Bringing the past into the future

The fire crackling in a chimney is like a portal. One which moves sinuous as a snake and darts as salamanders do, always showing a way, a path and in the case of those flames, a destiny. In an alcove, near enough the pleasant and fragrant fire with apple wood, an altar and a witch. Candles also give of their fiery glow, in a different way and with a different purpose. Old moon prepares to give way to the new moon. A time in which burning away what no longer serves is essential.

My cottage is having a spring clean, it's April after all. The comfrey has tiny blue flowers in the garden and the hyssop its first few leaves. The feverfew sings out its lemon green scent and colour next to the violet leaves. This garden will have three altars before the month ends. Within, new herbs will be added and the gentle lavender will give ground to more striking shapes and scents. This little piece of England will begin to resemble more the mediterranean. Still, butterflies and bees will find pollen and water while squirrels visit suddenly and run along the highest wall. Every witch does well when a garden of herbs is near. I am no exception. I take from it what I need and give it what pleases me to see flourish there, in rich soil well tended. Within everything is being turned inside out, pantry and cupboards shedding what is no longer needed and a list has notes of what will be added or replaced. In autumn I prepared herbal mixtures to keep cotton and linen safe from moths and sweetly scented. Now into the bonfire they will go, along with outdated medicinal herbs stored two years ago. Furniture is being poslished with wax and lavender essential oil. Curtains and carpets washed and dried in the timid sunlight of April. Parts of the past are being preserved for the future. Others entirely discarded.