Most witches believe in the Faerie Folk, a name which can mean many things. The nature of these beings ranges among individuals from manifested earth spirits to shining beauties with sparkling wings. But the connection to the natural cannot be denied, and the faerie influence in the garden is invaluable.

There are many ways to encourage faeries into your garden. The Folk most likely exist there already, but you can attract more by making your garden a haven for the magical. Here are some helpful tips.

Use your intuition to decide where which plants go where. Allow yourself to be influenced by the energies of the garden, and you will be able to pick the best spots for certain plants. Faeries are known to make pathways of energy and find favourite spots in the garden, and you don't want to just mosy in and tear up a favourite flower or plant a tree smack in the middle of an road. And since the trails of the faerie and the other mystical denizens are invisable, it can be tricky. So, let your garden guide you.

Choose flowers with a rich faerie history, such as English or Scottish bluebells or foxglove. These plants can help significantly to give your garden the feyish aire, and attract a few interesting Folk. Of course, faeries can love all plants, so you can seldom go wrong. Visit my Faerie Flowers section to get some ideas.

But remember, it is my opinion that planting 'faery flowers' is mainly an exercise to lend the magical feeling for the gardener, and although they do attract faeries, and sometimes Certain faeries, almost any beautiful plant will draw the energies of the natural world.

Have you ever read 'Afternoon of the Elves'? I'm not saying your garden should be full of poison ivy and garbage, but you can add some things to make it more interesting for you and some mischievous Folk. I personally like to hang tiny bells from tree boughs in my garden which give off the faintest high ringing reminscent of faery music. You can decorate your garden with whatever you wish, and don't be afraid to let your garden hint at what would make it look better. Little statues, bird baths and bird feeders are always good ideas, that attract wildlife to your garden. Don't forget to put them up high if cats frequent your garden as mine do. I've often thought of making tiny houses of moss and bark and hiding them under branches and plants, as a gift and as an interesting treat to find. The options are infinite!

Don't be afraid to talk to your plants. No, I'm not crazy and neither are you. Just because plants and trees don't speak our language doesn't mean they are dead and without spirits. Studies have been made to illustrate how plants enjoy music. If you are going to be moving a plant, I suggest you tell it what you intend to do 24 hours before you do it, to give it some warning and allow it to prepare itself. Its not good when you just stroll into your garden and begin hacking at happy roots out of nowhere. Also, thank a plant for its fruits or leaves if you harvest some of it, and never take more than three quarters of whatever it is you want. Always leave some fruit on the boughs as a faerie offering.

Create Sacred Space within your garden. And now you want to know, "Isn't the entire magical garden the witches' Sacred Space?" It is. The whole garden is charged and embewed with your energies, as it is you who have toiled in it, or cast the spells at its borders. But the witches' Sacred Space within the garden is simply the center; a small, private location where the the witch can practice the earthly art amid the lush bower of the garden.

This space can consist of really anything, but generally the foundation consists of a circle (of grass, moss or trees), and an alter. The circle can be any size. Generally nine feet for the solitary witch, and larger depending on whether you have a coven or could possibly invite people into your space for holidays. The altar can be anything you wish, a flat stone, a piece of wood, or the circle itself. You can place whatever you wish in this circle, plant magical herbs of protection around its borders, or hang birds feathers from tree branches, but a word to the wise. DON'T leave candles outside if the area is in the sunlight or during the hot seasons! I learned this one the hard way! If you want to use candles, take them out to your circle at night and bring them back. Leaving them there could mean certain doom.

Once you have constructed your altar and circle, meditating and performing rituals in the garden can help attract spiritual visitors. It never fails to attract faeries, and other, less known beings. Erecting an altar and/or a circle in the garden will help attune you with natural powers and enable you to work freely with faery or elemental helpers. I will soon be adding a section on faerie spells and rituals in the garden, to lend some ideas.

Illumination in the garden during midnight moonlit faerie revels is a must, if the moon's rays are not enough. But if you just read my rant about candles in the sunshine, you'll know this is somewhat tricky. A brazier or a little metal or ceramic stove can provide warmth and light, but always have water on hand and keep away from dry grass, etc etc. Tiki torches are pretty handy, and of course you can bring out the candles at nighttime if your sane enough to carry them away again!



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