The Real Witches’ Garden: Spells, Herbs, Plants and Magical Spaces Outdoors

by Kate West

A guide to the outdoor world and nature-based spirituality for real witches everywhere. Kate West explains how to set up your own sacred space in the garden and how to grow herbs for use in spells and remedies. The Real Witches' Garden is a practical guide to witchcraft in the garden – whether you have 20 acres or a window box!

Contents:
• Nature based spirituality – Witchcraft by another name.
• How the garden fits into your life and your Craft.
• The garden as a sacred space for working ritual.
• The elemental garden – earth, air, fire, water and spirit.
• The garden as a medicine store – herbs and herbal remedies.
• The smallest of gardens – window boxes, pots and containers.
• Plant associations – a list of plants relating to various aspects of the Craft.
• Planting and tending by the natural cycles – the lunar calendar and the wheel of the year.

Genres: Witchcraft, Gardening, Wicca, Paganism, Nonfiction, Reference, Spirituality

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

The author of over a dozen books, Kate West (United Kingdom), has become the U.K.'s most successful author on Witchcraft. She is the recipient of a Lifetime Contribution to Witchcraft award and has been recognized as the most popular factual writer on Witchcraft by Children of Artemis, the fastest growing Witchcraft organization in the U.K. and Europe. Formerly the Vice President of the Pagan Federation, West remains active in the Wiccan community, speaking at international Witchfests and contributing to magazines. She is High Priestess of the Hearth of Hecate and lives in North Norfolk.

Reviews

[Alison]

This book It is geared more for those just starting on their path however I still found it provided ideas and inspiration. From a gardener's perspective not a lot of real useful information. Most of it was pretty general. There are however hundreds of books on gardening that one can access. Iv been wanting to create a more spiritual space in my back yard and found this book did provide a way of getting started thinking about exactly how I want to use my space. I did enjoy reading this book.

[Alia]

Loved this book! It's a simple yet comprehensive guide to applying principles of witchcraft when creating an outdoor space. This is a British publication, so "garden" has the wider sense of a yard or outdoor area for recreational use.

This reference isn't overly prescriptive. It encourages the reader to be self-reflective in their use of the Elements, to find connection. It also speaks to finding balance, giving energy with our time and effort, treasuring the environment in our daily life and safeguarding it, in payment for the fruits and magic we receive.

It is full of ideas on how to shape your space, and practical information like the uses of various herbs and spells for and from the garden.

I'd highly recommend to anyone looking to be more intentional and spiritual in their outdoor space.

[Angelika]

This book's a winner! I have designed my elemental based garden with the direction in this easy to read and highly enjoyable book! From consecrating your space to plants for ritual, magic and healing, to seasonal blessings. Covers a wide array of the garden witches' concerns.

[Conure Hermary]

Another book I am fond of! This book goes into different gardening tips in which to grow one's own magical garden. Plants and dedications are easy to use and easy to grow. An easy to ready book without being preachy. Another book I am proud to display in my Library!

[Juli Anna]

Meh, I mostly skimmed this one. There's not much actually gardening or witchy plant information here. There are about two rituals per chapter, which I just skipped over. In general, I just didn't find enough meat in this book.

[Wendy Harding]

Another reread for me, after a decade.

Considering my gardening ability is soooo bad - I kill everything, even hardy succulents, I nonetheless find this immensely readable and informative. There's a shadow me out there, who is really good at gardening and doesn't wonder why no one mentions in these books the insects that pop up and make me teinge with ewwww - which is stupid I know, and it's it not all bugs, just some.

One day, one day, I will be a better gardener, and it will magickal, as Kate West describes. Orgnanised and lovely. I think I'm going to keep rereading this one, and keep attempting to be less unintentionally murderous to the poor plants. I recommend this one for detail, in particular.

[Melissa]

Interesting read, was looking for more of a actual gardening book for witch’s instead of how gardening can help your craft. Would have like more info on when best to plant and how to care for plants.

[Jacq Calvert]

Very much about Wicca, rather than witchcraft more widely - and the author doesn't seem to acknowledge, or perhaps even realise, that these are not synonymous, frequently declaring things to be the case that are far from universal

[Whitney Stanfield]

This book has some great inspiration building a garden that can also double as a space to practice the craft.

[Ashley O'Neil]

A fantastic guide on making your garden space more sacred. Considering the lack of guides on the Internet, this was what I wanted and more. There was a lot of focus on being “witchy” in a certain type of way (deities, elements, etc), but that’s to be expected.

[Kathleen Newton]

A lot of really good information. Wicca-based, but even without that, a lot of good information.

[Michelle]

This book was very interesting and informative for a relatively rookie green witch like me, but I found this was best as a companion to the Real Witches Kitchen. This one informs you of how to grow your herbs and which ones to grow and use for what, whilst the Kitchen book gives you advie and instructions on how to produce lotions and potions (;)...) with them.
But then again, as stated before, I'm a huge West fan so that's just my opinion. I have very green fingers though, so for me, this book is a gem. 5 stars.

[Simba]

Mildly entertaining, and much the same as her other books. The section on gardening with children has good advice.

[Sheena Wells]

Very cute a fun and informative read for every one gardeners and witches alike

[Tasneem]

This is really interesting and useful. It teaches you how to plant a magical garden and what to do when you have your plants all organised. Loved it.

[Penelope]

This is an enjoyable light, easy read with some pretty interesting and inspirational garden ideas but slightly repetative with information from other books by her.

[Samantha]

Very basic,and a lot of it was common sense. Overall a book on herbs or plants would have been better and then just apply ideas / principles.

[Sam Traynor]

Great book, use this a lot

[Alaine]

Not really what I was exepecting; I was hoping for something more substantial. The information within was adequate. Quick read

[Gypsy]

I bet this book will help to garden )o(

[Kitty]

Some good gardening tips as they relate to witchcraft but was really lacking in traditional or even folkloric gardening. I expected imaginings of a witch's garden and how to attain that. It was more Wicca heavy than anything else. And I found myself flipping through pages of the same spell and ritual over and over and over. Overall, it was ok.