Necessary Gardens and Smallholding

I've been a witch for all of my 50 years, even when I was too young to know I was, but not too young to know that my "mormor" was. I'd tag along after her as she worked her garden magic and learn as she used it on herself, her family, and me. She spoke to fairies. She communed with trolls. She understood the animals. She talked to plants. It was a rare green thing that refused to grow in her garden; so rare as to be nonexistent.

As I grew older and embraced my heritage, and long before I knew there were other witches like me, I kept a Book of Shadows where I wrote down spells, potions, and thoughts about life and gardening. What a pleasant shock to discover a wiccan book in a bookstore! Someone published their stuff? Really? My library grew along with my garden. I made so many tinctures, potions and salves that I had to start an herb store just to keep up with sales.

But as my mothering years took over, I tucked my knowledge deep within, stopped celebrating the seasons outwardly, and focused on raising a family. "Too busy," I told myself, to re-assume my mantle. My daughter changed that. While both my older sons were (and still are) deeply spiritual, it was my daughter who re-awakened my desire to outwardly express my inner green witch. Because of her I'm once again making tinctures, salves and potions, and once again shaping a garden for magic.

And all I can say in gratitude is, "So mote it be." ♥