Small Magic Is Potent: How Garlic Runs the Wheel of the Year
Last fall, I planted garlic on Samhain under the waxing moon. Under the growing moon and in the moment of witches’ New Year, I sowed an essential seed for the nourishment of my family. The bulbs I planted came from the July harvest, planted from 2021 bulbs. The cycle itself is magic. One seed grows another.
This work of recognizing the natural wisdom of the wheel is a way of connecting to an easy magic. Connect to the natural cycle of planting seeds, watering sprouts, cutting the flowers, harvesting the fruit, preparing it to eat, and eating it!
When we stand in the way of beauty, we are standing in magic. What is more beautiful and simple than growing garlic?
I planted bulbs on a holy day, I did it in a place of reverence for the turn of the Wheel. I love the feeling of Samhain. In that feeling, I walked into my garden with bulbs from the previous harvest and planted those seeds to harvest in the future. When we plant seeds, we are planting hope.
Watching the bulbs sprout and unfurl scapes is pure joy. Harvesting heavy, dirt-crusted garlic heads under a cloudy sky after the Fourth of July is delightful. I luxuriate in scraping the dirt loose and cutting the stalks. I sing made-up spirit songs as I bind the stalks together for drying. I hang my darling bundles in the dark of the basement and we wait.
Each moment inspires me. There is no rush. I love the time it takes. The Wheel of the Year could be measured by where a head of garlic is in its cycle.
When we stand in the way of beauty,
we stand in magic.
So, dear ones, why is this called Small Magic?
Small magic is about stepping in the way of magic. Allowing yourself to create a connection to spirit, to nature, to the cycle of the Wheel in any number of small ways that speak directly to you. Feeding the birds and watching them eat for a year. Walking the same path in each season. Watching the light change each month from a comfy seat near the bay window.
This is my favorite place to sit— a place of small magic.
