Winter is often viewed as a drab season with little beauty, especially in locations that do not get much snow. The trees are bare and the grass is brown. There may be mud everywhere. Some times we might feel like there just isn't much to look at. However, if we only pay attention and look harder, we will notice that there is indeed beauty to be found in winter.
It warms my heart to be able to share the following images with you. May they be an encouragement to always look for the good in all things.
Brightest blessings!
Teigan Draig

 We've all heard the story about the Evil Queen and her magick apple used to poison Snow White. The apple has long been associated with witches. Apples are well known for their magickal properties; love, luck, money, and immortality. This is just one reason why I think that every witch's garden needs an apple tree. They even come in dwarf varieties. Apples have many uses, and not just for magick either. Let's take a look at some great uses for apples.

GROWING APPLE TREES
Propagating and growing apples in the garden can be challenging, but rewarding. For many varieties, you must plant two trees for pollination to take place. Before planting apples from seed, the seeds must experience a cool period of about 8 weeks. I have found this is best done by planting the seeds in a small container of potting soil, covering the container loosely, and storing in the refrigerator. My seeds even sprouted in the container while in the refrigerator.
Many trees will not produce fruit their first year and some may not produce until their 4th or 5th year. When working with young saplings, remember that excessive pruning will often delay fruit production, so resist the urge to clip.

HARVEST & STORAGE
When ripe, hand pick apples to avoid damage. Apples that have fallen to the ground may also be gathered. Cut off any damaged areas of apples gathered from the ground and use the same day. Store undamaged apples in a cool, dry place.


 

 Chrysanthemums, widely known as 'Mums', are a popular plant during the autumn equinox season. 
The name of this magical plant comes from the Greek words 'Chrysos' meaning "Gold" and 'Anthos' meaning "Flower".
Any garden witch can tell you that a mum's flowered petals have many magickal purposes within spell workings.
Each mum's colors can be used for different magickal intentions too. 
 Just below I have written down a generalized mum's color correspondence chart. 
This will help you a great deal with incorporating mum's into your spell workings. 
 
Here is the chart:

• Red - Love, Harmony, and stirring romantic passions in bedroom. 
• Yellow - Health, Joy/Happiness, and Cheer. 
• White - Purity,  Peace, Truth
• Bronze Colors - Happy Hearth/Home Environment 
• Purple/Amethyst - Can add strength or empowerment to Spiritual Psychic and Protection spell workings. 

Another great tip, even if you don't use mum's within spell workings:
Just placing a specific colored Mum in the home will still bring positive energies to the household. 
This is why mums are a magickal and popular flowered plant during the autumn equinox season. 

Blessed be,  
)0(  Lady Donna