Your Herbal Garden
Every Witch worthy of her craft has an herb garden. Though simple in design, the Witches' garden contains a wealth of magical material from which she concocts her sachets, incenses, aromatic oils and charm-bags. The Witch knew simple gardening rules, tips on treating destructive pests, and general
earth-wisdom. Much of what she knew is laid out in orderly fashion in this special section so that anyone, Witch or non-Witch, can grow herbs according to the old magical methods.For those who cannot plant a garden instructions
for magical window and indoor gardening are included.
Selection of Plants
Choose the herbs for your garden carefully. Decide your main sphere of interest. Do you intend to specialize your magical acts, or indulge in all areas of herbal magic? Are you limited strictly to the small herbs and flowers, or are trees to be included as well? Answering these questions will basically answer the first question any would-be magical gardener has when planting a garden---what should I grow? Here are some lists of herbs suggested for various types of magic gardens. These are strictly suggestions, however; your preference and needs may vary.
Garden of Love
Roses(the old varieties are much more suited to magic than the new), violets, vervain, yarrow, lavender, rosemary, basil, lemon balm, and lovage.
Healing Garden
(by magical means not medicinal) Peppermint, garlic, onion, carnation,rosemary, sage, rue, thistles, and wood sorrel.
General Purpose Garden
Rosemary, lavender, yarrow, vervain, hyssop, rue, carnation, mugwort, cinquefoil etc.
Use these lists as guides in drawing up a suitable list of plants for your garden. Some Witches choose a selection of traditional plants such as mandrake, henbane, periwinkle, foxglove, and nightshade without ever intending to put any of these herbs to use. Whatever you decide, be sure you're satisfied with the final roster. Write the names of all the herbs you wish to grow and keep this by your side as you read the following pages, visualizing how each will fit into your
garden.
Laying Out the Garden
Magic gardens are rarely formal affairs, laid out in intricate knot or maze patterns. Most are fairly organized plots arranged in a circular shape, the circle being the ancient symbol of fertility, reincarnation and eternity. Some ambitious witches fashion their gardens to resemble stars, suns and crescent moons. The basic equipment needed here is a vivid imagination and a large supply of flat rocks, which are used to mark out the borders. With this type of garden the idea is not merely to please the human eye, but also those forces which watch over us.
When you have decided on a pattern, or none at all, get a good book on herb gardening. Check the average heights of the herbs you wish to grow, and also any specific needs, such as shade, half-sun, full sunlight. Try to position herbs of like heights next to each other. Make a rough sketch of the area you have to garden and pencil in herbs as you decide on positioning.
There are traditional guidelines to follow here. Basil doesn't grow well next to any other plant, so it is usually grown in a pot near the house. Sage and rue grow well together, as do coriander and dill. Mint and parsley dislike each other's company. If you are going to plant trees set the cypress to the North, the elder to the East, bay laurel to the South and willow to the west of the garden. If you must have a yew tree, plant it in the South-West corner of the property. A maple planted near the house is beneficial. But make sure that these trees
will not shade the garden, for many herbs crave full direct sunlight. When the garden plan is firmly in mind, and on paper, collect the seeds and plants. Before they can be planted the ground must be prepared.
Preparing the Land
Find a suitable plot of land, preferably on your own property, and where passersby won't disturb your plants. In spring, or when danger of frost has passed, take a handful of mistletoe and grind in the mortar three days after the New Moon. Sprinkle over the land. Work the soil well with a spade and trowel till it's light and moist. If the ground is too heavy add a little
mulch; if too sandy add humus. Most herbs don't require perfect growing conditions but will produce more healthy growth if some care is given to the soil.
The basic shape of the garden, as stated earlier, is often circular. Lay a long string or light rope in the garden area in a circle, making its circumference as large as the space will allow. Be sure the ends of the rope are joined together with a good knot. If more than one piece of rope is required all connections should be thoroughly knotted.
Next, determine the four directions in your garden with a compass. Place stones outside the rope to mark these spots for later reference. The North stone should be clearly distinguished from the others.
Upon, nightfall, build a small fire or set several lanterns around the area for illumination, if necessary. Starting in the North plant a candle in the earth near the rope but outside the circle, light it, and then move clockwise following the same procedure at the East, South and West points. If the night is windy bring along four lanterns or clear glass jars. If using the jars, pour a bit of melted wax inside each glass jar and fasten the candles within. Place these at the points as directed above.
Now, stand in the center of the circle and face North, holding your magic knife. Lift your arms skyward and say (or shout if the wind is particularly rough):
I call upon the powers of the North to
bless and protect this garden.
Repeat to the East, South and West, substituting the appropriate direction in the invocation.
Finished, turn to face the North again. Bend over and trace these symbols on the ground with your magic knife. The 5-pointed star figure should be drawn so that the uppermost point touches the North-facing candle, and the others evenly spaced around the circle, touching the rope.
Now, while kneeling in the Southern section of the pentagram, trace these symbols with the point of your knife.
Since I don't have a scanner I will try and describe the symbols and use the keys.
O
( \/ )
O
The top symbol is a circle and is in the North, the ( are suppose to be crescent moons, one in the West and the other in the East and in between these two is a triangle with the point facing towards the South. The circle under the triangle is also in the South. Hope this is clear for you all.
Now sit quietly, counting nine heartbeats. Then, if you are satisfied that the garden is magically protected, blow out the candles, starting at the North point. If you've used glass jars, tip each one to allow the wind to quench the flames. Gently cut a branch from a birch, mountain ash, or willow, or nearby tree if these are unavailable. (If there are no trees use
the household broom, or one bought specifically for this purpose which is better).
As you gently cut with your magic knife, tell the tree the need you have for the branch, and afterward as payment leave something buried in the ground beneath the it.
Holding the branch in your strong hand, stand North outside the circle and begin to brush away the symbols which you've drawn. Walk in a clock-wise direction and continue to brush until the ground is clear.
Gather up the rope and candles and store them away in a safe place. Quench any illumination fires or lanterns you may have lit.
The next morning, just as the Sun rises, search the ground for symbols. Sometimes specific patterns or symbols will appear on the ground, although it was swept clean the night before. Bird feathers are also often found.
*As if I'd ever be up before the sun! not going to happen so I would just check when I was able~Oceanna*
If dew has covered the ground with a carpet of liquid blessings allow it to dry. Gather up any feathers and record magical symbols, for these are links between your garden and the silent forces of nature.
Pour one quart of pure, unfiltered apple cider (fermented if possible) into an earthenware vessel and stand in the middle of the garden. With your strong hand sprinkle the cider round the garden, turning on the mid-point like an axle. When the cider is gone leave the garden and let it soak up the liquid. The cider represents blood; it awakens and renews the energies
residing in the Earth and prepares if for the coming planting.
Leave the garden untouched for three days. Make sure that no person oranimal walks on it. Animals are often hard to keep away, for they arenaturally curious about the pleasing vibrations emanating from the blessed spot. *animals wandering over the garden would not be a concern to me....perhaps they'll just add a bit of their own energy~Oceanna*
On the fourth day, rise before the Sun. The time for planting has come.*again...not going to happen, I plant in the evening*
The Planting
Planting is guided by the Moon, as is much of a Witch's life. Some Witches who follow the movement of the Moon through the zodiac, will plant herbsonly during the moist and fertile signs.
I won't bother to copy his general information on Moon planting as it was covered in detail on this web site.
Gather together the seed packets and/or live seedlings. Place them just as they are in the center of the garden, and then go out and buy or make wooden stakes one inch wide and nine inches long. With black water proof ink, write the names of each herb on the stake on both sides. Then, taking up
the seeds, plant them according to the directions on the package, following the design you previously laid out. As you sow each herb place the stake that bears its name facing its sections. Continue each day until planting is finished, planting the seeds/seedlings during the appropriated moon
phase. After every time you plant, gently sprinkle water, rain water if possible, on the garden. As you spread the water, talk to your plants, use your active imagination to visualize the garden not as a wet patch of Earth,but as the beautiful growing ground it will soon be.
With care, time and magic, your garden will blossom into life. Be careful that the seedlings are never allowed to go dry and be sure to plant only when all danger of frost has passed if you live in a cold climate.
Thin seedlings if they do not thin themselves. When your herbs have grown to a healthy size and are bushy and vibrant, then and only then, begin to harvest them, following the directions given in that sections of this book.
Protecting The Garden
The initial protection ritual give for the garden may be supplemented from time to time using any of the following methods.
One of the oldest protections is to plant three red flowers, such as geraniums, nasturtiums and red roses, in the garden. These will serve to keep unwanted visitors away from your land.
To protect the garden form storms and hail, be sure to plant vervain somewhere near it, or within the garden itself. A bay laurel tree helps protect it from lightening as well.
Trees may be protected with the quaint Celtic custom of tying red ribbons around the trunk while say an appropriate rune, such as the following:
Elder Tree,
Secure thou'll be.
or
Sacred Oak Tree, hear my cry:
For your protection this I tie.
Be sure to replace the ribbons at regular intervals, on the Full Moon. This same ritual can be done to some of the more sturdy herbs as well.
Destructive insects are an age-old problem to both Witch and normal gardener alike. To most effectively rid your garden of these carry out any of the following procedures while the wanting Moon is in one of the barren signs, such as Leo, Virgo, Aries, Aquarius, or Gemini.
Sprinkle ground cayenne pepper around the base of each afflicted plant (good for crawling pests), or spray them with a solution made of one cup water to one-quarter cup of onion juice (liquified in a blender) to one tablespoon of liquid soap, such as a biodegradable dishwashing soap. Mix this well and
spray it on the plants. If any of the solution gets on the ground flush the area well with water. After a few days wipe the leaves clean of the soap and insects, and then spray with fresh, clean water.
If problems persist try nature's way. Many nurseries sell live ladybugs by the thousands. They are inexpensive and can effectively clear a garden of smaller insects quite fast. Praying mantis are also available in many location.
Planting marigolds and rue among the other plants is another popular method of controlling the pests. Many insects hate the odours of these herbs. Failing everything else, buy one of those organic plant sprays and use it according to instructions.
One old method of dealing with those animals who delight in munching on magical herbs is to make a straw image of the offending creature. Bury it in the garden in one of the barren Moon signs and you should have no moreproblems.
*I would think that perhaps before trying any of these above methods it might be better to try and communicate with the offending pest and ask them to leave...or maybe when planting your garden plant extra for the bugs to have...you know, like that old saying:
"One for the rock, one for the crow,
One to die and one to grow."
And of course what Green Witch wouldn't have a toad or two in her garden! They will serve you well by eating lots and lots of insects. But they do require water so keep a saucer filled with fresh water at all times...and of course a home for them would help as well. You can now purchase an earthenware "toad abode" to encourage toads in your garden or you can make one yourself from an earthenware pot, by knocking a bit of the top edge away to make a "doorway" for the toads. ~Oceanna~*
Finally during the winter months, if you live in an area that receives freezing temperatures and/or snow, cover your garden with a thick mulch. Leave this on until spring has definitely arrived, and danger of frost has passed. *I might add that the mulch should never be applied to cover your plants until there has been at least one hard frost and the ground has started to freeze, otherwise all sorts of mice/rodents will take up
residence for the winter in the comfy home you have provided and they will damage your plants.~Oceanna~*
Magical Gardening
Witches have been growing herbs for centuries, so they have amassed a wealth of procedures for effective magical gardening. Sometimes these make more sense than a pile of gardening books.
When seedlings are well-established, other uninvited plants will probably poke through the ground. Let some of these grow provided they don't crowd your herbs, for many will be useful in magic. typically, non-Witch gardeners often destroy such plants, little realizing their powers.
There are specific pruning rules. All pruning should be carried out in the decrease of the Moon. Hedges (such as Hawthorn, which at one time every Witch had in her garden) should always be trimmed from East to West, which follows the course of the Sun. Prune trees in a clock-wise direction as you walk around them.
Thistles can be a bit of a bother in the garden. If you cut them after Midsummer two will grow for every one you cut. Be sure to cut them will before June 21 unless you want a lot of thistles.
You may wish to share your herbs with friends. That's fine, but even here there are strict rules. Never give a part of a plant to a friend. If the person asks you for a sprig of, say, fresh rosemary, change the subject and walk away. They must steal a bit for themselves. If this procedure is followed the plant will stay healthy and flourish.*well I can't say I agree
with this part! I love to give and receive plants*
Once a month after the herbs are fully grown, on the night of the Full Moon if possible, walk out to the garden and draw a circle in the dirt around each plant, using your magical knife. Make sure that the ends of the circle meet. Draw clockwise. This helps to seal the powers inside the leaves and
roots.
Then, too, go out at night when the herbs are rejuvenating and basking in the Moon's light and talk to them. Never neglect this, for it creates a bond between you, a merging of your energy and the plant's energy. If your neighbours overhear your nocturnal conversations, don't worry. Many people
talk to their plants today and many psychiatrists believe that it is excellent therapy. *Why wait until nightfall to talk with your plants...better still talk to them during the day light hours too as you are weeding, watering, tending to them.~Oceanna~*
Indoor Gardening
For those who cannot afford or do not have room for outdoor gardening, consider indoor gardening. Be sure to plant the seeds in the proper phases of the Moon in the pots or window-boxes and follow to whatever lengths possible the above directions.
Situate these plants where they will receive some sunshine. Glazed terra-cotta pots work best. Three hours after watering a plant in an un-glazed pot the earth will be dry inside. Plastic pots are not favoured.
Take the plants outside once a week and spray with a light mist of water. Also allow them to receive direct sunlight on a regular basis, if they need sunshine, as window glass screens out some of the sun's vital energies. *I would have to advise against this as you will fry your plants if you just
start taking them outside...anyone who has started seeds indoors knows that you cannot just stick them outside in direct sunshine, they must be hardened off first! So if you want to put them outside start very slowly by putting
them out the first day for only 10-15 minutes in a shaded area and slowly work up by 5-10 minutes a day, eventually giving them brighter light until they can stand full direct sunlight. Be very careful though...spoken from first hand experience! Also plants should never be sprayed with water while in full sunshine as this will burn their leaves, spray either very early in
the morning or in early evening...between 10-2 the sun is the strongest so do not spray them at that time.~Oceanna~*
The artificial grow-lights now in use by some gardeners are fine-but not for magical herbs! Even though the garden has been moved indoors, many of the old procedures can be followed. *Here again I would disagree...if you do not have enough sunlight to grow herbs then by all means use a grow light...after all isn't it better to grow your own herbs under a grow light instead of buying herbs from an unknown source just because they were grown
outdoors....at least your own will have had your energies put into them and you will know they are organic.~Oceanna~*
A magic garden, to be just that, is more a collection of plants with mysterious and fabled pasts. It is a place where energy meets energy, where the old forgotten magic of the Earth lies in waiting within the enchanting elecampane or the sacred vervain. It is a glade where birds sing and dew collects to form moonpools in tightly curled leaves and scented flowers.
It is a place where the Wise, if they kneel upon the Earth and listen carefully, can hear the heartbeat of nature murmuring softly in a single leaf of a single stalk of one of the billion billion plants nurtured by our blessed planet.
Witches respect all forms of life-including plants. Fortunately, herbs are hopelessly self-sacrificing. They were scattered on our planet to nourish and aid us in our practice of magic.
~from Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham.
