Whether you’re starting your magickal journey or you’re a seasoned witch, there’s no doubting the power of herbs. These unassuming helpers are gorging with the nurturing energy of Mother Earth.
Leaves, stems, flowers and roots are your everyday allies, bringing you different properties to help you with anything and everything you can imagine.
And given how versatile and accessible they are, it’s no wonder why they quickly become staples in the sacred practices.
They will give you a hand in creating elixirs, and in the kitchen just the same! (mint tea, anyone?)
So at this point you might be interested in deepening your connection to nature and tending to your own herb garden. How awesome would it be to nurture your powerful leafy helpers?
But if you’re scratching your head wondering how to honor your connection to the herbs, and also make the best out of your garden, look no further: introducing the Sacred Herb Spiral Garden!
You see, this is an age-old technique dating back to the wisdom of the ancient druids. And they knew their stuff! Not only does this gardening system respect the elements and life force within nature, it also helps you optimize the use of your space.
What exactly is a Sacred Herb Spiral Garden?
To put it simply, it’s a gardening space, in the shape of a spiral (no surprise there!). But don’t be fooled by the apparent simplicity of it. There’s so much about it that makes it special!
For a start, did you know that spirals are a common motive in sacred geometry? They are used to represent the center of the earth and our connection to it. This means that besides making your garden look gorgeous, it’s also honoring your connection to Mother Earth!
At the same time, the structure of this system allows you to grow multiple herbs in one place, even if they have very different humidity and drainage needs. Awesome, right?
The way to achieve that is to create the shape of the spiral with rocks or any other material that allows you to hold the structure.
Then, build the center of the spiral higher from the ground, and as the spiral unravels, it lowers until it reaches ground level. Many people include a small pond at the end, at the outer end of the spiral.
That way, the higher ground will have a dryer soil than the lower levels. Light and shade conditions will also vary on each part of the spiral, allowing you to cultivate herbs with contrasting needs in a single structure!
Now that you know how a spiral garden is built, let’s jump right into the fun part…
Find out how to harness ancient druid wisdom to supercharge the energy of your garden!
1. Harness the spiritual power of the elements
If you thought you already knew the elements, you’re in for a treat! You may master the vibes of fire, water, air and earth with your eyes closed; but there are others…
That’s right, ancient druid wisdom brings to the table their own set of elements to help you harness all the spiritual power of your sacred garden.
Their three basic elements are the components making up each unique form of life, and they go as follows:
Nwyfre (pronounced NOOiv-ruh)
It’s ok, we won’t tell anyone if you made a funny face to pronounce it!
This element refers to the life force present in every living thing. It’s the consciousness, the spark of life and the “mind” within you (and your plants!). It’s associated with heaven and the divine design within every creature.
When it comes to your herbs, Nwyfre is the spiritual energy within them, the magickal divine essence that makes them come alive.
Gwyar (GOO-yar)
Go with the flow, baby! Gwyar is the element of change, growth and flow. It’s the essence of transformation and becoming something new each and every moment. It’s also associated with the energy of water.
This means the ever-changing nature of your garden is possible thanks to it: from sprouting, to growing and blossoming, there’s always wonderful evidence of Gwyar in your garden.
Calas (CAH-lass)
This is the matter of life, the tangible side of reality. The leaves, stems, petals of your plants are Calas, and so is the soil that supports them. Calas is the physical expression of spirit in the world.
As you can see, each element will manifest itself in every single one of your plants. So how can you consciously integrate them into your garden?
An easy and beautiful way to do this is by honoring them, creating an altar for the elements. Include an item representing each one: a bowl of water for gwyar, a stone for calas and some incense for nwyfre, for example.
Listen to your inner guidance while you choose the representation of the elements. They will be your symbolic connection to them, so it’s important that they feel very personal.
Use the element’s altar as a portal to accessing the sacred elements, acknowledging how their vital energy contributes to your garden and your life.
CHECK OUT: Follow These 5 Steps To Create Your Very Own Witch’s Altar!
2. choose the perfect herbal combination for your garden
What would be a sacred herb spiral garden without the herbs? The stars of the show, you can mix and match according to your needs, planting more of the ones you reach for often.
Keep in mind that every herb has its own specific needs, so they need to be placed in the spiral accordingly: herbs needing dryer soil should be at the high spot in the center of the spiral; the ones craving more humidity closer to the bottom.
Also, be mindful of your local environmental conditions when you decide which herbs to plant. You want them to be as happy as if they’re having margaritas by the beach! (or their “plant world” equivalent).
Of course, this is all about your magickal needs! So choose your herbs thinking about their properties and the kind of uses you will give them: are you more of a kitchen witch, or will you create potent elixirs with them?
Common powerful herbs include: mugwort, lavender, sage, chamomile. But remember it’s your green corner, after all. So let your inner wisdom nudge you in the right direction when you’re picking the perfect herbs for you!
LEARN MORE: Try These 10 Spiritual Herbs To Activate Higher Consciousness
3. Learn The most powerful and overlooked factor of a sacred garden
Now that you have the elements and the herbs down, it’s time for the last powerful ingredient of your sacred herb spiral garden: you!
As the caretaker of the garden, you’ll play a major role as the physical and spiritual provider of the well being of your herbs. Besides tending to the soil and watering them, deeply connecting with your plants will supply them with an extra TLC.
So remember to be very intentional when caring for your garden: talk to your plants, and visualize the water you pour them to be liquid positive vibration. Be mindful of how their energy is expressed every day.
At the same time, you can recite your intentions out loud when you’re making changes to the garden like planting new seeds or collecting the herbs.
Take a moment every week to connect with the element’s altar and be grateful for your garden. Let your witchy colors fly and create rituals that support your garden’s energy!
Because when you take an active part in the spiritual caretaking of your garden, you’ll see how beautifully your herbs respond!
As with anything, your intuition will be your most faithful guide. After all, using the ancient wisdom of the druids is a way to help you deepen your connection to the earth, and the powers within you.
So, are you ready to create a sacred herb spiral garden? Let us know which herbs you’ll grow in the comments below!
