Time to weed the garden? You can weed and do magic at the same time. Start by thinking about what you want to get rid of in your life, and perhaps in the world. Then, go into your garden, equipped to weed with kneepads, hoe, fork, and the like. As you pull each weed, name it, and say these words:

I remove hate,
I remove poverty.
I remove my anger at my boss.

And so on. Be creative in your designs. Afterward, be sure to dispose of the weeds carefully. Either bag them and put them into the garbage immediately, knowing they are going away, or if you compost, ask the Earth to transform them as they rot.

GrannyMoon's Coventry of Healing Arts and Pagan Studies  

 

~ Blessing the Earth for Planting ~

O gentle Air, we do come before Thee

To ask that your gentle tender breezes kiss

The plants that will come forth.

O fearful Fire, we do come to ask that

Your hot heat be but a gentle warmth

To help the plants grow.

O Water of Life, we do come before Thee

To ask your gentle waters to bring life

To the tender plants that come forth.

O Great Mother, let thy dark womb care 

For the tender seeds, to push them up when

The time is right for the plants to come into full bloom.

We do thank Thee Diana. Mother of All Living Things and Giver of Life.

Fairy Garden Flowers for Faeries How to Design & Plant a Fairy Theme Flower Garden to Attract Fairies By Barbara M. Martin   To design and plant a garden for fairies or faeries as you prefer, begin by thinking small. You'll need a small, sheltered, fairy-size area perhaps beneath a rose bush, or possibly a found object such as a basket to use for a fairy garden in a container; a selection of small plants attractive to or useful to fairies; and small ornaments and treasures to tempt and please the fairies. Each fairy garden is unique depending on the person who creates it and the fairies who move into it, but there are certain flowers such as foxgloves and thyme that you should include if you can. It's best if you can have a child help you with your fairy garden design. Here are some guidelines on flowers and special features to include when you design your fairy garden - whether you call them flower fairies or faeries. Flowers to Welcome the Fairies Partial shade with dancing rays of sun and moonlight is the best lighting for a fairy garden, a spot beneath a flowering rose bush or other fragrant flowering shrub is perfect, especially if it is adorned with sweet peas (Lathyrus odorata). To roll out the favorite fairy carpet, be sure to plant fragrant thyme. Thymus "Elfin" is the variety of choice because it is very tiny -- in addition to being so appropriately named. To make the fairies feel at home right away, plant pansies and violas with their sweet little fairy faces. Flowers for Fairy Clothes and Comfort To help your fairies dress well, cultivate foxgloves (Digitalis) and granny's bonnets (Aquilegia or columbine), bleeding hearts (Dicentra) and lady's slippers (Cypripedium). Plant lamb's ear (Stachys lanata) for a soft bed, along with Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota or wild carrot) for lacy sheets, and a bit of thistle or milkweed (Asclepias) for filling soft, downy pillows. Lavender (Lavandula or Lavandin) makes a lovely fragrant fairy clothesline. Flowers for Fairies to Use Milkweed pods make darling fairy cradles, walnut shells make little boats for drifting merrily across a puddle. Acorn shells serve as generous fairy bowls, and bread seed poppy pods (Papaver ssp.) are perfect for a soothing sip of tea. With tea, the diminutive Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) is a lovely miniature garnish. Four o'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) help them tell when it is time to play. Jewels and Treasure for the Fairy Garden Fairy gardens often include shiny treasures; jewels are especially popular with fairies. Grow lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) for dewdrops that glisten like diamonds. Sparkling "Little Rubies" dianthus is a tiny sized, flowering, ground covering plant perfect for a fairy garden, especially if placed between tiny step stones or beneath a little fairy size twig bench. Flowers for Playful Fairies Fairies are infinitely playful and can be naughty if bored, so be sure to provide fairy toys in your fairy garden. Fairies love to play the bells from the coral bell (Heuchera) and lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) plants. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) flowers are fairy puppets, and fairies love to rearrange tiny seashells or bits of colored beach glass. Butterflies, ladybugs and fireflies are perfect fairy playmates. Silver and Gold in the Fairy Garden Fairies do love shiny things, so remember to grow silvery Lunaria or money plant. The fairies will caress them and wear away the papery covering to reveal the iridescent silver coins for you. Besides growing money plant, you must also provide gold for your fairies. A gold coin (or a golden parking token) or perhaps a little gold charm (gold toned plastic is fine) from a bracelet, or even a bit of golden foil or ribbon will do. Water Feature in the Fairy Garden Your fairy garden must include water; a small, gently splashing waterfall or bubbling brook with watercress is best, but a little shallow dish of clean water will do. Toadstools, lichen and moss are good additions, too. Finally, include a bit of mirror for good luck. How to Design a Flower Fairy or Faery Garden Follow the above suggestions for a fairy themed garden but adapt them as needed, they are just suggestions to give you ideas for planting and designing and furnishing a fairy garden. Every fairy garden planted with love will attract and delight the garden fairies and any little thing you do to make them happy will be appreciated. Happy fairies mean a happy garden!

By: Dorothy Morrison

The Butterfly Garden 

On a mundane level, this garden attracts butterflies. Plants included in the suggested plant list nourish these beautiful creatures  throughout their metamorphosis by providing food for the caterpillar,  shelter for the cocoon, and a proper diet for the butterfly that  emerges. For this reason, please refrain from using any type of pesticide on these garden plants. 

On a more spiritual level, butterflies represent the changes in our lives and the successes we achieve with each transition. They are the warriors of our spirits; the airborne soldiers who fight our spiritual battles and protect us from any harm that lies ahead. This makes the Butterfly Garden a good choice for general protection magic. 

Suggested Plants for the Butterfly Garden: Anise, Bee Balm, Borage, Calendula, Dill, Fennel, Garlic Chives, Goldenrod, Lavender, Milkweed, Mints, Nasturtium, Parsley, Sorrel, Violet. 

The Fairy Garden 

If you have an affinity for fairies, elves, and the fey, this is the garden for you. The plants listed below attract these types, welcome them into your life, and invite them to take a hand in your magical work. Because the wee fold are known for their impulsive, whimsical attitudes, this garden is also great for those who need to add a little spontaneity to their lives. 

The Fairy Garden is the most easily maintained of all the gardens listed. Once plants are secured in the Earth and the seeds are sown, no weeding is necessary. This allows the new residents to take part in the gardening and furbish their new homes as they please. Don't be surprised at the additional plant life that crops up in this space. The fairies have a way of knowing what you need, and will do everything in their power to see that you get it. 

Suggested Plants for the Fairy Garden: Borage, Chamomile, Choral Bells, Foxglove, Hollyhock, Lemon Balm, Maidenhair Fern, Pinks, Rosemary, St. John's Wort, Sunflower, Sweet Annie, Sweet Basil, Sweet Pea, Thyme, Violet, Wood Betony. 

The Ritual Garden 

Because growing plants are a natural grounding force, this garden makes the ideal spot for all your spellcasting and ritual work. Grown with a variety of herbs, it's also magically convenient. Working on a protection spell? Just pluck the herbs of your choice and use them right on the spot. For extra convenience—and magical focus—plant it in a circle and add a tree stump or large flat rock to the center for an altar. Note: To wrap all your magical work in "blessed be's," add 

a few bee attracting plants, such as bee balm or dill. 

Suggested Plants for the Ritual Garden: Apple Mint, Bergamot, Catnip, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Mugwort, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rue, Spearmint, Thyme, Verbena, Wormwood, Yarrow. 

The Spell Garden 

The Spell Garden is unique in that it uses floriography—the language of herbs and flowers—to carry a specific message to the Universe that is ongoing and infinite. For example, a strained relationship with your mother might be eased by planting a bed of goldenrod (encouragement), basil (affection), wood sorrel (maternal love), bee balm (compassion), and bay laurel (success). This tells the Universe that you wish to encourage an affectionate, compassionate, successful relationship with your mother, and that you intend for the Universe to follow suit. 

The Meditation Garden 

This garden is for everyone who needs to take some time off, relax, and regroup. Position a chair in the center—you'll need a place to sit comfortably—then plant the garden around it. Use herbs that have a heady aroma. Their fragrance will help transport you to another place—a place conducive to personal transformation, wisdom, and relaxation. 

Suggested Plants for the Meditation Garden: Bay, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey, Dandelion, Flax, Hops, Irises, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Mugwort, Nettle, Passion Flower, Pinks, Poppies, Roses, St. John's Wort, Scented Geraniums, Skullcap, Spearmint, Sunflower, Sweet Peas, Thyme. 

The Medicine Wheel Garden 

If your main focus is health and healing, the Medicine Wheel Garden is for you. Designed around the lesson, vision, and quest paths of the Native Americans, this garden is divided into four sections—representing north, east, south, and west—and circled by the moons of the year. Plant it with healing herbs for the physical body. Symptoms of the mind and spirit will ease, too. 

Suggested Plants for the Medicine Wheel Garden: Aloe Vera, Baby's Breath, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Echinacea, Horehound, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Mugwort, Peppermint, Plantain, Sage, Spearmint, Thyme. 

The Moon Garden 

Women seem to love this garden because it invokes the feminine energy of the Goddess and Moon. Plant it with herbs that mirror your emotional needs, the transitions in your life, and the turning points in your spirituality. Plant a willow tree in the center, or place a Goddess statue or fountain there (they make terrific Goddess symbols). Use it to meditate, gain insight, and perform Moon rituals. It's also the perfect place for divinatory and wish magic. 

Suggested Plants for the Moon Garden: Daisies, Evening Primrose, Forget-me-nots, Horehound, Lavender, Lamb's Ears, Moon Flower, Mugwort, Narcissus, Rosemary, Southernwood, Sweet Cicely, Thyme, Wisteria, Yarrow. 

The Sun/Moon Garden 

For those striving toward perfect balance, the Sun/Moon Garden is a good bet. It radiates both the masculine and feminine energies of the Lord and Lady, and imparts harmony to all who gather there. This makes it the perfect spot for performing magical efforts that involve love, friendship, family, home, and prosperity. Note: For a smooth blend of the male/female energies, plant the Sun/Moon division lines with irises. 

Suggested Plants for the Sun/Moon Garden: Black-eyed Susans, Chamomile, Daylilies, Daffodils, Daisies, Evening Primrose, Foxglove, Horehound, Irises, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Lemon Verbena, May Apple, Mugwort, Sunflower, Yarrow. 

*The Culinary Garden* 

Although designed to delight the cook in your family, the Culinary Garden can also double as a magical one. This is because culinary herbs contain potent magic and are just as effective in the Cosmos as they are in the kitchen. Remember, too, that food presents its own kind of magic. Use a touch of cinnamon to rekindle love, a pinch of sage to impart wisdom, or a bit of spearmint to soothe a raging temper. Go on. Tickle the Cosmic Palate. What happens may amaze you. 

Suggested Plants for the Culinary Garden: Basil, Bay, Borage, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Marjoram, Nasturtium, Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel, Spearmint, Tarragon, Thyme. 

Author: Peggy Jentoft

Quartz crystals are often used in a garden grid to help with the growth and health of plants. One common way this is done is to place quartz crystals at each corner of your garden plot and one in the center. You can divide a large area into smaller square segments and grid each section separately. Embed single point crystals in the soil with the point of the crystal just above the soil level. Boji stones are sometimes placed in gardens and allowed to disintegrate into the soil.  Many of the standard soil amendments that garden books suggest are minerals, shells and stones.

All crystal work begins with cleared and charged stones. Use intention and ask the crystals to work with the Deva of the garden and plants for maximum good. You can even place a quartz point in the soil at the foot of a single plant.

You may like to get some quartz crystal chips and just scatter them on the soil for sparkle. You may even find that this glitter confuses some predatory insects. Small river pebbles and stones can be used to provide an energetic boost for your garden plants and as a rule they bring in a very calming and tranquil energy to the garden area as a whole. They can be used as a decorative element and in quantity even can work as a mulch or ground cover of sorts.

You can make symbolic stone beds for streams to invite the water energy into your garden. You can include stones as part of a real water element, perhaps a small pond, or a birdbath. Place a piece of black plastic along a slightly hollow area and cover it with a pattern of flat and round stones with some spaces. This should just be deep enough to retain a slight amount of moisture after you water the garden. This creates a place for thirsty butterflies to rest and drink. You can make a small circle of stones for a real or symbolic hearth or fire circle for the element of fire and wind chimes will invite the air element to bless your garden.

Many different forms of ritual space, altars and meditation areas can be defined and created with well-placed stones. I have read of an old Celtic custom of placing buttons or bricks or small pretty stones under some plants in Spring to make a tiny patio, or wall for a fairies bower and making gifts and offerings in thanks for a bountiful crop.

Many people place a small bottle with an assortment of stones or a single dedicated stone in each corner of their property to set the boundaries and anchor a protective dome of energy around the land.

Some people prefer to make small cairns or piles of stones to mark special areas of the garden or dedicated to affirmations and current goals or to commemorate special events and personal milestones.
You may want to place guardian stones at your entries. These can either be small and hidden or larger stones that define the entryway.

A well-chosen stone can fill in a missing area of your home's Fung Shui too. You may want to hang a few crystals from a tree to catch the light, do be careful of potential fire hazards when placing the crystals. Nice wind chimes are sometimes made with slices of agate. These can have a lovely bell like tone.

If you have a sloping area in your yard or a place to build your own small mound of stones and soil you might want to make a classic rock garden these rocky slopes with plants set among stones can be pleasing to all the senses. Depending on your climate alpine flowers, herbs or succulents are among popular choices for a rock garden. If you have a yard where you can see the point where the Sun rises on an Equinox or Solstice You could mark that point with a stone as a way of honoring the cycle of the year.

There are several web sites where you can find directions for making Native American medicine wheels with the correct spirit and dedication if they are part of your spiritual path. There are other forms of stone wheel that can make a meaningful part of your garden. The Buddhist Wheel of the Law or a zodiac garden-wheel are among the possibilities.

If you have a lot of small boulders available you can make stone borders or even paths and walls.

The classical Zen Garden of raked sand and carefully placed stones may require more esoteric wisdom than most of us have at hand but entering into a meditation in your garden and seeking the guidance of the Land the Deva and the energies You may be guided to create a stone garden hat maximizes the energies and harmonies of the land.

Stone Medicine Wheels, stone calendars or star maps, Zen meditation gardens and large rock gardens may be beyond the practical scope for most of us, but even a few stones in the garden can bring in great healing energies and can create a pleasant and magical place of rest.

If you do not have a yard or have only a small garden you still might enjoy some of the pleasures by making a miniature stone garden in a container. You could then keep this in what garden you do have or even keep it indoors.

You choose a container suitable for your garden and fill it with an appropriate soil less mix or other base and then place small stones, crystals, pebbles and possibly mosses, sticks and plants in a pleasing pattern to create a tiny garden of your dreams. Some people use these small gardens as meditation sanctuaries using their imagination to visualize themselves inside the garden to meditate and begin and end journeys.