A Simple Path:Journey of a Hedgewitch

*The Hedgewitch lives in the space between the Village and the Forest. Between the mundane and the magical. S/He lives with a foot in both worlds.
This column is dedicated to the Hedgewitches of the planet earth.

Harvest Time!

I picked my first ripe, red tomato from my veggie patch yesterday, and as I cupped the sun-warmed fruit in my hand, a wealth of wisdom came flooding into my consciousness.
I flashed on the tiny seed that this fruit’s Mother started out as, back in February. I remembered the stringy little thing the plant became within a few weeks.
I remembered lowering the small plant into the soil outside in the ground, and how I prayed that the Universe would watch over it for me, as it grew and developed under the blistering New Mexico sun.
I recalled the joy at seeing it branch and spread, defying the boundaries I put in place for its safety, and how delighted I was when the first fruits set in the spots tiny yellow flowers had been just days before.
I realized that it required a bit of magic (as well as an abundance of water and fertilizer and sunshine) to make that seed become this fruit.

Sure, the mundane might argue that any seed, planted, tended and harvested will yield the same lovely fruit I now held in my hand. But I knew that when the baby grasshoppers came for a feast, it was my spells, charms and wards that convinced them to find another patch to nibble in.
It was my intention, my patience and my care that had manifested in this useful commodity.

Sometimes it is thought that magic is somehow different than Nature. That supernatural means that the Natural Laws do not apply, or that somehow this implies an instant "fix". But I saw in that small red tomato, that all magic is the same as Nature.
Something is desired or needed. We find an appropriate seed to begin our work. We find a suitable environment in which to plant our seed. We focus our intention on the outcome and with faith welling up in our hearts and spirits, we believe for the miracle which is to follow.

In gardening, as in magical works, we must begin with the correct seed in order to manifest what we are asking for. We don’t plant a cantaloupe, when we are desirous of an ear of corn.
We don’t set the seed in a drawer and hope for the best. We find an environment that is conducive for our seed to flourish and thrive. This is true, also, of our magic. We can’t just wish for a new job or more fulfilling home life and then sit down on the couch and switch on the telly. We must put actions to our intentions.

Our new baby plants must be tended with utmost care, lest Mother Nature reclaim them as fertilizer before their potential has been reached. They need water and pinching to divert growth and the occasional bit of fertilizer. Just like our spell work and such must be tended carefully. Not just for an hour in front of a candle, but day in and day out, we keep the end result fixed firmly in our minds and we continue to put our energy and time into the process.

Some plants, and magical endeavors, grow quickly, offering their rewards almost immediately. For example, when you grow basil (one of my favorite herbs around the Hedge for both magical and culinary purposes- usually both at once) the tender green leaves of the juvenile plant are their most flavorful and delicious. Within just weeks your seed has gone from an idea to a tangible product.
But some plants (and spells) take longer to mature. A longer wait is required. And when we see the plant, in flower, but not fruit, we don’t rip it from the ground and shake our fist at the heavens and shriek, “It took too long! This isn’t working!”. So it is with our magic.

Often, we aren’t asking for a simple thing. Many times, we desire a new job; one we enjoy and can make a decent living at and have enough time left over for our families and spiritual lives. Mind, this is not the same as a simple “I need a job”. This is a complicated request that may take some time to fulfill.
We must remember that even when our spell doesn’t seem to be manifesting what we have requested, this doesn’t mean that the process is not underway.
I have heard it said that if your spell hasn’t manifested in one moon cycle that it probably won’t, and may have to be modified and repeated.
For the longest time, I believed that, and repeated many spells, believing that they hadn’t worked.

In retrospect, I see how it took a long time for some of my more complex requests to come into being. Many people, circumstances and organizations had to be swayed in order to complete the task. These things can take time, and I now understand, that like my tomato, magic takes time and patience and care.
The Harvest does not come without considerable, continuing effort, patience and a bit of luck.
Just like magic!

I pray your harvest is abundant, and that it is a blessing to each one of you.
Happy Mabon to all. Feast heavily and celebrate the Witch’s Thanksgiving by being mindful of the magic (and time) that was required to manifest each lovely food item you enjoy!

Brightest Blessings of Abundant Harvest!

author: Willow Winterborne