Outdoor Sacred Space  

 April is the month when my mind turns to gardening.  I've already noticed that my hollyhocks are coming up.  The chive's in my window-box are sprouting green spears, as well as the onions in my herb garden.  The silvery gray wormwood is just breaking through the mulch in my rock garden.  

My rock garden is also "sacred space".  Not everyone realizes this, I'm sure.  There is a gnome guarding the gate of Earth at the North, a fairy-- the gate of Air in the East, a small red dragon-- the gate of Fire in the South, and a frog (who holds a rain gauge)-- the gate of Water in the West.  

A large black cauldron, which will be overflowing with flowers or herbs this summer, sits in the center.  Wind chimes keep the evil spirits away, and there are even "thresholds" to enter and exit.

Spring Garden Blessing

  
  (This blessing is courtesy of Silver Ravenwolf)

    Directions:   

Take 4 unbroken pretzels (Pennsylvania Dutch symbols of good fortune) and bury them at the four corners of your garden.  Best done at dawn.    

The Spell:  

"Fresh turned earth filled with treasure,

I give this garden my love and pleasure.

I walk the magic 3X3, to plant great joy and harmony.

Bugs be gone with other pests,

I frighten away unwanted guests.

Elven magic, weave your spell,

Keep my plants both strong and well.

As I do will, so now it's done,

By leaf...and vine...and rain...and sun."  

Add your own touch to this blessing:   I leave a silver coin in each garden spot as a fairy blessing.   Sometimes I carry a white candle with me.  If it's too windy, you can put a tea candle in the bottom of a glass jar and it's less likely to get blown out.   I have also smudged my garden space with incense.   (I'll bet the neighbors wonder.)   For those of you who have the opportunity, I would highly recommend creating a sacred space outdoors.  There is a divine connection there that just can't be recreated anywhere else.  And besides, it's a great deal of fun!

Blessings, Amythyst

(This blog is reposted from the April Newsletter in The Witch's Corner.  The photos are all orginal photos taken by me or my daughter Isabella of our sacred garden)