Land Healing at the Druid’s Garden: Replanting, Forest Healing, and Refugia Update

Ramps planted in my Grove of Renewal

Today I wanted to take some time to share some of the updates on the land healing and permaculture practices we are enacting at the Druid’s Garden Homestead. As I’ve shared in earlier posts, when we purchased this land four years ago, the family who owned it just before us selectively logged about 3 acres, leaving the forest an absolute mess. The land otherwise was perfect–we have our own spring, a nice sunny area for gardens….and three acres of land in desperate need of healing. Since land healing is one of my primary forms of spiritual practice, I rolled up my sleeves and purchased the land! As this ongoing land healing project takes shape, I try to check in on the blog every once in a while to share new insights, techniques, and experiences. Today I want to spend some time offering updates…

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Energies of May, New Moon, Full Moon Eclipse, the Influence of Taurus, Negotiating Ongoing Change

Good Witches Homestead

The month of May in the northern hemisphere is traditionally associated with the power of the feminine goddess and the beginning of summer, both of which are celebrated at the Celtic festival of Beltane on May 1st each year.

This year May has got off to a somewhat cold and windy start with weather rather more reminiscent of early March than anything approaching summer. Despite this our garden and the countryside around us is resplendent with blossom and new vibrant green growth. Some warm sunshine would now be most welcome so that we can properly start in on the important summer job of mother tincture making.

The Energies of May

May promises to be a powerful and eventful month with a volatile energy flow that will highlight the themes of freedom and transformation.

Events are likely to be fast moving and possibly unexpected in nature so it will be important…

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May Birthstone: What did Cleopatra know that you don’t? Find out here — Good Witches Homestead

Emerald, the May birthstone, has an ancient history connected to physical and psychic vision, as well as the heart, unconditional love, and compassion. Worn by the epitome of feminine beauty, Cleopatra, the May birthstone is durable enough for all types of jewelry and suits any budget. Source: May Birthstone: What did Cleopatra know that you […]
May Birthstone: What did Cleopatra know that you don’t? Find out here — Good Witches Homestead

What It Takes To Find Morel Mushrooms

Experience has shown me that morel mushroom hunting involves no less than three general factors.

Luck.

Like a first-time bowler who bowls a 200 game, some people find morel mushroom honey holes without even trying.

Skill.

This is a somewhat more predictable factor. Without proper awareness of habitat, timing, and tree associations, a successful morel hunt will be impaired.

Persistence.

Any inveterate morel hunter will tell you that leg work is essential. In order to consistently find, one must fearlessly seek.

During a recent excursion in the woods, I found several morels near elms and tulip poplars. Instead of harvesting every mushroom and calling it a day, I decided to film a video and analyze the specific factors involved in finding such a bounty.

The following analysis parallels the specific points mentioned in the previous video (“6 Reasons You Can’t Find Morels”) in order to help you better locate these elusive fungi.

You can watch the brand new video here.

Experience has also shown me that encountering spring migratory birds can be just as exciting as finding morels. This particular bird spent his winter in Central America and has recently returned to the wilds of Pennsylvania. Have you seen him or heard his song? Check out the latest Instagram post to learn more.Click to view post

I was a recent guest on the Awake Aware Alive podcast hosted by Jacob Gossel. In this interview, we discuss many topics including how to read landscapes more effectively, the importance of learning directly from humans, and what I think about ticks. You can listen to the interview through one of the following links:

Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!

-Adam Haritan

Pineapple Mint – Herb of the Month

The Herb Society of America Blog

A Two-Color Mint

by Maryann Readal

The Herb Society of America’s Herb of the Month for May is pineapple mint, Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’.

With its lime green leaves edged with a creamy white ruffle, pineapple mint is a perfect plant for the spring garden. This mint is a variegated cultivar of apple mint (Mentha suaveolens). However, its taste and smell does not remind one of apple mint. It has a sharp initial taste that fades into a light fruity flavor. Like other mints, pineapple mint thrives in a moist, rich soil. It does well in sun or in partial shade. In the south, it may need to be grown in partial shade. Also similar to other mints, pineapple mint can be a fast spreader, so containing it in a pot is a good way to control its growth. It is a nice plant to add to a hanging…

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Sacred Trees in the Americas: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida) Magic, Medicine, and Mythology

The Druid's Garden

With the advent of Beltane, it is an excellent time to share about the magic and sacredness of the dogwood tree–a tree that is in bloom across the landscape this time of year. I feel like dogwood is one of those trees that everyone knows, but nobody takes the time to know well. In all of my time in the druid community, when people talk about their favorite trees, I don’t think I’ve ever heard dogwood mentioned. She’s a quiet and unassuming understory tree, and after her spring show of white or pink bracts and yellowish tiny flowers, she fades into the rest of the forest. And yet, in studying her medicine and ecology, we can gain so much from this wonderful tree.

Dogwood is a popular tree here in North America, both as a native tree found in the understories and edges of Oak-Hickory forests throughout its wide range…

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May 2021 Astrological Influences & Ritual Recommendations

Good Witches Homestead

We welcome May with the Gaelic celebration of Beltane, which marks the beginning of Mother Earth entering a new cycle of growth, fertility, and abundance. Although I do not practice or observe any Pagan or Wiccan/New Age holidays or rites, I do honor this blessed day by creating an abundant ritual altar of candles and flowers. May 3rd, 2021: Last Quarter Moon in Aquarius will bring a strong desire for solitude. Sensitives and those developing their third eye will feel overloaded with psychic messages. Anxiety often heightens during this time. Excellent time to physically and spiritually cleanse the home. The combination of Agrimony Powder and Wormwood Powder illuminates and cleanses all surroundings. This nearly smokeless method of cleansing will be very satisfying under the influences of this Last Quarter Moon. More information and instructions can be found on the Smokeless “Smudge” Kit page. If

Source: May 2021 Astrological Influences & Ritual Recommendations

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Spring Plantain Herbal Infusion | The School of Aromatic Studies — Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

It’s finally spring and all around there are cleavers, violet flowers, chickweed, plantain, and a few other early spring medicinal plants in the area around us. I am sure if you look around your yard or in a field yet to be touched by modern-day‘ weed killers’ you will stumble upon plantain. Today we… Continue […]
Spring Plantain Herbal Infusion | The School of Aromatic Studies — Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Beltane Gardening Rituals: Garden Blessings, Standing Stones, and Energy Workings

The Druid's Garden

Here in the Laurel Highlands of Western PA, Beltane marks the start of “planting” season, where we move our indoor seeds out into the greenhouse to harden off, where many seeds like carrots and beans start to go into the ground directly, and where the land is budding and blooming with the joy that spring offers. And so in today’s post, I’m going to share some Beltane spring garden blessing ideas for you, as you can craft your own sacred “druid’s garden”.

One of our amazing sacred gardens here at the Druid’s Garden Homestead!

The concept of “blessing” is quite wide-ranging. In the broadest sense, a garden blessing is any working that offers positive energy and protection to a growing space for a season, ensuring your plants a bountiful harvest, long life, and joyful existence. Blessings can be extremely wide-ranging and pretty much anything you do can have some positive…

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