Aries
Phlox
Submitted by DawnBlack on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 11:32.Phlox spp.
The phlox family (Polemoniaceae) contains hundreds of members, with 67 in the genus "phlox", only a few of them are actually referred to as phlox in common garden vernacular.
Phlox grows well from seeds or you can buy started plants and transplant them. If you don't want them to spread, you'll want to deadhead your flowers or they'll reseed like crazy! Deadheading also encourages more blooms and keeps the plants looking neat.
Phlox is susceptable to powdery mildew if grown in shady or damp conditions. Give it plenty of sunlight, good drainage and good air circulation, but don't let it dry out.
Cantua buxiolia, aka Kantuta, a phlox native to South America is the national flower of Bolivia and Peru and is known as the "magic flower" and "sacred flower of the Incas". It is red, yellow and green, to match to Bolivian flag!
Over 40 species of phlox were used by Native American tribes for various purposes including decoration, food, medicine and hygiene products.
The word Phlox comes from the Greek meaning "flame".
Most phlox is native to the US but was brought to Europe in the 1700s where it enjoyed popularity as a cottage garden plant and was bred for many color and form variations.
In the language of flowers, phlox means: Our souls are united. or We think alike.
Pick flowers just after the dew dries in the morning of their first full bloom. Cut ripe flowerheads and shake into a paper bag to gather seeds.
Phlox make charming and sweet scented additions to cut flower bouquets, tussie mussies, etc.
The taller varieties look great in boarders and the lower-growing varieties are great edgers and ground covers. Phlox is very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Early blooming plox is particularly appropriate for any springtime celebration and makes great flower wreaths with a bit of floral tape. Alli phlox varieties are great for use in wedding decorations, wreaths, crowns and bouquets.
All types of phlox is useful for spellwork for encouraging groups of people (families, coworkers, grassroots organizations) to work together harmoniously toward a common goal. Plant some in your yard to encourage family unity and harmony.
Phlox is also useful in meditations to help you to pluck up the courage, or find an appropriate way to express your love for someone. It can also be used in meditations to increase productivity and stop procrastinating.
Because of the many different color varieties available, phlox can be used in color magic.
Garlic
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Mon, 01/07/2008 - 20:49.Allium sativum
Garlic is similar to onion, except the bulb, rather than being one large bulb, is made of several cloves. It has long slender leaves that emerge directly from the ground and a striking flower head.
Propagate from cloves. Garlic needs a cold period to trigger growth, so your cloves should be planted in the late fall. Plant the cloves with the pointed side up. Do not separate cloves from the bulb until just before you are ready to plant them, or they may dry out.
The young plants look like newly sprouted grass with a lovely garlici smell. These are great on potatoesi and in salads. Store in a cool, dark and dry place.
Garlic prefers loose, rich, well-drained soil.
Garlic has been part of horticulture for at least 5000 years and was grown by the ancient Egyptians, Indians, Chinese and Babylonians.
Its image has been found in Egyptian tombs depicted as an offering to the Gods. The pyramid builders of ancient Egypt were paid partially in garlici and Egyptians swore oaths on cloves of garlic.
Roman soldiers at garlic before battle for strength and bravery.
It was used to maintain health during the plague, as well as to ward off evil spirits, vampires, the evil eye and various spells.
It was first brought to the Americas on Columbus's second voyage.
An Islamic legend claims that when Satan left the Garden of Eden, garlic and onions grew from his footprints.
Harvest garlici by pulling up bulbs in late June or July, or when the lower 1/3 of the leaves starti to yellow and the bulbs have segmented into cloves. Stop watering about two weeks before harvesting.
Lay out the bulbs in a well ventilated area with high temperature and low humidity for two days, then braid the tops together and hang for at least two weeks.
Garlic may be pureed or minced in olive oil and stored in the freezer.
Garlic flowers dry well and last a long time in flower arrangements.
Growing garlici near other plants will help protect them from pests.
Rub cloves of garlic on your fingernails and let it sit for a bit to strengthen them.
Garlic is masculine in nature and associated with the planet Mars, the element Fire and the sign Aries. It is sacred to Hecate and is a suitable offering to her left at a crossroads.
A spelli from the American West to dispatch an unwanted lover: Place a clove of garlici intersected with two crossed pins where he is sure to walk. When he walks over it, he will lose interest.
A potion with the opposite affect was made of a strand of the target's hair, threads from his or her clothing, ruda leaves, alcohol and garlic. Somehow you had to make the poor victim ingest this, and then he or she would fall madly in love with you.
Garlic cloves can also be used, with other things, to stuff poppets intended for negative magic.
Garlic braids hung over the door repel thieves and envious people as well as bring good look. Change the braid every year. Hanging garlic over a bedroom door will draw lovers into it.
Garlic is said to have aphrodisiac powers when eaten.
Wiping a knife with garlic juice empowers it against negative energies.
A clove of garlic can be added to any mojo bag to strengthen its energy.
Garlic is used for exorcism, spell-breaking, invoking passion, protection and strength.
Also used to protect against psychic vampirism.
Garlic has antibiotic properties, but should not be used directly on wounds or in poultices or salves because it can be irritating to the skin and may inhibit blood clotting.
Regular consumption of garlici may help lower HDL cholesterol and raise LDL cholesterol.
It has also been indicated in cancer studies.
To enhance garlic's natural healing properties, let it sit for 20 minutes or so after preparation (chopping, crushing, etc.) before cooking. This allows certain chemical reactions to take place that activate its active constituents.
Garlic may inhibit the formation of blood clots. Use caution if you are taking blood thinners or use aspirin regularly.
Do not give garlic to pets as it can destroy red blood cells causing possibly fatal anemia. (Please don't panic if you dropped some garlic off the cutting board and your dog snapped it up, these problems tend to occur with regular consumption rather than the occasional nip.)
Breastfeeding mothers who eat lots of garlic have occasionally found that their babies became more colicky, or refused to nurse until they stop eating garlic!
Large amounts of garlic may cause stomach upset.
Garlic is an indispensable seasoning for many dishes.
Reduce garlici breath by chewing parsley or fenugreek or cardamom seeds after your meal.
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