How to Make a Dandelion Wish

A dandelion about to grant a wish

Seeing a soft breeze pluck the seeds off a dandelion and carry them gently up into the air, it's not hard to understand why so much folklore surrounds these humble plants. From telling the time to sending a message to a distant loved one, blowing the seeds off of a dandelion forms the central part of many minor "spells," as detailed on the website Dandelion Pictures & More, though perhaps the most enchanting practice, especially for children, is to use the blowing of the seeds from the dandelion to make a wish.

Instructions

1. Look for just the right dandelion--one with a full head of fluffy seeds that look as though they are crying out for someone to help send them on their way.

2. Pick it carefully so you don't shake the seeds off too early by accident. Hold it in front of your mouth, and face in the same direction as the wind is blowing (with the wind on your back) so that when you blow the seeds they will go as far as possible and not all in your hair.

3. Close your eyes and think very hard about your wish and where you need these little seeds to carry that wish to. Don't tell anyone what you are wishing for, but if you're wishing for something just for you, slip a little wish in for someone else too, to help send your wish on its way.

4. Take a deep breath, still thinking about that wish, and blow as hard as you can, blowing the seeds off the dandelion just like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. For the magic to work you have to blow all the seeds off in one go, but if you don't manage that, don't worry; just find another and try again.

5. Watch until the last seed floats away out of sight, thinking hard about the journey the seeds are going on and the wish they are carrying. This helps to make your wish come true.

References

• Dandelion Pictures & More: Dandelion Folklore