Ranunculus ruffles
Blog Entry #6
Flower Power - A Blog
Musings on plants who speak to me
My roof top deck in Kitsilano, Vancouver, Canada, where magic is planted, tended to and harvested
California Poppies
Blog Entry #7
17 June 2025
Poppies have been associated with sleep, dreams, and deep healing. In Greek mythology, they were linked to Hypnos, the god of sleep, and Thanatos, the god of death, representing the cycle of rest, renewal, and rebirth.
What am I ready to release this season? What old story am I clinging to that no longer serves me in this new phase of life? Retirement from full time teaching has me questioning and redefining what "Productivity'" means. Being busy and getting things done has become less urgent these days. While extremely grateful for the gift of time, it is a dramatic shift in perspective that I now navigate. A shift requiring surrender of control, chaos and external gratification. Sweet poppies are a reminder that war within myself can end. Peace is possible.
Dandelion gifts
March 7, 2025 Blog Post #5
March 7, 2025 Blog Post #5
Everything on a dandelion, in a pesticide - free environment, is edible. The word "Dandelion" is derived from the French word dent - de - lion, meaning "tooth of lion". I've been waiting for these sunny friends to show themselves for weeks! Dandelions begin to appear as winter fades, bringing cheerful and courageous medicine to those who hear plants speak. Either in a tea, a tonic, a salad, as a magic crown or as an offering to our Faerie Folk, befriend the Dandelion this season and save a dance for me.
Art by Salvador Dali
"Dance of the Dandelions"
Blog entry #4 January 21 2025
Hell ya!
Helleborus is sometimes referred to as a winter rose. We have them growing outside our doorstep. I've recently discovered it not to be a rose at all but part of Ranunculaceae or buttercup family. I've always remembered its name from its' prefix, Hell. "Come hell or high water" it blooms in winter. Helleborus was used in witches ointments historically for the purpose of becoming invisible or for eternal youth. It was also used in spells for protection against evil. Ours is pale pink. It is hardy, cold resistant and bold. Her medicine reminds me (as I lean into aging and retiring and not always gracefully) that seasons change, I'm not invisible and that playtime is mandatory.
Blog posts 1, 2,3 and 4
Blog entry #4 Peace Lily for Purification December 25 2024 Peace Lilies are said to clean indoor air of certain environmental contaminants. They were on the student supply list during covid. My dad called me Lily. For 3 years peace lilies held space in my classroom. Some witches suggest the plant balances energy and promotes harmony. I have one in my kitchen window about to blossom. Reminding me of tender possibility. Of hope. And to breathe. Blog entry #3 Rosemary for Remembrance December 7 2024 Rosemary presented herself boldly this December. She, Rose and Lemon as well. Focal scents for my seasonal body soap and milk bath magic making. Harvested from the roof deck post summer. Sweet scents of nostalgia reminding us to remember who we are and the knowledge we carry, in our bones. May the memories rise and soften. Blog entry #2 November 15 2024 Tomorrow evening the super full beaver moon will illuminate the sky. The beaver moon calls for us to get busy with nesting, slowing down, lingering into the longer nights, cooler temperatures and to finish preparations for deep winter. "Get busy getting cozy". We put our garden to sleep today. I got a new poetry book. A few Nasturiums were still blooming. Nasturiums are intertwined with magical properties and they are practical as food and in medicine. They are an amalgamation of spiritual symbolism and practical uses, an intersection between the beautiful and the beneficial. Nasturtium infused moon water will be be part of my ritual. #getbusygetcozy Blog entry #1 October 17 2024 - Full Hunter's moon I'd like to introduce you to a glimmer from my summer. She grew from a seed I planted (trying to be witchy ) in a pot in our roof top garden. Elecampane (elf dock, horse heal) has enchanted me ever since she presented herself, through my teacher, Nathalie Rousseau . What delighted me was that in the Celtic Tradition, Elecampane is associated with elves and the fairy folk. I ordered seeds about 10 minutes after learning this. The seeds were planted and "Ela" grew into this earthy, gritty, beauty at the very beginning of July. I nearly lost my mind watching her grow and change. It was magic. Plants heal. We've known that for centuries. Plant life cycles, seasonal life cycles, full moon cycles, hormonal cycles, cycles of life. A circle. No beginning and no end. Flowing, cycling, moving through and around and around and around again. My little urban roof top pot garden is my muse. I am being shown with grace, how to let go and to trust cycles. Pull weeds, sun, water, love, feed, rest. (self care). I've always been a visual learner. Would you like to join me as we dance and ponder through the garden this year? I'll share my magic tools. Yoga, plants, wildcrafting. You can come and go independently. With your broom or not. We ride at dawn. ps. I dried Ela's petals and they are housed in a spell jar on my altar. I have a lot of altars.