#Blue giant Hyssop

[faguscarolinensis]

Bombus bimaculatus on Agastache foeniculum / Two-Spotted Bumblebee on Anise Hyssop at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

[sagescented]

Complete Seed Inventory, 2025

"Texas / Oklahoma" Wildflower Mix

"Prairie Splendor" Wildflower Mix

"Pollinator Garden" Flower Mix

"Bring Home the Butterflies" Flower Mix

"Let's Yard Better" Wildflower Seed Mix

☙ "Cottage Garden" Flower Mix

☙ "Flower Garden" Flower Mix

☙ "Perennial Garden" Flower Mix

Wild Grape

American Passionflower / Maypop

Sweet Autumn Clematis incorrectly labeled as American Passionflower / Maypop

Cardinal Flower

'Rose Queen' Cleome

'Zig-Zag' Goldenrod

'Showy' Goldenrod

'Sunburst' Coreopsis

'Mardi Gras' Coreopsis

Golden Tickseed / Plains Coreopsis

Blanket Flower

☙ Blanket Flower

'Cherokee Sunset' Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan

☙ Black-Eyed Susan

Purple Coneflower / Echinacea

Butterfly Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed

Common Milkweed

TX-OK Milkweed Mix (12+ Types)

'Blushing Impressions' Tulip Bulbs

'Apricot Parfait' Tulip Bulbs

(Mixed Colors) Foxglove

'Gloxiniiflora' (Mixed Colors) Foxglove

Texas Bluebonnet

'Pixie Delight' Lupine

'Russell Hybrid' (Mixed Colors) Lupine

'Summer Carnival' (Mixed Colors) Hollyhock

'Midnight' Hollyhock

'Fordhook Giants' (Mixed Colors) Hollyhock

☙ Purple Hollyhock

☙ Pink Hollyhock

(Unspecified) Snapdragon Mix

(Mixed Colors) Sunflower

'Mammoth' Sunflower

'Mammoth Grey Stripe' Sunflower

'Russian Giant' Sunflower

'Tiger's Eye' (Mixed Colors) Sunflower

'Moonshine' Sunflower

'Magic Roundabout' Sunflower

'Italian White' Sunflower

'Chianti Hybrid' Sunflower

'Ruby Sun' Sunflower

'Ruby Eclipse' Sunflower

'Velvet Queen' Sunflower

'Dwarf Teddy Bear' Sunflower

'Oklahoma Salmon' Zinnia

'Oklahoma Carmine' Zinnia

'California Giants' Zinnia

'Double Zahara Brilliant' (Mixed Colors) Dwarf Zinnia

'Daydream' Cosmos

'Gazebo' (Mixed Colors) Cosmos

'Gloria' Cosmos

'Summer Dreams' Cosmos

'Apricot Lemonade' Cosmos

'Cupcake Blush' Cosmos

'SC Xsenia' Cosmos

'Chaubaud Giant' (Mixed Colors) Carnation

Bachelor's Buttons

Sweet William

Sweet Alyssum

☙ Dwarf Forget Me Not

'Blue Bird' Forget-Me-Not

☙ Baby's Breath

Blue Bellflower

'Alaska' Shasta Daisy

'Pacific Beauty' Calendula

'Sunset Bluff' Calendula

German / False Chamomile

Feverfew

'Alaska' Nasturtium

'Yellow Giant' Aztec Marigold

'Crackerjack' Aztec Marigold

'Esk*mo' Aztec Marigold

(Unspecified) Mexican Marigold

'Orange Flame' French Marigold

(Unspecified Color Mix) Oriental Poppy

Red Oriental Poppy

Red Corn Poppy

Scarlet Peony Poppy

'Thai Silk' California Poppy

'Watermelon Heaven' California Poppy

Missouri Dwarf Primrose

"Best Colors" (Mixed Colors) Hellebore

'Early Spencer' (Mixed Colors) Sweet Pea

'Mammoth Salmon Cream' Sweet Pea

'Blue Picotee' Morning Glory

'Clarke's Heavenly Blue' Morning Glory

☙ Moonflower (probably Ipomoea Alba)

Moonflower (potentially Datura Innoxia)

Rosemary

'Munstead' Lavender

English Lavender

Woodland Flowering Tobacco

Absinthe Wormwood

California Mugwort

Prairie Sage / Western Mugwort

Comfrey

Mullein

Hyssop

Anise Hyssop / Agastache

Rue

Valerian

Blue Vervain

Borage

Motherwort

Sweet Basil

'Genovese' Basil

'Cinnamon' Basil

'Aton' Basil

'Lime' Basil

'Spicy Saber' Basil

'Siam Queen' Basil

'Dark Opal Purple' Basil

'Lemondrop' Basil

Sweet Thai Basil

Temperate Tulsi / Holy Basil

Black Sage

Purple Sage

Garden Sage

White Sage

Clary Sage

Spearmint

Peppermint

Virginia Mountain Mint

Hairy Mountain Mint

(Unspecified) Mountain Mint

Lemon Balm

Orange Balm

Catnip

False Za'atar

Thyme

Summer Thyme

Greek Oregano

Sweet Marjoram

Chervil

Italian Parsley

Italian Dark Green Parsley

Cilantro

'Slo-Bolt' Cilantro

Dill

'Bouquet' Dill

'Fernleaf' Dill

Tarragon

Summer Savory

Winter Savory

Lovage

Silverdollar

'Early Giant' Leek

'Dolores' Chives

'Garlic' Chives

Chives

'Walla Walla' Onion

Bok Choy

'Vienna' Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi

'Florence' Fennel

'Finale' Fennel

Fennel

'De Cico' Broccoli

'Umpqua Crown' Broccoli

'Aspabroc F' Broccoli

'Snow Crown F1' Cauliflower

'Tiara F1' Cabbage

'Buttercrunch' Lettuce

'Dwarf Blue Curled, Vate's Strain' Kale

Lettuce Mesclun

Egyptian Spinach

'Bloomsdale Savoy' Spinach

'Detroit Dark Red' Beets

(Mixed Colors) Beets

'Cherry Belle' Radish

'Daikon' Radish

'Arrow' Radish

'Icicle Short Top' Radish

'Champion' Radish

'French Breakfast' Radish

'Gourmet Blend' Radishes

'All-American' Parsnip

'Seven Top' Turnip

'Purple Top White Globe' Turnip

'Danver's Half-Long' Carrot

'Red-Cored Chanteray' Carrot

Carrot Seed Tape ('Atomic Red', 'Bambino Orange', 'Lunar White', 'Solar Yellow', 'Cosmic Purple')

(Mixed Colors) Carrot

'Danvers Half Long' Carrot

'Tendergreen Burpless' Cucumber

'Tasty Green' Cucumber

'Hartley F1' Cucumber

'Straight Eight' Cucumber

'Spacemaster' Cucumber

'Lemon' Cucumber

'White Wonder' Cucumber

'Muncher' Cucumber

'Saffron Prolific Straight-Neck' Summer Squash

'Early Prolific Straight-Neck' Summer Squash

'Pic-n-Pic Hybrid' Summer Squash

'Yellow Summer Crook-Neck' Summer Squash

'Early White Bush' Pattypan Squash

'Peter Pan F1' Pattypan Squash

'Golden Delicious' Squash

'Dixie Hybrid' Squash

'Black Beauty' Zucchini

'Dark Green' Zucchini

'Early Acorn Hybrid' Winter Squash

'Jack-O-Lantern' Pumpkin

'Hale's Best Jumbo' Muskmelon

'Hale's Best' Cantaloupe

'Sierra Gold' Cantaloupe

'Crimson Sweet' Watermelon

'Moon and Stars' Watermelon

'Red Burgundy' Okra

'Clemson Spineless' Okra

'Clemson Spineless #80' Okra

'Early' Jalapeno

'Mild' Jalapeno

Jalapeno

'Long Red' Cayenne

Poblano

☙ Habanada

(Mixed Colors) Bell Pepper

'Millionaire F1' Eggplant

'Aunt Molly' Ground Cherry

'Large Red' Cherry Tomato

☙ 'Amethyst Cream' Cherry Tomato

'Early Girl Hybrid' Tomato

'Super Sweet 100 Hybrid' Cherry Tomato

'Pink Brandywine' Tomato

'Hillbilly Potato Leaf' Tomato

'Indigo Rose' Cherry Tomato

(Unspecified) Green Bean

'Vermont Cranberry' (Unspecified) Bean

'Red Noodle' Yardlong Bean

'Asparagus' Yardlong Bean

'Asparagus Red-Seeded' Yardlong Beans

'Tendergreen' Bush Bean ❧

'Harvester' Bush Bean ❧

'Blue Lake #274' Bush Bean ❧

'Contender' Bush Bean ❧

'Royal Burgundy' Bush Bean

'Jade' Bush Bean

'Black Turtle' Garden Bean ❧

'Cherokee Wax' Garden Bean

'Top Crop' Garden Bean ❧

'Scarlet Emperor' Pole Bean

'Kentucky Wonder' Pole Bean ❧

'Pinkeye Purple Hull' Cowpeas ❧

'Henderson' Lima Bean ❧

'Fordhook 242' Lima Bean ❧

'Cascadia Sugar' Snap Peas

'Sugar Magnolia' Snap Pea

'Dwarf Grey Sugar' Peas

'Snowbird' Snow Peas

'Little Marvel' Peas ❧

'Oregon Sugar Pod' Peas

'Laxton's Progress' Peas ❧

'Lochief' Corn ❧

❧ Donated to a local Seed Swap ☙ Obtained from a local Seed Swap

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

My Garden Flowers Part 9

All photos mine.

In order of appearance:

241. Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

242. Nodding Wakerobin (Trillium flexipes) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

243. Moss campion (Silene acaulis) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

244. Great White Trillium (Trillium grandiflora) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

245. Yellow Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) Small yellow flowers. You often find them growing as weeds, but they're native at least to the northern USA bordering southern Ontario. The leaves, flowers, and fruits are a very lovely snack, with a tart refreshing flavour.

246. Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) A fairly common garden weed, but native so she can stay where she pops up from time to time. Not pictured as I haven't got pictures.

247. Stiff Goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigida) Not pictured as I haven't got pictures yet.

248. Fourflower Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadriflora) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

249. Smallflower Forgetmenot (Myosotis laxa) At least I think. Her flowers are certainly much smaller than the European pink and blue species I see around. Not sure what else she'd be.

250. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

251. Tall Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum pubescens) Yet more lacy white flowers! I imagine if you preferred white you could have a full native garden of such.

252. Northern Bog Violet (Viola nephrophylla) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

253. Wool Grass (Scirpus cyperinus) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

254. Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

255. Square-Stemmed Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens) More leggy than her yellow cousin, but still very attractive flowers that look a lot like snapdragons. She needs things moist.

256. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

257. Meadow Sundrops (Oenothera pilosella) Not quite as intensely yellow as her cousins, Oenothera biennis and Oenothera fruticosa, but still very bright.

258. Wood Lily (Lilium philadelphicum) We don't have a ton of red or orange flowers native here as compared to yellow, white, or pink/purple flowers, so each one is a treat.

259. Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) Yet more lacy white flowers! Not complaining, though, I think they're lovely in the garden. You find these growing in shaded woods.

260. Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) Unlike her cousin in the front, this one produces lots of berries...but they're white! That's not usual for the species but not unheard of. It's kind of fun to pick little white strawberries each year from that patch.

261. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

262. Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) This is a cultivar. I will have the wild type one day.

263. Strict Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum) Her cousin in the front prefers things dry, but this one, like many members of her family (irises), prefers things moist. It was actually easier to get her to take than the dry one, though, which I had three failed attempts at before the one I planted last year.

264. Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

265. Purplestem Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

266. Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

267. Purple Giant Hyssop (Agastache scrophulariifolia) Not pictured as I haven't got pictures yet.

268. Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

269. Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

270. White Lettuce (Nabalus albus) Not pictured as she hasn't flowered yet.

[lunelfy]

Giant Hyssop ;

Also known as Korean mint Seeds, blue licorice, purple giant hyssop (Agastache rugosa). They smell so good :-:

[zantedeschia-praesul]

"I found it...!"

Nankaitarou had to sketch it out on his walls in order to finally piece the puzzle that had plagued their honmaru and incapacitate their master. They had been...receiving 'signs' as to what makes up this strange 'flower' gift.

"Sensei...those clues we've been getting...could it be...?"

Nankaitarou finishes the last strokes, before heaving a long sigh.

"Mountain namesake, purple giant, pond flower, moss pink, eyes of the sky, and bird's helmet...

"Their names are unfamiliar, but apparently they're some of the flowers that Aruji is fond of, grown right in our own abode. And I believe if we gather all of them together, we can at least solve it, and hopefully be able to set our Master free from his deep slumber."

"Mutsunokami found the petal of the mountain lily first, hence 'mountain namesake', as is our honmaru name Yamayuri."

"Izuminokami came across a single giant hyssop, which is also known as 'purple giant' hyssop in some terminology."

"Yamatonokami had the bulb of the calla lily, which thrives nearby ponds. That's where the 'pond flower' comes from."

"Kashuu, interestingly, has a garland of shibazakura that appeared by his pillow. That particular 'moss pink' is sweet smelling, but not as potent."

"Horikawa also received a garland of rurikarakusa, which gives off a pleasant scent particularly at night. Those are the 'eyes of the sky' due to their blue hues."

"Oh but the most arduous test falls on Nagasone...for he's the one who is given the poisonous yachi torikabuto, the 'bird's helmet'. That...is also another name for wolfsbane..."

[zoddicus]

Got a new (to me) macro lens for my camera, so tried it out on some subjects from our pollinator garden

European Honeybee on Butterfly Milkweed

Common Greenbottle Fly on Butterfly Milkweed

Lance-leaved Coreopsis

Swamp Milkweed

Giant Blue Hyssop

White Clover

[sororalice]

Purification, Consecration, And Opening Of The Temple By The Elements (With Commentary)

Ritual written 6-9-24.

Purpose: To purify (see commentary) and consecrate (see commentary) the mage and the ritual space in preparation for magick. This ritual would be done first, before other opening rituals (see commentary) and serves as a general “Opening Of The Temple”.

Required:

1. An altar facing East

2. A small cup of water (preferably the magickal tool of Water: the Cup)

3. A small container of salt (and ideally the magickal tool of Earth: the Pentacle)

4. An incense brazier with appropriate incense for the magickal operation at hand (and ideally the magickal tool of Air: the Dagger).

a. Note: I like a mix of 1 part frankincense, 1 part myrrh, and 2 parts hyssop for a basic temple blend.

5. A lighter (and ideally the magickal tool of fire: the Wand).

6. A magickal tool representing Spirit. Some traditions use another dagger (sometimes called the “athame”), others use an oil lamp. I use a prayer rope that I wrap around my right wrist and then use my right hand/fingers to trace pentagrams, draw circles, etc.

Preparation:

1. Arrange tools of the elements on the altar according to their associated directions in your tradition, with your tool of Spirit in the center.

2. Prepare incense and brazier in an appropriate way so that you can light the incense in it at the appropriate time. This may require a charcoal if your incense requires this.

Ritual:

1. Stand before the altar facing East.

2. Take a moment and ground and center according to your tradition.

3. If it is your will and in accordance with your values, do a land acknowledgment (please see this link for more information https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/land-acknowledgment ).

4. Invoke Water:

a. Raise your Cup and hold it in both hands reverently before you and above the altar.

b. Visualize or otherwise internally represent elemental Water as blue, cool energy flowing through you, coming into you from the universe around you, focusing into the Cup, circulating through you, and then coming out again into through the Cup and back out into the universe, as if you were a conduit in a giant system of waterworks.

c. Verbally enunciate the properties of elemental Water as best you know them, ending with the phrase “Water is sacred.”

i. EXAMPLE: “Water. Water flows. Water is cool and water is moist. Water purifies. Water cleanses. Water cools. Water is the water in our oceans, our rivers, our lakes, our ponds. Water is the water in our homes, in our pipes, in our water bottles. Water is the blood within our veins. Water is our emotions, ever flowing. And Water is sacred.”

ii. Place tool of Water back down in the appropriate location on altar.

5. Invoke Earth:

a. Raise your dish of salt and Pentacle and hold them in both hands reverently before you and above the altar.

b. Visualize or otherwise internally represent elemental Earth flowing through you as green, heavy energy coming into you from the universe around you via the dish of salt and tool of Earth, circulating through you, and then coming out again back into the universe via the dish of salt and tool of Earth, as if you were a conduit in a giant system of circulating stone, moss, and soil.

c. Verbally enunciate the properties of elemental Earth as best you know them, ending with the phrase “Earth is sacred.”

i. EXAMPLE: “Earth. Earth is a disk and the disk is a wheel, ever-turning, ever-changing. Earth is cool and Earth is dry. Earth solidifies. Earth manifests. Earth supports. Earth grounds. Earth is the ground beneath our feet, upon which we walk and live. Earth is the rich soil that brings forth life. Earth is the physical plane. Earth is our bodies. And Earth is sacred.”

ii. Place the dish of salt and tool of Earth back in the appropriate place on altar.

6. Mix Earth and Water, both within yourself and within the Cup, by mixing three pinches of salt into the water in the Cup while saying:

a. “Let the salt of Earth admonish the Water to bear the virtue of the great sea”.

7. Hold up the Cup with mixed water and salt in your left hand and hold your right hand cupped over it facing down and say:

a. “Water and Earth, be thou adored!”

8. Anoint yourself with the mixed Water and Earth according to your tradition (such as a Rosy Cross/Celtic Cross on the forehead, a pentagram on the forehead, etc) and say softly to yourself:

a. “So therefore first the priest/exx/ess who governeth the works of Fire must sprinkle with the Water of the loud-resounding sea.”

9. Circumambulate clockwise starting in the East and sprinkle the mixed salt and water in a circle as you go (or dip your index finger in the mixed salt and water and trace crosses or Rosy Crosses/Celtic Crosses at the cardinal points) while saying authoritatively:

a. “So therefore first the priest/exx/ess who governeth the works of Fire, must sprinkle with the Water of the loud-resounding sea.”

b. Note: Make sure to say this so that you are finishing it as you finish the circle at the altar in the East.

10. Returning to the altar facing East, hold the Cup with the mixed salt and water in both hands reverently in front of you and above the altar and say:

a. “Thus purified, thou mayest approach the temple of the wise”.

11. Return the Cup to its place on the altar.

12. Invoke Fire:

a. Raise the lighter and Wand and hold them in both hands reverently before you and above the altar.

b. Visualize or otherwise internally represent elemental Fire as red, warm energy flowing through you, coming into you from the universe around you, focusing into the lighter and Wand, circulating through you, and then coming out again into through the lighter and Wand and back out into the universe, as if you were a conduit in a giant system of circulating flame.

c. Verbally enunciate the properties of elemental Fire as best you know them, ending with the phrase “Fire is sacred.”

i. EXAMPLE: “Fire. Fire burns. Fire is warm and Fire is dry. Fire sparks. Fire smolders. Fire spreads. Fire warms. Fire comforts. Fire destroys. Fire is the fire in our homes, in our hearths, in the electricity in our wires. Fire is the fire in our factories, in our forges, in our foundries. Fire is the fire in the core of the Earth, boiling and churning. Fire is the fire in the cores of the stars, burning forth to give us light. Fire is our will, our passion, our drive. And Fire is sacred.”

d. Place lighter and Wand back down in the appropriate location on altar.

13. Invoke Air:

a. Raise your incense brazier and Dagger and hold them in both hands reverently before you and above the altar.

b. Visualize or otherwise internally represent elemental Air as yellow, buoyant energy flowing through you, coming into you from the universe around you, focusing into the brazier and Dagger, circulating through you, and then coming out again into through the brazier and Dagger and back out into the universe, as if you were a conduit in a giant system of circulating, expansive wind.

c. Verbally enunciate the properties of elemental Air as best you know them, ending with the phrase “Air is sacred.”

i. EXAMPLE: “Air. Air is a blade, and the blade is a bridge. Air is warm and Air is moist. Air surrounds us. Air connects us. Air separates us. Air allows for sound to travel, allowing us to hear and be heard. Air gives us breath and life. Air is the the stick and the rope, dividing and connecting. Air is our speech, our communication, our thought. And Air is sacred.”

ii. Place brazier and Dagger back down in appropriate place on altar.

14. Mix Fire and Air, both within yourself and within the brazier, by lighting the incense (or the charcoal and then putting the incense on it) with the lighter while saying:

a. “Let the Fire and Air make sweet the world!”

15. Hold up brazier with incense burning in left hand and hold right hand cupped over it facing down (be careful not to burn yourself!) and say:

a. “Fire and Air, be thou adored!”

16. Cense yourself with the smoke from the burning incense in the brazier according to your tradition (such as a Rosy Cross/Celtic Cross across the body, a pentagram across the body, etc) and say softly to yourself:

a. “And when, after all the Phantoms are banished, thou shalt see that holy and formless Fire, that Fire which darts and flashes through the hidden depths of the Universe; hear thou the Voice of Fire.”

17. Circumambulate clockwise starting in the East and cense the circle as you go, saying authoritatively:

a. “And when, after all the Phantoms are banished, thou shalt see that Holy and Formless Fire, that Fire which darts and flashes through the hidden depths of the Universe, hear thou the Voice of Fire.”

b. Note: Make sure to say this so that you are finishing it as you finish the circle at the Altar in the East.

18. Returning to the altar facing East, hold the brazier with the burning incense in both hands reverently in front of you and above the altar and say: “Thus consecrated, thou mayest approach the temple of the wise”.

19. Return brazier to proper location on the Altar.

20. Invoke Spirit:

a. Raise your tool of Spirit and hold it in both hands reverently before you and above the altar. Visualize or otherwise internally represent elemental Spirit as an oscillating mixture of white and black, scintillating, and tingling energy flowing through you, coming into you from the universe around you, focusing into the tool of Spirit, circulating through you, and then coming out again into through the tool of Spirit and back out into the universe, as if you were a conduit in a giant system of light and shadow.

b. Verbally enunciate the properties of elemental Spirit as best you know them, ending with the phrase “Spirit is sacred.”

i. EXAMPLE: “Spirit. Spirit is above and Spirit is below. Spirit is light and Spirit is dark. Spirit is within and Spirit is without. Spirit is projective and Spirit is receptive. Spirit is ouranic and Spirit is cthonic. Spirit is beyond and between all of these things, transcending all dualities. And Spirit is sacred.”

21. Taking the tool of Spirit in your right hand, symbolically attune yourself with the tool and with Spirit as a whole in whatever way best suits you and your tradition (such as crossing yourself with a Rosy Cross, making a pentagram across your body, etc) while saying:

a. “Holy art Thou, Sovereign of the Universe! Holy art Thou, who nature hath not formed! Holy art Thou, the vast and mighty One! Sovereign of the Light and of the Darkness!”

22. Raising the tool of Spirit above your head with your right hand, circumambulate the circle clockwise saying authoritatively:

a. “Holy art Thou, Sovereign of the Universe! Holy art Thou, who nature hath not formed! Holy art Thou, the vast and mighty One! Sovereign of the Light and of the Darkness!”

b. Note: Make sure to say this so that you are finishing it as you finish the circle at the altar in the East.

23. Returning to the altar facing East, hold the tool of Spirit in both hands reverently in front of you and above the altar and say: “Thus led by Spirit, thou mayest approach the temple of the wise”.

24. Return the tool of Spirit to the center of the Altar.

25. Raise hands grandly and say:

a. “Thus purified, thus consecrated, and thus led by Spirit, the temple is opened!”

b. Ring bell, stomp foot, or knock the appropriate number of times in an appropriate pattern for the working at hand according to your tradition. Common patterns are 3-3-3 for lunar workings, 2-2-2 for solar workings, and 3-5-3 for general magick.

26. Proceed to the rest of your opening rituals as appropriate to your tradition.

27. Do your magick.

28. When done with closing rituals, return to the altar facing East, raise your hands grandly, and say:

a. “These rites being duly concluded, the temple is closed.”

b. Ring bell, stomp foot, or knock the same number of times in the same pattern that you used when opening the temple.

COMMENTARY:

1. Some readers will recognize various elements of this ritual from the “Watchtower Ritual” of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (which in turn quotes liberally from “The Chaldaean Oracles of Zoroaster”) and “Liber XV” (The Gnostic Mass) by Aleister Crowley, which in turn quotes from “Liber AL vel Legis”. Other elements, such as the ritual affirmation of “[element] is sacred”, are taken from rituals common among the Reclaiming Tradition of witchcraft. I make no apologies and ask no forgiveness. In the words of Sir Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

2. All quotes from other texts have been amended for sexism and gender essentialism. Gendered words for the Divine have been rendered gender-neutral and terms for the mage performing the ritual have been amended to include inclusive terms for other genders.

3. I have chosen to modify and simplify certain aspects of this ritual for accessibility.

4. Purification is defined as “removal of elements extraneous to the working at hand”, and is not in any sense related to any moral or religious code. That said, feeling guilty because you have done wrong by your own value system is definitely an extraneous element to just about any working. Similarly, consecration is defined as “dedication to the purpose or purposes of the working at hand”. As “Liber AL 1:44” says: “For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect.”

5. All Enochian elements present in material taken from the “Watchtower Ritual” have been removed for the sake of both simplicity and accessibility. I believe Enochian magick and the Enochian language (which are inseparable) are best worked with on their own terms and that mixing them into other systems without proper training in the Enochian system and language proper can invite unfortunate errors with unfortunate consequences.

6. I have moved this ritual to the beginning of my opening rituals, before my other opening rituals such as the Lesser Pentagram and Hexagram rituals. This is contrary to the order practiced by many of my contemporaries. My reasons for this are as follows:

a. It is my opinion that someone who has not been properly purified and consecrated probably shouldn’t be creating sacred space or calling in external spiritual forces such as the archangels in the LRP or the various ally spirits in other traditions. At best, one is diluting and diverting one’s energies and attention at a time when one should be most focused. At worst, the rest of the opening rituals will lack effect entirely or misfire because the mage is so distracted and disturbed. Neither case is desirable.

b. It is my further opinion that a space that has not been properly purified and consecrated probably shouldn’t be used for any other magick. While rituals like the LRP, LRH, and other rituals that create sacred space define a sacred space, situate that sacred space through directionality, and connect that sacred space to the Divine through asserting relations, they do not explicitly purify and consecrate the mage or the space. While I am sure that some mages will assume that purification and consecration of the mage are automatically accomplished during grounding and centering and that purification and consecration of the space are automatically accomplished by the creation of sacred space, I must regretfully disagree. These are different magickal acts, and I think it is wise to differentiate them.

7. The “temple” mentioned in the ritual is conceptual and astral as much as (or more than) the physical space wherein which the mage does their magick. The temple one is approaching to more and more closely until the temple is declared open is an ideal temple, a conceptual space the mage is approaching by stages over the course of the ritual until the mage can finally declare truly that “the temple is opened” because the physical space has taken on the necessary magickal characteristics of the conceptual and astral space.

Art: Jan Brueghel the Elder, “Abundance And The Four Elements”, (~1615)

[the-habitat-ring]

None of these are seeds I collected myself (although that’s something I want to do more of in the future!). Some came from people involved in my state’s native plant society, and the rest came from Prairie Moon Nursery, which is all Midwestern native plants.

I’m growing a lot this year because I don’t know the concept of moderation 😬 So far I’ve planted:

Ozark bluestar

Prairie pussytoes

Yellow giant hyssop

Columbine

Hoary skullcap

Stout blue-eyed grass

Hoary vervain

Golden Alexanders

New Jersey tea

Mistflower

Prairie coreopsis

Prairie blazing star

Meadow blazing star

Pale spiked lobelia

Orange coneflower

And many more yet to come! We’ll see how it turns out. We’ve got a lot of space to fill now that we’ve ripped out (nearly) all of the invasive plants.

Winter sowing time! We’ve started on our collection of native seeds and will continue to add more containers as we get them.

The “milk jug method” allows for stratification (exposure to cold, wet conditions for a month or two) which many native seeds here in the Midwest need. Once spring comes, the containers act like a mini greenhouse to keep seedlings moist and warm until they’re ready to transplant.

[debunkshy]

Blue Giant Hyssop Agastache foeniculum Swamplovers Preserve, WI 17 August 2019

[sagescented]

Ok, I think I've finally figured out all the plants I want to get, and solidified my list.

For the Hummingbird Oasis, I'm going to do mature plants like I did last year; I want them to be available as soon as possible. So that's the 4 types of Agastache / Hummingbird Mint that I need- plus a cold hardy Rosemary, a cold hardy Lavender, Rue, Hyssop, and Wild Blue Indigo.

I'm also going to snag seeds for just the Wild Strawberry and Purple Poppy Mallow / Wine Cup for the ground covers for that bed. I really don't need the Wild Geranium. And I'm still getting seeds for Obedient Plant and Prairie Larkspur- which will pull double duty: First to help break up colors in the Hummingbird Oasis, and then as additional spikes in the Pseudo-Poison Garden; Obedient Plant isn't Toxic, but Prairie Larkspur is.

I'm not going to get the Delphinium or Larkspur this year. I can get those for the Pseudo-Poison Garden next year instead; I don't have to do everything at once. I'm ditching the Aconite, Belladonna, and Henbane, too; I just don't see myself actually growing them at any point. I am keeping Datura and Brugmansia, though. I'm very drawn to those two for certain. And Anemone, as well.

ETA: I can mark off the Milkweed already. There's a nonprofit called Live Monarch that offers free and reduced Milkweed seeds. You can send them a SASE and get them free -or- you can choose one of the "purchase online" options that pays for shipping (starting at $5). I bought a $5 pack of regional OK / TX Milkweed blend. My seeds have already shipped and should be here soon.

For Herbs, I'm ditching the Yarrow, too. I have a giant mass of it trying to take over my Herb Garden already as it is. I can just transplant it into the Cottage Plot if I really want to keep it around- and if I do decide that I want Yarrow seeds eventually, I can just seed save from what I already have, or buy a pack later.

I am still getting Motherwort and Blue Vervain, however. Both are useful herbs for the Herb Garden, and Blue Vervain has the extra benefit of being a native here.

That pairs it down to about $190 - $200 (or about $250 to $270 for the whole season this year). Still not too bad, honestly. About $100 cheaper now. And doing it this way, I won't have to repurchase a lot of these plants unless I move, because I'm finally going to have cold tolerant varieties. So I'm very excited about that.

«Oklahoma - Region 2» ⬩ «Grow Zone 7a» ⬩ «Heat Zone 8»

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) has edible leaves and flowers.

More info on Plants for a Future.

[tulipscomeinallsortsofcolors]

If laoft characters (Lamp or more) were flowers, what would they be? Sorry if this has already been asked!!

Logan: white daffodil

Patton: mountain laurel, also called calico bush

Roman: green carnation

Virgil: black hellebore

Durant: snakes head fritiary, also called checkered lily (eatd!Adder is Black Adder Giant Hyssop)

Remus: carolina jessamine

Iolanthe: common meadow violet

Remy: chamomile

Emile: crown vetch

Corbin: blue chicory

Sloane: cushion bush

Elliot: butterfly bush

Kai: green tulip

[krethes]

@wolfstarmicrofic Day Twenty-Nine: blooming

Ties into Day Fourteen: wilted

So c/w past parent death and discussion of lost people

It took far more work than Remus ever anticipated, but there are finally fresh flowers on his kitchen table again. Herbology had never been his strong suit (many of the smells overwhelmed him), but Sirius was a patient and willing helper. Together, they read book after book about keeping plants alive in salty climates, coaxed grass and soil to form where sandy dunes thrived, and finally...finally, they'd done it.

His mother's favorites were, as cliche as it sounds, of the lupinus family. She had read about them in a magazine as a girl, and when she changed her last name, it only cemented the infatuation. So Remus planted them, tiny seeds that grew into tall, multi-flowered, blue-petaled clusters.

The first blooming buds brought him to tears. He'd felt so silly, so foolish. This wasn't anything major. Anyone could grow plants. They weren't his mother. They wouldn't bring her back. But they were the first beautiful, colorful things to come into his life since she died, and it was too much. Sirius found him curled in on himself in front of the flowerbed, sobbing into the soil. He'd shooed a curious, toddling Harry back inside and knelt beside Remus, took him in his arms, and rocked him gently.

It was okay, he'd said, to feel this grief. The ones we love never truly leave us, and neither does the void created in their absence, or the pain felt by their deaths. Sirius's face went tight, and the ghosts that plagued his dreams flickered for just a moment.

"We should plant more," Remus said thickly, leaving damp spots on Sirius's shoulder. They settled on daylilies for the missing pieces of their souls, half obvious and half teasing, because Prongs once stumbled across a patch of them that Professor Sprout was growing and just could not resist eating the lot. They never let him live it down.

For the boy immortalized in ink on the back of Sirius's neck, they picked hyssops. Sacrificial flowers, for the life given for the greater good, but not without practical, medicinal use. Regulus would have approved.

They have lost so many people, names whispered every so often so they stay alive in memory of not in body, photographs fondly gazed upon with an aching heart.

Harry later declared they should plant sunflowers, and so they did. Giant ones that sprung up taller than him. Their garden was certainly eclectic, but so were they, yet united by one thing: a man with a monster inside him, a man who rejected the monster who chased him, and the boy who killed the monster who had caused so much pain.

Pain wanes. Grief ebbs. Anger and sorrow are replaced by new laughs and tender memories are made, because life goes on. And now there are fresh flowers on his kitchen table.

[plantgoodseed]

New/Returning for 2022

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the seed company. In addition to three production locations in Ojai, we have also enlisted a network of growers to produce seeds for us this year. The first round of New and Returning for 2022 varieties will be available by early September. Here’s what's on the way:

Kapoor Holy Basil

Vana Holy Basil

Krishna Holy Basil

Chioggia Beet

Lemon Sorbet Calendula

Neon Calendula

Resina Calendula

Catmint

Wild Blue Indigo

Kenaf

Chick Lupine

Ice Cream Melon

Common Milkweed

Common Mugwort

Nettleleaf Giant Hyssop

Danish Flag Poppy

Western Vervain

Oklahoma Salmon Zinnia

And here’s what’s coming later (December/January estimate):

Hibiscus

Sweet Dakota Rose Watermelon

Siskiyou Orange Tomato

Dark Star Zucchini

Caraway

Double White Hollyhock

Broom Corn

Merlin Beet

[cedar-glade]

Tavertine, Greene co. with @letsgetplanty, thanks for botanizing with me you rule.

Bottom fens with marl washes and large patches of tussock formed sedges and risen swale bedding is a site to see, always different in structure depending on fen. Diversity in these spots is fairly similar though or rather uniform through out. 

Great blue lobelia, spotted joe, perfoliate boneset, marsh bidens, common beggar's ticks, purple angelica, fen pasture thistle, nodding bidens, giant iron weed, blue vervain, anise hyssop, old field aster, shinny swamp aster, swamp aster, pilose aster, narrow leaf aster, short aster, obedient plant, indian grass, giant ragweed, and smart weeds that i’ll one day figure out how to memorize paint a picture.  

[usgsbiml]

Are any mints not attractive to bees?  Probably, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.  Here, is a great one, Agastache foeniculum, Anise Hyssop (aka Blue Giant Hyssop).  Particularly loved up by bumble bees in my yard.  It doesn't occur naturally in MD, but I have just potted up some seedling yellow giant hyssop, which is native to Maryland, and will compare.  Mints seem always good for a good bee show.  Better than TV for sure.  Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman.