Practising the Craft outside has certain differences; obviously you do not need to take representations of the elements outside, they are there in the air, sun- and moonlight, rain and soil. The Goddess and the God are also present as they are the life force which causes everything to grow, and are seen in the cycles of life, death and rebirth which are all around. If you intend to use your garden, or a part of it, as a Sacred Space, you can therefore install and care for its components as a part of your usual gardening life. There are many levels of doing this from a complete garden makeover to the more practical placement of one or two plants and objects which are less obtrusive. Here I shall look at a few ideas for a complete makeover, but will focus more on the simpler approach.
PLANNING YOUR SACRED SPACE
In an ideal world you could have a lawn shaped as the triple moon, or as a circle with the pentagram picked out in flat stones or bricks. I even know of one garden where the owner has created a pentacle with small paving stones and has planted different plants and herbs in each of the different sections. You could also perhaps place elemental markers at the appropriate points, either plants or actual physical representations such as wind chimes in the east for Air, an outdoor flame or torch for Fire, a pond or fountain for Water in the west and a large stone in the north for Earth. This stone could also double as your Altar, or you could have a second Altar stone in the centre. If the area is not overhung with trees, or otherwise likely to suffer from fire damage, you could dig a permanent fire pit in the centre, or even have a permanent cauldron. If you wish, and can find reasonable ones, you could also place a statue of the Goddess and the God in the north of your Circle. Traditionally, the Witches’ circle is 9 feet (2.75 m) across, but if you will be working on your own it can be smaller. Around your circle you could place plants which act as screens for privacy, as well as those which are related to the elements, the Goddesses and Gods of your choice, or even those which are associated with the Wheel of the Year. Chapter 10 gives lists of plant associations.
However, most of us do not have the luxury of being able to not only start from scratch but also of being able to let our Craft dominate the use of even a part of the garden. In this case you may like to take ideas from the above and incorporate them into your existing space or use some of the following suggestions.
Firstly, you need to determine where the four quarters lie. This can be achieved precisely by using a compass, or more simply by noting where the Sun rises (in the east) and sets (west) and working from there. You do not have to be precise. In each of the quarters place a single plant in the colour of that element; yellow in the east, red in the south, blue in the west and green in the north. Of course they may well not be in flower all year round but nevertheless they will be present as reminders. If you really do not have the room to make these permanent fixtures, keep your plants in pots and put them in place only when needed. Alternatively, you could have a plant which rustles in the east, a sundial in the south, a birdbath in the west and a special stone or rock in the north.
Try to incorporate a permanent Altar, although it need not be too obvious. Whilst you do not need a large area onto which you can put a great many things, at the very least it is a good idea to have somewhere safe to place a candle, usually in a jar to protect it from the wind. This could be a small flat stone or rock. The Altar can be placed in a number of parts of the Circle, for example, the east as the point of beginning, or the centre, or the north, which is known as the place of power. Generally speaking, a rock in the centre of your area is likely to be an inconvenience, as it may well get in the way of any outdoor activities. If it is in the centre of a lawn it will cause complications when mowing, and it will almost certainly give rise to comments from friends and neighbours. So this leaves you with the choice of north or east. If you really can’t leave something permanently then try to choose something you can easily and safely move from one place to another. A small outdoor table or even a stool can make a good substitute for a rock or stone, and is much easier to move around!
Privacy is a much harder problem to overcome. If you start erecting screens in your garden, you are more likely to increase the interest of your neighbours than decrease it. If you try to grow plants which will effectively obstruct their view of you, these may well give rise to complaints about the amount of light their garden receives, not to mention cast your area into the shade. And whilst it would be nice to think that it’s none of their business what you get up to in your garden, you will still have to live alongside these people. A little eccentricity may well be tolerated, but a full-blown Witches’ gathering is almost certainly going to be too much! In reality, the only solution is to temper what you do and how you do it. So, if you are overlooked, you may have to give up ideas of working skyclad or even robed, and you may also have to consider whether Circle dancing, chanting and drumming are going to be acceptable. Of course, if you work on your own you probably don’t do all these things anyway, as solitary Craft does not require you to wave your arms or speak aloud, but do give some thought as to how you may appear to someone looking out of their window on a moonlit night. For the Witch on their own, simple screening, such as encouraging a climber or two in the direct line of sight, is often enough to give you the peace you need.
Once you have determined where and how to mark your Sacred Space you need to bless, dedicate and consecrate it. This is done in several steps. Firstly, before you start any work on the area, ask the blessing of the Goddess and the God. Secondly, as you work, dedicate your efforts to the Goddess and the God. Thirdly, perform a Ritual to consecrate the space. The best time of year to do this would be Spring, when nature is ready to put fresh effort into growth. But there is no reason why you should not commence at other seasons and continue the work thereafter. Chapter 8 gives advice on the seasonality of sowing, planting and reaping.
SEEKING THE BLESSING OF THE GODDESS AND THE GOD
Work for this should commence prior to the New Moon as you will need to collect about a pint of rainwater. If your area is very arid then try to collect water from a stream or river and bring it back to your garden. If this really is not possible then you will need to take tap water and place it in a sealed jar in the light of the Full Moon for three nights and then wait for the next New Moon to continue. You will also need to make an asperger. This is done by taking a few thin twigs about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length and tying them at one end to make a sort of ‘mini-broom’. If you can, gather these twigs from fallen wood found in your own garden, otherwise collect them from a nearby wooded area.
At the New Moon, the time of fresh starts and new beginnings, take your water, asperger and some salt outside into the garden. In the centre of your future Sacred Space, kneel and call, using visualization, each of the elements coming from their appropriate directions. Next, visualize the Goddess and the God and invite them to be with you. When you are sure all is in place, take a pinch of salt and add it to the water, saying, in your head:
‘I call upon the elements and upon the Old Gods to consecrate and bless this water. May it drive out all impurities and may it bring the love of the Goddess and the God to this place. Blessed Be.’
Now with your asperger, sprinkle a little of the water around the outside edge of your Circle. Be sure to start at the north-east and to proceed deosil (clockwise) around the Circle until you have overlapped at the north-east. Return to the centre, once again visualize the Goddess and the God, and say:
‘I call upon the Goddess and the God of life and all things living, to grant that this may be a place of growth, for all the life that shall use it. May it ever be a place of joy, love and magic. May it aid me to honour the Gods and the Craft. Blessed Be.’
Remain a while and visualize the area as you hope it to be, and visualize yourself using it. When you are ready, thank the elements and the Goddess and the God. Where there is more than one of you taking part, everyone should perform the same actions, one after the other.
DEDICATING YOUR SACRED SPACE
This is not a Ritual but rather an ongoing process which takes place whilst you do the work on your Sacred Space.
Over the next two weeks, and indeed any time you need to tend your area, always start by visualizing the Goddess and the God. Ask their blessing and state that you are dedicating this work to them. An effective way of doing this is to gather any gardening tools together into the centre of your space and then to close your eyes for a moment.
Visualize the Goddess and the God and say:
‘I call upon the Old Gods to witness this work which I do in their honour. May they guide and support me in this as in all things. Blessed Be.’
Then continue your work. If you are simply making a few changes or additions to your existing garden then do not forget to tend other plants; dead-heading flowers past their best, removing dead wood or weeding between existing plants. For most people, the two weeks between the New and Full Moons will be sufficient for them to carry out the work in the garden. But if your plans are more complex, you are planting many new plants or your workload is heavier, then you may need to continue to work through the next lunar period, before consecrating your Sacred Space at a subsequent Full Moon. It is more important to be thorough than to hurry, as you are creating a permanent Sacred Space, and besides, nature, like the Goddess, takes her own time.
CONSECRATING YOUR SACRED SPACE
The ritual of Consecration could take place at the next Full Moon, but it is important that any plants have had time to establish themselves as it can be very disheartening to find that perhaps one or two specimens were not as good as you hoped and wither or die just after your Ritual! So if you are not sure they have had time to settle in it might be better to wait until the following Full Moon.
Once all is in place and you are happy that any plants are established, it is time to hold your Ritual. You will need: A small glass containing some wine or fruit juice.
Start at the east and say, either quietly or in your head:
‘I call upon the element of Air. Mighty winds and gentle breezes be present here, each in its turn and in its season. Watch over this space, those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Air of thought and inspiration be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Move to the south and say:
‘I call upon the element of Fire. May the Sun which warms and lights all life be present here, in due course and due season. Watch over this space; those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Fire of passion and enthusiasm be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Move to the west and say:
‘I call upon the element of Water. Great storms and gentle rains be present here, each in its turn and in its season. Watch over this space; those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Water of joy and emotion be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Move to the north and say:
‘I call upon the element of Earth. Strong rocks and life-giving soil, be present here, in the land and in ourselves. Watch over this space; those that live, work and play in it, and all that takes place in it. May the Earth of our bodies be ever strong here. Blessed Be.’
Remain at the north point, visualize the Goddess and the God, and say:
‘I call upon the Mother Goddess, giver of life, death and rebirth. I call upon God the Hunter and Hunted, spirit of the Land. Be with this place, with all that grows here and with all who pass through it. Guide us, guard us and protect us in this and all we do. This place is Sacred to you and a marker of love to you. Blessed Be.’
Now take the glass of wine (or fruit juice), hold it up to the Goddess and the God and say:
‘This wine is my offering to the Goddess and the God. As it pours onto the earth may their love flow also into the land.’
Walk around your circle and sprinkle a little wine as you go. Try to ensure that you scatter it evenly and that you have a little left at the end. When you have completed the Circle hold the glass up once more and say:
‘As the Goddess and God sustain the land, may they likewise sustain those who work with it. Blessed Be.’
Take a small drink yourself. If you are performing this with others then you should refill the glass after going around the Circle and then pass the glass around everyone present so that they may have a sip after the ‘Blessed Be’.
Next, take a few moments to meditate and reflect on your Sacred Space and on the things you will be doing in it. Lastly, return to each of the quarters and thank the elements, but do not dismiss them, and finally thank the Goddess and the God.
Your Sacred Space is now ready for any future use. As with indoor Rituals you will still need to invoke and banish the elements, and to invite and thank the Goddess and the God, each time you use it. But their residual energies will always be present, and should enhance not only the feeling of the working space but also the health of the plants which are growing there.
CONTINUING CARE OF YOUR SACRED SPACE
It goes without saying that you cannot expect a garden, or portion thereof, to remain static. Nature is boundless, resourceful and energetic, and plants will continue to grow, whether you’ve planned it that way or not! It is therefore a good idea to set aside a little time to tend your Sacred Space on a regular basis. Many Witches I know like to do this just before the Full Moon and the Sabbats. Not only is this just before they intend to use it and hence leaves it in the best possible condition for their Rituals, but they are also, for the practising Witch, easy times to remember.
I find that one of the most difficult aspects in tending the outdoor Sacred Space lies not so much in finding the time to plant and grow, but in finding the strength of mind to uproot and cut back. It can easily seem somehow ungrateful to take away the excess growth! However, you do have to be fairly firm, as a garden allowed to run riot will quickly turn into a wild place where some species, like mint, can take over to the detriment of slower-growing, less prolific species. Many plants have special requirements and there is certainly no room in a book like this to list them all, but as a general rule of thumb, Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for major pruning and trimming. Many gardeners recommend doing your major trimming in the Spring, as this gives the plant the benefit of improving weather to re-establish itself. However, it is worth mentioning that a good prune in the Autumn after the plant has flowered and seeded, can give it a good chance to show its best in Summer and to rest over the Winter, as well as the ability to produce a healthy new generation of seedlings for the following year. Privet is a good example of this as a Spring prune often results in no flowers, whereas an Autumn one allows the plant to flower. Furthermore, Autumn pruning is less likely to disturb nesting birds.
Whenever you tend your Sacred Space, follow the same approach as you did above for dedicating it. Indeed, any part of working on your garden or home will benefit from the same approach, as dedicating your work to the Goddess and the God has the effect of making the task easier to complete and more effective.
USING YOUR OUTDOOR SACRED SPACE
The drawbacks of an outdoor working space are easy to understand. Unless you are very fortunate in your climate, the weather is likely to play a major part in determining whether it is reasonable to work outside. This is not only because it is hard to maintain focus in the pouring rain or strong wind, but also because you will be that much more conspicuous to any observers if you spend time outside in inclement conditions. The advantages, though, are well worth the effort of developing and maintaining one. Having your own outdoor space means that when you feel the need to be closer to nature you do not have to seek out a working area on public land, with all its attendant complications, such as dog walkers, stray policemen, etc. Nor do you have to carry any tools or equipment for miles. Your space is there for you, whenever you need it, and conveniently close to hand.
As has been mentioned elsewhere in this book, Witches tend to work their magic at the Full Moons and celebrate the festivals or Sabbats. Some will also work at other lunar phases, especially the New Moon. An outdoor Sacred Space is particularly good for celebrating the Sabbats, as these are closely linked to the passage of the seasons. It is always going to be far easier to feel in tune with the seasons when you can see, hear, feel, smell and even taste them all around you. At Imbolg, for example, you are not just thinking of the buds on the trees, you can see them. For this reason a good many Witches who use an outdoor space will celebrate the major Sabbats at the times of the seasonal markers, rather than on the calendar dates they have subsequently been given. So Imbolg would be held when the first buds or lambs are seen, Beltane when the hawthorn (or may) blossoms, Lughnasadh when the first of the harvest is coming in and Samhain when the first storms of Winter arrive.
Many people still have the image of Witches working at the dead of night. This has been so in the past for fear of discovery and today is often so with a group or Coven as it is the time when daily life is complete and everyone is free. But Witches on their own do not need to wait for darkness to fall, they can work whenever suits them. With an outdoor space you can perform your magic at any time of day.
An outdoor Sacred Space is particularly good for working magic relating to the cycles of nature; for spells affecting fertility, plants, animals and healing. All these benefit from, and are stronger for being worked close to the land. As mentioned above, when working outside you do not need to summon the elements in the same way as you would for an indoor Ritual. Nor will you need representations of them on your Altar, as they are all around. It is enough to turn to face each quarter and call upon the elements in turn, making sure that you recall each one’s personal associations as well as the external ones. You then invite the Goddess and the God as usual. Of course it is still important to remember at the end of your Ritual to thank all the elements and deities which you have called.
