A counsel to practical and magickal gardening as we grow together

by Abby Miranda

So here comes March, in like a lion and out like a lamb. March winds whirl in to blow away every last little bit of stuff still left over from the old year and rush in new hope and fresh ideas. When the cleansing winds have settled down, we see the Vernal Equinox and the new moon falling on the 20th. This is the first day of spring and the festival of Ostara. This is a holiday of rebirth and balance, of inspiration and renewal. The lengths of day and night are equal and we start to become restless with possibilities. Even though it is still cold, we see the daffodils and crocus pushing up through the thawing earth. This is the time to gather gardening books and magazines and your plant catalogs as well. What is great about ordering plants by mail is the companies will send your selected plants during the time of planting season and not before.

Time to plan your garden. Remember what I mentioned before, keep it simple. Narrow down your choices for plants in the space required. This means research! How much space is needed between each plant and how many plants in a particular space? I have made the mistake of overcrowding, so heed the growing directions in those catalogs. Also, it is very important to know where the sun will be come planting time when you make your garden plans. Is there a certain tree in your property that is leafless now, but at the end of spring, makes a sunny spot shady when the tree is in its full glory? Expert gardeners tell us to plant in odd numbers, I think three is a good magickal number. Plan to place the same species of plants in groups of three.

Secure a sacred space in your home when you sit down to begin to create your plans. Draw out a map or blueprint of your garden on paper and use a variety of colored pencils so you can determine which group is what. I like to say a silent prayer to the Goddess and light a small white candle before I begin an artistic endeavor. This helps to put me in a quiet place to open my heart and my mind to be receptive to ideas. Sometimes I put on music with no words to facilitate the creative mood. When you feel you are finished, you can do a blessing for your plans and help to welcome in spring. I found this one in a book called “Garden Witchery” by Ellen Dugan:

“I call the Goddess Eostre, lady of green growing things,

I celebrate the earth’s fertility, this burgeoning time of spring.

May the God grant me growth, patience and the power to be wise,

As the slowly rising Storm Moon illuminates the eastern skies.”

You can do this blessing for your garden plans on the full moon in March, which is called “Storm Moon”. March’s full moon this year is on the 6th. Light a green candle for fertility and a white candle for the Goddess Eostre. Lavender and/or sandalwood would be suggested incenses to burn. March’s full moon is also the time to send love and light to your seedlings that you planted in February. They should be about an inch tall by now. You can create your own blessing for the seedlings or use the above blessing and include your garden plans in the same ritual. If your plans are not ready by March 6th, the new moon on the 20th is fine, too. After all, it is Ostara, the first day of spring. You would just change the words around in the blessing above, so instead of “Storm Moon” you would say “new moon”. Now you are all set for May’s planting. Don’t worry about making mistakes. That’s how we learn. It’s all good. Most importantly, have fun!

Spring will be sprung soon. The sap will begin to rise in the trees and within us, too. The Earth constantly renews and changes herself every day and teaches us to do the same. Planting seeds is like planting our dreams. Nurture your dreams to grow as you would your seedlings. What are you going to make room for and grow in your life this coming spring?

Happy gardening and merry part and merry meet again!

Abigail Miranda is an artist, a gardener and a teacher who wants to help people explore and discover their creative fire. Abby's experience and passion for growing things comes from trial and error, her "abuela" (grandmother), voraciously reading, and working at various garden shops, centers and societies in New York City. Call for information and dates for her current classes.