My Herb Garden

Over the years I have collected and worked with many herbs, and herbal blends in spell work. Let's just say I could open a spice aisle in a grocery store. Nonetheless, I find that I always fell back to a few basic staples, with the occasional exotic herb thrown in. Do not get me wrong, Collecting and storing herbs in pretty jars with beautiful labels is super fun, but it sure is space consuming. Then I found myself questioning the sourcing of certain herbs, the ethical implications, etc. This is when I decided, if I use it, I will do my best to grow it. Then I know that there was love and care in the tending of the plant, it was ethically sourced and not covered in some kind of pesticide. So now, I have a fresh herb garden featuring mostly culinary herbs, so that I can eat them and use them in my magic. Each year I expand with a plant or two, learn how to tend to them, and how they will interact with the other herbs (soil conditions, watering needs, space, sun etc). What is in my Herb Garden?

- Let's take a stroll.

Rosemary - A beautiful shrub that can really expand if given the space. Simply brush against Rosemary and you can smell its pungent herbaceous scent. Once Rosemary blooms you will see purple flowers that are fondly visited by our pollinator friends. Rosemary does not "bolt" like some herbs meaning that it can flower, and still produce seeds, with no change to its scent or flavor profile. Rosemary has an abundance of uses in spell work, and home remedy. Currently there is a popular trend that resurfaced from antiquity, boiling rosemary, it is said to bring a sense of calm to a space, as well as mental clarity. This is likely due to its terpene or aromatic profile and is similar to the concept of essential oil aromatherapy. Though Rosemary may have calming effects when used in this way, it has a bit more of an active nature when used in spell work.

Rosemary is associated with: The root chakra - security, protection, stability.

The element of fire - action, impulse, passion, purification, creation etc.

The Moon - Secrets, spirits, sub conscious, emotions,

the Sun - Leadership, courage, action, spirit, vitality, abundance

and Mercury - communication, writing, documenting, spiritualism, liminal spaces. (Those are just a few of the energies these elements and celestial bodies represent). Rosemary is a conduit of these types of energies and work best in spell work that matches these themes. This would include - Attraction, banishing, bindings, blessings, spirit communication, consecration, dreamwork, empowerment, healing, hex breaking, increase, inspiration, intelligence, intuition, knowledge, learning, longevity, loyalty, luck, magic, nightmares, power, protection, psychic ability, purification, rebirth, release, well-being, willpower, youthfulness.

---

Our next stop - Thyme

Thyme comes in many varieties; I currently grow Lemon Thyme and Orange Thyme. Lemon Thyme is very leafy and supple, it tends to drape and self-propagate easily, Orange Thyme is more like the image here, smaller leaves, a bit stiffer and drought tolerant, spreads slower and tends to remain more shrub like vs the Lemon Thyme's ground cover like appearance. Thyme is not just a popular cooking herb; it is also a potent herb for spells.

Thyme is associated with the heart chakra - compassion, love, friendship, mindfulness,

the elements of air - the mind, logic, action, thinking

and water - emotions, intuition, the body, consecration.

Aligned with the celestial energy of Venus - Friendship, hedonism, love, art, pleasure, society, beauty, and ornate things. Thyme's energy is one of a delicate yet powerful nature, it is used in spell work that would include themes such as: Activating or awakening the mind, authority, awareness, clairvoyance, confidence, consecration, divination, grief, growth, happiness, healing, the home, increase, love, luck, magic, money, power, protection, purification, renewal, skills, strength. Do not let the concepts of love and compassion fool you into thinking this herb is light and friendly, this herb stands for those things with a ferocious and unapologetic nature. For in the face of darkness compassion is a strength that many do not have.

---

Moving on to my lovely Rainbow Sage.

Rainbow Sage is a beautiful herb that is quite easy to grow. The leaves of this plant are hues of greens and purples, which is where the name is derived. This sage can be used like any other type of sage in general spell work, for purification, protection, etc. I personally use this and Rosemary in bundles that I burn on occasion to cleanse a space.

Sage is associated with the Throat chakra - Truth, speaking and standing in truth, wisdom elements of air - Logic, Spirit Communication, Thought, Mind and earth - Stability, Resources, Material, Physical The planet Jupiter - Wisdom, Spirituality, Expansion, Joy and Mercury - Spiritualism, Communication, Liminal Spaces, Mental Skill. It is useful in spell work that may include:

Balance, concentration, consecration, divination, energy, grounding, guidance, healing, insight and introspection, memory, the mind, money, obstacles, power, prophecy, prosperity, psychic protection, psychic ability, purification, quests, release, reversal, secrets, spirits, strength, truth, visions, wisdom.

---

*A note for those that may be in aversion to, or confused about, using sage due to the potential for cultural appropriation - sage is an herb that has been used in many cultures, as far away as the Mediterranean where witches and culinary masters alike engage with it. Using sage is not cultural appropriation. It is an herb that belongs to all of us. What is cultural appropriation and should be avoided is using terminology flippantly ex: "smudging" and participating in or emulating ceremonies or acts that are from a closed religion. Yes, you can use sage in your magic, show it just as much reverence and respect as you would for any other herb given to us by Mother Earth.

Grow your own and you will know it is from a sustainable source.

---

Oh it is Oregano

Oregano perhaps known best for its role in Italian cuisine more than in magic, this herb is part of the mint family and does not need much attention to grow or spread. It is abundant, resilient, and in some cases can be a little invasive to other plants in your garden- plant with care. Oregano is associated with: the Heart chakra - Love, compassion, friendship, relationships the element of air - mental, logic, thought the planets - Mercury - communication, spiritualism, liminal spaces, and Venus - Love, beauty, prosperity. Oregano is great for magical spells that include: Attraction, courage, confidence, connection, consciousness, defense, healing, hex protect, love, magic, marriage, money, peace, prosperity, protect from witchcraft, relationships, release, security, sorrow, well-being.

---

Look, it's Lemon Balm Lemon Balm quite a strong plant, it too is a member of the mint family, and it too can easily take over a space if not pruned or tamed. Lemon balm can spread easily and turn up in places you did not plant it, so be weary. Lemon balm is a lovely soothing plant that is often used in teas to illicit a sense of calm. The aroma of the leaves alone can aid in re-centering.

Lemon Balm is associated with: The heart chakra - compassion, love, healing The element of water - intuition, emotion, soothing

the planets - Venus - Love, beauty, healing, compassion, prosperity, fertility Jupiter - Joy, abundance, expansion, wisdom and Mercury - Communication, spiritualism, psychic, liminal spaces

Lemon Balm is useful in spell work such as: Attract positive energy, calming, confidence, emotions, feminine energy, focus, happiness, healing, home, intuition, love, prosperity, protection, purity, renewal, sleep and dream work

---

Stop and grab a Strawberry

Strawberries are probably my favorite thing in my garden; I have started several smaller plants from the mother plant that is a whopping 5 years old. Every June right on time with the Strawberry Moon we start to see the red jeweled flesh of the Strawberries. The area that I live in is known for its Strawberry and Raspberry growing and boasts some of the sweetest produce in the country, often saved for desert and preserve products.

Did you know? Strawberry and Raspberry leaves in tea are a remedy for menstruation discomfort?

Strawberries are associated with the heart chakra - compassion, love, friendship, healing

the element of water - intuition, feminine energy, emotions

the planet Venus - Love, beauty, luxury, compassion, partnerships

the leaves or berries can be used in spell works that include: adaptability, attraction, beauty, desire, divination, friendship, harmony, love, sensuality, stress, visions.

---

The next herbs I am adding to my garden are Meadow Sweet, Marshmallow Root, and Licorice. Spell supplies are everywhere, and they do not have to be fancy. Not a fan of growing plants and herbs, but you still want variety; Grab a cooking herb and spice kit, it will nourish you and aid in your magical practice. Do you have some left-over loose-leaf tea? Those herbs can be used in magic as well. Join me next time for when we stroll through my flower garden where we will meet the Voodoo Lily, Marigold, Bacopa and more.