Preternatural Awareness

Protecting the Garden

One of the oldest protections is to plant three red flowers in the garden. These will serve to keep away unwanted visitors

To protect the garden from storms and hail, be sure to plant vervain somewhere near it.

Destructive agents such as insects are an age-old problems. To most effectively rid your garden of these, carry out any of these rituals during the barren signs, such as Leo, Virgo, Aries, Aquarius, or Gemini, during the wanting Moon.

Sprinkle the ground with cayenne pepper around the base of each afflicted plant, or spray them with a solution made of one cup water, to one-quarter cup of oinion juice (liquified in a blender), with one tablespoon of soap, such as dishwashing soap. Mix this well and spray it on. If the solution gets on the ground, flush the area with water well. After a few days wipe the leaves clean of the soap and insects, then spray with fresh water.

If problems persist, try natures way. Many nurseries sell ladybugs. They are inexpensive and can clear the garden of smaller insects quite fast. Praying mantis are also available in some locations.

Planting rue or marigolds among the other plants is another solution. Many insects hate the scent of these plants.

One old method of dealing with animals who love to eat magickal herbs is to make a straw image of the offending creature. Bury it in the garden during one of the barren Moon signs.

And of course what good witch wouldn't want a toad in her garden. They will serve you well by eating lots and lots of bugs. But they do require water, so keep a saucer filled with fresh water at all times. A home would be good for them as well. You can buy "toad abodes" to encourage toads to stay in your garden, or you can make your own by taking an earthenware pot, breaking a small section off of the top, and turning it upside down.

Magickal Gardening

Witches have been growing herbs for centruies, so they have learned many procedures for effective magickal gardening.

When seedlings are well-established, other uninvited platns will probably try to join them. Let some of these grow, provided they don't crowd your herbs, for many will be useful in magic.

There are specific pruning rules. All pruning should take place in the decrease of the Moon. Hedges (such as Hawthorn, which was once in every witches garden) should always be trimmed from East to West, which follows the course of the sun. Prune trees in clock-wise directions 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.

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 magickal knife. Make sure that the ends of the circles meet. Draw clockwise. This helps seal the power within the leaves and roots.

Also, go out at night when the herbs are basking in the light of the Moon and talk to them. Never neglect this, for it creates a bond between you.

Indoor Gardening

Be sure to plant the seeds during the proper phases of the Moon in the pots or windowboxes and follow to whatever lengths possible as shown in the above directions.

Situate these plants where they will receive some sunshine. Glazed terra-cotta pots work best. Three ours after watering a plant in an unglazed pot, the earth will be dry inside... plastic pots are not favored.

Take plants outside once a week and spray witha light mist of water. Also allow them to receive direct sunlight on a regular basis. Season them, if you just take them outside and leave them, they will die. Start slowly by putting them out on the first day for 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 careful though. Also plants should not be sprayed with water while in full sunlight unless early in the morning, or later in the evening.

If needed use a grow light. Some people disagree with this, but if you need more light, by all means get one.

A magick garden, to be just that, is more than a collection of plants with mysterious and fabled pasts. It is a place where energy meets and combines. It is a place for the Wise to rest and relax.