New Garden Blessing

In occupying a new residence, search out the most magical-feeling spot on the grounds. It is most appropriate to place a small shrine there to land Spirits and Divinities. This may be set in the open or within an enclosure or grotto, requiring only a flat altar-stone for offerings and an occasional candle.

It may be desired, upon moving into a new home, then, that this rite be performed as part of a housewarming. Each guest should be instructed with their invitation to bring something “for the garden”- such as plant seedlings, decorative planters, wind chimes, and even fertilizer, organic pest repellent, and a trowel or a rake; all of these things are suitable.

Any weeding, cultivation, trimming, or other care should be rendered a day or two in advance of the rite, and the garden watered and allowed to rest.

Before guests arrive, place candles about the garden in glass jars. If one has an image or a special shrine, it would be appropriate to place a candle there, too; sweet honey-wine, milk, and ribbons of many colors should also each be on hand for the rite.

When all is in readiness, the Priest/ess shall lead the celebrants before the garden shrine to light two or more votive candles. Milk and sweet honey-wine are then mixed in a chalice. The officiating Priest/ess says:

A portion of this mixture is then poured out upon the ground before the shrine, with the blessing:

The Priest/ess then leads the group to a place which they have previously chosen, and there a new plant is placed in the earth and watered. A portion of the libation mixture is also poured out upon the ground.

After this, a number of bright colored ribbons are provided: Then each guest present may take the ribbons and tie them around the trees growing in the garden, so that each tree gets at least one ribbon. As each tree is thus decorated, it is charged with the words:

The Priest/ess pours a small libation before each tree. If they are a dancer, they may call for music and dance thrice sunwise about each tree in the style which they prefer. Afterwards, or instead, they should lead a procession or dance of all the guests about all the trees, in a sunwise direction. Then shall the Priest/ess call out:

This basic rite thus being accomplished, it is appropriate to bring this ceremony to a close by consecrating the area with dancing, feasting, music, and other typical festivities.