Since its Spring/Summer, its time for many witch's to start their magical garden. There are some basic herbs to keep in your garden like mugwort, yarrow, lemon balm, and sage. All of which are helpful to the witch. Its also good to grow your own herbs, and empower them with your own energy, although some herbs can be tricky to grow from seed. You can plant your herbs in pots or if you have a yard, you can of course plant them in the ground, just make a protective barrier around your herb garden.
Mugwort: Easy to grow from seed and is a classic herb in any witch's garden. Mugwort is associated with the moon as it is known to give prophetic dreams. You can put some dried mugwort in a dream pillow, or drink mugwort tea before bed. It is also an herb associated with the Goddess Artemis as well as divination. To plant the seeds, gently press them into the soil a little, and then put a little more soil on top to cover them, then give them plenty of water, but don't drench them as the seeds can rot. Mugwort needs sun to grow so make sure you have a sunny area to plant them.
Yarrow: This herb is associated with the planet Venus and is used for divination, love magic and protection. It is also said to heal skin wounds, use it in an ointment or oil. Yarrow is associated with the Goddess Hestia and is a great addition to any witch's garden. When planting yarrow seeds, put them in the ground or a pot, then put a little soil on top and give it some water, this plant requires full sun to grow. Make sure to water your new seeds frequently if you see the soil is too dry.
Lemon balm: Known to be loved by bees, and part of the mint family, is fairly easy to grow from seed. Requiring the same planting and caring as the above herbs. Plenty of sun and water. Lemon balm is associated with the planet Venus and can be used for love magic. It can also be drunk as a tea to help with a cold, indigestion and stress. It is also said to help with depression. Mix lemon balm in some wine or mead for a sweet drink, or put some in your bath to relieve stress. This herb was sacred to the Goddess Diana, and was used in her temples.
Sage: This herb is essential in any witch's/Pagans practice. It is associated with the planet Jupiter and it used for purification, divination and protection. Sage was a sacred herb to the Native Americans and it was used by the Romans in a tea to help with digestion. This herb is usually rolled in a bundle and burned to purify an area. It can be mixed with Mugwort as well in a smudge stick. Cut the plants when they are tall enough, and wrap them together in a bundle when they are fresh, wrap them very tight and then hang them to dry. Sage likes sun and some sand in the soil. Water it but not too much, this plant doesn't like over flooding.
When creating and caring for your magical garden, make sure to give it love and empower them with your energies. Some plants are easier to grow than others and you will learn as you go what your plants like and don't like. You can choose to do magical work in your garden as well, and bless your plants with your energy. I hope you enjoy creating your witch'ss garden!
Photo courtesy of Metrolic.com
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThough, I planted two pots of sage this year, and for some unknown reasons, the ones I accidentally WAY over watered, grew like wildfire in the muddy container, and the others, with awesome soil, did not do so well. I've heard they love dry-er soil though.
Curious.
Thank you so much for this. I am going to jot these down and see if I can find them at my local nursery. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a well-timed article. For those like who have only a shady spot outside, here are some tips. I've just been repotting plants and marveling at how the perennials in my little patio garden are thriving this year. Artemesia vulgaris(the original form of mugwort, or wormwood) might require sun but close cultivated relatives, the kind you get in garden centers, do well enough in shade for me. There's a lot I can't grow because I have a very shady location, but another favorite is Tradescantia (Spider wort) - not just a pretty plant, the center actually changes color when it's exposed to radiation. You're right about lemon balm; it always returns (sometimes in unexpected places) and it does well enough in the shade. And of course it's important to have at least one red geranium, another traditional witchy plant. They do surprisingly well in the shade, in pots, for me.
ReplyDeleteThere are several good gardening books for witches but I particularly like Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up by Ellen Dugan; lots of good info and also can introduce aspiring witches to the art through their gardens. I reviewed it here (scroll down to get to that title; five books are reviewed here): http://mypersonalblogccm.blogspot.com/2010/05/in-which-i-thumb-my-nose-at-skeptics.html
Blessed be we and our gardens :)
I have all these in my garden :-) There is a wonderful herb stall that comes to the street market on Tuesdays.Here in Glastonbury, it's possible to buy smudge sticks too, so we're very lucky.
ReplyDeleteIt is so rewarding to watch seeds grow into plants, especially when they're infused with a little magick. Great blog post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove all this information on herbs! Lovely post...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article :) I have been really into wilding this year, going out into the wilderness and finding where these herbs grow wild, it's a wonderful experience! Blessings )O(
ReplyDeleteHi, I just made a magical herb planter. You can find it on my site. The left sidebar has a button with planter 101. I have a few of these herbs in my planter and they are doing great. I have a lot of herbs in my garden too.
ReplyDeleteHave a magical day.