
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. We’ve all used them for cooking, but did you know you can use them for magick as well?
Welcome to Making Magick with Culinary Herbs! This fun, hands-on class will provide you with information on 9 culinary herbs, their magickal properties, uses, as well as a bit of history and lore. We will then go on to create one of three (your choice) charm/spell bags using these wonderful herbs.
Class will be held on:
June 12, 2022, 1 pm
June 16, 2022, 6:30 pm
at the Triune Moon studio – 51636 Huntington Rd Ste 2, La Pine, Oregon
Price is $20 per person and includes a detailed handout and all herbs, etc. for the hands-on portion.
Click on the link below to reserve your spot!
https://square.link/u/nJ9n9C0i
Note: This class will be available for purchase online early in July.
Basket in hand she slowly walks down the cobbled pathway of her witches garden. Her bare feet make not a sound as she wends her way through herbs and flowers. Humming a happy tune, she looks right and then left, studying the plants that line the path. Adjusting her broad-brimmed hat she peers down at a lush green Mugwort plant. Reaching into her basket she pulls out a sharp, white handled knife. Skillfully, she makes several cuts to the plant stems and then places the cuttings into her basket. Bowing her head towards the Mugwort, she thanks it for its sacrifice. She pulls an offering of fertilizer out of the voluminous pocket of her garden apron. Sprinkling it around the plant she bows again in thanks. Smiling, she turns and continues down the path, scanning her charges to see who else may be ready for harvest.
This is a glimpse of the iconic Witches Garden, a garden that seems a dream to the majority of us. However, a witches garden doesn’t need to be located on a huge plot of land or even in a country setting. Your garden can be on a balcony in the city, a patio in an urban area, or in raised beds in your suburban back yard.
In this the first installment of The Witches Garden, we will discuss how to plan and create your own magickal oasis no matter where that may be. To begin, let’s discuss the types of plants you may wish to include. Please note: When in doubt about a plant and its ability to grow in your area, check with your professionals at your local garden center.
In order to decide what I would like to add into my witches garden I think of the herbs and flowers that I use most in my magick. For me these include:
Next, I will make a list of culinary herbs that double as magickal herbs as well. My favorites are:
Already we have quite an extensive list going. If you have limited space you may have to pare your list down to accommodate the planting area.
Next, check to make sure that a) the plant will grow in your area; b) if the plant will grow best in containers and/or in the ground and; c) how much sun each plant requires during the day (Full sun, part sun/part shade, full shade). You will have to spend some time watching your intended garden plot to see when the sun hits each area. Full sun plants require 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Part sun/part shade plants will need 3 to 6 hours of sun. Full shade plants will require less than 3 hours of sun per day. Plan accordingly!
Once you have determined which plants will grow in your area, the proper amount of sun required, and how they need to be planted, we can move on to the next step. Here, we determine whether or not we are going to purchase our plants ready to transplant or if we will start them from seed.
Making the decision to begin your garden with transplants or seeds depends on a few factors: 1) Cost- Plants at the nursery tend to be more expensive than starting plants from seeds; 2) Some plants like Tarragon, cannot be started from seeds. A quick Google search can show you how best to start your plants, and; 3) The amount of time you are willing to invest in starting your garden – Starting from seeds takes considerably more time.
Personally, I like to use a combination. I tend to start with purchased plants for my tomatoes and other veggies because I tend to have better luck than I do starting them from seed. Most of my herbs and flowers are all started from seeds, bought from my favorite on-line vendors.
I would suggest using organic seeds and plants, especially if you are going to be harvesting them for food or medicinal purposes. While I prefer that my magickal plants be organic as well, they are not always easy to find. Rule of thumb – if you are ingesting it, keep it organic. Otherwise standard plants or seeds will work.
Our planning is nearly complete. All that remains is laying out our Witches Garden. Take a few minutes to sketch out the area that you have available (you don’t need to be an artist to do this – Goddess knows I’m not). Take notes as to the amount of sun in the area and whether or not the plants are going into the ground or containers. Jot down the square footage (see here for instructions on how to determine this measurement), for either the in-ground or container area. Once you know how much space is available you will have an idea of how many plants you can grow and/or how many containers (pots, raised beds), you can place in your new garden area.
Careful planning of your garden may seem like an awful lot of effort, but the time you take now will determine how successful of a start all of your plants will have. As in all of Witchcraft and magick, prep is key! Take the time to get things organized and started right and I believe, green thumb or no, you will have a successful garden that you can take pride in. Happy Planning!
Next Week: The Witches Garden: Part Two – Planting
Dill is a semi-hardy annual with erect, freely branching annual herb with finely dissected, lacy, blue-green foliage. Dill is best known for its use in the making of pickles but can be used both as a culinary and medicinal herb. Magickly, Dill – our herb of the month, is a powerful and potent plant ally.
Plant: Dill
Latin Name: Anethum graveolens
Family: Apeacia (a member of the parsley family)
Folk/Secret Names: Dilly, Dill Weed, Garden Dill, Meeting House Seed, Hairs of a Hamadryas Baboon, Semen of Hermes
Gender: Masculine
Elements: Fire
Planet: Mercury
Astrological Signs: Gemini
Deities: Anubis, Hermes, Janus, Khensu, Mercury
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, and seeds
Substitutions: You can substitute Fennel in your spell work if you are out of Dill as it has similar correspondences.
Dill, our herb of the month, does not transplant well, so sowing the seeds is recommended. Plant 12 to 15 inches apart in a weed-free, semi-rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil in a sheltered sunny position. It takes well to pots and containers, just be sure that they drain well.
Plants may grow to 2 or 3 feet in height. Pinch off the flowers if you wish to increase the leaf production.
As soon as the plant has four to five leaves, you can start harvesting. Pinch off the leaves or cut them off with scissors.
Leaves can be used fresh or dried. Dry your harvested leaves by either hanging them upside down in bunches or spread on a mesh screen or muslin. Place in a warm – not hot – area out of the direct sunlight. You may also dry in a dehydrator.
When growing for the seed try growing more than one plant, one or two for the leaves and one or two for the seed. Do not plant Dill next to Fennel as the plants will cross-pollinate. Keep them away from Carrot as well as the carrots will not grow well with Dill around.
Dill seeds in the late summer or early autumn. Flower can take up to 25 days for the seeds to germinate. The seeds should be collected when they are light brown and fully formed. Place a paper bag over the seed heads and cut, leaving a bit of the stem sticking out of the bag. Tie the stems together and hang to dry for a 10 to 15 days. You will know that they are ready when you shake the bag and you hear the seeds fall.
Warning: Mature dill seeds are toxic to birds! Harvest all seeds before they drop.
Add Dill – our Herb of the Month – to potatoes for a tangy treat.
Create a Dill infused vinegar for use on salads by adding Dill to white wine vinegar and infuse for 2 weeks.
Add some dill to scrambled eggs, omelets and frittatas for some zest.
A pinch of dill creamed into butter with some added garlic makes a great spread for toast, bread and biscuits.
Let’s not forget the pickles! Dill – our Herb of the Month- is essential in making a crisp and crunchy dill pickle. Check out this great dill pickle recipe here
The information provided below is for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. More information on these disclaimers can be found here.
Tarragon is a perennial plant with long, light green leaves. It is not a plant that is normally found in the American garden as it is used sparsely for culinary purposed here. However, tarragon, our herb of the month, is a must have for every magickal herb cabinet.
Plant: Tarragon, French Tarragon
Latin Name: Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Folk Names: Estragon, Little Dragon, Dragon’s Herb, Dragon’s Mugwort,Wyrmwort
Gender: Feminine
Elements: Fire
Planet: Mars
Astrological Signs: Aries
Deities: Artemis, Venus
Parts Used: Leaves – fresh or dried
Substitutions: Anise can be substituted for tarragon in most spells and vise versa.
Tarragon, our herb of the month, cannot be started from seeds, only cuttings. Transplant Tarragon in the early spring. Plant your cuttings in well-drained soil about 2 – 3 feet apart in a sunny area. Tarragon does not care for wet conditions as this may cause the plant to become straggly and die off.
Plants may grow to 2 or 3 feet in height. Prune your plant regularly to prevent flowers and to keep at a height of about 2 feet as any taller and the plant tends to droop. Every 3 or 4 years divide up your plant in the spring or fall, freeing up space to keep the plant healthy.
In the fall remove any leaves and debris that falls on the plant as it will kill the foliage. Tarragon will die back to the ground during the winter months but will reemerge quickly in the spring.
The French Tarragon variety is the plant most used in cooking. Tarragon adds flavor to eggs, fish, cheese and poultry. It is a main ingredient in French Bernaise sauce for Eggs Benedict. Tarragon butter can be used over green beans, asparagus, peas, carrots. Add tarragon to mayonnaise to serve with cold seafood or fish.
Create a Tarragon infused vinegar for use on salads by adding tarragon to white wine vinegar and infuse for 2 weeks.
The information provided below is for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Additional information
Notes: Tarragon is a member of the Asteraceae family. If you are sensitive or allergic to other plants in this family such as ragweed, daisy or marigold you should take caution when adding tarragon to your diet either as a culinary herb or medicinally.