The Witch's Garden What is a witch's garden?It can be many things! An outside extension of your home, where you can get closer to the earth, and honour the God and Goddess there. Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism are all nature-based belief systems, and The Wheel-of-the-year is based on the seasons and love and respect of our Earth. Whether your garden is large or small, it can be:-
A place to grow herbs, to use fresh or dried for healing, or to make your own incense or spell ingredients.
A haven for wildlife, to find food and shelter.
A place for meditation, or outdoor rituals, either solitary or as part of a coven
A place to grow special plants for a moon or sun garden, or to have little features representing the elements. Or perhaps a little fairy garden with tiny fairy statues, or little doors half hidden under trees or around a wishing well.
Witches, or Cunning Folk, as they were often called, have traditionally been associated with healing herbal remedies, so whether or not you want to learn about growing herbs for healing, or just add some flavour to your cooking, herbs are a wonderful place to start your witch's garden!
Until the creation of the NHS, doctors and drugs were often far too expensive for many people, so a knowledge of local healing plant remedies was invaluable. As a start, these herbs can be easily obtained and grown in a sunny spot, preferably near to the back door, so you can get them without too much trouble.
Mint - grow in a pot as it is very invasive, and will take over your garden!
Rosemary
Sage
Oregano
Thyme
Parsley
Chamomile
Bay Leaves
Basil
Lemon Balm
Lavender
Once you start building up a collection of herbs, it can be very addictive, and you will want to start growing your own from seed or experimenting with different varieties. Herbs, usually will all grow very well in pots.
Other plants to include can be Rose, the petals can be used in love spells and incense, Valerian, Angelica, Rue, Monkshood, or Aconite, Foxglove, Hollyhocks, Bergamot, Comfrey, Borage, Golden Rod, Cat nip, Fennel, Dill, Elder, Marigold, Nasturtium, nettles, dandelions - not weeds! Yarrow, and if you have got room for trees, why not plant native trees from the Ogham? Rowan, Hawthorn, Hazel, Blackthorn, Crab apple in fact anything that has fruits or berries can be a valuable source of food for birds and other wildlife, as well as wonderful ingredients for jams, jellies, or dried for incense.
If you fancy the idea of having a special Moon Garden, then it can be lovely to research and grow plants that have white flowers, and silver foliage. Add some rocks and maybe a moon, or Goddess statue, or a wall plaque or chime, and there you are. If you want to add a little chair or bench, this might be a perfect place for meditating, or having a small altar. Why not make your own moon water tonic? Wait for a full moon, preferably on a clear night and put a quartz crystal in a clear glass container, fill with water, cover and place in your moon garden. Remove at dawn. The water has now been infused with the energy of the moon. Drink the water for a boost of lunar energy, or place on your altar.
A sun garden, could include sun-loving plants with bright yellow or orange petals, and sun-catchers or a fire-pit would be a good addition, especially if it was in the southern aspect of your garden.
If you can add a water-feature or pond in the west and windchimes and air spinners in the east, you can honour the four directions at the same time.
Gardens that are over-looked can be made more private by the addition of screening, and trellis, with climbing plants growing up, such as honeysuckle or clematis- you may be grateful for the privacy, especially if gathering herbs, by moonlight whilst Skyclad is your thing!
Above all, enjoy your Craft and making and tending your beautiful Witchy garden.
"I call on Earth to bind my spell,
Air to speed its passage well,
Bright as fire shall it glow,
And deep as ocean's tides shall flow.
Count the elements fourfold,
For in the Fifth the spell shall hold.
Blessed Be"