The Guernsey Physic Garden of Nine Healing Herbs.
I’m passionate about many things including medicinal herbs. My passion intensified at a recent visit to Candie Museum for a ‘Myths and Folklore’ session with Elijah, where I learned that there is such a thing as the Guernsey Physic Garden of Nine Healing Herbs.
According to a book called Chanel Island Plant Lore by Brian Bonnard, the “Guernsey Physic Garden of Nine Healing Herbs seems to have its origins from mediaeval times and, by Elizabethan times, was a small carefully tended plot in most countrymen's gardens where from which the housewives, and white witches, produced their simples. It was separate and distinct from the area used for culinary herbs, although some of them do have culinary uses as well.
Nine is a number of occult mýstic or magic significance and in ancient times signified truth. It was believed to be under the control of the planet Saturn and 3 rows of 3 form the simplest magic square. It is used in many forms, and considered a lucky number. The remedies are more effective if the plants are grown in this form. When they were planted the herbs had to be showered with oaths in order to increase their potency and ward off evil. Men used their full repertoire, whilst ladies more frequently confined themselves to gâche-à-panne, (well, goodness gracious, or daumme-di-ti, (well I never).”
The nine herbs include Hellebore, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage. Rue, Comfrey, Wormwood, Marjoram and Vervain, many of which I am already growing. However in my impatience, I rushed to Queux here in Guernsey, where you can buy medicinal plants and introduced myself to Rue, a medicinal plant I have not heard of previously - amazing I could source this plant so easily.
Wormwood and Vervain I need, and grew easily a few years ago now so will try again. Comfrey is a new one for me and I placed an order so let’s see. The herbs are growing in my front beds, so many of you will be imbuing their wonderful energy when you come to see me.
I started clearing the back moon garden. The mugwort, wonderful though it is for sleep and dreaming, has a habit of taking over due to its rather extensive root network and the fact it releases natural chemicals into the soil that inhibit or suppress the growth of surrounding native plants and turf grass - not ideal for the moon garden and I have quite a job on my hand to rescue it. One positive - it is a protecting plant and I have tons of it drying in the room above the healing space.
I’m keen to grow these nine herbs in the magical square if I can. See how that changes things. Albeit I am more inclined to plant by dowsing these days so the plants choose where they want to go, this is how I have planted more recently in the front garden.
I am keen to grow as many medicinal herbs as I can in the moon garden this summer, as I used to do before I got distracted, It can be laborious harvesting, drying and processing, but I’d like to make my own tea mixes and potions and lotions again, so let’s see.
There is something deeply grounding and satisfying being in the garden and working the earth like this and increasing the potency of the space through these magical herbs.
Next year though, I’m going to grow more pretty flowers too: I was really inspired by a property along Talbot Valley which was abundant in these. I actually stopped on many occasions just to take it all in, amazing how cheerful one feels just witnessing the beauty of summer flowers in blossom, it nourishes the soul and brings one decidedly into a moment of being - wonderful.
So if you’re keen then get planting, but like I say, be cautious with the mugwort, even if it does make great tasting tea!
Love Emma x
