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Contents

Introduction

Part1:DiscoveringtheGreenWitch

Chapter1:WhatIsGreenWitchcraft?ThePathoftheGreenWitch

ABriefHistoryofGreenWitchcraftLearningtoIdentifywiththeEarthTheMagicofBeingaGreenWitch

Chapter2:EmbraceYourOwnPowerFocusonYourEnergyCenters

ToolsofUseMakeYourHomeaSacredSpaceMakeaSacredOutdoorSpaceBeinTunewiththeEarth

Chapter3:AttuneYourselftoNatureGettoKnowYourCorneroftheUniverse

ExperiencetheEnvironmentalEnergyAroundYouGroundingYourself

WorkwiththeFourNaturalElementsDiscoverandDevelopYourSenses

Chapter4:ManifestthePoweroftheSeasonsSeasonalCyclesandEnergy

CelebratingtheSolsticesandEquinoxesMeditationsforEverySeasonPerformingSeasonalRituals

Part2:WalkingtheGreenPath

Chapter5:LiveCloselywiththeEarthTheSun,theMoon,andtheStarsWorkingwithGreenEnergy

TheMagicofTreesTapIntotheEnergiesofFlowers

PotentHerbsandGreensUsingStones:TheBonesoftheEarth

Chapter6:KeepaGreenWitchGardenThePowerinaGardenDesigningYourGarden

TipsonPlantingCaringforYourGardenNaturallyFillYourHomewithHouseplants

Chapter7:CreateandCraftGreenWitchMagicPreparingHerbs

ExtractingtheEnergiesofHerbsBlessingYourCreationsMakingHerbalIncenseCreateSpellBags

CraftaDreamPillowGardenSpellBagsMakeaBroom

CraftBalmsorPerfumesBuildGardenSteppingStones

Chapter8:BecomeaNaturalHealerTheStepsofHealingBrewingHealingTeas

Energy-EmpoweringEssentialOilsRegeneratingBathsandBathSalts

MakeRestorativeElixirs

Chapter9:GreenWitchKitchenRecipesTapIntotheEnergiesofFruits

IntegratethePowerofFlowersCraftVinegarsforPotency

AddSweetnesswithInfusedSugarsBoostHealthwithVegetables

IncorporatetheGoodnessofGrains

Acknowledgments

AbouttheAuthor

Appendix:TheMagicalAssociationsofNaturalItems

Bibliography

Index

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DedicationForSayaandSydney,whomaybeamongthenextgenerationofgreenwitches.

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Introduction

Whatever your reasons for seeking balance you’ll find that harmonizingyourselfwiththeenergyofnaturecanhelpyoubreakfreefromthestressorsin your life and focus on the here and now.And there is no betterway toexplorethebountyofnaturethanbyfollowingthepathofthegreenwitch.

Thewayofthegreenwitchisthepathofthenaturalist,theherbalist,andthe healer. It is a free-form, flexible, and personalized practice for anyonewhowants to explore the gifts of nature and use them to find balance andharmonyinlife.WithTheGreenWitchyou’llfindtheinformationyouneedtodevelopandnurturethespiritualpracticeofgreenwitchcraft—fromadviceonwalking the green path in themodernworld to information on essentialherbs,plants, trees,stones,andmore.Youwillfindrecipes,exercises,ritualsuggestions,anddirectionsformakingpotionsandherbalblendsforpurposesbothmundaneandmagical.

From issues such as the history of the practice to creating your ownindividualtraditions,TheGreenWitchisapositiveandpracticalguideforthemoderngreenwitchtryingtoconnectwithnatureintoday’ssociety.Whatissorelevantanduniqueaboutgreenwitchcraftisthatitisahighlyspecializedandsolopractice.Noteveryonewillbedrawntothesamethingsandpracticeinthesameway.It’saboutfindingaworkablebalanceinyourownlifewithinyourownsetting.

Thegreenwitchworkscloselywithnatureand itsgifts.Sheusesnaturalelements to improve thewell-beingof thephysicalbody, the spirit, and theenvironment, andworks to establish a personal connectionwith the naturalworld. It may seem like a challenge to harmonize with nature in today’stechnologicalandindustrialworld.Fortunately,youdon’tneedtoremoveorreversemoderninfluences.Whatyouneedtodoisdiscoverhowtoconnectyourmodern life to that earlierknowledge that iswaiting foryou to find itagain. The trick is to recognize the presence of green energy in the worldtodayandtoseehowitstilloperates.

Listen to theworld aroundyou.Openyour heart.Rebalance.And enjoyyourjourney.

Note:Althoughthegreenwitchandreaderarereferredtoas“she”throughoutthis text, the path by nomeans excludesmale practitioners, who aremore

commoneveryday.Thepronoun“she”waschosensimplyforconvenience.

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Chapter1

WhatIsGreenWitchcraft?

HISTORICALLY, A GREENWITCH LIVED apart, using the energies of plants andtreesaroundhertohealothers.Thosewhoneededherservicestraveledtoseeher.Thesedays,agreenwitchismorelikelytobelivinginthemiddleofacityor in thesuburbs.Shecouldwork inanyofavarietyof fields,suchasbusiness,medicine,orteaching,ormightbeafull-timemom.

Agreenwitchisn’tdefinedbywhereshelivesorwhatshedoestobringhomeapaycheck.Norisshelimitedtoworkingwithplants, trees,orherbs.Sheisnot,aspeoplemightassume,definedsolelybytheparticularwaysheexpresses her spirituality or by the religion she follows. A green witch isdefinedbyherrelationshiptotheworldaroundher,byherethics,andbyheraffinitywiththenaturalworld.Inessence,shelivesthelifeofagreenwitch:shelivesthegreenpath.

The path of the greenwitch is an intensely personal path that integratesability,likesanddislikes,theclimateofaparticulargeographiclocation,andinteractionwiththeenergyofthatenvironment.Itisn’tatraditionsomuchasapersonaladaptationofanideal.

ThePathoftheGreenWitchIn popular perception, the practice of green witchcraft is a nature-basedexpressionofspiritualitythatfocusesontheindividual’sinteractionwithhisorhernaturalenvironment.Witchcraftitselfisapracticethatinvolvestheuseofnatural energies as an aid to accomplishing a taskor reaching agoal. Ingeneral,witchcraft acknowledges a god and a goddess (sometimes solely agoddess)andrecognizesthatmagicisanaturalphenomenon.

Witchcraft is frequently confused with Wicca, which is a modern,alternative,nature-basedreligion.WhileWiccaandwitchcraftpossessmanysimilarities, including reverence for nature, Wicca is a specific, formalreligion.Thereisawidevarietyofformsofwitchcraft,withvaryingdegrees

of structure. For the sake of this book, the term “witchcraft” refers to thepractice ofworkingwith natural energies to attain goals,without a specificreligiouscontext.

Agreenwitch,then,issomeonewholivesthegreenpathandisawareofhowtheenergyofnatureflowsthroughherlifeandenvironment,evenifthatenvironment is not the traditional garden and forest setting popularized byfairytalesandromanticizednotions.

Whydowe use the phrase “living the path” instead of simply saying “practicing greenwitchcraft”? It’s very simple.Greenwitchcraft is not a practice separate fromordinarylife, likeritualmagic, forexample; it isanall-encompassing, total-immersionexperiencewhereinalloflifeisamagicalexperience.

Green witchcraft is not a formal tradition in the sense of GardnerianWicca,DianicWicca,FeriTradition,orotherestablishedforms.Whenweusethephrase“thegreenwitchtradition,”wedonotrefertoanunbrokenlineofinitiatesoranestablishedbodyoflore.Instead,wearereferringtothevariouspracticesfromdiverseplacesthatcometogethertoinformthemoderngreenwitchandwisewoman.

Becausethepathofthegreenwitchisanindividualizedsolopractice,anymodern book on green witchcraft is simply a single author’s way ofinterpreting the practice. Initiation into green witchcraft is technicallyimpossible. There exists no body of formal knowledge passed on throughcareful training, no established groupmind towhich you are connected bysacred ceremonies performed by elders. Somemodern eclectic groupsmaybase their regularpracticeon the idealsofgreenwitchcraft, but it’snot thesamething.

A practitioner of greenwitchcraftmay pass on her personal knowledge,including her personal notes and writings, to another, but that’s not aninitiatoryprocess.Readingaspecificauthor’sideasandviewsconcerningthepathofthegreenwitchisaformofapprenticeshipinwhichyoulearnanewwayoflookingatyourworldanddiscovernewexercisesandtechniquesthatwillhelpyourefineanddeepenyourconnectiontothenaturalworldaroundyou. This process cannot be as intensely personal as traditionalapprenticeship, where the apprentice worked beside the master, but it is amodern form of acquiring the knowledge and skills of one particularpractitioner.

THEGREENWITCH’SOUTLOOKThe concepts of healing, harmony, and balance are all key to the green

witch’s practice and outlook on life. These concepts embody three distinctfocuses:

1.Theearth(yourlocalenvironment,aswellastheplanet)2.Humanity(ingeneral,aswellasyour localcommunityandcirclesoffriendsandacquaintances)

3.Yourself

The earth is often singled out as the greenwitch’smain focus,which isslightly unfair. The greenwitch understands that the earth incorporates theplanetandalllivingthingsuponit,includinganimals,plants,andpeople.Inthisrespect,yes:theearthisacollectivetermforalllivingthings.However,the green witch also knows that to lump them all together means that wesometimesforgetthemoreindividualemphasiseachdeserves.Wecandecrythegeneralmistreatmentofourplanet’swatersupply,but localactionoftenhasmoreof an immediate effect onour environment thandemonstrating infrontofanofficetower.“Cleanupyourownbackyard”isaphrasethegreenwitchunderstandswell.

People are also the green witch’s province. The modern green witchunderstands that humanity impacts thenaturalworld, notonly throughhowindividuals treat it, but also via the energy created by their feelings andbeliefs.Justasnature’senergyaffectsus,sotoodoesourenergyaffectnature,and that effect isn’t always positive. Therefore, the green witch seeks tomaintain harmony between humanity and nature. She also understands thatpeople affect other people with their energy, and she strives to maintain aharmonious energetic environment in which people can feel calm andempoweredtoimprovethemselvesinapositivefashionandinteractwitheachotherwitheaseandlove.

Finally,thegreenwitchmustfunctioninharmonywiththerealitiesofherownlife.Thismeansworkingoutyourowngoalsandobstaclesandknowingyour own self so that you can apply your energies and skills to the best ofyourability.Yourtrueselfisnotnecessarilytheselfyouwishyoucouldbe;itistheselfyouactuallyare.Findingthistrueselfcanbearemarkablydifficultgoal. We lie to ourselves on a regular basis, often so well that we arecompletelydeaf to certain aspectsofourpersonalitiesuntil thedaywedie.Workingwith that shadowed side of ourselves can be rewarding, however,and maintaining a harmony between our darker aspects and our positiveaspectsbringsourpersonalenergyintobalance.

ETHICSOFTHEGREENWITCHPATHInanypathrelatedtotheexpressionofspirituality,theconceptofethicsis

important.Interestinglyenough,therearenoethicalormoralrulesassociatedwith the green witch path other than those that the practitioner alreadypossesses.

Whyaretherenoethicalrulessetoutingreenwitchcraftpractice?Firstofall, the practice is so very personal that to create an overarching ethicalsystemwouldexcludesomepractitionersor force themtochangewho theyare.Greenwitchcraftisn’taboutforcinganindividualtochange;it’saboutanindividual choosing to harmonize her own life with the energy of nature.Second, the green witch is so in tune with her surroundings that a set ofethical strictures is unnecessary.Knowingyourself to be a part of a greaterwhole makes it difficult to act against that whole.Working with the earthmeans that to act against it would be counterproductive, and that includesactingagainstamemberoftheearth’sextendedenergy,suchasotherpeople,animals, plants, and so forth. It is difficult to act unethically when youunderstandhoweveryoneandeverythingisaffectedbythenegativityofsuchanaction.

Ifyouloveandrespecttheworldaroundyou,youwillnotabuseit.Themoreempathyandsympathyyouhaveforyoursurroundings,thebetteryouwilltreatthem.ThisistiedintothebasicGoldenRulefoundinseveralreligions.It’sethicalreciprocity:ifyoutreatthosearound youwith courtesy, theywill extend the same to you.What you put out into theworldreturnstoyou,andthatgoesforthoughts,acts,andenergy.

With the well-tuned awareness that the green witch strives to possesscomes a knowledge of who and what will be affected by her actions andchoices. With this understanding, and the sense of responsibility andguardianship for life that she also possesses, a further focus on ethics isunnecessary. Nature is your mother, your father, and your best friend. Itmakesnosense toharmyourkinor friends intentionally.Thinkof the loveandrespectyouhavefortheearth.Extendthatregardtoallthecreaturesthatmakeupthenaturalworld.Humans,animals,plants,trees—theyareallpartof nature. Naturally, you treat themwith the same respect with which youtreattheearthherself.

ABriefHistoryofGreenWitchcraftThepractices of themodern greenwitch have arisen from folk healers andpractitioners of folkmagic. Themodern greenwitch finds her foremothersand forefathers in village herbalists, midwives, healers, wisewomen, andcunning-folkwhoperformedparticularservicesfortheircommunities.

Thedutiesofthesespiritualancestorsofthegreenwitchusuallyincludedmidwiferyandpreparationofthedeadforburial,aswellastheuseofvariousplantstohealmindandbody.Thesepeoplepossessedknowledgeofbothlifeanddeath.Theyknewwhatkindsofwhichfloracouldcreatebothstatesofexistence.Theseearliergreenwitches,whileoftenrespected,weremoreoften

feared ormistrusted because of the knowledge they held. Theywere oftenmarginalizedby their communities and lived aloneor away from the socialcenter of the community. Even today, society is often uncomfortable withthosewhopossessknowledgenotheldbythecommonman.

It isalsolikely,however, that thespiritualancestorsof themoderngreenwitch chose to live apart from the center of the community because it isharder to hear what nature has to communicate to you when you aresurroundedbypeople.Beingclosertotheforestsandfieldsmadeiteasierforthecunning-folk tocommunewith theenergiesof the livingworldofgreenandtogatherwhattheyneeded.

Practitioners of folkmagic, thosewho live on the second branch of thegreen witch’s family tree, are not necessarily separate from the first.Sometimes the healers were also spellcasters who performed folk magicparticular to the region (such as Pennsylvanian pow-wow), but more oftentheywerejustgrandmotherswhohadatalentfor“fixing”things.Folkmagicis composed of traditions and practices that have been handed down in ageographicor culturally specific area. Itgenerally focusesondivination forloveandmarriage,agriculturalsuccess,andweatherprediction.

OwenDavies,authorof thefascinatingCunning-Folk:PopularMagic inEnglish History, explains that as opposed to being healers, cunning-folkoriginallydealtmainlywith liftingbewitchments frompeoplewhobelievedthemselves tobe thevictimsof a curseorof some sortof spell.Witchcraftwas the soil in which the careers of the cunning-folk grew; when popularbeliefinwitchcraftended,therolesofthecunning-folkendedaswell.

SIMILARPATHSThere are othermodern paths that resemble the path of the greenwitch.

Kitchen witches and hedge witches observe similar practices, and, indeed,sometimespeopleusethesetermsinterchangeablywithgreenwitchcraft.Allthreepathshavethreebasicthingsincommon:theyarebasedinfolkmagic,theydonotrequireaspiritualelement,andwalkersonallthreepathstendtobesolitarypractitioners.

Beforewe launch intoa fullexaminationofwhatconstitutes themoderngreenwitch’spath,let’stakealookatkitchenwitcheryandhedgemagicandseehowtheyaresimilartoandhowtheydifferfromoneanother.

•Kitchenwitches,whoarefamilyoriented,focusonmagicperformedintheheartofthemodernhome:thekitchen.Thekitchenwitchbaseshermagical practice in her everyday household activities, and cooking,cleaning,baking,andsoforthallbecomethefoundationforhermagicalacts.Sweepingthefloorfreeofdustanddirtmayinspireasimultaneous

cleansing of negative energy, for example. A kitchen witch worksintuitivelyratherthanrituallyandmayormaynotkeeptrackofhowsheworks.

•Hedgewitches,atermusedmoreintheUKthanintheUS,liveclosetonature, often away from urban areas. When you think of the classicwisewomanon the edgeof townwhowasvisited for love charmsandhealingpotions,youhaveaprettydecentideaofwhatahedgewitchis.Themodernhedgewitchisusuallyasolopractitionerofaneopaganpathwhousesspellcraftasabasisforherwork.

Modernpractitionersoftentrytolinktheirpracticetosomesortofhistoryin order to create a sense of tradition, but that sense of tradition is not asimportantasthesenseofself.Thisisparticularlytrueofthegreenwitchpath.

Itiseasytolookbackandacknowledgetheinfluencesofthepastonmodernpractice,buteverygreenwitchcreatesherownpractice.Thereisnoinitiation,noadherencetoasetofrules.Livingthegreenpathisreallyandtrulyareflectionofthegreenwitch’sinnerlight.

THEMODERNGREENWITCHDespiteitsso-calledprogress,ourmodernsocietytendstolookbacktoa

simpler time, even though pioneer days were probably harder and moreisolatedthanlife today.Thisyearningisn’tnostalgia,whichisa longingforanairbrushedmemory.It isagenuinesubconsciousdrawtoknowledgethathasbeenobscuredbyinnovation,progress,andimprovement.Wedon’tneedto remove or reverse modern innovation and give up our sidewalks andtelevisionsetsandcomputers.Whatweneedtodoisdiscoverhowtoconnectinourmodernenvironmenttothatearlierknowledgethatiswaitingforustofind it again.Removing the technologyand replacing itwithwitchcraftandagriculture-basedpracticeisnottheanswer.Toreverseevolutionandmerelysubstitute something older is a denial of themodern world. A green witchdoesnotdeny theworldaroundher.Sheaccepts it andseeks tounderstandhow to integrate it into her spiritual practice. The green witch serves as abridgebetweenpast andpresent,newandold.The trick is to recognize thepresenceofgreenenergyasitexistsintheworldtoday,tolearnhowtoseeitasitstilloperates.

LearningtoIdentifywiththeEarthThemainidentifyingtraitofgreenpracticeisacloseidentificationwiththeearth.Althoughhonoringtheearthandbeingawareofthenaturalworldisalargepartofthemajorityofmodernalternativespiritualities,thegreenwitch

is not necessarily a member of an alternative spiritual path. The maindifferencebetweenthegreenpathandtheneopaganreligionsisthatgodformsarenotanessentialpartofagreenwitch’spractice.Whilethegreenwitchiscontenttolooktomythologyandancientreligionsinordertodeepenpersonalunderstandingofhowearthenergyhasbeenperceived throughout theages,shedoesnotnecessarilyworshipthegodsandgoddessesthatareexpressionsand representations of earth patterns and energy. The planet itself is anarchetype of nurturing, but further refinement of that archetype is notnecessary for the greenwitch. That being said, a greenwitch often finds amythologicalfigure—beitadeityorahero—whoresonateswithherpersonalbeliefsandenergy.Shefindsinspirationinthismythologicalfigure.Thisdoesnot,however,leadtoworshipofthatfigure.

Whereasalternativereligionspromotetheideathathumanityisastewardor custodian of the planet, the green witch understands that she is themanifestationof theearth itself,notmerelyacaretaker.Thatclose senseofidentificationallowshertoworkinpartnershipwiththeearth’senergies.

Someonewhohonorstheearthandconsidersthenaturalworldherprimaryteacher is sometimes labeled a nature-worshipper or called a pagan. Inmodernuse, however, the terms are not generally pejorative.Theydescribepeople who honor the divine in nature. In NewAge spiritual practice, theword “pagan” is being reclaimed by those whose spirits resonate to theheartbeatof theearthitself.Soisagreenwitchapagan?Manyare,butnotall.The path of the greenwitch is not by definition a religious one. It is aspiritualpath,yes,butspiritualitydoesnotnecessarilyequate to religion.Agreenwitchcanparticipate inany religionandhonor thedivine inherownway provided that she still honors nature as sacred and blessed. The greenwitch sees the divine in all of nature, and each green witch interprets thatdivinityalittlebitdifferently.

CELEBRATINGLIFEGreenwitchcraft is an ongoing celebration of life. It is a dialogue with

nature,apracticethatenrichesboththegreenwitchandtheearthitself.Theexchangeofenergyproducesmanifoldbenefits thatmaybestatedinsimpleterms:throughthisdialogue,wehealtheearthandtheearthhealsus.Weseekharmonythroughouractions.Welooktobalanceenergiesthatareaskew.

Likeotherearth-honoringpaths,therootsofgreenwitchcraftcanbefoundintheagriculturalcalendar,seasonalshifts,weatherpatterns,andfolkmagicperformed for health or fertility. Much of the modern neopagan practicecomesfrombasicgreenwitchcraftpractice.Notethattheword“roots”iskeyhere:whensomethingisrooted,itspringsfromasource,butitisstillstrongandanchored.Todenyrootsistodenybothfoundationandstrength.Wemay

seeonlythetrunkandthebranchesofatree,buttherootsystemrangesdeepandwide.

Asgreenwitchcraftisnotaformalpath,practitionersarefreetoadaptwhattheylearntowhattheyneed.Thisdoesn’tmeanmerelymodifyingpracticescreatedbysomeoneelse;itmeansadaptingyourselftowhatneedstobedone.Itmeansbeingflexibleandresponsivetoyourneedsandtheneedsoftheearth.

It’simportanttonotethatgreenwitchcraftisnotWicca.Wiccaisaformal,structuredreligionthatsetsoutcertaintenetsandmoralguidelinesandwhosefollowers celebrate certain rituals in certain ways. Green witchcraft is anonstructured, flexible practice that has no set holidays and no compulsoryrituals.Thegreenwitch isadaptable.Shecreatesherownpathaccording toherindividualstrengthsandtalentsandtheenergiesandsuppliesnativetohergeographicallocale.

IfyouliveinMassachusetts,forexample,andthenmovetoNewMexico,yourpracticewillshiftasyouadapttoyournewenvironment,thenewfloraand faunaaroundyou,and thenewenergiesof the landscape.Youyourselfwilladaptaswell.Asyousettle intoanewrelationshipwith theearthas itmanifestsinNewMexico,youwilldiscoveryourselfevolvingtoreflectitinadifferentfashionthanyoureflectedtheenvironmentofMassachusetts.

TheMagicofBeingaGreenWitchUsing theword“witch” invariablybringsus to theword“magic.”This isaword that can cause confusion.Magic is not illusion, nor is it the artificialmanipulationofunnaturalforces.Infact,magicisperfectlynatural:it istheuse of natural energy with conscious intent and awareness to help attain abetterunderstandingoftheworldaroundyouandtoharmonizeyourselfwiththeworld’senergies.

Most green witches find the use of the word “magic” to be irrelevant.Magic implies something out of the ordinary. But to a green witch themundane ismagical.When she senses, responds to, and gently nudges theflows of natural energy around her, nothing could be more natural. She’sperformingnaturalmagic.Natureitselfismagical.Theeverydayissacredtothegreenwitch.

Marian Green, the author of Wild Witchcraft and follower of a pathsympathetic to thegreenwitchphilosophy that embracesnaturalmagic andhedge craft, states that, “Magic is the art of learning to recognize theseelements of change: the natural patterns of flow and ebb, the times ofprogress,ofstandingstillandofretreating...MagicteachesustodeterminewhichwaythetidesofNatureareflowing,toseeonwhichleveltheyrunand

what they can offer each of us at thismoment.” InGreen’s view,magic islearning to harmonize yourselfwith the forces of nature and understandinghowtheyflowthroughyourlife.Thisis,ofcourse,thelifeworkofthegreenwitchinanutshell.

Spellcraftisseenasaperfectlynaturaloccurrencealongthegreenpath.Isbrewing a cup of rosemary tea for a headache a spell? Or is it naturalmedicine?Tothegreenwitch,itdoesn’treallymatter.Whatdoesmatteristheconscious use of the energies of the rosemary to help heal a temporaryimbalance.Itistheconnectiontothenaturalworldandtheacknowledgmentthatweareallapartofthatworldthatallowsustofunctionasalinkbetweentheworldofpeopleandtheworldofgreen.

Inshort,byopeningyourselftotheenergyofnature,andbyacceptingthatyou are a part of that grand symphony of energy and power, you allowyourselftopartakeofthatenergytorebalanceyourlife.Thenyoucanworktorebalancetheenergiesofothersituations.

Inotherwitchcraftpractices,therearemethodsbywhichenergyisraised,aimed at a target or goal, and released. The green witch uses energy in aslower, more subtle way. Seeking to be a part of the ebb and flow of theenergyaroundher,shethusdoesnotdeliberatelycollectenergytoshapeandrelease. The green witch works from the inside out and moves with thenaturalflowoftheenergiesinsteadofseekingtomanipulatethem.

Using theword“magic”can leadyou toviewyourgreenwitchworkassomethingsetapart.Inthisbook,therearenorulesforcreatingamagiccircleinwhichyoumustwork,nocompulsorycallingondeities,nosequencesofformal ritual thatmust be enacted precisely aswritten. The practice of thegreen witch is a fluid, natural, personal practice, one that informs everymomentofeveryday.Itisimportanttorecognizeeachmomentas“magical”andfullofpotential.Everything ismagical, in thesense that it iswondrousandunique—everybreath,everystep,everystirofyoursoup.Everyactisanactofmagic.Themagicislifeitself.

This knowledge must be balanced by the understanding that as a greenwitch,youcarryasacredresponsibilitynotonlytowatchovertheharmonyofyourenvironment,butalso to remember that,asauthorPoppyPalinsays inCraftoftheWildWitch,“everypositivegesturehasthepotentialtobecomeaspell.” However, there is a danger in the practice of green witchcraft thatfamiliaritymay breed contempt. Recognizing eachmoment asmagical andfullofpotential,thegreenwitchmayendupdesensitizingherselftothepointwherenomomentisspecial.Bewareoffallingintothisrut.Allowyourselftomarvelfrequentlyatthejoyandpowerofnatureastheseasonscyclethroughthe year, at the beautiful and frightful aspects of sunsets and storms.Everymomentismagicalbecauseitholdspotential,butalsobecauseitismerelyamoment.Themundane is sacred to the greenwitch because it ismundane.

Theword “mundane” itself is derived from theLatinmundus,meaning “ofthematerialworld,” and it is the energy created by thematerialworld thatsourcesthegreenwitch’spower.

OATHOFTHEGREENWITCHFundamentally, green witchcraft is an attitude, an approach to life.

However,therealsoexiststheopportunitytoexplorethegreenpaththroughpersonal ritual and the creation of spells and charms. Ritual offers you theopportunitytoattuneyourpersonalenergytotheenergyaroundyouinamorestructuredmannerandtoexperiencethenaturalenergyofyoursurroundingsinadifferentwaythanyoudoinyoureverydaylife.

If you recognize yourself and your beliefs in the previous pages, thenperhapsthepathofthegreenwitchiscallingtoyou.Ifyouwishtoformallydeclareyourselftobeonthispathandtolivethegreenlife,youcantakethisoathoruseitasabasisforwritingyourownmorepersonalversion.Youmayaddressadeity,asinthisexampleandelsewhereinthisbook,orleaveitout,asyouprefer.

LordandLady,SpiritsofNature,Elementsaroundme,BlessmeasIwalkthepathofthegreenwitch.Maymyeveryactionbeforthegoodofall,ForHumanityandNaturealike.Bringmewisdomandpeace,SerenityandbalanceasIwalkthispath.GrantmetheconfidencetodotheworkyourequireofmeAndstrengthtobeartheburdenslifeasksofme.IsweartoguardtheSoulofNature,ToworkwithNature,TohonorNature,Andallwhocomposenature’smultitude.ThesethingsIpromise,andthisIaskofyou,Onthisday,inthisplace.Asagreenwitch,Isoswear.

Ifyouwish,youcanmakethispledgeaneweachyearatatimemeaningfultoyou—atthebeginningorendofeachseason,forexample,toreaffirmyourcommitmenttoyourpathandwayoflife.Chapter4looksatthefourseasonsandvariousactivitiesorritualsyoucanperformtofurtherattuneyourselftothechangingenergiesoftheyearlycycle;makingthisoathpartofoneorall

fourseasonalcelebrationscankeepyourcommitmentfreshinyourmindandspirit.

PRAYEROFTHEGREENWITCHIftheideaofadailyprayerappealstoyou,thisisalovelywaytobeginor

endyourday.Trypraying,aloudorinyourheart,inaspacethatissacredtoyou,onethatiseitherformallyblessedandconsecratedorsimplyblessedbyuseindailylife.

LordandLady,SpiritsofNature,Elementsaroundme,BlessmeasImovethroughtheworldtoday.MayIbringjoyandtranquilitytoeverylifeItouch.Maymyactionsbringonlyharmonytotheworld.MayIhealpainandsootheanger,MayIcreatejoyandbalanceasIwalkmypath.Supportmeandguideme,spiritsofNature,Thisdayandalldaysaheadofme.ThisIaskofyou,asagreenwitch,Andthankyouforyourmanyblessings.

Thepractice of the greenwitchdoesn’t have a lot of bells andwhistles,fancy tools, or complicated rituals. Perhaps more than any other path ofwitchcraft,thepathofthegreenwitchrestsonyourphilosophyoflivingandhowyouinteractwiththeworldaroundyou.Forthisreason,yourprayers,therituals you perform, and your sacred spacemust be personallymeaningful.Creating a personal practice that accurately reflects who you are and yourdesiretoworktocreateharmonyintheworldaroundyouisthekeytolivingasatisfyingandfulfillinglifeasagreenwitch.

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Chapter2

EmbraceYourOwnPower

LIKE KITCHEN WITCHCRAFT, GREEN WITCHCRAFT emphasizes practicality andeveryday activity. There are no special words, no unique prayers, nouniforms, no holy texts, no obligatory tools, and no specificholidays...unlessyoucreatethemforyourself.Whilethegreenpathisverymuch the art of daily practice, it isn’t set apart as sacred. It recognizes thesacredineverydaylife.Thepathofthegreenwitchissacred—verymuchso—butnotisolatedfromthesecular.Thesecularlifeitselfiswhatissacredtothegreenwitch.

Thatbeingsaid,andunderstandingthepersonalnatureoflivingthegreenlife,thegreenwitchpathcanbesaidtofocusoncertainissuesandenergiesexperiencedinthesecularlife.Farfrombeingsimplyapracticebasedintheuse of herbs or green matter, the green witch’s practice revolves aroundworkingtowardestablishingandmaintainingharmonywithinherself,withinhercommunity,andwithnature.

FocusonYourEnergyCentersThereare sevenbasicareasorenergiesonwhich thegreenwitch’spracticefocuses:

1. Harmony: within the self; between humanity and nature; betweenindividuals;withinacommunityorfamily

2. Health: of the body, mind, and spirit; of the immediate naturalenvironment;ofthelargerenvironment

3.Love:fortheself;forotherindividuals;forhumanity4.Happiness:inoneself;inothers;inthenaturalworld5.Peace:withinoneself;withinacommunityorfamily;betweenfactions;betweennations

6. Abundance: personal; familial; community; nation; nature; alsoincludesprosperityandfertility,bothofwhichareaspectsofabundance

7.Protection:personal;familial;community;nature

Thesesevenareasencompassmostoflife.Let’slookatthemonebyone.

HARMONYHarmony is thewatchword andmain goal of the greenwitch’s practice.

Harmonycanbeseenastheenergythathelpsalltheotherenergiesflowandiscapableofbeingappliedtoanyoftheothersixareasoffocustohelpthemalong.Tomaintainharmony,youmustbalancethesixotherareasofyourlife,andwheneverythingisinharmony,theseothersixareaswillflowsmoothlyandinbalance.Ofcourseyoucanworktowardharmonyasageneralgoalaswell, and several of the rituals, spells, and recipes in this book promoteharmony.

When your personal energy is balanced and all the various parts ofyourself are in tune, you are in harmony with yourself. That’s harder toachieve than it sounds. We all possess traits that we dislike and wish wedidn’t have. It’s important, however, to acknowledge those bits of yourpersonalityandspirit,forifyoudenythemthenyouareattemptingtorejectapartofyourself,andyouthusdenypartofyourownenergy.Indoingso,youdeny part of your connection to nature. Harmony between humankind andnature is important, and fostering that balance between humanity and thenatural world is part of the green witch’s work. Because encouragingharmonybetween individuals is alsopart of thegreenpath, communicationwithinhumanity isoneof themostcommonwaysthatenergyisstirredandpassedalong.Thiscommunicationisoneofthefoundationsofsociety.

HEALTHHealthaffectsyourphysicalwell-being,certainly,but italsoaffectsyour

emotional,mental,andspiritualwell-being.Illnessisaresultof,orcreates,animbalanceinyourpersonalenergy,whichmustthenberebalancedinordertoreturntohealth.Listeningtoandworkingwithyourownbody’senergywillhelp you maintain a balanced and healthy mind and spirit. All of theseenergiesareinterdependentanddeservetobetakenintoaccountwhenoneoranothergoesoutofequilibrium.

Thehealthofyourimmediateenvironmentalsoaffectsthehealthofyourownbody,mind,andspirit.Likewise,thehealthoftheenvironmentisageneralconcernforthegreenwitch,fortheenvironmentaffectsallofhumankind.

LOVEMost people consider love to be an important part of their lives. They

spendalotofenergyattemptingtofindit,keepit,orstrengthenit.Butthere’smoretolovethantheromantickindthatimmediatelypopsintomind.Healthyloveof theself iscrucial toawell-balancedpersonalenergyand tohealthyself-esteem.Loveoffamilyandclosefriendswhoformyourchosenfamilyisalsoimportant,foritistheloveofsuchcompanionsthatsupportsyouinyoureverydayefforts.Maintainingpositiveandbalanced relationshipswith thesepeople is integral to your emotional and spiritual balance. Love for all ofhumanityisalsoanimportantareaoffocusforthegreenwitch,eventhoughitcanbedifficulttolovesomeoneyoudonotknowpersonallyorsomeoneyoudonot like.Lovingothers is an exampleof honoring and respectingnatureand all nature’s creatures: it is an act of honoring their very existence andtheirplacewithinnature’senergy.

HAPPINESSLike love, many people strive for happiness and joy. There are many

differentkindsofhappiness.Yourownjoy,forexample,isonegoal,butyoucanalsoworkforthehappinessofothersandofthenaturalworld.Whilethenaturalworlddoesnotnecessarilyfeelemotionsasyoudo,thereisasenseofpeace and contentment to be foundwhen an aspect of or objectwithin thenaturalworldisinharmonywithitssurroundingsorwithyou.Thisstatecanbeconsideredhappiness. It is important to remember thathappiness isverymuchapersonalthing,andthatnooneactoritemwillmakeeveryonehappy.Happinessalsoencompassestheabilitytorejoiceandcelebratetheself,andeachpersoncelebratestheselfinauniquefashion.

PEACEPeace can mean a variety of different things depending on your need:

serenity, relaxation, an absence of aggression, and tranquility, for example.Like happiness, peace is a highly individual concept, and thus whatconstitutespeaceforyoumaybedifferentfromhowsomeoneelsedefinesit.Whena familyorcommunity isatpeace, it isbalancedwithin itself and inharmony with surrounding communities. The green witch works fortranquility and peace, for in a peaceful environment energies that wouldotherwisebedirected towarddefenseorattackof somekindcan insteadbedirectedtowardmoreproductiveandpositiveactions.

ABUNDANCE

Abundance is an area of focus that encompasses such energies asprosperityand fertility.Whenyouhaveanabundanceofsomething,younolongerworryabout it (unless it isanabundanceofproblems!),andyoufeelsecureenoughtofocusontheareasofyourlifethatrequireyourattentioninordertobringthemintobalance.Ifyourneedsareseento,thenyouhavethefreedomtocareforothers.Aswiththeotherareasoffocus,thegreenwitchmay look to personal, familial, and community abundance, as well as toensuringthefertilityandabundanceofthenaturalworld.

PROTECTIONProtectioninvolvessafeguardingsomethingprecious.Itcanbeprotecting

yourphysicalbodyorthebodiesofothers,yourpossessions,youremotionalwell-being, the soulor spiritof an individual, thewell-beingof a familyorcommunity, or the natural world, either locally or globally. When we areprotectedwefeelsafeandfreetopursueotheravenuesofself-expressionanddevelopment.

We’ll returnagainandagain to these sevencategories asweexplore thepractice of the greenwitch. Youwill see these focal areasmentionedwithrecipesandritualstohelpyouunderstandthepurposesforwhichtheymaybeused.

ToolsofUseBecausegreenwitchcraftisn’tanorganizedpath,therearenorequiredtoolsor equipment you must have in order to follow it. There are, however,importantitemsalmosteverygreenwitchusesinherpractice.

HERBSANDPLANTSWith so much emphasis on working with natural energies, it is not

surprising thatherbsandplants immediatelycometomindwhenone thinksaboutagreenwitchand the thingssheusesor interactswith. In fact,manynaturalobjectsformapartofthegreenwitch’stoolkitandsupplycupboard.Chapter5looksatcommontrees,flowers,andplantsusedbythegreenwitch.

YOURHANDSA greenwitch’s hands are hermost valuable tools.With her hands, she

touchesandtakes in information.Withherhands,shedispensescaring.Hersenseoftouchisakeenone.Werelyheavilyonsight,butoursenseoftouch

carriesgreatpowerandconveysequallyimportantinformationthatthegreenwitchknowsto takeintoaccount.Touchalsoallowsus tosenseenergyandforms an immediate link between the greenwitch and thatwithwhich shecommunicates, whether it be absorbing information from a plant about itsenergy andpotential usesor laying agentlehandon the foreheadof a sickchild.Youuseyourhandstotendandharvestyourherbsandplants,preparethemforstorage,andblendthemtogether.Yourhandscanbecomeaphysicalextensionofyourthoughtsandyourwill.

JOURNALRecordingyourexplorations,fieldnotes,recipes,rituals,andresearchisof

great importancebecause this record forms themainbodyof lore towhichyouwill refer again and again inyourwork.Note that this journal is not aBookofShadows,whichisatermusedbyoccultistsandWiccanstodescribea record of spells and rituals and magical information. Your green witchjournalwillcontainsomemagicalinformation,yes,becausethegreenwitchunderstands thatmagic is simply anothermethodof touching the energyofthe earth; but mainly it will contain recipes, sketches, maps, experiments,observations, and accounts of yourwork and other experiences.Over time,youwillfillmanyjournals,andtheymaybemessyandhaphazard.That’snotaproblem.Yourjournalisnotmeanttobeperfect.It’smeanttobeareal-lifesnapshotofyourthoughtsandevolvingknowledge.

Recording what you learn and do means that your information willprobablybeorganizedbydate.Youwillthusrememberandunderstandwhatyou did when and why; the journal provides a context for your evolution.Don’tworryabouttheapparentmishmashofsubjectsyouwriteabout.Asthegreenwitchpathisanorganicone,itmakessensetoallowyourjournal(likea daily diary) to meander from topic to topic. Some green witches like toseparatetheirworkintobooksofrecipes,plantlore,andsoforthsotheycanmoreeasily trackdown informationwhen theyneed to refer to it. I suggestthatyouputeverythingdowninyourmainjournalfirst,thencopyoutrecipesorritualsorplantloreintoanotherbookonceyou’veperfectedthemsoyouwillhaveacleanandorganizedcopyasausefulreference.It’sgoodtohaveaplacewhereyoucanwriteeverythingdownwithouteditingasyougo:thosefirst impressionsofplants, trees,elements,andsituationscanbe invaluable.Recopyingthisinformationlatercanalsohelpyoufirmupyourimpressionsand familiarize yourselfwith it.Youwill also continually be clarifying andaddingnewinformationandresearch.

Whenyourambleinfieldorforestorgoforwalksthroughyourneighborhood,makesureyouhaveyourgreenwitchnotebookwithyou. If carryingyourmain journal isdifficultbecauseofitssize,youmaywishtohaveasmallerfieldbookinwhichtomakenoteswhile

youareout.Transferinformationyouhavepickeduponyourtreksintoyourmainjournalwhenyougethomeagain.Yourgreenwitch journalwillprove importantandhelpful toyouinmonthsandyearstocome.

CUPAsimplecup(ceramicisideal)isausefulitemforthegreenwitch.Water

is one of the four physical (andmetaphysical) elements, and greenwitchesoftenliketohavearepresentationofeachelementnearbyastheywork.Acupreservedexclusivelytoholdwaterinthiswayhonorstheelementofwater.Inaddition, thecup isuseful todrink from ina ritual setting.While thegreenwitchcraftpractice isn’theavyonceremonyor formal ritual, a familiar toolsuchasacupcanlendacertainenergytoyourworkifitisreservedonlyforyour greenwitch use. Some greenwitches use any cup from the cupboardtheyfeellikeusingatthetime,becauseit’swhat’sinthecupthatcounts.

MORTARANDPESTLEAmortarandpestleisinvaluableforcrushingdriedherbs,seeds,orresins

and for blending materials for a variety of projects. Although mortar andpestlesetsareavailable inothermaterials,stone is theeasiest tokeepcleanandhastheweightandstrengthrequiredtocrushthingslikeresins.Metalissometimesthoughttotainttheenergyoftheherbsyoucrush,whilewoodwillabsorb oils and juices and be almost impossible to keep perfectly clean.Althoughyoumaylikethelookofasmallmortarandpestle,orwanttosavemoneybybuyingasmallersize,doyourselfafavoranddon’tgetatinyone.They’rehardtomanipulate,andifyouusethemortartoblendmixturesyou’llbelimitedtoateaspoonortwo.Thestandardsizemortarisapproximately5incheshighbyabout5incheswide,withaslightlytaperedpestleofabout4inchesby1inch.Youreallyshouldn’tuseanythingsmaller.

BOWLSAlsoessentialtoyourworkarebowlsinwhichtomixandholdingredients

orcomponentswhileyouworkonvariousprojects.Anassortmentof smallceramic ramekinswill do formany projects, as youwon’t bemixing largebatches of things. Make sure you have a couple of large glass bowls forlarger,messier projects likemixing potpourri.Do not, however, use plasticbowls.Plasticabsorbsoilsandscents.Glassorglazedceramicbowlsarebest.

JARSANDCANISTERS

Tostoreyourherbs,incenses,andotheringredients,glassorceramicjarsor canisters are ideal. Like your bowls, these can range in size from smallspice jars to large canisters. Colored glass or an opaquematerial will helpprotect yourdriedherbs from fading and losing their beneficial oils. If youuse clearglass, then storeyour jars in a cupboard toprotect them from thelight,ormakepapercylinderstoslipoverthem.

KNIFEORSCISSORSAnessentialgreenwitchtoolisthesharpknifeusedtoharvestherbsand

otherplants.Thisknifemustbekeptextremelycleanandalwaysbesharp,foradullbladeisdangeroustoboththeonewhousesitandthatwhichisbeingcut. Ifyouareuncomfortableusingastraightknife tocutstemsand leaves,you may prefer to use a pair of good sharp shears or scissors instead,reservingtheknifeforchoppingandpreparingtheherbsathomeonasolidand flat surface such as a table. Scissors and secateurs are easier to handlethanastraightknifeforsomepeople,myself included.Again,sharpenthemfrequently and keep them extremely clean. Like the cup, youmay use anyknifethatyoufeeldrawntousing.

STAFFA staff or walking stick not only helps you as you ramble through the

naturalworld,but italsoservesasasymbolic“world tree,”whichconnectsthe material and spiritual realms. The world tree is a concept found inshamanicpractice innumerousculturesaround theworld.Theworld tree islike the world’s spine, serving as a support and a connection between theotherworldsandtheworldofhumankind.IntheNordiclore,thistree,saidtobe an ash tree (or sometimes a yew), was called Yggdrasil. In Celticmythology,therewereseveralworldtrees,whichwerehazel,oak,andotherwoods. In shamanic practice, the world tree is often represented by a tentpole,abovewhicharethestarsoftheotherworld.Thistentpoleis“climbed”by the shaman’s consciousness through a series of meditations and othermethods.

The tree is a remarkable symbol.We perceive trees as being strong andofferingusshelterorsupport,andyetwealsoseethemasbeingflexible,forsometreesbendinthewind.Therootsofatreecanreachdeepintotheearthforstabilityandfornourishment.Itsbranchesreachhighintotheskysothatthe leaves of the treemay absorb asmuch sunlight as possible and furthernourishthetree.Astafforwalkingsticksymbolizesallthisinminiature.Itisasymbolof the tree,carriesa tree’senergy,andremindsthegreenwitchoftheconnectiontobothearthandsky.

Some books refer to a “stang,” which is a forked staff. It is sometimesdescribed as a sort of altar whose long single end can be thrust into theground,leavingtheforkedendatthetop,readytobedecoratedbythegreenwitchasdesired.Garlands,sachets,bunchesofherbsorflowers,andribbonsare all common things draped or tied onto stangs. The stang itself can bereused, while the decorations may be disposed of respectfully once yourceremonyoractioniscomplete.

Itisinterestingtocomparethestaffandtheknife.Thestaffsupportsandservesasaconnection,whereastheknife(orotherblade)seversandharvests.They are two archetypal symbols, opposite and complementary. The greenwitchusesbothandhonorsboth thearchetypesofconnectionandsevering,unityandseparation,fortheseareintrinsictothecycleoflifeandthecyclesfoundwithinnature.

COTTONORGAUZEArollofnaturalcottonabout6to8incheswideandacoupleoffeetlong

isausefulitemtocarrywithyouwhenyouwalkinforestormeadow.Itmaybe used to roll herbs in, instead of putting them in a bag, and can helppreservemorefragilecuttings.It’salsogoodforfirstaiduse,shouldyoucutyourself, scratch yourself, or incur other minor damage along the way. (Asmall,portablefirstaidkitisalwaysgoodtohaveonhandwhenyougooutwalkingandexploring,andofcourseyoushouldhaveoneathomeaswell,eitherinthekitchenorthebathroom.)

POWERBAGSAsagreenwitch,youwillovertimedevelopapersonalconnectiontolittle

objects such as stones, acorns, pinecones, or fetishes, andyoumaywish tocarrythemwithyou.Sewuporbuyasmallbagtoholdthem,andslipitintoyourpurseorbackpackwhenyoutravel.Bydoingthis,youcarrythenaturalenergy of those objects along with you so that they influence your ownenergy. You also maintain the contact with their emotional and personalmeanings,whichstrengthenyouinadifferentway.Together,theseitemsformapersonalpowersourceforthepractitioner.Makesureyourbagisn’ttoobig,however:ifyoufindyourselfcarryingtoomanymagicalobjects,it’stimetosortthemoutanddecidewhicharemostimportant.Leavetheitemsyouhaveremoved from the bag at one of your personal shrines at home in order tomaintainadifferentsortofcontactwiththem(seemoreonshrineslaterinthischapter).

MakeYourHomeaSacredSpaceInthepast,thehearthservedastheheartofthehome.Itwaswhereheatandlight were created and food was prepared. Hearth magic, or hearthcraft,revolves around safety, nurturing, and protection.Most paths have a hearthandhome aspect to them, but for the greenwitch, somuchof her spiritualpractice is focused on simple home-based folk practice that hearth magicfiguresprominentlyinhergreenpractice.

Mostpeopleonthegreenwitchpathhaveastrongconnectiontotheirsurroundings.Theyinstinctivelyseektocreateanenvironmentthatsupportsharmony,communication,andanaturalflowofenergy.

Yourhomeitself—thespaceinwhichyoulive—canbeeasilyoverlookedasatoolinyourdevelopingspirituality.Yourhomeisaplaceofstrengthforyou,andaplacetowhichyoushouldbeabletoreturninsafetytorechargeyourbatteries.Ifyourhomeisdisorganizedandhasjarringenergy,youlackthatbaseof strength fromwhichyoumustoperate.Oneofyour sourcesofstrengthandenergyisalreadycutofffromyou.

TIPSFORIMPROVINGYOURHOMEHowdoyoumakeyour homea sacred space?Ultimately, it dependson

youandthetypeofenergythatbestsupportsyourdailylife.Hereareafewtipsand tricks thatwillmakeyourhomethebestplaceforagreenwitch tolive. These tips will help you keep positive energy flowing through yourhome.

•Lookatyourdécor.Howyoudecorateyourhomesaysalotaboutyou.However, you become used to how things look and sometimes forgetthatyounevergotaroundtopaintingthelandlord-whitewallswhenyoumovedintoyourapartmentorthatthefurnitureisexactlywhereyouputitwhenyouwerejusttryingtogetthingstofit.Lookatyourhomewithfreshandcritical eyes.Do thecolorsof thewalls still reflectwhoyouare?Whatdoes the furniture sayaboutyou?Walk througheach room.Arethereplacesyouhavetostruggletogetto?Ifyoudon’twanttogothere because it’s too difficult (either physically or otherwise), thenchancesaregoodthattheenergyflowthroughthatareagetsdammedupor otherwise slowed down. Think about rearranging the positions offurniture,pictures,andknickknacks.

• Remove what you don’t use. If you aren’t using it, throw it out.Otherwise,it’sjustoccupyingspaceandblockingenergy.Sellit,passit

alongtoafriend,takeittoasecondhandshop,orfindanotheruseforitsomewhereelse.

• Examine your iconography. Your paintings and photographs have adeeppsychologicaleffectonyou.Takealookatthecolorsthatdominatethem, the people in them. How do they make you feel? Are theyappropriateforthespacethey’rein?AsmuchasyouloveyourprintofMunch’sTheScream, itmay not be the best piece of art to hang in aplacewhereyouliketorelax.

• Think about the purpose of each room in your home. When youdecidewhatthethemeorpurposeofeachroomtrulyis,youcanfocusonremovingtheelementsthatdisrupttheenergy,andencouragethedesiredenergy to remain.Forexample, ifyour living roomholdsyourdeskorhomeoffice,storesyourhomeworkoutequipment,andistherepositoryfor children’s toys, you can see that there’s a lot of conflicting energythere.Noneofitisbad;it’sjustconfused.Trytokeepeachroomclearlysetapartfor itsdesignatedpurpose,andyou’ll findthat theenergyisalotclearer.Ifaroomservesadoublepurpose,keepthingsintheirproperplaces.

•Keep itclean.Energycan seemdustyandmuddy, the samewayyourphysicalhomegetsdirty. It’salsoanunfortunate fact thatenergy turnsstale and can go bad in an environment that isn’t physically clean.Houseworkisn’texactlythemostthrillingofpastimes,butithelpskeeptheenergyofyourhomebrightandsmooth.Makesureeverythinghasaplace, and keep it there.Keep surfaces free of dust and clutter as bestyoucan.

• Purify regularly. The spiritual equivalent of physical cleaning,purificationisanexcellentwaytomaintainagoodenergyvibeinyourhome.It’salsoagoodwaytogetridofthebadfeelingsleftoverfromanargumentorthechaoticenergyleftafteraparty,anditremovesthestraydriftsofdeadenergythatpileupincornersorgettrappedinbadlylaid-out rooms. You can find instructions on how to purify later in thischapter.

Sometimeswe lookaroundourhomesandwonderhowonearthwecanmake them a haven of tranquility and joy. Starting off with a good springcleaning (even if it’s fall!) is always a good idea. If addressingyourwholehouseatonceisoverwhelming,doitroombyroom.Tobegin,youcanchooseone room to serve as a spiritual sanctuary and refuge foryourself.Youcanalsostartfromtheheartofyourhomeandworkoutward.

Yoursanctuarydoesn’thavetobesolelydevotedtoyouandyourpath;infact, so fewofushave thatoption that ifyoucanpull itoff, Ibow toyou.Mostofushavetosharespacewithmembersofourfamilyandmakedowith

carving out a little corner where we can. Even that little corner can beimportant foryourspiritualhealth,however.Don’tunderestimate thepowerof a chair coveredwith your favorite thrownext to an end table setwith acandleandasmallpottedplant,orawindowseatwithpillowscoveredinsoftor textured fabrics in colors that soothe you. If it’s your space, you have aplacewhereyoucansitandcloseyoureyes,drawthat tranquility intoyourpersonalspace,andfindbalance.

Theheartofyourhome,on theotherhand,canbeeasier to identify.Dopeople tend to end up in your kitchen when they come over? Does yourfamilycongregateinonespecificroom,evenifanotherroomwasdesignedtobe the family room?Where people gather is likely the true heart of yourhome.It’snotnecessarilyatranquilspaceandusuallyseesalotofcomingsandgoings,alotofcommunicationandsharing.It’stheplaceeveryonewantsto be. Starting your home purification here benefits everyonewho uses thespace.

PHYSICALCLEANING,SPIRITUALPURIFICATIONThe green witch has a couple of tricks up her sleeve when it comes to

maintaining a healthy, happy home environment. The first is enhancingphysical cleaning products with a bit of natural magic. The second isunderstanding that the energy in a space has to be cleaned regularly, bothphysicallyandspiritually.

Thesimplestwaytoenhanceyourhousecleaningproductsistoempowerthem.Thismeansfillingthemwithextraenergyassociatedwithaparticulargoal.It’seasytodo.

1.Firstholdthecontainerofcleaningproductinyourhands,orholdyourhandsoverit,andcloseyoureyes.

2.Takethreeorfourdeepbreathstocalmandbalanceyourself.3.Thinkof theenergywithwhichyouwish toempower theproduct tohelpyouattainyourgoal.Forexample,youcouldfocusonhappiness.Trytorememberhowyoufeelwhenyou’rehappy.

4.Now try to pour that feeling into the cleaning product.Visualize thefeelingwellingupfromyourheartandflowingdownyourarmsandoutthroughyourhands;seetheproductabsorbingthatenergy.

Nowwhenyoucleanwithit,you’llbeusingthephysicalproducttoclean,butwhilecleaningyouwillalsobefillingtheareawiththeenergywithwhichtheproductwasempowered.Youcanempoweryourcleaningsupplieswithmorethanoneenergyaslongasthoseenergiessupportoneanotherandaren’t

at cross-purposes. For example, you can empower a furniture polish withhappiness, peace, and prosperity. For the best results, choose earth-friendlyorganicorfairtradecleaningproductsthatcarrynotoxicingredients.

Youcandoageneralempowermentofyoursupplies,oryoucanthinkaboutwhateachoneis for or what it contains, and code the empowerment that way. Chapter 5 listscorrespondences associatedwith the scents and essences of your cleaning products. Youcanusethesecorrespondencestoenergizeyourcleaningimplements.Forexample,ifyourproductispinescented,empoweritforprotectionorprosperity.Ifyourwindowcleanerisscentedwith lemon, empower it for love and joy. If your dish detergent is scentedwithapple,empoweritforhealth.

Whenyouclean,youcanfurthervisualizetheenergyyouarecallingintothespace.Visualizingwhileyoucleanalsohelpstakeawaytheboredomandresentmentweassociatewithremovingthedustanddirtthatwilljustbuildupagainanyway.Thinkofitasgreenwitchmaintenanceofyourpersonalspace.

The second dimension to keeping your space clean and bright ispurification. It’s important to clean the energyofyour living spacebecausethe energy of an environment affects the energy of the people functioningwithin it. If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt odd for no obviousreason,thenyou’vebeenaffectedbytheenergypresentinthatspace.Whileit’struethatthephysicalstateofcleanlinessaffectstheenergyofaroom,youhavetocleantheexistingenergyofaroomaswell.Otherwise,thenegativeenergywill pile up, just as dust collects on a bookshelf that youneglect toclean.

Purificationcanbedoneinseveralways.Aclassicmethodistosweepthenegativeenergyawaywithabroom.Thewitch’sbroomisoftenseenonlyasa symbol, but it can also be used as a regular tool. It can, in fact, be aremarkablyusefulitem,andit’sveryeasytouse.

BROOMPURIFICATIONThisbasicpurificationwithabroomcanbedonealmostanytimeandanywhere.Donotuseaplasticornylon-bristledbroom.Findonewithreal strawbristles.Craft shopsandfarmsopentothepublicsometimessellhandmadebrooms.(Forapersonaltouch,youcanmakeoneyourselffollowingthedirectionsinChapter7.)Youcankeepthebroomyouuseforpurificationforthatpurposealone,oruseyourregularhousecleaningbroomtopurify.Hereishowyoushouldpurifywithabroom:

1.Standinthemiddleoftheroomyouintendtopurify.Holdthebroominyourhands.2.Takethreedeep,slowbreathstocalmyourself.3.Begintomakeasweepingmotion,sweepingthebroomfromyourrighttoyourleft.Don’tactually touch the floorwith thebroom,but swing thebrooman inchor soabove it. It’senergyyou’resweeping,nottheflooritself.

4. Turning to your left, slowly turn in place. This is a counterclockwise direction, which istraditionally associated with breaking up and banishing negative energy. Walk in acounterclockwisespiralaroundtheroom,sweepingjustabovethefloorasyougo.Asyouwalkand sweep,visualize the energyof the roombeing stirredupby themotionofyour

broom, and any heavy spots being broken up and restored to the regular flow. See theenergybeingtransformedfrommurkytobrightandsparkling.

5.Sweeptheentireroom,graduallywideningyourcounterclockwisespiraluntilyouendatthedoor.

6.Ifyouwish,youmayendthepurificationwithashortstatement,suchas:Brightandstrongflowstheenergythroughmyhome.Thisroomispurified.

Anotherwonderfulway to purify a room iswith incense.The followingrecipecreatesagentleincensethat,whenburned,releasesenergyassociatedwithclearingnegativity.Formoredetailedinformationonhowtomakeanduseherbalincense,seeChapter7.

ROOMPURIFICATIONINCENSEBurnapinchofthisincenseonasmallself-lightingcharcoaltablet(notbarbecuecharcoal)inaheatproofcenserordish.Thisrecipewillmakeaboutatablespoonofincense.

•1teaspoonoffrankincenseresin•1teaspoonofcopalresin•Mortarandpestle(optional)•1teaspoonofdriedpowderedlemonzest•3pinchesofdriedlavender•Smallglassjarwithtight-fittinglid

1.Ifnecessary,gentlygrindtheresinswithamortarandpestleuntil thepiecesare insmallgranules.Becarefulnottoovergrindthem,ortheywillbecomesticky.

2.Addalltheingredientstothejar,capit,andshakeuntiltheingredientsarewellblended.3.Holdthejarinyourhandsandvisualizeasparklinglightformingaroundit.Thissparklinglight is purifying energy to empower the incense. Visualize the sparkling light beingabsorbedintotheblendofresinsandherbs.

4.Labelanddate the jar.Touse the incense, lighta charcoal tabletandplace itwithin thecenserasinstructedinChapter7.Takeapinchofthepurificationincenseandsprinkleitontop of the charcoal. Place the censer in themiddle of the room and allow the purifyingenergytofilltheroomasthesmokereleasesit.

USINGTHEFOURELEMENTSINSIDETHEHOMEBeingsurroundedbynaturemaybethefirstthingthatpopstomindwhen

youthinkofthepathofagreenwitch,butasyouhaveseen,what’sinsideagreenwitch’shome is just as important aswhat’soutside.Manyofuswholive inanurbanenvironmentdonothaveaccess towildareas.Themoderngreenwitchneedstofigureouthowtoconnecttogreenenergywithoutbeingsurrounded by nature. This can be easily accomplished in the home. Everygreenwitchisdifferent,andasthepracticeisinformal,thereisnoprescribedwaytodecorateyourpersonalspace.Dependingonyourpersonaltastesandpreferences, your home may look extremely different from the home ofanothergreenwitch.Oneoftheeasiestwaystobringtheenergyofthenaturalworldintoyourhomeistointroduceplantsintoyourspace.

Bysurroundingyourselfwithitemsofpersonalsignificanceandchoosingcolorsanddécorforyourhomethatreflectyourgoalofharmonyandbalance,you reinforce your home as your place of power. Although most greenwitcheshaveoneormoreroomsornooksorcranniesinoraroundthehousespecificallydesignatedassacredlocationswheretheyworkorcommunewithnatureandthedivine,yourentirehomecanbecomesacredspace.Thehearth(the“heart”ofthehome)isalwaysafocusforthehomeofthegreenwitch,whether it’s the kitchen or another roomwhere the family gathers. This israrelyaconvenientplaceforpracticalworship.Althoughgreenwitchcraftiscertainlynotaceremonialpathandnotladenwithformalritual,acentralareathroughwhichyoucantouchthedivinecanmakeyourspiritualjourneymoregrounded.Shrinesareidealforthispurpose.

The green witch acknowledges that the energy of the divine manifestswithin the natural world. The basic metaphysical building blocks of thenaturalworld are the four elements—earth, air, fire, andwater.Byworkingwiththeseelements,youcanstrengthenyourconnectiontothenaturalworld,andthiscanbedoneinsideoroutside.Ifyoudon’thaveaccesstoforestsandfields, you can work with the four elements indoors and balance yourconnectiontothenaturalworldthroughthem.

ELEMENTSHRINESAnelementshrineisaplacewhereyoucanconnectwithoneelementor

all four.Forexample, ifyoubuildawater shrine,youcan includeacrystalgoblet ofwater, a smallwater fountain, shells, river stones, and pictures ofwaterfalls, rainstorms,orcalm lakes.Youmayplaceasoftbluescarfundertheseobjectsandperhapsaddaclearquartzcrystalortwotorepresentice.Afire shrine may be a collection of candles in reds and golds on a crimsoncloth,perhapswithasmallcopperorbrassfigurineofalionoradragon.Theimportantthingistothinkaboutwhattheelementmeanstoyouandtogatherasmallselectionofitemsthatevokethefeelingthatelementinspiresinyou.Itisimportanttorememberthatashrineisnotanaltar.Analtarisaplaceoffocusconsecratedtothespiritualuseofthegreenwitch.Itisusedasaplacetohold toolsandequipmentduringaspellor ritual,andaplace toworkoncharms and witch crafts. An altar can be permanent or temporary. Manywitchessetupatemporaryaltareachtimetheywishtowork.Asshrinesmaybeusedtohonordeitiesorelements,thealtarisnotrequiredforthispurpose,and thus can be consideredmore of aworkspace.Many greenwitches usewhateversurfacetheywishasanaltar,perhapsusingthesameclothtospreadovervarioussurfaceseachtimetheysetuptheiraltar.Inthiscase,theclothitselfbecomesthealtar,carryingtheenergyassociatedwithrepeatedspiritualworkings.

Greenwitchesfollowtheirintuition,andsomaynotperformritualsorworkspellsinthesameplaceeachtime,choosingthelocationaccordingtowhatfeelsrightfortheirpurpose.Forthegreenwitch,thismeansthataworkbenchoracrafttablemaysometimesserveasanaltar.

Thepracticalityofthegreenwitchdetermineswheresheworks,andveryoften these sorts of tasks are undertaken in a variety of different places.Potions and salves may be created in the kitchen, while the creation of aprotectivewreathmaytakeplaceinthegarage.Youmaychoosetoformallyconsecrate your temporary altar each time you set it up, or not, as themundane is sacred to the green witch. A simple blessing with the fourelements can serve to consecrate the surface you have chosen to use as analtar.(SeetheElementalBlessinginChapter7.)Asagreenwitch,youmayalsoconsiderusingastoneorstumpasapermanentoutdooraltarinacornerofyouryardorbalcony,ifyouhaveone.

Ashrine,however, isaplace tohonorsomethingorsomeoneor to leaveofferings, aplacewhereyoucancollect thingsofpersonal significanceandvariousenergiestoweavetogetheranenergythatisgreaterthanthesumofitsindividualparts.Ashrinecreatesalocationforacertainkindofenergy.Thewonderfulthingaboutashrineisthatnoonehastoknowwhatitis.Itcanbeassimpleasaphotograph,acandle,aseashell,andacoloredribbongroupedtogether on a shelf. You know why those particular things are together;anyone else looking at them will likely think that it’s simply a decorativearrangement. What’s important is that the energy produced by combiningtheseobjectsaccomplishesthegoalyouenvisionforit.

Anelementshrinedoesn’thavetobeinaplacegenerallyassociatedwiththatelement.Forexample,youdon’thavetoputanearthshrineoutside,orawatershrineinthebathroom,orafireshrineinyourkitchen.Experimentwithhavingfourseparateshrinesinfourdifferentplaces.Youcantrybuildingtheearthshrineinthenorthernpartofyourhouse,theairshrinetotheeast,thefire to the south, and the water to the west, which is how they’re usuallyassociatedwithdirectionsinvarioustraditionsofWesternoccultism.Orthinkaboutthekindsofenergyyoufeelinvariousareaswithinyourhome,andsiteashrineaccordinglyevenifit’snotinoneofthetraditionaldirections.Ifyouhavearoomwherealotofthinkingandcommunicatingtakeplace,trysettinganair shrine there. Ifyouhavea roomwhereeveryone relaxesand feelsatpeaceafteralongday,trysettingupanearthorwatershrinethere.Makesuretohaveoneshrineforeachelementsothatyourhomeremainsbalanced.

Ifsomepartofyourhomeislackinginacertaintypeofenergy,youcansetupashrinetoanappropriateelement tobalance that lack. If there’saroomwherepeople tend to losetheir tempersor energy runs toohigh, theremaybean excess of fire energy that arisesfromitsdécororasaresultofhowtheenergy flows through it.Trysettingupanearthshrineorawatershrinetobalanceoutthefireenergywithstabilityortranquility.

Youcanalsoexperimentwithcreatingasingleshrinetoallfourelements.Place this shrine where it feels right to you. This may be near your ownpersonalsanctuary,nearthedoorsothatitisthefirstthingyouseewhenyouenter and the last before you leave, or near the center of your home. In ashrinetoallfourelements,youdon’tneedtocollectmultiplerepresentationsof a single element. Instead, choose one or two objects to symbolize eachelementandgroup them inanarrangement thatpleasesyouand feels right.Shrines are fluid things;youcanaddobjects asyou feeldrawn to them,orremoveobjectswhenyoufeeltheynolongerservetheirpurpose.Onashrineto all four elements have at least one item to represent each element at alltimes.Traditionally,asmalldishofsaltorsandholdstheenergyofearth,acandleholds theenergiesof fire,a smalldishorglassofwaterholdswaterenergy,andastickofincenseorfeatherorafreshflowerholdstheenergiesofair. If you’re worried about salt or water being knocked over, try a smallpottedplantorastoneforearthandashellforwater.Lightthecandleandtheincense only when you are in the room. Doing this once a day for a fewminutescanhelpyoucollectyourthoughtsandyourenergies.Itgivesyouamomentofpeacetocommunewiththesefourbasicbuildingblocksofnature.

THEMEDSHRINESBy creating shrines in different places, with each shrine focused on a

different energy, you can create “vortices” of specific energies that canbalance out a surplus or lack of those energies in your home. Think aboutcreatingashrinetooneormoreofthebasicareasuponwhichthegreenwitchfocuses.Ifyouwishtobringmoreprosperityandhealthintoyourhome,forexample,whynotcreatea shrinewithobjects that representabundanceandhealthtoyou?

MakeaSacredOutdoorSpaceIf you are fortunate enough to be an urban greenwitchwith a bit of greenspacebehindorinfrontofyourhome,thereareafewthingsyoucandowiththisspacetomakeitvibrantandmoresacred.

Ifyouownor rent land, thenyoumayconsidercreatingasmalloutdoorsacredspaceinwhichyoucanrelax,rebalance,andreconnectwiththenaturalworld. While most people who hear the words “outdoor sacred space”envision a large circle, perhapswith standing stones and a full, flourishinggarden,thegreenwitchknowsthatsacredspacerequiresnothingsoelaborate.Asmallcorner,agardenbench,orevenasinglestonesetintoasmallflowerbed can serve as your sacred space.Youmay dreamof turning your entire

backyardintoatemple,but,inreality,youryardismorelikelytobetakenupbyaplayareaforchildren,atoolshed,apool,orstorage.Perhapsyoushareyourgreenspacewithothers;thiswillalsolimityouractivitiesandaccess.Inpractical terms, establishing outdoor sacred space can be an even biggerchallengethancreatinganindoorsacredspace.Ifyoufinditachoretokeepyourindoorspacetidy,thenanoutdoorspacewillbenodifferent.Anentirebackyarddedicatedassacredspacemeansthatyou’llhavetokeepthatentirespaceneat,clean,healthy,andwellmaintained.

Sacredspacedoesn’thavetobeobvious.Itcanbeasmallareathatonlyyourecognizeasbeingdedicatedtoyourspirituality.Youcanchooseasetofplantsthatsymbolizeyourpracticeandplantthemtogether.Youcanplaceastoneamongtheplants,orasmallall-weatherstatue,oratrellisuponwhichyoucanhangatinysetofwindchimes.Chooseanythingthathasmeaningtoyou.Yoursmallcornerofoutdoorsacredspaceshouldofferyouaplacetositor stand to pause and clear your mind, to touch Spirit, and to rebalanceyourself.

Youmayalsofindinspirationinsacredplacesfoundinnature.Areassuchasstreams,pools,andlakesaresometimesseenassacred,forwaterisoftenassociated with the otherworld. Perhaps a small fountain or other waterfeatureappeals toyouandcanbecomeyourownsacredspace.Single treesandgroveshavealsobeentraditionallyseenassacred.Youcanplantaspecialtreeorbushinyoursacredspace.Mountainsarecommonlyheldtobesacred.Whilebuildingamountainorevenanearthmound ishighly impractical (ifnot impossible), youmightwant to represent amountainwith one ormorestandingstonesinanysizeofyourchoosing.Even“planting”asmall12-inchstoneintothegroundwithintentioncandeclareaspacesacred.

Themoderngreenwitchintheurbansettingcansometimesfeellost.Otheroptionsarealwaysavailable.Visityourcityparksorpublicgardenstofindaplacethatfeelscomfortableandcalmtoyou,aplacewhereyoucanachievereconnectionandrebalancing.Setupacontainergardenonyourbalcony(seeChapter6fortipsandideasongreenwitchcontainergardeninginthecity).Carefully selected houseplants can also furnish youwith a connection to asacredspacewiththefeelingofoutdoors.

BeinTunewiththeEarthNomatterwhatheraccesstonatureis,thegreenwitchworkscloselywiththeearth. You can live on the forty-seventh floor of a high-rise apartmentbuildingandstillhaveameaningfulrelationshipwiththeearth.

Amongthegreenwitch’scommonalliesareearthspirits.Earthspiritscanbe valuable partners and aides in your practice. An earth spirit is an

intelligence or awareness attached to a particular place, a plant or tree, anaturalobjectsuchasarockorstream,oraspecific typeofweather.Theseintelligencesaresometimescalleddevas,sometimesfairies.Oftenwesimplyrefer to them as “earth spirits,” “spirit of,” or “force of” something. It isimportanttounderstandthatthesespiritsarenotdeities.

Do all greenwitches recognize or workwith earth spirits? No. Some greenwitches arecomfortabletalkingaboutfairiesordevas,whereasothersrolltheireyesandgetdowntohoeingthegarden.Mostdorecognizethatnaturehasanintelligence,orasenseofspirit,thatvariesaccordingtothelocation.Notallofusgiveanameorclassificationtothatsenseofspirit.

Howeachgreenwitchworkswiththesespiritsorforcesdependsonhowsheperceives them.Mostgreenwitcheswill agree that connectingwith thevariousforcesandenergiesofnatureisakeyaspectoftheirpractice,butit’slikelythatnotwogreenwitcheswillbeabletoagreeonhowtodoit,orevenwhatforcestheyconnectto.Thisshowshowhighlyindividualizedthegreenpractice is. One thing thatmost greenwitcheswould agree on is that theystrivetoworkinharmonywiththeseforcesofnature.

Howyouvisualizethesespiritsiscompletelyuptoyou.Youmayseethemas tinypeopleororbsof light.Youmaynot see thematall,butexperienceemotionsorsensationswhenyouarenearthetree,flower,standingstone,orphenomenonwithwhich the spirit is associated.Whetheryourvisualizationmatchesothervisualizationsisunimportant.Whatisimportantisthat ifyouchoosetoworkwiththem,youmusthonorthespiritsasalliesinyourgreenwitchworktoattunetothenaturalworldandtorebalanceandharmonizelife.

Youcanencounternaturespirits inmanyplacesandthroughavarietyofmethods.Thesimplestmethodistoreachoutandconnectwiththespiritofasingleplant, thenasktheplantspirit for informationontheplant’susesandproperties. In his bookPlant SpiritMedicine, EliotCowan stresses that theenergy possessed by each individual plant is entirely personal. Theinformation and/or gift the spirit of that plant offers to you is exactlywhatyou need at that moment. This gift is not necessarily energy that istraditionally associated with the plant. For example, if you project yourawarenesstoarosebush,theenergyyoureceiveinreturnwillnotnecessarilybelove.Thespiritof therosebushmayperceivethatyourequiresomethingdifferentandofferittoyou.Thekeytoworkingwithnaturespiritslikethisistobeopentowhattheyofferyouwithoutexpectationsorpreconceivedideas.Referring to lists of correspondences associated with particular plants isuseful for getting a general idea of how to use the plant’s energy, but it ismuch more useful to communicate directly with the spirit of the plant toacquire your own understanding or interpretation of the energy and how itmay be applied. The green witch never assumes she knows something, or

presumesthatsheiscorrect,ortakessomethingatfacevalue.Itisimportanttoseekoutyourownexperienceandbuildyourownopinionsasyoudeepenyourunderstandingofanelement,aprocess,orasituation.Chapter3offersaseries of exercises designed to help you take in information and energythroughyour senses, and avarietyof techniques for interactingwithnatureandacquiringinformationfromplantspirits.

Becausetherearedifferentwaysofworkingwithplantenergy,everygreenwitchwill develop her ownmethod of absorbing and applying that energy.Employing plant energies in the practice ofmedicinal herbalism is perhapsthe most common method of using natural energy, but the practice ofhomeopathyandtheuseofBachflowerremediesarealsopopularmethodsofworkingwiththeenergyofflowers,plants,andtrees.

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Chapter3

AttuneYourselftoNature

IN GREEN WITCHCRAFT, ONE OF the most important practices is constantlyreestablishing your understanding of nature as it is now around you.Maintainingcontactwithyourphysicalenvironmentiscrucialtomaintainingameaningful individual practice. If you lose touchwith your environment,youlosetheonethingthatconnectsyoutoyournaturalsurroundings.

Greenwitchcraft isalwaysaboutthenow,aboutthecurrentstateofyourenvironment.Beingawareofyourenvironmentmeansknowingtheenergiesmovingthroughit,theenergiesitproduces,itshealthandrateofvibration.Italsomeans being aware of how your own energy andmental or emotionalstate fit into your surroundings. If you’re not aware of the current state ofyourenvironment,thenhowcanyouevaluatewhatsortofworkisrequiredofyou?Youmaythinkyouknowyourenvironment,butyoumightbesurprisedwhen you stop to create a new relationship with it. One of the basicfoundationsoflivingthegreenwitchpathisforgingaconnectionwithnatureandnatural forces. It is imperative thatyou forgeaconnectionwithwhat itactuallythere,andnotwhatyouassumetobethere.

GettoKnowYourCorneroftheUniverseIfyouliveinanurbansetting,thenthatcity’senergyistheenergytowhichyoumust open yourself in order to be in tunewith your neighborhood andyourenvironment.Itiscrucialtointeractwithyournaturalenvironmentasitactuallyis,notthenatureyouimagineoridealize.Theenvironmentyouknewyesterday or last month is no longer the environment that surrounds you:energy is in a state of constant change.Thus, thegreenwitchmust alsobeaware,andalwaysadjustingherknowledge.

Youmay think you know your neighborhood, but it’s useful to take thetime to see it inanewway.Useallyour senses toexplorewhereyou live.Askyourselfthefollowingquestions.Answerthemhonestly:

•Howdotheseasonschangewhereyoulive?Whatchangescanyouseeandfeel?

•What influencedoes themoonhaveonyou?What is thephaseof themoonrightnow?

•Whatwildplantsarecommontoyourneighborhood?Nameatleasttenlocalplants.

•Of those tenplants,whichare indigenous toyourareaandwhichwereimported?Whenweretheyimportedandbywhom?

• What trees are most commonly found in your neighborhood? Again,which are indigenous and which were deliberately introduced? Whenandbywhom?

•Whatwildlifeisnativetoyourarea?•Isthewaterthat’schanneledtoyourtaphardorsoft?•Whattypeofsoildoesyourneighborhoodhave?Isitchalky,clay,sandy,orother?Isitalkalineoracidic?

Whatyoudon’tknowmaysurpriseyouandperhapsdisappointyou, too.You may know the name of the street that crosses yours, or what park isnearest toyou,butwhat isbasicandintegral toyournaturalenvironment isoften unknown or unrecognized. Taking the time to learnmore about yourneighborhoodwillgiveyouagoodsolidbasefromwhichtolearnmoreabouthowyournaturalenvironmentfunctions.

Makeapointof findingout theanswers to thepreviousquestions.Writetheanswersinyourgreenwitchjournal.

Walking around your neighborhood with enhanced awareness can teachyou more than you thought you knew. Engage in the following exercises,which are designed to help you observe asmuch as you can andmake themostofeachexperienceasyougatherinformation.

INTERACTIONEXERCISESWhenobservation isdonewith intent,youwilldiscovermoreaboutyourneighborhood.Forthisexercise,firstchooseastoneoraplantthatyou’refamiliarwith.Allowyourselftoexperience it again as if for the first time. Answer the following questions.Write youranswersinyourgreenwitchjournal.

•Whatdoesthisstoneorplantfeelliketothetouch?•Howdoesitsmell?•Whatdoesitlooklike?•Whatsoundsdoesitmake?•Howdoes it taste?(Caution!Trytocatchthetasteontheair.Neverplaceanunidentifiedplantorobjectinyourmouth.)

Onceyou’vedonethisexercisewithafewplantsorstonesyou’realreadyfamiliarwith,tryoneyou’venotexperiencedbefore.Notesontheseexerciseswillserveasthebasisofyourgreenwitchloreandbecometheheartofyourpersonalpractice.

ExperiencetheEnvironmentalEnergyAroundYouAlthoughthegreenwitchusesherbsfortheirmedicinalqualities,themagicalqualitiesofthenaturalworldarealsoverymuchherfriends.Ifyoulookattheuses traditionally associated with various herbs throughout the ages, themedicinalbenefitsoftenparallelthemagicaluses.Thisisbecause,inadditiontoa certain chemicalmakeup thatdetermines its effectwhenapplied to thephysical body, an herb also possesses a unique energy that affects theemotionsandspiritofaperson.

EXERCISE:SENSINGENERGYPerformthisexercisewithaplantwithwhichyouarefamiliar,thentryitwithsomethingyou’veneverseenorhandledbefore.Trustyourobservations.Forthisexercise,you’llneedtheplant,plusyourgreenwitchjournalandapenorpencil.

1.Taketheplantinyourhand.Ifitisadriedorharvestedherb,holdapinchinyourpalmorholdyourhandoverit,palmdown.Ifitisalivingplantthatyouhavecorrectlyidentifiedassafe to touch, gently touch itwith your fingers. If you cannot identify it, hold yourhandaboveortothesideoftheplantwithyourpalmtowardit.

2.Closeyoureyesand imagineyourpalmglowing.Focuson the sensationofyourpalm. Itmaytingleorgrowwarmorcool.Thatmeansyou’refocusingontheenergyyourpalmiscreatingnaturally.

3.Visualizetheplantglowing.4. Visualize the glow of energy collected in your palm gently stretching out to touch theglowingenergyoftheplant.Asthetwoenergiesmeet,askyourselfwhatyousense.Doyoufeel a specific emotion?Do ideas drift into your head?Thoughts or vague hunches?Payattention.Thisisamethodforcollectingobservationsabouttheplantbysensingitsenergywithyourownenergy.

5. When you feel you have observed enough, send the plant a feeling of gratitude for itscooperation, then visualize your energy disengaging from that of the plant and drawingbackintoyourpalm.

6.Openyoureyesandshakeyourhandfirmly,asifyou’reshakingwateroffofit.Thiswillhelpyougetridofanyexcessenergyhangingon.

7.Writeyourobservationsinyourgreenwitchjournal.Whatwastheexperiencelike?Whatsortofobservationsdidyoumakewhilesensingtheenergyoftheplant?Didtheplantfeelenergetic,calming,nurturing?Writedowneverythingthatcomestoyouanddon’tworryaboutwhetheritmakessenseornot.

Your observations of the energy of the plant are valid because they’re yours. Everyoneinteractsdifferentlywiththeenergyofaplant.Iflavenderenergizesyou,thenthatisoneof lavender’senergybenefits inyourpractice,eventhoughmanybookswill tellyouthatlavender generally projects feelings of peace and tranquility. Acquiring firsthandknowledge is important for a green witch, as it shapes and refines your practice,personalizingitinawaythatmakesittrulyunique.

GroundingYourself

When you work with energy, it is important to ground. Grounding meansconnecting your personal energy to that of the earth and allowing arebalancingofyourenergytooccur.Ifyouarenervousorexcited,youmayberunningtoomuchenergythroughyourbody.Theearthisagoodplacetoshunt that extra energy. If you are lethargic or dizzy, youmaybe sufferingfromalackofenergy,andtheearthhasplentytosharewithyou.Onceyouaregrounded,youcanabsorb the energyof the earth to replenishyour lowenergylevels.Togroundyourself,followthesesteps:

1.Takethreedeep,slowbreaths.2. Next take a moment to feel your own energy flowing through yourbody.Focusonapointinthecenterofyourchestandvisualizeasmallgreenglowinglightthere.Thisisyourenergycenter.

3. Now visualize a tendril of green energy growing from that energycenter down toward the earth. Let it reach down past your feet.Visualize it growing into the earth itself, spreading into roots andtwisting through thesoil.Takeamoment to feelhowsolidandstableyourrootisintheearth.

4.Nowthatyouhaveformedaconnectionwiththeearth,youcaneitherallowyourexcessenergytoflowdowntominglewiththatoftheearthor draw some of the earth’s energy up to replace the energy you aremissing.

Grounding is good to dowhen you get up in themorning, last thing atnight, before you do any energywork, orwhenever you feel a little out ofsyncwiththeworldaroundyou.

WorkwiththeFourNaturalElementsThe four physical elements form the building blocks of a green witch’sunderstanding of theworld around her. They represent the rawmaterial ofnature. The flow and interaction between the four basic elemental energiesformthebasisofchange,transformation,growth,evolution,anddevelopmentin our environment and in our lives. Each element has a specific energy.Traditionally,theyhavethefollowingassociations:

•Earth:grounding,abundance;receptiveandpassive•Air:communication,intellect;projectiveandactive•Fire:passion,creativity;projectiveandactive•Water:emotion,sensitivity;receptiveandpassive

While these traditionalassociationsareusefulandahandyshortcut,howyouperceivetheenergyofeachelementinfluencesyourpersonalpracticeandhowyouinteractwiththeworld.

EXERCISE:SENSINGTHEFOURELEMENTSThisexercisehelpsyoubuildapersonalrelationshipwitheachelement.Beforeyoubegin,reviewthepreviousenergy-sensingexercise.

•Yourgreenwitchjournalandapenorpencil•Smalldishofearth(Note:makesureit’srichearth;ifallyouhaveisdrypottingsoil,useadishofsaltorastoneoracrystal.)

•Handfan(orasmallpieceofcardstock)•Votivecandleinacandleholder•Matchesand/oralighter•Smalldishofwater•Smalltowel

1.Beginbysittingquietlyatatableoronthefloorwiththesuppliessetoutinfrontofyou.Takethreedeepbreaths.Asyouexhale,visualizeanytensionleavingyourbody.

2.Visualizeyourfingertipsglowingwithyourpersonalenergy.Visualizethesampleofearthglowingwiththeenergyofearth.

3.Gentlyreachoutandrestyourfingertipsonthesoil(orsaltorstoneorcrystal).Closeyoureyesandallowyourpersonalenergytocontactitsenergy.

4.Whileconnectedtotheearthenergy,observeasmuchasyoucanabouthowitmakesyoufeel.

5.Whenyouarefinished,withdrawyourfingersandbrushthemoffifnecessary.Shakeyourhandtoremoveanyexcessenergyoroddsensations.Openyourjournalandwritedownallofyourobservations.Whatobservationsdidyoumakeabouttheenergyofearth?Howdiditmakeyoufeel?Whatdiditmakeyouthinkof?

6.Pickupthehandfanorcardstock inonehand,andholdyourotherhandout,palmup.Visualize thepalmof yourhandglowingwithyourpersonal energy.Close your eyes andslowlybegintowavethefanorcard,creatinganaircurrentdirectedatyourotherpalm.Astheairmoves,seeitglowwiththeenergyofair.Allowtheenergyoftheaircurrenttomeettheenergyofyourpalmandobservethesensationsyoupickup.Varythespeedoftheaircurrentandobservewhetherthatmakesadifferencetoyourobservations.Whenyouarefinished, set aside the fan and shake your hand to remove any excess energy or oddsensations.Write down your observations about the energy of the element of air in yourjournal.

7. Light the votive candle. Again, visualize the energy of your palm glowing. Visualize theflameof thecandleglowingwiththeenergyoffire.Holdyourhandbesidetheflameatasafeandcomfortabledistance, and reachout to the energyof firewithyourownenergy.Observeasmuchasyoucanabouttheenergyoffire.Whenyouarefinished,snuffoutthecandleandshakeanyexcessenergyoffyourhand.Writedownyourobservationsabouttheenergyoftheelementoffireinyourjournal.

8.Bring thedishofwater towardyou.Visualizeyour fingertipsglowingwithyourpersonalenergy, and seewater glowingwith the energy of the element ofwater. Slowly touch thesurfaceofthewaterwithyourfingertipsandallowyourpersonalenergytoengagewiththewater’s energy. Observe as much as you can about the energy of water. When you arefinished, withdraw your fingers and wipe them on the small towel, then shake them toremoveanyexcessenergy.Writedownyourobservationsabouttheenergyoftheelementofwaterinyourjournal.

For a different experience, try to find a large natural manifestation of each element’senergy with which to interact. Interact with the energy of the summer sun to gain a

differentexperienceoftheenergyoffire.Standinarainshowerorsnowstormornexttoastrongflowingrivertogainadifferentperceptionoftheenergyofwater.Buryyourlegsandfeetinsandortakeoffyourshoesandworkyourtoesinfreshlyturnedgardensoiltointeractwiththeelementofearth.Standoutsideonawindydaytoexperiencethepowerofair.Writedownyourexperiencesandobservationsinyourgreenwitchjournal.

To keep yourself attuned to the basic energies produced by the elements, perform thisexerciseat leastonceayear.Foradeeperunderstandingof thecyclesofenergy inyourarea,interactwiththeelementsonalargescaleonceeveryseason.Doingthiswillhelpyoubetterunderstandhow the local energies interactandhow their levelsandpresenceebbandflowwiththecycleoftheyear.

INVOKINGTHEFOURELEMENTSAlthough the four elements are always present, you can choose to

recognize them in your practice by formally inviting one or more of theelementstoaidyouinyourgreenwitchwork.Thisformalinvitationisoftencalledinvokingtheelement.

Invokinganelementisaconsciousactthatdrawsthatelement’senergytoyouinyourenvironment.Invokinganelementcanbedoneifyouwantthatelement’sparticularaidorenergytoblendwiththeworkyouaredoing.Forexample, if you are creating a garden sachet for fertility in your vegetablegarden, then youmay invoke the element of earth to be presentwhile youconstruct the sachet andweave the elemental energy into the energy of thesachettohelpsupportandreinforceit.

Insteadofplacingyourelemental symbolsaccording tooneof the traditionaldirections,youcancreateamoreaccurateconnectionwithyourowngeographic location.Where isthelargestbodyofwaterinyourvicinity?Wherearemountainranges?Whereareplainsacrosswhich thewinddriveswithnothing to stop it?Wheredoes the sun seem to shinemostbrightly,withthemostheat?Youmaywanttoreassignelementalassociationswithspecificdirections.Thistoocanaffecthowyouconductpersonalpractice.

Manygreenwitches like toworkwitha symbolofeachelementnearby,which honors the elements and creates a balanced atmosphere in which towork.Aswe learned in Chapter 2, each element is traditionally associatedwith a cardinal direction.You canbalance the overall energyof an area byintroducinganelementalenergythatislacking.Asmallcollectionofallfourelementalsymbolssupportsthebalanceofallfourenergies.Italsoprovidesthegreenwitchwithasourceofelementalenergiesfromwhichshecandrawinhermagicalwork,ifempoweredtodosobythosesources.Thosesymbolscan be as simple as a small candle for fire, a feather for air (or a stick ofincense to represent both fire and air together), a stone or green plant forearth,andasmallglassofwater.Youcansetthemintheirproperdirectionsorinanywaythatappealstoyou.

Youcanalsohavesymbolsofallfourelementsinyourworkspacewhereyoudogreenwitchworkandformallyinvokethepresenceofallfour.Ifyou

choosetoinvokeallfourelements,you’llhaveapowerfulpoolofenergytodrawfromwhileyouworkthatcansupportyourmagicalgoal.

MEDITATINGONTHEELEMENTSSometimesbrainstormingwithothergreenwitches(orWiccansandother

neopagans) can help you create a new set of associations for something.Relaxing and thinking about a single element at a time can also yield asurprisingvarietyof images, thoughts,andpersonalcorrespondences.Ifyoudothiswork,don’tforgettohaveyourgreenwitchjournalnearbytorecordideasastheyariseinyourmind.

Sit comfortably in your green witch space or in another familiar andcomfortablearea.Chooseanelementandbegintofree-associate.Don’tdoallfourelementsinonesession,however;dothemonseparatedays.

DiscoverandDevelopYourSensesWhile everyone interfaces differently with the world around them, we allacquireinformationviaourfivesenses.

VISIONMost people are primarily visual. In social situations of every kind, we

takeourcuesfromotherpeople.Observingtheirclothes,theirbodylanguage,and their physical appearance we get clues how to behave appropriately.Seeingdifferentcolorsalsostimulatesusindifferentways.

Hereare someexercises tohelpyoudevelophowyouuseyour senseofsight:

• Sit in front of a window, and use it as a frame for what you seethroughit.Examineeverythingwithinthisframe,takingasmuchtimeas you require to really look at what you see. If you like, divide thewindowintoquartersandexaminetheview,quarterbyquarter.Lookattextures, colors, and light and shadow. Allow yourself to really seethings in detail, things you usually just glance at and take in during asplitsecond.

•Lookatacolorphotoofanapple,thenatarealapple.Howaretheydifferenttoyoureyes?Howaretheythesame?

• Set an everyday object on a table in front of you and look at itcarefully.Thenholditaboveyournormaleyelevelandlookupatit.Set

itonthefloorandlookdownatit.Moveittotheleft,thentotheright.Howdoesthepositionoftheobjectchangehowyouseeit?

SOUNDSound is overwhelmingly present in our lives. Traffic (cars, airplanes,

etc.), the soundsof radioand television,and thenoiseandconversationsofcrowdssurroundusnearlyallthetime.Ourworldisveryrarelytrulysilent.The sound of wind through the leaves of a tree or of water lapping theshoreline are sounds that speak of very specific environments that call upspecificemotionalreactions.Hearinghelpsusfill inwhatourvisionrevealstous.Ifoursenseofhearingistakenawayfromus,wefeellost,butit’salsotruethatifweareinanareathatistooquiet,wecanbecomeuncomfortable.

Hereareexercisestohelpyoudeepenyoursenseofhearing:

• Sit in a familiar place in your home and close your eyes. Listendeliberately andwith awareness to the sounds of your home.What doyou hear? How many different sounds do you hear? Where are theycomingfrom?Canyouidentifythem?(Donotattemptthisexercisejustbefore you go to bed, or you will find that your attunement to littlesoundswillcauseyoutobedistractedbynoisesallnight.)

• Sit in a public place like amall or a restaurant and perform thisexerciseagain.Doitwithafriendbyyoursidesothatyoucanrelaxandnot worry about what’s going on around you. How are the soundsdifferent?How is thewayyou listen inpublicdifferent fromhowyoulistenathome?

•Sitoutdoorsandperformtheexercise.Doyoufinditmoredifficulttoidentifyoutdoorsounds?Wheredotheycomefrom?Doyouhearmoreorfewersoundsthanyouhearindoors?

TOUCHChildrenarealwaystouchingeverythingtheyencounter.Aswegrowup,

however,we learn that it isn’t socially acceptable topickup everythingwesee andhandle it.Our concern for personal space also forces us apart.Thesenseoftouchcanbefurtherbrokendownintospecifickindsofsensesthatweoftenconsidertocomeundertheheadingoftouch:theperceptionofpain,the perception of temperature, the perception of pressure, the perception ofbalanceandequilibrium,andtheperceptionofbodyawarenessorlocation.

Try these exercises to explore your sense of touch. If possible, do themwithyoureyesclosedsoyouarenotusingsight to influenceyour senseoftouch:

•Gatherafeather,asmallbowlofsalt,anicecubeinasmallbowlorglass,apieceofwood,andasatinribbonandsetthemonatableinfrontofyou.Onebyone,explorethetouchofeachitem.Takeasmuchtimeaspossibleexploringthefeelofeachitem.Don’ttrytoanalyzethesensations: just observe and accept them, enjoying the sensory input.Picktheitemup;strokeitwithyourfingertips,withyourpalm,withthebackofyourhand.Runitalongyourforearmoryourcheek.Holditinyourhandsandfeelitsweightandshape.Howdoesitfeelifyouholditstill?Howdoesitfeelifyoumoveyourhandwhileholdingit?

•Findapatchofsun.Moveyourhandintothesunandfeelitswarmth.Moveitbackintotheshadowsandfeeltheabsenceofheat.

•Setabowlofwarmwaterandabowlofcoldwateronthetable infrontofyou.(Makesurethewarmwaterisn’tscalding.)Sinkthefingersofonehandintothebowlofwarmwater,leavethemthereforaminute,thenremovethemandputthemintothebowlofcoldwater.Howdoesthe temperature contrast feel? After leaving your fingers in the coldwaterforaminute,dipthembackintothewarmwater.Doesthewarmwaterfeeldifferentnow?

TASTEOursenseoftasteisoftendrownedinexcess.Fastfoodandcannedmeals

haveloweredourstandardsoftastetosuchanextentthatifwetasteacarrotfreshlypulledfromtheearth,our tastebudsareoverstimulatedandwe losethecomplexityofflavor.Evenmorecommonisbitingintoafreshapple.Thetangyflavorsurprisesour tastebuds,whichhavebecomeused to thedullerflavoroffruitstoredforperiodicreleaseoverthewinterandspring.Produceimported from other areas often travels for days and loses the depth of itsflavor.Wehavebecomeaccustomedtodull,chemical-liketastes.

Toremindyourtastebudsofsingleflavors,dothefollowingexercise:

•Washanddryyourhands.Ona table,setoutasmallbowlofsalt,asmall bowl of sugar, a small bowl of an herb such as rosemary(preferablyfresh,butdrywilldo),asegmentoforange,asliceoflemon,a glass of water, and a slice of plain bread. Sit down and touch yourfingertothesalt,thentouchyourfingertoyourtongue.Allowthetasteof the salt to spread across your tongue. How does it taste? Can youdescribeitwithoutusingtheword“salty”?Cleanseyourpalatebytakinga sip ofwater and a tiny bite of the bread.Repeat the actionwith thesugar,thencleanseyourpalateagain.Continuealongthroughthefoods,takingthetimetoalloweachflavortosinkintoyourtastebuds.Imagineyouaretastingeachfoodfortheveryfirsttime.

•Repeattheaboveexercisewhenyoutakethefirstbiteofyournextmeal.Taste each itemonyourplate slowlyandcarefully, and imagineyouaretastingeachonefortheveryfirsttime.Thisisalsoawonderfulexercisetoperformwithseasonalfoodssuchaslocalfruit thathasjustbeenharvested.Strawberriesgrownlocallyandpickedduringstrawberryseason, forexample,haveaveryspecial taste thatcannotbereplicatedbyhothouseberriesgrownacrossthecountryintheoff-season.

SMELLWe usually underestimate the power of our sense of smell. Smell is a

delicate sense that picks up minute shifts in air currents, and it’s oftenoverwhelmedinthecitybyexhaustfromcars,dirtandrefuse,perfumesandoverscented soaps, and the general effluvia of thousands of people livingclose together. Alternatively, when we travel to another area, such as theseashore or the countryside, we can be overwhelmed by the odors theresimplybecausewearenotaccustomedtothemorbecausetheyarenotdilutedorcoveredbyotherscents.

Try these exercises to help deepen your understanding of your sense ofsmell:

• Sit in a familiar place in your home and close your eyes. Breatheevenly.Asyouinhale,noticewhatscentsyouaresmelling.Whatisthegeneral overall scent of your home? Can you further identify theindividualsmellsthatconstitutethatoverallscent?

•Repeatthisexerciseinapublicplace,withafriendalongtokeepaneyeonwhat’sgoingonaroundyou.Whenyoucloseyoureyes,howwould you identify the location simply by its smell?Can you identifysmaller,individualsmells?

•Repeatthisexerciseoutdoors.Doyoufinditeasierormoredifficulttoidentifyindividualsmellsoutside?

THESIXTHSENSEAlongsidethefivebasicphysicalsenses,thereisanothermethodyouuse

togatherinformation.Thisisthesensepeoplecallthesixthsense.Yoursixthsense tellsyou that someonebehindyou is staringatyou;even thoughyoucannotuseoneofthefivephysicalsensestoconfirmit,youcansenseit.Thegreen witch knows and understands that this sense cannot always beexplained. She also acknowledges its existence and accepts informationacquiredviathesixthsense.Therearevariousexplanationsforhowthesixthsenseworks.Somesaythatyourpersonalenergyfield(sometimesreferredto

astheaura)picksuptheenergyfieldsofotherthingsandinformationpassesbetweenthem.

Living in an urban setting, people tend to become desensitized to thesights, smells, and soundsof theirdailyenvironment.Agreenwitch shouldneverallowherselftobecomedesensitized,however,becausethismeansshewillmissminuteshiftsinenergy,changesthatmaysignalaproblemofsomekind.Theoldadage“familiaritybreedscontempt”hassomeapplicationhereas well. Cultivating your sixth sense can help you avoid the trap ofdesensitization, for it allowsyou an alternatemethodbywhich informationcomestoyou.

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Chapter4

ManifestthePoweroftheSeasons

AWARENESSOFTHENATURALRHYTHMofthesolsticesandequinoxesandhowtheyarereflectedinherowngeographicallocationformtheaxisofthegreenwitch’spractice.Thesolaryearismadeupoffourdistinctseasons,eachwithresonance for thegreenwitch.These four seasonscanprovide thebasis forpersonalpracticeandthecreationofauniquetraditionspecifictoyouasanindividualgreenwitch.

Thefourseasonsalsoallowyoutoformallyrecognizetheflowofseasonalenergy and honor it. Set aside some time on or around the first day of theseason tomeditate upon the changes in energy that you are feeling in yourenvironment.Meditateonthepartofthelifecycletheseasonrepresents.Thischapter will provide suggestedmeditations for the solstices and equinoxes.Theyfollowthetraditionalsymbolicassociationsofeachseason.

Itisimportanttofeeltheriseandfall,theebbandflow,andthedifferent“flavors”ofseasonalenergy.Thisiskeytoharmonizingtheselfwithnature.Naturehas rhythms;youhave rhythms.Toharmonizemeans tomatchyourpersonalrhythmswiththerhythmsofyourenvironment.Thismaximizesyourinteraction with nature so that you can communicate more clearly with it.Observe and note the rhythms of the weather where you live on a regularbasis.Theweatherhasgreatinfluencebothoveryourenvironmentandoveryourownpersonalenergy.

SeasonalCyclesandEnergyNomatterwhereyou live, yourweather cycles forma recognizablepatternover a full calendar year. The vegetation grows and falls back in a patternovertheyear.Theanimalpopulationfollowscertainbehavioralpatterns.Asthe earth’s angle and distance from the sun change, the seasonal cycleembodies the basic relationship between light and dark. The concept ofdarknessisnecessaryinthenaturalcycle:withoutdarkness,therecanbeno

fallow period during which the earth regains its strength, seeds will notgerminate,animalswillnotbeartheiryounginseason.

Whenwe observe the four seasons,we can categorize the climate shiftsand environmental responses that occur over the calendar year. When weobserveacertaineventhappeninginthenaturalworld,forexample,wecansay,“Ah,nowitisspring.”Thateventmaybedifferentforyourneighbor,forsomeoneinthenexttimezone,orsomeoneintheotherhemisphereorsouthof the equator.We all have personal associationswith seasonal events thatreallybringhomewhat timeofyear it is.Theseassociationsarepartofourpersonalconnectionwiththenaturalworldaroundus.

InNorthAmericaandEurope,therearefourseasonsthatbeginonspecificdays and at specific times. Climate changes are created by the orbit of theeartharoundthesun.Asearthorbitsthesun,theearth’ssurfaceisexposedtomoreorfewerofthesun’seffects.Thisiscausedbytheangleofdeclinationoftheaxisoftheplanet.Theamountofsunlighttriggersbehavioralresponsesinplantsandanimals,includinghumans.

Inancientcultures,theseasonswereoftennamedaccordingtothenaturalphenomenaofthegeographiclocationandwereoftencalculatedthroughobservationofthemovementsofstarsandplanets,oreventssuchasfloodingorthemovementsofherds.Today,insomeareas the seasons are classified by temperature (the hot season, the cold season) or bymeteorologicalevents(therainyseason,thedryseason).

In North America, although the seasons are determined by theastronomical position of the sun and the earth, meteorologically theapproximatedatesMarch21, June21,September21, andDecember21areusedtomarkthebeginningofspring,summer,fall,andwinter.Ifadifferentdate in these months makes more sense to you where you live andcorresponds tohowseasonaldifferencesmanifest inyourenvironment,whynotusethem?Thepointoflivingasagreenwitchistobeintunewithyoursurroundings.Adheringtoadatesimplybecauseitisastandarddatedoesnotalways make sense when it comes to celebrating the changing seasons. Ifspringarrivesearlieror later thanMarch21inyourarea,asreflectedintheplantandanimalkingdomsandinyourownsoul,thenbyallmeans,celebratethebeginningofspringatadifferenttime.Springdoesn’thavetocomeonthesame day every year, either. Perhaps one year you sense that spring hasarrivedonApril2,forexample,andthenextyearyoufeelthatithasalreadyarrived on March 12. Trust your instinct. It is responding to the energiesflowingthroughyourlocale.

As the green witch lives a practical life, the four seasons offer bothpracticalandspiritualopportunitiesforlearningmoreaboutnatureandlivinginharmonywithit.Thebeginningsofthefourseasonsarespecificpointsatwhich to pause and evaluate your life. This isn’t only useful for spiritual

evaluation;it’salsogoodforpracticalpurposes,suchascuttingbackthedeadgrowthinthegarden,pruningtrees,harvestingthelastofyourcrops,washingwindows,clearingoutthegarage,anddoinggeneralhousecleaning.

Thetruefeelingsoftheseasoncanarriveearlierorlaterthanthecalendarindicates. It is up to you as a greenwitch to observe, trust, and choose tocelebratewhenyou feel the seasonhas trulyarrived.Remember, thekey todevelopingyourownpersonalpractice is forgingyourownconnectionwiththe energy flow of the year as it is influenced by the weather and climatewhere you live. If you live south of the equator, remember that theseequinoxesandsolsticesare reversed,anduse theappropriatemeditation foryourseason.

TIDESOFTHEYEARThe seasonal tides echo the natural cycle in the inner life of the green

witch.

1.Springequinoxtosummersolstice:thegrowingtide2.Summersolsticetoautumnequinox:thereapingtide2.Autumnequinoxtowintersolstice:therestingtide3.Wintersolsticetospringequinox:thecleansingtide

These four tidesmaybeseenasstagesofyour life.Thecyclicnatureoflife is reflected inyour relationshipsandcareersandwhatyou learnasyougrow.Youcanimagineitasaspiral.Theenergiesofseasonaltidesgivethegreenwitchopportunitiestolookinsideherselfandseeallnaturereflectedinminiaturethere.

CelebratingtheSolsticesandEquinoxesInyourpersonalpractice,it isbettertoobservehowyoufeelforayearandbaseyourownfestivalsonthoseobservationsthanitistoconsultabook,findout that it is the fall equinox, read that it is associated with endings andharvests,andcelebrateaccordingly.Whatifyouthinkoffallasabeginning?Whilecelebratingtheage-oldassociationscanbepositive,inthatitnurturesasense of unity with your ancestors and with the earth, it can also becounterintuitive if itdoesnotcoincidewith theenergiesofyourgeographiclocale.Agreenwitchseekstohonortheenergiestowhichsheisseekingtoattuneherself.

Greenwitchcraftisaboutbeinghands-on,aboutnurturinganddevelopingourrelationshipwiththenaturalworldaroundus.Thegreenwitchmakesher

owntools,andgrowsandharvestsherownherbs.Bydirectlyinteractingwiththe natural sequence of seasons, you create a larger practice. Byunderstandinghowtheyearebbsandflows,yougainadeeperunderstandingofhowlifeitselfweaves,unravels,andreweavestheweboflife.

So how do you celebrate a solstice or an equinox? There is no right orwrongway.Therearenoformaltraditionsthatmustbemarked,noritualsthatmust be enacted. Every green witch creates her own tradition, her ownexpressionoftheseasonsandhowtheychange.Thatuniqueexpressionwillreflecthowtheseasonaffectsherspirit,herheart,andherbody.

The most basic way to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes involvesallowingyourselftointeractwiththenaturalenvironmentaroundyou.Spendthedayoutdoors.Goforawalkthroughyourneighborhoodandlookathowthingsarechanging.Ifyouprefer,youcancelebrateindoors.Gatherseasonalgreenery and decorate your home. While some green witches believe thatnature’sbountyshouldbeleftoutdoorsandappreciatedinitsplaceandnotbeharvestedforsomethingasminorasdecorating,othersadvocateusingflowersand greenery as they are available and always with a sense of harmony,responsibility,andfairuse.

MeditationsforEverySeasonMeditating at each seasonal shift is one of the most direct ways ofexperiencingtheenergyofthenaturalworldandtracingyourownresponsetoitsebbandflowthroughout theyear.Use thefollowingseasonalmeditationoutlineasthebasisforyourmeditations.Appropriateseasonalvariations(aslistedinthesectiononeachseason)aregiven.Usingaconsistentmeditationwith only these small variations lets you easily sense theminor differencesthatcomeoutofthemeditationthatyoumightotherwisemissifyoufollowedadifferentsequenceeachtime.

SEASONALMEDITATIONBASEIdeally, thismeditation should be done outside: in your garden, in a private and securespotinapublicpark,evenonyourbalconyoryourpatio.Ifyouhaveaccesstoforestsorfields,thesetoomakeidealplacesinwhichtoencounterandattunetotheenergyofspring.Ifyouchoosetomeditate inapublicplace,makesurethatyouarecomfortableandfeelsafeenoughtoallowyourselfthefreedomtomeditate.Ifyouareconcernedaboutothersinterfering,gosomewhereelseordothemeditationinyourhome.

1.Settleyourselfcomfortablyandcloseyoureyes.Visualizeafinegreenmistrisingfromthegroundandradiatingoutfromallthegrowingthingsaroundyou.

2.Take three slow,deepbreaths.Each timeyou inhale,visualize thatmistofverdantgreenenergy flowing into your lungs and spreading through your body, bringing with it the

feelingofcomfortandrelaxation,ofonenesswithyoursurroundings.Asyouexhale,releaseanytension,stress,orworryyoumaybefeeling.

3. Allow your personal energy to expand slightly so that it merges with the natural greenenergyaroundyou.Directyourawarenessdownwardintothesoil.Allowittosinkdeepintotheearth,slowlyandgently.Donotforceyourenergy,but let itsinkandsift throughtheparticlesofearth.Whenyou feelcomfortable, stopand feel theenergyof the soilaroundyoucradlingyou,enfoldingyou.

4.Inserttheappropriateseasonalvisualizationhere.5. When you feel it is time to return to normal consciousness, offer the soil around yourawarenessasmallgiftofgratitude(emotionisenergy,afterall),thenallowyourawarenesstoslowlyriseupthroughthesoiltoreturntoyourphysicalbody.Afterspendingtimewithintheearth like this,youwillprobablybesorelaxedthatslowmovementwillbenatural toyou.Make sure thatyou take the time toreturn thoroughly.Donot simply snapyourselfback,oryouwillbedisorientedandyourpersonalenergywillbeunbalanced.

6.Onceyourawarenesshas returned, groundyourself (seeChapter 3) and take threedeepbreaths.

7.Openyoureyesandgentlymoveyourarmsandlegstowarmthemupandtoreaffirmyourphysicalform.Standupslowlyanddoafewgentlestretchestoloosenupyourmuscles.

Write a summary of your experience in your green witch journal. How did it feel tointeractwiththeearthatthisseason?Didtheinteractionteachyouanythingnew?Didyoulearnanythingnewaboutyourgeographiclocation?Didyoupickupanyinsightfromtheexperience?Write downyour thoughts andquestions, any visions youmayhavehad ornew understandings youmay have come to.Make notes on how you feel as this seasonbegins,whattheenergyofthelocationyouchosefeltlike.Remembertonotetheweather,too.

Infutureyears,youcanmakereadingnotesinyourwitch’sjournalthebeginningofyourseasonalcelebration.Comparehowyoufeelnowtohowyoufeltinpreviousyears.Whatarethesimilarities?Whatarethedifferences?

THEVERNALEQUINOXThemovementoftheseasonsisanever-endingcycle.Althoughinreality

thereisnoplacethatwecanfirmlypointtoasthebeginningoftheseasonalcycle, spring is often seen as the first season in the sequence. This comesfromthefactthatearliercalendarsbegantheyearinthespring.Springisalsotraditionallyassociatedwithnewbeginnings, sowing,childhood,andyoungthings in general. Spring is a time of potential, a time for planning andplanting, and a time formakingwishes aboutwhat youwant the future tohold.Thevernal equinoxcanbe likened to thedawnof theday.New lightemerges, touching the landscape with a gentle glow, and life brims withwonderfulpossibilitiessimplywaitingtoberealized.

Thevernalequinoxtakesplaceatthemomentwhennightanddayareofequallengthforthefirsttimeafterthewintersolstice.Fromthismomenton,thesunwillbeintheskyforafewmoreminuteseveryday,andnightswillslowlybecomeshorter.

SPRINGMEDITATION

Performthismeditationonoraroundthespringequinox.Ifthedayoftheofficialequinoxdoesn’t work for you, try it around the time of year when there are many new thingsemerginginthenaturalenvironmentwhereyoulive.

Beginthemeditationasoutlinedintheseasonalmeditationstructure.

Onceyouhavereachedaplaceofcomfortdeepinsidetheearth,breatheinthatenergyandfeel it fill your body. Feel the soil’s energy at this time of the spring equinox. Feel thepotentialthatvibratesintheearth.Reachoutandsensethefirstmovementsofrootsandseedswhere they curl in safety, absorbing the soil’s energyandusing it tonourish theirownlifeforce,growingstrongerintheirsleep.Sensetheslowawakeningoftheserootsandseeds,andthinkaboutthepotentialtheyholdandtheluxuriouslifetheywillsoondisplay.

Remain cradled by the energy of the soil as long as you like, enjoying the feeling ofpotentialandthefirststirringsoflife.

Finishthemeditationasoutlinedintheseasonalmeditationstructure.

THESUMMERSOLSTICEThesummersolstice,ormidsummer,marksthemomentwhenthesunisat

its highest. It is the day when the sun spends the most hours above thehorizon.Traditionally,thisdayisassociatedwithexpansionandgreatenergy.Thesummersolsticemarksthebeginningofsummer,aperiodintoday’sbusyworld thatwe nostalgically associatewith play and relaxation and summervacations. Conversely, it is also associated with hard work, for in theagriculturalcyclethefieldsmustbetended.Cropscontinuetomaturequicklyandwithgreatstrengthandcaneasilygrowoutofhand.

SUMMERMEDITATIONPerformthismeditationonoraroundthesummersolstice,orwheneveryousensesummerhasarrivedwhereyoulive.Ifthisdoesn’tworkforyou,tryitaroundanothertimeofyearwhenthingsareinthemiddleofaperiodofgrowthandexpansion.

Beginthemeditationasoutlinedinthepreviousseasonalmeditationstructure.

Onceyouhavereachedaplaceofcomfortdeepinsidetheearth,breathethatenergyinandfeelitfillyourbody.

Feelthesoil’senergyatthistimeofthesummersolstice.Feeltheenergyofnourishmentand growth that vibrates in the earth. Sense the expansion, the throb of life as it flowsthroughrootsandstems.Exploretheinteractivesystemofminerals,nutrients,water,andfertiledecomposedvegetablematterthatfeedsthenewgenerationofplantlife.Sensethefeelingofvitality,of life,ofexpansionand increase,ofreachingupandopeningout, theflowofpassionateandjoyfulcreationthatpulsesthroughtheland.

Remaincradledbytheenergyofthesoilaslongasyoulike,enjoyingthefeelingofvitalityandfertilelifearoundyou.

Finishthemeditationasoutlinedintheseasonalmeditationstructure.

THEAUTUMNALEQUINOXAsatthevernalequinox,theminutesofdayandnightarepreciselyequal

atthemomentofautumnalequinox.Fromthesummersolstice,theminutesofdaylighthaveslowlydecreasedandtheminutesofnighthaveincreased.

Fallistraditionallyassociatedwithharvestandthanksgivingforthebountyof theearth,whichhasbeen tendedfromevenbeforeplantsbegantogrow.Fall also incorporates themes of sacrifice, loss, and gentle regret, for thepreciousdaysofsummerhavepassedandwinternowapproaches.Autumnisatimeofweighing.Whatisnecessarytokeep?Whatcanbeleftbehindasthecyclepassestoatimeofscarcity?

FALLMEDITATIONPerformthismeditationonoraroundtheautumnalequinoxorwheneveryousense thatfallhasarrivedwhereyoulive.Ifthisdoesn’tworkforyou,tryitaroundthetimeofyearwhenthingsareinthemiddleofaperiodoffulfillmentandharvestandnearingtheendoftheircycle.

Beginthemeditationasoutlinedintheseasonalmeditationstructure.

Onceyouhavereachedaplaceofcomfortdeep inside theearth,breathe thatenergy in,andfeelitfillyourbody.

Feelthesoil’senergyatthistimeoftheautumnalequinox.Feeltheenergyofcompletionandcontentmentthatvibratesintheearth.Reachoutandsensethefullness,thefeelingofachievementasitflowsthroughrootsandstems.Explorethegentle,slowermovementofenergythroughoutthesoilandtherootsofplantsasthecycleofproducingfruitandseedcomestoanendonthesurfaceof theearth.Sensethefeelingsofcontentment,of life,ofpleasureandsatisfaction,ofappreciationandofferingthatpulsethroughtheland.

Remaincradledbytheenergyofthesoilaslongasyoulike,enjoyingthefeelingofplentyandserenityaroundyou.

Finishthemeditationasoutlinedintheseasonalmeditationstructure.

THEWINTERSOLSTICEThewintersolsticeistheshortestdayoftheyear,whenthesun’sheightis

thelowestthatitisallyear.Althoughthehoursofnightoutnumberthehoursofdaylight,fromthismomenton,thesunbeginstoregainitslosttime.

Winter in the life cycle is traditionally associated with apparent death,whichisnecessarytoenabletherebirthassociatedwithspring.Withoutdeath,therecanbenonewlife.

WINTERMEDITATIONPerform this meditation on or around the winter solstice, or whenever you sense thatwinterhasarrivedwhereyoulive.Ifthisdoesn’tworkforyou,try itaroundthetimeof

yearwhenthingshavereachedapointofrest,ofapparentdeathorcessationofmotion.

Beginthemeditationasoutlinedinthepreviousseasonalmeditationstructure.

Onceyouhavereachedaplaceofcomfortdeepinsidetheearth,breathethatenergyinandfeelitfillyourbody.

Feelthesoil’senergyatthistimeofthewintersolstice.Feeltheenergyofquietandstillnessthatpermeates theearth.Reachoutandsense thedarkness, the feelingof slownessas itflows through roots and stems. Explore the barely perceptible movement of energythroughout the soil and roots as the world above lies sleeping. Sense the feelings ofrelaxation, of incubation, of dreams and the breath of what may become that tricklethroughtheland.

Remaincradledbytheenergyofthesoilaslongasyoulike,enjoyingthefeelingofwarmstillnessandsleeparoundyou.

Finishthemeditationasoutlinedintheseasonalmeditationstructure.

PerformingSeasonalRitualsMeditations are one method of interacting with the energy of the season.Ritualsareanother.Becausegreenwitchcraftisinformal,whethertousethepopularneopaganpracticeofcreatingaritualcircletosettheritualsiteapartfromthemundaneworldisuptothegreenwitchherself.Inocculttraditions,the circle represents protection from negative forces that could interfere inyour work. In the green witch’s practice, however, we do not requireprotection,foreverythingispartofnature.Instead,thosewhochoosetouseacircleuseittodesignateanareaofpurityinwhichtowork,asacredplacesetapartfortheritual.Ifyouchoosetodelineateyourritualareainthisfashion,youmaysimplywalktheperimeterofyourspacewiththeintentofmarkingit.Nofurtherformalaction,visualization,orwordsarerequired.

SPRINGEQUINOXEGGRITUALFORWELCOMINGCREATIVEENERGYINTOYOURLIFEThisritual isdesignedtogatherupsomeoftheabundant,fertileenergyofnatureinthespringtime and direct it toward an area of your life where you could use a shot ofproductive,creativeenergy.

Thisspellappealstothespringmaidenandtheyouthfulsunfortheirblessingsandenergy;Ihavedeliberatelyusedsymbolicfiguresinthisritualsothatyoucanvisualizethemasyoudesire. Because green witchcraft does not worship any specific deities, you are free toinvokedeityenergyasyouseefitandaccordingtoyourreligionofchoice.Inthisandotherrituals,ifyouwishtoappealtoadeitywhomyouworshiponaregularbasis,thenbyallmeanssubstitutethatgodorgoddess.

Before beginning this spell, color your uncooked egg according to your personal colorassociations.Forexample,iftheareaofyourlifewhichrequiresenergyiscareerrelated,

youmightcolortheeggbrownororange;ifitisrelatedtoromance,youmaywishtocolortheeggredorpink.

Performthisritualinyourhomeatyouraltar,orwhereveryoufeelcomfortable.Youwillneed:

•Matchesorlighter•1small,palegreencandle•1uncookedegg,coloredaccordingtoyourpreference•Pen•Smallpieceofparchment•Heatproofdish

Thenfollowthesesteps:

1.Createsacredspacehoweveryouprefertodoso.2.Lightthecandleandtaketheeggintoyourhands.Say:MaidenGoddessofSpring,light,andlife,YouthfulGodoftheSun,exuberantandjoyful:Blessthisegg,andfillitwiththepowerofspring,oflife,offertileandcreativeenergy.Maymylifebeenergized!

3.Settheeggnexttothecandle.4.Usingthepen,writeontheparchmentthesituationorareaofyourlifetowhichyouwishtodirect the creative energy of spring. When you have finished writing, hold the paperbetweenyourhandsandempoweritwithyourneed.

5.Carefullytouchthecornerofthepapertothecandleflameuntilitcatchesfire.Dropitintheheatproofdishandallowthepapertoburncompletelytoash.

6.Allowthecandletoburndowncompletely.Lettheeggrestbesidethecandle.7.Whenthecandlehasgoneout,taketheeggandthebowlofashesoutdoorsanddigaholeintheground.Placetheeggintheholeandsprinkletheashesofthepaperontopofit.Burythesecarefullyandwithreverence.Theenergyoftheeggandtheearthwillslowlybegintoinfusethesituationinyourlifethatyouaskedtobeenergized.

SUMMERGARDENBLESSINGRITUALMaking flower chains is a wonderful way to combine play, work, and creativity. Takeadvantageoftheabundantandluxuriousenergyofexpansionandgrowththatmanifestsinthesummertimetoblessyourgardenwiththisritual.Beforeyoubegin,selectaplaceinyourgardentoserveasaplaceofoffering.Gathertheleavesandflowersyouwillbeusingfromyourgardenorthewild(rememberingtoharvestresponsibly);donotbuythemfromaflorist.Ifyouwish,useyourhandinsteadofthestafforwand.Youwillneed:

•Wandorstaff•Stang(forkedstafforstick;seeChapter2)•12flowers(yourchoice;wildflowersandweedsarefine,butmakesurethestemsareatleast4incheslonganddonotselectanythingwithtoxicleaves)

•12leaves(yourchoice;aslargeaspossible,withfirmstems)•Knifeorscissors(optional)•Pitcher,bowl,cup,orwateringcanfullofwater

Thenfollowthesesteps:

1.Withthewandorstaffinyourhand,circlearoundorwalkthroughyourgarden.Holdthewandorstaffinfrontofyou,itsbaseclosetotheground.Visualizethelifeenergyasitrisesupfromthesoilthroughtheplants’rootstonourishthestems,leaves,flowers,andfruit.

2.Circleorwalk through thegardena second time, stillholding thewandorstaff,but thistimeraisedhighersothatthetipreachesintothesky.Visualizetheenergyofthesunandtherainnourishingtheplantsfromabove.

3.Circleorwalk through thegardena thirdand final time,nowholding thewandor staffhorizontally.Visualize theenergyofeach individualgrowingplantexpandingtojoinwiththeotherplantsaroundit,formingthewholeofyourgarden.

4.Laydownthewandorstaffinfrontofyourchosenplaceofoffering.Takeupthestang,andinsertthesingleendintotheearthfirmlysothattheforkedendstandsuprightandstable.

5.Sitorkneelinfrontofthestangandtakeuponeoftheflowers.Stripawayanyleavesorgreeneryalongthestemandtrimittoapproximately6incheslong.Withyourfingernail(ortheknifeorscissors, ifyouprefer),makeasmallverticalslit inthestemabout1-2inchesbelowthepetals.Don’tmaketheslittoolong;1/2inchoughttobeenough.Dothesametotheotherelevenflowers.

6.Holdthefirstflowerjustbelowthepetals.Pickupasecondflowerandcarefullyinserttheendofthestemintotheslitinthefirstflower.Carefullypullthestemofthesecondflowerthroughtheslituntiltheslitinthesecondstemhaspassedthroughthefirststem’sslit.

7.Pickupathirdflowerandinsertitsstemintotheslitonthesecondflower.Repeatuntilalltwelveflowershavebeenassembledintoachain.

8.Gentlyhangtheflowerchainonthestangbylayingeachendoveroneofthebranchessothat themiddle of the chain formsagentle swag. If the chain isnot long enough, simplyhangitovertheforkitself.

9.Ineachoftheleaves,makeatinyslitinthestemoftheleaf.

10.Takeoneleafandholditinyourhand.Takeasecondandgentlyinsertthestemintotheslitof the first leaf. Pull the second stem through until the slit passes through the first slit.Continuewiththeremainingleaves,untilyouhaveanotherchain.

11.Gentlyhangtheleafchainonthestangbylayingeachendoveroneofthebranches,sothatit liesalongtheflowerchain.If the leafchain isnot longenough,simplyhang itovertheforkorgentlytwineitaroundtheflowerchain.

12.Laybothyourhandsonthechainsandsay:PowersofWindandEarth,PowersofSunandRain:Bytreeandflowerandleaf,Withmyhandsandheart,Iblessthisgardenwithlifeandlove.

13. Take up the pitcher or bowl of water and walk through your garden, gently sprinklingdropsofthewaterthroughout.Keepsomewaterback.Returntothestangandpourthelastofthewateratitsbasewhereithasbeenthrustintothegroundandsay:Igivethankstotheearthforitsbounty,itsprotection,anditssupport.Blessedbetheearthandthosewhowalkuponit.

14.Ifyoulike,youcansitbythestangandmeditateforawhileorsimplyenjoybeinginyourgarden.Youcanalsoweed,workthesoil,thinoutsomeplants,ordowhatevergardeningneedstobedone.Leavethechainsonthestangforatleastaday(oraslongasyoufeelrightin leaving them).Remove themwhen they havewilted, but do not throw them out.Addthemtoyourcompostpile.

AUTUMNEQUINOXHARVESTRITUALThis ritual honors the earth’s produce and bounty and allows you to participate in theseason’senergybyperformingtheessentialharvestingaction.Youcanharvestsomething

fromyourowngardenorsomethingwild.Ifyouhavealottoharvest,choosethefirstorthe last itemyouplantoharvest forthisritual.Theharvestingtoolwilldependonwhatyouareharvesting.Youwillneed:

•Sharpknife,secateurs,scissors,orshears•Smallbottleorbowlofwater

Thenfollowthesesteps:

1.Standingnexttowhatyouareharvesting,reachoutwithyourhandandsensethatplant’senergy.Say:Ihonoryou,earth’schild.Ihonoryourgrowth,yourflower,andnowyourfruit.Ithankyouforyourenergy.Blessedbe,earth’schild.MayIwhoharvestyourfruitbeblessedbytheact.

2.Withtheharvestingtool,cutthefruitofftheplant.Sensetheenergyoftheplantwhenyouhaveharvesteditsproduce.Honorthedifferenceyoufeel.

3.Pourthewateratthebaseoftheplantinthanks.

ICERITUALFORTHEWINTERSOLSTICEThis ritual is a physical reminder that springwill always followwinter. If you live in aregionwithnosnow,makeabatchoficecubespriortotheritualandusethose.Ametalbowlisrecommendedbecauseitwillbestreflectthecandle’sflame,althoughitwillgrowverycold,sobeawareofyourfingerswhenyouholdit.Ifit’swintrycoldwhereyoulive,performthisritualindoors.Otherwise,theiceandsnowwillnotmelt,andthepointoftheritualwillbelost.

Performthisritualinyourhomeatyouraltarorwhereveryoufeelcomfortable.Youwillneed:

•Bowl(preferablymetal)•Icecubesorchunksoficeandsnowfromoutdoors(approximately1cup)•Candle(red,orange,oryellow)incandleholder•Matchesorlighter

Thenfollowthesesteps:

1.Placethesnoworicecubesinthebowlandsitorkneelnexttoit.Lightthecandleandplaceitbehindthebowlsothatyoucanseetheflame’sreflectiondancingintheiceorsnow.

2.Say:Astheseasonturns,andthesunshines,Ihailthelightthatreturnstotheland.Darknessebbs,lightagainflows,Anddaybydaythelandwillgrowwarm.Welcomeagain,brightsun!Mayyourbeamscaressthelandandtransformicetowater,Snowtorain,coldtowarmth,Andwintertospringagain.

3.Allowthesnoworicetomeltuntilitiswater.Lookatthereflectionofthecandleflameonthewaterinthebowlandthinkaboutthewarmthofthesun.Feeltheenergyofthesnowasit melts, the energy of the flame as it emits light and heat. Observe the communicationbetweenthetwo.

4.Whenyouarefinished,pourthewateroutsideatthebaseofatree.

OceanofPDF.com

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter5

LiveCloselywiththeEarth

THESOURCESOFTHEGREENwitch’sinformation,wisdom,andpowerarethedifferentaspectsofnatureandthenaturalsystem—theluminariesintheskyabove, the plantworld, themineralworld.Using the bounty of nature in apersonal spiritual practice offers the reward of knowledge and insightacquiredthroughexperience.Thischapterlooksathowthegreenwitchusesthe various elements of nature, including the sun and moon, trees, stones,flowers,andherbs.

Agreenwitch interactswithnature itself to receive thefullbenefitof itsteachings. Reading about nature, watching television documentaries, andlistening to lectures may all be excellent ways to acquire knowledge, butfirsthand experience of nature is always the best teacher.However, nothingcomes free.There isalwaysanexchangeofenergy.Whatdoyouexchangefor thiswisdom thatyouglean fromnature?Yourdedication toyourwork.Your willingness to work to heal the earth and its creatures, includinghumankind,and to restoreharmonybetween them.Yourwillingness topassyourknowledgeontoothers.

TheSun,theMoon,andtheStarsThesun,themoon,andthestarshavelongbeenlookedtoforpowerandaid.Wicca, one of the most prevalent forms of modern nature worship, placesgreat emphasis on working with the phases and energy of the moon. Thegreenwitchknows thatwhileseedsmaybesownaccording to lunarphasesand that theysproutandarenurtured in thedark, theyalsogrowand thrivethankstothewarmthandenergyofthesun.

Thesunenableslifetothriveonthisplanet.Itprovidesheatandlightandnourishesyouonaverybasiclevel.Youdependonthesunforyourlife.Veryoften, however, we take the sun for granted or note its existence only inconnectionwiththeweather.However,thegreenwitchwholivesinanurban

settingcanalwaysconnectwith thesun,even if there isn’tascrapofgreenspacearound.

In theWesternoccult tradition, the sun isusuallyassociatedwithpower,success, prosperity, health, joy, family, creativity, growth, and expansion.Solar energy changes throughout the day. The energy of the earlymorningsun, for example, is not the same as the energy of high noon, nor of lateafternoon.Dawnandsunsethavecompletelydifferentenergies.Generally,thefour key solar points (dawn, noon, sunset, andmidnight) correspond to thestagesoflifeasseeninthefourseasons:birth,maturity,oldage,anddeath.Donot, however, let this stopyou fromworkingwith the sun all day long.Thereareotherfactorsthatyoucantakeintoaccount,andyourowninstinctismoreimmediatelypertinenttoyourownworkthantraditionalassociations.Ifyoufeeldrawntousingsolarenergyatsunsettolaunchanewproject,thenbyallmeansdoit!

Solarenergycanalsobeaffectedbywherethesunisintheearth’sorbit.As theearthmoves, twelvedifferent constellationsof starspass above you,andthesunappearstomovethroughthem.Dependingonwhichconstellationis highest at a given time, the sun is said to be “in” that constellation. Forexample, the sun moves into the constellation of Cancer, the Crab, on thesummer solstice. These constellations, of course, make up our astrologicalzodiac, which is amethod of divination that uses the position of stars andluminaries todeterminehiddeninformationandinfluences.Whenthesunis“in”eachconstellation,thatconstellation’sassociatedenergyissaidtoaddaslightlydifferentspintothebasicsolarenergy.

ZODIACENERGYCORRESPONDENCES•Aries,theRam:action,newbeginnings•Taurus,theBull:manifestation,materialthings,physicalcomfort•Gemini,theTwins:communication,intellectualwork•Cancer,theCrab:family,nurturing,thehome•Leo,theLion:success,luxury,leadership•Virgo,theVirgin:practicality,organization•Libra,theScales:society,people•Scorpio,theScorpion:passion,justice•Sagittarius,theCentaurArcher:study,exploration•Capricorn,theGoat:business,foundation•Aquarius,theWater-Bearer:invention,innovation•Pisces,theFish:spirituality,mysticism

At different times of the year, stellar influences add a dash of flavor tosolar energy.Eachperiodof the zodiac lasts approximately thirtydays, and

the sun transits into the next constellation on or around the twenty-first ofeachmonth.Appropriately enough, in astrology, these are called sun signs.(The moon also appears to pass through these constellations, spendingapproximatelyadayandahalfineach,andlunarenergyissimilarlyaffectedbythestellarenergy.Inthisinstance,theyarecalledmoonsigns.)

MEETINGTHESUNThemostbasicwaytoexperiencethesun’senergyistogooutsideandstandorsitinthesun.Becareful,however.Donotlookdirectlyintothesunandbesuretoprotectyourselffromsunburnbywearingprotectiveclothingand/orsunscreenofanadequatelyhighSPF.

•Toreceivesolarenergy,settleyourselfcomfortablyinasunnyspotandcloseyoureyes.•Visualizeafinegreenmistrisingfromthegroundandfromallthegrowingthingsaroundyou.

•Take three slow, deepbreaths.Each time you inhale, visualize thatmist of verdant greenenergyflowingintoyourlungsandspreadingthroughyourbody,bringingwithitthefeelingof comfort and relaxation, of onenesswith your surroundings.As you exhale, release anytension,stress,orworryyoumaybefeeling.

•Openyourawarenesstothewarmthofthesunlight.Justreceiveit,letitin.Absorbwhateverenergy it offers to you. How does it feel physically? Emotionally? Spiritually? Does thesunlighthaveamessageforyou?

•Takeaslongasyouwishtocommunewiththesunanditsenergy.Whenyouarefinished,takea final threedeepbreathsandopenyoureyes.Besuretostretchandshakeoutyourarmsandlegsbeforestandingupormovingsuddenly.

Inyourgreenwitchjournal,writeasummaryofyourexperience.Howdiditfeeltotouchtheenergyofthesun?Didyoupickupanyinsightfromtheexperience?Writedownyourthoughts andquestions, any visions youmayhave had, and any suddenunderstandingsyoumayhavecometo.

Toachievefurtherinsightintothesun’senergyandhowitchanges,hereareexercisesforexploringandattuningtosolarenergy:

•Foroneday,pauseforatleastfiveminutesatdawn,noon,sunset,andmidnighttoobservethe movement and feeling of the energy where you live. Write your observations andexperiencesinyourgreenwitchjournalandcomparethedifferentenergiesofthekeysolarpointsoftheday.

•Foroneday,meditateateachkeysolartime.Openyourselftothesun’senergyandsenseitasdirectly aspossible.Be aware ofwhathappens.Makenotes in your journal after eachmeditation.Wait a day, then compare howyou felt or the information you received aftereachmeditation.

• For one day, perform the same basic ritual at each key solar time. Write down yourexperiences and feelings after each ritual. Wait a day and compare similarities anddifferencesinthefourrituals.

•Foradeeperexploration,dothesameexercisesonceduringeachseason.Howdoesthesun’senergychangeoverthecycleofaday?Duringtheyear?

THEMOONThemoonisusuallyassociatedwiththehidden,moremysteriouspractices

ofwitchcraft.Lunarmysterieshavetheirplaceinthelifeofthegreenwitch,

who knows that ordinary life itself is a sacred mystery. Traditionally, themoon’s energy is associated with feminine power, dreams, psychic ability,mystery and hidden knowledge, travel, children, spirituality,mysticism, theseasandoceans,andtransformation.

Thephasesofthemoonareimportantinagriculturalpractice.Sowingandharvesting were once done according to the phases of the moon, and(depending on the individual) sometimes still are. Scientifically, this mayhave something todowith themoon’sproven influenceonwaterandotherfluids. Plants are composed of a large amount ofwater,which implies thattheirlifecyclewouldbeaffectedbythemoon’sphases.

These basic rulesmay be applied to gardening during the phases of themoon. In general, plant things whose strength lies above groundwhile themooniswaxingandthosewhosestrengthliesbelowgroundwhilethemooniswaning.

•Newtofirstquarter:plantleafyannualsandherbs•Firstquartertofull:plantfloweringannuals,above-groundvegetablesandfruit,andvines

•Fulltothirdquarter:plantperennials,rootvegetables,andbulbs•Thirdquarter todark:weed,maintain, cultivate, and fight pests anddisease

If you pay attention to the phases of themoon, you can also determinegoodtimestoperformbothspiritualandsecularactionsinyourgarden.Thefollowingphasescorrespondtophasesinthelifecycleofaplant:

•Newmoon:seeds•Crescentmoon:shootsandsprouts•Waxingmoon:growthandflowering•Fullmoon:fruit•Waningmoon:harvest•Darkmoon:cuttingdownadeadplanttopreparefornewgrowth

Themoonappearstomovethroughtheconstellationsjustasthesundoes,andmoon signsare also said tohaveaneffecton theworkyoudo inyourgarden.Somesignsaremorefavorableforcertainkindsofworkthanothers.Themoonappearstopassthroughalltwelveconstellationsinapproximatelytwenty-eightdaysandspendsadayandahalftothreedaysineachsign:

•Plant:mooninCancer,Scorpio,andPisces•Harvest:mooninAries,Gemini,andLeo•Cultivate:mooninVirgo,Sagittarius,andCapricorn

Anygreenwitch interested inhow theplantworld responds to the lunarcycleshouldkeepafarmer’salmanachandy.

MEETINGTHEMOONTo explore themoon’s energy, do the exercises formeeting the sun, but at night.Makenotes of your experiences. Try these variations on the exercise to further explore lunarenergyanddeepenyourattunement.

Perform this exercise at the same hour of the night, four times during one lunar cycle:duringthewaxingphase,atthefullmoon,duringthewaningphase,andatthedarkmoon.Makenotesofyourfeelingsandexperiences inyourjournal.Howdoesthe lunarenergychangeduringthecycle?

Perform this exercise on the fullmoon forall thirteenmoons in the calendaryear.Howdoesthelunarenergychangeastheseasonsshift?

WorkingwithGreenEnergyA largepartof thegreenwitch’spathconsistsofusing thenatural energiescontainedwithinplants and trees to attaina certaingoal,be itmedicinalormagical.Thosewhofollowapathlinkedtonaturalmagichavelongknownthat we can weave these energies into our everyday life to harmonizeourselvesorotherswiththeenergyflowoftheworldaroundus.

Trainingyourselftoworkwiththeseenergiestakesmorethanmemorizingalistofcorrespondences.Asalways,hands-onexperienceisthebestwaytolearnhowyouworkmosteffectively.Interactingwithaplantwhileitisstillgrowingandinteractingwithitsenergiesafterithasbeenharvestedwillgiveyouagoodideaofwhatthisplantcanbeusedforandtowhatapplicationsitsenergy isbest suited.Booksonherbs, floweringplants, indoor andoutdoorplants, and trees can be useful as references and general guides, but,ultimately,yourenergyreadingsandyourinstinctwilldeterminehowyoucanbestusetheenergiesofthenaturalworld.(PleasenotethatIamreferringtothemagicalapplicationoftheseitems,notmedicinalapplications.Tobecomecompetentinherbalmedicine,youmusttakeaccreditedcoursesinmedicinalherbalism,and/orworkresponsiblywithareliablebook.)

Thefirstthingyouneedisatleastonegoodhandbookonthenativeflorawhereyou live.This isn’t abookon themagicalormedicinal applications,butsimplyaguidebooktoidentifyingtheplantsandtrees.

Beforeyoubegintoworkwithplants,youshouldknowthebasicrulesofwildcrafting.Wildcraftingistheharvestingofplantmatterfromthewild,asopposed to harvesting cultivated plants. Why wildcraft? Because there aresomeplantsyoucan’tgrowinagarden.Theydefy thecultivator’shand. Inaddition, few greenwitches are able today to plant every single herb, tree,

flower,orshrubtheywishtouseintheirpractice.Thebasicrulesforethicalwildcraftingareasfollows:

•Neverharvestallofanything. Infact,don’tevenharvesthalfof it.Agoodruleistoharvestonlyaquarterofwhatyousee,aslongasthereisplentyofitanditisgrowingabundantly,andthenonlyifyouabsolutelyneed it. It’s better to go back formore freshmaterial than to be stuckwith a huge pile of dried herb you harvested “just in case.” Youwillprobablythrowitout.Don’twasteit.

•Rememberthatharvestingwildplantmattercanveryeasilyleadtotrespassing on someone else’s land. Look for signs.When in doubt,ask.

• Picking protected plants is illegal. Make a point of familiarizingyourselfwiththelocallawsonharvestingwildflora.Findoutwhattheprotectedspeciesofyourareaareandhelpprotectthem.

•Thinkclearlyatalltimes.Ifyoutraveltoharvestwildplants,researchthespecific regionyouare traveling to.Know the roadsandpaths, thedangers and the safe areas.Make an itinerary and stick to it. If you’regoingintoaforestorintosomeunchartedland,tellsomeonewhereyouaregoingandgivethemacopyofyouritinerary.Carryaphonetocallforhelpifnecessary.Keeptrackoftime.Bringacompass.Wearsturdywalking shoes and appropriate clothing. Carry nutritious snacks andplentyofwater.

Whenyouknowwhatplantsarenativetoyourarea,youcanbetterengagein wildcrafting and further explore your connection to the natural energieswhereyoulive.

Inthefollowingsectionsyou’llfindasetofcommoncorrespondencesforvariousnaturalenergies.I’vechosentoclassifyplantmatterastrees,flowers,andherbs.At the endof the chapter there is also a reference for stones, asthesearealsooftheearth.

IMPORTANT: Although I occasionally include traditional medicinal herbal lore asadditional information, if you are interested in using herbs as medical or therapeuticsupplements,youmustrefertoareliablemedicinalguide.BothJohnLust’sTheHerbBookandChristopherHobbs’sHerbalRemediesforDummiesaregoodresources.

TheMagicofTreesTreesarethepillarsofourworld.Theyanchorourgroundandseemtoholdupthesky.Theyformthebackboneofthegreenwitch’spractice.Whilewetendtofocusonherbs,wealsoworkwithwood,oftenwhensomethingmore

physicallystableorpermanentisrequired.Thegreenwitch’sstaffandstang,for example, aremade ofwood, as is themore traditionalwitch’s tool, thewand. Sticks and twigs form the basis of many protective amulets, as dorounds cut from the cross-section of branches and inscribed with symbols.Treesalsohavemanypracticaluses,suchassupportingplantsandservingasnaturalfences.Woodisalsousedtobuildhomesandfurniture.

Followingaresixteentreesofusetothegreenwitch,plussomeassociatedlore.ThesetreesgrowinvariousareasofNorthAmerica.Thepartsoftreesusedincludebark,leaves,andinnerwood.

BIRCH(BETULASPP.)The traditionalwitch’sbroomismadeofbirch twigs.Magically,birch is

associated with cleansing, protection, and purification. It is also associatedwithchildren;cradleswereoftenmadeofbirchwood.

OAK(QUERCUSROBUR)Oak is one of those traditional woods that are firmly entrenched in

folklore; it ismagically associatedwith defense, thunder, strength, courage,healing, longevity, protection, and good fortune. Because thewood is verystronganddurableandpossessesacertainreputationforindestructibility,oakhasbeenusedinhomeconstructionandinshipbuilding.Thebarkisusedtotan leather and as a dye. Acorns, the fruit of the oak tree, are symbols offertility.When found growing in oak trees,mistletoewas considered to beparticularlypotentbythedruidsandimportantintheirmagicalwork.

MAPLE(ACERSPP.)Mapleisanotherpopulartreeusedforcabinetryandbyartisans.Itisalsoa

sourceofdyeandmaplesugar.Magically,mapleisusedforlove,prosperity,lifeandhealth,andgeneralabundance.

PINE(PINUSSPP.)Commonlyusedinbuildingandconstruction,thepineisoneofthemost

widely found trees in North America. Its resin is used for the creation ofturpentine and soaps, and the production of rosin. Amber, one of themostbeloved gems for magical jewelry, is fossilized pine sap. Pine oil, anotherproductofthepinetree,iscommonlyaddedtohouseholdcleansingproducts,proofthatthescentisassociatedwithasenseofpurification.Magically,pine

isusedforcleansingandpurification,healing,clarityofmind,prosperity,andprotectionfromevil.

CEDAR(THUJAOCCIDENTALIS—WHITECEDAR;CUPRESSUSNOOTKATENSIS—YELLOWCEDAR;JUNIPERUSVIRGINIANA—REDCEDAR)Anotherpreciouswoodthatisrecognizedbymanyculturesasmagicaland

powerful, cedar has been known throughout the ages for its protectivequalities as well as its ability to repel insects and pests.With its aromaticscent, cedar was often given as an offering. Yellow cedar, found in NorthAmerica,growsinaroughlyconicalshapeandisoftenusedinhedges.Theother kind of cedar found in North America is the red cedar (Juniperusvirginiana). Magically, cedar is associated with healing, spirituality,purification,protection,prosperity,andharmony.

ROWAN(PYRUSAUCUPARIA,SORBUSAUCUPARIA)Rowanisalsoknownasquicken,hornbeam,witchwood,andmountainash

(althoughitistechnicallynotatrueash,itissocalledduetothesimilarityoftheleaves).Rowanberrieshavebeenusedinbrewingandthebarkhasbeenusedfortanningandasadye.Curiously,rowanissaidtobeeitherafavoriteof witches and fairies or anathema to them. Magical associations includeimproving psychic powers, divination, healing, protection from evil, peace,creativity,success,andchangeandtransformation.

POPLAR(POPULUSSPP.)Also known as aspen, poplar’s magical associations include prosperity,

communication,exorcism,andpurification.

ASH(FRAXINUSEXCELSIOR)Ash is one of the trees considered by someEuropean cultures to be the

World Tree. Magically, ash is associated with water, strength, intellect,willpower,protection,justice,balanceandharmony,skill,travel,weather,andwisdom.

WILLOW(SALIXALBA)Thewhite willow, also known as the weepingwillow, has long flexible

branchesthatarewovenintowhatweknowaswicker-work.Longassociatedwith themoon, thewillowhas agreat affinity forwater and is often foundgrowingnear it. In folklore, thewillow is associatedwith theGoddess andfemininecycles.Thankstotheabilityofcuttingstoeasilyandquicklyrecoverfrom trauma, willow is also associated with growth and renewal. Magicalassociations of willow include love, tranquility, harmony, protection, andhealing.

WITCHHAZEL(HAMAMELISVIRGINIANA)Alsoknownassnappinghazelnut,forthespontaneouscrackingopenofits

seedpods, witch hazel has long been used as a poultice for bruises andswellings. Witch hazel extracts are used for their astringent properties.Magicalassociationsincludeprotection,healing,andpeace.

HONEYSUCKLE(LONICERACAPRIFOLIUM,LONICERAPERICLYMENUM)Alsoknownaswoodbineorhedge-tree,thehoneysuckleisassociatedwith

liminalortransitionalstates.Thescentofhoneysuckleflowersisstrongestinthe evening. Magical associations include psychic awareness, harmony,healing,prosperity,andhappiness.

APPLE(PYRUSMALUS)AppletreesarefoundallovertheNorthernHemisphere.Theirwidespread

availability and fertile abundance bring tomind their association with life,longevity, and fertility. The fruit is used in cooking, baking, and brewing.Folklore associates the apple with the afterlife, fairies, creativity, and theotherworld. Magically, apples and apple trees are associated with love,healing,harmony,andlongevity.

ELDER(SAMBUCUSCANADENSIS,SAMBUCUSNIGRA)Elder isalsoknownaswitchwood. It is said thatbad luckwill fallupon

anyonewhodoesnotaskthetree’spermissionthreetimesbeforeharvestingany part of it. Folklore associates the elder with the crone aspect of theGoddess and with witches, and thus elder wood is rarely used to make

furnitureoras firewood for fearof incurring theirwrath.Medicinally,elderbark is used as a diuretic, purgative, and emetic. The berries are used as alaxativeanddiureticandalsoinduceperspiration,andtheleavesareusedasan external emollient for irritated skin, sprains, and bruises.An infusion ofelderflowerstakenasateaencouragesthebodytoperspire,thushelpingthebodytoworkthroughacoldorillness,andalsohelpsloosenchestandsinuscongestion. Elderflower water makes an excellent topical application forirritated skin, including problems such as sunburn and acne, as well as aneyewash. Magically, elder wood is associated with protection (especiallyagainstbeingstruckbylightning),prosperity,andhealing.

YEW(TAXUSBACCATA)Yew is poisonous, which may be one of the reasons it is so closely

associatedwithdeath.ItisaEuropeantreethatfigureslargelyintheloreofwitchcraftandnaturalmagic.Theyewproducesaveryhardwoodandwasused where construction required an unyielding, inflexible structure.Magically,itisassociatedwithspiritsandtheotherworld.

HAWTHORN(CRATAEGUSOXYACANTHA)Also known as may tree, mayflower, thorn, whitethorn, and haw, the

hawthornshrubwasoftenusedasaboundarymarker.Infact,“haw”isanoldwordforhedge.Hawthornisamagicaltree.Ifitgrowstogetherwithanoakandashtree, it issaid that thefairyfolkcanbeseenamongthe trees.Evenwhereitgrowsalone,hawthornisconsideredtobeafairyfavorite.Likeoak,the hawthorn produces hard wood and great heat when burned. Magicalassociations include fertility, harmony, happiness, the otherworld, andprotection.

HAZEL(CORYLUSAVELLANA)ThehazeltreehaslongbeenassociatedinEuropeanfolklorewithwisdom.

GodsandmythologicalfiguresassociatedwiththehazelincludeThor,Brigid,and Apollo. The nuts and branches are used for magic, and the hazel isassociatedwithluck,fertility,protection,andwishgranting.

TREEATTUNEMENTEXERCISEBeforeyoubegin,refreshyourmemoryonsensingenergytechniquesinChapter3.

1.Pickatree.Standnexttoit.Holdonehandabout1inchawayfromthebark.Extendyourawarenessandfeeltheenergyofthetree.Afteryou’vefinishedthisexercise,makenotesin

yourjournal.2.With thesametree, touchthebark.Explorehowthe tree feels toyourhands.Bendcloseandsmellthetree.Closeyoureyesandlistentothesoundsthetreemakesinresponsetotheenvironment.Lookcloselyatthetreeandseethedifferenttextures,colors,andmarkings.Ifithasfruitandyouknowittobesafe,tasteit.Makenotesinyourjournal.

3. Conduct these exercises with different kinds of trees. Compare and contrast yourexperiences.

4.Dotheseexerciseswithdifferenttreesofthesamegenus.Whatarethesimilaritiesbetweenthetrees?Whatarethedifferences?

COLLECTINGANDUSINGWOODSomepeoplehavedifficultywiththeideaofcuttinglivewoodawayfrom

atreeorbushbecausetheydon’tknowhowtodoitproperly.Whenyouusefreshwood,youcapturealotoflifeandenergy,whichmaybeexactlywhatyou’re looking for inyour ritualworkor anypractice thatwill involve thiswood.Deadfalliswoodthetreehasdiscardedasnolongeruseful.Thismaynot be the kind of vibrant, living energy you’re looking for. It depends onyour personal view of working with the world of nature. If you cut freshwood,you’lllikelyhavetoletitdry,assapandjuicescangumupyoursawandsandpaper.

So why use fresh wood? The answer is simple: your magical intent isimplementedassoonasyouchoosethetreefromwhichyouaregoingtocutsome wood. By selecting the tree, you are presenting your request to theenergyofthetreeitself.Asyoucut,you’refocusingonyourgoal.Fromtheveryfirstmove,you’reempowering it inconjunctionwith the tree, if ithasagreedtodonateitswoodtoyourcause.

Howdoyouaskthetreeforhelp?Putyourhandsonthetreeandpresentyourintentiontoit,speakingeitheraloudorinyourmind.Thinkthroughwhyyouneedthewood,exactlyhowitwillbeused,andforwhatgoal.Allthesethoughts and feelingswill flow through your energy into the energy of thetree.Thenwait.Treesoftenneedabitoftimetoabsorbyourrequest,fortheyfunctionatadifferent rate thanwedo.Sometimes the treewillacceptyourrequestrightaway,thoughatothertimes,youmaynotgetapromptsenseofacceptanceordenial. In thatcase, thank the tree for its time,and tell ityouwill return inadayor two.Whenyoucomeback,placeyourhandson thetreeagainandreachoutwithyourenergy.Restateyourneedandwaitforananswer.Sometimesallthetreeneedsistime.

The tree won’t tell you in words, of course, if it’s all right to cut itsbranches.Instead,you’llgainasenseofpeaceoragreement.Or,alternatively,youmaygetasenseofmaybethisisn’tsuchagoodidea.Inthatcase,thankthetreeagainforitstimeandconsideration,wishitwell,andfindanothertreetoask.

TapIntotheEnergiesofFlowersFlowers are the pretty parts of plants that carry valuable and essentialreproductiveinformation.Technically, theyconstitutepartofanherb,shrub,ortree,buttheyareseparatedherebecauseweoftenthinkoftheflowerastheidentifyingaspectofaplant.Also,innaturalmagic,thefloweritselfisoftenthepartused.

Flowers can be dried whole to be used in wreaths or arrangements orpressed andused in amagical collageor in potpourri.Whendried, flowerscan also be crumbled and used in herbal blends for such things as teas,sachets,andsprinklingpowders.

The flowerofaplantcarriesa tidybundleofenergy, for it is the sexualorgan of the plant, how the plant reproduces. Do dried flowers carry adifferent energy than fresh flowers do? Yes and no; the intrinsic energyremains,butitsexpressionisdifferent.Forcertainritualsorcharmsyoumaywantthevibrancyoffreshflowers,whereasforothercharms,suchassachetsor powders, youmay prefer dried flowers, which tend to exhibit a slower,longer-lastingenergy.

Here are nineteen flowers commonly found in a green witch’s garden.Theyarealsousedmagically.

CARNATION(DIANTHUSSPP.)Alsoknownasgillyflower, thecarnationhasawonderfulhealingenergy

andmakes an excellent gift for the sick.Carnations are usedmagically forprotection,strength,energy,luck,andhealing.

DAFFODIL(NARCISSUSSPP.)Alsoknownasnarcissusandasphodel,thedaffodilisanexcellentflower

touse incharms for loveandcharms for fertility.Magically, thedaffodil isassociatedwithluck,fertility,andlove.

DAISY(CHRYSANTHEMUMLEUCANTHEMUM)Alsoknownasfielddaisyandtheeyeof theday, thedaisyiscommonly

associated with love and flirtation. We have all plucked the petals from adaisy—“he loves me, he loves me not.”Magically, the daisy is associatedwith love, hope, and innocence. Use the daisy in magic associated withchildrenaswell.

GARDENIA(GARDENIASPP.)Gardenia isanexcellent flower thatattracts tranquilenergy toaplaceor

individual. Adding gardenia petals to a healing sachet or using them in ahealingritualincorporatesthistranquilenergyandhelpsthehealingmoveatacontrolledpace.Gardenia isalsocommonlyused in lovespellsandcharms.Magically,gardeniaisassociatedwithharmony,healing,love,andpeace.

GERANIUM(PELARGONIUMSPP.)Grown indoors or out, geraniums carry strong protective energy and

extend this energy through the area around them. Red geraniums havetraditionallybeenassociatedwithprotection.Rosegeranium isused in lovespells. Magically, geraniums are associated with fertility, love, healing,courage,andprotection.

HYACINTH(MUSCARIRACEMOSUM,HYACINTHUSNON-SCRIPTUS)Both grape and wild hyacinths have a lovely springlike scent. The

perennialwild hyacinth, also known as the bluebell, is smaller and daintierthanthecultivatedgrapehyacinth.Hyacinthsbloomforonlyashortperiodoftime,butinthatshortperiodproduceavibrantenergy.Hyacinthsarenamedfor the youth of Greek legend, beloved of Apollo, whose accidental deathApollo commemorated by creating the flower. Hyacinths are magicallyassociatedwithlove,happiness,andprotection.

IRIS(IRISFLORENTINA)Alsoknownasflags,theirisisalovelyspringflowermagicallyusedfor

purification and blessing as well as wisdom. The three petals are said tosymbolize faith,wisdom, andvalor.The root is calledorris root, andwhenground up it produces a mildly sweet powder used as a scent fixative inpotpourri.Orrispowderisalsousedforpeace,harmony,andlove.

JASMINE(JASMINUMSPP.)Alsoknownasjessamine,jasminepossessesaheadybutdelicatescentthat

is usually stronger at night. Because of this, it is often associatedwith themoon and feminine energy. Jasmine, which has long been associated withseductionandsensuality,isaperfumer’sprizedingredient.Magically,jasmineisassociatedwithlove,meditation,spirituality,harmony,andprosperity.

LAVENDER(LAVANDULASPP.)Another perennial favorite, lavender is used frequently in magical and

nonmagicalapplications.Thankstoitsgentlescent,itisanidealherbtouseinconjunctionwithmagicforchildren,foritencouragesrelaxationandsleep.Magically, lavender is associated with peace, harmony, tranquility, love,purification,andhealing.

LILAC(SYRINGAVULGARIS)The sweet,wild scent of lilacs in late spring is a heady experience.The

flowersof this shrubareusuallywhiteor shadesofpurple.Magically, theyareusedforprotectionandbanishingnegativeenergy.

LILY(LILIUMSPP.)The lily family is very large. In general, lilies are associated with

protectionandtheeliminationofhexes.Dayliliesbringtomindtheconceptofcycles.Insomecultures,liliesareassociatedwiththeconceptofdeathandtheafterlife,supportingtheassociationwithrebirthandcycles.

LILYOFTHEVALLEY(CONVALLARIAMAGALIS)This tiny cascade of white or cream-colored bell-shaped flowers has a

delicatescent.Magically,itenhancesconcentrationandmentalabilityandisusedtoencouragehappiness.

PANSY(VIOLATRICOLOR)Alsoknownaslove-in-idlenessandJohnny-jump-up,thepansyisahardy,

cheerful-looking plant with multicolored flowers related to the violet. Itblooms throughout the summer and comes in both annual and perennialvarieties.Magically,itisusedfordivination,communication,happiness,andlove.

POPPY(PAPAVERRHOEAS)Also known as the corn poppy, the red poppy is a bright flowerwith a

furrygreen stemand leaves.Although the redpoppy (Papaverrhoeas) is agentle narcotic in large quantities, it is thePapaver somniferum species ofpoppies that is toxic and the source of opium. Poppy seeds are used in

cookingandbaking,andsometimesoilisextractedtobeusedincookingaswell.Magically, thepoppyisassociatedwith tranquility, fertility,prosperity,love,sleep,andinvisibility.

ROSE(ROSASPP.)Acrossculturesandthroughouthistory,theroseisoneofthemostfamous

flowers.Itsscentisunmistakable.Folkloreandliteraturehavemadetherosesynonymouswithlove,althoughthatisfarfrombeingtheonlyassociationitcarries.Rosescreateanatmosphereofbeautythatencouragesclosenesswithnature. The rose is a very feminine flower and is edible if unsprayed andpreparedcorrectly(seeChapter9forrecipesusingrosesandotherflowers).The real flower has a gentle scent; it is unfortunate that artificially scentedrose products are heavy and overly sweet.Magically, the rose is associatedwithhealing,divination,tranquility,harmony,psychicability,spirituality,andprotection.

SNAPDRAGON(ANTIRRHINUMMAJUS)Snapdragonshavea lovely innocentenergy.Magically, theyareused for

protection, particularly from illusion or deception, or to reflect negativeenergytoitssource.Plantsnapdragonsalongtheperimeterofyourgardentoprotectit.

SUNFLOWER(HELIANTHUSSPP.)AlsoknownasPeruvianmarigold,thesunfloweris,ofcourse,associated

with the sun and its energy,whichmeans it carriesmagical associationsofhappiness, success, and health. The sunflower is also associated withwelcome and family. The plant’s abundant seeds carry the magicalassociations of fertility. Sunflowers are excellent in a celebration ritual orduringasummersolsticeritual.Germinate theseedsandthenplant themtoincrease the energy of abundance in your garden in general. (Be sure youchoosespecificseedsmeantforplantinginsteadofplantingrandomseeds,soyouwillknowwhatsizeofsunflowertoexpect!)

TULIP(TULIPASPP.)Thechaliceorcuplikeshapeofthetulipmakesthisfloweridealforusefor

prosperityandabundancemagic.Thetulipisalsoassociatedwithprotection,love,andhappiness.

VIOLET(VIOLAODORATA)Alsoknownassweetviolet,thevioletisadelicateflowerusedforpeace,

hope, harmony, protection, luck, love, sleep, and tranquility. Use violet incharmsandsachetsdesignedtomaintaintranquilityandtoencouragepeace,particularlyamongpeople.Combinevioletwithlavenderforachild’sherbalpillow to aid sleep and calmnightmares.Violet also has aspects of fertilityandabundance,whicharereflectedinhoweasilytheplantpropagatesitself.

PotentHerbsandGreensGenerally, a plant referred to as an herb possesses some sort ofmedicinal,culinary, ormagical value. Botanists and gardeners sometimes differentiateherbs fromotherplantsby thestem: if theplanthasa“woody”stemabovetheground,it’snotanherbbutatreeorashrub.Accordingtothisdefinition,mintisanherb,butrosemaryisnot.

In themagicalandspiritualworld,however, the term“herb”isusedasacatchallforthebitsoftrees,flowers,spices,andallsortsofplants.Herbsthusformahugeportionofthegreenwitch’spractice.Followingtheherbs,you’llfind some miscellaneous greens that are also useful (though oftenoverlooked).

Thefollowinglistcomprisessomearomaticandculinaryherbs.

ALLSPICE(PIMENTAOFFICINALIS)Also known as pimento or Jamaica pepper, the dried allspice berry is a

common staple in the kitchen spice rack. Called “allspice” because itincorporates flavors such as clove, cinnamon, and pepper, it is a commonflavoringforspicecookies.Thesweetyetspicyaromais releasedwhenthedried berry is crushed. Allspice berries make wonderful additions toprosperityblendsandanymagicfocusingonincreasingenergy,love,healing,andluck.

ANGELICA(ANGELICAARCHANGELICA)Alsoknownasarchangelorangel’sherb,thisfragrantplanthasbeenused

throughout the centuries for improving digestion, flavoring wines andliqueurs,andmakingcandy.Magically,itisparticularlypowerfulwhenusedforprotectionandpurification.

BASIL(OCIMUMBASILICUM)

AlsoknownassweetbasilandSt.Joseph’sWort,basiliscommonlyfoundinspiceracksandinkitchengardensalloverEuropeandtheAmericas.Itisextremelyversatileintheculinaryartsandisanexcellentall-purposemagicalherb as well. Basil is used for prosperity, success, peace, protection,happiness,purification,tranquility,andlove.

BAY(LAURUSNOBILIS)Also known as sweet bay and sweet laurel, bay was used to crown the

victor of games in ancient Greece and Rome. Bay is magically associatedwithsuccess,wisdom,anddivination.Writeawishonabayleafandburnit,orsleepwithitunderyourpillowfordreamsthatoffersomesortofguidanceastohowtopursueyourgoal.(Ifyouburnthebayleaf,makesureyourareaiswellventilated,forthesmokecanbemildlyhallucinogenic.)

CHAMOMILE(CHAMAEMELUMNOBILE,MATRICARIARECUTITA)Also known as manzanilla, chamomile (both the Roman and German

varieties) is another versatile popular magical and medicinal herb. It isexcellent for soothing stomach problems, headaches, and nerves and is anideal herb to give to children. Magically, it is used for prosperity, peace,healing,harmony,andhappiness.

CALENDULA(CALENDULAOFFICINALIS)Although sometimes identified as the potmarigold, calendula is not the

commonmarigold (Tagetes spp.). Calendula is edible, whereas the gardenmarigoldisnot.Calendulahasbeenusedmedicinallytotreatskinirritations,such as eczema, bruises, scars, and scrapes. Magically, it is used forhappiness,prosperity,love,psychicpowers,andharmony.

CINNAMON(CINNAMOMUMSPP.)Cinnamonisoneof themust-havemultipurposeherbs inagreenwitch’s

stock. It possesses a great amount of energy, and a pinch can be added toanythingtorevupthepowerlevel.Itisalsoexcellentforspellsandcharmsinvolving money. Magically, cinnamon is associated with success, action,healing,protection,energy,love,prosperity,andpurification.

CARAWAY(CARUMCARVI)

The seed of the caraway plant is excellent to use for protection againstnegativity.It’salsoagoodantitheftherb,soaddsometothegardensachetsyouplaceoutdoorstokeeplittleanimalintrudersfromnibblingatyourplants,aswellasinprotectivesachetsorcharmsinyourhome.Magicalassociationsincludehealth,mentalabilities,protection,fidelity,andantitheft.

CLOVE(SYZYGIUMAROMATICUM)The small dried bud of the clove plant is used in cooking, baking, and

magic. Magically, clove is associated with protection, purification, mentalability,andhealing.Addthreeclovestoasachetorcharmtotieinprotectiveandpurifyingenergytokeepthecharm’sactionpureandfocusedforalongerperiodoftime.Asachetofrosemary,angelica,sage,threecloves,andapinchofsalttiedshutwithredthreadorribbonisagoodall-purposesachettohangaboveadoororinyourcartoturnawaynegativityandprotectthearea.

COMFREY(SYMPHYTUMOFFICINALE)Also known as boneset or knitbone, comfrey is renowned as a healing

herb.Magically,itisassociatedwithhealth,healing,protectionduringtravel,andprosperity.

DILL(ANETHUMGRAVEOLENS)Alsoknownasdillweed,dillcomesintwoforms:seedandweed,whichis

thefeatherydriedleavesoftheplant.Eithermaybeusedingreenwitchwork.Dill is magically used for good fortune, tranquility, prosperity, lust, andprotection.

GINGER(ZINGIBEROFFICINALE)Wildorcultivated,gingerroot isanidealherbtoaddtoritualsandspells

because it acts like a booster for the power involved. Like the energy ofcinnamon, the heat of the ginger revs up the energy associated with yourwork. Ginger can also be used to jump-start love, stimulate finances, andincrease the potential for success in just about anything. Medicinally, it isusedforfightingcolds,calmingthestomach,andsuppressingnausea.

MARJORAM(ORIGANUMMAJORANA)Alsoknownaswintersweet,marjoramissimilartooregano,butsweeter

and milder. Marjoram was used by the ancient Greeks to crown newly

married couples. It is used for happiness, protection, love, and joy,particularlyinfamilyenvironments.(Oregano[Origanumvulgare],asimilarherb,isusedforlove,courage,andaction.)

MINT(MENTHASPP.)Thereisawidevarietyofgreenorgardenmints,whichareversatileherbs

togrowinagardenoronthekitchenwindowsill.Aninfusionof the leaveswill help ease most headaches, stimulate the appetite, and aid digestion.Magical associations are prosperity, joy, fertility, purification, love, andsuccess.

MUGWORT(ARTEMISIAVULGARIS)Also known as artemisia and sailor’s tobacco, mugwort is another

ubiquitouswitchyherb.Adecoctionof the leaves is said tohelpopenyourmind before you try divination. Magically, it is associated with propheticdreams anddivination, relaxation and tranquility, protection, banishing, andconsecration.

NUTMEG(MYRISTICAFRAGRANS)Medicinally, nutmeg quells nausea and soothes digestive problems

(although it can be toxic in large doses). Magically, it is associated withpsychicabilities,happiness,love,money,andhealth.

PARSLEY(PETROSELINUMCRISPUM)InancientGreece,parsleywasusedforsuchvariedpurposesassprinkling

on corpses to neutralize the smell of decay andmaking victors’ crowns tocelebrate success. It is magically associated with power, strength, lust,purification,andprosperity.Boththeseedsandtheleavescanbeused.

ROSEMARY(ROSMARINUSOFFICINALIS)Practical applications of rosemary include use as a skin tonic applied

externallyandasahairrinsetoaddshinetodarkhairandsootheitchyscalp.An infusion taken as a teawill help ease a headache.Magical associationsincludeprotection,improvingmemory,wisdom,health,andhealing.

SAGE(SALVIASPP.)

Sage is perhaps the herb most commonly used for purification andprotection.Aninfusiontakenasateawillhelpsettleasourstomachandeasedigestion and can help calm anxiety as well. Magical associations includepurificationandprotection,wisdom,health,andlonglife.

VERBENA(VERBENAOFFICINALIS,VERBENASPP.)Also known as vervain, enchanter’s herb, herb of grace, and van van,

verbenaisanexcellentall-purposeherb.Medicinally,aninfusionofverbenahelps calm headaches, eases stress, and makes a relaxing bedtime tea.Magically versatile, verbena is associated with divination, protection,inspiration, abundance, love, peace, tranquility, healing, prosperity, skill inartisticperformance,andthereversalofnegativeactivity.Makeaverbenaoilby infusing the fresh plant in a light olive oil or grapeseed oil to use as astandardblessing/protectionoil.Addcrumbledverbena leaves toanysachettoroundoutthepositiveenergiesyouaredrawingtogether.Itisanexcellentall-purposeherbtoaddtoanycharmbagorspelltoencouragesuccess.

YARROW(ACHILLEAMILLEFOLIUM)Alsoknownasmilfoil,millefeuille, yarroway, or bloodwort, yarrow is a

commongardenherbgrownforitsattractivesilveryfoliage.Theleavesandstemofyarrow,harvested in late summer,have traditionallybeenusedasapoulticetostaunchblood.Magically,itisusedforcourage,healing,andlove.

MOSSMossisatypeofplantthatisthefirsttogrowinaseeminglybarrenarea.

It’salsotenaciousandsurvivesintheoddestplaceswhereyouwouldn’tthinkanythingcouldgrow.Mossprefersahumid,shadyenvironment,andcanandwill grow on trees, rocks, dead wood, and soil—anywhere theremay be asmall crack or gapwhere particles of soil can collect. It can growwith noapparentplacetorootwhatsoever,whichispossiblebecausemosstechnicallydoes not have roots. Moss absorbs water through its leaves. Because itsurvives with little maintenance and in improbable locations, moss isassociatedwithperseverance,patience,nurturing,andgrounding.Because itislusheveninseeminglyinhospitableareas,it’salsoassociatedwithserenityandcalm.

FERNS

Ferns are lovely ethereal plants that range from fragile to remarkablysturdy. They grow in a variety of climates and settings, depending on thegenus and species. They’re often associatedwith invisibility, love, chastity,protectionfromevil,andunlockingdoors.

GRASSGrassissocommonthatmostgreenwitchesoverlookit.Grassisn’tfound

onlyonourlawns;it’salsofoundtallandwavingbytheroadsideorgrowingthrough cracks in alleywaysor vacant lots.Likemoss, it is associatedwithserenity.Grassalsohasaquirkyhumor:ifyouwantittogrow,itwillresist,whereasifyoutrytogetridofit,itwillkeeppoppingup.Grassisatrickster.It’salsohighlyadaptable.

UsingStones:TheBonesoftheEarthAlthough they’re not usually thought of as growing things like plants andtrees, stones are sometimes referred to as “the bones of the earth.” Small,nonperishable, and convenient, stones and crystals constitute a very usefulelementofthegreenwitch’spractice.Don’toverlookworkingwithgemsandcrystals simply because they don’t pop up in your back garden like regulargraniteandclaydo.

Stones have multiple uses in green magic. They can be empowered ontheir own and carried or left in specific areas. They can also be worn asjewelry, added to potpourris and herbal blends, powdered and added toincenses,addedwholetoincenseswhiletheymature(butremovethembeforeyou burn the incense), added to oils, tucked into potted plants, and buried.Thepossibilitiesareendless.

Herearetwentystonesofusetothegreenwitch:

MOSSAGATEMossagateisusedforhealing,forcalm,andforstressrelief.Mossagate

looks like strands ofmoss caught in ice or in a translucent, blurry crystal.Likemostgreenstones,itisassociatedwithnature.

TREEAGATETreeagateismuchlikemossagate,exceptinsteadoflookinglikestrands

ofgreencaught in translucentcrystal, it looks like strandsofgreen twiningthroughanopaquewhitestone.

AMETHYSTAmethyst is purple quartz and is associated with psychic power, truth,

balance,protection,andhealing.

AVENTURINEAventurine is a green opaque stone with tiny flecks of gold in it. It is

associatedwithluck,prosperity,andhealth.

BLOODSTONEBloodstoneisagreenopaquestonewithflecksofredinit.Magically,itis

associatedwithhealth(especiallyoftheblood)andprotection.

CARNELIANCarnelianisamilkyorangestone.Magically,itisassociatedwithsuccess

andmanifestation.

CITRINECitrine isyellowquartzandoftenappearsasyellowiceor isyellowand

white. It is found in points and as a tumbled stone. It works to calmnightmares,aidsindigestion,focusesthemind,andenhancescreativity.

HEMATITEHematite is a dull silver-colored stone (it can also show up as black,

brown,andreddish-brown). In theMiddleAges, itwascalledabloodstone,soifyoucomeacrossareferencetoabloodstonemakesureyouknowwhichstoneisbeingreferredto.Hematitehasironinitandmagicallyisassociatedwithgroundingexcessorunbalancedenergy.Italsodeflectsnegativityandisthusassociatedwithdefense,healing,andjustice.

JADEUsually green, this stone is associatedwithwisdom, prosperity, fertility,

health,andprotection.

JASPER

Found in many colors, jasper is most commonly red. It is good forgroundingandstabilizingenergyandforprotectionandcourage.Buryjaspersin the fourcornersofyourgarden todeepen itsconnection to theearthandsecureitsenergyformorebalancedgrowthandyield.

LAPISLAZULIA deep blue stone with flecks of gold, lapis lazuli is associated with

leadership,communication,stressrelief,creativity,joy,andharmony.

MALACHITEA deep green stone with bands or circles of lighter green, malachite is

associatedwith fertilityandearthmysteries.Malachite isawonderful stoneforgreenwitchestoworkwith,forithelpsstrengthenyourconnectiontotheworld of nature. Try carrying or wearing a piece of malachite while youcommunicatewith theworld of green,whether you are tramping through afield or digging in your backyard. See how it affects your work and yourperceptions.

MOONSTONEAmilkywhite stone, sometimeswithovertonesofgreen,peach,orgray,

themoonstoneismagicallyassociatedwithprotectionduringtravel,children,love,andpeace.ItalsohasaconnectiontotheGoddess.

QUARTZ(CLEAR)Aneasilyobtainedstone,aclearquartzcrystal looks like ice,oftenwith

smallinclusions(whichdonotaffectthestone’senergyatall).Quartzcrystalamplifies energy, stores power, enhances psychic ability, and absorbsnegativity. It has become immensely popular and can be found in tumbledformand inpoint form (which ishow itgrows)and isoften set in jewelry.Quartzcrystalisanexcellentall-purposestonetoworkwith.

QUARTZ(ROSE)Anothercommonstone,rosequartzlookslikepinkice.Likeotherquartz

crystals, rosequartz amplifies and stores energy.Rosequartz is specificallyused toboost self-esteemandencourageself-love, foremotionalhealing, tofoster affection, and to transform negative energy into positive, supportiveenergy.

QUARTZ(SMOKY)Smokyquartzisagrayquartzusedforgroundingandtoclearobstacles.It

strengthensintuitionandhelpsmanifestthoughtintoaction,goalsintoreality.

SNOWFLAKEOBSIDIANAn opaque black stone with spots that look like white or pale gray

snowflakes, this stone is used for protection.Regular obsidian,which is allblack,isalsousedforprotection.Iprefertousesnowflakeobsidianingreenwitchwork,asitremindsmeofwinterandmidnight,twoimportantpartsofthenaturalcycleofdaysandseasons.

SODALITEAdarkbluestonewithwhiteorgrayveins,sodaliteisusedforbalancing

emotionsandenhancingwisdom.

TIGER’SEYEAglossy, satiny, brown stonewith bands of satiny dark gold, the tiger’s

eyeisusedforstrength,courage,luck,andprosperity.

TURQUOISEApalebluestonewithfineblackorgraylinesrunningthroughit,turquoise

isanexcellentchildren’sstone,foritprotectsandstrengthensgently.Italsohelpsfocusthemindandwill.

CLEANSINGSTONESBeforeyouuseastone,itisimportanttocleanseandpurifyit.Cleansingis

a physical removal of dirt or debris; justwash the stone in plainwater andscrubitwithaclothorbrushifnecessary.Purifyingthestonemeanscleaningitsenergy.Beforeyouuseastoneforanymagicalpurpose,itshouldalwaysbepurified.

Thereareseveralwaystopurifyastone:

•Leaveitinsunlightormoonlightforaspecificperiodoftime.• Bury it in a small dish of salt for one to three days. Salt is a naturalpurifier. Never use salt to cleanse a stone that has iron in it, such ashematite,orifitissetinmetal,forthemetalwillrust.

•Buryitinasmalldishofdirtforameasuredperiodoftime.Earthwillaccomplish thesamepurpose in thesameway that saltdoes, though itmaytakelonger.

•Immersethestoneinwaterforameasuredperiodoftime.Movingwaterwillpurifyitfaster,althoughleavingthestoneinasmallbowlofwaterforalongerperiodwillworkaswell.Youcanaddasmallpinchofsalttothedishofwatertospeedtheprocess,unlessyouarecleansingastonesetinmetalorastonewithironcontent,suchashematite.

Howlongyouleavethestonetopurifybyyourchosenmethoddependsonhowmuchforeignenergyisclingingtoit(seethefollowing).

ATTUNINGTOSTONESBeforeyouuse a stone for amagical purpose, get toknow its particular

energy so thatwhen you test its energy later on, you have an idea of howmuchpurificationitrequires.

When you first bring a stone home from a rock shop or from the greatoutdoors,cleanseandpurifyitusingoneofthepreviousmethodsforonefullweek to ensure that it has been completely cleared of any foreign energy.Don’t worry; you cannot remove the innate energy of an object, so it’simpossibletooverpurify.

Whentheweekisup,prepareyourselfbyfindingaquietspaceandsettlingdownwiththestoneandyourgreenwitchnotebook.Takethreedeepbreaths,releasingtensionandfocusingonthestoneinyourhandwitheachexhalation.Beginby testing theenergyof thestonebyusingoneof theenergy-sensingmethodsgiveninChapter3.Howdoesthestone’senergyfeeltoyou?Makeasmanyobservationsandassociationsasyoucan.Remembertowrite themdown.Whatisimportantisthatyouaremakingpersonalobservationsabouttheenergy,notthatyouhitonthesamecorrespondencesthataretraditionallyassociatedwiththestone.

Onceyouhaveanideaofhowtheenergyofthestonefeelstoyouwhileitiscompletelynaturalandunaffectedbyanyotherenergy,youwillbeabletoevaluatethestonebeforeanyfutureusetodeterminehowmuchpurificationitwillneed.Everyone sensesenergy inadifferentway,butperhaps the stonewill feel particularly heavy or negative to you, or youwill gain a sense ofwrongness, or simply a difference fromwhat you expect to feel when younextpickituptouseit.Ifthestonefeelsdrasticallydifferent,purifythestoneforalongerperiodoftime.Ifyouhaveusedthestoneforapreviousmagicalpurpose,itisimportanttopurifyit,evenifitwasforthesameintention,foras the stone is used it can collect other energies. As you become moreexperienced in sensing energy, you will be able to identify how much

purification a stone needs by comparing its current energy with what youknowitsbasenaturalenergyis.

EMPOWERINGSTONESTo prepare a stone for magical use once it has been purified, you must program orempowerit.Thisstepalignsthestone’snaturalenergywithyourmagicalintention.Whilethestone’snaturalenergieswillfunctionevenifyoudonotempoweritwithyourmagicalintention, they will function in accordance to your desire much more efficiently if youprogramitwithyourpreciseneedandmagicalgoal.

•Toprogramastonewithyour intention,hold itbetweenyourpalms.Closeyoureyesandtakethreedeepbreaths,centeringyourselfandfocusingonyourmagicalgoal.

•Visualizeyourgoalasalreadyachieved,whichmeansyoushould takeaminuteor two todaydreamabouthowterrificyou’llfeeloncethesituationisthewayyouwantit.

• Now visualize a sparkling light forming around your hands. This sparkling light is theenergy summoned fromwithin you to empower the stone. It is energy programmedwithyourmagicalgoal.Imaginethesparklinglightbeingabsorbedintothestone.

•Atthispoint,sayaloudwhatyourgoalisandwhatthestoneistobeusedfor.Forexample,youmay say, “This stone bringsme prosperity,” if you are programming it for financialsuccessorabundance.Somepeoplefinditeasiertorepeataphraselikethisoverandoverinordertoraiseandfocustheenergyuponwhattheyareempowering.Itendtobeaveryquietgreenwitch,soIquietlywhispermychosenphraseoverandoveruntilthewordsbecomeastreamofsound.Ivisualizethatsoundbeingdirectedintothestone.

•Oncetheenergyhasbeenabsorbedintothestone,thestonehasbeenprogrammedwithyourmagicalintentionandempoweredforthatuse.

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Chapter6

KeepaGreenWitchGarden

THEGARDENISANIMPORTANTelementofthegreenwitch’spractice.Workingwithnaturedoesnotalwaysmeanimmersingyourself inthegreatoutdoors.Asmanymoderngreenwitchesarediscovering,bothoutofnecessityandintheirdesiretoadapttotheneedsofthemodernworld,therearemanyothermethodsofinteractingwithnature’senergy.Creativesolutionsarerequiredinurbanareas.Thischapterlooksathowtheconceptofthegardenfunctionsinthemodern,urbangreenwitch’sreality.

The wilderness is not the antithesis of civilization. The two areenvironmentalextremesthatcomplementeachother.Peoplerequireasecureenvironment in order to function well, and so over the millennia we havecarvedoutsectionsofthewildernessandorganizedthem.Thecityisnotevil,and the wilderness is not automatically good. Because the modern urbangreen witch understands this, part of her calling involves bridging the gapbetween“wild”and“civilized.”

Therewill alwaysbe someproductsyouwillnotbeable togrowwhereyou live. Not many people in North America, for example, can growcinnamon.Youdon’thavetobreakyourbackandyourbudgettryingtoforgea personal energetic connection with highly exotic plants that won’t growwhere you live. Do what you can, when you can. Growing plants whoseenergyyoucanworkwithoffersyouamorethanadequateopportunityforadeeperdialogueexperienceandinteractionwithnature.

ThePowerinaGardenThe practice of green witchcraft is innately tied to the agricultural cycle,which dictated the rhythm of the lives of our ancestors. The agriculturalsocieties of yesteryear focused on the seasonal changes of soil and crops.Witchcraft’s concern with fertility, sowing, tending, and reaping(metaphoricallyandotherwise)isrootedinthatagriculturaltradition.

It thus makes a certain kind of sense that the green witch has a strongspiritual and personal connection to nature and the land.The connection tonatureisalsoapracticalone.Thewitch’sgardenprovidesareadysourceoffoodaswellascomponentsofspellsandingredientsforvariousremedies.

Byworkingwithagarden,indoorsorout,thegreenwitchisinteractingwithnatureonapersonal basis. Hands-on practice offers you the opportunity to physically feel yourconnection to nature. It gives you the simple pleasure of working in harmonywith thenaturalcycle.

Working with a garden of any kind also allows you to meditate on theconcept of harmony and balance in a completely different way. There is averyrealgive-and-takeofenergyinvolvedintendingagarden.Thetimeandcareyouputintomaintainingthegardenisdirectlyreflectedinthegarden’shealthandwhatyouharvest.Likeaperson,agardenisalsoinaconstantstateofchange. Just asyou solveoneproblem inyour life andanotherpopsup,whatyoudototendyourgardenoneweekmaybedifferentfromwhatyoudothenextweek.Thesunmaybeatdownwithoutmercyforweeks,dryingyourprecious plants to a crisp, only to be followed by amonsoon-likeweek ofpouring rain that nearly drownswhat you’vemanaged to salvage.Workingwithagardenisacontinuouslessoninpatience,acceptance,andrecognitionthatnature functionsasan independentsystemthatoperatesnomatterwhatwehumansdo.

THEHARVESTFROMTHEGREENWITCH’SGARDENAreherbsyoubuylesspowerfulthanthoseyougrow?Arethespicesyou

useoffyourkitchenshelfanylesspowerfulthanthosefromyourgarden?Itdependsonwhoyouask.Hands-onworkallowsagreenwitchtounderstandtheenergyandpowerofaplantfromseedtodriedform.However,eventhegroundspicesonyourspicerackoriginallycamefromanaturalsource.Beingpractical, the green witch uses what she has on hand. You don’t have toharvest theplant yourself inorder touse its energy.Youcan reachout andtouchtheenergyoftheherbandmakeapersonalconnectionwithpurchasedherbs.Ifyouwantsomethingthatisn’tlocal,youcanbuyitfromanherbalist,ametaphysical supply shop, or online. If you buy herbs from one of thesesources, however, be sure to use them only formagical purposes; don’t betempted tomake teaunless thepurchasedherb iscertifiedasbeingsafe forinternalconsumption.

Agardeningclimatezonemapcanbean immensehelp toyouasyouplanyourgarden.Climate zones are determined bymaximum andminimum temperatures,which in turndetermine what plants can thrive in the area. You can see the USDA National Plant

HardinessZoneMapontheUnitedStatesNationalArboretumwebpage,theintroductiontowhichcanbefoundat:www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/index.html.

Asforfreshversusdried,theenergyissimilar,thoughindifferentforms.Thinkoftheenergyofaliveplantasrunningwater,whereasthedriedherb’senergy might be like the water in a cup. As long as the plant is alive, itsenergyflows.Onceharvested,theenergyoftheplantislikewatercaughtinacontainer.Itcontinuesbeingwater,andithastheenergyofthewater,buttheenergyisstill insteadofflowing.Whatyouneedtodowith theenergyofaplant or herb andwhere and how you need to do yourworkwill help youdeterminewhethertousefreshordried.Usingfreshplantmatterinasachet,forexample,isn’tagoodideabecausethefreshleaveswillmoldandrot.

DesigningYourGardenTheurbangreenwitch facesseveralchallengeswhen itcomes togardeningandcreatingapersonalspaceinwhichtocommunewithnature.Inacityorsuburb,manypeopledonothaveanidealspaceinwhichtolayoutagarden.Ifyoudon’thaveastripofearthsomewherealongthepathtoyourfrontdoor,or if you’re bound to an apartment and have no land at all, you may besurprised to findout thatyou in facthaveseveraloptions.Checkwithyourcityhallorenvironmentaldivisiontoseeifyourcitysponsorspublicgardenspace.Youcanapplyforoneofthesegardenplots,whichareusuallyfencedoffandprotected,oftenforfreeoratalowrentalcost.Youmayhavetotraveltoit,butyoucangrowwhateveryoulikewithinlegalparameters.

If you prefer something closer to home, you can create a balcony orwindow garden. The container garden is the green witch’s answer to thechallenge of limited space and high-rise or apartment living. One of thewonderful thingsaboutcontainergardeningonabalconyor inawindow isthat if the containers or the plants themselves are small enough to moveeasily,youcanalwayschangeyourarrangement.

Keepnotesinyourjournalonwhatplantsrespondwelltothelightingandenvironmentofyour chosen garden space. Also keep notes on the evolution of your garden over theseasons.Nextyear,youcancreateamoresuccessfulgardenorexperimentwithsomethingcompletelynew.

Yourhaveseveraloptionsincontainergardening.Youcansetupawindowbox indoors on awindowsill, hang awindowbox outside yourwindow, orgrow plants in pots on your patio or balcony. A good rule is to use smallcontainers in a small space. You can group them to create a largerarrangement, but huge planters tend to overwhelm small spaces. Likewise,don’t fill those small containers with large-leaved plants, which will also

visually overwhelm the space. What you will be able to grow in thoseplanters,however,dependson several factors.Hereare somequestionsyoumustanswerbeforeyoustartplanting:

•What will be the purpose of your garden? Do you intend to growherbstocookwithorvegetablestoeat?Isyourgardentobeapeacefulretreat, your personal connection to nature, your power place? If youplanwellenough,youcancreateasacredspacewhereyoucancarryonyour greenwitch dialoguewith nature.Watering,weeding, and caringfor a window box can be as rewarding as sitting in the middle of anationalpark.

•Whenwillyoubeusingyourspace?Willyoubegardeningorenjoyingyourspaceinthedaytimeorintheevening?Becausesomeplantsbloomand release their scent after dark, your plant selection can reflect yourschedule.

• Realistically, howmuch time will you devote to maintaining yourgarden?

•Whatisyourbudget?• Do you want your garden to reflect the style of the rest of yourhome?Doyouwant todosomethingdramaticallydifferent tocontrastwithyourusualstyle?

Answeringthesequestionsandmakingalistofwhatyouwanttogetoutofgardeningwillhelpyoudeterminewhatkindofgardentodevelop.

Onceyouhavedefinedthepurposeofyourgarden,youcanbegintofocuson how youwill go about creating the garden.Make awish list of all theplantsyou’dliketoworkwith.Thepurposeofthegardenwillhelpyouruleoutcertaintypesofplantsandfocusonothers.Findouttheidealclimatezoneforeachoftheplantsyouwanttogrow.Someofyourwishlistwillinevitablybe crossedoff becauseyoudon’t live in the right kindof climate.Readupcarefullyon theplants that remainonyour list.Somewillbeeasy togrow,whereasotherswillbechallengingandenergyconsuming.Limitstothetimeandenergyyouhavetodevotetoyourgardenwilleliminateotherplantsonyourwishlist.Next,considertheprojectedheightanddiameterofplantsyouwant.Youwillhavetodiscardsomebecausetheywillgrowtootallorbroadforyourbalconyorpatioorcontainers.Remember,yourcontainershavetobelarge enough to accommodate the rootsof theplantsyou intend togrow inthem.

Lightandweatheraretwootherimportantaspectsofworkingwithasmallcontainergarden.Howmuchsunlightdoesyourchosengardenspacereceiveper day?What direction does it face? If you face north, stick with shade-loving varieties; if you face east, your garden will receive early-morning

sunlight;ifyoufacesouth,keepaclosewatchonyourgardentoensurethatthesundoesnotburnitordryouteveryplant;ifyoufacewest,yourgardenwill have the benefit of thewarm afternoon sun. If you live on the secondstory or above, the wind will be harsher, which can play havoc with yourplants. Anything extremely delicate will have to be sheltered. If you plantperennials,youwillhavetoprotect themduringwinterorduringthefallowpartoftheircycle.

Artificial light is another consideration. If you intend to spend most ofyourtimeinyourgardenatnight,youmaywishtoaddaspecializedlightingsystemtohighlightyourplantsandallowyoutoseeclearly.Hanginglanternscancreateaverysereneandrelaxingatmosphere,butkeepsafetyinmind.Ifyou use candles or oil lamps, keep the wicks low and the flames wellprotected from the wind. Only use lanterns that have been designed foroutdooruse,andkeepthemawayfromanythingflammable.

TipsonPlantingTheurbangreenwitchusuallydoesn’thavea lotof space.While sproutingplantsfromseedtorepotoutdoorsinacontainergardenisawonderfulwaytoforgeaconnectionwithyourgardenfromtheveryfirststirringsoflife,itisoftenachallenge.Tryit.Ifnothingsprouts,don’tdespair.There’snoshamein buying hardened seedlings from a nursery or garden center and plantingthoseinyourcontainers.

Besuretousegoodpottingsoil.Toeasedrainage,blendanothermediumwith it, such as peat moss, and line the base of your container with smallstones. Regular garden soil isn’t right for container gardens. Containergardens need soil rich in nutrients, because there’s so little soil in thecontainer. Ifgardensoil is theonly thingavailable toyou, thenblendequalpartsofsandandpeatmoss into it.Askyourgardencenterabout fertilizersfor container gardens tomaintain a high level of nutrients for your plants.Using fertilizer isn’t cheating; it’snourishingyourplants inanenvironmentthatcannotdoitonitsown.

Regulargeneralmaintenanceisthekeytokeepingyourgardeninbalance.Lookatyourplantseveryday.Lookforyellowedleaves,limpfoliage,deadflowers.Nipoffdyingareasandwaterdryplants.Claypotsareporousandwilllosewaterfasterthanglazedorplasticcontainers.Rotatepotssothatallsidesoftheplantgetequallight.Beingsensitivetothestatusofyourgardenwillallowyoutopickuponsmallodditiesbeforetheygrowintoproblems.

Your watering schedule will depend on your weather, the size of yourcontainers, andwhat kind of plants you’re growing.Containers tend to notholdalotofwater,becausethereisn’talotofearthinthem.Thewaterdries

uporisrapidlyabsorbedbytheplant.Agoodruleistowatereverycoupleofdaysunlessyou’reinadryspell, inwhichcasewatereveryday.Ifcarryingheavy cans or pitchers ofwater is difficult for you, consider getting a hoseattachmentforyourkitchentap.

CaringforYourGardenNaturallyThereareseveralwaystocultivateyourgardennaturally.Afterall,theideaofusingchemicalingredientsonyourgardentocultivategrowthorkillinvadinginsectsiscontrarytothegreenwitchway.Herearesometipsforusingnaturalmethodstoincreasethebountyofyourgarden.

COMPOSTINGCompostingisthepracticeofreturningorganicmattertotheearthwhereit

can decompose and add its nutrients to the soil. Although composting isusuallythoughtofassomethinglandownersdo,asittraditionallyconsistsofcreating a compost pile in the corner of a yard, urban dwellers can alsocomposteasilyinamodifiedfashion.Vermicomposting,orusingredwormsto break down organicmatter, is one option. Vermicomposting kits can beordered online or obtained from ecological shops or garden centers.A lessexpensive and easier alternative is a compost bin. You can place the binoutdoors,whichmostapartmentdwellersprefer,butifyouhavenobalcony,youcanputitinadarkcornerofthekitchenorlaundryroom.

Compost requires three things: warmth, dark, and food. The warmth isachievedbyplacingyourbinclosetothewallifonthebalconyorstoringitunderyoursinkifindoors.Darkisobtainedbyusinganopaquematerialforthebinandbyhavingatight-fittinglid.Thefoodcomesfromfinelychoppedvegetableandfruitscraps.Neveraddmeatproductsoranythingwithgreaseto your compost bin. These will decompose, all right, but it will smelldreadful, unbalance the compostyou’rebuilding, andattractpests.Youcanaddtealeaves(tearopenyourteabagsifyoudon’tuseloosetea)andcoffeegrounds, eggshells, fruit and vegetable scraps, and dead leaves and flowerspinchedoffyourhouseplantsandcontainerplants.

The ideal container for composting is a plastic garbage can or a largeTupperware bin. Line the bottomwith dead leaves or shredded newspaper.Putalayerofearthontopofthat,thenaddyourfirstbatchofchoppedfoodscrapsandabitofwater.Stiritwithastickandreplacethelid.Thelidwillholdthehumidityinsideasthefoodbeginstodecompose,butit’sagoodideaeveryonceinawhileto“water”yourcomposttokeepitdamp(butnotwet).Addabitmoredrymaterial,suchasmoreshreddednewspaperorearth,each

week toensureagoodbalanceofcarbonandnitrogen.Every timeyouaddmore scraps, give the compost a stir to combine the newmaterialwith theolder compost.Once in awhile, give thewhole thing a complete turn overwithasmallshovelor trowel toaerate thesoil. Inabout threemonths,yourcompostwillbereadyforuse.Addsometothetopofeachofyourcontainersandhouseplants.Besuretoleavesomeinyourcompostbintostartthenextbatch.

Ifyou’reconcernedaboutsmells,don’tworry.Goodcomposthasasweet,richsmellasitdecomposes.Tokeepstrongercompostodorsatbay,turnitmorefrequently.

Compostteaismadebyfilteringwaterthroughthecompost.Thisproducesanutrient-richliquidthatyoucanusetowateryourhouseplantsandspraythefoliage of your container garden to help nourish and protect the plant bothabovegroundandbelow.Tomakeasimplecomposttea:

1. Loosely fill a bucket a third to halfway full of compost. Give thecompost a couple of turns with the trowel to aerate it properly andbreakupanyclumps.

2.Pourwarmwater(nothotorboiling)overthecompostandallowittositfortwotothreedays.

2. Carefully decant the resulting brown water into another bucket orpitcher.

3. Allow the wet compost to dry out to its usual damp state beforereturningittoyourcompostbin.

You canuse thebrowncompost tea towater your plants or to spray thefoliage to battle pests, illness, and pollution damage. Never drink composttea;it’snotforhumanconsumption.

AIRPOLLUTIONThe greenwitch living in the citymay be exposed to high levels of air

pollution. Pollution can create breathing problems, of course, but it alsoleavesafilmofgrimeeverywhere.Notonlydoyourwindowsbecomedirtyand yourwalls dull over time, but your garden suffers aswell. Leaves canbecomeyellowandlimp,growthcanbesketchy,andtheplantbecomesweak.Be lovingwith your plants.Gentlywipe off the dust that accumulates as aresult of city life. If you are lucky enough to have a small plot in a citygarden,hoseitdownregularly.Useasprayofcompostteatohelpnourishtheplantsandcounteractthedamageairpollutioncancause.

INSECTSANDOTHERPESTSIfyou’reworkingwithanurbancontainergarden,you’llprobablynever

have toworryaboutdeeror rabbitsnibblingyour seedlingsdown toabarestempokingoutof theground.Youwill,however,stillhavetoworryaboutinsects.

If your container garden is thehavenof theusual numbersof citybugs,then burning citronella candles in the area can somewhat help thin out theinsect population. If your plants develop more plant-specific insectinfestations, thereareafewgreenwitch–friendlythingsyoucandotohelp.The first thing to remember is that you don’t have to resort to chemicalinsecticides.Usingtheseinacontainergardenisoverkill,and,besides,therearecheaperandkinderalternatives.

Tryanatural insecticide.Makeanextractofgarlic,onion,orhotpepper.Take 3 tablespoons (approximately an ounce and a half) of the vegetablematterandchop it finelyorpurée it inablenderwithabitofwater.Add2cupsofwatertothemixtureandallowittosteepovernightorforafullday.Strainit,dilute itsothat thetotalamountof liquidequals1literor1quart,andpouritintoaspraybottle.Testitonaleafoftheaffectedplant;iftheleafrespondspoorly,dilutethespraysomemoreandtestagain.

In extreme circumstances, you can use a solution of one part bleach tofortypartswatertoeliminatestubbornpests.Spraythisoverthefoliageandstemoftheplant,butdonotsoaktheearth.Rinsewellwithclearwater.Thisiseasierifyouplaceaplasticbagorsomesuchthingovertheearthandthecontainer,ortiltthecontainersothattherunoffdoesn’tlandinthepot.

Whenyouspray,nomatterwhatyouspraywith,remembertopracticesafesprayinghabits:

• Always wear gloves, long sleeves, and a mask when spraying withinsecticides,evennaturalones.Garlic,onion,andhotpeppercanallbeveryirritatingtothemucousmembranes.Ifyouinhalethespray,itcancausepainandirritationtothethroatandlungs.Don’tspraywhenthereisastrongbreeze.Waitforacalmday.

•Donotsprayduringtheheatoftheday.Doitfirstthinginthemorningorwaituntiltheevening.

•Alwaysperformatestonasmallareaofeachtypeofplantbeforeyouspraythemall.Thiswayyoucantestthestrengthofthesprayaswellastheplant’sreactiontoit.

•Never spray all your plants indiscriminately. These sprays are not all-purposepreventives.Theyaremeanttotargetaspecificproblem.Theycanalsokilloffthebeneficialinsectsandmicrobesthatliveamongyourplants.

FillYourHomewithHouseplantsIf growing plants outdoors is impossible in your situation, or if you wantgreenindoorsaswellasout,tryhouseplants.

Whenyoubringhomeanewhouseplant,makesuretodoagentleenergypurificationtohelpacclimatizeittotheenergyofyourlivingspace.Thisalsoremovesanynegativitythatmaybeclingingtoit.Youcandothisforoutdoorplantsaswell, though itmaynotbenecessarybecauseplanting themin thegroundhelpsstabilizeandcleansetheenergyclingingtothem.Youcandoagentle purification simplyby runningyourhandover theplant andholdingyourpalmand fingersabout1 to2 inchesaway from the foliage.Visualizescoopingupanyblackorsmokyenergyyouseearoundtheplant.Flickyourhandasifyouwereshakingwateroffittoremoveanddispersethenegativeenergy.Ifyouareconcernedaboutthenegativeenergyaffectingtheenergyofyourhome,purifynewplantsbeforeyoubringthemintoyourhouse.Ifyoudothepurificationinsideandfeeluncomfortable,burnapurifyingincenseintheroom.Remember,youcanneverremovethebasicenergyofanobject,sodon’tworryaboutremovingthepositiveenergyassociatedwiththeplant.

To welcome the plant into your home, bless a pitcher of water with aprayerlikethefollowing,thenuseittowaterthehouseplant:

SpiritsofEarth,Water,Fire,andAir,Iaskyourblessingonthiswater.Endowitwithstrength,protection,andpeace,Andmaytheplantsthatdrinkofitbesimilarlyblessed.

Giveyournewhouseplantasmuchofthissacreddrinkasitrequires.Usetherestforyourcurrenthouseplants.

SOMECONSIDERATIONSChoosingwhatsortsofhouseplantstobringintoyourhomeisasimportant

aschoosingtheplantsyougrowoutdoors.Carefullyconsider theamountoftimeandenergyyoucansparetocareforhouseplants.Thinkaboutthelightthatfillsyourlivingspace,thedirectionfromwhichitcomes,andhowbrightit is. Think about how dry or humid your living space is and the generaltemperatures.All these things have a great impact upon the plants you cansuccessfullygrowwhereyoulive.Think,too,abouthowbigyourroomsare.Houseplantsarelimitedbytheirpots,andtogrowlargertheymayneedlargercontainers.

Carefullyconsider theenergyof theplant.Howwill it fit inand interactwith the flow of energy already established in your home? Evaluate the

energybyholdingyourhandsover theplantandsensing itsenergy(see theenergy-sensingexercisesinChapter3).Onceyouhavefeltaplant’senergy,youwillbeabletojudgewhetheritwillfitintoyourhome’senergyornot.

Finally,itisimportanttorememberthatlikeallplants,houseplantsabsorbnegativeenergy.However,becausetheyarepottedinasmallamountofearth,theycannottransformtheenergywiththesamesuccessthatoutdoorplantsinthe ground can. Be kind to your houseplants. Give them an appropriatefertilizer,repotthembeforeitbecomesnecessary,andpurifythemregularly.Ifyouneglectthem,theywilleventuallydiefromtheaccumulatednegativity.Ifallyourhouseplantslooksickly,thiscanbeamessagethatit’stimeforyoutodoacompleteandthoroughhousecleansingandpurification.

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Chapter7

CreateandCraftGreenWitchMagic

MAGICALLOREBASEDINTHEgreenworldisthecentralbodyofknowledgeinthepracticeofgreenwitchcraft.Thischapterexaminespracticalandmagicalapplications,crafts,andspellscombiningthevariouselementsofthenaturalworld,plustipsonpreparationandstorage.

Whenselectingtheherbsandothernaturalelementsthatyouintendtouseinyourcrafts,itisessentialtoalwaysfullyresearchtheherb,magicallyandmedicinally.Carefullyreadtherecommendedmethodsofpreparationinyourreferencebooksandpaycloseattentiontocautionsandnotes.Certainherbs,forexample,aresafetouseexternally,butaretoxiciftakeninternally.Ifyouintendtoburntheplantmatter,verifythatthesmokeissafetoinhale.Inyourgreen witch journal, describe any herb you intend to use, and if there issomethingtoremember,addanotetothelabelofyourpreparation.Ifyouarecrafting an herbal preparation for someone else, inform yourself of theirsensitivitiesandallergiesbeforehandandwriteoutafulllistofingredientsfortheirreference.

PreparingHerbsCheckyourstockofpreservedherbsandplantseveryyeartoseewhatyou’relowonandwhathasgonebad.Whenyouharvestplantmatter,alwaysmakesurethatyouknowwhatpartoftheplanttoharvest,whetheryouuseleaves,stems,flowers,ortheroot.Nevercollectanentireplant.Neverpullitupbytherootsandtakethewholethinghome.Takeonlywhatyouneed,andmakesure that it’s less than a quarter of what’s available. In harvesting, less ismore.Neverassume thatyoushould lay inahugestockofsomething.Youareunlikelytouseitallandyou’llendupthrowingmostofitout.Mostgreenwitch projects and charms take only a pinch or spoonful of an herb. It isessentialtonoteinyourgreenwitchnotebookwhatplantyouareharvesting,whereitisbeingharvested,thedate,andhowmuchyouaretaking.

Ifyou’renotusingtheplantmatterfresh,thenitmustbedriedbeforeyoustoreit.Beforedrying,shake,brush,orwashoffanydirt.Toairdryit,laytheleavesorflowersoutonanoldscreenoroncheeseclothandallowittodryinawell-ventilatedarea.Youcanalsobundlethestemstogetherwithanelasticband or string and hang the bunch indoors in a dry place with good aircirculation,outofdirectsunlight.Tuckasmallcardwiththenameoftheherbinthebundletohelpyouidentifytheplantonceit’sdry.Don’tleaveabundleofherbshangingfortoolong,oritwillbecomedusty.Toprotectitfromdust,orifthestemplanthasseedsorfragilebitsthatmayfalloffasitdries,slipitinapaperbagandsecurethebagaroundthestemswithstringbeforehangingittodry.Toprepareaplantforstorage,striptheleavesoffthestemsoverasheetofnewspaperoracleancloth.

Youcanalsodryplantmatterintheoven.Chopupthestemsroughly,thenscatterpiecesofstem,plusleavesandflowers,inasinglelayeronabakingsheet covered with parchment and place it in a barely warm oven (100°F)withthedoorcrackedopenforanhourortwo,dependingonthethicknessoftheherbyou’redrying.Checkfrequentlyandremovedriedmatter,leavingtheresttocontinuedrying.

Opaquecontainersarebestforstoringherbs.Ceramiccanisterswithtightsealsanddarkglass jars are ideal.Keepanassortment of containers of various sizes onhand.Kitchenshopsareagreatsourceforjars,bowls,tins,mortarsandpestles,andotherusefulgreenwitchparaphernalia.Youmayalsowanttoinvestinacuttingboardandchoppingknivestobeusedspecificallyforyourgreenwitchwork.

Ifyouwish touse theherbs like rosemaryorpeppermint freshat a laterdate,youcanpickthemandstoretheminthefreezer.Forshort-termstorage,youcansimplytumblesturdyleavesintoasmallpaperbag,folditover,andstore it in thefreezerdoor.Besure towrite theherb, thedate,andwhere itwasharvestedonthebag.Tokeepherbslonger,rinsethemundercoldwater,blot themdrywithapaper towel,chopthemroughly,andspreadthemonabakingsheet.Putthebakingsheetinthefreezeruntiltheherbshavefrozen,then store them in zip-top freezer bags. This method keeps the leavesseparate.Markthebagclearlywiththenameoftheherb,thedate,andwhereyouharvestedit.Touse,simplyopenthebagandtakeoutwhatyouneed.Ifleavesorflowershavefrozentogether, takethemassoutandchopoffwhatyouneedwithaknife.Tofreezeindividualportionsforcookingmagic,chopthe plant finely and pack a teaspoon or tablespoon of the herb into eachcompartmentofan icecube tray.Runabitofwater intoeachcompartmentovertheherb,andfreeze.Whentheherbcubesarefrozen,popthemoutandplace them in zip-top bags. Again, mark the bags with the necessaryinformation.

Remember thatwhen you harvest plantmatter an exchange of energy isrequired.Thismeansthatyoumustgivesomethingbackinexchangeforwhatyouaretaking.Bringalongabottleofwaterandoffertheplantafewdropswhenyouharvestsomeofit.Thanktheplantforitskindnessinsharing.

ExtractingtheEnergiesofHerbsHerbsandplantmatteraremostcommonlyprepared foruse inan infusion,whichyoumaybetterknowastea.Teasaren’tusedonlyforconsumption,ofcourse, which is why books on magical and spiritual applications use theword “infusion.” In this book, if I use the word “tea” I’m referring tosomethingyou’lldrink;ifIusetheword“infusion”I’mtalkingaboutaliquidthatyou’lluseinsomeotherapplication.

The basic preparation is known as a “simple,” which is a single-herbpreparation. This is the best and easiest way to access the energy of anindividual plant and the safest way to test new herbs for their effects. Thefollowingfourmethodsexplainhowtoextractandpreservetheenergiesandbenefitsofvariousherbs:

1.Infusionistheprocessbywhichleavesand/orflowersaresteepedforaperiodoftimeinwaterofaparticulartemperature.Asthewatercools,theherbalmattersteeps.Thisisagentletechniquethatallowsthewaterto extract the benefits and energies from fragile herbal matter. Aninfusioncreatestheweakestextraction.

2.Decoction is the process by which denser herbal matter is boiled inwaterforaspecificperiodoftime.Thistechniqueisusedforrootsandtwigsandbark.Adecoctioncreatesaslightlystrongerextraction.

3.Enfleurageisthemethodbywhichoilsandenergiesareextractedfromherbalmatterbysoakingtheherbinanoilorafat,eitherheatedoratroomtemperature.Theresultisanessentialoiliftheliquidisatroomtemperature,andapomadeiftheresultisasolid.Youroilwillvaryinstrength depending on how long you saturate your herbalmatter andhow frequently you change the depleted herbal matter for fresh.Withoutprofessionalequipment,itisdifficulttomakeaperfume-gradeessentialoilwitha strongscentathome.While scent is an importantaestheticelement, its strengthdoesnotnecessarilycorrespond tohowmuch energy is held in the essential oil. A magical oil may not,therefore, have a strong scent. Essential oils are used externally. (Toavoid serious illness or accidental poisoning, never use a homemadeessential oil internally; onlyusemedicinal-grade essential oils fromareputablecompany.)

4. Maceration is the process by which herbal matter is steeped in asolvent such as vinegar, alcohol, or glycerin. The result is called atincture.Tincturesarecommonlyusedformedicinalpurposes,usuallyby adding a few drops to a glass ofwater or spoonful of honey andconsumingit.Tincturescanalsobeusedmagically.Atincturewilllastformanymoreyears thanthedriedherb.Adriedherbloses itsflavorand magical potency after one to three years, whereas the tincturepreservestheherbalextract.

OTHERHERBALPREPARATIONSIn bothmedicine andmagic, there are a variety ofways to apply herbal

energies.Thefourmethodspreviouslydescribedresult in liquidsofvaryingviscosity.Todeliverthoseliquidsinmethodsotherthanpouringordrinkingthem, they can be combined with another base to offer a more flexibleapplication.Theresultsofmixingtheseliquidswithanotherbaseincludethefollowingpossibilities:

• Salves are created by melting beeswax and adding a liquid extract(usuallyanoil) to it, thenallowing it tocool. Infusionsanddecoctionsarealmostuselessinpreparingasalvebecausetheyaren’tstrongenoughtocarrytherequiredenergyorextract.Salvesarerubbedintothebodyoranobject.

• Liniments are liquids that are usually alcohol based. A liniment isdesignedtoberubbedbrisklyonthebody.

•Soaps take your liquid extracts and combine themwith a base of fatsdesigned to raise dirt from a surface, enabling it to be washed away.Magicalsoapsareparticularlyinterestingbecausetheyalsopullnegativeorundesirableenergyfromanobjectandallowittobewashedaway.Amagicalsoapremovesundesirableenergiesandleavesdesiredenergies.

BlessingYourCreationsAlthough everything has an innate energy and you empower everypreparationorcraftobjectyoucreatewithyourintention,sometimesit’snicetosealorenhance thecombinedenergies.Performinganelementalblessingupon anobject canhelp dedicate it to the purposeyou intend it for. It alsosends a signal to your own psyche that your work is finished and is nowperformingthefunctionforwhichitwasdesigned.

ELEMENTALBLESSINGThis blessing can be performed as the final step of any project or upon new objects oritemsintendedforashrine.Inessence,thisactpurifiestheobjectandthenblessesitwithpositiveenergy.

Thefollowingblessingiswrittenwiththeassumptionthattheobjectyouwillblessissmallenough tobeheld inyourhands. If it isnot,place it onornext to yourworkspaceandadjustyouractionsaccordingly.

Ifyouhavepreviouslycleansedtheobjectyouintendtobless,orifyouhaveempoweredit,youmayskipsteps2through6.

•Smalldishofsaltorearth(orasmallcrystalorotherstone)• Stick of incense in a holder, or herbal incense and a self-lighting charcoal briquette in aheatproofdish

•Candleincandleholder•Smalldishofwater•Matchesoralighter•Objecttobeblessed

1.Arrangeeachelementalsymbolonyourworkspace,eitherinasquareorinaline.Lighttheincenseandthecandle.Takethreedeepbreathstoreleasestresssoyoucanfocusonyourtask.

2.Pickup theobjectwithonehandor lay itonyourworkspace in frontofyou.Withyourotherhand,takeapinchofthesaltorearthandsprinkleitgentlyovertheobject(ortakethecrystalorstoneinyourhandandtouchittotheobject),saying:ByearthIcleanseyou.

3.Pickupthecandleandpassitaroundtheobjectinacounterclockwisedirection,saying:ByfireIcleanseyou.

4.Pickuptheincenseandpassitcounterclockwisearoundtheobject,saying:ByairIcleanseyou.

5.Touchyourfingertipstothewaterandsprinkleitovertheobject,saying:BywaterIcleanseyou.

6.Closeyoureyes,takethreeslowbreaths,andfocusontheobject.7.Takeanotherpinchofearthorsaltandsprinkleitovertheobject(ortouchthecrystalorstonetoit),saying:Youareblessedbyearth.

8.Pass the object carefully over the candle flame,making sure not to burn yourself or theobject,saying:Youareblessedbyfire.

9.Passtheobjectthroughthesmokeoftheincense,saying:Youareblessedbyair.10.Touchyourfingertipstothewaterandsprinkleitontheobject,saying:Youareblessedby

water.11.Holdtheobjectupintheair,orifitistooheavyplaceyourhandsuponitwhereitlies,and

say:IasktheGreenSpiritoftheUniversetoblessthisobjectinthenameofEarthandofallNature.

MakingHerbalIncenseIf you use incense in stick form, then you are familiar with the sweet andgentlesmokecreatedbylightingoneendofthestick,gentlyblowingouttheflame,andrestingthestickinacenserorincenseboattosmolderslowly.

Herbal incense is a completely different experience. It is a wonderfulmethod of experimentingwith the bounty of nature.When you create yourownherbalincense,youcanmixandmatchthekindsofmagicalenergiesyou

wish toweave together, tailoring them precisely to your specific goal.Youcanmakeasmuchoras little asyou like, empowering theblendwithyourownpersonalenergy.

Herbalincensemustalwaysbemadewithdriedherbs.Freshherbswillnotburncorrectlyandwillrotifyouattempttostorethem.Iftheonlysampleofthe herb youwish to use in your blend is fresh, then spread the herb on abaking sheet and place it in a barely warm oven (100°F) for forty-fiveminutes to an hour,watching it carefully.Alternatively, you can spread theherbinasinglelayeronapapertowelandmicrowaveitforthirtysecondsonhigh. Check to see how dry it is. You can microwave in ten-secondincrements for further drying. Some green witches, concerned that themicrowave damages the herb’s energy, recoil in horror at the idea ofmicrowavingtheirherbs,whereasothergreenwitcheshavenoqualmsaboutusingmodernequipmentsuchasamicrowave,ajuicer,oranelectriccoffeegrindertopreparetheirmagicalsupplies.It’syourchoice.Asamoderngreenwitch, usewhat youhave at yourdisposal, as long asyou feel comfortablewithit.

TESTYOURHERBSBeforeyoublendherbalincense,it’simportanttodosomeresearchtofind

outwhatkindsofherbsandflowersarebestforyourrecipe.Beforeyoumixand burn any herb or combination of herbs, it is important to look up thetoxicityofeachplant.Ifit’spoisonoustotouchoreat,chancesarethesmokeisalsopoisonoustobreathe.Don’ttakechances.

Onceyouhaveashort listoftheherbsyou’dliketouseinyourmagicalincense,takeanhourorsotolightasinglecharcoalbriquetteanddropatinypinchof eachherbby itself onto the ignited surface.Burningherbalmatterwillnotsmell likethefreshherb.Infact, itusuallysmellslikesomesortofvariationonburning leavesor grass clippings.Testing eachherb alonewillgiveyouanideaofwhatitsmellslike.Asitburns,makenotesinyourgreenwitchjournalaboutthesmell,thedensityofthesmoke,howquicklytheherbisconsumed,andwhatkindofenergyyousenseitgivingoffasitsmolders.Also make a note of how you react physically to the herb. It is better todiscovernow in a test run thatyou reactbadly to a certainherb thanwhenyou’reattemptingtouseitmagically.

Onceyou’vetestedeachherb,you’rereadytoworkwithproportions.Doyouwanttoaddmoreofoneherbandperhapsonlyapinchofanother?Muchofthegreenwitch’sworkisintuitive,whichmeansthatyou’llfeeldrawntosomething without necessarily having solid information or reasoning tosupportyourfeeling.

RESINSOneoftheplaintruthsaboutusingherbalincenseisthatitdoesn’talways

smellassweetasstore-boughtstickincense.Addingresininanequalamounttoyourherbalblendwillnotonly improve the incense’sburn rate,butwillalsoprovideamoreagreeablebasenotetoyourburningincense.Resinshavebeenusedforcenturiesinvariousculturesassweet-smellingofferingstothegods.Theycarryvariousmagicalassociationsjustasherbsdo.

Before adding one or more resins to an herbal blend, however, drop asinglegrainoftheresinoratinypinchofpowderontoacharcoalbriquettetoacquaintyourselfwiththescentoftheresinonitsown.Makenotesinyourjournalastothescentoftheresinasitmeltsonthecharcoal,thedensityofsmoke itproduces, theenergy itgivesoff,andhow itmakesyou feel. (Seeinstructionsonhowtousecharcoalbriquetteslateroninthischapter.)

While the release of certain energies is the primary goal of greenwitchmagic,aestheticsarealsoimportant.Tothatend,Iadviseusingoneormoreofthefollowingresinsasabaseforyourherbal incense(rememberthat theamountofresinshouldequalthetotalamountofherbalmatter).

COPALThisresincomesinvariousshadesofwhite,gold,andblack,andthescent

isslightlydifferentforeachkind.Goldencopalismostcommon,andifyoupickupapacketmarkedsimply“copal,”that’swhatit’slikelytobe.CopalisthepetrifiedsapoftheBurseraodorataandhasanappealingsweetscentthatmakes an excellent base for floral or lighter herbal incense blends. Copalcarries an energy that is particularly good for love, house blessings,dedications, meditation, protection, celebration, solar energy, and creatingsacredspace.

FRANKINCENSEOne of the most popular resins, the golden-toned frankincense is the

solidifiedsapoftheBoswelliacarteriitree,sometimescalledtheolibanum.Ithasaslightlyspicy-sweetscentandmakesanexcellentall-purposebaseforjust about any herbal incense. Frankincense is traditionally associated withsanctity, purification, meditation, protection, joy, celebration, solar energy,andconsecration.

MYRRHAnother common resin, myrrh is brownish and has a darker, slightly

bittersweetscent.ItcomesfromtheCommiphoramyrrha,orgummyrrhtree,

and carries themagical associations of sanctity, honoring the dead and thespiritworld,purification,andhealing.Myrrhaddsabitofextrapowertoanyherbalincense;addingjustagrainortwowilldothejob.

BENZOINThisgrayish resin isusually found inpowdered form. It comes from the

Styraxbenzointreeandhasalight,clean,slightlysweetscent.Itisexcellentforpurifying,healing,prosperity,andattractioningeneral.

STYRAXSometimes spelled storax, this black resin is a softer, earthier resin than

thosepreviouslylisted.ItcomesfromtheLiquidambarstyraciflua tree. It isexcellentforhealingandgrounding.

DRAGON’SBLOODThisredresinisthepetrifiedsapofthepalmtreeknownasDaemonorops

draco,or thedragon’sbloodpalm. It isoneof thekey ingredients inviolinstain.Itisremarkablystickyandwillclingtoyourfingersandtools.Dragon’sbloodisfrequentlyusedforprotection,purification,andasageneraladditiontoyourspellsasanall-purposepowerboost.

SANDALWOODOften blended into herbal incenses or used as a base, sandalwood isn’t

technicallyaresin,butapowderedorshreddedwood.Availablebothinred(Adenanthera pavonina) and white (Santalum album), sandalwood isgenerallyassociatedwithspirituality,purification,meditation,peace,healing,andprotection.

Resins are usually sold by weight in packets of rough grains or chips.Generally,itisbesttopowderyourresinbeforeblendingitwithyourherbalmatter.Thiswillentailabitofgrindingonyourpartwithastonemortarandpestle(woodisunsuitableforgrindingresins)orusingasmallcoffeegrinderreserved only for grinding herbs and resins.The powdered resinwill blendbetterwiththedriedherbsandyieldasmootherburn.

BLENDINGHERBALINCENSEWhenyoucreatearecipeforherbalincense,lookatthepurposeforwhich

you are creating it and select a combination of herbs and resins that will

supportthatgoalwiththeirenergies.Forexample,aprosperityincensemayincludeonepartbenzoinastheresinbase,withonepartherbalblendofmint,basil, andcinnamon, all ofwhichare associatedwithprosperity.Likeotherwitches,greenwitchesoftenliketoworkinmultiplesofthreeontopoftheirbaseingredient.ThreeisanumberassociatedwiththeGoddess.Youmayalsolike toworkwith amultipleof four tohonor the four elements.There’snofirmrule,however,astohowmanyorhowfewresinsorherbstouseinanincense; usewhat you feel drawn to using.But remember thatmore is notnecessarilybetter.

Thebasicstepstoblendingherbalincensearesimple.Ifnecessary,gentlygrind the resin until the pieces are in small granules. Be careful not toovergrind them, or the heat produced by the mortar and pestle or coffeegrinderwillmake the resin sticky. Crumble or powder the dried herbs andplacetheminthejarwiththeresin.Capitandshakeuntiltheingredientsarewellblended.Don’tforgettowritethefinalrecipeinyourjournal,alongwiththe magical purpose and the date on which you blended it, and label thecontainer.

Tofurtherenhanceyourherbalincense,youmayadduptothreedropsofessentialoiltothemixturebeforeyoucapandshakeit.Again,consideryourmagicalgoalandchooseanappropriateessentialoil.Youmayusetheoilofan herb or resin that is already a part of your blend to strengthen thatparticularscentoranotheroil toaddadifferentenergyto theblend.Donotusemorethanthreedrops,ortheincensewillbetoowettoburn.

Onceyourherbalincenseisblended,youmayuseitrightawayorleaveittositandallowtheenergiestoblendforaweekorsobeforeusingit.

EMPOWERINGHERBALINCENSEYou can use the incense as it is. However, like any othermagical craft or preparation,empoweringtheincensewillweavetheenergiestogetherbetterandfocusthemspecificallyuponyourmagicalgoal.

There are twoways to empower your herbal incense.Most greenwitches employ themboth.Thefirstistovisualizeyourmagicalgoalasyougrindandblendeachherbandresin.Thismethodallowsyoutoprogrameachcomponentseparately.Thesecondmethodisasfollows:

1. Hold the jar of finished incense in your hands. Take three deepbreathstofocus.Thinkofyourmagicalgoal.

2.Visualizea sparkling light formingaround the jar inyourhands.This sparkling light is the energy that empowers the incense, theenergyassociatedwithyourmagicalgoal.

3.Imaginethesparklinglightbeingabsorbedintotheblendofresinsandherbs.Theherbal incensehasnowbeen energizedwith your

magicalgoal.Itisempoweredforthatuse.

BURNINGHERBALINCENSEHerbal incense is burned on small, round charcoal briquettes that are

availableatNewAgeandreligioussupplyshops.Toburnherbalincense,youwillrequirethefollowingthreethings:

1.Asmall,roundbriquetteofself-ignitingcharcoal(thisisNOTbarbecuecharcoal)

2.Aheatproofcenserwithalayerofsandorearthinit3.Alighterorlong-stemmedmatches

Self-ignitingcharcoalbriquettescomeinvarioussizes.Idon’trecommendthe1/2-inchsize,astheyareeasytosmotherwithaspoonfulof incenseandprone to falling apart or exploding if not handled correctly. I recommendbuying the1-inchbriquettesandusinghalfabriquetteata time(youreallydon’t need a whole briquette for a single spoonful of herbal incense). Abriquettewillburnforforty-fiveminutestoanhour,andburningaspoonfulofherbalincensedoesn’ttakelongatall.

Caution:Never, everuseoutdoorbarbecuecharcoal,as it releasesdangerous fumes thatcanbefatalwhenusedindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedspace.

Asinglespoonfulofincenseisusuallyallyou’llneedtoreleaseitsenergyinto your space. A scant teaspoonful sprinkled on a glowing charcoal willrelease a cloud of smoke. Unlike stick incense, herbal incense burns all atonceuntil it isgone,andthusreleasesmoresmokeandscentoverashorterperiodoftime.Theenergyandscentlingerinthespace,however,sothere’sno need to keep piling on the incense blend to produce a steady supply ofsmoke.Ifyoutrytoburntoomuchincense,theroomwillbecometoosmokyandit’slikelytosetoffyoursmokedetector.Withherbalincense,alittlegoesalongway.Whenyouuseherbalincense,you’reactuallysmolderingit,notburning it—there’sno flame involved.Thebitsof resinmeltand theherbalmatterturnsblackandcracklesaway.

Ifyouchoosetousematchestolightthecharcoal,long-stemmedmatchesarepreferablebecauseshort safetymatchesburndown tooquickly.A long-handled barbecue lighter is ideal for lighting charcoal briquettes. Althoughthere are a few brave souls who hold the charcoal with fingers while theylight it, Idon’t recommend this forobvioussafetyreasons.Thebestway tolightcharcoalistoholditinonehandwithapairoftweezersorasmallpairoftongswhileyouapplytheflametothecharcoalwithyourotherhand.Holdthe flame to theedgeof thebriquette, andas it catches fire itwillbegin to

sparkle. If your charcoal is particularly quick, those sparkles will begin tomoveacrossthesurfaceofthebriquette,firingtherestofthesurface.Ifyourcharcoal is very denselymade or slightly dampbecause of humidity in theenvironment, youmay have to hold the flame to different areas to light asmany as possible before they combine to ignite the rest of the briquette.Rememberthatyourtweezersortongsaremetalandwillconducttheheatofthecharcoalbriquetteonceitbeginstoignite.

Whenthebriquettehasfullyignited,layitdowncarefullyonthelayerofsand or earth in your censer. You can use almost any heatproof dish as acenser,aslongasithasalayerofmaterialtoabsorbtheheatofthecharcoal.Tobeon thesafeside,youcanputa trivetorheatproofcoasterunderyourcensertoprotectyourtableoraltarfromheatdamage.

Wait until the sparkles have finished coursing across the surface of thebriquette and the surface has begun to glow faintly red.At this point, yourcharcoal is ready to receive a teaspoonful of herbal incense or a pinch ofresin.Somepeopleprefertowaituntilthereisathinlayerofgrayashontopofthebriquettebeforesprinklingincenseonit.

Don’t just pile a heaping spoonful of the herbal incense on the charcoalbriquette.Sprinkleitgently,visualizingthegoalforwhichyou’vecreatedtheblend.Asolidchunkofincensecansmotherthecharcoalbriquette.

When the incense has finished burning, you can wait fifteen or twentyminutesfor thesmoketodissipateabit, thensprinkleanotherhalf-teaspoonofincenseonthecharcoal.Whenthishasburnedaway,leavethecharcoaltoburnoutonitsown.Itwillturntograyash.Allowthisashtocool,thenstiritgentlyintothesandorearthinyourcenser.

Keepingasmallbottleofwaterorasecondbowlofearthorsandnearbytosmother the charcoal and incense should it somehow get out of control isalwaysanintelligentprecaution.

STORINGHERBALINCENSEWhenyoumakeyourfirsttrialbatchofherbalincense,makeitinasmall

quantitysothatifyoudon’tlikeityouwon’tbestuckwithawholebottleofthestuff.Markdowntheproportionsoftherecipesothatifyoulikeit,youcanincreaseiteasily.

Ikeepmyherbalincenseinsmallspicejarsinadarkcupboard.Ialsouse4-ounce(125-ml)canningjars.Babyfoodjarsarealsoideal,soifyouhaveachildorknowsomeonewhodoes, ask for empty jars,wash themwell, andmakesurethey’recompletelydrybeforeyouusethem.Alwaysmakesuretoclearly label the jar.Write thenameof the incense and thedateon the capwithagreasepenciloronaself-sticklabel.Nomatterhowfirmlyyoubelievethatyou’llrememberexactlywhattheblendisforbythescentorthelookof

the incense, I guarantee that youwon’t. The date is important because youwillbeabletolookatyourgreenwitchjournalandseewhatelsewasgoingon when you blended that incense (and perhaps exactly what inspired theblendinthefirstplace).Threetofiveyearsfromnow,you’llknowthatyouhavetomakeupafreshbatchformagicaluseandthrowtheoldoneout(orusetheoldoneforperfumepropertiesonly).

Suggestedrecipesforthesevencentralenergiesofthegreenwitch:•Happiness:frankincense,lemon,orange•Harmony:lavender,whitesandalwoodpowder,jasmine•Health:myrrh,benzoin,hyssop,eucalyptus•Love:copal,rose,jasmine,cinnamon•Peace:frankincense,lavender,violet•Prosperity:frankincense,pine,basil,mint,cinnamon•Protection:dragon’sblood,rosemary,clove

CreateSpellBagsSpell bags, which are small fabric bags into which you place a variety ofobjects and items chosen for theirmagical associations, areused invariousmagicalapplications.Spellbagscanbemadeinanysizeandusedanywhere.You can hang one above the door, tuck one into your car’s glovecompartment,tuckthemindrawers,handbags,hangthemonbedposts...theonlylimitisyourimagination.

Here is a basic small protection-charm project. Use it as a basis forcreatingyourownspellbags.

PROTECTIONCHARMThis spell bag is designed to be hung above your front or back door,whichever is usedmorefrequently.

•2(3×5-inch)piecesofredorblackfabric•Iron(optional)•Threadtomatch•Needle•Pins•1(12-inch)lengthofredyarnornarrowribbon•1snowflakeobsidian•1teaspooncarawayseeds•1teaspoonmugwort•Pinchofsalt

1.Makeasmallhemalongoneoftheshortsidesofthefabricrectangleasfollows:Foldtheedge of one of the 3-inch-long sides of one cloth rectangle down 1/4 inch, wrong side towrongside,andpressintoplacewithyourfingersortheiron.Usingarunningstitch,sewtheedgedown.Repeatontheotherpieceofcloth.

2.Placetheclothrectanglesfacetoface,rightsidetorightside,matchingedges.(Thefoldededgewillbefacingoutonboth.)Pinintoplace.

3.Usingarunningstitch,sewalongthethreerawedgesoftherectangle.Leavethesidewiththehemsopen.Turnthepouchrightsideout.

4.Foldtheyarnorribboninhalf.Securethefoldtotheoutsideofoneofthesideseamsofthepouchwithacoupleofsmallstitches.

5.Intothissmallpouch,placethesnowflakeobsidianandtheherbs.6.Tiethespellbagshutwiththeyarnorribbon.Hangfromasmallnailaboveyourdoor.

By using a tie on the spell bag, you can open it and add other items asneededtosupplementthemagicalenergy.Spellbagscanalsobesewnshut,likesmallpillows,althoughifthisisdonetheyshouldnotbeopened.

If there comesa timewhen the spellbag isno longer required,or if theusefulness ispast, thenundoorunpick the spellbagandseparate the itemsinside. Dispose of them separately, adding the herbs to your garden orcompost.

CraftaDreamPillowAnotherformofspellbag,thedreampillowallowsthegentleenergiesoftheherbs to interact with your own energy while you sleep. Tuck the dreampillow under your bed pillow, hang it on your bedpost, or set it on yourbedside table. Made on a larger scale, dream pillows can become herbalpillows.

Whenmakingdreamorherbpillows,theamountofmagicyouapplyisuptoyou.Anidealwaytoreinforcethemagicalgoaloftheherbsinthedreampillow is to choose cloth of an appropriate color you associate with themagical goal. If you add a ribbon to the pillow for hanging, choose anappropriate length to slipover thebedpostorhangonanail in thewallbyyourbed.

SWEETDREAMSPILLOWThispillowisdesignedtoencouragerelaxationandsootherestlesssleep.

•1tablespoonviolets•1tablespoonspearmint•2tablespoonslavender•Smallbowl•1(8×4-inch)rectangleofcloth(yourchoiceofcolor)•Threadtomatch•Pins•Needle•Iron(optional)•Cottonbatting(aboutthesizeofyourfist,or2(4×4-inch)squares)•Ribbon(optional;forlength,seepreviousparagraph)

1.Blendtheherbsinthebowlwithyourfingertips.

2.Foldtherectangleofclothoverontoitselfsothatyouhaveasquareofdoubledmaterial.Ifyou are using a fabricwith a design,make sure the design is on the inside. Pin the twohalvestogether.

3.Usingarunningstitch,sewalongtwoofthethreeopensidesofthefabricsquare,leavingonesideopen.

4.Foldapproximately1/4inchoftherawedgeoftheopensidedownonwhatiscurrentlytheoutsideofthepouch.Finger-presstheedgesothatitstayscreased,orusetheiron.Turnthefabricpouchrightsideout,sothattheseamsaretotheinside.(Therawedgeofthepressedsideshouldbeinsidethepouch.)

5.Teaseout your cottonor cottonbatting so it is fluffier and larger.Place theherbs in thecenterofthecottonandfoldtheedgesinwardsothattheherbsarerolledinsidethecotton.Ifthecottonbattingisflat,layoneofthesquaresdown,pourtheherbsinthemiddle,laythesecondsquareontop,andsecureallfoursideswitharunningstitch.

6.Tucktheherbsinthecottonbattinginsidethefabricpouch.Pintheopensideclosed.Ifyouareaddingaribbonhanger,foldyourpieceofribbonandinserttheendsintotheopensideofthepouchandpinthemintoplace.Sewthepillowclosedwitharunningstitch,sewingtheribbonintoplaceasyougo.

7.Tuckyournewdreampillowunderyourbedpilloworplacenexttoyourpillowbeforeyousleep.

Youcanincreasethesizeofthispillow.Thelargeryoumakeit,however,themorecottonbattingyouwillneedtoprotecttheherbsinside.Youmayuseasmanyorasfewherbsasyoulike.Herearesomesuggestedblendsfordreampillows:

•Peace:lavender,poppy,gardenia•Harmony:chamomile,violet,calendula•Happiness:honeysuckle,sunflower•Love:rose,jasmine,gardenia•Health:eucalyptus,nutmeg,carnation•Prosperity:cinnamon,orange,basil•Protection:geranium,sage,clove

GardenSpellBagsThistypeofbagisseparatefromthegeneralspellbagsbecauseitcallsforaslightly different approach. Because a garden spell bag is designed todecompose and fall apart, it requires a different set of ingredients andsupplies.

Agardenspellbagisacharmdesignedtobehungoutsideorburiedinaparticularplace.Thesebagsaregenerallymadeforprotectionoftheproperty,protectionforaparticularareaonthepropertysuchasaspecialplantorbed,or to increase the fertility of the garden in general.Because these bags arehungoutdoorsintheelements,they’regenerallysmall;thisisforconvenienceaswellasaesthetics.Asthebagdecomposes,theherbsyoustuffedinitstartfalling out of it. Herbs falling out of a large bagwould become untidy. Asmallerspellbagensureslessofamess,aswellasalower-profilecharm.Ifyou want to make a larger protective charm of some kind, think about astepping stone (see later in this chapter) or something made of a morepermanentmaterial.

Anotherreasontokeepthisgardencharmsmallerthanaregularspellbagordreampillowisthatyouwillbefillingitcompletelywithherbs,notusingbattingorstuffing.Tomakethecharm,cutouttwosquaresorrectanglesandsew them together, as directed in the dream pillow section. Eliminate thestuffingorbatting,andsimplyfillthebagwithherbs.Sewthelastsideshut,addingahangerasdirectedinthedreampillowprojectoraribbontieasinthespellbag,andhangitinanappropriateplaceoutdoors.

Whenyoudesignagardenspellbag,besuretoselectamaterialwovenofnatural fibers, preferably 100 percent cotton, although wool and silk areacceptable.Naturalfiberwillensurethatthematerialdecomposescompletelyandwithoutdamagetotheenvironment.Youcanchoosethecoloraccordingto your magical intention or use a neutral color, like white or unbleachedcotton.Remember,however, that therainwillsoakthepillowandtheherbsinside will stain the fabric; the sun will also bleach it, affecting the coloralmost immediately. Do not, therefore, expect your garden charm to lookbeautifulformorethanafewdays.Theprocessesofbleachingorstaininganddecompositionarepartof themagic: thegradualdestructionof thephysicalcharmreleasestheenergy.Whenthefabrichaswornthrough,youcanchoosetoburythebaginaselectedspotorinyourcompostheap.Replacinggardencharmscanbecomepartofyourregularmagicalmaintenanceofyourgardenspace.Youcaneithermakethesamespellbag(andwritedownthenewdateinyourgreenwitchjournalsothatyoukeeptrackofhowoftenyouhavetoreplace the charm) or you can evaluate your garden’s current needs anddesignanewone(again,notingthedateandnewsuppliesyouuseandwhy).

Ifyouaddastonetoyourgardenspellbag,youmaychoosetoburyitwiththerestoftheremainsortoreuseitinyournextcharm.Reusingthestoneisaniceway tomaintaincontinuitywith theenergyofyourgarden,even if theherbs you use are different. Do not include metal charms or addnonbiodegradable substances to the herbal mixture, as they can poison thegarden.

MakeaBroomInChapter 2 you learned how to use a broom to purify an area. Finding anatural-bristle broom can be a challenge. But there’s no need to despair.Makingherowntoolsisatime-honoredpracticeforawitchofanykind,andmakingabroomisparticularlyeasy.

CREATEATWIGBROOM

Gathertwigsandalongerstickfrombelowthetreeswhereyoulivesoyourbroomisatooltiedintotheenergyofyourparticulargeographiclocation.Mixedwithyourownpersonalenergy,thisnaturalenergywillcreateabroomvibratingwithgreenwitchpower!Trytoidentify the trees from which you gather your twigs. The more you know about yoursupplies,themoretunedintotheirenergyyou’llbe.

If you have trees on your own land, save twigs and a long stick during your annualpruning.Otherwise, you canusuallywalk residential streets in the fall andgather twigsfrom the piles of pruned material lying on the curbside for rubbish pickup. Ask theresident’spermissiontotakethebranchesandtwigsifthey’relyingonprivateproperty.Ifthewood you pick up is wet, allow it to dry in a protected, ventilated space, such as agarageoryourbasement,foracoupleofweeks.

Whenmakingabroom, it is importanttowindthe leathertightlyaroundthetwigs.Thetensionispartofwhatkeepsthetwigsontheendofthebroom.

•Workgloves(optional)•Newspaper• 1 stout stick, approximately 5 feet long, between 3/4 and 1 inch indiameter

•Saw(optional)•Sandpaper• Twigs approximately 18 inches long, no thicker than 1/4 inch each(enough to make a 3-inch pile when you gather them together inyourhands)

•Woodglue•Leatherstriporcord,5feetlong,atleast3/4inchwide•4finishingnails•Hammer

1.Coveryourworkareawithnewspaper.2.Takethe5-footstickanddecidewhichendwillbethetopofthehandleandwhichendwillbethesweepingend.Ifthestickhasbarkonit,decidewhetheryouwishtostripitofforkeepiton.Ifyou’reusingabranchbrokenoffatree,youmaywishtosawthetopendflat.Sandthetopendofthehandlesothatnosharpedgesorsplintersremain.

3. Sort through the pile of smaller sticks and cut or break off any that have other twigsstickingoutatoddangles.Withthesaw,trimthemalltoroughly18incheslong.

4. Take one of the thicker twigs and set it against the bottom end of the broom’s handle.Overlaptheendsofthetwigandthebroomhandlesothatapproximately5-6inchesofthetwig is lyingagainst thebottom5 inchesof thebroom. (Thetwigwillextendabouta footpasttheendofthebroom.)Dotwoodgluealongthoseoverlapping5inchesandpressthetwigagainstthebroom.Layingoneendoftheleatherstripacrossthetwig,addadropofwoodgluetosecureittothewood.Holdingittogetherfirmly,hammeroneofthefinishingnailsthroughtheleatherstripandthetwigintothebroom.

5. Spread a thin layer of glue around the bottom 5 inches of the broom and begin to addadditional18-inchtwigs,overlappingthetop5-6 inchesofeachtwigagainst thebottom5inchesofthebroom.Placethesecondtwigovertheleatherstrip,thenthenexttwigunderit.Makesureyoumaintainaconsistenttensionontheleatherstrip.

6.Whenyoureachthefirsttwigagain,dotsomemoregluealongthetop5inchesofthefirstlayeroftwigsandcontinueaddingmoretwigs,stillalternatingtheleatherstripaboveandbelowtwigs.Remember tokeep the twigswrapped tight.Don’tworryaboutmakingsure

the ends of the twigs are perfectly even. This is a handmade broom and a tool ofmagicdesignedtosweepairandenergy,notanevenfloor.Itdoesn’thavetobeperfect.

7.Whenyouhavereachedthehalfwaypointofthesecondlayer,oppositewhereyoustarted,holdthe leathertautandhammerasecondfinishingnail throughitandthetwig intothefirstlayeroftwigsandthehandlebelow.Continueaddingtwigs.

8.Continueaddingthetwigstothebroom,dottingmorewoodgluealongthetopsofthetwigsasyoubeginanotherlayer.Keepwindingtheleatheroverandunderthetwigs.

9.Whenyouaresatisfiedwiththethicknessofthetwigendofthebroom,orwhenyoucometotheendofyourpileoftwigs,hammeranothernailintotheleatherandthetwigsthroughtothebroomhandle.Dotmoregluealongtheinsideoftherestoftheleatherstripandwraptheleatheraroundandaroundthetwigs.Pullittight.Securetheendoftheleatherwithafinaldotofglueandonefinalnail.

10.Allowthebroomtorestflat(notdangling)onatableorfloorforatleastthirty-sixhours,oruntilthegluehascompletelydried.Ifyouwishtofurtherdecorateyourbroombywindingleatheraroundthehandle,addingfeathersorshellsorstones,orbycarvingit,dosowhentheglueisdry.

11.Beforeyouuseyournewmagicalbroomforthefirsttime,empoweritbyholdingitinyourhandsandvisualizingasparklingwhite lightglowingaround it.See thesparklingenergybeingabsorbedintothebroom.Ifyoulike,youmayfurtherblessitwiththefourelements(seetheElementalBlessinginthischapter).

CraftBalmsorPerfumesThismagicalcraft takesanessentialoilofyourchoiceandmakes itasolidbalm,which can be used as amagical perfume.The term “balm” indicatescomfortofsomekind,aswellasasolidsubstancethatmeltswhenappliedtothewarmthoftheskin.

Itisimportanttorememberthatbalmsaremagicalinnature,whichmeansthat the energiesof theoils actupon the energyof the individualwhousesthem.

Makesure the jar, tin,orcontaineryouchoose tocontain thebalmhasawide enough mouth for you to reach inside with your fingers. Choose acontainer that isn’t too deep and make sure that the lid closes tightly topreservethecontentsaslongaspossible.

Alsobesuretocarefullyresearchtheoilsyouwishtouse.Youdon’twanttousetoomuchofanoil,likecinnamon,thatcanirritateyourskin.Alwaysconsideryourskin’ssensitivity.

Whenapplyingthebalm,useonlyasmallamount.Scoopupabitonyourfingertipandrubitgentlywithacircularmotionontheareawhereyouwishtoapplyit.Donotallowthebalmtocomeincontactwithyoureyes.Washyourhandsafteryouhaveusedthebalmoraftertheritualactivityyouwishtobeenhancedbythebalm.Inthesummer,keepyourbalminthefridgeforacoolingsensationwhenyouapplyit.

Balmsshouldnotbeappliedtotheskinofchildren.

MAGICALBALMRemembertolabelthetinorcontainerclearlywiththenameofthebalm.Writetherecipeinyourgreenwitchjournal.

•11/2teaspoonsbeeswaxbeads•1/4cupsweetalmondoilorjojobaoil•Small,clean,emptycan•Saucepanandwater•5-9dropsessentialoil(s)ofyourchoice•1teaspoonvitaminEoil(optional)•Smalljarorcontainer

1.Placethebeeswaxbeadsandthealmondorjojobaoilinthesmall,cleancan.DoNOTcoverthecan.Placethecaninasaucepanfilledapproximatelyhalf-fullwithwater.(Thiscreatesadoubleboilerandkeepstheflammableoilsfromcomingintocontactwithflameorheatingcoils.)Set thesaucepanonthestoveovermediumheatandallowtheheatof thewatertomeltthebeeswaxandalmondorjojobaoil.

2.Removethesaucepanfromthestove.Wearingovenmittstoprotectyourhands,removethecanfromthewaterbath.SwirlinthedropsofessentialoilandthevitaminEoil.Asyoudothis,empowerthemixturewithyourmagicalintent.

3.Allowthemixturetocoolslightly.Asitcools,thesurfacewillsolidify.UsingachopstickoraPopsiclestick,stiritgentlytorecombinethesolidwiththeliquid.Asyoustir,reinforceyourmagicalintent.

4.Whenthemixturehascooledbutbeforeitiscompletelysolid,pouritintothecleanjarorcontainerandsealit.Labelitwiththecontentsandthedate.

5.Tousethebalm,scoopasmallamountontoafingertipandsmoothontoyourskin.

Herearesomesuggestionsforbalms:

•Forameditationbalm,use3dropsoflavender,3dropsofsandalwood,and 2 drops of violet. Rub a small amount into your temples and theinsideofyourwrists.Thisisalsoanexcellentblendtouseforrelaxationandtoaidsleep,anditthusdoublesasapeaceandharmonybalm.

• For a purification balm, use 2 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops offrankincense,and3dropsofjasmine.Dotasmallamountonyourthirdeye (in the center of your forehead), on your chest, and on the solarplexus.Usewheneveryouwishtoclearnegativeemotionorenergyfromyouremotionalorphysicalbody.

•Foralovebalm,use3dropsofroseoil,3dropsofjasmine,2dropsoflavenderoil,and1dropofvanillaoil.Dotontheinsideofyourwrists,overyourheart,atthenapeofyourneck,andbehindyourknees.(Notethat this balm is a general loveblend. It canbeused for self-love andaffectionaswellasanyothersortofpurposeassociatedwithlove.)

•Foranabundancebalm,use1dropofcinnamon,2dropsoforange,3dropsofmint,and2dropsofpine.Rubasmallamountinthepalmsofyourhandsandonthesolesofyourfeet.

•Forahealingbalm,use2dropsof rosemary,2dropsofeucalyptus,2dropsofmyrrh,and2dropsofsandalwood.Thisbalmcanbeusedfor

spiritual,emotional,andphysicalhealing.Thisisparticularlygoodusedon the chest or back. Avoid using this balm near eyes or mucousmembranes, or on thin or sensitive skin, because rosemary andeucalyptuscanirritate.

•Forahappinessbalm,use1dropof limeoil,2dropsof lemonoil,2dropsofroseoil,and2dropsoflavenderoil.Applytothewristsorthebackofthehands,theknees,thefeet,andoveryourheart.Forabright,citrus-basedhappinessbalm,use2dropsof limeoil,2dropsof lemonoil,2dropsoforangeoil,and2dropsofbergamotoil.

BuildGardenSteppingStonesThismagicalcraftincorporatesherbs,gemsorcrystals,andanyothernaturalelementyouwishtoinclude.

Followingaretwodifferentkindsofsteppingstones.Thefirstcallsforyoutomixandpouryourownconcrete; the secondusesapremadeconcreteorstoneslabpurchasedfromagardencenter.Eachmethodproducesadifferentmagical stepping stone, but with imagination you can substitute one set ofmagical supplies for theother,or comeupwithyourowncombinations foryourowngoals.

Once your stepping stone is decorated and varnished, keep it inside foranother week to ensure that it has completely cured. During the pouringprocessandwhilethestoneisdrying,donotmovethemold.

When you place your stepping stone outside, consider carefully the areabestsuitedforit.Whilethesearecommonlycalled“steppingstones,”theyareoften very unsuitable for being actually walked on because of the raiseddecorationssetintothemandthedetailyoumayputintoembellishingthem.Placingtheminagardennearapatioorwalkwaywheretheycanbeseenbutnotdisturbedisoftenthebestchoice.

Although these stepping stones are theoretically weatherproof, to avoidcrumblingorbreakageyoumaywishtobringtheminsideforstorageifyoulive in a climate with a severe winter. Inspect your stepping stone everycoupleofweeksorsotoseehowit’sholdinguptotheelements.Ifyouusetoomuchwaterinyourconcretemix,thesteppingstonemayslowlycrumbleaway. If that happens,make a note in your greenwitch journal to use lesswater next time, and declare this stepping stone to be a time-release spell.Whenithasdegradedbeyondrecognition,ortoapointwhereyounolongerwish to display it, then remove it with respect, thank it for its work, anddisposeofitinthetrash.Donotburyit,asnotallthesuppliesyoumayusewillbebiodegradable.

PROTECTIVESTEPPINGSTONEPlacethisstoneinyourgardenorbyyourfrontdoortoextenditsprotectiveenergytothearea.Thismagicalcraftisbestdoneoutside,andit’sbesttowearanapronoveryourworkclothes.While itwill only take approximately twohours tomake thebasic stone, itwilltakeatleastthreedaysforittodry.

•Newspaper•Rubbergloves•1(1-foot×1-foot)pieceofscreening•Aluminumfoilpieplate(atleast2inchesdeep)•1tablespooneachofthreeprotectiveherbs(yourchoice;tryangelica,rosemary,andcloves)•Paintstirrer•Smallbagofconcretemix(quick-setting,oraspecialstepping-stoneblend)•Bucket•Water•Measuringcup•Oldservingspoon(optional)•4obsidianstonesintheshapeofarrowheads•TwigorPopsiclestick(optional)•Acrylicpaintsandbrushes(optional)•Clearvarnish(asprayvarnishiseasiest)(optional)

1.Spreadthenewspaperoveryourworksurfacetoprotectit.2.Putontherubberglovesandcutthescreeningtofitinsideyourpieplate.Thescreeningwillservetoreinforceyoursteppingstoneoncethestoneisdry.

3.Blendtheherbstogetherandsetthemaside.4.Usethepaintstirrertomixtheconcretepowderwiththewaterinthebucket.Aproportionoffivepartsconcretetoonepartwatergenerallyworkswell,butreadthedirectionsonyourbag.Addmorepowdertothickenit,morewatertothinit.Themixtureshouldbethickandwet,butnotsplashy—more likedrop-cookiedoughthancakebatter.Donotmakeup theentirebag.Useonlyasmuchasyouthinkyou’llneedtofillthepieplate(withabitextrajusttomakesure).

5.Pourorspoontheconcreteintothealuminumpieplate(themold),fillingitapproximatelyhalf-full.Tapthemoldtoreleaseanyairbubbles,andusethestirrertosmooththeconcreteout.

6. Lay the screening on top of the concrete in themold. Pourmore concrete on top of thescreening, filling themold approximately 2/3 full. Tap the mold again to release any airbubbles.

7. Sprinkle the herbs on top of the concrete, visualizing their protective energy spreadingthroughtheconcrete.

8.Pourmoreconcreteontopoftheherbs,fillingthemoldcompletely.Tapthemoldathirdmagicaltimetoreleaseanyairbubbles.

9.Leavethemoldtorestforapproximatelythirtyminutestoonehour(checktheinstructionsonyourbagofconcretemix).Thiswillallowittosetslightlyandgiveyouafirmersurfaceintowhichtopressthestones.

10.Placethefourobsidianstonesinastarburstshapeinthemiddleofthestone,withtheflatendsformingasquareinthecenterandthepointsfacingtheedgeofthecircle.Firmlypressthem into the surface of the concrete. As you do, visualize the arrows repelling anynegativitythatapproachesthestone.

11.Ifyoudesire,useatwigoraPopsiclesticktodrawsymbolsorwritewordsonthesurfaceofthestone.

12.Now set the stepping stoneaside ina safeplace to cure forat least twodays,preferablythree. Again, verify the instructions on your bag of concrete. You may want to leave itlonger to be on the safe side so your stonewon’t crumble if you take it out of themoldbeforeithascompletelydried.

13.Popthestoneoutofthemoldbyturningitoverandplacingitonthenewspaper-protectedsurface.Gentlyloosenthesidesandpeelthealuminumpieplateawayfromthestone.Turnthestoneoversothattheobsidianstarburstisontop.

14. If you choose, youmaypaint the stone.Once thepaints havedried, coat all sides of thestonewithaclearvarnishtoprotectthesurface.

HAPPINESSSTEPPINGSTONEThisstoneattractsjoyandlaughter.Placeitbyyourfrontdoortoinvitethisenergyintoyourhome.Withthisproject,itisbesttouseasmallprecaststoneasabasebecauseyou’llbe covering the entire surfacewith your chosen gems and crystals. This technique usesmortarandgrouttoaffixthedecorationstotheprecaststone.

•Blankpaperlargerthantheprecaststeppingstone•Pencil•Plainprecastconcretegardensteppingstone•Aselectionoftumbledgemsandstonessuchascitrine,tiger’seye,moonstone,sodalite,orrosequartz

•Heavyrubbergloves•Bucketorcleanplasticice-creamcontainer•Thin-setmortar•Paintstirrer•Water•Mortartrowel•Tilegrout•Oldrubberspatula•Sponge•Softcloth

1.Tracethesteppingstoneontheblankpaper,thensetthesteppingstoneaside.Onthepaper,arrangethegemsandstones inapleasingpatterninsidetheoutlineofthesteppingstone.Useenoughstonestofilltheoutlinealmostcompletely,butthegemsshouldnotquitetoucheachother.Setthepaperandstonescarefullyaside.

2.Rinse theblanksteppingstone inwater toremoveanydirt.Washing itunder thegardenhosewillworkwell.

3.Putontherubbergloves.Inthebucket,mixthethin-setmortaraccordingtothepackagedirections.Donotmixuptheentirepackage.Blendonlyasmuchasyouthinkyou’llneedforthisproject,withalittlebitleftoverjusttobesure.You’llneedtocoverthesurfaceofyourprecaststonetoadepthofapproximately1/2inch.

4.Usingthetrowel,spreada1/4-1/2-inchlayerofmortaroverthedampsurfaceofthesteppingstone.Thedepthwilldependonthesizeofyourgems.Thelargerthegemstones,thedeeperthemortarmustbetoholdthemsecurely.

5. Preserving your pattern, carefully transfer the stones from the paper to the mortaredsurfaceofthestone,pressingthemintothemortarsothattheylierelativelyevenly.Makesurethatyouleaveabitofspacebetweengemsforthegrout.

6.Setthestoneinasafeplacetocureforatleast12hours.Washoutthebucketyouusedforthemortar.

7.Putontherubberglovesagain.Inthecleanbucket,mixthegroutaccordingtothepackagedirections.Again,donotmix theentirepackage.Mixonlyenoughtocover thestone toadepthofapproximately1/2inch,plusalittleextratobesure.

8.Scoopthegroutontothesurfaceofthegemsandsmoothitoutwiththespatula.Makesureyouworkthegroutincarefullybetweenthegems.Spreadgroutonthesidesofthestoneaswell.Whenyouarefinished,usethespatulatosmooththetopofthestonetoremoveanyexcessgrout.

9.Usingadampsponge,gentlywipeanyremaininggroutoffthetopofthestoneandthegems.Wipefromthemiddleoutandacrosstobesurethatallthegroutissmootheddownbetween

thegemsaswellaswashedoffthetopsofthem.Rinsethespongefrequentlytokeepitcleananddamp.Becarefulnottowashorscrubawaythegroutbetweenthegems.

10.Leavethestonetodryforapproximately24hours.Polishitwithasoftcloth.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter8

BecomeaNaturalHealer

THEREAREDEEPSPIRITUALBENEFITS towalkingthepathofthegreenwitch.By immersing yourself in the energy of the planet and its flora, you canachieve higher levels of consciousness, which will benefit all those youinteractwithandtheenvironmentinwhichyoulive.

Althoughoneofthegreenwitch’sgoalsistohealothers,itisneverwisetojustgiveout teasorotherpreparationsunlessyouare trainedasaqualifiedherbalist. This is especially true if the preparation is intended formajor orchronicproblems.Ifsomeonecomestoyoucomplainingofastomachupsetoraheadache,however,youcanuseyourjudgmentandthefolkknowledgeyoupossesstosuggestatreatment.

TheStepsofHealingGreenwitchesarenaturalhealerswhoseektosoothetheworldaroundthem.Healingisanotherformofrebalancingenergiesthathavebecomedisturbed.Buthealingcannotberushed.Eachstepmustbeexperiencedinfullnessandintime.Thisgoesforhealingtheearthaswellasyourself,otherindividuals,and thecommunity.Youhave to learn from theprocessso thateachstep isthoroughlyfelt,understood,andcompleted.Therearetwostepstohealing:

1.Cleansingand/orpurifyingofthenegativepresence2.Replacingthenegativepresencewithsomethingpositive

Manypeople focuson the first step and forget about the second.Natureabhorsavacuum,andwhatresultsfromthefirststepisanemptyspacewherethenegativeenergywasandwhichnewenergywillrushtofill.Theproblemisthatwedonotalwayscontrolwhatkindofenergyfillsthatspace.Togaincontrol and finish the healing process properly, you can perform a blessing(which asks another entity or spirit to bestow positive energy) or channel

positiveenergyyourself tostrengthen theobjectorpersonbeinghealed.Bewary,however,ofchannelingenergythathasalreadybeenprogrammeduntilyouknowexactlywhatyoursubjectneeds.Youmaythinkyoursubjectneedsstrength,buttheneedmaybeforsomethingdifferent.Fillingtheemptyspacewithplain,unprogrammed,positiveenergyissafer.Itallowsthebodytouseitforwhateveritrequires.

Tobetterunderstand thehealingaspectof thegreenwitchpath,youcanresearchhealingdeitiesofvariouscultures.

BrewingHealingTeasAtea isapotion thatcanbeconsumed.Usuallymadewithwater, thebasictechniqueforpreparingateaisbyinfusionifyou’reusingleavesor flowersor decoction if you’re using denser herbal material, such as roots, stems,twigs,orbark.

There aremany teas available on themarket today designed for certaintherapeuticbenefitssuchasstressrelief,bettersleep,headacherelief,andsoforth.While you can certainly use these commercial teas,when you createyour own you know exactly what is going into them. You can also avoidherbstowhichyouaresensitiveanduseherbsyouprefer.

Remember that taking anything internally without researching it can bedangerous.Theserecipesarenotintendedtobeusedasauthoritativemedicaladvice;theyareofferedhereasfolkwisdom.

All the following recipesmaybemadewith fresh or dry herbs. If usingfreshherbs, increase the amountof plantmatter to1 tablespoonper cupofboilingwaterforasingleservingandmakeonlyenoughforasmanyservingsasyouintendtopreparerightaway.Freshblendscannotbestored.

MARSHMALLOWTEAThisteaisforthetreatmentofasorethroatordigestiveproblems.Itsmagicalassociationsareprotectionandhealing.Makes1cup

•1tablespoon(2/3ounce)driedchoppedmarshmallowroot•1cupwater

1.Placemarshmallowrootinwater.2.Bringtoasimmer,andsimmerfor10minutes.3.Removefromheatandallowtosteepforanother10minutes.4.Strainanddrink.5.Takeasnecessarythroughouttheday.

SAGEGARGLEThis tea is good for the treatment of colds and sore throat. Itsmagical associations arewisdom,protection,andpurification.Makes1/2cup

•1/2cupwater•1tablespoondrysage(or5-6freshsageleaves)

1.Boilthewaterandpouroverthesageleaves.2.Steepfor7minutes.3.Strainintoasterilizedbottleandstoreinthefridge.Touse,take1tablespoonandgarglefor1minute.Donotswallow.

TONICTEAThis tea is used for cleansing the blood and toning the digestive system. Its magicalassociationsareprotectionandhealing.Makes approximately 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of the tea blend; 1 tablespoon of the tea blendmakes11/2cupsoftea

•1tablespoonrosemary•1tablespoonyarrow•1tablespoonhorehound•1teaspoonsage•1largecatnipleaf•11/2cupsboilingwater•1tablespoonhoney(optional)

1.Mixdryherbsinasmalljar.2.Tobrew,pour11/2cupsofboilingwaterover1tablespoonoftheherbalmixtureandsteepfor7-10minutes.

3. Strain anddrink. If you find this tea too bitter, youmaywant to add a full teaspoon ofhoney.

DIGESTIVETEAThis tea is good for the treatment of heartburn, upset stomach, and gas. Its magicalassociationisprosperity.1teaspoonoftheteablendmakes1cupoftea

•1partpeppermint•1partbasil•1partdillseed•1cupboilingwater

1.Mixdryherbsinasmalljar.2.Tobrew,pour1cupofboilingwaterover1teaspoonoftheherbalblend.3.Steep7-10minutes.Strainanddrink.

COLDTEAThisteaisforthetreatmentofcolds.Itsmagicalassociationsareenergyandhealing.1teaspoonoftheteablendmakes1cupoftea

•1partginger•1partelderflowers•1partyarrow•1cupboilingwater

1.Mixdryherbsinasmalljar.2.Tobrew,pour1cupofboilingwaterover1teaspoonoftheherbalblend.3.Steep5-7minutes.Strainanddrink.

BEDTIMETEAThisteaisgoodforaidingsleep.Itsmagicalassociationsarepeace,harmony,healing,love,andhappiness.1teaspoonoftheteablendmakes1cupoftea

•1partlavender•1partcatnip•1partverbena•1partchamomile•1cupboilingwater

1.Mixdryherbsinasmalljar.2.Tobrew,pour1cupofboilingwaterover1teaspoonoftheherbalblend.3.Steep5-7minutes.Strainanddrink.

LOVETEAThisteaisforrelaxationandcelebratinglove.Itsmagicalassociationsarelove,happiness,peace,andharmony.1teaspoonoftheteablendmakes1cupoftea

•1partrosepetals•1partlavender•1partjasmine•Pinchofcinnamon(optional)•1cupboilingwater

1.Mixherbsinasmalljar.2.Tobrew,pour1cupboilingwaterover1teaspoonoftheherbalblend.3.Steep5-7minutes.Strainanddrink.

MENTALFOCUSTEAThis tea ismeant formental focus,concentration, sharpeningmemory,andstudying. Itsmagicalusesarehealth,protection,happiness,andpeace.1teaspoonoftheteablendmakes1cupoftea

•1partrosemary•1/2partspearmint•1cupboilingwater

1.Mixherbsinasmalljar.2.Tobrew,pour1cupboilingwaterover1teaspoonoftheherbalblend.3.Steep5-7minutes.Strainanddrink.

Energy-EmpoweringEssentialOilsAnoilisahandywaytocarrytheessenceofanherborothernaturalobject.The basic ways to prepare an oil are by enfleurage or by maceration (seeChapter7).Ifyouprepareyourownoils,theywillcarrytheaddedbenefitofalreadybeingattunedtoyouandyourpersonalenergy,althoughyoushouldstillempowerthembeforeuseasyoudowithanysupplies.Noteveryonecanprepareafullstockofasmanyoilsastheywouldliketohave.Twokindsofoils are generally available for purchase from shops: essential oils, whichcarrythepureessenceoftheplantinacarrieroil,andperfumeoils,whichareartificiallyscented.

Mostgreenwitchesliketouseaspureaproductaspossibleintheirworkandwillthereforechooseanessentialoiloveraperfumeoil.Anessentialoilisprepareddirectlyfromtheoriginalplant,whichmeansthatwhenyouuseitinmagicalormedicinalworkitisguaranteedtocarrytheoriginalenergyoftheplantalongwithitschemicalbenefits.

An essential oil is more expensive than perfume oil, but it will also bestronger;onlyadropor twoisnecessary to involve theenergyof theplant.Thescentofaperfumeoilislessaccuratethaninanessentialoilanddoesnotcarry the plant’s energy signature. Although irresponsible merchantssometimes attempt to sell artificial perfume oils as essential oils, thecomparativepricesareagoodguidetoidentifyingwhatisessentialandwhatisperfume.Whenpure essential oils suchas jasmine and rose sell forover$100 for a few milliliters, you can spot an artificial oil substitute whensomeonetriestosellittoyoufor$20.Youcanmixessentialoilsandperfumeoils.

Oilsaregenerallyusedforanointing,buttheycanalsobeaddedtobaths,potpourris,andsachets.Whether you create a personal blend or use a blend made from the followingrecipes,youcanaddadroportwotoanyprojectyouundertakeforthatmagicalpurposetoaddextraenergyandpower.

Blendingoils isawonderfulactivity thatallows forexperimentationandpersonalexpressionandalsoenhancesyourpersonalintuition.Therewillbetimeswhenyoufeelinspiredtoaddadroportwoofacertainoilthatwasn’tinyouroriginalrecipe.Doso,andmakeanoteoftheaddition.Whentheoilhasmatured,performanenergy-sensingofitandwriteyourobservationsinyourjournalunderthenewrecipe.Howhastheenergychanged?Usetheoiland note your results. This is how recipes evolve over time and come toreflectthepersonalgrowthandunderstandingofthegreenwitch.

PERSONALOILBLEND

Creating an oil specifically to represent yourself and your energy gives you a bottledessencethatcanbeusedforamultitudeofpurposes.

•Oils(yourchoice)•Smalldishes,bowls,oremptyvials•Containerwithtight-fittinglidforthefinaloilblend

1.Therecipeforthisblendisreallyuptoyou.Thinkaboutyourfavoriteherbs,flowers,andtrees.Thinkabouttheelementsyouresonatewith.Thinkaboutthecoloroftheplantstheoilsarederivedfromandthescent.

2.Inyourgreenwitchnotebook,makeupalistoftheseelements.Youdon’thavetolimitthemtooilsyoualreadyhaveonhand.Alsothinkabouttheemotionsorgoalsyouwishtoincludeinyourblend.Areyoucreative?Areyouanexcellentcommunicator?Areyouanurturer?

3. Next, look up correspondences for the plants on your list, then look up plants thatcorrespondtothetraitsandgoalsonyourlist.Writethisinformationinyourjournal.

4.Nowstarttonarrowthelistdown.Useyourintuitionandconsidertheimportanceofwhatcorrespondstowhat.

5. When you have a manageable list of between three and thirteen items, work out yourproportions. How much of each oil? To begin, you may wish to blend everything in aproportionofoneparteach.Youcanalsouseoneoilasabaseandaddonlytraceamountsofothers.Howeveryoumixyourpersonaloil,thewayyouputittogetherisuptoyou.

6.When you’ve worked out your proportions, take a look at your stock of oils. If you’remissingoils,decidewhetheryouwillmakethemyourself(whichwillrequiretime)orbuythem. You will also need to decide whether you will use essential oils or perfume oils.Remember,youcanmixtheseoilstogether.

7.Toblendyourpersonaloil,measureouttheappropriateproportionsofyourchosenoilsandplaceeachinanindividualsmalldishorcleanemptyvial.

8.Onebyone,pourtheoilsintoyourchosencontainer.Swirlthemtogether.9. Empower the final oil blend by holding it in your hands and visualizing your personalenergyflowingfromyourhandsintotheoil.Continueuntilyoufeeltheoilhasbeenfullyempoweredwithyourenergy.

10.Coverandlabelyourpersonaloilblend.Writedownthedate,thefinalingredients,andtheproportionsinyourgreenwitchjournal.

Followingareoil recipes thatyoucanuse.Theymayalso inspireyou tocreate new recipes. Do not take these oils internally! Blend the oils byfollowingsteps7through10inthepreviousPersonalOilBlendrecipe.Iftherecipecallsforanadditionofherbalmatter,additlast.

AWAKEANDALIVEOILThemagicalassociationsofthisoilarehappiness,health,protection,andenergy.

•1partrosemary•1partmint•1partorange•1/2partlemon•1/2partthyme

PATIENCEThemagicalassociationsofthisoilarepeace,harmony,andlove.

•1partrose

•1partlavender•1partpine

CLEARDECISIONSThisoil’smagicalassociationsareclearthinking,harmony,health,andprotection.

•1partpine•1partrosemary•1partsage

PROSPERITYThemagicalassociationsofthisoilaremovementandenergy.

•1partmint•1partbasil•1partcinnamon•1partpine

HEALTHThisoil’smagicalassociationsarehealth,communication,andstrength.

•1partthyme•1parteucalyptus•1partpine•1partginger

PEACEThemagicalassociationsofthisoilaremeditation,spirituality,andharmony.

•1partviolet•1partlavender•1partjasmine•1partsandalwood

PROTECTIONThisoil’smagicalassociationsareprotection,wisdom,andpurification.

•1partsage•1partsandalwood•1partangelica•1clove•Pinchofsalt

LOVEThemagicalassociationsofthisoilareloveandharmony.

•1partrose•1partjasmine•1/2partgeranium•1/4partvanilla

RegeneratingBathsandBathSaltsAbathisamagicalthing.Wateritselfisahealingandsoothingelement,andwhenyouaddapotiontoityoucancreateawiderangeofeffects.

To avoid having leaves and stems and other little bits of green matterfloatingaroundinyourtubandcloggingthedrain,youcanmakeaninfusionoradecoctionandpouritintoyourbathwater.Youcanalsoputacoupleofspoonfulsofanherbalblend insideanoldsockorstocking, tieaknot in it,and toss it in under the runningwater as you fill the tub. The result in aninfusion brewed directly in your bath.Remove the sock or stocking beforeyou get in, or leave it to further strengthen the infusion while you bathe.Whenyouremoveit,hangitupandallowit todry, thenundotheknotandturn it inside out to brush away the dried herbalmatter.You can reuse thesock or stocking. Alternatively, you can make a reusable bath sachet bysewingtwowashclothstogetheronthreesides,leavingthetopopen.Sew12inchesofribbonorstringtoonesideseamaboutonethirdofthewaydown.Place your spoonfuls of dried or fresh herbs inside (nomore than 1/2 cup),thengathertheopenendandtiethepouchclosedbywrappingtheribbonorstringarounditfirmlyandtyingabow.Youcanhangthisbathsachetunderthefaucetasthewaterrunsortossitinandallowittosoak.

You can also use oils in your bath. If you are using essential oils,makesure you use only three drops total. Any more can irritate your skin oroverwhelmyour system.Remember, essential oils are concentrated extractsthatcarrychemicals.It’seasytooverdoseonthem.Ifyouprefertobathewithlotsofoil,blendthosethreedropsintoaquartercupofacarrieroil,suchasjojobaorsweetalmondoil,thenpouralltheoilintoyourbath.Irecommendthatyoudothiswithbothessentialandperfumeoilsbecauseyourskinmaybe sensitive to both.Adding a few drops to a carrier oilmakes for a saferbathingexperience.

Foradifferentsortofbath,blendthedropsofoil into1cupofmilkandpourthatintotherunningwater.

BATHSALTSBathsaltsarealovelywaytorelaxandabsorbmagicalenergyatthesame

time. Salt is a naturally purifying substance that also helps relax tensemuscles.Whenabathsaltrecipecallsforsalt,however,itdoesn’tmeantable

salt.Epsomsalts,seasalt,koshersalt,oracombinationshouldbeused.Youcanbuyseasaltatnaturalfoodstoresandmanygrocerystores.Youcanbuykosher salt at grocery stores or Jewish specialty shops. Epsom salts can befoundatyourpharmacy.

Otheradditives tohomemadebathsalts includepowderedmilk,vegetable foodcoloring,powderedherbs,andcrystalsorstones.Ifyouaddoil,youhaveasaltscrub.

Youcanblendandstoreyourbathsaltsinmasonjars,butrememberthatthe salt can corrode themetal lids.Look for jarswith glass lids fittedwithplasticseals,jarswithsnap-downlids,orjarswithcorktops.Neverstorebathsalts inametal tinor itwill rust, andbeaware thataplasticcontainerwilltendtoabsorbthescentofthesalts,whichmakesitdifficulttoreuse.

Ingeneral,use1tablespoonto1/4cupofthesesalts inyourbath.Ifyoupreferalotofsaltinyourbath,increasetheamountslowlytomakesureyoudon’tirritateyourskinorsystem.

BASICBATHSALTRECIPEUsethisrecipeasabasisforyourownmagicalbathsalts.Youcanuseanycombinationofseasalt,Epsomsalts,andkoshersalt.Makes4cups(32ounces)

•2cupsseasaltorothersalts•2cupsbakingsoda•Glassjarwithtight-fittinglid,largeenoughtohold32ounces1.Combineingredientsinblenderorfoodprocessor.Blenduntilcombinedandreducedtoafinepowder.

2.Storeinatightlyliddedjar.3.Touse,pour1/2cupofthesaltsintothebathunderrunningwater.

Tothisbasicrecipeyoucanaddanyorallofthefollowing:

•3-5dropsofessentialoil(s)•2teaspoonsoffinelygrounddriedherbs•1-3dropsoffoodcoloring• If your skin tends to be dry, add 1 teaspoon liquid glycerin (available in drugstores) tomoisturizeyourskin.

•1partfinelygroundoatmeal•1/2partfinelygroundalmonds

PROSPERITYBATHSALTSUsethisrecipewhenyoufeelyouneedtoboostyourpersonalprosperityenergy.Makes21/2cups(20ounces)

•1cupseasalt•1cupEpsomsalts•Glassjarwithtight-fittinglid,largeenoughtohold20ounces•3dropsorangeoil•2dropscinnamonoilOR1teaspoongroundcinnamon

•1/4cupgroundmintleaves•3dropsgreenvegetablefoodcoloring(optional)

1.Place the salts inablenderor foodprocessorandblend to combineandreduce toa finepowder.Pourthesaltsintothejarandcapit.Shaketocombinethesalts.

2.Openthejaragain.Addthedropsofoilandthegroundherbs.Capthejarandshakewelltoblend.

3.Ifusingfoodcoloring,openthejarandadd3drops.Capandshakewelltoblend.Beawarethata little foodcoloringgoesa longway;don’taddmuch.Ifyouwant thecolordarker,add1–2moredropsandblendagain.Thecolorisaddedsimplytoenhancetheprosperityenergyof theother ingredients.Ifyouassociateanothercolorwithprosperity, thenbyallmeanssubstituteit.

4.Touse,pour1/2cupofthesaltsintoyourbathunderrunningwater.

MILKBATHSThere’s something remarkably luxurious about adding milk to your

bathwater. Milk has a wonderfully softening action on the skin. Do not,however,usemilkbathsifyouaresensitivetodairyproducts.

Thesimplestrecipeforamilkbathis totake1cupofwholemilk(don’tuse skim or even partially skimmilk) and pour it into your bathwater. Forextrasofteningaction,add1tablespoonofhoneytothecupofmilkandswirlit about to disperse it before pouring it into thewater. If you like, you canwarm the milk up first to help blend in the honey: heat the honey-milkmixtureinthemicrowavefor1minute.Youcanalsoaddafewdropsofoiltothewarmmilkbeforepouring it intoyourbath.Swirling tocombine theoilwiththemilkhelpsdispersetheoilthroughoutthebathwater,insteadofjustlettingitfloatonthesurfaceofthewater.

Ifyouwanttomakemilkbathpowdersaheadoftimeandstorethem,usepowderedmilk.Whenyouaddascooptoyourbathwater,itdissolvesandfunctionsjustlikefreshmilk.

OATMEALMILKBATHThecombinationofoatmeal,aknownskinsoftener,andmilkinthisbathblendmakesforadeliciouslysoothingsoak.Tryitifyou’resunburnedortosoftenroughskin.Youcanalsoaddherbsoracoupleofdropsofoiltothefollowingrecipe.Makes4cups(32ounces)

•1cupcornstarch•2cupsmilkpowder•1cupdryoatmeal•Glassjarwithtight-fittinglid,largeenoughtohold32ounces

1.Placealltheingredientsinafoodprocessororblender.Blendtocombineuntilreducedtoafinepowder.Pourintojar.

2.Touse,sprinkle1/2cupofthedrybathblendunderthetapwhilerunningyourbath.

HERBALMILKBATH

This basic and simplemilk bath is an excellent base for any herbal addition,making itadaptabletoanymagicalneed.Forextrasoftening,youcanusetheOatmealMilkBathasabase.Makes3cups(24ounces)

•1cupcornstarch•2cupsmilkpowder•2tablespoonsdryherbs•Glassjarwithtight-fittinglid,largeenoughtohold24ounces

1.Placeallingredientsinablenderorfoodprocessor.Blenduntilcombinedandreducedtoafinepowder.Pourintojar.

2.Touse,add1/2cupofpowdertobathunderrunningwater.

Herearesomesuggestedherbalblendstoaddtomilkbaths:

•WinterEnergyBath:nutmeg,cinnamon,pinchofginger•SummerGardenBath:lavender,roses,verbena,pinchoforangezest•AutumnBronzeBath:poppy,nutmeg,sandalwood•SpringDawnBath:lavender,jasmine,appleblossom

MakeRestorativeElixirsElixirscanbeusedtoanointobjects,andalsopeople,aslongastheyhavenotbeenmadewith toxiccomponents.Somemaybeconsumedaswell.Elixirscan also be used like objects: they can be brewed and bottled, then placedsomewheretoworktheireffectuponthesurroundings.

STONEELIXIRSSteep a stone in water for a measured amount of time in sunlight or

moonlight. You may leave the stone in the liquid and renew the fluid asnecessary.Makesurethestoneisscrubbedcleanandrinsedwellbeforeyouuseit.AlsomakesureyouhavecleansedthestoneofanyforeignenergybyanyofthemethodsdescribedinChapter5.

COLORELIXIRSPourwaterintoacleancoloredglassjarorbottle,thenleaveinsunlightor

moonlight for a specific amount of time. The light passing through thecoloredglasswillimbuetheliquidinsidewiththeenergyofthecolor.Peopleoftendrinkcolorelixirsiftheyfeeltheyarelackingtheenergyofthatcertaincolor.

If you cannot find a jar or bottle in the color you need, take a piece ofcoloredpaperandwrapitaroundtheoutsideofaclearglassbottleorjar.Pourthewaterintothebottleandleaveitforonecompletemooncycle.

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter9

GreenWitchKitchenRecipes

WEMUSTREMEMBERTHATEATING isasacredact.Inconsumingafood,beitanimalbasedorplantbased,weforgeaconnectionwithnature,thesourceofnourishment. By taking this nourishment into our bodies, we also honornature’s presence within our lives, and acknowledge our place within thenaturalorder.Harvestingandpreparingfoodarealsosacredactsthatwetendto compress into the smallest amount of time possible in order to freeourselvesupforother things.Whenweunderstand that theactofpreparingfood is the conscious weaving together of various energies to achieve aspecificgoal,andthateatingwithintentionleadstoourassimilationofthoseenergies,weunderstand thatpreparingandeating foodwithawarenessgivethese actions another dimension of meaning. This chapter explores theenergies associated with different foods and offers some ideas on how tocombinethemindeliciousrecipes.

TapIntotheEnergiesofFruitsFruitisaplant’smethodofreproducingitselfandcarriesanenergybasedinfertilityandabundance.Allfruitcarriesseeds,whicharethebeginningoflife.Whether we consume the seeds or not, their fertile energy permeates thewhole fruit. Fruit is also an excellentway to consume seasonal energy, fordifferentfruitsappearatdifferentpointsoftheseasonalcycle.

MAGICALASSOCIATIONSOFFRUITUsethislistofcorrespondencestohelpyouselectyourowncombinations

offruitforsalads,pies,andsmoothies:

•Apple:health,longevity,love•Pear:health,prosperity,love

•Orange:joy,health,purification•Lemon:purification,protection,health•Lime:happiness,purification,healing•Grape:prosperity,fertility•Kiwi:fertility,love•Banana:fertility,strength•Mango:spirituality,happiness•Peach:spirituality,fertility,love,harmony•Pineapple:prosperity,luck,protection•Plum:love,tranquility•Melons:love,peace•Strawberries:love,peace,happiness,luck•Raspberries:strength,courage,healing•Blueberries:tranquility,peace,protection,prosperity•Blackberries:prosperity,protection,abundance•Cranberries:protection,healing

FRUITRECIPESFruit is so delicious on its own that it rarely needs any complicated

preparation.Thefollowingrecipestakeadvantageofthissimplicity.

FRUITBOWLThissimplerecipegathersseasonalfruitintoabowlfordisplayandconsumption,makingitpartcraft,partspell,partrecipe.Includenutsforvisualinterestandtoaddatouchoffertilityandabundancetoyourdisplay.Assembleaselectionofseasonalfruit,forexample:

•Spring:strawberries,cantaloupe,cherries•Summer:oranges,grapefruit,lemons,limes,peaches,nectarines,plums,berries•Autumn:apples,plums,peaches,grapes•Winter:nuts,apples,oranges

1.Washfruitandpatdrywithcleanclothorpapertowel.2. Arrange fruit in a large glass bowl in a pleasing display. Use as an offering during aseasonalritual,asacenterpiece,orasbreakfastordessert.

PROSPERITYFRUITSALADThis seasonal breakfast or dessert gathers together fruit associatedwith prosperity andabundance.Chooseasmuchoraslittleofeachfruitasyoulike.

•Freshpineapplechunks•Blueberries•Cherries,pittedandslicedinhalf•Grapes,slicedinhalf,seedsremoved•Apples,diced•Pears,diced

•1teaspoonlemonjuice•1/4cupsugar

1.Wash,dry,andcutfruitintoappropriatelysizedpieces.2.Combinefruitinabowl.Sprinklelemonjuiceoverthefruit.3.Sprinklesugaroverthefruitandleavetorestfor1hour.

FRUITDRINKSThere is something remarkably satisfyingaboutmakinga fruit beverage.

Onceallthepreparationiscomplete,youcanenjoythedrinkwithoutgettingyourfingerssticky.Therearetwobasickindsofsmoothie, thosemadewithfruit and juice and those made with fruit and milk, cream, yogurt, or icecream. These easy-to-make beverages combine various fruits to create adeliciouspotionforprosperity,health,orlove.

Likefruit,dairyproductsaremagicallyassociatedwithabundance,love,andcomfort,soifdairy energy supports your magical goal, then include milk or cream or other dairyproductsinyoursmoothierecipe.

Basic fruit juices to include in your nondairy smoothies include apple,pear,andwhitegrape.Youcanalsousecranberryandorange,butthesehavea stronger taste andmay not complement your chosen fruit blend. As youexperimentwithsmoothies,youmaywish toaddone teaspoonof lemonorlimejuicetoyourcreationtoenhancetheflavor.

NONDAIRYFRUITSMOOTHIEThis recipemakes one servingbut canbe increased to servemore. If you choose tousewatermelonasoneofthefruits,omitthejuiceinyoursmoothierecipeoritwillbecometoothin.

•Yourchoiceoffruit(seepreviouslistoffruitforcorrespondences)•1/4cupfruitjuice(apple,pear,orwhitegrape)•1/4–1teaspoonsugar,ortotaste(optional)•Fruitforgarnish

1.Peel,seed,anddicethefruit.2.Placethedicedfruitintheblenderwiththejuiceandsugar,ifusing.3.Coverandblenduntilsmooth.4.Pour intoglass.Garnishwith fruitonrimorset theglassonasaucerorsmallplateandarrangeabitoffruitaroundthebaseasagarnish.

DAIRYFRUITSMOOTHIEThis version of the fruit smoothie incorporates yogurt as one of the ingredients. For athinnerdrink,usemilk;forathicker,sweeter,moredessert-liketreat,useicecream.Fornondairymilks,tryalmondmilkorsoymilk,whichbothhaveasweetflavor.(Omitsugarifusingnondairymilks.)

•3/4–1cupfruitofyourchoice•1/4cupplainyogurt•1teaspoon–1tablespoonsugar(optional)•Fruitforgarnish(optional)

1.Peel,seed,anddicethefruit.2.Placefruitintheblenderwiththeyogurtandsugar,ifusing.3.Blenduntilsmooth.4. Pour into glass. Garnish glass with fruit, or place on saucer or small plate and garnisharoundthebaseoftheglass.

5.Ifthedrinkistoothick,stirinabitofmilk.Ifitisn’tthickenough,returnittotheblenderandaddmorefruit.

IntegratethePowerofFlowersAlthoughweusuallythinkofherbswhenwethinkofflavorings,flowerscanalso be used in cooking and baking to provide awonderfully subtle flavor.You can addwhole flowers or petals to your food, but often youwant theflavorwithouttheactualplantmatter.Syrups,waters,andpreservedpetalsareallhandyways tousefloral flavorings.Formagicalassociationsofflowers,seeChapter5.

Asurprisingnumberofflowersareedible.Exploretheflowersavailableinyour area to discoverwhichmaybe safely eaten by checking the botanicalnameofyourlocalvarietiesagainstareliablebook.Ingeneral,thefollowingaresafetoeat,aslongastheyhavenotbeentreatedwithpesticidesorgrowninquestionablesoil:

•Angelica•Appleblossoms•Basil•Beebalm•Borage•Calendula•Chamomile•Chicory•Dandelion•Elderflower•Lavender•Lilac•Linden•Lovage•Mint•Nasturtium•Pansy

•Redclover•Violet

CANDIEDFLOWERSThis is a lovely way to preserve blossoms for future use. Use them to

decoratecakesanddessertsorasanofferinginaritual.Eggsareassociatedwithprosperity,healing,protection,andhealth.Sugar

isassociatedwith loveandhappiness.Theedible flower thatyouchoose tocandy will carry its own specific energy. I suggest such blossoms as rosepetals (love, happiness), sweet violets (peace, harmony), nasturtiums(protection,healing),pansies(love,happiness),andsprigsoflavender(peace,happiness, harmony). Some herbs such as rosemary also make interestingcandied sprigs for a slightly savory addition to dessertswith citrus flavors.Experiment!

BASICCANDIEDFLOWERS•2cupsassortedorganicedibleflowers•1/2cupsuperfinesugar(orfruitsugar)•1/4cupeggwhites(3largeeggwhites),beaten•Tweezers•Smallpaintbrush•Spoon•Bowls•Waxedpaper•Airtightcontainer

1.Gentlywashanddrytheflowers.Youmayseparatetheindividualpetalsfromthestemsorcutthewholefloweroffthestem.Discardthestemandleaves.

2.Placethesugarinonebowl,thebeateneggwhitesinanotherbowl.3.Pickuptheflowerorpetalwiththetweezers.Usingthepaintbrush,paintathinlayerofeggwhiteonallsurfacesoftheflowerorpetal.

4.Gentlyplacetheblossominthebowlofsugar.Usingthespoon,sprinklemoresugarovertheflowertocoatitcompletely.

5.Usingthetweezers,removetheflowerfromthebowlandplaceitgentlyonthewaxedpaper.6.Continuewiththerestoftheflowers.7.Sprinkletheblossomsonthewaxedpaperwithmoresugar,ifnecessary.Allowtodryuntilhardened,atleast8hours.Ifyourenvironmentishumid,placetheflowersonafoil-coveredbakingsheetinsteadofwaxedpaper,andplaceinabarelywarmoven(150°F)withthedoorcrackedopen for approximately 2hours.The flowersmustbe completelydrybefore youpackthemcarefullybetweenlayersofwaxedpaperintheairtightcontainer.

FLORALWATERSAlthough floralwaters can be used in bakingwhere any recipe calls for

water,they’realsoknownaslovelyfacialsplashes.Rosewaterisperhapsthebest known, although you canmake several variationswith edible flowers.

Thinkofthemagicalassociationsforwhateverpurposeyouintendtousethewater, and choose the flowers accordingly. Try chilling a floral water in aspraybottle, then spritzing itonyour faceandbodyasawonderfulway tocooloffinthesummer.Youcanalsoblendfloralwaters.Prepareeachwaterseparately, one flower per water, then combine the floral waters into newblends. For example, try blending lavender and violet waters for a light,refreshingwaytocooloffbeforebedinthesummertime,orblendorangeanda touchofmintforawinterspray.Remember touseonlyflowers thathavenotbeensprayedwithchemicals.

If youwish to store the floralwater for longer thanoneweek for futureuse,freezethewaterinacleanicecubetray.Popthefrozencubesoutofthetrayandstoretheminclearlylabeledzip-topbags.

Youcanincreaseordecreasethefollowingrecipeaslongasyouretaintheproportions. If you make a floral water and you aren’t pleased with theresults,increaseordecreasethenumberofpetalsthenexttimeyoumakeit.Remember, floral waters aren’t meant to be strong infusions or teas; thereshouldbejustthebaresthintoffloralscentandflavor.

ROSEGERANIUMWATERThisrecipeusesthefragrantleavesofthescentedrosegeranium.Youcanusethiswatertoreplacewatercalledforinanyrecipe.Rosegeraniumismagicallyassociatedwithloveandpeace.

•3largerosegeraniumleaves,washed•Glassjarwithlid(1pintorhalf-quartsize)•2cupsboilingwater

1.Placerosegeraniumleavesinthejarandpourtheboilingwateroverthem.Allowtosteepuntilcool.

2.Removeleaves.Storefloralwaterintherefrigeratorupto1week.

FLOWERSYRUPSFloralsyrupsmakealovelysubstituteforhoneytosweetentea.Theyare

alsoadelicatetreatpouredovervanillaicecreamandangelfoodcakeforasimpledessert.

VIOLETSYRUPMakethissyrupwithfresh-pickedsweetviolets.Remembertouseunsprayedflowersonlyandbesuretowashanddrythemwell.Violetsencourageharmonyandpeace,whilethesugarsweetensanysituation.Themagicalassociationsof thissyruparepeace,harmony,andhappiness.

Makesapproximately1quartofsyrup

•2cupswater,divided•2cupsvioletflowers•2deepglassorchinabowls•Strainer•Cheesecloth•Heavypot(trytouseglassifyoucan;somepeoplethinkthemetalcanaffectthetaste)•3cupsgranulatedsugar•11/2tablespoonslimejuice•Cleanglassbottleorjarwithcap•Sparklingwaterorclubsoda

1.Boil1cupofwater.2.Placevioletpetalsinadeepglassbowlandcoverthemwiththeboilingwater.Allowtosteepfor24hours.

3.Line the strainerwithcheeseclothandpour theviolet infusion through it into the secondbowl.Wringoutthevioletflowerstoobtainthelastoftheinfusion.Discardflowers.

4.Inthepot,bringsugar,limejuice,andthesecondcupofwatertoaboil.Boilcarefullyuntilitthickensslightly.

5.Addvioletwater.Bringmixturetoaboilandboiluntilthickoncemore,5–10minutes.6.Remove fromheat and pour into a clean bottle or jar; cap, label and date. Store in therefrigerator.

7.Toserve,spoonapproximately1/4cupofsyrupintothebottomofahighballglass,andpoursparklingwateroverit.Stirtodispersethesyrup.Addice.Adjusttheamountofsyruptowateraccordingtoyourtaste.

Youcanalsoaddthesyruptoasweetbasesuchasgingeraleorlemon-limesoda,inwhichcaseadjusttheamountofsyrupyouusedownto1tablespoon(ortotaste).Tryaddingadrizzleofsyruptosweetenyourcoffeeortea,ortowarmmilkforapleasantbedtimetreat.

FLOWERSUGARSDelicatelyflavoredfloralsugarsmakeadelicioustreattostirintotea.

LAVENDERSUGARThissugarisdifferentfromaninfusedsugarinthatitactuallycombinestheherbalmatterwiththesugaritself.Thatis,theflowersarenotsiftedout.Themagicalassociationsofthisrecipearepeace,harmony,love,andhappiness.

•1partlavenderflowers(stripoffthestems)•1partgranulatedsugar•Jarwithsecurelid

1.Placelavenderflowersandsugarinablender.2.Processfor3minutes,oruntiltheflowersandsugarareintinypiecesandwellblended.3.Placeinajarwithasecurelidandstoreforupto1month.

CraftVinegarsforPotencyWeareall familiarwith infusedherbalvinegars,whichareeasy toprepare.Simplychopor lightlybruiseahandfulofwhatever freshherbyouwish toinfuseandplacetheherbinaglassjarwithatight-fittinglid.Covertheherbal

matterwithwine,cider,orricevinegar,seal,andletitrestforatleasttwotothreeweeks in the refrigerator, shaking it periodically.Strainout theherbalmatter(oritwillbecomebitter).Taste.Iftheflavorisnotstrongenough,addanewbatchofchoppedorbruisedfreshherbtotheinfusion,cap,andlet itrest for another week. Check weekly. When the desired flavor has beenobtained, strainout theherbalmatter. (If the flavor isnot strongenoughbythreeweeksofinfusingthesecondbatchofherbs,strainthemoutandreplacewithanewbatch.)

Fruitvinegarsarelesswellknownbutaremadebythesamemethod:

1.Diceorlightlycrushapproximately1cupoffruitandplaceitinaglasscontainer with a tight-fitting lid. (Do not add too much fruit, or thenaturalsugarswillcounterthevinegar’snaturalacidicqualities.)

2.Coverthefruitwithciderorwinevinegar.Sealthecontainerandallowittosteepintherefrigeratoruntilthetasteistoyourliking.Shakethecontainerperiodically.

3.Strainthefruitoutwhenthestrengthoftheinfusionistoyourtaste.4.Storeintherefrigerator.

Fruitvinegarsmakelovelydressingsforsaladsandrefreshingadditionstomarinades.

AddSweetnesswithInfusedSugarsFlavoredsugarscanbeusedintheplaceofanyregularsugarwhenbakingortosweeten tea.Try itovergranolaormuesliatbreakfastorsprinkle itoverbutteredtoastforasweettreat.Addateaspoonfulofinfusedsugartowhippedcreamasyoubeatitforagentlefloralflavortoenhancefreshberriesorcake.Tomakeaflavoredsugartrythismethod:

1.Layercleandryherbsorspiceswithgranulatedsugarandcaptightly.2. Allow tomature for at least threeweeks. If the flavorings you havechosenarestrong(forexample,cinnamonorclove),checkontheflavorofthesugaraftertwoweeks.Iftheyareverydelicate,youmaywishtoleavetheherbslongertostrengthentheflavor.

Donotusepowderedherbsorspicesforthisproject.Usewholeorcrackedseedsorfruit.Forexample,insertwholecloves,orbreakupacinnamonstickandpushthesmallerpiecesofthestickintothesugar.

Forfloralsugarsit’simportanttoseparatethepetalsandmakesurethatnogreenmatterremainsattachedtothem.Youmaywishtosnipawaythewhite

end of the petal (the pistil) where it joins the stem.Make certain that thefloweryouhavechosenisanedibleone.Althoughyouwillsiftoutthepetalswhen you are done, the oils and flavor of the petal will remain, and asinteresting as the flower smells, you cannot judge the safety of its taste bysuchmeans.

Here are some recommended flowers and herbs to use alone or incombinationtocreatedeliciousinfusedsugars:

•Lavender•Vanillabean•Rose•Violet•Mintleaves•Orangeblossom•Scentedgeranium

INFUSEDSUGARDonotsubstitutedriedspicessuchascinnamonorclovefortheherbsinthisrecipe;theresultingflavorofthesugarwillbetoointense.Forasugarmadewithdriedspices,seethefollowingrecipeforSpicedSugar.Makes1cupofinfusedherbalorfloralsugar

•Clean,dryglassjarwithtight-fittinglid•1cupgranulatedsugar•1cupclean,dry,freshflowersorherbs

1.Pour1/4cupofsugarintothebottomoftheglassjar.2.Spread1/4cupofherbsorflowerpetalsontopofthesugar.3.Pouranother1/4cupofsugarovertheherbs.4.Repeatwithherballayer,followedbysugarlayer,anotherherballayer,andasugarlayer.Leaveabouta1/2inchofroomatthetopofthejar.

5.Cap the jar securelyandshake themixture todisperse theherbalmatter throughout thesugar.

6.Placethesugarjar inacool,darkplaceandallowit tosit for3weeksto1monthbeforeusing.

7.Ifyouintendtobakeorcookwithinfusedsugar,siftouttheherbalmatter.Ifyouleavetheherbsorflowersinthesugar,rememberthatthelongeritsits,themoreflavorfulitbecomes.Asyouusethesugar,fillthejarwithmoreunflavoredsugar.Capandshakeitanditwilltakeonthefragranceoftheflowersinthejar.

8.Ifyouliveinahumidenvironment,keepacloseeyeontheherbsorflowers,astheymaybegin tomold or rot. If this happens, then the sugarmust be thrown out. To avoid this,makecertainthatalltheherbsandflowersarecompletelydrywhenyoubegin,andsifttheplantmatteroutofthesugaroncetheflavorreachestheintensityyouprefer.

SPICEDSUGARThis recipe creates a lovely spiced sugar suitable for baking, flavoring coffee or strongblack tea, andadding to crumble toppingsof coffee cakesor fruit crisps. If youmakeasugarwithonlyonespice(suchascinnamonsugar),youcansimplysnapacinnamonstick

inseveralplacesandinsertitintoasmalljarofsugar.Leavethisjarinacool,dryplacetomatureforat least2weeks.Asyouusethesugar,replace itwithfreshgranulatedsugarandshakeit.

•1cupgranulatedsugar•1tablespoongroundcinnamon•1teaspoongroundcloves•1teaspoonnutmeg•2teaspoonsgroundginger•Clean,dryglassjarwithtightlid

1.Inasmallbowl,blendthespicestogether.2.Pour1/4cupofsugarinthebottomofthejar.3.Sprinkle1/4ofthespiceblendontop.4.Coverthespiceblendwithanother1/4cupofsugar.Repeatlayering,toppingwiththefinal

1/4cupofsugar.Leaveapproximately1/2inchofroomatthetopofthejarbeforecappingsecurely.

5.Shakethemixturetoblendit.6.Placethejarofsugarinacool,darkplaceandallowittositfor2weeksbeforeusing.7.Ifyoudonothavegroundcinnamonorcloves,crackacinnamonstickinseveralplacesandaddthatinwithacloveortwoperlayerofspice.Remembertosiftthesugarbeforeusingit.Addascoredvanillabeantothespicedsugarforanevenmoredelicioustreat!

BoostHealthwithVegetablesLikefruit,avegetableisaplant’svisibleseedcontainer,andvegetablesthuscarry the magical associations of cycles and fertility. When you cook,therefore,youcanchooseyourvegetablesfortheirseasonalassociationsandeatthemtoattunetotheseasonalenergy.Youcanalsochoosethemfortheirmagicalassociations.

Here’sabrieflistofcommonvegetablesandtheirmagicalassociations:

•Garlic:healing,protection,banishing,purification•Onion:protection,exorcism,healing,prosperity•Lettuce:fertility,peace,harmony,protection•Carrots:fertility,health•Peas:love,abundance•Cucumber:fertility,healing,harmony•Potatoes:fertility,protection,abundance•Celery:love,tranquility,concentration•Squash:abundance,harmony•Mushroom:strength,courage,healing,protection•Leek:protection,harmony•Cauliflower:protection,fertility•Broccoli:protection,abundance•Beans:love,family,protection•Cabbage:protection,prosperity

•Tomato:protection,love

SOUPSSoup is awonderfulway to use vegetables.Amain dish of soupwith a

hearty bread can be a fillingway to enjoy these healthy foods. Here are ahandfulofvegetable-basedsouprecipesforvariousseasons.

GAZPACHOThis chilled vegetable soup is a refreshing summer solstice treat or a pleasantaccompaniment to grilled meats. Magical associations for this soup include prosperity,health, love,protection,peace,andharmony.Thisrecipe isagreenwitch’sdream, for itcovers almost all seven basic areas of her focus. Green peppers are associated withprosperity; cucumber is associated with peace, harmony, and health; tomatoes areassociated with love and health; celery is associated with peace; onions and garlic areassociatedwithprotectionandhealth;andavocadosareassociatedwithlove.Serves4–6

•2largegreenbellpeppers,cored,seeded,anddiced•1largecucumber,peeledandchopped•2poundstomatoes,coredanddiced•1celerystalk,chopped•1mediumonion,peeledandchopped•2garliccloves,peeled•1mediumavocado,chopped(optional)•1teaspoonsalt•1/4teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper•Pinchofbasil•Pinchofparsley•1/3cupoliveoil•1tablespoonlemonjuice•1/4cupredwinevinegar•2(12–15ounce)canstomatojuiceorV8juice

1.Inablender,combinefirstseveningredientsinsmallbatchesandblenduntilsmooth.2.Pourintoalargebowl.Addtheremainingingredientsandstirwelltocombine.3.Coverandchill forat least5hoursorovernight.Stirwelland taste for seasoningbeforeserving.Adjustasnecessary.

4.Serveinbowlsorlargemugs.Garnishsoupasdesiredwithcroutons,sourcreamoryogurt,orparsley.

APPLE,ALMOND,ANDCURRYSOUPA refreshing twist on standard soup, this is a lovely meal to serve around the autumnequinox. Magical associations for this soup include health and healing, prosperity, andprotection.Apples are associatedwithhealth, healing, love, protection, and immortality.Almondscarrytheenergyofprosperityandhealing.Curryisassociatedwithprotection.Serves4–6

•1/4cupbutter•1mediumonion,peeledandfinelychopped•11/2poundsapples,cored,peeled,anddiced

•6tablespoonsgroundalmonds•4cupschickenorvegetablestock•1/2teaspooncurrypowder•1/4teaspoonsalt•1/4teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper,ortotaste•1/2cuplightcream,plainyogurt,oralmondmilk•Toastedslicedalmondsforgarnish

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook gently until softened (about 5minutes).Addthedicedapplesandstirgentlyfor2–3minutes.

2. Sprinkle ground almonds over the apple and onion mixture and stir for another 1–2minutes.

3.Pourinthestockandcurrypowderandbringtoaboil.Addsaltandpeppertotaste.4.Reduceheattolow.Coverandsimmerfor20minutes.Applesshouldbetender.5. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour the soup into the blender or foodprocessorandblenduntilsmooth.

6.Poursoupthroughastrainerintoacleanpan.Addcream,yogurt,oralmondmilkandstiruntilblended.Tasteforseasoningandadjustifnecessary.Ifsoupistoothick,addabitmorestock.Reheatgently.

7.Servehot,garnishedwithafewslicesoftoastedslicedalmonds,withanadditionalpinchofcurrypowderontopifyoudesire.

TOMATOSOUPTomatoes have traditionally been associated with love and protection. They’re alsoburstingwithvitamins,whichmakesthemanidealfruittouseforimprovinghealth.Basilisassociatedwithlove,protection,andprosperity,whilecheeseisassociatedwithlove,joy,andspirituality.Magicalassociationsforthissoupincludeprosperity,healthandhealing,andlove.Serves4–6

•2tablespoonsoliveoil•1mediumonion,peeledanddiced•2garliccloves,peeledandfinelychopped•1–2tablespoonsfreshpesto(optional)•4cupschoppedfreshtomatoes•2cupschickenorvegetablestock•1/4teaspoonsalt•1/4teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper,ortotaste•Shreddedfreshbasilforgarnish•2tablespoonsgratedAsiagoormozzarellacheeseforgarnish

1.Heattheoilinalargesaucepan.Addtheonion,garlic,andpesto(ifusing).Cookgentlyfor5minutesovermediumheatuntilonionissoft.

2.Addthetomatoesandthestock.Stirwellandbringtoaboil.Addsaltandpepper.3.Reduceheattolow.Coverandsimmergently,stirringoccasionally,for15–20minutes.4.Removefromheatandallowsouptocoolslightly.Pourintoafoodprocessororblenderandblendinbatchesuntilsmooth.Strainintoacleanpottoremoveanyremaininglumps.

5.Returnsouptothestoveandreheatgently.Tasteforseasoningandadjustifnecessary.Addmorestockifthesoupistoothick.

6. Serve hot in bowls. Sprinkle with shredded fresh basil, a pinch of grated Asiago ormozzarellacheese,andapinchoffreshlygroundpepper.

CARROT,CORIANDER,ANDORANGESOUP

Thisisawonderfullatesummerorearlyautumnsoup.Magicalassociationsforthissoupincludehealth andhappiness.Carrots are associatedwithhealthandvital energy,whileorangesareassociatedwithhappinessandhealth.Bothareabrightorangecolor,whichisassociatedwithhealth,success,andsolarenergy.Thecoriander inthisrecipecarriestheenergyofloveandactive,vitalenergy.Serves4–6

•3tablespoonsoliveoil•1mediumonion,peeledandroughlychopped•11/2poundscarrots,peeledandthinlysliced•2–3tablespoonsgroundcoriander•1/4teaspoonsalt•1/4teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper,ortotaste•4cupschickenorvegetablestock•1/4cupfreshlysqueezedorangejuice•Thinstripsorangezest(optionalforgarnish)•Crushedcorianderseeds(optionalforgarnish)

1.Heattheoilinalargestockpot.Addtheonionandcookgentlyfor5minutesoruntilsoft.2.Addcarrots, coriander, salt, andpepper to taste.Coverandheat gently for5minutes tosoftencarrots,shakingthepanfromtimetotimetopreventthemfromsticking.

3.Pourinstockandstir.Bringtoaboil.Lowertheheat,andcoverthepot.Simmergentlyfor30minutesoruntilcarrotsareverytender.

4.Remove fromheat and allow to cool slightly. Pour into a blender or food processor andblendinsmallbatchesuntilsmooth.Strainsoupintoacleanpottoremoveanyremaininglumps.

5.Addtheorangejuicetothesoupandreheatgently.Addmorestockifthesoupistoothick.Tasteforseasoningandadjustifnecessary.

6. Serve hot in bowls. If desired, garnishwith strips of orange zest and crushed corianderseeds.

ONIONSOUPOnionsoupisadeliciouswaytowarmupinthewinter.Magicalassociationsofthissoupincludehealthandprotection.Onionscarrytheenergyofprotectionfromevilandharmaswell as good health. They are also an excellent food to consume to boost the immunesystemtofightillness.Parsleyisassociatedwithprotection,prosperity,andfertility.Serves4–6

•6tablespoonsbutter•4–6largewhiteonions,peeledandchopped•3tablespoonsbrownsugar•2tablespoonsflour•4cupschickenorvegetablestock•2tablespoonschoppedfreshparsley•1/4teaspoonsalt,ortotaste•1/4teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper,ortotaste•1/4cupsherryorport(optional)•Baguetteorcroutonsforgarnish•1cupgratedmozzarellacheeseforgarnish•Choppedparsleyforgarnish

1.Meltthebutterinalargesaucepan.Addonionsandbrownsugarandcookovermedium-highheat, stirring constantly, for 15minutes oruntil sticky and caramel-brown.Removefromheat.

2. Stir in flour. Slowly add stock, stirring constantly. Return to heat and bring to a boil,stirringregularly.Addparsleyandsaltandpeppertotaste.

3.Coverandsimmergentlyfor20minutes,stirringoccasionally.4.Addthesherryorport(ifusing).Tasteandadjustseasoningifrequired.5. Serve hot in bowls.Garnishwith a slice of toasted baguette or croutons, sprinkledwithgrated cheese and chopped parsley. If desired, place bowls on a baking sheet and placeunderthebroilerfor1minutetomeltcheesecompletely.

IncorporatetheGoodnessofGrainsIn general, grains—wheat, barley, rice, and corn—represent security,abundance, fertility, cycles, and prosperity. Here are two recipes for sidedishes based on grains. They both incorporate herbs and cheese, which ismagicallyassociatedwithloveandhealth.Youmayadjusttheherbstothoseofyourpreference.

CHEESEANDHERBRICERiceismagicallyassociatedwithfertility,prosperity,andabundance,whichisoneofthereasonsithastraditionallybeenthrownatweddedcouples.Thisrecipemakesagoodsidedishtoservewithasturdymeatorheavyvegetabledish.Serves4asasidedish

•1cupuncookedwhiterice•13/4–2cupschickenorvegetablestock•1/2cupshreddedCheddarcheese•1smallonion,peeledandgrated•2largeeggs,beaten•1/4cupbutter•1/2cupmixedfreshchoppedherbs(suchasrosemary,parsley,thyme,oregano,chives)•11/2cupsmilk

1.Preheatovento250°F.2.Inamediumsaucepan,bringthestocktoaboil.Addriceandstir.Reduceheat,cover,andsimmerfor20minutes.Removefromheat.

3. Add cheese, onion, eggs, and butter to the cooked rice in the saucepan andmix well toblend.Gentlystirinherbsandmilk.

4.Spoonintoa2-quartcasseroledish.Bakefor11/2hours.

HERBEDPOLENTASLICESPolentaiscornmealcookedintoacreamysolidaboutthetextureofsoftmashedpotatoes.It’susuallyservedasasidedish,likepotatoesorrice.Alsolikethosestarches,it’sversatileandcanbedresseduporleftasplainasyouwish.Tomakepolenta,usecornmealthat’sabouttheconsistencyofsand(aflour-likeconsistencyistoofine).Thetricktopreparingitistoneverstopstirring.Cornismagicallyassociatedwithprosperity,health,andfertility.Theseslicesareexcellenthot,butcanalsobeeatencold.They’rewonderfulservedwithahearty saladas amaindish.Magical associations of thisdish includeprosperity, health,andprotection.Serves8asasidedish,4asamaindish

•21/2cupschickenorvegetablestock•2/3cupcornmeal•3/4cupgratedsharpcheese(suchasGruyère,Swiss,orEmmentaler)•3teaspoonsbutter,divided•11/2teaspoonschoppedfreshrosemary•1teaspoonchoppedfreshthyme•1teaspoonchoppedfreshparsley•Saltandpepper(optional)•8smallsprigsofherbsforgarnish(optional)

1.Buttera9-inchglasspiedish.Preheatovento350°F.2.Bring stock toaboil inaheavy-bottomedpot.Slowlyaddcornmeal ina stream, stirringconstantlywithawoodenspoon.

3.Reduce theheat tominimumandkeep stirringuntil themixture thickens (6–8minutes).Removefromheat.

4.Addthegratedcheeseandhalf thebutter.Stiruntil thecheesehasmeltedandbeenfullycombinedwiththepolenta.

5.Stirinthefreshchoppedherbs.Seasonwithsaltand/orpepperifdesired.6. Scrape polenta into the buttered baking dish. Spread evenly. Cool until firm (about 30minutes).

7.Lineabakingsheetwithfoil.Slicethecooledpolentaintoeightwedges.Removeeachwedgefromthepiedishtothebakingsheet,turningeachwedgeoversothesmoothsideisontop.Doteachwedgewithabitoftheremainingbutter.

8.Bakeuntilheatedthrough(about10minutes).Inthelast1–2minutes,addanherbalsprigtothetopofeachwedge.

Lastbutcertainlynotleast,hereisarecipeforbread.Breadflouriswheatbased and, like other grain products, carries the magical association ofprosperity.Breaditselfrepresentsstability,harmony,andsuccess.

HERBPEASANTBREADThisrecipeisagoodbaseforanycombinationofherbaladditions.Tryusingfreshherbs,butifyouusedrymakesuretochoporgrindthemfinely.Thisbreadiswonderfultoeatwhile still warm and spreadwith lots of butter.Magical associations for this bread arehealth,prosperity,abundance,andstability.Makes1loaforround

•1tablespoonsugar•1cupwarmwater(around110°F),divided•2heapingteaspoonsyeast(or1package)•1teaspoonsalt•2cupsflour,plusmoreforkneading•1tablespoonchoppedfreshrosemary•1tablespoonchoppedfreshthyme•1tablespoonchoppedfreshdill•1tablespoonchoppedfreshchives•1tablespoonoliveoil,plusmoreforcoating

1.Inacuporsmallbowl,stirsugarinto1/4cupofwarmwater.Sprinkletheyeastoveritandallowittoproofuntilfoamy(about5minutes).

2.Inalargebowl,stirsaltintotheflour.Makeawellintheflourandpourtheproofedyeastin.

3.Addtheherbsand1tablespoonoliveoiltotheflourmixture.Stirtocombineallingredients.

4.Slowlyaddremainingwarmwaterasyoustir tocreatea firmdoughball. Ifyouaddtoomuchwater,simplyaddabitofflourtocompensate.

5.Scrapethesidesofthebowlandaddthescrapingstothedoughball.Sprinkletheballandbowlwithabitofflour.Coverwithaclean,dampclothandsettoriseinawarmplacewithnodraftsuntildoubledinsize(approximately11/2hours).

6. Remove dough from bowl and place on a floured surface. Knead for approximately 5minutesuntilsmoothandelastic.Sprinkleflourontothekneadingsurfaceasnecessarysothatthedoughdoesnotstick.

7.Shapedough intoa flattenedcircleabout1 inch thickor intoa loaf-shaped log.Placeonbakingsheet.Brushtheentiretopwitholiveoilandleavetorisetotheheightyoudesire.(Placingthedoughinabarelywarmovenisagoodplaceforittorise.)

8.Heatovento400°F.(Ifyourbreadisrisingintheoven,removeitcarefullyandthenheattheoven.)Bakethebreadfor10minutes,oruntilgoldenbrown.

Otherherbalblendsthatwouldbedeliciousadditionsforbreadinclude:

•2teaspoonsrosemary,1teaspoonoregano,and1teaspoonthyme•1smallonion(peeledandgrated)and2teaspoonsdill•1smallonion(peeledandgrated)and1–2garliccloves(peeledandminced)

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Acknowledgments

IwouldliketothankEileenandBrettforalltheirhardworkonthenewversionofthisbook;Ithinkit’sbetterthanever.ThanksalsogooutagaintotheoriginalteamatProvenancePresswhoinitiallyhelpedmedevelopandshapethismaterialtwelveyearsago,especiallyAndrea.Andfinally,thankyoutoallthereaderswhosentmeenthusiasticresponsestoTheWayoftheGreenWitchovertheyears,andaskedforittobemadeavailableagain.

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AbouttheAuthor

ARIN MURPHY-HISCOCK is an author who has been active in the field ofalternative spirituality for more than twenty years. She lives in Montreal,Canada.

MEETTHEAUTHORS,WATCHVIDEOSANDMOREAT

SimonandSchuster.comAuthors.SimonandSchuster.com/Arin-Murphy-Hiscock

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Appendix

TheMagicalAssociationsofNaturalItems

THESELISTSOFMAGICALASSOCIATIONS,liketheotherlistsinthisbook,havebeen assembled over my years of practice and include both my ownassociations as well as traditional correspondences. Apart from personalexperimentation and work, my sources over the years have included suchbooks as Mrs. M. Grieve’s A Modern Herbal, Scott Cunningham’sEncyclopediaofMagicalHerbs,PaulBeyerl’sTheMasterBookofHerbalismandACompendiumofHerbalMagick,andJamieWood’sTheWiccaHerbal.

ALLSPICE:prosperity,luck,healing,purification,protection,money

ALMOND:love,money,healing,wisdom

ANGELICA:protection, hex breaker, healing, psychic abilities, house blessing,

purification

ANISE:psychicabilities,lust,luck,purification,love

APPLE:love,healing,peace

ASH:protection,strength,healing,prosperity

BASIL:love, trust, abundance, prosperity, courage, discipline, protection,

marriage,purification,luck,mentalabilities

BAY:protection, purification, endurance, fidelity, psychic powers, divination,

wisdom,strength

BAYBERRY:abundance,prosperity

BENZOIN:purification,healing,prosperity

BIRCH:protection,purification,newbeginnings,children

CATNIP:cats,love,beauty,happiness,tranquility,luck

CEDAR:healing,purification,protection,prosperity

CHAMOMILE:purification, healing, soothes anxiety, gently heals bad luck, soothes

children

CHICKWEED:animals,love,fidelity,healing,weightloss

CINNAMON:healing, love, lust, success, purification, protection, money, psychic

awareness

CINQUEFOIL(FIVE-FINGERGRASS):eloquence, cunning, money, protection, sleep, prophetic dreams,

purification,love

CLOVE:protection,mentalabilities,attraction,purification,comfort

CLOVER:lust,hexbreaking,prosperity,purification,love,luck,protection,success,

fidelity,comfort

COMFREY(BONESET):healing,prosperity,protection,travel

CORIANDER:healing,love,lust

CUMIN:protection,antitheft,love,fidelity

CYPRESS:protection,comfort,healing

DAISY:naturespirits,love,children

DANDELION:longevity, enhances psychic ability, intuition, spiritual and emotional

cleanser

DILL:protection, love, attraction, money, strength, luck, eases sleep, mental

abilities,weightloss

ECHINACEA:healing

ELDER,ELDERFLOWER:protection from lightning, beauty, divination, prosperity, purification,

houseblessing,healing,sleep

ELM:love,protection

EUCALYPTUS:protection,healing

EYEBRIGHT:truth,piercesthroughillusion,certainty,psychicability

FENNEL:courage,strength,cleansing

FEVERFEW:love,fidelity,protection,healing

FLAX:money,protection,beauty,healing

GARDENIA:love,attraction,peace,meditation

GARLIC:healing,houseblessing,protection,lust,antitheft

GERANIUM:love,healing,protection,fertility

GINGER:healing,love,money,energy

HAWTHORN:protection,fertility,happiness

HAZEL:mentalabilities,fertility,protection,wisdom,luck

HEATHER:protection,rain,luck

HELIOTROPE:clairvoyance,psychicabilities,health,money

HIBISCUS:love,lust,divination,harmony,peace

HONEYSUCKLE:abundance, luck, prosperity, eases sorrow, enhances psychic abilities (do

notusetheberries;theyarepoisonous)

HOPS:healing,sleep

HYACINTH:

love,comfort,protection

HYSSOP:purification,protection

JASMINE:love,attraction,prosperity,tranquility

JUNIPER:cleansing, purification, protection against accidents, protection against

illness,love,antitheft,fertility,psychicabilities

LAVENDER:healing,love,happiness,healsgriefandguilt,sleep,tranquility,protection,

purification,peace,houseblessing,wisdom,children,marriage

LEMON:purification,love,protection,happiness

LICORICE:love,lust,protection,fidelity

LILAC:protection,beauty,love,psychicabilities,purification,prosperity

LILY:protection,loveantidote,truth

LIME:love,purification,luck,sleep

LOTUS:blessing,meditation,protection

MAPLE:sweetness,prosperity,marriage,love,money

MARIGOLD:positiveenergy,protection,easeslegalstress,increasespsychicawareness,

peace

MARJORAM:protection,love,happiness,health,money,marriage,comfort

MEADOWSWEET:peace,love,happiness,psychicawareness

MINT:purification, preserves health, clarity ofmind, protects travelers, attracts

money,health,love,success

MISTLETOE:healing,protection,love,fertility,sleep,luck

MUGWORT:divination, protection, healing, strength, lust, psychic power, fertility,

protectstravelers

NETTLE:cleansing,protectsfromdanger,protectshealth

NUTMEG:clairvoyance,health,luck,fidelity

OAK:purification, protection, prosperity, health and healing, money, fertility,

luck,strength

ONION:healing,protection,purification

ORANGE:love,joy,purification,prosperity

OREGANO:peace

PARSLEY:healing, lust, fertility, love, passion, protection, hex breaker, prosperity,

purification,easesgrief

PATCHOULI:money,fertility,lust,clairvoyance,divination,love,attraction

PEPPER:protection,purification

PINE:prosperity,healing,purification,fertility

POPPY:fertility,abundance,sleep,love

ROSE:healing, love, conciliation, restoration, self-love, attracts love and good

fortune,healstrouble,enhancespsychicability

ROSEMARY:cleansing, protection, healing, longevity, improves memory and

concentration

ROWAN(MOUNTAINASH):purification,houseblessing,protection,healing,psychicabilities,wisdom,

strengthensspells

RUE:protection,mentalabilities,purification,health,comfort

SAGE:healing,longevity,goodhealth,psychicawareness,protection

ST.JOHN’SWORT:courage,powerofthesun,fertility,purification,healing,positiveenergy

TARRAGON:cleansing,regeneration,transformation

THYME:purification, psychic cleansing, divination, healing, enhances memory,

easessleep,courage

VALERIAN(ALL-HEAL):purification,protection,healing,love,sleep,attraction

VANILLA:love,prosperity,lust,energy,mentalabilities,creativity

VERBENA(VERVAIN):purification,protection,blessings,communicationwithnaturespirits

VIOLET:tranquility,love,luck,protection,healing

WALNUT:healing,mentalabilities

WILLOW:communication,eloquence,protection,healing,love,dreams

YARROW:marriage,courage,loveandfriendship,psychicabilities,hexbreaking

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Index

Anote about the index: The pages referenced in this index refer to the page numbers in the printedition. Clicking on a page number will take you to the ebook location that corresponds to thebeginningofthatpageintheprintedition.Foracomprehensivelistoflocationsofanywordorphrase,useyourreadingsystem’ssearchfunction.

Abundance,31,34Abundancebalm,178Airelement,50,65–67Airpollution,144Astrology,100–101Autumnalequinox,86–87,93–94Autumnbronzebath,202Autumnmeditation,86–87Awareness,18,24,56–57,59–76,81–82,110–12Balms,175–78Bathsalts,196–200Baths,regenerating,196–202Blessingritual,90–93,154–56Bowls,38Breadenergies,230Breadrecipe,230–31Broom,making,172–75Broompurification,47–48Canisters,38–39Charms,20,26,114,166–68,170–72Community,31–32Constellations,99–101Cotton,40–41Creations,blessing,154–56Creativeenergy,89–90Cups,37Cycles,seasonal,77–87Devas,56–57Dreampillow,crafting,168–70Earth

aselement,50,65–68identifyingwith,22–24livingcloselywith,98–133stones,126–33intunewith,56–57,59–75,98–133

Earthspirits,56–58Elements

air,50,65–67blessing,155–56

earth,50,65–68fire,50,65–67invoking,68–69meditatingon,69innature,49–54sensing,65–67shrines,49–54,154water,37,50,65–68

Elixirs,restorative,202–3.SeealsoHealingEnergy

breadenergies,230centersof,31–35,64,166creativeenergy,89–90environmentalenergy,62–63,220essentialoilsfor,191–96flowerenergies,114–19,209–11foodenergies,204–27fruitenergies,205–6grainenergies,227–29greenenergy,105–7herbalenergy,151–53lunarenergy,99–105openingto,60–63regeneratingbathsfor,196–202seasonalenergy,76–77,205,220sensing,62–63solarenergy,99–102,159stellarenergy,99–101vegetableenergies,220zodiacenergy,100–101

Energycenters,31–35,64,166Environmentalenergy,62–63,220Equinox,79–95Equinoxeggritual,89–90Equinoxharvestritual,93–94Essentialoilrecipes

AwakeandAliveOil,194ClearDecisionsOil,195HealthOil,195LoveOil,196PatienceOil,195PeaceOil,196PersonalOilBlend,193–94ProsperityOil,195ProtectionOil,196

Essentialoils,152–53,160–62,175–78,191–98Fairies,56–57Fallequinox,86–87,93–94Fallmeditation,86–87Family,31–32Fertility,31,34Fieldbook,36–37Fireelement,50,65–67Floralwaters,211–13Flowerassociations,114–19,209–11,233–42Flowerenergies,114–19,209–11Flowermagic,115–19

FlowerrecipesCandiedFlowers,210–11InfusedSugar,217–18LavenderSugar,214–15RoseGeraniumWater,212–13SpicedSugar,218–19VioletSyrup,213–14

Flowersugars,214–19Flowersyrups,213–14Flowertypes,115–19Food

breads,230–31energiesof,204–27fruits,205–9grains,227–31harvesting,204asnourishment,204–5preparing,204recipes,204–31sugars,214–19vegetables,220–27

Fruitassociations,205–6,233–42Fruitenergies,205–6Fruitrecipes

DairyFruitSmoothie,208–9FruitBowl,206FruitDrinks,207–9FruitVinegar,215–16NondairyFruitSmoothie,208ProsperityFruitSalad,206–7

Fruitsmoothies,207–9Fruitvinegars,215–16Garden.SeealsoPlants

blessing,90–93caringfor,141–45charmsfor,170–72compostingtipsfor,142–44designing,137–40harvesting,93–94,136–37,149houseplants,146–47importanceof,134–35pestcontrolfor,144–45plantingtipsfor,140–41pollutionand,144powerof,135–36protectionfor,170–72spellbagsfor,170–72steppingstonesfor,178–84

Gauze,40–41Grainenergies,227–29Grainrecipes

CheeseandHerbRice,227–28HerbedPolentaSlices,228–29HerbPeasantBread,230–31

Greenenergy,105–7Greenwitch

energycentersof,31–35,64,166

ethicsof,17–18gardenof,134–47ashealer,185–203identifyingwithearth,22–24magicof,24–27,148–84moderngreenwitch,9–10,14–21,49,55,134,157oathof,26–28outlookof,15–17pathof,14–20,30–40prayerof,28–29recipesof,204–31toolsof,35–41typesof,20–21

Greenwitchcraftbenefitsof,9–10explanationof,13–14historyof,18–20aslifecelebration,23–24

Greenwitchgarden,134–47.SeealsoGardenGreenwitchmagic,24–27,148–84.SeealsoMagicGroundingactivity,64–65Happiness,31,33,166,170Happinessbalm,178Happinesssteppingstone,182–84Harmony,31–32,166,170Harmonybalm,177Harvestritual,93–94Healing

balmsfor,178bathsfor,196–202elixirsfor,202–3essentialoilsfor,191–96stepsfor,185–86teasfor,186–91

Healingbalm,178Health,31–32,166,170,195,220Hearing,developing,70–71Hearthmagic,41–42,50Hedgewitches,20Herbalassociations,233–42Herbalbaths,202Herbalincense,making,156–66.SeealsoIncenseHerbalincensepurification,48–49,154,158–60Herbalpreparations,149–51,153Herbalvinegars,crafting,215–16Herbs.SeealsoGarden;Plants

blessing,154–56dreampillows,168–70drying,149–51energiesof,151–53harvesting,106–7,136–37,149herbalbaths,202herbalincense,48–49,156–66liniments,153medicinalherbalism,58,62,105,107preparing,149–51,153protectioncharms,166–68,170–72

salves,154soaps,154spellbags,166–68,170–72typesof,120–26usesof,119–26,149–51

Homecleanlinessof,43–49decluttering,42–44décorin,42–44,49–54elementsin,49–54heartof,20,41–45,50improving,42–45outdoorspaces,54–55purificationof,44–49roomsin,43,48–49sacredspacesin,29,41–54

Houseplants,146–47.SeealsoPlantsHumanity,31–32Iceritual,94–95Incense

blending,156–62burning,162–65empowering,162making,156–66purificationwith,48–49,154,159–60resinsfor,158–60storing,165–66testing,157–58

Infusedsugars,216–19Interactions,14–16,29,60–67,77,80–83Jars,38–39Journals,36–37,61–66Kitchenwitches,20Knives,39Life,celebrating,23–24Liniments,153Love,31,33,166,170,190,196Lovebalm,177–78Lunarcycle,99,103–5Lunarenergy,99–105Magic

crafting,148–84explanationof,24–27flowermagic,115–19greenwitchmagic,24–27,148–84hearthmagic,41–42,50herbalassociationsand,233–42naturalmagic,24–25,45,105,111,114treemagic,107–14understanding,24–27

Magicalassociations,233–42Magicalbalm,176–77Medicinalherbalism,58,62,105,107.SeealsoHerbsMeditation

onelements,69fallmeditation,86–87meditationbalm,177

rituals,88–95seasonalmeditation,81–88springmeditation,84summermeditation,85wintermeditation,87–88

Milkbaths,200–202Moon,99–105Moonphases,103–5Moonsigns,101,104Mortarandpestle,38Naturalassociations,233–42Naturalelements,65–67Naturalhealer,185–203Naturalmagic,24–25,45,105,111,114.SeealsoMagicNature

elementsin,49–54energycentersand,31–32livingcloselywith,98–133intunewith,56–57,59–75,98–133

Naturespirits,56–58Notebooks,36–37Oaths,26–28Outdoorspaces,54–55.SeealsoSacredspacesPeace,31,34,166,170,196Perfumeoils,152,175–76,191–94Plants.SeealsoGarden;Herbs

drying,149–51flowers,114–19harvesting,93–94,103,106–7,136–37,149houseplants,146–47plantingtips,140–41usesof,35,149–51

Plantspirits,57–58.SeealsoNaturespiritsPollution,144Powerbags,41Power,embracing,30–58Prayer,28–29Prosperity,31,34,166,170,195Protection

charmsfor,166–68,170–72energycentersfor,31,34–35oilblendsfor,196steppingstonesfor,178–82

Purificationofbroom,47–48ofhome,44–49,147,154,159–60withincense,48–49,154,159–60

Purificationbalm,177Recipes

bathsaltrecipes,199–202breadrecipe,230–31essentialoilrecipes,193–96flavoredsugars,216–19floralwaters,211–13flowerrecipes,210–19flowersugars,214–19flowersyrups,213–14

fruitrecipes,206–9fruitsmoothies,207–9fruitvinegars,215–16grainrecipes,227–29infusedsugars,216–19souprecipes,221–27sugars,214–19tearecipes,187–91vegetablerecipes,221–27vinegars,215–16

Restorativeelixirs,202–3.SeealsoHealingRituals,seasonal,88–95Sacredspaces,29,41–55.SeealsoHomeSalves,154Sanctuary,41–54Scissors,39Seasonalcycles,77–87Seasonalenergy,76–77,205,220Seasonalmeditation,81–88Seasonalrituals,88–95Seasonaltides,79–80Seasons,powerof,76–95Self-love,31,33Senses

developing,69–75discovering,69–75sensingelements,65–67sensingenergy,62–63sixthsense,75smell,74sound,70–71taste,73–74touch,71–72vision,70

Shrines,49–54,155Sixthsense,developing,75Smell,developing,74Smoothies,207–9Soaps,154Solarenergy,99–102,159Solstices,79–95Souprecipes,221–27Spellbags,creating,166–68,170–72Spellcraft,20,25Spices,119–26Spirits,56–58Springdawnbath,202Springequinox,83–84,89–90Springmeditation,84Staffs,39–40Stangs,39–40Stars,99–101Stellarenergy,99–101Steppingstones,178–84Stones

attuningto,131–32cleansing,130–31

empowering,132–33steppingstones,178–84stoneelixirs,203typesof,126–30using,126–30

Sugars,214–19Summergardenbath,202Summergardenblessing,90–93Summermeditation,85Summersolstice,84–85,90–93Sun,99–102Sunsigns,100–101Taste,developing,73–74Tearecipes

BedtimeTea,190ColdTea,189DigestiveTea,189LoveTea,190MarshmallowTea,187MentalFocusTea,191SageGargle,188TonicTea,188–89

Teas,healing,186–91Tides,seasonal,79–80Tools

bowls,38canisters,38–39cotton,40–41cups,37fieldbook,36–37gauze,40–41hands,35–36herbs,35jars,38–39journals,36–37,61–66knives,39mortarandpestle,38notebooks,36–37plants,35powerbags,41scissors,39staffs,39–40stangs,39–40walkingsticks,39–40

Touch,developing,71–72Treeattunementexercise,112–13Treemagic,107–14Treetypes,107–12Tree,world,39–40Vegetableenergies,220Vegetablerecipes

Apple,Almond,andCurrySoup,222–23Carrot,Coriander,andOrangeSoup,225–26Gazpacho,221–22OnionSoup,226–27TomatoSoup,223–24

Vernalequinox,83–84,89–90

Vinegars,crafting,215–16Vision,developing,70Walkingsticks,39–40Waterelement,37,50,65–68Watershrines,50–53Wildcrafting,106–7Wilderness,134Winterenergybath,202Wintericeritual,94–95Wintermeditation,87–88Wintersolstice,87–88,94–95Worldtree,39–40Zodiac,100–101

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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataMurphy-Hiscock,Arin,author.Thegreenwitch/ArinMurphy-Hiscock.Avon,Massachusetts:AdamsMedia,2017.Includesindex.LCCN2017020010(print)|LCCN2017027766(ebook)|ISBN9781507204719(hc)|ISBN9781507204726(ebook)LCSH:Witchcraft.|Nature--Miscellanea.LCCBF1566(ebook)|LCCBF1566.M7882017(print)|DDC133.4/3--dc23LCrecordavailableathttps://lccn.loc.gov/2017020010ISBN978-1-5072-0471-9ISBN978-1-5072-0472-6(ebook)

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