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Recent Rants

How Much To Plant

This is for average use of your fruits and vegetables for foods you like okay and use when it's available. If you really love it, add an extra plant or two for each person that loves it. Plant recommendations are Per Person you are feeding. If you are only growing for in-season eating, select the number from the eat fresh column and multiply it by the number of people you have in your household. You will probably still have extra, assuming no catastrophe strikes your garden. If you are...

First Harvest Reflections

The feast of the First Harvest is a feast of little bits. The garden is full of promise, but not full of ripe produce. We have some zucchini, an eggplant, maybe even a tomato, but hardly enough of anything to make a meal, but together, with a handful of herbs, couple eggs from the hens and some cheese from the farmer's market, they make a passable vegetable lasagna. A few other odds and ends, six green beans and a carrot, with some scraps from the lasagna noodles and we've got a hearty soup....

A Simple Kitchen Witches Herb Garden

Gardening can be intimidating and, for those of us who do not have our own patch of dirt to tend, it can seem nearly impossible. But growing and using your own herbs is quite satisfying and can only improve our magical relationship with them. And if you don't have your own patch of dirt, many herbs grow quite satisfactorily in pots on a windowsill or a porch step. Here, I hope to list some of the easiest and most useful herbs for a start toward your magical herb garden. Obviously, this is not an...

Gardening By The Moon

Gardening according to the phases of the moon is an ancient practice. Those of us who garden as an expression of our spirituality and our connection with both the Earth and our ancestors may wish to incorporate the moon phases and the lunar calendar into our gardening. There are generally two things that are considered when gardening by the moon. The first is the moon phase and the second is the astrological house the moon is in. Read on to find out how they each affect your plants differently....

In Season

The Berry Moon

I know the traditional name is Strawberry moon, but those aren't the only fruit we're excited about this full moon. Saskatoons, raspberries, blackberries, cherries and blueberries are either ready to pick or will be soon, depending on the weather. (Not to mention broad beans, sweet peas, snap peas and salad greens). The berry moon is all about celebrating the first signs of your hard work coming to fruition. It's all about that little squee of joy you get from the back of your brain when you...

The Long Nights Moon

The Long Night's Moon in the month of December is likely the longest full moon night of the year (The Wolf Moon in January might be longer if it's closer to the Winter Solstice). I like to spend some time this evening just appreciating the night sky. Now that all the harvests are in and planting is months away, it's time to just chill. But no. The holiday season is in full swing and not only does that mean there are a lot of demands on my personal time, preparing things to bring to parties,...

Celebrating Diversity

Timing This ritual is suitable for when the moon is waxing in Gemini or Aquarius. Supplies: A map of the world, either a cardboard globe or a map stapled to a cardboard backing of bulletin board. Several tacks in different colors. Enough so that each participant can have a color and have several tacks for their own use. (Alternatively you could use stickers instead of tacks) Have everyone bring a dish to pass that represents their ancestry. Meditation: Begin with a basic relaxation exercise....

Plannning A Pagan Wedding

This is your special day, you want to make sure it goes off without a hitch. You'll need to plan every moment and make sure everyone involves knows exactly what they're supposed to be doing when. The list that follows is a general list for reference only. You may add, omit or move things around as suits you. Some things overlap in a big way and shouldn't be combined in the same ceremony. FoldUnfold Table of Contents Before the Event Choosing a Wedding Date Month Day of the Week Moon Phase...

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