Garden magic in the magic garden. Fancy some magic?

Like many indigenous peoples still today, our ancestors believed in the magical powers of plants. This wasn't just about the inherent healing properties, which we still recognize and use today. Beyond their medicinal effects, they also believed in magical powers.

Some herbs still enjoy great popularity today regarding their influence on health. For example, it's known that mint and lemon balm, with their essential oils, not only taste good but also have a soothing effect on various ailments. In earlier times, however, they were primarily considered promoters of marital happiness. Lady's mantle was already valued by the midwives of the Middle Ages, and alchemists used sage against fever. Herbs were also indispensable in cooking and baking. However, they were attributed powers beyond what can actually be understood. Lovage was supposed to help against all kinds of misfortune and especially against lumbago, and valerian was believed to bestow the ability to see into the future.

If you now feel like creating a magical corner in your garden or even a small magic garden, then you can draw on this ancient belief. In any case, you will encounter natural plants that create a special atmosphere with their blossoms and colors, as well as with their aura. They go perfectly with a brick well. But even a large, dry root, an old trellis, a stone trough, or a discarded wooden utensil create the right mood. A hornbeam hedge as a boundary and a few ferns perfect the magic. Do you have a fruit tree or a fir tree with mistletoe? Wonderful! In folk belief, mistletoes were the quintessential magic plants. Even if we no longer believe in the evil eye, which they supposedly protect against, or in their ability as a matchmaker when standing beneath them, they are a beautiful focal point for the magical place.

Among the classic magical plants, the mullein comes first. It promises protection and the right weather. St. John's wort, houseleek, and willows were believed to have special defensive powers against thunderstorms. Not only protection but also good luck was attributed to chicory. Whoever wanted to become a lucky child and still valued appropriate weather conditions planted arnica in the garden. Next is the Christmas rose, which became a symbol of a long life. It was even referred to as an elixir of immortality.

Autumn crocus was supposed to help against all kinds of harm. Witch's herb was also a must-have, with which one could bewitch the beloved. Of course, today we tend to trust more in taking out insurance and rely on our charm when getting to know someone. And yet, it's appealing to have a little corner in the garden where one can once again sense the belief in the magical power of plants.

All plants that bloomed around June 24th had a good chance of being considered botanical magicians. The birthday of John the Baptist was not only a special date for Christians. Of course, St. John's wort, with its radiant yellow blossoms, was again in first place here. Added to this was blue-flowering thyme, which midwives liked to use, clubmoss as protection for livestock, mugwort as a source of strength, and again the wonderful yellow arnica as a general guarantee of well-being. Blue vervain was supposed to help with wealth and a good harvest. The calendula was formerly called sun herb and served love magic. Moreover, with its magnificent daisy-like flowers, it earned its keep as a weather frog. If it hadn't opened them by eight o'clock, a rainy day was to be expected.

Any type of rose, the flower of love and beauty, and an apple tree for health were always the right choice. Both of these even hold true today.