The Elusive Spirit of Lilac: Myth, Mystery, and the Alchemy of Honey

In the Hudson Valley, lilacs are a cherished sign of spring, their fragrant blooms unfurling in late April through May, depending on the season’s temperament. Planted along old farmsteads, churchyards, and rural roads, they have deep roots in the region’s history, returning year after year like echoes of the past. Yet, for all their presence, lilacs remain elusive—brief in their bloom, impossible to distill, and forever tied to the realm of memory and longing. Their ephemeral nature has long linked them to themes of mystery and transformation, reflected in myth and folklore. Nowhere is this more evident than in the ancient story of Pan and Syringa, a tale of pursuit and metamorphosis that speaks to the sacred relationship between nature, spirit, and the unattainable.

The Myth of Pan and Syringa

The story of Syringa, the nymph whose name now graces the botanical genus Syringa (to which lilac belongs), is one of pursuit and transformation. In Greek mythology, Syringa was a woodland nymph who caught the eye of Pan, the half-goat, half-man god of the wild. Known for his untamed, lustful nature, Pan became enamored with Syringa as she roamed the forest. Fearing his advances, she fled, seeking refuge near a riverbank. In desperation, she called upon the river nymphs for aid, and in response, they transformed her into a reed plant.

When Pan arrived, he found only a cluster of reeds swaying in the wind. Though he could not possess Syringa, he was inspired by her transformation. He cut the reeds and fashioned them into the first pan flute, or syrinx, forever preserving her spirit in music.

Lilac and the Elusiveness of Spirit

Like Syringa herself, Lilac resists capture. Its fragrance is a presence that lingers yet remains just beyond reach, slipping through the air like a whispered secret. Unlike other flowers, whose scents can be distilled into essential oils, Lilac’s perfume is notoriously difficult to extract—it vanishes in the process, defying possession.

Just as Pan could not hold Syringa in her original form, we cannot truly hold Lilac’s scent. It drifts in and out of reach, reminding us that some things are meant to be experienced in the moment rather than seized.

Lilac Honey 

Though lilac’s perfume evades capture through distillation, there is one way to preserve its essence—through honey. Herbal honey, an ancient form of plant alchemy, allows flowers, herbs, and spices to release their oils and flavors into the golden warmth of honey, creating an infusion that carries both the plant’s taste and subtle spirit.

Honey itself is a substance of transformation—made by bees from the nectar of flowers, concentrated by time and the alchemy of the hive. It is a liminal substance that exists between liquid + solid, preserves + ferments and is sweet + medicinal. In herbal traditions, honey has long been used as a carrier of plant properties, drawing out the healing essence of plants while also extending their shelf life. Infusing lilac into honey is a way of honoring both the flower’s fleeting beauty and honey’s role as a bridge between realms—the physical and the ephemeral, the earthly and the divine.

Just as Pan could not possess Syringa in her original form but transformed her into music, we cannot distill Lilac’s true scent, but we can allow it to linger in honey. Honey, long associated with immortality, healing, and magic, becomes the vessel through which Lilac persists—a fleeting moment of spring bottled in gold.

To make lilac-infused honey, fresh, unsprayed lilac blossoms are layered into honey and left to infuse over several weeks. The result is a delicately perfumed honey that captures the essence of spring—sweet, floral, and just as enchanting as the lilac itself. In this way, Lilac, ever resistant to capture, finds a place to rest, not as a fragrance trapped in a bottle but as a flavor—a memory held on the tongue.

To learn more about “Flower Medicine,” join Sasha Botanics at Heartsong Sanctuary on Saturday, May 17th. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the art of cooking, baking and making medicine with flowers—learning how to craft floral honeys, vinegars, salts and syrups that capture both the beauty and medicine of the blossoms. More info HERE.

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Sasha Botanica inspires others through hands-on workshops and collaborations with local artists and herbalists in the Hudson Valley, encouraging a deeper connection to nature and community. Her mission is to empower people to explore the healing power of plants, creating unique products that reflect the beauty and gifts of the natural world. Want to know more? Check out our Exclusive Interview.

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All photos by Sasha Botanica.