The ideal of happiness has always taken
material form in the house, whether cottage or castle.
It stands for permanence and separation from the world.
Simone de Beauvoir
Outdoor Rooms and the
Magick of Houseplants
Porches, Decks, and Patios
The porch, patio, or deck offers all the magick of nature plus the comforts of home just beyond your door. Here is a part of your home that is often ignored by the magickal practitioner. An outdoor room like a porch or a patio is an in-between place. It is exposed to the elements and the weather, yet it is still part of your home. And in-between places are traditionally powerful places for enchantment.
There are a few interesting magickal folklore tidbits that pop up from time to time concerning these outdoor rooms. The most prevalent that I discovered was the idea of painting your porch ceiling sky blue. Why? Well, to begin with, it is thought that it helps to keep flies off your food while you have a meal in your outdoor room. They supposedly become confused by the sky-blue ceiling and keep flying upward, to the false sky.
Also, a soft-blue painted ceiling is thought to keep away ghosts. In the old South, it was common for the porch ceilings to be painted blue. They were painted a special shade called “haint blue.” And the word “haint” is most probably a slang word for “haunt.”
If you have a large porch or patio, make it more inviting by adding some seating. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you care to make it. Check out local garage sales and flea markets. Look for metal or wicker furniture that is sound but that has some character—white and pale green distressed-looking finishes are wildly popular these days. You can always repaint the furniture or re-cover the cushions with fresh fabric. Watch for end-of-season sales and use your imagination. Look for small, charming bistro-style tables to accessorize your new treasures.
Even if a few folding lawn chairs and an overturned painted crate might be all your budget can allow for, it can still look attractive. Choose the colors with magickal intention and keep your outdoor room as clean and as inviting as possible. As weather permits, move a houseplant or two out on the porch or patio. Old canning jars with an inch or two of sand in their bottoms and studded with a white candle make for affordable and interesting evening outdoor lighting. Watch for garden lanterns and stylish citronella candles and set a enchanting mood with candlelight.
From a magickal perspective, decks are interesting places. They are typically several feet up in the air and may bring you closer to the trees and the wildlife that live in them. My thought on decks is that they are a terrific way to work with the element of air. Standing on an elevated deck is a way to give you a bird’s-eye view on nature and on life in general. Working magick in mid-air, so to speak, is a wonderful way to put yourself in an in-between place—plus you get more of a chance to catch a breeze.
My parents have a large timber deck off the back of their home. Their property backs up to a wooded section and their deck keeps them up with the birds. Admitted wildlife fanatics, they feed the birds year-round at the bird feeders they have clamped to the deck railing or suspended from the trees that surround their deck. I shudder to think of the expense my dad has gone to trying to keep the squirrels out of the bird feeders. But the show the songbirds and wildlife puts on for them is always entertaining. They have had hawks in their backyard, several varieties of woodpeckers, and the occasional raccoon, which frightened my mom to death late one evening. Their deck is an extension of their great room; the drapes are usually flung wide open to enjoy the view, no matter what the weather. There is always something happening outside, and this way it brings a little of nature’s magick into my parent’s home year-round.
Porches, patios, and decks can expand our living space when you use them as outdoor rooms. Use these areas as a place to enjoy nature with all the comforts of home. Try dining alfresco some cool fall evening. Or fix yourself breakfast or lunch and sit outside during the spring, summer, and fall months and enjoy nature, the garden, and watching the birds. I do that all the time.
I usually take a break from writing around mid-morning, after the kids are off to school. I fix myself some scrambled eggs and toast, grab a glass of orange juice, and quietly slip out the back door with the cats as company. During the late spring and summer months the hummingbirds usually show up. They dive-bomb the cats or show off for me by hovering overhead and darting around to sample the red geraniums and the blue trailing lobelia that I always plant in hanging baskets and large clay pots on the back patio.
There is one male hummingbird in particular who is absolutely fearless. He has flown so close to my head that his wings often make my hair flutter back from my face. Once he zoomed in about six inches from my nose, and then stopped. He hovered in mid-air and then backed up to look me over. When I made no sudden moves, besides grinning like a fool, he circled around my head and then moved right over me to sample the flowers in the hanging baskets.
Now that we have gotten used to each other, this is our usual morning routine. I sit as still as I can and he delights me by showing off and proving just how territorial he can be. After he has checked me out, he zips back and forth between the climbing roses and the hanging baskets, chasing off any other birds that might want to check out the flowers for a snack. Occasionally this daring hummingbird gives the cats a thrill as he darts around. The cats hunker down on their bellies in the grass and watch him until he gets bored with us and zooms off. Then I finish eating breakfast and the cats strut around the back perennial gardens with their tails held high, as if they never were afraid of such a tiny bird in the first place.
The point of this story? My back patio is just a small area. Sure, I brighten up that concrete slab with pots and baskets of flowers, but it’s not elaborate. The gas barbecue is there, and a hose reel for watering my gardens, and also four heavy white plastic lawn chairs and two little tables. It’s simple and practical. We entertain on the patio, and I often meditate or work my herbal magick out there. The kids sometimes study on the patio or they sit there and talk on the phone. The whole family enjoys this outdoor room because it’s a part of our house three seasons out of the year.
If you have a porch, patio, or deck and would like to bless the area and consecrate it into a magickal workspace, here is a quick blessing that ought to cover it.
an outdoor room blessing
Clean the area, remove all clutter, and arrange the patio furniture to suit yourself. Gather together the following: a lighter or matches; one white pillar candle, for your fire representation; and a medium-sized terra-cotta saucer to place the pillar candle in. Collect a few pretty palm-sized stones from your property or some that are local to your area, and arrange these in a loose circle within the saucer and around the candle to represent the earth element. Add a fallen feather for the element of air, or use any incense that you find pleasurable. Finally you may use a small dish to hold water, or perhaps a seashell or two, for the water element. Basically what you’re assembling is a portable, miniature altar. A good time to work this blessing for your in-between room would be at an in-between time, such as sunrise, noon, dusk, or midnight.
Arrange these accessories on top of a small side table or in the center of the floor. Sit down comfortably in front of the items and place your hands, palms up, on your lap. Take a moment and picture your outdoor room as one that pulses with light and magick. Imagine the four elements swirling around you in a beautiful multicolored ring. Once you’ve got that spinning away, take a deep breath and visualize that the circle of energy is seeping down around you and into the floor. Now take a deep breath in, and then let it out slowly. Open your eyes. Light the candle and say the following charm three times:
Goddess, hear my call and protect this outdoor room,
Elements four, bless this space and banish all gloom.
I call on the God for strength and for courage true,
Let me be both strong and fair in all that I do.
Close with this line:
By the powers of silver moon and shining sun,
As I will, so mote it be, and let it harm none.
Let the candle burn for an hour; just keep an eye on it. Now set your little saucer full of those natural representations of the elements in a prominent place, on top of a table or deck railing, where you can enjoy them in your outdoor room. As you pinch out the candle, say a spontaneous thank-you to the elements. Then, the next time you decide to stir up a little magick for hearth and home, you’ve got a little portable altar handy, plus your outdoor room is all ready to go.
Through the flower, I talk to the Infinite . . .
It is the invisible world. It is that small
voice that calls up the fairies.
George Washington Carver
Conjuring Up a Little
Container Magick
Now that you’ve consecrated your outdoor room, why don’t we spruce it up with a few blooming plants? Working with pots and containers adds a bit more of nature’s magick to your space. As mentioned earlier, red geraniums and red begonias are protective plants; you could always plant a few of these in a pot for your outdoor room. But we aren’t limited only to those flowers. There are lots of options for hanging baskets and containers that will add a touch of herbal magick into your space. A good rule of thumb to follow with container gardens is to water them every day during the hot summer months. Plants in containers that are exposed to the elements can dry out quickly, so keep an eye on them. Also, when planting blooming annuals, remember that these flowers are heavy feeders—which means that they will perform best if given a dose of water-soluble fertilizer every other week.
choices for shady spots
If you have a shady spot, try looking for a blooming fuchsia in a hanging basket. This plant dislikes direct sunlight and will not tolerate any cold temperatures. The annual fuchsia’s dangling blossoms burst open into ruffled blossoms in several shades of white, hot pink, and purple. As a hanging basket they are stunning, and they are also attractive to hummingbirds. They are readily available at nurseries and garden centers before Mother’s Day. According to flower folklore, the fuchsia symbolizes a warning. So after you’ve hung up your blooming basket in a nice shady spot, you could enchant it for protection. Try this fuchsia fascination:
The fuchsia’s pendant blooms are purple, hot pink, and white,
With this charm you add security, both day and night.
Your bold colors brighten up this outdoor room of mine,
May your protection radiate out, come rain or shine.
Another option for shady places are impatiens. Impatiens are the most popular annual shady bedding plants sold in the States today. They will bloom reliably for you up until frost. Some of their folk names include Busy Lizzy and Touch Me Not. The impatient may be used in charms and spells to speed things up. These energetic bloomers are wonderful in pots, hanging baskets, and containers, and they come in a wide variety of colors, such as red, orange, coral, pastel pink, hot pink, lavender, and white. There are also mixtures of colors such as orange and purple, pink and white, and a variety called the “peacock mix” that is white, soft coral, and pale purple. The markings of these particular impatiens remind me of pansies. Match up the color of the flower to your magickal intentions and spread a bit of energy and excitement into your life. Repeat this Busy Lizzy flower charm as you add these annual flowers to your outdoor room.
Impatiens or Busy Lizzies, call them what you will,
Add these flowers to your life and they’ll give you a thrill.
Energy and speed they can add to my homespun charms,
As I work this magick with love and intend no harm.
choices for sunny spots
If your deck, patio, or porch gets a lot of sunshine, then consider annuals that enjoy the sun and hot conditions. Marigolds are a good choice. They are easy to care for, and the marigold is associated with the sun and has the magickal property of protection. For example, you could place the pot of marigolds by the entrance to your home to reinforce your wards. The scent of this flower helps to keep ghosts and negativity away. Are you being plagued by bad dreams and having trouble sleeping? Flower folklore says to scatter marigold petals under your bed. This will enforce a little protection and encourage prophetic dreams.
Marigolds are simple and charming little flowers. They lighten the heart and bring a little sunshine into your day. Pick up a six pack or two of annual marigolds this year and tuck them into a container. Think of all the wonderful magick they could add to your outdoor room. If you wish to enchant them for protection and to encourage happiness and joy, repeat this charm over the flowers.
Marigolds are flowers of the sun,
Bringing joy, sunshine, and a little fun.
Lady, hear my call, bless these blossoms so dear,
As they help me to banish both dread and fear.
Last but not least, here is a charm for those geraniums that I’ve been harping on for a while. I didn’t want to leave you hanging by not including an all-purpose geranium charm to go with all the little tidbits of magickal information I’ve been slipping in throughout these chapters.
Geraniums will perform well for you in a semi-sunny spot. When the flower heads fade, follow the flower stem down to the leaves and pinch the entire bloom and stem off. This will encourage your geraniums to keep producing more flowers. Geraniums hang on through the hot summer months; as long as you keep them watered, they will actually bloom heavily again in the fall. (They love those cool nights.) Never underestimate this flower. It really packs a magickal punch. So without further ado . . .
The humble geranium is a Venus flower,
It brings safety and a blast of magickal power.
Red flowers for protection, white for fertility,
Pink geraniums for love, coral for energy.
Goddess, hear my call as I work this floral spell,
Gently guide my hand and heart and all will be well.
Flowers and foliage add a touch of nature’s wonder into your outdoor rooms. No matter where you live, in the city or the suburbs, container magick is practical and simple. Try working with the energies of plants in your home; you’ll be amazed at what they have to teach you. If you happen to have a thing for indoor houseplants, you should really enjoy our next section.
A plant does not need to be rare in order to be magical.
Doreen Valiente
Houseplant 101
Houseplants add their own special brand of natural magick to your home. Besides the fact that they are fabulous representations for the element of earth, they also add a healthy vibration to your home’s atmosphere. For those of you who live in an apartment or do not have a space in which to grow a garden, creating a tiny green oasis indoors is the next best thing.
Most potted plants that are purchased commercially have been grown in a greenhouse setting, under prime conditions. Bringing a new plant home, into an environment designed for people, can be tough on your green friends sometimes. A good rule of thumb to follow is to read the care tags that are included with the plant. Just as with garden outdoor plants, how much light you have and how much natural light the plant requires may be two entirely different things. So plan ahead and buy the appropriate plant for the spot. And, since I am a gardener, let’s go over some basic tips for houseplant care. (You can take the Witch out of the garden but never the garden out of the Witch!)
watering
Houseplants are most often killed or stressed by improper watering than by any other method. There is no perfect schedule for watering your plants. After all, the humidity, light, and temperature of your home fluctuates on a daily basis and changes during the different seasons. So how can you tell when is a good time to water? Stick your finger in the dirt! Push your index finger in to the second knuckle and see if the potting soil is dry or moist. If it’s dry, then water it. Also, the surface of the soil changes color when it becomes dry. If you notice the soil cracking and pulling away from the edges of your pot, you’ve got a big problem. Those poor roots are dying of thirst—do give them a drink ASAP!
Tap water is fine for watering houseplants. The chlorine and fluorine that are typically added to city water won’t harm the plants. It is not recommended to use water that has been run through a water softener, however, since the salt can build up in the soil of the plants. If you’re really a purist, try using melted snow or collected rainwater. Plants may be watered from either the top or from the bottom. Use a watering can with a small spout, and try to keep the water off of the foliage as you water your houseplants. Wet the entire soil mass, slowly pouring the water in, until you begin to notice it seeping through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Once that drainage stops, about an hour later, dump any water that remains in the saucer.
Watering your houseplants from the bottom pretty much guarantees a thorough soaking of the soil mass. Place the pot in a pan or deep saucer filled with water about an inch from the top. When the top of the soil becomes moist, the whole business should be wet. Remove the pot and allow it to drain. Then return it to the saucer.
Garden Witch Tip: Potted houseplants should always have a drainage hole. So look underneath the pot before you purchase it! If you leave houseplants in decorative pots without adequate drainage, your plants will start to develop “wet feet.” Plants with wet feet start to look sick pretty quickly. Their leaves turn yellow or drop off, the flowers collapse, and those healthy white roots turn brown. Also, that stagnant water smells nasty. So make sure your houseplants have adequate drainage and half the battle will already be won.
lighting
Improper lighting runs a close second as a frequent cause of failure with houseplants. Plants that are in proper lighting are better able to withstand fluctuations in temperature, high temperatures, and the low humidity that is common in many homes. And, as I mentioned before, know your light and check out the light requirement of your houseplant before you add them to your home. Here are some good tips for choosing a winning combination.
For flowering plants, you need moderately bright light. Plants that are kept in a poor light source will have spindly shoots, few flowers, and yellow foliage, not to mention the fact that poor flower color becomes an issue, as well as little or no new plant growth.
South-, east-, or west-facing windows are a good choice for most flowering potted plants, except for the African violet. (African violets prefer a northern window.) Moderately bright light does not mean a full blast of sunlight, however. Plants that are in bloom should be kept out of direct sunlight because the flowers will overheat and collapse more quickly. So pick your plant’s sun exposure carefully.
Foliage plants are generally divided up into three categories: high light, moderate light, and low light. Try a north window so the plants can have daylight without direct sun. Or try sunlight that is filtered through a lightweight curtain for those moderate- to low-light plants. Plants that demand full sunlight (“high light”) should be put in a southern-facing window. Also, keep in mind that suddenly moving a plant from one type of light location to another stresses it. Move your plants gradually. Ease them over into a new light exposure a little at a time. This is especially true with large houseplants. If the plants don’t get time to slowly adjust, you may end up with bleached-out foliage or burnt leaves. And, finally, it is recommended that you turn your houseplants once a week to keep them from getting one-sided.
Last but not least, let’s talk about fertilizing your plants. Brand-new houseplants don’t require fertilizer for a few weeks. Typically they get dosed at the nursery or florist or wherever you purchased them from. For the rest of your green friends, try fertilizing these once a month. If you did this on the full moon, you could enchant the fertilizer and give your plants a magickal boost while you’re at it.
Here is another tip. Don’t waste your money on those plant stake fertilizers. Use instead a water-soluble fertilizer that is specifically made for houseplants. They are easy to use and readily available. Follow the directions and do not apply more fertilizer than what is called for. If you go overboard with the fertilizer, you can burn out your plants. If your plant is wilted, water it first. After it pops back up, then you can use the fertilizer.
So now that I’ve drilled some basic houseplant care into your head, let’s take a look at the magick of houseplants. The following list will give you magickal information, planetary associations, deity correspondences, and basic care tips. There is also any toxicity information that I could dig up on these magickal houseplants.
In non-emergencies, try doing a little research on the Internet. One of the best websites for poisonous plant information is the North Carolina State University site. They have an alphabetical list of plants using both the common name and the botanical name. I actually have this bookmarked on my computer at home. The website is:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
Another good website for information about plants that may be poisonous to pets and livestock is this one from Purdue University:
http://vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/cover1.htm
If situations occur where poisoning concerns exist, then I recommend contacting a poison control hotline center right away. The free National Poison Control Hotline (for adults and children) is 1-800-222-1222. This number will automatically connect you to your local hotlines.
For pets, call your vet right away or try the National Animal Poison Control Center. This is the ASPCA and they do charge a fee. Their number is 1-888-426-4435.
Men are like plants—they never grow happily
unless they are well cultivated.
Charles-Louis de Secondat
Montesquieu
Magickal Houseplants
african violet: This popular blooming plant falls under the influence of the planet Venus. Its five petals make it a goddess flower and, as with most other purplish-blue flowers, it is sacred to Aphrodite/Venus. The violet is an excellent plant to add to faery charms and spells. The violet protects against faery mischief and promotes spirituality. Care tip: Always water your African violets from the bottom to help keep water off the leaves. If you fertilize your African violets with African violet fertilizer (this special type of fertilizer is typically high in phosphorus), they will bloom regularly. The African violet is nontoxic.
aloe: The aloe vera or “burn plant” is a handy plant to have in the kitchen. The sap inside of the plant is great for soothing minor skin irritations such as insect bites, sunburn, and minor burns. This plant is aligned with the moon and is also used magickally for its protective properties. The aloe helps to ward the home from negativity and to help prevent accidents. This would be a great plant to work with in healing and protective spells. The aloe plant is described as having low toxicity if eaten and, according to the friendly folks at the Poison Control Hotline, has an “unwanted laxative effect.” Also, some folks with extremely sensitive skin may develop contact dermatitis from the aloe gel (sap) inside the plant. This is usually mild and does not last long.
cacti: These plants are ruled by Mars; they are protective and may be used to keep burglars out of your home. Keep these spiny plants well out of reach of pets and children. Care tip: These plants need high light intensities and are not suited for growing under artificial lights. Keep these babies exposed to direct sunlight and away from drafts and colder temp-eratures. Poison information will vary greatly, due to the vast array of cacti that are available.
cyclamen: A popular blooming plant that is often given as a gift. The cyclamen corresponds to the planet of Venus and is sacred to the goddess Hecate. This plant may be worked into love and fertility spells. Placed in the bedroom, it encourages passion and fertility. Available in many colors, try the purple blooms for passion, the red for lust, and the white for fruitfulness. In the language of flowers, the cyclamen signifies voluptuousness. Care tip: Cyclamens will only bloom once. If you care to try and make it re-bloom, it needs to go through a long dormant period—not unlike a poinsettia—before it will re-bloom. The cyclamen is toxic if large quantities of the plant are eaten.
fern: This plant has been popular since Victorian times and is a staple on Southern covered porches. There is something old-fashioned about hanging potted ferns on porches. The fern is aligned with the planet Mercury and is a faery favorite. The fronds of the fern are protective and boost the magickal significance of any fresh flower they are arranged with. The seeds from the fern were believed to grant the power of invisibility, and when the fronds are burned on an outdoor fire they are supposed to draw rain. Adding potted ferns to your outdoor room will encourage protection, good luck, and health. Care tip: Ferns are durable houseplants that tolerate low light but will perform better in medium light. Keep ferns cool and moist. If the leaves become brown-edged, then your ferns are telling you that they need more humidity—which takes the mystery right out of why they thrive on covered porches in the South. Some types of perennial ferns that are grown in outdoor gardens are actually edible. However, there are dozens of fern varieties to choose from; typically they are listed as having low toxicity levels. But better safe than sorry—find out the botanical name of your fern and double check.
fig: The weeping fig (or, as it is more commonly known, the ficus tree) is a large and popular houseplant. Figs need filtered light and are happiest once they find a good growing spot to be left in that space. Turning them is important but moving a fig suddenly into a different light level will cause many of its leaves to drop. The fig was thought to guard against hunger and poverty and is associated with the planet Jupiter. The traditional fig tree is sacred to Isis, Juno, and Dionysus. This tree encourages fertility and safe travel.
ivy: The magickal properties of the ivy were listed in Chapter Five. For those of you who don’t want to look it up again, the protective ivy corresponds to the planet Saturn and is sacred to Dionysus and Bacchus. Care tip: The ivy is a good medium- to bright-light level houseplant. They need to stay well watered and prefer cool places. In the language of flowers the ivy signifies faithfulness and fertility. The berries of the common ivy Hedera helix (English ivy) are poisonous. The leaves are listed as toxic as well. This variety of ivy is typically grown outdoors. However, I would keep ivy leaves well away from curious, nibbling pets. A bite or two of an ivy leaf from a dog or cat shouldn’t be an issue, but if they eat a good amount I would contact the vet.
orchids: Here’s a tropical and romantic blooming plant to try. The orchid is associated with the planet Venus and is used in love charms and sachets. The roots of the orchid were also used for love spells. In flower folklore, the orchid symbolizes luxury and love, refinement and nobility; the Phalaenopsis orchid symbolizes an enchanted evening. Orchids can be tough to grow in the average home environment. Care tip: Mature plants need bright light for best growth and flowering. Plan on investing in a grow light for orchids. A few species of orchids do perform better in a home setting than others, such as the Epidendrum, Paphiopedilum, Brassavola, and Phalaenopsis species.
palms: The palm is a solar plant associated with the following deities: Apollo, Artemis, Hecate, and Isis. A fertility symbol, the palm—when grown as a houseplant—is thought to repel all unwanted astral nasties, spooks, and bad vibes. The palm is capable of putting off some very protective vibrations. Try placing one in a well-used room with medium light for best results. Palms grow very slowly indoors. Again, this poison information will vary widely, depending on the species. Many common varieties are nontoxic and a few have low toxicity levels.
peace lily (spathiphyllum): The peace lily is a popular houseplant. Work with this plant to encourage loving, comforting, and harmonious vibrations in the home. These plants adapt well to low light, but need medium light if you want them to flower. Care tip: Their white anthurium-looking flowers are long lasting. Keep the peace lily well watered and turn it to promote even growth. The peace lily is toxic if eaten, and if consumed in large quantities it can cause severe mouth pain and vomiting. Keep away from children and pets!
spider plant: This easy-to-grow plant promotes protection. Try striped varieties to encourage boundaries and solid green varieties to encourage protection and healing. Great for hanging baskets, consider moving one out onto your patio, deck, or porch this summer. Care tip: These plants tolerate low light but will do their best in medium light situations. Keep these plants well watered and away from pets who like chewing on the dangling shoots. They are just too tempting to resist. The good news is that this plant is considered nontoxic.
There is so much in nature that can fill us,
day and night, through plants, animals
and flowers, with the eternal in life.
C. G. Jung
Green Magick
I hope that this chapter inspires you to add a touch of greenery into your life and home. Now that you have all this natural magick spinning around in your mind, what will you do with it? I cannot stress to you how important it is to experiment and to try things out for yourself. If the plants you have weren’t listed here, then why don’t you have a little talk to your houseplants and see what kind of magick they would be willing to work with you? Many folks insist that talking to your plants encourages them to grow. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and place your hands on or just above the plant; see what ideas or information springs to your mind. The plant is alive, after all, so you will be able to sense a life force. That energy is a type of magick. Green magick is quiet but strong, and its possibilities are endless.
To close out this chapter, I thought I would slip in a houseplant charm. This is a great little spell to encourage plant growth and plant health. If you are giving a plant as a gift, try charming it first so that it grows well for the recipient. Have fun!
houseplant charm
Hold your hands above the plant. Imagine a bright green and vibrant light swirling around it and then into the plant. Visualize the plant growing and blooming (if applicable) luxuriously. Repeat the charm three times.
The magick of nature is in everything,
Lavish growth and good health to this plant I now bring.
This green magick spell intends no harm or trouble,
It only brings pleasure and joy on the double!
Close the charm with:
For the good of all with harm to none,
By green leaf and stem, this spell is done!
