Scarves & Socks

A Green Witch's Formulary
Wearing natural fiber socks will help your feet breathe and keep them dry. If your feet sweat a lot, consider changing your socks a couple of times per day. ...

In older times, the female head of household was responsible for the health of the household. Doctors or healing priests were usually too far away to consult except in extreme circumstances. In addition to directing the planting & maintenance of the garden, she had an herb room (later, a stillroom) where she dried the harvest and made the necessary medicaments from herbs. Of necessity, she would compile herbal recipes and other practical information used to treat the illnesses and injuries of both family and retainers. This information would come from a variety of sources: her mother & other relatives, neighbors and travelers. Following the tradition of her forebears, Ms. Martin has compiled helpful information on over thirty common health complaints and fifteen magical situations. As her ancestors would have recorded, she includes information on growing your own herbs and how to make herbal preparations.

Helleborus x media – singles, doubles, picotees…

And can grow so much more.

Anyone who feels gloomy or sad in winter will immediately understand why plants that put on a show in winter are so endearing. Whether you consider yourself a devoted gardener or not, setting your winter-weary eyes on glimmering clouds of flowers or sniffing sweetly fragrant flowers in your garden during the dark months from November to March can elevate your mood in a hurry.

Here are a selection of six favorite, knock-your-socks-off winter blooming plants that will help cheer you on through winter’s darkest days. Of course, winter is the best time to shop for these plants, as you can see the flowers – come spring and summer, all you’ll see are the leaves! So hop over to your favorite nursery’s winter flowering section and pick something out for your garden. Soon, you’ll be wondering how you ever survived winter without these mood-elevating treasures!

Source: Portland Monthly (blog)