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The Green Witch's Garden: Your Complete Guide to Creating and Cultivating a Magical Garden Space
Create your own enchanting witch’s garden and draw energy from the earth with this guide to cultivating your very own magical ingredients.A green witch embraces the power of nature, draws energy from the earth and the universe, and relies on stones, plants, flowers, and herbs for healing. In The Green Witch’s Garden, you will learn how to create your own magical space to enhance your witchcraft practice. With information on how to plan and design your sacred garden and tips and tricks to growing and harvesting magical ingredients, this book will allow you to take control of your practice and more deeply connect with the earth. Let experienced witch and author of The Green Witch Arin Hiscock-Murphy guide you on your path to creating your personal piece of nature.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2021
972 people are currently reading
5325 people want to read
About the author
Arin Murphy-Hiscock
54 books882 followersCurrently a resident of Montreal, Canada, Arin works as a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Power Spellcraft for Life: The Art of Crafting and Casting for Positive Change (2005), Solitary Wicca for Life: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own (2005), The Way of the Green Witch (2006), The Way of the Hedge Witch (2009), and Pagan Pregnancy: The Journey From Maiden to Mother (TBA). She is also the editor of the anthology Out of the Broom Closet (2009).
Arin is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest Clan, a tradition linked both by lineage and practice to several other branches of Wiccan thought and philosophy including the Caledonii Tradition, Druidism, Gardnerian practice, Seax-Wicca, general Celtic Wicca, and German witchcraft. She works as a priestess in her community performing rites of passage and giving occasional workshops, and leads a private coven.
Her hobbies include playing the cello, handspinning, and weaving.
Arin is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest Clan, a tradition linked both by lineage and practice to several other branches of Wiccan thought and philosophy including the Caledonii Tradition, Druidism, Gardnerian practice, Seax-Wicca, general Celtic Wicca, and German witchcraft. She works as a priestess in her community performing rites of passage and giving occasional workshops, and leads a private coven.
Her hobbies include playing the cello, handspinning, and weaving.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 15, 2021
This book is excellent for the Wiccan aspect of it, just good for the garden aspect. It's illustrated with lovely drawings but not photos, and the plant information is somewhat incomplete. There is also no herbal health info, or sparse info. Herbs are listed with their traditional magical properties, not health (or very incomplete -- for instance, the description of elder does not mention the well known antiviral benefits of elderberries and hawthorn's benefit for the heart is not mentioned). There is a ton of other great information though, with lots of wonderful ideas. This is a great book for inspiration more than the how-to at times. For instance, I love the idea of making herbal wands and wreaths and there's a paragraph telling how to, but there are no photos or illustrations. The book excels at all of the Wiccan information, though, and those who want to focus on that with their gardens will absolutely love it.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
November 18, 2021
his is a wonderful guide to creating a garden . The author has thoughtfully included all elements of gardening here including building onto your practice. It is beautifully illustrated and has outstanding gardening tips throughout. This is a book to buy a hard copy of and refer to when building your own magical garden. This book will teach you how to cultivate your garden, maintain it, keep it healthy and relate your plants to your practice. A wonderful read I look forward to adding a hard copy to my library . Very well done to the author.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
November 18, 2021
For a baby witch such as myself I think that this book does a good job at introducing green witchery. The author spends more time explaining how to curate and maintain a garden that's geared towards your goals than she does explaining the different uses of plants and such.
October 29, 2025
Tai jau trečia autorės knyga, kurią paėmiau į rankas. Ir neveltui, nes man labai patiko ši knyga, iš jos pasisėmiau daug visokių idėjų.
Pirmame skyriuje bendrai supažindinama su sodininkyste, ekologiniu ūkininkavimu. Autorė pabrėžia, kad sodinti reikia vietinius augalus, kad pritraukti bites. Taip pat pamini augalų dvasias. Apie kurias jau esu skaitęs Devin Hunter „Houseplant HortOCCULTure“. Sužinojau iš ko gaminamos organinės trąšos ir man tai nepriimtina naudoti... Autorė taip pat rašo apie augalų auginamą bute. Ir net sužinojau apie community gardens! Pasidomėjau, kad tokių turime ir Lietuvoje.
Antrame skyriuje kalbama apie sodo planavimą. Man patinka, kad autorė neapsiriboja JAV, bet kalba apie augimo zonas visame pasaulyje. Toliau rašoma apie esamo sodo-daržo pertvarkymą magiškiems poreikiams. Kalbama apie valgomų augalų daržą. Ir kas man labai patiko tai – paversti veją sodu. Trečiame skyriuje aptariama kokie yra raganų daržai: 1) astrologinis daržas; 2) mėnulio daržas; 3) stichijų daržas. Ketvirtame skyriuje rašoma apie vidaus augalus ir daugiausia jų auginimą kambaryje.
Penktame skyriuje kalbama apie sodo-daržo įrankius ir žinoma magijai skirtus įrankius. Tuomet kalbama apie vietos išvalymą tiek fiziškai, tiek dvasiškai. Aplinkos šventinimas ir sodo planavimas. Čia pateikiama kaip susikurti savo sodo žurnalą. Labai mane įkvėpė! Šeštame skyriuje gilinamasi į pačius augalus ir jų savybes. Net ir grybus.
Septintame skyriuje prasideda darbas su magija ir kerais. Pateiktos kelios dievybės susijusios su ūkininkavimu. Taip pat aptariamos sodo dekoracijos susijusios su magija. Aštuntame skyriuje rasite įvairiausių kulinarinių receptų. Tik reikia Farenheitus pasiversti į Celsijų. Mane sudomino, kad aprašyta, kaip pasidaryti savo oracle kortų malką. Aš esu sukūręs savo Taro kortų malką. Taip pat autorė pamoko kaip pasidaryti wand ir vainiką.
Devintame skyriuje kalbama apie energiją ir net augalų familiarus. Nežinojau, kad familiarai gali būti ne gyvūnai. Toliau rašoma apie Metų Rato šventes, kaip panaudoti savo sodą burtams atlikti ir meditaciją sode. Knygoje gale pateiktos interneto nuorodos į visų kontinentų augimo zonas.
Knyga labai gražiai iliustruota, na tikrai estetiškai žiūrint labai graži. Kadangi esu žaliasis raganius, vertinu knygą labai gerai. Man šios autorės knygos labai patinka ir pirksiu kitas. Jose pateikta informacija naudinga, suprantama ir konkreti.
Pirmame skyriuje bendrai supažindinama su sodininkyste, ekologiniu ūkininkavimu. Autorė pabrėžia, kad sodinti reikia vietinius augalus, kad pritraukti bites. Taip pat pamini augalų dvasias. Apie kurias jau esu skaitęs Devin Hunter „Houseplant HortOCCULTure“. Sužinojau iš ko gaminamos organinės trąšos ir man tai nepriimtina naudoti... Autorė taip pat rašo apie augalų auginamą bute. Ir net sužinojau apie community gardens! Pasidomėjau, kad tokių turime ir Lietuvoje.
Antrame skyriuje kalbama apie sodo planavimą. Man patinka, kad autorė neapsiriboja JAV, bet kalba apie augimo zonas visame pasaulyje. Toliau rašoma apie esamo sodo-daržo pertvarkymą magiškiems poreikiams. Kalbama apie valgomų augalų daržą. Ir kas man labai patiko tai – paversti veją sodu. Trečiame skyriuje aptariama kokie yra raganų daržai: 1) astrologinis daržas; 2) mėnulio daržas; 3) stichijų daržas. Ketvirtame skyriuje rašoma apie vidaus augalus ir daugiausia jų auginimą kambaryje.
Penktame skyriuje kalbama apie sodo-daržo įrankius ir žinoma magijai skirtus įrankius. Tuomet kalbama apie vietos išvalymą tiek fiziškai, tiek dvasiškai. Aplinkos šventinimas ir sodo planavimas. Čia pateikiama kaip susikurti savo sodo žurnalą. Labai mane įkvėpė! Šeštame skyriuje gilinamasi į pačius augalus ir jų savybes. Net ir grybus.
Septintame skyriuje prasideda darbas su magija ir kerais. Pateiktos kelios dievybės susijusios su ūkininkavimu. Taip pat aptariamos sodo dekoracijos susijusios su magija. Aštuntame skyriuje rasite įvairiausių kulinarinių receptų. Tik reikia Farenheitus pasiversti į Celsijų. Mane sudomino, kad aprašyta, kaip pasidaryti savo oracle kortų malką. Aš esu sukūręs savo Taro kortų malką. Taip pat autorė pamoko kaip pasidaryti wand ir vainiką.
Devintame skyriuje kalbama apie energiją ir net augalų familiarus. Nežinojau, kad familiarai gali būti ne gyvūnai. Toliau rašoma apie Metų Rato šventes, kaip panaudoti savo sodą burtams atlikti ir meditaciją sode. Knygoje gale pateiktos interneto nuorodos į visų kontinentų augimo zonas.
Knyga labai gražiai iliustruota, na tikrai estetiškai žiūrint labai graži. Kadangi esu žaliasis raganius, vertinu knygą labai gerai. Man šios autorės knygos labai patinka ir pirksiu kitas. Jose pateikta informacija naudinga, suprantama ir konkreti.
June 21, 2024
A good beginning to how to understand your garden and there are links at the back of the book for your area. I’m in South Australia so there’s a link to check if you want to know your zone and when it’s best to plant produce, flowers and herbs.
www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/research/hort...
I use a lot of herbs and there’s a good few ways of how to preserve them for future use when they’re out of season. There’s a couple of recipes to for herb butter and herb shortbread which I’ve noted for future use.
We all need to take time to enjoy whatever garden you have even if it’s just a small area or a few pots grown indoors. The taste of home grown is second to none and the peace of reading in the garden or just relaxing is truly a great experience. I’m lucky enough to live across from a reserve so it’s a peaceful setting with only a few local cars driving by. No neighbours looking across and only one house on either side as there’s only 3 houses in our street. We have been lucky enough to have the same elderly neighbours for 30 plus years. Our new neighbours on both sides are younger than us so it’s the circle of life bringing back memories of when we were the young guns here. We are very lucky to have had great neighbours then and now. We’ve shared excess produce over the years so my new neighbours call me the produce lady giving them excess tomatoes and herbs.
A garden for me is a necessity and I’d hate to live in a concert jungle.
But I did find some parts were a bit hairy fairy for me but then I wasn’t looking for spells merely just how to use herbs better and like a previous more detailed book … how to regrow vegetables from scraps. I’ve had great success with spring onions but not tried much else … yet.
www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/research/hort...
I use a lot of herbs and there’s a good few ways of how to preserve them for future use when they’re out of season. There’s a couple of recipes to for herb butter and herb shortbread which I’ve noted for future use.
We all need to take time to enjoy whatever garden you have even if it’s just a small area or a few pots grown indoors. The taste of home grown is second to none and the peace of reading in the garden or just relaxing is truly a great experience. I’m lucky enough to live across from a reserve so it’s a peaceful setting with only a few local cars driving by. No neighbours looking across and only one house on either side as there’s only 3 houses in our street. We have been lucky enough to have the same elderly neighbours for 30 plus years. Our new neighbours on both sides are younger than us so it’s the circle of life bringing back memories of when we were the young guns here. We are very lucky to have had great neighbours then and now. We’ve shared excess produce over the years so my new neighbours call me the produce lady giving them excess tomatoes and herbs.
A garden for me is a necessity and I’d hate to live in a concert jungle.
But I did find some parts were a bit hairy fairy for me but then I wasn’t looking for spells merely just how to use herbs better and like a previous more detailed book … how to regrow vegetables from scraps. I’ve had great success with spring onions but not tried much else … yet.
January 4, 2022
I’ll save you some suspense, this book is excellent and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in magical gardening.
The author is very clear from the beginning that this is a book about Green Witchcraft, that it is not all encompassing for every gardening zone or herbal fact, it is not a step-by-step guide. Rather, it encourages readers to try, gives ideas, and is an inspiration. I fully agree – I felt very inspired while reading it.
This book touches on nearly every aspect of modern magical gardening from the traditional organic garden to guerilla gardening to indoor planting including terrariums. If you’re able to stick a plant or seeds in some dirt, then this book will likely have something you are able to do and include the magical processes around it.
As far as the witchcraft aspect of the book, I thought it was just as good and upfront about its limits as the gardening side. Its neo-Pagan in bent in order to be as accessible and open as the author can be. As a Heathen, I enjoyed the references here and there to my practice (mention of the Butzemann, Freyr, wassail, and more). As an animist I loved the discussion of plant spirits and guardian spirits of the land.
While some of it might feel basic to the well versed witch, as someone who has practiced over 2 decades, I found some fantastic inspiration in these pages to add to my craft. The Releasing a Tool Ritual and the creation of a personal Garden Oracle were both unique, heart felt, and lovely ideas.
I will be grabbing a hard copy of this book for my 2022 garden planning and work.
The author is very clear from the beginning that this is a book about Green Witchcraft, that it is not all encompassing for every gardening zone or herbal fact, it is not a step-by-step guide. Rather, it encourages readers to try, gives ideas, and is an inspiration. I fully agree – I felt very inspired while reading it.
This book touches on nearly every aspect of modern magical gardening from the traditional organic garden to guerilla gardening to indoor planting including terrariums. If you’re able to stick a plant or seeds in some dirt, then this book will likely have something you are able to do and include the magical processes around it.
As far as the witchcraft aspect of the book, I thought it was just as good and upfront about its limits as the gardening side. Its neo-Pagan in bent in order to be as accessible and open as the author can be. As a Heathen, I enjoyed the references here and there to my practice (mention of the Butzemann, Freyr, wassail, and more). As an animist I loved the discussion of plant spirits and guardian spirits of the land.
While some of it might feel basic to the well versed witch, as someone who has practiced over 2 decades, I found some fantastic inspiration in these pages to add to my craft. The Releasing a Tool Ritual and the creation of a personal Garden Oracle were both unique, heart felt, and lovely ideas.
I will be grabbing a hard copy of this book for my 2022 garden planning and work.
April 21, 2024
"Grow your Magical Practice.”
Genre & Themes:
Non-Fiction
Gardening
Green Witchcraft > Earth Witch > Elemental Magic > Earth, Air, Fire Water
Reference > Gardening > Plants & Wildflowers
Spirituality > Paganism
My Rating:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I’m a huge fan of both gardening and witches and when I saw The Green Witch’s Garden, by Arin Murphy-Hiscock, I knew I needed this gorgeous hardcover gardening reference book. I went into this with hopes of growing my knowledge of wildflowers and plants and learning their correspondence with the four elements but also planets and luminaries. And Murphy-Hiscock did not disappoint!
I have seventeen+ gardens — several of them pollinator gardens — on an 1/11th of an acre of land, plus many outdoor container gardens. Like my name, April, I too rebirth in Spring. It’s my favorite season and the beginning of life. As my sprouts bloom, so do I. Being outside, working in the dirt full of healthy bacteriums, under the sunshine, fully grounded, does something to me, transforming me into a better version of myself.
From this reference book, I discovered the magic of moon gardens further than just “white flowers”, as I believed, and solar gardens, a concept I wasn’t aware of. The beautiful illustrations of the moon garden are so inspiring, as are the solar, and elemental gardens. So if you’re looking for some witchy garden inspo, and want to try something fun and different in your yard, you might find this book jumpstarting your creativity!
"For the green witch seeking to have a hand in curating their spiritual interaction with plants literally from the ground up, The Green Witch’s Garden provides a basic introduction to gardening while also offering a cross-section of gardening lore, folk traditions, and magic.”
The Green Witch’s Garden is divided into nine concise chapters about green witchcraft in the garden, magical goals, witch gardens, alternative indoor gardens and container gardens, preparing your sacred space, choosing what to plant, garden magic and deities, magical harvesting and cooking with produce from your garden, and lastly, practicing witchcraft in your garden.
The interior is full of beautiful full-color illustrations of indoor and outdoor plants, as well as the previously mentioned illustrated gardens. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I look forward to incorporating what I have learned into my own gardening!
Full Review on AWELLREADWOMANBLOG.COM
Genre & Themes:
Non-Fiction
Gardening
Green Witchcraft > Earth Witch > Elemental Magic > Earth, Air, Fire Water
Reference > Gardening > Plants & Wildflowers
Spirituality > Paganism
My Rating:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I’m a huge fan of both gardening and witches and when I saw The Green Witch’s Garden, by Arin Murphy-Hiscock, I knew I needed this gorgeous hardcover gardening reference book. I went into this with hopes of growing my knowledge of wildflowers and plants and learning their correspondence with the four elements but also planets and luminaries. And Murphy-Hiscock did not disappoint!
I have seventeen+ gardens — several of them pollinator gardens — on an 1/11th of an acre of land, plus many outdoor container gardens. Like my name, April, I too rebirth in Spring. It’s my favorite season and the beginning of life. As my sprouts bloom, so do I. Being outside, working in the dirt full of healthy bacteriums, under the sunshine, fully grounded, does something to me, transforming me into a better version of myself.
From this reference book, I discovered the magic of moon gardens further than just “white flowers”, as I believed, and solar gardens, a concept I wasn’t aware of. The beautiful illustrations of the moon garden are so inspiring, as are the solar, and elemental gardens. So if you’re looking for some witchy garden inspo, and want to try something fun and different in your yard, you might find this book jumpstarting your creativity!
"For the green witch seeking to have a hand in curating their spiritual interaction with plants literally from the ground up, The Green Witch’s Garden provides a basic introduction to gardening while also offering a cross-section of gardening lore, folk traditions, and magic.”
The Green Witch’s Garden is divided into nine concise chapters about green witchcraft in the garden, magical goals, witch gardens, alternative indoor gardens and container gardens, preparing your sacred space, choosing what to plant, garden magic and deities, magical harvesting and cooking with produce from your garden, and lastly, practicing witchcraft in your garden.
The interior is full of beautiful full-color illustrations of indoor and outdoor plants, as well as the previously mentioned illustrated gardens. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I look forward to incorporating what I have learned into my own gardening!
Full Review on AWELLREADWOMANBLOG.COM
April 3, 2024
I appreciated that the author included indoor gardening and houseplants in discussing magickal gardening. I definitely found new inspiration and ideas here.
September 26, 2022
This book might* be scented, I've never smelled a book like this before! I always know when I've left it open nearby. This is a lovely book to read for someone that doesn't get much done in her backyard due to feeling overwhelmed by the work, and instead finds herself watching ants scramble for community cover, spider wasps dragging spider carcasses, and noticing the smallest oddities. Let the rewilding begin.
p. 70
"Succulents are good for reminding you that moderation in all things and a balanced approach are both very important. A succulent is designed by nature to conserve water in its fleshy parts, allowing it to deal with extended dry periods. If you have difficulty with overflowing emotional responses to situations or events, perhaps working with succulents could be beneficial. Feeling your emotions is valuable; being able to function clearly because you are overwhelmed by emotion, or feeling drained because you feel so deeply, is a hindrance. Protecting your emotional self is a form of self-defense and protection. Meditate, reach out to the plant spirit, and ask for its guidance in how to balance your responses and deepest feelings in a beneficial safe way."
*it's subtle and I have not read any other reviews yet.
p. 70
"Succulents are good for reminding you that moderation in all things and a balanced approach are both very important. A succulent is designed by nature to conserve water in its fleshy parts, allowing it to deal with extended dry periods. If you have difficulty with overflowing emotional responses to situations or events, perhaps working with succulents could be beneficial. Feeling your emotions is valuable; being able to function clearly because you are overwhelmed by emotion, or feeling drained because you feel so deeply, is a hindrance. Protecting your emotional self is a form of self-defense and protection. Meditate, reach out to the plant spirit, and ask for its guidance in how to balance your responses and deepest feelings in a beneficial safe way."
*it's subtle and I have not read any other reviews yet.
December 7, 2021
First off, I went into reading this a little biased. I have read and currently own every single of Arin Murphy-Hiscock's books.
Two things I'm very passionate about are nature and the history and teachings of a green witch! I knew, the moment I saw this book was to be published, that it would be an auto purchase. To be honest, I ordered myself a copy last night after devouring this entire book in one sitting.
Bravo, Arin!!! Her teachings help continue my path, education, and journey towards becoming a more in-depth witch and one with nature!!!
FIVE STARS!
Two things I'm very passionate about are nature and the history and teachings of a green witch! I knew, the moment I saw this book was to be published, that it would be an auto purchase. To be honest, I ordered myself a copy last night after devouring this entire book in one sitting.
Bravo, Arin!!! Her teachings help continue my path, education, and journey towards becoming a more in-depth witch and one with nature!!!
FIVE STARS!
December 20, 2021
I got so many good ideas for my garden next year! I would love a printed copy of the book for the pictures alone. I’m not a garden enthusiast, but I feel like this is a good starting point for me because I would like to feel connected to the earth.
Read
February 14, 2024Non do un voto perché riconosco che non sia il libro per me.
Mi aveva incuriosito e l'ho preso ma avrei dovuto leggerlo dopo altri libri sulla stregoneria.
Segnalo solo che la traduzione non è fatta benissimo, a volte compaiono virgole a caso e un uso di termini alquanto bizzarro
Mi aveva incuriosito e l'ho preso ma avrei dovuto leggerlo dopo altri libri sulla stregoneria.
Segnalo solo che la traduzione non è fatta benissimo, a volte compaiono virgole a caso e un uso di termini alquanto bizzarro
June 12, 2024
A delightful guide for anyone interested in blending gardening with spiritual practices to cultivate a magical garden space.
What was very helpful to me was learning about ways to adapt my gardening practices to the changing seasons.
And, I love how the author uses spells and magical aspects of gardening, including guidance on how to perform rituals.
What was very helpful to me was learning about ways to adapt my gardening practices to the changing seasons.
And, I love how the author uses spells and magical aspects of gardening, including guidance on how to perform rituals.
April 29, 2022
was a cute read for taurus season
October 27, 2021
A free copy of the book was provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been a big fan of Murphy-Hiscock’s work and this book is no exception. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in green witchcraft and who’s interested in deepening their understanding of how to utilize plants in their personal practice.
I’ve always been a big fan of Murphy-Hiscock’s work and this book is no exception. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in green witchcraft and who’s interested in deepening their understanding of how to utilize plants in their personal practice.
October 26, 2023
4.5 This was much better than The House Witch. The book itself is beautiful, with gorgeous illustrations and design. Even if, like me, you're not particularly spiritual the amount of practical gardening information is fantastic. I consider myself a pretty decent gardener but I found a lot of good tips and information that I will be able to use. I also liked the recipes she includes, such as infused oils and savory shortbread. I borrowed this from the library but plan to purchase it for future reference.
November 16, 2022
Great resource for the beginner gardener or witch
November 5, 2021
The Green Witch’s Garden is a guide on how to infuse witchcraft with gardening. For those with a green thumb, this book will simply teach you how to forge a magical connection with your garden. For those already attuned to the craft, this book will help you to get started in the wonderful world of gardening.
Chapters include insightful instructions on how to set intentions while gardening, how to consecrate gardening tools, how to establish an astrological and moon garden, symbolism and meanings of various plants/flowers, divination with your garden, how to perform seasonal rituals and spells with your garden and many more useful tips.
This book will encourage you to make your garden a place of nourishment, mindfulness, and intuition. Even if you are not a green witch, this guide will help you to forge a deeper connection to nature so that answers you seek and information you need to know might just appear in your sacred garden. Have a pen and notebook handy, because there are many practical and helpful tips scattered like seeds throughout this easy-to-use manual.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free advanced reader copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Chapters include insightful instructions on how to set intentions while gardening, how to consecrate gardening tools, how to establish an astrological and moon garden, symbolism and meanings of various plants/flowers, divination with your garden, how to perform seasonal rituals and spells with your garden and many more useful tips.
This book will encourage you to make your garden a place of nourishment, mindfulness, and intuition. Even if you are not a green witch, this guide will help you to forge a deeper connection to nature so that answers you seek and information you need to know might just appear in your sacred garden. Have a pen and notebook handy, because there are many practical and helpful tips scattered like seeds throughout this easy-to-use manual.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free advanced reader copy via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 10, 2022
The book is in wicca collection. Even though I'm not that into magical things, I have a thing or two for fantasy childhood dreams, so this topic kinda piqued my interests. Besides, I believe helpful understanding of herbs can help with some preventive methods. After all, mother nature is very powerful.
The book list down popular items in terms of fruit, herbs, trees, etc; features and how to grow them. Arin describes the garden as a serene place to do spiritual meditation, which I find very calm and comfortable to read. What I like about wicca, does not necessarily mean I agree with all of them, is the religion is very nature-oriented. It tends to follow the natural cycle of the year, such as what to do for gardening seasonally.
She did also mentioned about blessings, rituals, some magical spells. My normal people may find it weird but I actually like to read them. The blessing prayers mean goodwill, so what's the harm. Chant a little lucky spell with the hope for better, or for the health of your loved ones, or such. They're no different from warm-hearted greetings from friends to friends.
In general, I find it a good read for even those who are not interested in wicca but natural healing. Read away folks.
The book list down popular items in terms of fruit, herbs, trees, etc; features and how to grow them. Arin describes the garden as a serene place to do spiritual meditation, which I find very calm and comfortable to read. What I like about wicca, does not necessarily mean I agree with all of them, is the religion is very nature-oriented. It tends to follow the natural cycle of the year, such as what to do for gardening seasonally.
She did also mentioned about blessings, rituals, some magical spells. My normal people may find it weird but I actually like to read them. The blessing prayers mean goodwill, so what's the harm. Chant a little lucky spell with the hope for better, or for the health of your loved ones, or such. They're no different from warm-hearted greetings from friends to friends.
In general, I find it a good read for even those who are not interested in wicca but natural healing. Read away folks.
February 25, 2022
My grandfather, who hailed from southern Italy, swore by a few things in life. Growing your own tomatoes to make sauce, growing your own grapes to make your own wine, Ben-Gay, and growing your own to heal your ills. I hate the way wine tastes, so that’s never been a thing for me, and I swear by cannabis salve for cramps so no Ben-Gay for me either, but homemade sauce is a staple in my house and being so interested from the time I was a little girl putting together dandelions in squishy mud to make pretend facial masks, to finding a mentor and taking herbalist courses for a few years. I consider myself a lifelong learner about herbs and I’ve never ceased to be awed by the bounty of healing, beautiful gifts Nature provides for us.
I was impressed with Arin’s book, which is well-written, seems extremely well researched, and is very comprehensive. It’s highly visually appealing (just look at that cover!) and laid out in a clean way, with frequent, beautifully drawn illustrations to show examples of what the author is trying to convey.
I really enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to putting some of the gardening tips I learned here to use in my soon-to-be garden at our new-to-us house.
eARC kindly provided by Adams Media and NetGalley. Opinions shared are my own.
I was impressed with Arin’s book, which is well-written, seems extremely well researched, and is very comprehensive. It’s highly visually appealing (just look at that cover!) and laid out in a clean way, with frequent, beautifully drawn illustrations to show examples of what the author is trying to convey.
I really enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to putting some of the gardening tips I learned here to use in my soon-to-be garden at our new-to-us house.
eARC kindly provided by Adams Media and NetGalley. Opinions shared are my own.
August 3, 2022
Since this is The Green Witch's Garden, this book obviously isn't for everyone, but, even though I am not a witch, I found this very useful. There's a lot of information on gardening and it can be very overwhelming. From a practical standpoint, there was information that is really good to start with when it comes to gardening. It was more helpful for a beginner than a lot of the gardening books I have perused in the past. Trying to figure out what to grow and how to proceed can be difficult - like I said, the information out there can be overwhelming. One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter on choosing what to grow. While there are witchy reasons in that section, many of the ideas are very nice and a lot of the basic "witchcraft" is a more hands on, natural approach to everything, anyway, without spellwork or anything that is specifically witchcraft. Knowing the history of who has been labeled a witch throughout history, this makes sense, but that's part of why this book worked as a practical guide for a relative newby, too.
From what I can tell, any beginner information that is lacking for the witch side of things can be found in the author's books and there are plenty of other resources listed within the text. Those resources include information specifically for gardening/farming and for a deeper dive into magic/magical uses.
From what I can tell, any beginner information that is lacking for the witch side of things can be found in the author's books and there are plenty of other resources listed within the text. Those resources include information specifically for gardening/farming and for a deeper dive into magic/magical uses.
December 5, 2021
Honestly, I’m notorious in my family for having a little bit of a black thumb and I’m trying to change that. I am interested in herbs and their traditional magical properties and I love harvesting them from my mother’s garden and using them in cooking. However, since I don’t live with my mother, learning how to not kill the green things is a goal for me. That’s where this book comes in, to give me a lot of little tips and tricks so that I am not constantly killing the plant babies.
It has a lot of information on the growing and the designing of a garden. I love the idea of the moon garden, but then also the elements garden with different plants corresponding to their different moon phases or elements. I would love to have a moon garden when I eventually have a home of my own. However, as usual my favorite part of this was the cooking section.
Recipes for jam and herb butter are easy enough for most practitioners, but I’m personally more interested in trying my hand at the savory shortbread cookies. The vegetable soup recipe also looks good, if a bit standard. I’ve made some of the recipes from her other books and they’ve turned out to be delicious so hopefully these will be as well.
Overall, I would recommend this for fans of her other books. They make a really great collection for anyone just starting out on their path or starting gardening. There are a lot of really great ideas in here to get people started or to use as the base inspiration for something more complicated. I look forward to getting a copy of this for my shelf in the not so distant future.
It has a lot of information on the growing and the designing of a garden. I love the idea of the moon garden, but then also the elements garden with different plants corresponding to their different moon phases or elements. I would love to have a moon garden when I eventually have a home of my own. However, as usual my favorite part of this was the cooking section.
Recipes for jam and herb butter are easy enough for most practitioners, but I’m personally more interested in trying my hand at the savory shortbread cookies. The vegetable soup recipe also looks good, if a bit standard. I’ve made some of the recipes from her other books and they’ve turned out to be delicious so hopefully these will be as well.
Overall, I would recommend this for fans of her other books. They make a really great collection for anyone just starting out on their path or starting gardening. There are a lot of really great ideas in here to get people started or to use as the base inspiration for something more complicated. I look forward to getting a copy of this for my shelf in the not so distant future.
July 11, 2024
The only reason I did not rate this book higher is that I have been exploring and reading about gardening for years, native plants, as well as reading a variety of books about green witchcraft for some time now, so I had already absorbed much of the information this book provided. However, if you are a beginning gardener and/or a newly practicing witch, this book has a lot for you. It does an excellent overview on a variety of topics, and it does address issues I really wanted more guidance in related to connecting to land spirits and creating outdoor altar spaces, and other magical ways of connecting to the space I tend and the blessed materials I create from what I grow. If you are interested in how to build a garden more directly related (or themed) to a specific goddess or element, I highly recommend Gardening with the Goddess by Patricia Telesco. I would also highly recommend finding books and information on the native plants and practices from your specific area. As an intro to the subject, this was a good read, but not for the more advanced or experienced gardener witch.
December 31, 2021
One does not need to be a witch, nor profess to any magical aspirations, to gain useful knowledge about plants and gardens from Arin Murphy-Hiscock’s book, “The Green Witch’s Garden.” As I read I found myself excitedly making lists of plants to use in my container garden next Spring, and devising a plot layout for those various plants. I learned which plants/herbs/flowering shrubs do well together or should have a bit of distant between them. Although I knew what birds I wanted to attract, I discovered beneficial insects and their unique effects for my garden patch. This book contains several good recipes and instructions for drying herbs to prepare bouquet garni to add in. All in all I would rate this book as quite useful and presented in simplistic terms. At some point in the future I will seek out other titles by this author.
September 24, 2022
To be honest, I picked this up because the hardcopy is very pretty. And although I didn't expect much in terms of the content, it's actually alright.
The book includes a lot of different topics: descriptions of various types of gardens, plant correspondances (indoors and outdoors), tips on creating a gardening journal, a few recipes for cooking with your homegrown produce, etc. It's just that everything is covered rather superficially, like suggestions in passing.
The information also feels very generic. I would have enjoyed learning about the author's personal experience and anecdotes with their plants (they only share one briefly), seeing sketches of their own garden layouts, or even photos of their gardening journal..
It's a good starting point if you're looking for new ways to work with your garden. Very short read too!
The book includes a lot of different topics: descriptions of various types of gardens, plant correspondances (indoors and outdoors), tips on creating a gardening journal, a few recipes for cooking with your homegrown produce, etc. It's just that everything is covered rather superficially, like suggestions in passing.
The information also feels very generic. I would have enjoyed learning about the author's personal experience and anecdotes with their plants (they only share one briefly), seeing sketches of their own garden layouts, or even photos of their gardening journal..
It's a good starting point if you're looking for new ways to work with your garden. Very short read too!
August 19, 2023
I enjoy gardening; I call myself an accidental gardener. As in, I just started gardening one day, and I do love the idea of planting a fruit, herb, or vegetable; with nutrients, water, and tending to it, the plant produces products. If you think about it, it is magic, the cycle of a plant. I would like to know more about gardening. Learn more about what certain plants can do to help create natural remedies you may need. I love making a garden representing the lunar cycle, astrology, and elements. This is a great book I want to use more next spring when replanting some plants. I am already thinking of what should be in my garden and how those items should work with my current plants (rosemary, sage, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries). This is a great introduction book on how you need to create and cultivate a garden space.
January 30, 2022
The Green Witch’s Garden is really beneficial if you are looking for ways to make gardening a more spiritual act. There are helpful rituals spelled out for you to connect to your land and set about to honor the space. This book is more focused on magic and less on gardening itself. The author admits in the introduction that the book is not meant to be a step-by-step guide. This book is meant to inspire and offer spiritual insight from an experienced green witch. Setting intentions is so important for magic, so this is something new witches may want to add to their library. The author also takes time to explain the different types of gardens that witches may want to incorporate into their space.
February 2, 2023
“The way of the Green Witch is the path of the naturalist, the herbalist, and the healer.”
I am still coming to terms with figuring out which type of witch I am. I think the above quote kind of describes me to a T, but I prefer the term Naturalist Witch.
Going into this book I was really hoping for a guide explaining different types of plants and their useful properties\ magical properties. While there was a small section on this the majority was more about how to incorporate your daily garden tools, and moon cycles into daily life. While it was pretty interesting it wasn’t what I had hoped for.
There are a few recipes in here that I would like to try and I will definitely be using the chapter describing what plants to choose when gardening.
I’ll be keeping this one on my shelf.
I am still coming to terms with figuring out which type of witch I am. I think the above quote kind of describes me to a T, but I prefer the term Naturalist Witch.
Going into this book I was really hoping for a guide explaining different types of plants and their useful properties\ magical properties. While there was a small section on this the majority was more about how to incorporate your daily garden tools, and moon cycles into daily life. While it was pretty interesting it wasn’t what I had hoped for.
There are a few recipes in here that I would like to try and I will definitely be using the chapter describing what plants to choose when gardening.
I’ll be keeping this one on my shelf.
January 12, 2022
I think this is a great 101 book about gardening with intention and bringing the mundane into your magick. Overall this is a reference guide about all things gardening, but it is just a jumping off point. Towards the end Murphy-Hiscock gets more into exercises and recipes that you can follow, which added a bit more to the book. As someone who has helped in the family garden most of my childhood, and now has a garden of my own, a lot of the introductory information was just a refresher for me; But I think this would be a great book for someone who is a bit witchy but doesn't even know where to start with gardening.
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