Thursday, June 23, 2016: The moon phase is Waning Gibbous in the zodiac sign Aquarius.
Element: Air
Color: Turquoise
Incense: Jasmine (see below for magical uses)
Garden Activities:
Plow, Cultivate, and weed
Harvest fruits and root crops
Hill up parsnips and carrots
Plant out asparagus crowns
(Jasminum officinale, Jamsminum grandiflorum, Jasminum odoratissimum)
Folk Names: Anbar, Jessamin, Moonlight on the Grove, Peot’s Jessamine, Yasmin
Wednesday, June 22, 2016: The moon phase is Waning Gibbous in the zodiac sign Capricorn until entering Aquarius at 4:08 PM EST.
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Element: Air
Color: Topaz
Incense: Bay Laurel (see below for magical uses)
Garden Activities:
Plow, Cultivate, and weed.
Plant onions, potatoes, rhubarb, grapes, winter wheat, and berries.
(Laurus nobilis) G
Folk Names: Baie, Bay Tree, Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Sweet Bay, Laurel, Laurier d’Apollon, Laurier Sauce Lorbeer, Noble Laurel, Roman Laurel
Tuesday, June 21, 2016: The moon phase is Waning Gibbous in the zodiac sign Capricorn.
Element: Earth:
Color: Black
Incense: Cinnamon (see below for magical uses)
Garden Activity:
Plant potatoes and tubers
Trim to retard growth
Pick mushrooms
Prune to promote healing
Mow lawn
Herbal Magic - Cinnamon
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, C. verum
Folk Names: Ceylon cinnamon, Sweet Wood
Deities: Aphrodite, Venus
Element: Fire (Courage, Exorcism, Health, Lust, Strength, Protection)
Nutmeg is indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (or Spice Islands) of Indonesia and the tree can grow up to 66 feet tall. The peach-shaped fruit is known as the nutmeg apple, which is discarded in favor of the aromatic seed inside. The fruit splits when ripe to expose a pecan sized nut wrapped in a bright red “netting” called an aril. The nut and aril are then separated and dried. The nut is nutmeg, the aril (which turns a yellow as it dries) yields the spice mace. Both spices have a long history of use in both Chinese and Indian medicine, nutmeg is more commonly used. Health benefits include; a calming effect, helps to lower blood pressure and soothes digestive upset. It can be mixed with a neutral oil (for use in a massage) to ease joint pain and inflammation.
In India, Tibet and China, Sandalwood is used to protect religious carvings in temples. The best quality and most expensive comes from India. These trees are are endangered and protected by the government in one province. The oils from Australia and West India are less effective. True Sandalwood oil is complicated to make and becoming rare. The tree should be 40 years old before the oil can be extracted, and it requires up to 55 pounds of wood chips for 1 quart of oil, then distilled for six months.
The Egyptians wove their funeral wreaths with Acacia leaves, their mummies wrappings were coated with the liquid made from Acacia. Christian belief is Christ’s crown of thorns was from Acacia, and possibly the crucifix. The Bible recounts the bush of Moses was also an Acacia as well as Noah’s Ark. In honor of a departed friend, the ancient Hebrews planted a sprig. Acacia is known to stand for immortality and initiation as well as a symbol of an eternal and pure soul. In ritual the leaves are burned as incense or used to sprinkle blessed water.
Woodruff’s scent increases when wilting, once dried it can be used as potpourri. It used to be sewn into cotton bags and hung in closets as a moth deterrent. Mixed with white wine it is thought to strengthen the heart. (Only the above-ground portion of the plant is used) It contains coumarin glucosides that acts as an anticoagulants and can be used to counteract excessive blood clotting.
Folk Names: Ail-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon’s Trailer, Cat’s Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George’s Herb, Sete Wale, Set Well, Vandal Root
Powers: Love, Purification, Protection, Sleep
Valerian is a tall perennial with heads of sweet scented pink, blue or white flowers which bloom in the summer. Its one unpleasant quality is the the smell of the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots. However, cats and rats relish in it. Some herbalists suggest that Valerian was the secret of the legendary Pied Piper of Hamlin’s irresistible power over rats!
Dill is a member of the Umbelliferae family, related to carrots and parsley. It is easily spotted in the garden due to the thread-like, feathery leaves. In ancient civilizations, Dill was so valued that it was accepted as a means of payment. Today, the leaves and the seeds are highly regarded for both medicinal and culinary appeal. Dill’s essential oils found in the seeds make it a versatile naturopathic remedy, it’s great for stomach and intestinal problems, mild insomnia, nervous ailments, flatulence and heartburn. It is also widely prescribed for many diseases of the liver and gallbladder and may be recommended to treat gastric problems in children. In the kitchen, it is a flavorful addition to many dishes and excellent for accenting fish, poultry, potatoes, cucumbers and cheese.
Thyme is a perennial shrub, and a member of the mint family. With over a hundred varieties, the most common being garden and lemon thyme.
The Greeks used Thyme “to make a burnt offering.” In the Middle Ages, Europeans placed it under pillows to promote sleep and ward off nightmares. Women would also give the leaves to knights to bring courage. Thyme was also placed on coffins and burned as incense during funerals to send one into the next life.
