Waiting for seeds to mature is much like waiting for a kettle to boil-it just doesn''t seem to happen while you''re watching. If your patience is running thin, turn your attention to another area of the gardening process-that of magical tool collection. Tools of the Trade Gardening-like every other form of ritual magic-requires a unique tool set. What you need depends on the type of garden you have in mind and how much money you want to spend. Unless you''re planning to set up individual outdoor gardens year ''round, for example, you may not really need to buy a tiller; they''re expensive, and you can probably get by with renting one once or twice a year. Other items are necessities, though. For your convenience, lists of bare essentials for indoor and outdoor gardening are listed below. Indoor Tool List: Gardening shears or scissors, hand-held claw, hand-held shovel, watering can or pitcher, wide assortment of pots, windsock (to hang outside a nearby window).

Outdoor Tool List: Garden rake, garden shears or scissors, garden spade, hoe, watering can (for fertilizing), water hose, windsock. If you already have these tools locked away in a shed somewhere, don''t run out and buy new ones. Whether magical gardening tools are new or used doesn''t make any difference here. What does matter is that you treat them just like your other magical tools. Cleanse them, consecrate them, and store them away carefully. Give them the respect they deserve, and they will serve you with as much power as any wand or athame in your possession. Rather than blessing garden tools individually, try consecrating them all at once. It not only takes less time, but unites the tools as a team and lets them know they need to work together for successful magic.

Tool Consecration On a sunny day (during the period of New to Full Moon), gather the tools and take them to your garden spot. Place them in the center of the area, then tie the tools together with a length of green ribbon or yarn. Say something like: You are a team now-I bind you as one To complete every task that soon must be done Work well together and lighten the load Of birthing and tending this garden abode Sit down and get comfortable. Then hold the tools in your lap or lay your hands on them, saying: Tools of the Earth, Tools Who create Become now tools who exacerbate The magic I''ll perform within This plot of Earth that I''ll soon tend Lick your finger and rub a little saliva on the ribbon. Say: I bless you with Water Blow on the tools and say: I bless you with Air Gather a few grains of dirt from the spot (house dust will do if your gardening spot is indoors) and sprinkle it over the tools. Say: I bless you with Earth Expose the tools to the heat of the Sun (or an indoor lamp) for a few seconds and say: And Sunshine fair Kiss the tools or hug them to your body and say: My magical tools, you''ve now become As I will, so be it done Leave the tools tied together and store them in a safe place until it''s time to use them. Marking the Outdoor Garden Area Geometrically shaped gardens aren''t difficult to mark. All you need is a tape measure, a couple of stakes, and some string to plot out perfectly straight edges.

Round gardens and those with curving shapes are a different matter, but with a little practice and the following technique, you can create any shape you want in no time flat. Place a stick or dowel in the middle of the area and push it firmly into the ground. Tie a piece of string around the stick, then, holding the string, walk away from the center until you reach the desired outside perimeter. Tie the other end of the string to a bottle of carpenter''s chalk. Pull slightly against the string to tighten it, then turn the bottle upside down and walk slowly in a circular motion around the space. The chalk will leave its mark on the area, and you''ll know exactly where to dig or till. Note: If grass is a problem or you don''t want to till the garden right away, fill a plastic squeeze bottle with white vinegar and use it in place of the chalk. This will kill the grass and weeds along the boundary line in a matter of days.

Turning, Tilling, and Playing in the Dirt I''ve always liked to play in the dirt. There''s just something very comforting about it. No matter what sort of mess creeps into your life, digging in the dirt seems to whisk it all away. It has a way of bringing instant peace of mind during even the worst kinds of trouble. It''s one of the reasons so many gardeners enjoy the initial preparations as much as the actual planting. Garden preparations also give you a chance to wake the Earth and play a major role in the creative process. This makes the time you spend working the soil perfect for increasing the magical power held in the garden spot. Some folks like to do this with chants.

Others like to sing. For this reason, appropriate chants are listed below with each preparatory step. If you''d rather put them to music, try the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Preparing the garden area isn''t difficult. All it takes is a little time, a little effort, and careful adherence to the three simple steps listed below. Before you know it, you''ll be doing more than just playing in the dirt. You''ll be helping the Earth-and yourself-green and thrive with the magic and power of creative growth. So, untie your tools, put the ribbon in a safe place (you''ll need it later), and let''s get started.

Step One: Defining the Magic It''s important to firmly define the garden boundaries for two reasons. First, it keeps people from stepping on your seeds and plants. Second, a good boundary line works somewhat like the ritual Circle: It holds the magic of the garden inside and allows its power to increase on a constant basis. The easiest way to do this is with the garden spade. Carefully following the chalk or vinegar outline, make firm, deep, swift cuts. As you work, chant or sing something like: Garden spade of strength and might Cut this edge both clean and tight Keep the power well within This garden spot that I now tend Step Two: Waking the Magic When the garden edge is completely cut in, use the tiller or hoe to turn the soil to a one-foot depth. Magically, it makes no difference which tool you use. Tilling just takes less time.

If you choose to use a hoe, chop into the soil with quick, deep cuts that are close together. As you work, chant or sing something like: Garden hoe/tilling machine, cut quick and deep Wake the Earth now from Her sleep So that plants and seeds will grow/green Awaken Her richness, garden hoe/tilling machine Step Three: Refining the Magic Afterward, remove all the grass and weeds from the spot with the garden rake. (If you didn''t use a tiller, a second hoeing may be necessary for thorough removal.) An appropriate chant for this task might be: Garden rake, remove debris Rake this spot clean as can be Prepare this place for plants and seeds And rake it free of useless weeds When you''re finished, pick up a handful of dirt. If it''s soft and crumbles easily, you''re ready to plant. If not, try the suggestions below for specific soil problems. If garden soil clumps together, it won''t drain well. This means root rot, spindly seedlings, and yellowed, anemic-looking plants.

To solve this problem, work some sand or vermiculite into the soil. Soil that neither clumps nor crumbles signifies too much sand. This means the soil won''t hold water long enough to feed your plants. To rectify this problem, add some compost or other organic matter. When the garden is ready for planting, lay any flagstones or walkways that fit your plans, then take a little time to thank the Spirits for the loan of Their property. This doesn''t have to be an elaborate ritual; a few impromptu words of thanks work just as well. For your convenience, my favorite thank-you ritual follows below. Use it if you like, or work up one of your own.

All that matters is that you welcome Them and give them Their due. The Thanksgiving Ritual Go to the garden with your windsock (bring a pole for hanging if there''s not a nearby tree), four sticks of incense, a large cup of water, and the ribbon from your tool consecration. Hang the windsock just outside the garden perimeters (preferably in the east) and say: Spirits of Air that blow and swirl Who create and inspire with every twirl I invite You-come into this space today So I can honor and thank You in a personal way Plant the incense sticks equidistantly around the garden boundary. Light the incense and say: Spirits of Fire that power the Sun Flickering, burning, dancing as One I invite You-come into this space today So I can honor and thank You in a personal way Take the ribbon and bury it in the center of the garden. (If your garden is indoors, bury the ribbon in a flower pot.) As you cover it with soil, say: Spirits of Earth that nurture and grow I bring you this ribbon of magic to sow I invite You-come into this space today So I can honor and thank You in a personal way Traveling clockwise, dip your fingers in the water and sprinkle the inside edges of the garden. As you asperge, say: Watery Spirits, You Givers of Life Whose moisture can soothe and relieve famine''s strife I invite You-come into this space today So I can honor and thank You in a personal way Stan.