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Growing Your Own Garlic


Garlic
Fresh garlic, straight from the garden is a divine experience and it is also the way to ensure you get the maximum health benefits possible. It is garlic planting time on The Coast and across temperate areas of Australia right now. Good news is, they are one of the easiest plants to grow and home-grown means more flavour and nutrients. This wonderful veggie can be planted in pots and garden beds and can be used fresh or stored for use all year-round. Garlic (Allium sativum), probably originated in the western areas of Asia, but it is such a long-cultivated plant that we cannot be completely sure. The Ancient peoples of Egypt, China and India, all have recorded histories of growing and using garlic as a medicinal and culinary plant with some even attributing mystical properties to it. Most commercial garlic is treated with a chemical to render it sterile, so you won’t be able to use those bulbs for propagation and it’s handy to know that there are two types of garlic, ‘hard-neck’ which has flowers and ‘soft-neck’ which does not. Soft-neck garlic will store for longer than it’s hard-neck friend, but I do like the flowers which are also edible, and the spikes make amazing, dried foliage material. Another factor you will need to consider is that you probably won’t end up with as large a bulb size as you find in the shops, but you will have leaves and you can eat those as well. Types to consider: Dynamite Purple, Spanish Roja, White Crookneck, Giant Russian, Melbourne Market.


Grow Your Own Garlic
Soil must be open, free-draining and well-prepared with compost. pH level sitting between 6.5 and 7.5 is best and whether you decide to grow in the garden or in pots, find a sunny spot. Garlic can be planted by seed but is mostly cultivated via bulbs. To do this, gently separate the bulb into individual cloves and only use the larger ones. Plant directly in their final designation into the soil with the tips just below the surface and firm down.
Garlic is not a fan of weeds so keep it tidy and water should be consistent but don’t drown your plant. They just don’t like to get soggy feet or humidity. Water seedlings a few times a week until they are a couple of months old and then back off to once or twice a week. Feed every second week with a seaweed-based fertiliser, as they love it and mulch with your usual veggie garden mulch medium but ensure you don’t crowd the plants as air flow and low humidly are important.
Harvest most varieties at around the five-month mark but this will depend greatly on type. You will know they are ready as the leaves will begin to wilt and yellow around this time. Lift gently, keep the leaves intact and hang to dry for a few weeks in a warm, sheltered spot to cure before storing in a cool, dry, dark place. The leaves are left on during the curing process so that all additional nutrients are pulled down into the bulb. Don’t forget to save some of those bulbs for next year’s planting. You can find garlic to grow at your local nursery or online: diggers.com.au or theseedgarlicshop.com.au and Giant Russian Garlic: naglesfallsfarm.com.au

Garlic Uses in the Garden & Beyond
Along with growing garlic, make this spray from it to combat pests in your garden. Blend together 4 cloves of garlic with 1 cup of water and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid (not antibacterial), strain into 500ml spray bottle and top with water. Spray onto plants to deter pests. Test on a few leaves first.  Garlic is a brilliant companion plant for beetroot, carrots, strawberries, lettuce, and roses and provides a fair amount of protection from various pests, but it should never be planted alongside beans or peas as it will stunt their growth and production. For medical use garlic has been used as both an antiseptic and an antibacterial agent for over 3,000 years. Garlic is still used for these reasons in herbal medicine today along with treatments for digestive issues, respiratory diseases and for circulatory benefits as well.

Garlic Folklore
Firstly, don’t go giving garlic flowers to those you love because in the Language of Flowers and Plants, it means ‘Go away you evil one.’ Could be handy at other times though, so hold that thought. As much as we in Western cultures would like to believe that garlic has always been considered the great protector and many points throughout history support this, it’s just not always the case. While you will find that along with traditions, such as the roasting and sharing of garlic cloves on Midsummer’s Eve in France to use as protective amulets, garlic was forbidden in many cultures at times. It was looked upon as ‘unclean’ by religions including Hinduism, Islam and some sectors of Buddhism and Christianity at different times. The Ancient Greeks thought that garlic-breath was an offence in their some of their temples and so consumption was banned before worship.

The protection myths though are very plentiful and are probably related to the obvious health benefits that garlic shares. It’s not just Dracula and other vampires that are said to fear this plant but all demons and evil spirits. The Sanskrit name for garlic, ‘Ishunm’ translates to ‘slayer of monsters’ and it is thought throughout many folklores around the world that sleeping with a clove under your pillow will indeed protect you from such evil-doers while sleeping and from nightmares.

LOCAL GARLIC GROWING WORKSHOP 12th March 2022
Peter Donnelly of Coachwood Nursery, Somersby

Peter Donnelly  Coachwood Nursery
Getting along to a workshop at a nursery is the perfect way to experience growing anything in action as well as having the opportunity to ask questions. Another thing is this, you are not going to find local knowledge, tips, tricks and yes, secrets, online or in books. You will when visiting your local nurseries and especially when attending any dedicated workshop.  Central Coast local nursery Coachwood Organics & Coachwood Nursery has

a brilliant workshop coming up to help to help you Learn everything about growing Garlic successfully & organically. Join Peter Donnelly of Coachwood for his Growing Garlic Workshop. $29 at 3pm, 12 March 2022. Take home a range of different garlic varieties. Demonstration and guided tour. Bring a drink bottle, hat, and sturdy shoes. Students aged 12-18 welcome to join the class. Enquiries 0491 147448 or online www.coachwoodnursery.com

GARDENING BOOK REVIEW
Gardening for Everyone, Growing Vegetables, Herbs and More at Home
by Julia Watkins, Little Brown Publishers, 2022. 304 pages, ISBN: 9781472146922

Gardening-for-everyone

This gardening book is big on planning and in my book? That makes it a winner straight off the block. Julie Watkins focuses strongly on sustainability and very much on long term goals. Her advice is peppered with personal accounts of her mistakes and lessons and that makes gardening more accessible for those wondering about their own past challenges or current aptitude. The book is encouraging and to beginners and I feel expansive enough for more experienced gardeners looking for sustainability gardening practice information and inspiration. Big on beautiful photographs to light that spark in us all and a clever section called ‘Play’ that brings fun and creative ways you can add joy and usefulness in your garden spaces. My only little gripe here is that the title is not a good fit and being an author myself, I know this is usually a publishing house issue, not necessarily an author one. The contents and advice miss the mark with many gardeners as it focuses primarily outdoors and for those with no limitations. Other than that, a good and rather lovely sustainable gardening book.

GARDENING GUIDE FOR COAST GARDENERS THIS WEEK
(for temperate regions early autumn)
If your soil is still waterlogged from the recent rains then hold off direct planting but you can plant in seedling pots now and transplant later. You can plant the following now: Culinary herbs, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, chicory, cress, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsnip, peas, salsify, shallots, spring onions, silverbeet, swede, spinach, turnips, ageratum, alyssum, calendula, candytuft, carnation, columbine, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, larkspur, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet pea, wallflower

Next Week: Rain and Flood Garden Rescue  

HAVE YOU GOT A GARDEN OR GARDENING TOPIC TO SHARE?
Down in the Garden is looking for Central Coast gardeners who would like to share their garden with us.

We are particularly looking for: Seed Saving, Evergreens, Tulips, Spring Bulbs, Water Feature Gardens, School/Children Gardeners, Commercial Kitchen Gardens, Medicinal Plant Gardeners, and Community Gardens but all gardens and gardeners are welcome contact: [email protected]

Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM963. She is also co-host of @MostlyAboutPlants a weekly botanical history & gardening podcast with Victoria White.

Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: [email protected]

Garlic newspaper
This article first appeared in Coast Newspapers the week of 7th March 2022


Rosemary Powers and Creating Cuttings

This is my beloved Rosemary plant below that I've had for about 8 years now. In flower on this rainy morning and here are a few cuttings I took a couple of weeks back and a bit of advice on how you can do that and I've shared how Rosemary can enhance and support you!

Rosemary 1CREATING CUTTINGS
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)
You need the nodes! One of these cuttings have been removed correctly, one has not. Spot the difference? It will help you create the best cuttings.
I created these cuttings of my Rosemary by taking semi-ripe cuttings about two weeks ago. To do this, you ensure that you select non-flowering tips from your plant that are beginning to harden and turn brown (you should be able to see what that looks like in my photo). I snipped my cuttings just below a nod (a bumpy bit) on the stem and then striped off all the lower leaves as you can see.

I dipped my cuttings in honey and set in small glass vases to shoot and had about a 70% success rate

Rosemary 2Potting up today into compost in small pots and because it has turned chilly here, I will cover with my mini greenhouses so that the roots can establish.

Rosemary is a perennial shrub that can be planted from late autumn to late winter in the tropics, from early spring through to late autumn in temperate zones and mid-spring to early autumn in colder places. Plant in garden beds or containers in most free-draining soils and although rosemary will grow in semi-shade, it usually does better in full sun. Harvest leaves as required.

THE POWER OF ROSEMARY
Rosemary helps develop deeper levels of connection with people, concepts and plans. It enables you to keep in touch with your inner wisdom, paying heed to the past and to clear what needs to be released. Rosemary also warns of gossip and those who are false in their appearance or word.

HEALTH & WELLBEING
Rosemary can be used to improve memory and provides mental clarity, so helpful when studying. Best used as an essential oil for this or even (as I do), work inside a locket or as a small spring. It does taste so zingy and yummy on food but it also improves digestion so is perfect added to meals latter in the day or perhaps those larger festive dishes.  Rosemary contains anti-flammatory elements and antioxidants and can be used to assist health issues that could benefit from these qualities. 

MAGICKAL CORRESPONDENCES
Uses: the mind, cleansing, consecration, psychic development, lust
Deities: Elves, Virgin Mary, Hecate, Helios, Sea Spirits
Celestial: Sun
Astrological Sign: Leo

A ROSEMARY SPELL
This herb can easily be used as a smudge stick to cleanse the mind and areas.
Gather a bunch of rosemary and natural string or yarn. Trim as many sprigs as you please to an even length that you feel will create a smudge stick of the size and appearance you want.With the string, wrap the cut end of the stems a few times and tie to secure and then tightly in a crisscross fashion to the end and the tie off. Hang to in a cool dry place until dry.

 

 


Learn Green Witch Gardening Online with Cheralyn Darcey

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Learn Green Witch Gardening and how to Create a Home Apothecary​ Online 
lifetime access online
 with ethnobotanical gardener, author and artist Cheralyn Darcey

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begins 1st March 2020
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No experience is needed. 
Content is suitable for enjoyment and knowledge no matter current garden setup. 
Suitable for indoor or outdoor plants. 

Work at your own pace with information that is relevant anywhere and any climate in the

Garden Design with Magick
​You will learn how to plan and design a beautiful garden space (indoors or out) while learning magical correspondences that will empower, protect and boost the energies you will be working with.
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​Plant, Grow, Nurture
Lessons to help you start, renovate and get your garden growing with plants you can use for healing, magick and culinary purposes, all grown naturally by you. 
Cheralyn elder

Create A Home Apothecary
Learn how to best gather and preserve your harvest and where to obtain additional items to create your personal at home Magickal Apothecary.
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🌿 Cumin in the Magickal Botanical Garden

Cumin

In goes Cumin in my Magickal Botanical Garden this morning (Cuminum cyminum) found at the Toukley Markets yesterday! I adore this in my bread and it’s probably because in German folklore it is said to protect it from being stolen, particularly by forests spirits and beings. Cumin will also generally help protect anything from theft and it helpful when carried during study so that you retain knowledge. It can be used in fidelity, protection and love magick.
In the garden it will need a dry area that receives lots of sun and it likes a very fertile soil. you can harvest the seeds after the blooming of flowers. It wait until they are a nice brown colour. Dry and store in a cool, dry place.


🐝 Today in the Magickal Botanical Garden ~ 14th September

Garden today

In The Magickal Botanical Garden this morning - in go Cos Lettuce (for love, friendship and calm); all the Parsleys are doing great! (for protection, love and passion) Elderflowers soon! ( protection, healing, prosperity) oh and that’s my little outdoor office sometimes. Still looking for some lovely old outdoor chairs.


Magickal Botanical Moon Gardening & Energy Guide 31st August ~ 6th September 2019

Hello Blossoms! 
Hope you are having a lot of fun with the change of season ‘busy time’ whether you are getting ready for Spring or Autumn. Things are a little difficult as I have not been well of late, (THE Flu followed by pneumonia and a couple of broken ribs from coughing). I create my gardens and maintain them completely on my own, so if I can’t do them, they don’t get done. Oh but I do still get a lot completed as gardening is my first love and I'd crawl on my belly if I had to! ;) 
Peas, radish, bok choy and potato are delicious right now and I’m delighting in early lettuce, jasmine and daisies.
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Hope you have a wonderful gardening week, wherever you are and here are my general interpretations for Australia, USA and the UK for those of us who enjoy gardening by the energy of the Moon phases. For each day I have given you he subheadings: 
Gardening: These are suggested activities broadly based on your country.
Magick: Use these notes to create spells, magickal troops, blessings, alter and so on as well as flower and plant essences and botanicals with the energies listed.  


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from my gardening journal. I keep notes about gardening, energies and natural observances. 

AUSTRALIA
Saturday 31st August 

Gardening: The Waxing Moon is in Virgo vegetable crops should be doing very well. Do not preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants.
Magick: Increase of finances, success and creativity. 

Sunday 1st September & Monday 2nd September
Gardening: Waxing Moon moving into moves in Libra and this means you should refrain from watering. Planting and sowing flowering herbs and plants iOS best done on these days. Still good period for the development of flowers until Tuesday as well. 
Magick: Balance, harmony and finding a way to bring these into being.

Tuesday 3rd September & Wednesday 4th September
Gardening: Waxing Moon making its way into Scorpio, now will be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days. Now is a good time for the sowing and planting of leafy vegetables and plants as well.
Magick: increasing efforts to get rid of negative energies and to work on transformation for the better.

Thursday 5th & Friday 6th September 
Gardening: The Waxing Moon is moving into Sagittarius and you will find that leafy vegetables and plants should be doing well as are fruiting crops. Now is a good time to preserve fruit crops and for planting them. 
Magick:
work involving increasing higher understandings, working on spirituality and rising above.

USA 
Saturday 31st August 
Gardening: The Waxing Moon is in Virgo vegetable crops should be doing very well. Do not preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants.
Magick: Increase of finances, success and creativity. 

Sunday 1st September & 
Monday 2nd September
Gardening: The Moon moving into moves in Libra and this means you should refrain from watering. Planting and sowing flowering herbs and plants iOS best done on these days. Still good period for the development of flowers until Tuesday as well. 
Magick: Balance, harmony and finding a way to bring these into being.

Tuesday 3rd September &
Wednesday 4th September
Gardening: The Waxing Moon is making its way into Scorpio, now will be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days. Now is a good time for the sowing and planting of leafy vegetables and plants as well.
Magick: increasing efforts to get rid of negative energies and to work on transformation for the better.

Thursday 5th & Friday 6th September 

Gardening: The Waxing Moon is moving into Sagittarius and you will find that fruiting crops are developing well under this influence. Now is a good time to preserve fruit crops and for planting them.
Magick: work involving increasing higher understandings, working on spirituality and rising above.

UK
Saturday 31st August 
Gardening: The Waxing Moon is in Virgo vegetable crops should be doing very well. Do not preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants.
Magick: Increase of finances, success and creativity. 

Sunday 1st September & 
Monday 2nd September
Gardening: Waxing Moon moving into moves in Libra and this means you should refrain from watering. Planting and sowing flowering herbs and plants iOS best done on these days. Still good period for the development of flowers until Tuesday as well. 
Magick: Balance, harmony and finding a way to bring these into being.

Tuesday 3rd September &
Wednesday 4th September
Gardening: Waxing Moon making its way into Scorpio, now will be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days. Now is a good time for the sowing and planting of leafy vegetables and plants as well.
Magick: increasing efforts to get rid of negative energies and to work on transformation for the better.

Thursday 5th & Friday 6th September 

Gardening: The Waxing Moon is moving into Sagittarius and you will find that fruiting crops are developing well under this influence. Now is a good time to preserve fruit crops and for planting them with Thursday still a good day for planting leafy crops and plants.
Magick: work involving increasing higher understandings, working on spirituality and rising above.

The interpretations of the Luna Calendar for Gardening and Magick are written by Cheralyn Darcey. 
Sharing is permitted in original form. 


Magickal Botanical ~ Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

A little magickal botanical energy for you! All my books and decks are written by hand first in my journals.
Mugwort 1
This from my latest deck
Magickal Botanical 
Uses
clairvoyance, exorcism, divination, healing, lust, psychic powers, protection

Oracle Meanings
Step back and observe because you are being giving the opportunity to find pathways to the freedom you desire. Meditation, divination and visionary practices will help you find and explore major themes right now. You are being reminded to take heed of an intuitive experience or message that you may of either ignored or not really understood. Now, today, is the time to trust what you feel inside, what you know to be your personal truth and take the road to freedoms it will offer. Remember, what is right for others will not necessarily be right for you. Listen to your own heart.

Botanical Description
Native to Africa, Europe and parts of Asia, this is a tall perennial shrub that can grow up to 1.5m (5ft) in height. Leaves are a dark green with a smooth upper side and an underside covered in fine matted white hairs. Flowers are tiny and red-brown or yellow-green.

Traditional Use
Mugwort is used for digestive disorders and is said to be very good with the treatment of parasitic infections of the digestive system and skin. It has also been used to regulate menstruation and in the treatment of respiratory problems as well fungal and bacterial complaints.

Magickal Use
Mugwort is mostly used in visionary work and can be used to enhance psychic abilities and to enhance dreams and visions. Hung over doorways, it will repel evil and negativity. Mugwort can be made into a very effective wash to smudge magical divination tools such as crystal balls, pendulums and scrying mirrors. The smoke can also be used to empower oracle and tarot decks.

Magickal Correspondences
Deities: Aphrodite, Venus, Artemis, Diana, Hecate, Persephone, Sif, Audhumla
Planet: Venus
Signs: Libra, Taurus
Elements: Earth

card from ~ 
Mugwort 2

may Nature always bless you and may always be a blessing to Nature, 
Cheralyn 🌻


🌕🌿 🌸 Magickal Moon Gardening ~ Saturday 6th July to Friday 12th July

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Australian Magickal Moon Gardening this Week
Saturday
 6th and Sunday 7th July
The Waxing Moon is in Virgo will mean that fruit and root crops should be doing very well. Do not preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants.

Monday 8th July
The Moon gardening information continues on the same for today from Saturday and Sunday, but you should see that flowering plants are at their best today.

Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th July
The moon moves in Libra and this means you should refrain from watering. Planting and sowing flowering herbs and plants iOS best done on these days. Still good period until Thursday for the development of flowers. 

Thursday 11th  and Friday 12th July
Green leafy plants, especially vegetables will be doing well from today into next week. With the still Waxing Moon making its way into Scorpio, now will be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days.

 

USA Magickal Moon Gardening this Week
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July
The Waxing Moon is in Virgo and root crops should be doing very well. Do not harvest or preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants. Flowers will be developing well on Sunday. 

Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th July
Over these days refrain from watering unless sowing and planting. Flowers do very well being sown and planted at this time as the Moon moves through Libra. Most other plants and seeds will also benefit by being planted now if it is appropriate for their type.

Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th July
On Wednesday you should find that flowers are at their best and both days, leafy plants are enjoying very favourable conditions for growth. The Waning Moon is In Scorpio and this will mean that watering can be done freely and it's a very good time to sow, transplant and plant leafy plants, especially vegetables. 

Friday 12th July
Green leafy plants, especially vegetables will be doing well from today into next week. With the still Waxing Moon still in  Scorpio, now will be  also be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days.


UK Magickal Moon Gardening this Week
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July
The Waxing Moon is in Virgo and root crops should be doing very well. Do not harvest or preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants. Flowers will be developing well on Sunday. 

Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th July
Over these days refrain from watering unless sowing and planting. Flowers do very well being sown and planted at this time as the Moon moves through Libra. Most other plants and seeds will also benefit by being planted now if it is appropriate for their type.

Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th July
On Wednesday you should find that flowers are at their best and both days, leafy plants are enjoying very favourable conditions for growth. The Waning Moon is In Scorpio and this will mean that watering can be done freely, including indoor plants and it's a very good time to sow, transplant and plant leafy plants, especially vegetables as well as mowing lawns. 

The interpretations of the Luna Calendar and Gardening are written by Cheralyn Darcey. 
Sharing is permitted in original form. 


Herb of the Week ~ Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

 
In many traditions, Mugwort is considered a plant of protection, especially against evil spirits, witchcraft and for protection of the home.
In Japan, it is used by some to rid the body of the forces/spirits which cause illness. Native American use includes wearing mugwort to prevent the influence of evil spirits.
The use as a herb which assists divination is fairly widespread. Teas and incenses are said to promote psychic and clairvoyant abilities and creating a mist or wash to bath divination tools can cleanses, protect and boost their energies. Astral projection and prophetic dreams can be supported by sleeping with mugwort in a pillow.
109105
Flora Danica [G.C. Oeder et al], fasicle 20, t. 1176 (1761-1883)
 
The common name is derived from it's use to flavour beer before the use of hops. As the family latin name suggests, it is strongly associated with the Goddess Artemis and it is an interesting exploration through herbal lore and the use of mugwort in anything from **female fertility to the healing of wounds from wild animals. Mugwort is also a natural insect repellant and can also be made up into a general household cleaner.
Perhaps my favourite piece of Mugwort Botanical Lore comes from the Ancient Romans: If you face a very long walk or day of walking (as their soldiers often did), place a piece of mugwort in each of your shoes before sunrise. This is said to not only stop your feet hurting but will keep you going as long as you must!
Artemisia_vulgaris_001

 
Gardening Notes
Oh yes you can grow mugwort, it really is fairly easy. Although it will prefer sun, it can tolerate semi shade and make sure you have soil well-drained but a little on the moist side. You may prefer a large pot as they have a fast spreading root system which will, (as with others of this family), adversely affect neighbouring plants. The roots actually leech out chemicals which will kill off the roots of other plants. Native to Africa, Europe and parts of Asia, this is a tall perennial shrub that can grow up to1.5m (5ft) in height. Leaves are a dark green with a smooth upper side and an underside covered in fine matted white hairs. Flowers are tiny and red-brown or yellow-green.
Mugwort

Oracle Meanings
Step back and observe because you are being giving the opportunity to find pathways to the freedom you desire. Meditation, divination and visionary practices will help you find and explore major themes right now. You are being reminded to take heed of an intuitive experience or message that you may of either ignored or not really understood. Now, today, is the time to trust what you feel inside, what you know to be your personal truth and take the road to freedoms it will offer. Remember, what is right for others will not necessarily be right for you. Listen to your own heart.

Magickal Correspondences
Uses: clairvoyance, exorcism, divination, healing, lust, psychic powers, protection
Deities: Aphrodite, Venus, Artemis, Diana, Hecate, Persephone, Sif, Audhumla

Planet: Venus
Signs: Libra, Taurus

Elements: Earth
377290
Lobel, M. de, Plantarum seu stirpium icones, vol. 1: p. 764, fig. 2 (1581)

 

Mugwort Freedom Spell
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Mugwort is mostly used in visionary work and can be used to improve psychic abilities and to enhance dreams and visions. Hung over doorways, it will repel evil and negativity. Mugwort can be made into a very effective wash to smudge magical divination tools such as crystal balls, pendulums and scrying mirrors. The smoke can also be used to empower oracle and tarot decks. In this spell you will be drinking a little Mugwort as part of a spell. Mugwort was used originally to flavour beers.

GATHER
a glass of beer

  or sparkling spring water
a tiny pinch of dried Mugwort

a slice of lemon or lime


THE SPELL
Take your glass of beer/sparkling spring water outside and stir in a mugwort and say,
“Freedom and paths open for me.”
Drop in the slice of lemon or lime and say,
“Alive and awaken and away I shall be!”
Drink the beer/sparking spring water and drip the last few drops onto the ground and say,
“This is the start, the journey begun.”

bunches of blessings,
Cheralyn 🌻
 
*all information for educational purposes only
**PLEASE NOTE: pregnant woman must not handle or consume mugwort as it can bring on contractions.

Spellcasting Basics
1. Select or create your spell.
 This can be a spell in this book or you could write your own.
2. Gather your ingredients.
Ensure that you have everything ready and that it has been sourced ethically and
with positive intention. Cleanse any tools or items by passing through running
water or a smudging smoke.
3. Create a magickal and safe space.
Limit distractions and cleanse by smudging with sage or the like or misting with
botanicals created for this purpose. If indoors, open windows and doors to let
negative energy out. Sit or stand, centred and quiet and visualise a white, clear
bubble surrounding you and your space and keeping anything negative out.
4. Focus.
Some call this part of spellcasting intention and it is your complete commitment to
the energy and the outcome that you desire. Focus will assist you to keep
your energy and your everyday commitment to the change that you are trying to
achieve. Spells do not work on their own, they need your energy, focus and action.
Think about what you are doing and hone your focus as sharply as possible on your
desired outcome.
5. Raise the Energy.
Focus will raise energy, as will the actual steps of each spell whether it be an incantation you make or a musical sound or action you create. You may wish to raise additional energy to begin with and this can be done by ringing bells, beating drums, raising your hands, singing or simply visualising energy rising from the ground, from above, from wherever your preference is and working with it.  
6. Cast your spell.
Follow the instructions in the spell that you are casting.
7. Close your magick space.
Thank the earth, thank the plants you have used and close the space. You can do this by making noise and visualising the closing of the space. Clapping hands, stamping feet, beating drums, are all popular ways of doing this. Have a glass of water to bring yourself back to the now and ensure you cleanse any tools you have used and that you return to earth any botanical items used.
8. Journal.
Whether it be a journal, a diary, a book of shadows, a grimoire, however you wish to contain your notes and experiences, I do suggest that you write your spell down along with your personal notes somewhere and that you add to them over time. This helps give the spell more energy and you more focus.
 

 

 


❁ In Casa Darcey Garden this Week ~ Rainbows, Artichokes, Sweet Verburnum

My days are filled with weeding at the moment. It's amazing how a few weeks of looking over a section can let those little goblins creep in isn't it!? My Sweet Viburnum hedge (Viburnuma Odoratissimum) was hiding a tiny forest of them. With all that early nursing I had to do to establish it, I did provide a very fertile ground which proved irresistible to weeds and stray grass. For those who missed the Facebook posts about it, I had a lot of early winter wind damage to my veggie garden from the southerly storms and winds so I have planted this hedge as a break. It's fast growing, will be high and very thick so it's perfect for the job oh and it has lovely pretty scented flowers too! I know you can tame it to be very formal but I'm keen to let it grow as it pleases with only minor trimming. It will also create a little private section which I'm going to create a table setting of some sort in. 
Vegges we are enjoying at the table right now are Bok Choy, Lettuce, Celery, Spinach, Baby Carrots and French Beans. 



Cheralyn garden 2
my artichoke! so much plant! 
meanings ~ flexibility, calm amidst turmoil, great to assist you in staying on longer paths and with long range goals. 



Rainbow
A rainbow was a blessing to see over my Veggie Garden. 
The new picket fence and gate, we had loads of fun building,
has provided a safe haven for my
Vegetables and Herbs which are planted for culinary, medicinal and magickal uses. 
To capture the sunlight, I've not wasted the fence line
by adding planters of additional herbs.
Pandorea will not only attract bees but eventually form a tunnel to the garden
with the addition on two more arches. 



  

Back 1
Things are greening up in what was that mess of a back garden.
Planted 8 months ago and in bloom on the right there ~ 

Jasmine (Jasminum)  ~ success, social gathering, healing, abundance
and Pandorea (Pandorea jasminoides) shelter, sharing, small successes 

  

Strawberries
A faerie circle in my strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) 
( clarity, grounding, the future)

 

Kangaroo paw pinks
Rescued a couple of left over Pink Kangaroo Paws from a supermarket display
Pink Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus) are wonderful for healing friendships, saying you are sorry and for bringing groups together to explore healing.

 

Calendula
Calendula (calendula officinalis) 
a flower which assists with the relief of things which irritate you. Supports intuitive development and helps those looking for the return of happier times 

 

image from http://s3.amazonaws.com/feather-files-aviary-prod-us-east-1/98739f1160a9458db215cec49fb033ee/2016-09-06/a3b5028de9b94e03ac92a438c58ff899.png
broccoli, brussel sprouts, rosemary




Hedge
My Sweet Viburnum Hedge (Viburnum odoratissimum) 
assists us to set clear boundaries so that we may feel free to express and connect with more subtle and gentle energies.
Very good to connect with when you are feeling overwhelmed. 


hope you are enjoying the garden & nature somehow this week too! 
bunches of blessings,
Cheralyn ❁