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 materials from which she concocts her sachets, incenses, aromatic oils, and charm bags.
A Witch knows simple gardening rules, tips on treating destructive pests, and general Earth wisdom. Much of what she knows 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 the 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 own preferences 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.
Divination garden: Mugwort, yarrow, borage, cinquefoil, wormwood, anise, lavender.
General purpose garden: Rosemary, lavender, yarrow, vervain, hyssop, rue, carnation, mugwort, cinque foil, etc.
Use these lists as guides in drawing up a suitable group of plants for your garden.
Some Witches and magicians choose a selection of traditional plants such as the mandrake, henbane, periwinkle, foxglove, and nightshade without intending to ever put any of these herbs to use.
Whatever you decide, be sure you are 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.
Check your local nurseries and garden shops for seeds and live herbs. If none are available, write to the suppliers listed in appendix 3 for their catalogs.
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 cresent 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 that 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 does not grow 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 dis-like each other’s company.
If you are going to plant trees, set the cypress to the north, 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 southwest corner of the property. A maple or apple 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 will not 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 until it is light and moist. If the ground is too heavy, add a little mulch; if too sandy, add humus. Most herbs do not 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 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 north again. The star (Figure 1) should be drawn so that the uppermost point touches the north-facing candle, and the others, evenly spaced around the circle, touch the rope.
Now, while kneeling in the southern section of the pentagram, trace the symbols in Figure 2 with the point of your knife in the earth.
Make sure the top symbol is touching the top of the crossing line of the pentagram, so that your garden looks like Figure 3.
Now sit quietly, counting ninety heartbeats. Then, if you are satisfied that the garden is magically protected, blow the candles out, starting at the north point. If you have 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 any 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 it.
Holding the branch in your strong hand, stand north outside the circle and begin to brush away the symbols that you have drawn. Walk in a clockwise 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. 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 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 midpoint 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 it for the coming planting.
Leave the garden untouched for three days. Make sure that no person or animal walks on it. Animals are often hard to keep away, for they are naturally curious about the pleasing vibrations emanating from the blessed spot.
On the fourth day, rise before the Sun. The time for planting has come.
The Planting
Planting is guided by the Moon, as is much of a Witch’s life. Herbs that contain their usefulness in seeds, leaves, and flowers are planted during the Waxing Moon. Root crops, such as angelica, mandrake, and peony, should be planted while the Moon is on the wane during the third or last quarter.
Some Witches who follow the movement of the Moon through the zodiac will plant herbs only during the moist and fertile signs. These best times to plant are while the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, and Capricorn.
Trees, as they are perennials and must develop strong roots to remain alive, are planted during the Waning Moon, and best of all after the last quarter but before the New Moon.
Flowers, or those herbs specifically valued for their blossoms, such as the lavender and carnation, should be planted while the Moon is in her increase (the first quarter is preferred) and in the sign of Libra for delicious fragrance and beauty. If abundance is more the concern, then plant flowers while the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces.
To find the phases of the Moon and its daily astrological sign, consult an astrological almanac.
If you have followed the above procedures, the day of planting should fall upon the day after the first quarter begins. This means that one week remains to finish the above-ground crops.
Naturally, if you are planting by the Moon signs, adjust the following procedures accordingly, to correspond with the correct phase of the Moon and the desired sign.
Gather together the seed packets and/or live seed-lings. 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 waterproof ink write the name 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 section. Continue until planting is finished. (Remember, plant only the above-ground crops; roots are planted later.)
Plant any seedlings or plants next, and then with rain water or spring water gently sprinkle the garden. As you spread the water talk to your herbs, 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 any danger of frost is passed if you live in a cold climate. Thin the 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 section of this book.
Protecting the Garden
The initial protection ritual given 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 from storms and hail, be sure to plant vervain somewhere near it or within the garden itself. A bay laurel tree helps protect it from lightning as well.
Trees may be protected with the quaint Celtic custom of tying red ribbons around the trunk while saying an appropriate rune, such as the following:
Elder tree,
secure thou will 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 Waning 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 onion juice (liquified in a blender) to one tablespoon liquid soap, such as a biodegradable dishwashing detergent. 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 locations.
Planting marigolds and rue among the other plants is another popular method of controlling the pests. Many insects hate the odors 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 creatures. Bury it in the garden in one of the barren Moon signs and you should have no more problems.
Finally, during 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 is passed.
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. (Recommended herbal gardening books, however, are listed in the bibliography.)
When the seedlings are well established, other uninvited plants will probably poke through the ground. Let some of these grow provided that they do not 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 the 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 clockwise 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 well before June 21 unless you want a lot of thistles.
You may wish to share your herbs with friends. That is 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.
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 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 neighbors overhear your nocturnal conversations, do not worry. Many people talk to their plants today and many psychiatrists believe that it is excellent therapy.
One last note: to ensure that the destructive insect population is kept down, have a large frog or toad in the garden. Dub it with a good toadish name, like Gick or Trog, and talk to it whenever you walk in the garden. Give it a mate, and plenty of water, and it should stay.
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 unglazed pot the earth will be dry inside. Plastic pots are not favored.
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.
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.
A magic garden, to be just that, is more than 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 moon-pools 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 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.
Never fail to ask permission of any plant from which you wish to pluck a leaf or flower, or to leave something beside it as payment for the part taken.
The garden path can lead to a strange world paved with spells and enchantments. If you fashion such a wonder, tread its paths lightly, for soon the roar of civilization may become unappealing, and like the Witch, you may find your greatest joy in mixing up love charms and healing philters while the wind laughs and whispers through the trees.