The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Picture in your mind for a moment the image of a benevolent Witch who lives in a flower-surrounded cottage. The garden is a place where morning glories and moonflowers tumble over fences. Roses climb over handmade arbors, and magical herbs and flowers thrive in sunny beds. Around back, under

old trees the shade gardens offer a quiet spot and relief from the summer heat. Ah...a suburban Pagan myth.

But, actually, these images are true. As my aching knees can attest, I am one of those mythical modern Witches. I am a Garden Witch.

Garden Witchcraft is not some new, unheard-of tradition. The lore of herbs and flowers is as ancient as the practice of growing a magical garden. My own garden, however, is in as modern a tract-home neighborhood as you can imagine.

Let me assure you, too, that despite all the work, it's very much worth it.

Gardens have always been magical places. You can plant theme gardens for love, prosperity, or protection. Or how about a fairy garden for your children?

Magical gardening is a great way to put you in touch with the Earth and her cycles and her seasons. Not to mention it's great exercise, and growing your own veggies and herbs is a great way to save money and eat better.

Here are some Garden Witch suggestions to help you start a magical garden.

To start, try planting coneflowers, brown-eyed Susan’s, yarrow, zinnias and petunias in a sunny spot in your yard. Add monarda, also known as bee balm, and parsley and you'll have a butterfly haven. From the garden you can affect

strengthening and love spells, psychic powers, and hex breaking. The parsley adds protection and purification. Monarda adds success and prosperity.

For a fragrance garden, plant grand flora roses or David Austin roses in full sun. Under plant these with lavender, catnip, sage, and alyssum. Tall garden phlox would make a good background. This garden's Magical uses include love,

protection, purification, beauty, cat magic, wisdom, and protection.

If you have an abundance of shade, no problem. Choose from hostas, white astilbe, ferns, violets, hydrangea, foxglove, lady's mantle, and pastel and white impatiens. Behold, you have assembled the ingredients for a moonlight garden! Magical uses: luck, riches, and health from the ferns; and

hex breaking from the hydrangea. Foxglove protects the garden and the home.

(Warning: Foxglove in a poisonous plant.) Violets are sacred to the fairies, and lady's mantle is often used in love spells. Need more ideas and information? Talk to other gardeners, we like to share.

Join a garden club or the Herb Society. Attend free garden

seminars. Visit your favorite nursery and ask questions. Go to the library and see what you can find on plant lore and perennial gardening and read up during the off-season.

Now, I want you to go outside and scout out a spot for a small garden for yourself and your family. I bet you could grow tomatoes and herbs in that sunny spot over there in the back yard. Add some organic compost to your soil and

get started! I dare you.

The possibilities are truly endless. Go ahead, get your hands in the soil and really ground and center. Lets put the nature back into your Earth religion.