crocus is assigned to Juno. In Austria, however, it was unlucky to pick a Crocus as it was believed to draw away one's strength. An old adage partially highlighting the unlucky nature of the Crocus goes "You set Saffron and there came up Wolfsbane"- speaking of actions which produce different (assumedly negative) results to what were expected. Meanwhile, in Devonshire, England, Saffron was used in poetics to denote anything of value, as relayed by a farmer near Exter who, when praising a farm, remarked "Tis a very pretty little place; he'd let so dear as Saffron".

'The Folk-Lore of Plants' by Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer

The early spring blooming garden variety crocus should not be confused with saffron- or Autumn- crocus. The everyday variety comes in over eighty species, with predominant colors in white, purple, and yellow in all sorts of combinations and colors, and have been known to bloom even in the snow and ice. Saffron Crocus (Crocus Sativus), however, blooms in the autumn as its second common name suggests, and the flowers are a soft lilac-pink to purple color.

The common Garden Crocus is not meant to be consumed, whereas the stigmas of the saffron crocus are a highly prized culinary spice as it takes over 1,700 flowers to produce one ounce; Saffron (the spice produced by the Saffron Crocus) is considered to be an aphrodisiac and was used magically to promote love and lust, as well as to strengthen psychic abilities. Magical associations of the common Garden Crocus, by contrast, are those of freshness, love, and romance.

In the language of flowers, the common Garden Crocus symbolizes that you shall remain young at heart. The astrological association for the feminine common garden crocus is the planet Venus, and the elemental correspondence is water. For the Saffron Crocus, however, the masculine energies warn you of excess. The planetary correspondence is the sun, and its elemental association is fire.

'Garden Witch's Herbal: Green Magick, Herbalism, and Spirituality' by Ellen Dugan

The Crocus (Crocus Vernus), Perennial; ruled by the planet Venus and the water element. Compare to Saffron (Crocus Sativa), perennial; ruled by the Sun, and the fire element, and sacred to Ashtoreth and Eos; both are associated with the Spring Equinox.

'Herbal Magick: A Witch's Guide to Herbal Enchantments, Folklore, and Divinations' by Gerina Dunwich

Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) folk names include the Autumn crocus, Spanish saffron, and simply “Crocus”; Gender is “Hot” (masculine synonymous); Planetary ruler is the Sun or sometimes Jupieter, element is Fire; Associated Deities are Apollo, Hermes, Brigid, and the Greek Muses; Basic Powers include Purification, clairvoyance, an healing. The flower stigmas, called threads, produce a vivid yellow dye, are used in perfumery, have many culinary uses, and have many medicinal uses as well. It gives off a distinct aromatic odor. Dried Marigold petals may be substituted for it in any spell due to its price, however.

'Magical Folkhealing: Herbs, Oils, and Recipes for Health, Healing, and Magic' by DJ Conway