Contents Introduction 1 Getting Started 5 Why Scientific Names Are Important 5 Frequently Used Words and Terms to Know 7 Precautions 9 Astrological Influences 9 The Influence of Fixed Stars 11 Lunar Gardening 13 The New Moon 13 The Waxing Moon 14 The Full Moon 15 The Waning Moon 15 Parts of Plants and Their Symbolism 16 Our Relationship with Plants 17 January 19 On the Calendar 19 January 1: New Year''s Day 19 Amaryllis 20 January 6: Twelfth Night or Epiphany 20 Masterwort and Angelica 21 Holly 22 January 21: The Celtic Month of Rowan Begins 23 Rowan 23 In the Garden 24 Witch Hazel 24 In the Wild 25 Eucalyptus 25 In the House 26 House Plant Magic 26 African Violet 26 Aloe 27 Bamboo 27 Cactus 28 Cyclamen 29 Fern 29 Geranium 30 Goosefoot 31 Spider Plant 31 Winter Wellness with Thyme 32 Thyme 32 Thyme to Warm Up Tea 32 February 35 On the Calendar 35 February 2: Imbolc/Midwinter 35 February 14: Valentine''s Day 37 February 18: The Celtic Month of Ash Begins 37 Ash 38 In the Garden 39 Black Hellebore 39 Crocus 40 Cypress 41 Snowdrop 42 In the Wild 43 Coltsfoot 43 Wolfberry 43 In the House 44 Essential Oils for Magic 44 Magical Bath Oils and Salts 46 Freshen the Air with a Little Magic 46 Basic Recipe for Bath Salts 46 Making a Reed Diffuser 47 March 49 On the Calendar 49 March 17: Saint Patrick''s Day 49 White Clover 50 March 18: The Celtic Month of Alder Begins 50 Alder 51 March 20/21: Ostara/Spring Equinox 51 Forsythia 52 In the Garden 52 Bluebell 52 Daffodil 53 Dogwood 54 Pansy 55 Violet 56 In the Wild 57 Adder''s Tongue 57 Bloodroot 58 Dandelion 59 Yucca 60 In the House 61 Candied Violets 61 A Recipe for Candied Violets 61 Get Seeds Started 62 April 65 On the Calendar 65 April 15: The Celtic Month of Willow Begins 65 Willow 66 April 28: Floralia 67 April 30: May Eve/Walpurgis Night 67 April 30: National Arbor Day 68 In the Garden 68 Cherry 68 Crabapple 69 Daisy 70 Iris 71 Primrose 73 Solomon''s Seal 74 Tulip 75 In the Wild 76 Buttercup 76 Plantain 77 In the House 77 Sweet Woodruff78 May Wine 79 May 81 On the Calendar 81 May 1: Beltane/May Day 81 May 4: Veneration of the Thorn 82 Blackthorn 82 May 13: The Celtic Month of Hawthorn Begins 84 Hawthorn 84 In the Garden 85 Columbine 85 Comfrey 86 Lilac 87 Lily of the Valley 88 Rosemary 90 Valerian 91 Yarrow 92 In the Wild 93 Cinquefoil 93 In the House 94 How to Make a May Basket 94 Dreaming of Flowers 95 June 97 On the Calendar 97 June 10: The Celtic Month of Oak Begins 97 Oak 98 June 21/22: Summer Solstice/Litha 99 June 23: Midsummer''s Eve 99 June 24: Midsummer''s Day 99 Saint John''s Wort 100 In the Garden 101 Elder 101 Foxglove 102 Lady''s Mantle 103 Mint 104 Mullein 106 Strawberry 107 In the Wild 108 Belladonna 108 Meadowsweet 109 Vervain 109 In the House 110 Soothing Red Oil 110 July 113 On the Calendar 113 July 3: The Dog Days of Summer 113 Dog Rose 114 July 8: The Celtic Month of Holly Begins 115 Holly 115 In the Garden 116 Cherries 116 Dill 116 Henbane 117 Hyssop 118 Lavender 119 Morning Glory and Moonflower 120 Mugwort 121 Sage 123 In the Wild 124 Datura 124 Elecampane 125 In the House 126 A Rose by Any Other Name 126 August 129 On the Calendar 129 August 1: Lammas/Lughnasadh 129 August 5: The Celtic Month of Hazel Begins 130 Hazel 130 In the Garden 132 Aconite 132 Basil 133 Borage 134 Catnip 135 Chamomile 136 Sunflower 137 In the Wild 138 Agrimony 138 Arnica 139 Honeysuckle 140 In the House 141 Harvesting and Drying Plants 141 September 143 On the Calendar 143 September 2: The Celtic Month of Vine/Bramble Begins 143 Blackberry 144 September 14: Nutting Day 145 Hazelnut 145 Beechnut 146 Acorn 147 September 22/23: Mabon/Autumn Equinox 147 September 30: The Celtic Month of Ivy Begins 148 Ivy 149 In the Garden 150 Apple 150 Bistort 151 Maple 152 Tansy 153 In the Wild 154 Goldenrod 154 Gravel Root/Joe Pye Weed 155 In the House 155 Rosehips 155 Magically Healing Rosehip Tea 156 Elderberries 156 Elderberry Jam 157 October 159 On the Calendar 159 October 28: The Celtic Month of Reed Begins 159 Reed and Cattails 160 October 31: Samhain 161 In the Garden 161 Belladonna Lily 161 Chrysanthemum 162 Haws/Hawthorn Berries 163 Marigold 164 Pumpkin 165 In the Wild 166 Bittersweet 166 Burdock 167 Evening Primrose 169 Locust 170 Queen Anne''s Lace 171 In the House 171 Sloes 171 Sloe Gin 172 November 173 On the Calendar 173 November 1 and 2: Day of the Dead/All Saints Day and All Soul''s Day 173 Gorse 174 November 11: Lunantishees 175 November 25: The Celtic Month of Elder Begins 175 In the Garden 176 Heath and Heather 176 Jasmine 177 Juniper 178 In the Wild 180 Chickweed 180 Yew 181 In the House 182 Focus on Roots 182 Angelica 183 Chicory 184 Snakeroot 185 December 187 On the Calendar 187 December 21/22: Yule/Winter Solstice 187 December 24: The Celtic Month of Birch Begins 188 Birch 188 In the Garden 190 Bay 190 Cedar 191 In the Wild 192 Fir 192 Mistletoe 193 Pine 195 Spruce 196 Is That a Pine, Fir, or Spruce Tree? 198 In the House 198 Poinsettia 198 Pomander Ball/Clove Orange 199 Making a Pomander Ball 199 Clove 200 Seville Orange 200 Summary 203 Appendix A: Plant List and Quick Guide 205 Appendix B: Magical Correspondences 217 Bibliography 223 Index 233.