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Witch's garden a sanctuary for good spirits

Garden witchery brings a touch of magic to your yard. No spells required.

By Yvonne Swanson, Special to the Times
Published October 27, 2007

Dugan is a modern-day witch of the Wicca order, an Earth-based religion. She's also a master gardener with the University of Missouri and author of numerous books on magical gardening, flower folklore and herbs. Her admirers call her the "garden witch."

Dugan, 44, doesn't dress in a black robe and pointy hat, carry a broom or have a long green nose - even on Halloween night. She's at home in old gardening clothes, working in her perennial garden with her husband at her ranch-style house in St. Charles, Mo. "I'm a very regular chick. I don't run around in long black gowns. There's no Addams family gothic mansion here," she says.

Dugan was raised in a traditional Protestant home. Her parents were conservationists and taught her to appreciate nature. As a child, she said, she was fascinated with fairy tales and mythology and began developing her psychic abilities. She spent many years studying witchcraft and the Wicca religion, becoming a practicing witch about 20 years ago.

Dugan says being a witch is about helping people and being activists for Earth. There's no zapping people with spells and curses. Being a garden witch means celebrating nature as magical.

"The Earth is sacred. You have to take care of it and it will take care of you," says Dugan, who refers to her earthy approach to gardening as "garden witchery," which any gardener, practicing witch or not, can use to create a magical sanctuary that beautifies the yard.

In fact, many of the common plants, trees, perennials and annuals in Florida gardens are at home in a witch's sanctuary, including roses, ferns, vinca, petunia, geranium and many herbs.

Even garden accents, such as gazing balls, fairy statues and wind chimes, work special magic.

Growing magical plants is just the beginning, as any good witch will tell you. The real magic is in how the flowers, seeds and leaves of plants are used. We're not talking flowers for a bouquet or herbs for cooking. Garden witches grow plants to cast spells and charms, ward off negative energy and attract positive elements, such as playful garden fairies and spirits of the dear departed.

"The knowledge is what makes a plant magical," explains Dugan. "Plants have a history and a vibration and energy. It's there whether you choose to use it or not."

At Halloween, known as the new-year holiday of Sabaat among Wicca followers, certain fall plants and traditional outdoor decorations hold special meaning. Chrysanthemums, especially gold and yellow varieties, are planted in the yard and placed in pots on porches to ward off negative energy and evil spirits. That's especially useful on the one night of the year when the "veil between our world and the spirit world . . . is very thin. The ghosts and spirits are out there," Dugan says.

Thankfully, a carved and lit pumpkin does just the opposite: It attracts good energy. "A jack-o'-lantern lights the way for the spirits. In old times, it was used as a lantern to light the way for (dead) loved ones to find their way back to you."

Consider yourself forewarned. Add gold mums to the porch and garden, along with a lit pumpkin or two for Halloween. And don't forget the candy.

"We're giving out Milky Way bars and Three Musketeers," says Dugan. "And if a kid comes dressed as a good witch, she'll get a little extra."

Yvonne Swanson is a freelance writer in St. Petersburg and a master gardener for Pinellas County.

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A magic show

Find garden art and accessories for a witch's garden at local retailers. Look for brightly colored gazing balls, garden fairystatues and plaques, wind chimes and stepping stones.

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Fast Facts:
Plants for a witch's garden

Create a magical oasis in your yard by growing any of these witch garden plants. Garden witch Ellen Dugan suggests placing cuttings in vases and jars indoors to spread their magic around the house. Or take the magic with you by filling a little charm or sachet bag (any small bag will do) with petals and clippings.

Plants for sun

Roses are used for love. Red geraniums promote protection. White geraniums increase fertility. Pink geraniums bring on passion and love, and coral ones increase vitality and energy. Clematis encourages cleverness and resourcefulness. Iris is used for wisdom, communication and faith. White petunias attract the moon goddess. Blue salvia promotes peace and a happy home. Pansies ease a broken heart and spread cheer. Asters enhance loving vibrations and healthy emotions. Bronze chrysanthemums assure a happy home. Orange mums boost energy and bounty. Black-eyed Susans symbolize justice.

Shade/part shade

Ferns are used for fairy magic and to promote fascination, protection and invisibility. Ivy protects and promotes fidelity and good luck. Bleeding heart vine cures a broken heart. Impatiens speed things up.

Growing tips

Dugan "enchants" her plants by blessing them to grow and thrive. If pests or disease arise, she carefully brushes the plant with pesticide or herbicide using a small foam painter's brush to limit exposing other plants, insects and fairies. Though she tries to keep her garden organic, she can't resist Miracle-Gro fertilizer.

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If you like online auctions, visit www.e-witch.com, the pagan version of eBay, where you can bid on a variety of witch supplies for the home and garden.

[Last modified October 26, 2007, 11:27:08]