Comments on: Back Yard Herbalism, Back Yard Magic

By: Kristena

Kristena — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:41:56 +0000

Wonderful posts..and pictures!

By: Tammie

Tammie — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:04:05 +0000

I forgot to add-lost my thought train- When we were preparing for our hand fasting, I was contacted by a local shop owning Wiccan (my other official was inexperienced and refered us over)who proceeded to tell me that she refused to do my style and how I would be cursed for such mockery. Then proceeded to almost say a spell to me over the phone. I recounted back that I would not want her negative attitude or beliefs officiating anyway. That was the beginning of my criticial view of the die hard believers-by the book is the only way kind of people.
Just thought I would share…

By: Tammie

Tammie — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:58:45 +0000

When I started my path, Before I was married, I ran into so many people who would rave about those books. I read some and thought how similar it was to the other religions on how it must be done this way or you will be neglected by the god(dess)for your ignorance. So I just took what I wanted from them and decided I would go with what I felt was the right way. So far, no missing limbs or lightning bolts/curses.
So- HEAR HEAR! whens a branch coming our direction Reverend Michelle? LOL.

By: Graziana

Graziana — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:12:01 +0000

Hi, I’m following a ‘personal’ path too, I think your post is very interesting.
Books are full of cues, but you can’t find there your path!

Graziana

PS Thanks for the tree identification link!

By: simplewitch

simplewitch — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:15:46 +0000

Dawn–thanks, my garden is amazing . . . amazingly full of weeds! LOL!!!!! Honestly I find it delightful, but it really isn’t anything I can take credit for. So many things have just appeared on the land, I see something almost every day that I’d never noticed before. Amazing is definitely the right word.

Howling Hill and Jaspanelle, leaves me wondering . . . who IS using all the exotic herbs listed in Cunningham’s Encyclopedia?

By: Jaspenelle

Jaspenelle — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:24:07 +0000

It is so refreshing to read about someone else using local plants in their “magic”. I remember when I first came to the neopagan I remember reading the same type of books and thinking the same thing.

Why use a non-native flower in my Beltane celebration instead of some beautiful local arrowleaf blossoms?

I have so much to learn about all my local plants of course. I just recently came to the realization I don’t have to use the far off plants, I need to listen to my heart more then some book (hey, isn’t that why I left my birth faith…)

Anyhow, I’ll stop rambling here, I just wanted to say it was really refreshing to read your post!

By: Howling Hill

Howling Hill — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:42:21 +0000

I didn’t read any of those authors you mention because there was something in me which said not to. I came to Paganism in a different way than you but like yourself my Paganism didn’t really blossom until I settled down from years of running from abuses galore.

Thanks for the link to the Arbor Day foundation. I’ll be using it a lot.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:02:38 +0000

Your garden sounds amazing – I’m in the process of planting my garden at the moment. I have a beautiful Cherry tree around which I’ve planted Bluebells, I’m hoping that they will flower next year. I’ve also been busy planting lots of herbs, the ones that I use for magic, as well as cooking and healing – it’s a subject I enjoy immensley. Thanks for sharing your experiences.