ANGEL'S TRUMPET
Edited by Chas Bogan

Brugmansia shares the name 'Angel's Trumpet' with another member of the solanancae family, Datura. Indeed, Brugmansia was classified as a type of datura until 1805, then given its own genus named after Dutch natural history professor Sebald Justin Brugmans (1763-1819). Brugmansia grow as shrubs and small trees, growing as tall as 36 feet but less so on average. It's leaves are large, and its flowers, from which it's common name is derived, are trumpet shaped and hang downward. Their fragrance grows stronger at twilight and lasts throughout the evening.

Angel's Trumpet began its travels in the early 1800's, leaving South America, where it was used as a hallucinogen. Both it's psychotropic effects and the fact that is it fragrant at night identify Angel's Trumpet with ancestral spirits, and the trumpet shape of it's flower can easily be seen as an amplifier for their voices. A hallucinogenic drink derived from angel's trumpet was given to children with behavioral problems, with the belief that their ancestors would speak through the drink to admonish them and correct their behavior. Brugmansia had some medicinal uses, which allegedly aided in reducing pain and inflammation, and as an expectorant. It is considered toxic, and care should be given when handling any part of the plant.

Angel's Trumpet is popular in Hawaii, where it was introduced in 1825 off the ship Blonde that arrived from Rio de Janeriro. It has quickly become one of their sacred flowers, which they call 'nanahonua,' meaning "gazing earthward." Hawaiians smoked the leaves, creating their own tradition of hallucinogenic ritual.

Angel's Trumpet is a more recent entry into the language of flowers, and therefore interpretations vary. The characteristics often given involve associations with angels and celestial powers, communication with the dead, and the Judgment card from the tarot.

The dead can hear us, if only we call upon them and speak. Yet sometimes a more formal mode of communication is desired. For this purpose you will need to compose a letter to your beloved dead. A nice page of stationary is most suitable, however be aware that you will need to fold it afterward and fit it inside an angel's trumpet flower.

Once that has been done it is as simple as putting a stamp on it (consider this an offering to the spirit of the flower; if the postal service does not deliver a message for free then why should your spirit ally not expect a respectful fee)?

This peculiar post should then be buried. Near the grave of its intended recipient would be best, or in any graveyard, or at a crossroads. Lacking any of those options, anywhere in the earth will ultimately do, not as a first class delivery perhaps, but your message will be delivered nonetheless.

When exploring the magical uses of a flower, it is important to take note of how it is pollinated; what creatures, such as birds or butterflies, have a symbiotic relationship with the flower. In the case of Angel's Trumpet that creature is the moth, which is why brugmansia's wait until evening to release their fragrance. The moth is able to navigate through the dark hours. We can ponder this symbolism, finding inspiration in the moth for those times in our life that seem most dark and dire. We also can think of this is term of our night work, especially in regard to astral travel. According to the Three Souls paradigm of the Faery Tradition, our Fetch soul is that part of us able to leave the physical body and move through the astral realms.

Piercing down from heaven’s crown
Thy horn in silent sound
Intoxicating song of scent
Alluring souls beneath the mound.
- Storm Faerywolf

Relentless Time! that steals with silent tread,
Shall tear away the trophies of the dead.
Fame, on the pyramid's aspiring top,
With sighs shall her recording trumpet drop;
The feeble characters of Glory's hand
Shall perish, like the tracks upon the sand;
But not with these expire the sacred flame
Of virtue, or the good man's awful name.
-Bowles