GARDENSGODDESS


The photo of the light veil around the statue of Our Lady was taken by Mona Leigh at a healing ceremony at the Sattva Sanctuary, at which Mary appeared and facilitated healings. The photo was taken at 10:30 a.m. facing due West, so sun glare is not a possibility. Light anomaly was unknown until film was developed at a local drugstore. For a better look at the photo visit http://www.dragonsandblues.com/images/maryphoto.jpg
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THESE THINGS One way to "look" at this picture and other similar phenoms -it may well be a light leak, something explainable by scientific obsevations - but it is still there, and because of a set of circumstances that occured at just the right time and place. So it has the quality of being supernatural and natural at the same time - that is, occuring naturally but at the behest of the Divine, if you can follow my winding thought pattern - which ain't always easy, Ill grant you:) And then you have people who hoax supernatural events, and using our common sense we discount them as entertainment. There's no use agonizing over whether something like this is "real" or not for anyone in particular, as the God/ess makes Her/Himself known to each of us in and infinite number of ways. Their presence in our lives is not something that is subject to scientific verification (unless They would have it be so:). The best "evidence" I have of Their existence and influence on my own life is a "feeling" I have, and can't be communicated to others in language as we know it. But I still try:)
A MOON GARDEN What could be nicer than sitting on the front step at night, eating almond crescent cookies, sipping jasmine tea, and gazing at night- blooming plants? Plants in this plot would be white like the moon, bloom at night or be fragrant at night, and some of the plants might correspond to Moon goddesses: Evening Primrose Moonflowers Nicotiana Datura (Angel's Trumpet) Soapwort Phlox -- the Midnight Candy variety Plants that release fragrance at night include: Night gladiolus (gladiolus tristus) Tuberose Evening trumpet flower (Carolina Jessamine) Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) Artemis is a moon goddess, and white-ish plants that are sacred to her are wormwood and white mugwort. She loves all artemisias -- Silver Mound and Canescens would be especially beautiful here Moon Gardens Moon Gardens are a favorite theme of mine. I first became interested in Moon gardens when my mother was diagnosed with skin cancer. She was just beginning her gardening journey, and though she dabbled in the garden when I was younger, she didn't do anything major. But when I bought a house I jumped into gardening with both feet and pulled my mother along with me on the ride. Gardening had become a great passion for both of us, and I did not want to lose that bond and so I started looking for ways my mother could enjoy the garden without jeopardizing her health. That is when I stumbled on to Moon gardens, but there are more reasons to Moon Garden than just avoiding the sun, they make wonderful sacred spaces to honor your moon times or just to work spells that are infused with the moon's power Literally reflected in every blossom. As a pagan woman, the need to celebrate my cycles makes it natural to find a special place where the earth and I are one, what better place for that than the moon garden, where I can touch the earth and see my cycles reflected in the moon. For those of you into the Goth scene, a moon garden won't ruin your deathly white pallor and makes an ideal place to hang out with others in the moon's subtle glow. Moon gardens are generally made up of white or night flowering blooms. Some plants are most fragrant at night, among them jasmine and flowering tobacco, Flowers that glow in the full moon, reflecting the light and bringing tranquility. There are even varieties of daylilies that should be called night lilies as they open as the sun sets. The pleasure doesn't end with just the flowers. In the garden I planted for my mother, I included a gazing globe of iridescent white and a stand made from a ceramic pillar from a discount store. Stands have come down in price since then, but I still like the classic look of that globe on a pillar. Wind chimes add another dimension to the garden, and I recommend smaller ones or those with low soothing tones that will not disturb the garden's evening tranquility. Placing flat stones around the garden gives places to set up candles and will further add to the atmosphere of a night garden. However be care full with placement as they should not be too close the paths or plants as they can be dangerous to gardener and flora alike. Strolling paths and benches are a great addition to any garden and in a moon garden they are even more necessary, as it harder to find your way around, and the purpose of the garden is of stillness and the peace the night offers. I have found the perfect time to work in the garden is at dawn and dusk, with only a small amount of light the air is cooler making the labor involved less taxing. Planting can be done a little at a time, or with the help of artificial lighting, all at once, for you night owls. Gardening by moon phases are to be expected when planning and planting your moon garden, so it's time to break out that farmer's almanac. If you are looking for a Goddess that works well with your gardens energies, look towards Artemis, Hecate, Bendis, Brizo, Seline and Luna in the Greek/Roman pantheon, all of which are Moon Goddesses. Or some lesser know Goddesses such as Laonnota from Finland, Akua'ba from Africa, or the Aztec Moon Goddess, Miceaciuarl, who was known as the devourer of the dead. For those following a Gaelic path there is Gala/Galata or Albion who was known as the Milk White Moon Goddess. Here is a list of plants to try in your garden. White Lavender Moonflowers Daisies White violets Alyssum Dwarf magnolia Lamb's ear Dusty miller Evening primrose Baby Boo pumpkins Lady's mantle White iris White lilies (stargazer) Sweet peas Gourds (most are night bloomers) Night Blooming Daylilies Jasmine Cosmos White azaleas Foxglove (alba) back to top
GOD AND GODDESS GARDEN Who is your patron god/dess? Find plants sacred to hir and dedicate a section of the garden to that deity. For instance, some of the flowers sacred to Artemis are mugwort and all artemisias, trefoil, marigold, and amaranth. Hecate would appreciate aconite, Calla lily, belladonna, datura, and beautiful poison plants in general. If you want to steer clear of the poisonous plants, try verbena, borage, English ivy, chamomile, St. John's wort, bay, angelica, fennel, or rue. back to top
A TAROT GARDEN This idea has always intrigued me. What do you want to manifest in your life in the coming year? Prosperity? Fertility? Love? Find cards in the tarot that represent your desires. Examples would be the Empress and the Ace of Cups for a wanted pregnancy, or the Lovers, Ace of Cups, and Eight of Wands for a new relationship. If money is on your mind, how about the Ace, Ten, and King of Pentacles or Emperor? Find plants corresponding to the chosen cards. Plant the seeds and nurture them to harvest. Your goals should be reached by harvest. If you use the Herbal Tarot, your work is already done -- just plant the plants found on each card. back to top
A Garden Is So Much More than a Refuge for Flowers This article touches on many things that have to do with "spirit tools" - stones, flowers, gardens, altars - I thought you might enjoy reading it: "A Garden Is So Much More Than a Refuge for Flowers" By Dana Lenore Lindley "The sunlight trickles through the trees in my garden. the bench is hard and cool, the breeze gentle, the sky blue. The birds sing. When I close my eyes and breathe deeply several times, I know that I am in paradise. In my garden, lying between two oak trees is a heart-shaped stone too heavy for the suitcase bound for Paris. At its point grows a petite, watermelon-green hosta, precious. On this rock is carved "A garden is where the soul feels at home." I stand on the stone, feel the warmth on my cheek and the wind beneath my wings. My soul feels at home The stone is an altar, an altar I, a Catholic woman, can freely touch. I feel the granite beneath my feet, steady, solid, tangible. Gradually, I add stones to the path winding through the blooming columbine, English Ivy and budding coral bells. I will spend years collecting these talismans, but each will evoke a special memory, an even trade. Walking in my garden on a spring day, summer day, fall day, winter day is a moment of grace for me. A garden, even the tiniest one, is worth the effort. Staring into a single tulip in full color is a Georgia O"Keefe moment no matter where you live. I experience mighty emotions during this changing life cycle of spring when I focus on the beauty that surrounds me. Being in tune with the rhythm and energy of nature promotes health. It is fascinating, fundamental and free, simple abundance. Wisdom, the tree of life, is present in divine creation. Wisdom comes to those who seek to understand the order of creation and to live in harmony with it. The earth is a womb, We are the babies. We must care for our womb. We must teach our daughters to care for theirs. Respect for growing, living things teaches respect for humans, too. So get yourself a garden stone. Put it in your favorite outdoor spot. Plant a flower by it. Stand on it. Often. Add a bauble of whimsy and smile at the joy you have created. Close you eyes and feel smell, think, hear, rest and breathe life at its fullest here and now. Learn the cycles of the moon, follow the seasonal rotation from birth, growth and maturity to death. Let a sanctuary for birds be also a sanctuary for your soul." Dana is a free-lance writer who lives in Charleston, IL. back to top
SACREDGROVE
	http://mgardens.org/index.html