Imbolc/Candlemas 2018

Imbolc/Candlemas Imbolc is one of the four principal festivals of the Irish calendar, celebrated among Gaelic peoples and some other Celtic cultures either at the beginning of February or at the first local signs of Spring. Most commonly it is celebrated on February 2, since this is the cross-quarter day on the solar calendar, halfway … Continue reading Imbolc/Candlemas 2018

ROSEMARY LORE

Rosmarinus officinalis Also, Known As: Compass Weed Dew of the Sea Garden Rosemary Incensier Mary’s Mantle Mi-tieh-hsiang Old Man Polar Plant Rosemary Rosemary Plant Rosmarinus officinalis L. (family Lamiaceae), is also known as rosemary. This herb is an evergreen shrub, with lovely aromatic linear leaves. Colored a dark shade of green above and white below, […] … Continue reading ROSEMARY LORE

VETIVER LORE

Vetiveria zizanioides Also, Known As: Cuscus Khas Khas Vetiver Vetivert Vetiver (botanical name Vetiveria zizanioides) belongs to the grass family, which also includes sorghum, maize, sugarcane as well as lemongrass. This plant has had an irregular history, as it was given no less than 11 names in four dissimilar genera at one time. The generic … Continue reading VETIVER LORE

VERBENA LORE

COMMON NAME: verbena GENUS: Verbena SPECIES, HYBRID, CULTIVARS: V. bipinnatifida-light purple perennial: 3 inches tall. V. rigida-purplish blue perennial; 1 foot tall. V. rigida-‘Flame’-red flowers from June through frost. V. canadensis-rose pink flowers from June through frost. V. venosa-purplish blue flowers; to 1 foot. V. hybrida-‘Amethyst’-lavender blue; annual. V.b.-‘Blaze’-scarlet; annual. V.b.-‘Sangria’-wine colored; heat tolerant; annual; […] … Continue reading VERBENA LORE

IMBOLC IN DARK, COLD WINTER…

As the cycle of the year turns we are now at the half-way between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox at the point known as Imbolc, traditionally celebrated in the early days of February. You’ve heard of groundhogs day? The legend about the groundhog looking for her shadow on February 2, is a vestige of an […] … Continue reading IMBOLC IN DARK, COLD WINTER…