Kate West - The Real Witches’ Garden - Spells, Herbs, Plants and Magical Spaces Outdoors

Some Witches prefer the idea of creating a number of small ‘shrines’ to different Goddesses and Gods. These can be fairly elaborate with statues and areas to place candles and offerings, or they can be simpler. One idea is to select a plant specific to each Goddess or God you wish to honour in this way, and to place before each of these plants a fairly small marker stone, which can be used to place a nightlight on at the times when you wish to interact with or commune with that deity.

An alternative idea is to simply create a quiet corner, where it is possible to sit in peace and to meditate. If you can, try to place this in such a way that the intended view is of plants and trees, rather than the house or road, which can easily distract your thoughts. You may find that you have to plant something in your direct line of sight to achieve this. Near to where I live there is a wild flower and wildlife centre which has a chamomile seat which would be ideal for this purpose. They have created a raised ‘box’ from logs and placed willow ‘arms’ and a ‘back’ to form a chair. The seat is sown with chamomile and the willow has been allowed to root into the ground. The willow is kept regularly trimmed and woven back into shape, so that the seat can actually be sat upon. I feel, however, that this is probably an idea for the gardener who has plenty of time to devote to tending just one part of the garden. Having said that, there is no reason why you should not create an archway around an existing piece of furniture, or around a space where you can place your chair, or cushion. Pre-formed bamboo arches are ideal for this purpose, and can be used to support climbing plants. You can even do this indoors, linking two pots with the arch and training the plants to meet in the middle, so long as you are sure that you will be able to leave the plants in position.

It is worth mentioning here that, when dealing with climbers, you do need to be patient. It is tempting to encourage them upwards as fast as you can, but you will get a better effect by training them backwards and forwards in horizontal zig-zags, so that the foliage is fairly dense all the way up. Otherwise you can end up surrounded by the stems, with the leaves and flowers all being over your head!

Of course, a quiet corner does not have to take the form of a seat or bower. Another of my projects is to create a crescent-moon-shaped bed, raised perhaps 6 to 9 inches (15 to 25 cm) above the surrounding soil, so that I can create an area of tranquillity within it. I plan to plant the upper surface of the bed with some of the taller, traditional ‘cottage garden’ plants such as hollyhock, delphiniums, foxgloves, etc. This will not entirely preclude the surrounding sights and sounds but will mean that when seated on the ground, I am in the midst of the plants. As I also hope to attract butterflies, bees and other wildlife I shall also include plants such as buddleia and, against the nearby fence, wisteria. To enhance the relaxation element of the area, and because it is significant to my region, I shall include lavender. As this is to be an area with little ‘traffic’ I intend to plant a thyme or chamomile ‘lawn’ in the centre of the crescent. In the past, when my space has been limited, I have kept some plants in pots which can be arranged around me when I need a place of quiet, and again you can utilize this idea within the home.

Obviously, when choosing the site of your quiet area, you will need to take into account the layout of your garden, and the place most likely to be relatively quiet, but it is always useful to seek the guidance and blessing of the Gods.

Before you seek the guidance and blessing of the Gods make, buy or seek out an offering for them. This could be a circle of plaited grasses, a single flower head, or perhaps a significantly shaped stone you have found on a walk. It could be a plant you have raised especially for the purpose. It need not be expensive, but should be something which has required you to make a special effort. Offerings to the Old Ones should always entail a sacrifice of time or effort. Of course, your major offering in any garden-related project will be the ongoing time and effort you place into creating and maintaining that area, but this will be a token of that effort.

At a time when you will be undisturbed, take your token out into your garden, close your eyes and visualize the Goddess and the God. Call upon them and ask them to guide you to a place of peace and tranquillity saying:

‘I call upon the Goddess and the God. Lord and Lady I seek a place in which to know you, a place in which to understand you. Show me the way, that I might draw closer to you in peace and love. Give me an open heart and a fresh mind that I might see your way. Blessed Be.’

Holding their image in your mind, turn slowly around three times and open your eyes. Look over the whole of your garden with these thoughts in your head and you will surely be able to see the best location for your new space. If you are considering placing your area indoors use the same invocation to help you to determine the best place. Once you have found the right spot, walk to it, close your eyes again and say:

‘I give thanks to the Goddess and the God for showing me the way. I undertake to work and tend this place in their name in gratitude for their love, and in token of this I make this offering. Blessed Be.’

Place your token in the centre of the area. If you have a particular deity or deities in mind then you can call upon these by name and choose your offering specifically with them in mind.

I find it useful to mark off any area I am about to work on with a few canes tied together with string. This has the effect of alerting my young son and his friends that this is not a play area, thus allowing me a clear working space and giving any plants time to establish themselves. It also encourages me to get on with the job, as sticks and string make it obvious that work has not been completed!

Having located your quiet area you need to work on it and to Dedicate it.

As with the preceding chapter, dedication is more of a process than an event. Remember to visualize the Goddess and the God every time you work on the area, and ask them to help you. Apart from the aspect of making the place special to them, any task dedicated to the Gods benefits from their energies and will therefore be easier and more successful. Try to leave one small, last task in the preparation of your area for your rite of dedication. Perhaps a last prune or trim, or maybe the placing of a single plant or object.

Once you have set up your area to your satisfaction then you will want to consecrate it. It is best to do this at the Full Moon and at the time of day when you feel you are most likely to be using the site for meditation, contemplation or just to be closer to nature and the Gods. For some this will be early evening, but it could just as easily be any other time of the day. For me this is in the morning, after the ‘school run’ but before I actually start working, as I find that a few moments with the Gods both clears the mind and helps to inspire me.

Take with you into the area some water in a suitable watering vessel, a chalice with a little wine, or fruit juice, and any tools you may need for that last small task which you saved. Place all these to one side of your area, settle yourself down and compose yourself. If it is safe to do so, remove your shoes and go barefoot, so that you are in actual contact with the earth. Spend a few minutes in silent contemplation of both the area and the Goddess and the God. I find it helps to focus on my breathing for a couple of moments before I start, as this helps me to concentrate on what I am about to do.