Lessons From The Garden
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They say that necessity is the mother of invention. It is also the mother of motivation at my house, currently. Several projects I’ve been putting off are now somewhat urgent. One of them is tending to my upper garden, which sits at the top a small hill behind my house.
At one time the space held a mix of vegetable gardens and perennials. There were peonies, lilacs, irises, rhubarb and even a small mistletoe plant. The previous owners had let the garden go to seed a few years before I took it over in 2013. Ever since I’ve just been trying to keep the area from being entirely consumed by bittersweet (aka my mortal enemy) and a mysterious groundcover.
For the first 5-6 years I lived here I vowed I would clean up the upper garden and do some serious landscaping to make it more accessible and enjoyable. But there never seemed be enough time. Weekends and evenings were spent at school events, sporting events or shuttling my kids hither and thither. And so I eventually gave up the ghost of a lovely little garden tucked away on the hill. Instead I focused on easier-to-maintain areas around my house.
This year though, I’m finally going to do some proper landscaping and get the space ready for planting. But before I can start adding in more flowers and vegetables, I have to prune, pull and remove all the excessive vines, weeds and trees. I likely won’t even begin planting anything new until next year. I started working on cutting back the garden this past weekend. As I was hacking away at giant bittersweet vines, I was kicking myself for not doing this years ago. Why had I let it get so wild? Why hadn’t I been more diligent about the upkeep? Cutting away all the overgrowth felt like I was giving someone a very short and very bad haircut. It was one of those it’s-going-to-get-worse-before-it-gets-better situations.
Even though I love the wild and unkept beauty of this space, I risk losing it all together if I don’t take serious action now. So while it pains me to cut everything down to the dirt and have to cut down several trees (which are leaning precipitously close to my house) I know that the end result will be a much healthier, and even more beautiful, corner of the world. Moving forward I want to start using a Garden Journal & Planner, similar to this one.
When I first started working on this space it was overwhelming and I wanted to quit right away. So in my head I marked off a small area to focus on. I just had to clear this one area, and I could be done for the day. That one area took me four hours to clean up, but I was so happy at the end of it. And much more motivated to continue the work. It was a good reminder that small actions can have big impact.
Do you have any lessons you’ve learned from your gardens or nature?
Some of Gardening Books You May Enjoy*
The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
A Green Witch’s Guide to Herbal Medicine by Sage Willowbrook
Growing Fruits & Vegetables for Dummies - This book was super helpful when I first started out gardening
On The Blog
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Does Manifesting Really Work?
This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
I was cleaning out my home office not too long ago and came across a Life Binder I started back in 2012. In it were notes and lists written in my Law of Attraction heyday. I had snippets from magazines glued to copy paper, representing my Be, Do, Have desires. There were images of white farmhouses and rose gardens, yellow kitchens and smart business casual outfits. There was the ubiquitous Check from the Universe, made out to myself (obviously), for an amount representing the salary I wanted that year. I had a lists of desires written in the present tense. I am so happy and grateful that…. There were gratitude lists galore.
I found different versions of my Be Do Have lists from 2012, 2014 and 2017 - each one with new items and wants.
Reading through these lists was fun. I checked off many of the items. I bought a house, got my masters degree, raised my kids, increased my income, started a successful blog. Did I manifest these? Maybe. But I also took a LOT of action to bring these desires into reality. But…..I definitely think that for some events in my life, there was some divine intervention. How I bought my house is a prime example. After my divorce I had to go back to renting and I thought I would never own a house again. But somehow I was approved for a mortgage, found a home in my price range that was big enough for my family and close to schools and my work. Everything seemed to fall magically into place at just the right time. Side note - this was 2013, when the housing market was still stable. Did I manifest this house? Maybe. Maybe not. But I’ve always felt like someone was looking out for me, to find what literally felt like the perfect place to call home.
Some of the items on my Be Do Have lists I no longer wanted. In fact, I’m really happy I didn’t get them. This includes jobs, relationships, a questionable chevron inspired rug for my living room. Did I not get these things because I wasn’t high vibe enough? Or because the Universe knew better? Or was it just bad luck/ good luck?
I’ve been off any kind of LOA/Manifesting for a few years now. I don’t know if it was because of the pandemic or I just got tired of trying to be positive so much of the time. A major flaw with LOA for me, is that it kept me in my head too much. I was always policing my thoughts and was constantly trying to find silver linings, when sometimes, it was just a pile of sh!t.
During COVID-19, out of curiosity, I did deep dives into the history of some of the most popular LOA figures - Abraham Hicks, Neville Goddard, Rhonda Byrnes, the hippy guy from The Secret. What I found wasn’t great. There are lots of articles and information about some shady past dealings with each of them. Is it all true? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way it was enough to put me off any thoughts of LOA until recently.
In her book, The Age of Magical Thinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, author and podcast host Amanda Montell delves into the ideas behind concepts like manifesting, debunking the idea that thoughts become things and that we can control anything by just focusing on it. On a logical level I understood what Montell was saying. We are programmed with cognitive biases and to imbue meaning into even the most mundane parts of our life. Coincidences become signs from a higher power. Bad luck is attributed to bad karma in a past life. Seeing certain numbesr is a message from angels. Listening to this book (I bought it on Audible) thoroughly debunk any kind of magickal thinking left me feeling a little sad. I mean, there has to be some magic in life, right?
Yes, humans are designed to make meaning out of pretty much anything, but I refuse to believe that there is NO higher power guiding us in some way. Perhaps it is a God or Goddess, or maybe our ancestors. I like to think that nature is my guide, because being outside brings me peace and clarity. Is this because I am allowing myself to slow down and be present enough to feel to my feelings? Or is it the essence of Gaia guiding me with soft winds and passing clouds? Maybe it’s a little bit of both.
I’ve picked up my Be Do Have lists again. This time feeling a little more grounded and wise about what I really want in life. My list in 2024 includes peace, joy, health and stability. And maybe a new rug for my living room.
10 Tips for Magickal Spring Cleaning
This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
As winter fades and the days get longer, many of us start to feel the urge to clean up, clear out, and reset. Spring is a season of growth and fresh starts, which makes it a great time to take a more intentional approach to your cleaning routine.
Around the Spring Equinox and celebration of Ostara, we see a natural balance between light and dark. It’s a good reminder to check in with what feels off-balance in our own lives or homes. And as we move toward Beltane in early May, the energy of the season shifts toward creativity, movement, and action.
Magickal spring cleaning doesn’t need to be complicated. Open the windows. Sweep the floors with intention. Burn a little incense or use your favorite room spray to shift the mood. Clear out things you don’t need—physically and energetically—and make space for what’s next.
Set your intentions: Before you start cleaning, set your intentions for the space. This can be anything from clearing out stagnant energy to inviting in abundance and positivity.
Make your own cleaner: Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Shake well before using and use to clean surfaces throughout your home.
Walk through each room you intend to clean: Before you start cleaning, walk through each space and think about how you want to feel in the space, as well as how you want it to look.
Use salt water: Add some sea salt to water and use it to cleanse surfaces, windows, and floors. Salt water has a purifying effect and can help neutralize negative energy.
Incorporate crystals: Place crystals around your space to amplify the energy of your intentions. Clear quartz, amethyst, and rose quartz are all great choices.
Use sound: Use a singing bowl, bells, or a chime to clear stagnant energy and bring in positive vibrations.
Bless your cleaning tools: Before you begin cleaning, take a moment to bless your cleaning tools. This can be done by holding them in your hands and visualizing them being filled with positive energy and intentions.
Bring in fresh air: Open windows to let fresh air flow through your space. This can help clear out stagnant energy and bring in new, positive energy.
Declutter: Get rid of items that no longer serve you or bring you joy. Clearing physical clutter can also help clear mental clutter and create space for new opportunities.
Express gratitude: Finally, express gratitude for your space and the positive energy you have created. This can be as simple as saying a prayer or lighting a candle to honor your efforts.
Magickal spring cleaning is a powerful way to harness the energy of the season and create a fresh start for yourself and your home. By incorporating these tips into your cleaning routine, you can purify your space, infuse it with positive energy, and set the stage for growth and new beginnings. Whether you celebrate Ostara or simply want to take advantage of the season's natural energy, these magickal spring cleaning tips can help you create a clean, vibrant, and harmonious home.
Recommended Reading
Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale
Green Witchcraft For The Kitchen Witch
The Cottage Witch’s Book of Smudging Recipes, Blessings, and Ceremonies
