The Pagan Heart Callum's Herbaria

March 2005 Issue

Callum's Herbaria By Callum Mostyn     Dydd da. Croeso i Callum's Herbaria. I'm Callum, and welcome once more to my Herbaria. This month I am once again considering the direction my garden is headed in. With spring starting to warm up the place (in my mind at least), and summer ahead, I am thinking about further restructuring of it. Right now, it's looking a bit ratty - what with the frigid weather we get at this time of year. Still, the potential is there for the garden to awaken and grow beautiful again. The question remains - how can I best improve it this year? The majority of it looks good - and after the 3 years of work I've put into it, it should. A veritable two-acre wonderland of herbs, vegetables, ground covers and trees, flowers, and bushes. But the bottom end is an eyesore. I have a largish duckpond down there, and a vast array of mud and weeds. Thinking of marshy land (which really is a good way to describe the bottom end) reminds me of the willow tree - one of the most delicate and beautiful looking of trees, yet so far I haven't tried to grow one. I am thinking that a couple of willows might do well and conceal some of the inevitable mess my ducks tend to create at certain times of year when the weather and earth conspire to prevent the grass and weeds from thriving. We have always viewed the black willow as a guardian tree, one that spreads its protection across the land. I know that I find the time I spend beneath the branches of the local willows to be most restful. I think I would like to bring that to my garden. And the bark would be a welcome addition to my kitchen cornucopia since I find willowbark useful when my migraines show up. Try chewing it fresh, or brew a tea from the dried bark - seep a teaspoon per cup of cold water for about 5 hours, then boil it up and drink. Make sure you use white willow for the pain relief, black for protection. If you are pregnant, or prone to stomach ailments such as Crone's disease, please don't use willow bark without speaking with your doctor first. The wonderful thing about willows from a planting perspective is that it will grow in the ground, in a pot, or as cuttings in a jar of water. So it is suitable to any "garden". Since my duckpond makes the surrounding area rather damp and at times marshy, not everything that I desire grows down there. A lot of weeds last year - none of great use to me, and even my ducks avoided most of them. The willows would indeed add character and beauty, but they won't cover much ground - at least not for some time. I need a ground cover that does well in the damp, grows prolifically, and looks attractive. Plus, a standard in my garden, magically and medicinally it needs to add something. Balsam is what I will plant I think. A light and soft looking succulent plant, it has long branching stems that reach up to the sun - a good 1-2 feet - with emerald leaves and a profusion of pretty flowers ranging from white, through lilac, pink, red, magenta and purple - with combinations in between. It likes wet soil and grows quickly. The shallow root system makes it easy to pull out when it escapes its area too. The balsam plant is not one I'd advise consuming - there are folktales about its medicinal value, but I tend to err on the side of caution, in that the taste is acrid and burns and this usually means "DO NOT EAT" in the plant world. I have heard that the tannin in the leaves makes them a good addition to poultices for piles and other skin irritations. Magically, balsam is a herb of concealment and also of "springing forth", or surprise. For those times when you wish to keep your actions hidden, or to move about without others being aware until such time as you chose to reappear, balsam is a good plant to use. It is also a herb of fecundity. Since we're discussing groundcovers, the other two I am considering for my damp area are wormwood and comfrey. Until now I've grown these two in a small plot by my back door. They aren't doing too well, possibly as there's a little too much sun and too little water. Both tend to the slightly more shaded, damp environment, which my bottom end would provide nicely. Between the willows and the alders - I have a thriving stand of old alders down there that provide me with my firewood - the area has dappled shade. I have always found comfrey grows well in the wild in the shaded dells rather than out in the open. The solid leaves fanning out with their rich green and vague furry appearance will provide a nice contrast to the balsam. For those of you unfamiliar with comfrey, it is a low growing plant with a profusion of thrick fleshy leaves sprouting from a central stem. This plant is an incredible pharmecopeia, in and of itself, aiding the healing of internal and external wounds of the skin, flesh and bone. Magically, it is protective on the personal level (carry it with you), brings youth to mind and body, and comfort to the spirit. It marries perfectly with wormwood. Wormwood is a herb sacred to Artemis, and brings her nature to the garden. Another protective herb, it wards against curses, negative energy, and magical attack. It also acts to help bring the mind to a state receptive to visions, clairvoyance, and divination. Beyond that, wormwood is (intriguingly) a herb of love. Because of the pitentially toxic nature of the plant, I advise stringent care in consuming any part of it. To benefit from its healthful properties, use it in incense or potpourri - it will soothe and calm the nerves, and increase concentration. Because of the plant's singular feature - its silverly foliage looks spectacular, especially under the moonlight - I will probably plant it at the edges of my alder stands. I am thinking that the moon garden effect of alder, wormwood and water will add to my lunar observances. They may be few and far between, but that doesn't mean I can't create an ideal setting for them! The last herb I wish to discuss is lavender - another moon plant with silvered foliage. Lavender, to me, is a staple in any garden, whether it's a herbal one or not, and regardless of magical or medicinal inclination. This plant has so much to offer. Firstly there are numerous varieties with different leaves, flower heads, heights, scents, and growing prefernces. So there is a variety to suit every garden and every gardener. Then there is the herbal nature of the plant. Lavender soothes the senses, the nerves, the emotions, and the body. It calms while at the same time invigorating and refreshing. The mind sharpens and can focus better when lavender is used. Or, in complete contradiction, the mind can prepare for deep sleep, or a strong meditation. It all depends upon the desire within when the scent is deployed. That is such an incredible feature. Lavender also heals many skin ailments, and is safe to be used with all ages - simply dilute appropriately. It can also be added to food and tea (lavender sugar is delicious, by the way). To grow lavender you need some earth or a pot, solid sun and good drainage. I find mine does better in a slightly protected spot, where the wind is kept to a minimum. It makes a wonderful border plant too - I currently have the beginnings of a formal garden and am using different lavender varieties to create the different borders. It prunes well and makes a nice solid mass. Place it where you will brush past to release the wonderful aroma. To spice it up a bit, try alternating it with rosemary. Visually, magically, and aromatically the two make a delightful combination. Well, that's it from me for this month. Hope this has given you some ideas for your own gardens. Da boch, my friends, and bi bheannaithe!

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