Garden Witchery (13 page)

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of the earth.

Henry David Thoreau

Four Full Moon Gardening Celebrations

Speaking of the influences of the earth and the changing seasons, how about creating a ritual to correspond with the full moon closest to each solstice and equinox? Observing the various changing seasons at the full moon is a fantastic way to tune yourself in to the growth tides of the garden and the bounty of the earth.

The full moon closest to the vernal equinox could be employed to celebrate growth, change, loving partners, fertility, and the fecundity of the earth and your own body. The full moon that falls around the summer solstice may be used for love, prosperity, energy, health, and happiness. The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox, the harvest moon, is a time for thanksgiving, happy homes, sharing, and family. The full moon neighboring the winter solstice is for birth, new beginnings, plans for new projects, rest, relaxation, and peace.

Here are some ideas to help get you started on creating your own rituals. You may use these to bless your garden and yourself or to help you harmonize with the changing tides of nature. I have included an invocation, candle colors, plant, herb, and deity correspondences. Break out a nice bottle of white wine or light fruit juice. Treat yourself to some sugar cookies from the bakery or make your own. A recipe for easy esbat (full moon) cookies is included at the end of this section.

Winter Full Moon

At the full moon closest to the winter solstice, you may care to bless your garden while it is at rest during this winter season. Call for blessings on your home and family and petition the God and Goddess for peace. Even though it may be too cold to go and dig around in the garden, you can still enjoy it anyway. If you live in a warmer climate and have year-round flowers and plant activity, consider yourself very fortunate. For those of us who do not, this is the time to notice that, although your garden may be sleeping, life goes on around you nonetheless.

For example, the evergreen and the holly are still luxuriously green. Pine cones adorn the various spruces and pines. The hawthorn and crab apple trees still hold their fruit. Sparkling red berries brighten up the female holly. The birds will make good use of these treats throughout the winter months. Go fill up your bird feeder and enjoy watching the birds. Make your yard a safe, happy haven for the birds during the winter months. These signs of nature are precious to us during this time. As garden witches and natural magicians, we should celebrate and enjoy nature during
all
of her seasons.

Candles:
White, dark green, and red.

Plants and Flowers:
Pine cones, winter berries, red roses, holly, small pine branches, oak leaves, and acorns.

Gods and Goddesses:
The Mother and the newborn Sun God, the Oak and Holly King.

Action:
Light a ritual fire in the fireplace or decorate a table or shelf with a Yule log studded with candles.

Timing:
Moon directly overhead or midnight.

The great wheel of the year now turns back to the light,

As we hail the coming victory of the Oak King this night.

The Holly King will pass away to return on Midsummer's eve,

We welcome rebirth and renewal, in Yuletide's season of peace.

Spring Full Moon

Go outside, take a deep breath. Do you smell spring in the air yet? It's coming. Take a quick look in the garden. This is the time of the year I am often pawing around in my flower beds, searching for signs of the crocus and the tender shoots of the earliest bulbs. My triumphant cries of discovery have often caused concerned neighbors to come over to ask me if I had lost something (like my mind) as I dig around under the leaves, looking for the crocus.

Pull aside those fallen leaves, see anything yet? Check out the trees in your area. The buds are swelling and the witch hazels may already be in bloom. Does your heart good, doesn't it? How can people
not
get caught up in the rush and wonder of spring? All of those new possibilities and fresh beginnings.

Draw up a simple plan for a new flower or herb bed this year. Narrow down your choices for plants. Get your seed selections ready, it won't be long now. As you celebrate the full moon closest to the vernal equinox, you could bless your plans for a new garden. Enchant your seeds and rejoice in the fertility of the earth and the coming bounty of your garden.

Candles:
White, pink, and green.

Plants and Flowers:
Tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils.

Gods and Goddesses:
Eostre and the God as a youth.

Action:
Color eggs, buy seed packets, or create plans for your new garden.

Timing:
Moon rise.

I call the Goddess Eostre, lady of green growing things,

I celebrate the earth's fertility, this burgeoning time of spring.

May the God grant me growth, patience, and the power to be wise,

As the slowly rising Storm Moon illuminates the eastern skies.

Summer Full Moon

Ah, summer. The garden is glorious and the herbs and flowers are growing and blooming. What better time to celebrate the exuberant magick and wonder of nature and the garden? If you care to add a subtle magickal theme to the garden, try adding a Green Man mask. This would be the perfect sly and very magickal accessory. The popular image of the Green Man is easy to find in garden-type gift shops. A Green Man is often depicted as a man's smiling face covered in leaves and foliage. The Green Man symbolizes the blessings of the God and his protective presence on your property.

The full moon closest to the summer solstice is traditionally employed to celebrate and enjoy the mystery and romance of the garden . . . must be all the lightning bugs and the scent of roses in the evening air. As night falls, the lightning bugs make their annual appearance. Children run about the yard, chasing them down and hoping to catch one. If they are successful, they giggle as the bugs crawl across their hands and then gasp in wonder as they fly slowly away.

As we come closer to the longest day of the year and the point where the sun reaches its zenith, we should work for the gentle blessing of rain and the protection of the crops that the farmers have worked so diligently to grow. Make sure that you are watering your plants and new trees. As the hottest part of the year begins, water is crucial to the garden's survival. Give the plants a dose of fertilizer to encourage their growth. It is not enough merely to plant the herbs and flowers in the garden, you must care for them as well. Celebrate your health, happiness, and your ability to be free. Observe the night sky, and go chase a couple of lightning bugs, just for the fun of it. I won't tell a soul.

Candles:
Blue, yellow, and gold.

Plants and Flowers:
Summer fruits like berries, roses, a few sprigs of holly, green oak leaves and flowering herbs from the garden.

Gods and Goddesses:
The Green Man, the Holly and the Oak King, all mother goddesses.

Ritual Bonfire:
Alas, city ordinances often prohibit bonfires without special permission. Safety is a main issue as well—you wouldn't want to accidentally set someone's yard on fire! If you have a permit or permission to light a bonfire, be smart and safe. Keep hoses nearby and water at the ready. If a large bonfire is not an option for you, instead try building a small balefire in a old-style barbeque pit, or light several candles and then place them together, inside of a large metal cauldron.
Ta-da!
Instant balefire.

Timing:
When the moon is directly overhead or midnight.

The noble Green Man has once again returned,

On this grand night the blessed bonfires will burn.

Bring us prosperity and health, Great Mother, we pray,

As we celebrate the shortest night and the longest day.

Autumn Full Moon

The harvest moon. Traditionally the harvest moon got its name from the farmers who appreciated the extra light and extra work time that it gave them for gathering their crops. Due to the angle of the earth at this time of year, the moon looks huge as it rises. Often it appears gold or even bright orange as it ascends into the eastern sky.

As our season of gardening begins to wind down, we are rewarded with the glory of the changing leaves and the blessing of the cool, crisp evening air. Clip some spicy mums from the garden and bring them inside to brighten up your table. Rake some leaves together and start a leaf fight with your spouse or the kids. Go and pick out some charming tulip or daffodil bulbs and plant them now, so you can enjoy them in the garden next spring. Remember, fall is for planting, too.

Choose a pretty young tree or shrub from the nursery and plant it into your yard. This is the perfect time of the year to plant trees and shrubs, as they get to settle into their new homes and drop their leaves naturally. The cooler fall air and rains help them suffer less transplant shock. The tree or shrub will go dormant and rest during winter. Come spring, they are adjusted to their new home and ready to grow.

The harvest moon could be used to bless those new trees and shrubs, to celebrate the family and your happy home, and it is the perfect time to be thankful for the bounty of your garden, whether it was flowers for the vase, herbs for spells and charms, or simply vegetables for the kitchen table.

Candles:
Red, orange, yellow, and brown.

Plants and Flowers:
Mums, asters, morning glory. Apples and pumpkins, grapes and grapevines. Oak leaves, acorns, and other turning leaves. Various herbs to match your magickal intent.

Gods and Goddesses:
The Crone, Demeter, Persephone, and Hecate. The god of the vine, Dionysus.

Timing:
Sunset/moon rise.

Great Goddess, as your golden moon rises, we hail this season of plenty.

The garden's final bounty is gathered in, as the leaves turn colors gently.

There is a bite in the air as autumn, the season of the witch, sweeps in.

Let our days of thanksgiving, prosperity, and family unity begin.

You know that it is coming . . . the part where I insist that you get out your pen and start working on your own thoughts for full moon rituals or celebrations. Full moon rituals do not have to be complicated. No elaborate details, no memorizing lengthy speeches. This is a time for simple celebration and blessings! Be spontaneous. Light a candle or two for the old ones, gather your natural supplies, and speak from your heart.

Now, as promised, here is a fast and easy recipe for esbat (full moon) cookies. This has no eggs in it and the ingredients are usually to be found in the pantry (I don't know about you, but I always seem to be out of eggs whenever I try to bake). This recipe requires no refrigeration time for the dough. If you prefer, substitute all vanilla extract instead of half almond and half vanilla, that works just as well. These make great cookies for any and all occasions. Just mix them up and roll 'em out!

Easy Esbat Mooncakes

1
⁄
4
cup shortening

1
⁄
4
cup butter or margarine, at room temperature

3
⁄
4
cup granulated sugar

1
⁄
4
cup milk (may need to add a bit more)

1
⁄
2
teaspoon almond extract

1
⁄
2
teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1
1
⁄
2
teaspoons baking powder

Cream first three ingredients. Add remaining ingredients and mix with spoon. Add more milk if necessary. Roll dough out to
1
⁄
8
–
1
⁄
4
of an inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into shapes. (Use moon- or star-shaped cookie cutters, or a glass for round shapes.) Bake at 350 degrees for 8–9 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet (baking times may vary; bake until golden brown on bottom and edges are set). Remove from sheet and carefully transfer to racks or paper towels to cool.

I am the daughter of earth and water,
And the nursling of the sky;
I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;
I change, but cannot die.

Percy Bysshe Shelley