Book of Shadows
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 19 December 2009 15:21 |
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Snow softly falls. The only sound is a few birds whispering together. Mother Nature waits in peaceful anticipation for her restful blanket of snow.
What a perfect way to begin the winter season...with a new blanket of snow! It is as though nature itself is, too, celebrating the winter solstice. This day, of course, marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year.
Ancient cultures around the world celebrated this time to celebrate the “rebirth” of the sun. In 7th century Japan, the winter solstice was celebrated to honor the sun goddess Amaterasu. People of the Netherlands celebrated Beiwe and ancient Celtics referred to the day as Meán Geimhridh, which essentially means Midwinter. Of course a more commonly know ancient celebration is Saturnalia, the Roman feast honoring their sun gods. Did you know the word “Yule” is an old Germanic word which roughly means a celebration of nature and religion?
To celebrate the Winter solstice, I light white candles to represent the snow and a red candle to represent the sun. I let these candles burn all day and all night. Traditionally, a Yule log would be burned, but unfortunately a fireplace is not at my disposal. At midnight, I light a special candle in honor of the season. If possible, I step out to my garden and bless it as it is going dormant, and feed the hungry birds. This is a season for rest, peace, friendship and love, new beginnings, and rebirth. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 14 November 2009 15:55 |
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Ah, late autumn....a time of year when the trees have shed their leaves, frost is heavy on the ground, some might spend their evenings near a warm fire sipping hot cider, and....colds and flus are circulated. And what better way to combat that cold or flu than with hot yarrow tea.
Yarrow has many uses-yes, including aiding in recovery from colds and flus. Some say the “golden cure” is peppermint, elderflowers, and yarrow. Yarrow is also useful for inducing sleep, easing pain and bruises when applied as a poultice, reducing blood pressure, and speeding up blood clotting (thus explaining another common name for yarrow, Nosebleed). Really, the list of ailments yarrow is known to help is endless. This herb is also a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Native to Europe and Asia, yarrow is a very common, unfussy herb. It likes full sun, but will tolerate poor, dry soil. Even if not used for its medicinal purposes, yarrow is still great to grow in your garden for the benefit of the other flowers and herbs. It attracts predatory insects like wasps, ladybugs, and hoverflies and repells bad ones. The leaves are a good fertilizer when added to compost, and it has even been discovered that sick plants will become healthy when grown near them.
During the Middle Ages, yarrow was worn to protect the wearer from just about everything....though most often for love and friendship or protection. Legend says the herb would also provide courage, improve psychic powers, and even prevent baldness. It was also used in exorcisms...perhaps explaining another name for the herb, Devil’s Nettle. Other common names for yarrow include Arrowroot, Wound Wort, Milfoil, Field Hops, Lady’s Mantle, and Witch’s herb.
My own varieties of yarrow are pictured here.
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 17 October 2009 14:39 |
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The frost is on the ground and outdoor gardening is minimal. While some gardeners enjoy the break provided by the cold winter months, I am one of those who brings some of her garden indoors. One of my favorite indoor plants is the eucalyptus.
The eucalyptus (also know as blue gum tree or stringy bark tree) is native to Australia and southern Asia, so naturally, it is a pretty unfussy plant...withstanding dry, poor soil. It is an easy plant to grow in a pot, but is fast growing and doesn’t like to be potbound so be sure to plant it in a large pot. Whenever planting a eucalyptus, avoid knocking the roots around and never cut the roots to loosen them. This plant is extremely sensitive to root damage.
The eucalyptus is an natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and has “warming properties”....in short, this herb is one of the best treatments for colds, flus, pneumonia (and other chest congestion), sore throats, arthritis, etc, etc. It can be used as an inhaler or rubbed on the skin. You could even make a tincture or tea for relieving an ailment.
When grown indoors, the eucalyptus cleanses and freshens the air. It is, of course, a healing and protection herb. You could hang eucalyptus over your bed while you are ill to help speed recovery or place the seed pods under your pillow. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 26 September 2009 15:31 |
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Native to the Mediterranean, rue is now grown worldwide. This sturdy little evergreen shrub prefers full sun, but can thrive in any type of soil...no matter how infertile or dry the conditions may be. Rue has many names including garden rue, herb of grace, mother of herbs, and countryman’s treacle. There are many who find the scent of the herb repulsive and some even describe it as “obnoxious”. If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to handle this herb with gloves for the natural oils make cause skin irritations.
Rue is best know for its anti-spasmodic properties, treating anything from muscle cramps and sciatica pains to asthma and stomach aches and even nerve problems such as multiple sclerosis. Chewing the leaves or placing a few sprigs on your forehead may relieve headaches and migraines. When taken with Valerian and Skullcap, rue will help dizziness, heart palpitations, seizures, stress headaches, high blood pressure, and hypertension. Of course, like all medications and herbs, take rue in moderation.
According to lore, rue is best grown when stolen. Toads do not like rue. Never plant rue, lavender, basil, and sage near each other...these plants do not like to “touch elbows”. If your home is tormented by negativity and restlessness, sprinkle salt water through your home using a sprig of rue. Hang rue above your door or make a sachet with the herb to provide protection to you and your home. Burn rue or wear a sprig around your neck to help aid in recovery from an illness or to protect you from further ills. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 29 August 2009 14:52 |
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With delicate white flowers and a strong familiar scent, jasmine is not hard to recognize. The jasmine goes by many names: jessamin, yasmin (a Persian word meaning “Gift of God”), moonlight in the grove, jessamine. This tropical flower is a climber and can reach the height of 20 feet or more. In cooler regions, it can be wintered indoors.
While the jasmine berries are poisonous, the flowers and sometimes leaves are still used for medicinal purposes. The oil from the flowers has a warming effect, so it is often used for coughs and breathing problems, cold cramping muscles, and even menstrual pain. Certain cultures in Asia use the flowers in a tea to soothe a headache or insomnia as well as ease many types of pain. Some even make a soothing ice cream from the flowers! Nicholas Culpepper says “A poultice of the leaves, boiled in wine, dissolves cold swelling and hard tumors...” Interesting. Its most common modern use is, of course, in aromatherapy...an anti-depressant and nerve relaxer.
Considered an aphrodisiac, the flowers and oil are often used to draw love. If you have trouble sleeping at night, burn jasmine incense or add a few drops of oil to a diffuser. This can also cause prophetic dreams. Jasmine is a symbol of love, sensuality, grace, and elegance. My own varieties are pictured here. The Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides (above) and the night Jasmine, Cestrum Nocturnum (below).
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Friday, 17 July 2009 17:46 |
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The moon has long been a base for superstitions and lore. Farmers and gardeners followed the moon phases closely when planting or harvesting. Certain groups consider the moon a great goddess...the moon being the feminine aspect of nature while the sun is masculine. Other people thought the phases of the moon caused madness...hence the word lunacy was what you might call someone who was “driven mad” by the moonshine. The gemstone known as Moonstone was given this name because ancient Indian cultures noted this stone (particularly the rainbow moonstone) was colored like the moon.
Two unique full moons are the Harvest Moon and the Blue Moon. The harvest moon is the full moon in the autumn which is very often red or orange..the color is caused by dust in the air, perhaps stirred up by the harvest. This moon would be followed by harsh, unpredictable weather. The blue moon is a unique occurrence when there are two full moons in one month. This phenomenon happens every 2 to 3 years...this rare event no doubt spurred the saying “once every blue moon”. This is a year of a blue moon, happening December 2nd, 2009 and again December 31, 2009.
Old weather predicting lore are as follows:
-A ring around the moon is a warning...and quite possibly rain or snow.
-A red moon is a warning of rain, clouds, heat....generally unpredictable weather.
-If a star is caught in soft clouds around the moon, a blessed rain will fall.
-A rainbow or “bloody” halo around the moon is a sign of danger and death.
-Clear moon, frost soon. Halo around the moon, rain soon. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 20 June 2009 14:48 |
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Fireflies twinkle in the garden like little stars, crickets sing their tireless songs, white flowers glow eerily in the darkness of the night. And for some on this Midsummer Night, a bonfire blazes nearby. Commonly known as Summer Solstice and less commonly known as Litha, this is the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
Since ancient times, many countries of Northern Europe (mainly the Scandinavian countries, but also Ireland and northern England) celebrated Midsummer. Traditionally, a bonfire would be built on a hilltop as representation of the sun and the now shortening days. It was also believed the bonfire would provide protection from evil spirits. The midsummer celebration would also include a picnic dinner consisting of fish, sausages, potatoes with parsley, and fresh fruit. For those living near water, there would be boat or swim races in the afternoon. Singing and dancing would take place around midnight when the bonfire was burning strong and bright.
According to ancient lore, herbs gathered on Midsummer would have miraculous healing properties. It was believed fern seeds gathered on this day could make one invisible. Flowers were also harvested and made into garlands and wreaths to bring health and provide protection from evil. Unmarried woman would gather nine different types of flowers, form a bouquet, and place it under her pillow. Legends says she would dream of her future husband.
To celebrate Midsummer, plan a picnic with a simple menu consisting of fish and fruit. Decorate your home with blue, green, and yellow candles and gather fresh flowers to create wreaths and bouquets. Take a moment at midnight to burn a candle (if a traditional bonfire is not optional) and reflect on the season. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Sunday, 31 May 2009 16:03 |
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With long purple or blue fragrant flowers, the wisteria is hard not to notice. Depending on the variety, wisterias bloom from April to June. Wisterias need lots of support as they grow, even a wisteria tree may need support for its heavy flowers and branches; so grow your wisteria over an arbor or trellis or fence. Wisterias can be planted in partial shade, but prefer full sun. You won’t get many flowers if you plant it in partial shade.
Though wisterias are common all over the globe, the varieties from Japan and China should probably be avoided....Latin names: Wisteria Sinensis and Wisteria Floribunda These varieties are evasive and could even be destructive to other trees it is planted near. The variety native to the Americas is smaller and slower growing and is much easier to control.
Wisterias are a symbol of friendship and welcoming in strangers and those new friendships...”I cling to thee” and “Meeting you means so much to me”. |
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Written by Madame Aradia
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Saturday, 09 May 2009 15:12 |
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 Tucked away in dark shady gardens, you may find bleeding-hearts. Oh, it’s not a hard flower to find...their name describes what they look like. Another less common name for the bleeding heart is dutchman’s trousers. These delicate little flowers don’t last long...blooming late spring and only lasting a few weeks before they die back and go dormant for another season. You can encourage the bleeding heart to stay green through the season by watering it often during the hot summer months. Bleeding hearts look beautiful along side hostas and ferns. Bleeding hearts are native to North America and Japan. It grew wild in lush, shady forests where the soil was rich and the shadows deep. Years ago, it was believed you could tell if your love loved you by crushing the flowers. If the juice was red, he/she loved you. If it was white, well, perhaps it was time to move on. Other legend advises on not growing bleeding-hearts indoors as the flower might bring a negative spirit into your home. However, you can calm the plant by placing a stone or coin in the soil. |
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What is a "Book of Shadows"?
Originally, the "Book of Shadows" was a term that referred to a coven's collection of spells and secrets. In modern culture, the term is used to refer to a witch's personal diary and/or journal. The purpose is to keep a record of everything the witch learns and discovers. While usually kept private, I have decided to make mine public in the form of a blog. I have done this in the hopes of helping other find magic in everyday life, and especially in the practice of gardening.
My Latest...
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Pansy and Bee
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Snowdrop
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Purple Pansy and Bee
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Crocus
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Now the Moon
madamearadia posted a photo:
Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in silver feathered sleep
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.
-Walter de la Mare, "Silver"
3/4/2010
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