Once upon a time in Ireland sometime around 1750…

An Irish folk legend as retold by Jessica Boian

As a child, I never had many friends. One time, a boy named Patrick started to be my friend. But, when I stole his homework and demanded a weeks worth of lunch money for it’s return, our friendship abruptly ended.

I never understood or embraced the ideas of truth, honesty or love. It seemed to me they all caused me more work then if I simply rejected them all. Why would I learn to bake a pie, grow vegetables or buy a chicken when I could just steal them from someone who already had?

I glided through life, taking what I needed.

I spent my Sundays basking in the quiet while the rest of Ireland went off to church.

I always knew of God and the Devil. Throughout my life, I spoke with the Devil on numerous occasions. I never remember speaking with God though. I always assumed we could talk later, when my fun was good and done.

The first time I met the Devil, it was Halloween night. I was drunk. Well, I was always drunk but, on this particular occasion, I happened to be drunk and sitting on a stool next to the Devil.

He was drunk too.

I don’t know much about the Devil’s daily life but, by the looks of things, this wasn’t his first time in a pub.

I realized, even in the midst of my libation, there this was no coincidence that the Devil was seated next to me. I knew I needed a plan if I was to see November’s morning.

And so, being the fantastic trickster that I am, I came up with a plan.

“Devil, sir”, I said,
“I know you are here for my soul and I will gladly give it to you if you would please just help me out with one last drink.”

Being a man of a similar disposition to myself, The Devil laughed and quickly agreed. He transformed himself into the silver coin I needed for my “last drink”.

Now, at this point, you’ll have to agree that I am a very smart man.

I quickly put the Devil into my coin purse which had a very large cross embroidered on it.
I may not be a man of God but, I certainly know how to use his powers to benefit me in my time of need!

The Devil’s powers of transformation were worthless in the face of the cross.

So, we began bartering for my soul and his transformation.

I demanded the Devil promise to leave my soul alone for 10 years in exchange for his release.He offered five years. We agreed on seven and, I set him free.

I spent those next seven years reveling in my own glory. Bouncing from town to town, taking whatever I needed form whoever had it.

Lying, Cheating, Stealing. After all, what did I have to fear?

On the first day of the eighth year, I assumed the Devil had forgotten me and I was off to celebrate.

As I crossed the street I saw, standing before me, the infinitely recognizable dark form.
“Hello again, Devil,” I said.
“Hello Jack,” said the Devil. “I am here to collect your soul.”

I was not yet ready to go so, pretending to comply, I asked the Devil if he would please first just climb an apple tree and get me an apple for the journey.

The Devil thought about this and decided he could see no trickery in the plan and he had nothing to loose. So, he climbed the tree.

As he was plucking my apple, I quickly pulled out my knife and carved a cross into the tree’s trunk.

The Devil was unable to come down and was, again, forced to come to an agreement with me.

This time, I demanded the Devil promise to never, ever, in all of eternity, take my soul. He agreed.

I removed the cross from the bark and the Devil was again free.

Some number of years later, as I was stealing turnips from my cousins garden, I collapsed.

Dead. No Devil. No warning. I just died.

I stood before St. Peter and the gates to heaven, laughing. Laughing to myself at how I had outsmarted the rules of heaven and hell.

Peter closed the gates.
“You are not welcome here,” he said.
And, he sent me to Hell

The devil stood before the gates to Hell.
“Hello Jack,” he said.
“I see the world is finally free of miserable you.”

The Devil, remembering his promise, closed the gates.

When I asked him where I was to go, he simply said
“back to where you came from.”

I turned and saw the way back was dark and windy. I begged the Devil to give me something to light my way.

As he turned to walk away, he tossed a burning lump of coal over the gate.

I took my stolen turnip, placed the coal in it, and used it as a lantern to light the darkness.

I am now doomed, for all of eternity, to wander the darkness, alone, with my lantern.

I am not welcome by anyone. I have no friends, no family, no comfort. Only my coal and my stolen turnip.

My name and my lantern have become synonymous with a damned soul.

My story prompted the people of Ireland to begin carving faces in turnips, potatoes, rutabagas or beets in order to chase me and other ghosts away.

When the Irish came to America, they brought with them the “Jack-O-Lantern” custom and beliefs. As turnips were not as readily available in America, they began using Pumpkins instead.

And, so it is.
I will wander the earth, welcomed by no one. You will continue to carve your Jack-O-Lanterns as a reminder to me that my lying, cheating and stealing got me nowhere but right back where I came from.

Alone and damned.

Lasagna Garden

The “Lasagna Garden” has nothing to do with what you grow in your garden and everything to do with what you grow your garden IN!

“Lasagna Gardening” (also known as sheet composting) is the symbolic name given to a no-dig, no-till organic method of garden soil preparation that results in wonderfully rich, fluffy soil.

“Lasagna gardening” is a method of building your garden’s soil by adding layers of organic materials (in the same way you layer a lasagna) that will “cook down” over time and result in wonderful soil for your spring planting seeds and plants.

Pretty much anything you want to grow will thrive in a Lasagna Garden. Here is a list of vegetables that do especially well in this growing environment:

• Asparagus
• Tomatoes
• Beans
• Cucumbers
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Potatoes
• Oregano, Basil and other Herbs

You can make your Lasagna Garden at any time of year but, fall is the ideal time for starting the Lasagna. Starting in fall gives your Lasagna (aka…your garden) plenty of time over the winter to “cook” (aka…break down) so, in the spring, it will be ready for planting! Fall is also ideal because there is an abundance of leaves, yard clippings and organic waste and the increase in moisture (rain and snow) will encourage the organics you put in your garden to break down more quickly.

If you decide to make your Lasagna Garden in the spring or summer, you will just need to increase the amount of soil/peat/topsoil you add so that the garden will need to do less “cooking” and will be ready for planting.

Ingredients you will need for your “Lasagna Garden”:
Really, anything you would normally put into a compost pile, is perfect for your Lasagna Garden. Here are some suggestions:

• Leaves and Grass Clippings
• Fruit and Vegetable Scraps
• Coffee Grounds
• Tea leaves and tea bags
• Weeds (if they haven’t gone to seed)
• Manure
• Compost
• Seaweed
• Peat moss
• Pine needles
• Spent blooms, trimmings from the garden
• Newspaper and/or cardboard
  The practice of using cardboard or newspapers in the garden has been around for a long time; here’s an account from Mr. S. Powers, who wrote to The Cultivator and Country Gentleman in March of 1884:
  “The Spring Campaign against Insects:
  If the farmer was provident enough to tie up young fruit trees last fall with newspapers, as a protection against rabbits (and it is a sufficient protection if carefully done), he ought, as soon as the danger from this source is passed, to remove the wrappings. If they are left on, they form a convenient refuge for aphides or lice, and soon the bark will be wounded and disfigured.”

Even though the use of newspapers has been around for at least 200 years, it still remains a mysterious practice to most backyard gardeners.

If you’ve ever baked (or eaten) lasagna, you know it is layered. A noodle layer followed by alternating layers of browns, greens whites and reds. Well, Lasagna gardening follows the same basic recipe (minus the red layer!).

• Your first layer, the “noodle” layer, will be either newspaper or cardboard.
  NOTE: If you are using cardboard, be sure to remove any packing tape. If you are using newspaper, be sure to separate out any of the glossy pages and do not use magazines.
  • Cover your entire planned garden area with a layer of brown corrugated cardboard OR 4-6 layers of wet newspaper, overlapping the edges by few inches to keep weeds at bay. One of the great benefits of this technique is that you DO NOT have to prepare the ground under the noodle layer. You do not have to remove grass, sod, rocks, turf, weeds….nothing. Just lay the noodle (cardboard/newspaper) right on top of anything!
  • Before starting your second layer, be sure to really drench this first layer. This will help to keep everything in place and start the decomposition process.
  • The dark moist environment this layer provides will attract earthworms whom are a welcome guest in any vegetable garden environment!
• Your “browns” layer will be made up of organic browns such as fall leaves, shredded newspaper, peat, and pine needles.
• Your “green” layer will be made up of organic greens such as vegetable scraps, garden trimmings, and grass clippings.



Lasagna Gardening gets it’s name from layering, layering layering!

• The general rule of thumb for a Lasagna Garden in that you want your “brown” layers to be about twice as deep as your “green” layers. However, you do not need to be exact about this, just keep laying down brown and green layers until you have a bed that is about two feet tall. When you’re done layering wet the entire bed until it is moist all the way through. Then…wait! The bed height will shrink dramatically as the layers decompose.

If you made your Lasagna Garden in the spring or summer, you can start planting right away. If you make your Lasagna in the fall, let it cook over the winter and your soil will be ready for planting in the spring.

When you decide to start planting, just dig into the soil as you would with any garden. You will notice your soil is loose and easy to work with. If you used cardboard as your noodle layer, you may need to puncture a hole in it where you want to plant. If you used newspaper, the shovel will most likely go right through it.

In the long run, you will notice many advatages from this very old gardening technique:

• Fewer weeds, thanks to the newspaper suppressing them from below and the mulch covering the soil from above.
• Better water retention, due to the fact that compost (which is what you made by layering all of those materials) holds water better than regular garden soil, especially if your native soil is sandy or deficient in organic matter.
• Less need for fertilizer, because you planted your garden in almost pure compost, which is very nutrient-rich.
• Soil that is easy to work: crumbly, loose, and fluffy.
• Lasagna gardening is fantastic for the environment

The maintenance of your Lasagna Garden is simple- just add mulch (grass clippings, bark, leaves, straw) to the top of the bed. Weed and water as necessary and, of course, plant and harvest anything that brings you health and joy!

Happy Lasagna Gardening

In the spirit of the mystery and the magic of the month of October, I explore the mystery and magic surrounding the garden and all that grows in it.

The day and month of our birth is associated with a sun sign and, just as the characteristics of these signs are associated with a flower or stone, they are also associated with a Garden Herb.

Herbs can be mixed and combined, based on the characteristics of the Herb, to produce a “recipe”that’s meant to match your individual characteristics. These particular herb combinations are meant to bring you strength in times of stress or sickness. The qualities of the herbs harness the positive qualities the individual sun signs with the intention of creating balance and positive growth.

• Aries- March 21-April 20
  Mars

  Allspice, basil, cayenne, garlic, ginger, mustard, onion, pepper.

  Aries people are energetic and impulsive. They are quick-witted and can grasp many facts in a short time. They reach conclusions swiftly and are often compared to “a bullet”- a red-hot burst of energy capable of overcoming any obstacle by charging straight at it. The ruler of Aries is Mars, the “red” planet, the ancient god of war. Mars has an affinity for all things hot and spicy. It should come as no surprise then, the herbs that correspond with Aries are also a bit “hot” to the taste. Use them in cooking to raise Aries’ endorphins, the substance Mars loves best.

• Taurus – April 21- May 21
  Venus

  Apple, apricot, blackberry, cherry, heather, hibiscus, raspberry, rose.

  Taureans are tenacious, diligent and discriminating. This is the sign of the insatiable appetite, not just for food but for everything fine and refined. It is the sign that’s fondest of the pleasures that life has to offer- elegant eccentricity. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a symphony by Mozart, or a delicious meal, Taureans are experts at enjoying the physical delights of all the senses. Taureans savor their meals and are drawn to the gourmet, finest of cuisines. Venus is the purveyor of sweetness and, it follows, that the herbs Taureans enjoys most are the sweet ones. Use each of them to satisfy the Taurean sweet tooth.

• Gemini – May 22- June 22
  Mercury

  Clover, eye-bright, fennel, lemongrass, lemon verbena, marjoram, parsley.

  Geminis are the zodiac’s perpetual children, refusing, at any age, to betray their innocent belief in the possibility of a happier world for all. Geminis love to ask questions and are always up for a good debate. The expression “variety is the spice of life” was probably written for or by a Gemini. The quick-witted, fleet-footed energy of this sign just loves variety. Each of these herbs provide a different type of taste, and most can be combined in a light, aromatic tea you can sip on the run. Use clove or slippery elm to protect against gossip and to keep your thoughts and actions grounded.

• Cancer – June 23- July 23
  Moon

  Aloe, lemon balm, chamomile, mimosa, lavender, lilac.

  Cancerians are the Zodiac’s most sensitive souls. They are natural nurturers and cannot help but empathize with, and feel concern for, all of humanity. Cancerians are happiest when making someone else happy and saddest when they feel they have cause another pain or suffering. There’s nothing Cancer likes better than a home that smells good, whether it’s because there’s something wonderful simmering on the stove, a vase of fresh flowers on the dining room table, or a warm, fragrant bubble bath. Cancerians like to play it safe and they would be dull, unadventurous people were it not for one thing: very powerful emotions! Cancerians cannot help but follow their attraction and passions and, consequently, they spend their lives trying to stabilize the last big upheaval before the next one arrives. Cancer rules the stomach, which is why Cancerians find a sense of great security in eating their favorite foods- and also great difficulty in following a diet! Each of the herbs listed above are known for their ability to calm, heal, or bring a wonderful aroma to the environment. Use aloe to soothe burns and scrapes and chamomile for a wonderful bedtime/bath-time tea.

• Leo – July 24- Aug 24
  Sun

  Chicory, ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, golden-seal, rosemary, St. John’s Wort, sandalwood.

  Leo’s greatest gift is his natural buoyancy. Leo is ruled by the Sun, the source of life and warmth that keeps us all alive and provides us with the energy we need to keep pursuing our life’s quest. Leo, like the Sun, demands admiration and respect. It makes perfect sense, that the bright, cheerful sunflower would be the perfect representation of Leo’s equally bright and happy sign. When it comes to food, Leo prefers spicy, colorful and expensive. Leo’s aren’t greedy but they cannot resist a delicacy- even if they aren’t hungry. The spiciness Leo’s are fond of is not necessarily that of curry or chili but more the sharp aromatic tang of ginger, peppermint, cinnamon, and sandalwood.Herbs like golden-seal and St. John’s Wort are tailor-made for Leo, too, since their ability to keep the body resistant to illness and depression are well known. Mix a bit of chicory with your morning coffee to help remove any obstacles that come up.

• Virgo – Aug 24- Sept 23
  Mercury

  Caraway, dill, eyebright, horehound, lily of the valley, marjoram, savory.

  Every Virgo has a mission to inform and educate. Virgos are a quick-thinking meticulous sign likes nothing better than a mental challenge, whether it’s organizing a pile of papers at the office, solving a puzzle, or learning a new skill. Virgos seek true physical and emotional well-being for all of their fellow humans. Virgos are neither passive nor aggressive, they are simply sensible yet sensual. They want to enjoy life to the fullest but maintain awareness of any dangers attached to their hungers. Virgos are very particular about food, what they eat depends on what mood they’re in. Virgo takes great pleasure in keeping his body intelligently nourished. The herbs listed above are all well known for their subtle abilities to strengthen the mind, and many can be mixed together in teas to give a boost at the end of a long day, often needed by Virgos. The lily of the valley is perfect for Virgos, with its subtle, “clean” scent and delicate flowers.

• Libra – Sept 24- Oct 23
  Venus

  Catnip, passion flower, persimmon, rose, sugar cane, violet.

  Libra is the zodiac’s appointed guardian of justice. Libran’s life task is to weigh intellect against intuition and to the need to be fair against the need to be firm. Libras are like chameleons and can fit in almost anywhere with almost anyone. They are frequently accused of being indecisive. There’s no sign as fond of pleasing others as Libra, whether it’s by saying just the right thing to bring warring factions together, or by using polite charm to seduce their object of desire. Libras are fussy about décor and will often be more interested in a restaurant’s tablecloth or lighting choice than what’s on the menu. Voluptuous Venus gives Libra an appetite for life’s most sensual pleasures. Catnip is famous for its effects on our feline friends, but its also traditionally used in conjunction with rose petals to bring loving relationships that last forever. Since Libras are ruled by Venus, they are capable of being every bit as sweet as the sugar cane – however, they sometimes need a bit of help to attract a beloved. Sugar cane is a potent plant that’s long been used to conjure love, and can be very useful to romantic Libra.

• Scorpio – Oct 24-Nov 22
  Pluto

  Ginseng, dill, patchouli, pomegranate, saffron, vanilla.

  Scorpios mission is to discover the truth and to awaken others to it. Scorpios are blessed with sharp minds, sharper instincts and still sharper tongues. The Scorpio may be sharp in his quest to find truth but his personality is endlessly, vulnerably, soft. Scorpios are used to getting what they want or, at least, what they want at the moment. Scorpios are guided by the pursuit of an impossible dream and enough is never enough. Scorpios like food with sharp, distinctive flavor and they tend to prefer savory dishes to sweet. The herbs best suited for Scorpios are famous for their use in stirring up passion. Drink ginseng tea (or offer some to your beloved) to induce a magnetic physical attraction. Wear patchouli to arouse lust and silently conjure the magic of the Beltane rituals. Present the object of your desire with a pomegranate, the fruit traditionally associated with seductive Pluto, Scorpio’s ruling planet.

• Sagittarius – Nov 23- Dec 21
  Jupiter

  Anise, clove, fig, hyssop, mugwort, myrtle, nutmeg, rosemary, sage.

  The Sagittarian’s quest is for spiritual enlightenment. Sagittarians will indulge travel ,adventure, escapade and fascination in his desire to discover the bridge of wisdom between the finite and the infinite. There’s no sign that hangs on to youth with more fervency and determination than Sagittarius. Sagittarians are always hungry and tend to eat their food very quickly. To keep that youthful appearance and disposition going as Sagittarius travels the world in search of yet another experience: drink a tea made of anise, rosemary, and Vervain. To aid in making your dreams more prophetic than they already are, use mugwort. Burn clove incense to attract the wealth you’ll need to pay for your travels.

• Capricorn – Dec 22- Jan 20
  Saturn

  Comfrey, horsetail, mint, poppy, sassafras, woodruff.

  Capricorns are the keepers of the cosmic clock. The Capricorn’s quest is to treasure the past and measure the mystery of each passing hour. Capricorn seeks to make the most of life’s precious resources and to create the opportunity for others to do the same. Capricorn is described as a very “focused” sign. Capricorn is intent on self-sufficiency and material success. The influence of Capricorn’s planet, Saturn, gives the ambition and self-discipline to attain those goals, and to ensure success and prosperity in business matters. Capricorns tend to prefer plain, wholesome home cooking and, are unimpressed by fancy cuisine or expensively presented food. Each of the herbs mentioned above are known for their ability to attract, expressively, Capricorn’s desired success, and most can be mixed together in a tea.

• Aquarius – Jan 21- Feb 19
  Uranus/Saturn

  Anise, bittersweet, citron, dandelion, lemon verbena, rosemary, sage.

  Aquarius belongs to thought, philosophy and intellect. Aquarians possess plenty of sensitivity and passion but they believe emotion should be the servant, not the master, of the heart. Aquarius is a cerebral sign and his ability to turn “odd” or eccentric ideas into strokes of genius is well known. Aquarians love to experiment with new recipes and dishes. How the new or unique dishes actually taste is of secondary importance to their potential value as a talking point. Since communication (and mass communication in particular) is Aquaruis’ specialty, the herbs above are all associated with the air principle, which rules the intellectual side of life. To increase the Aquarians already powerful intuition, use citron, clover, or rosemary. Above all else, listen to that intuition. It will seldom prove to be wrong.

• Pisces – Feb 20 – Mar 20
  Neptune/Jupiter

  Aloe, bay, cotton, eucalyptus, lavender, Norfolk Island pine, rue.

  Pisces are the Zodiac’s magicians. Pisces greatest gift is their ability to transform despair into hope and fear into faith. Pisces specialize in helping everyone else find hidden wonder in that which we may be tempted to dismiss as ordinary. Pisces have a special inner radar which lets them tune into hidden messages and, somehow, always know what’s really going on in people’s hearts. Ruled by Neptune, the great celestial illusionist, Pisces are particularly fond of food that looks like it’s going taste like one thing but turns out to be something entirely different. As the most sensitive and psychic of all signs, Pisces, is the one that requires help to ward off the adverse thoughts and intentions of others. Since Pisces have no boundaries to keep them separate from others, they need protection against negative influences. To that end, use rue, a powerful herb known to ward off ills of every kind. To stay positive and healthy keep a lavender plant growing either outside or inside your home.

Garden Magic, Myth and Folklore

The garden has long been seen as a mysterious place. Its the place where tiny plant seeds magically transform into the fruits, vegetables and herbs our bodies need.

The perceived mystery and magic of the garden has led to centuries of myth and folklore around the things we grow and how we grow them. Here is a list of some of the most entertaining, unique, wide spread or simply fascinating Magic, Myth and Native Folklore of Gardening.

• Seeds: If  a pregnant woman plants seeds, everything in the garden will thrive.

• Beans and Peas: When planting peas and beans, the rows should always run north and south, since the sun moves from east to west and gives the plants maximum sunshine.

• Parsley: Parsley should never be transplanted,  growing from seed is thought to be critical. It takes seven weeks to germinate and one belief is that it grows down to the devil and then up again. Parsley should be picked, not cut; and never give it away as misfortune is sure to follow. Parsley is not only a sure sign of a strong woman, but it will only grow outside the home of an honest man.

• Basil: Basil stands for “animosity,” and the planting method shows why… the  gardener should curse with great passion while planting basil seeds. As the basil is growing in the garden, you need to shout and scream at it to make it grow into a strong plant, otherwise they won’t grow! Basil is also a herb for purification, love and money. Put a piece of basil in each of the four corners of your house at the beginning of each season to bring wealth. . It is also reputed that any man will fall in love with a woman from whom he accepts some basil from as a gift.

• Sage: Sage thrives in the garden of a woman who rules her household, and her husband firmly.

• Flowers: Red and white flowers in the same vase were unlucky, and even today some nurses do not like to see these flowers in a vase together in their patient’s rooms.

• Beans: Broad beans have been associated with forecasting the future. A European belief was that three beans should be prepared in different ways to produce an outcome and then hidden on Midsummer Eve for the inquirer to find. The untouched bean indicated wealth, the half-peeled bean indicated a comfortable life, whilst the third fully peeled bean indicated poverty. The future was revealed by which bean was found first.The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (of the theorem) founded a religion one of the basic tenets of which was the sinfulness of eating beans.

• Caraway: Caraway is thought to be useful in combating burglaries. Place it among your valued possessions, if the thief manages to get into the house then the caraway will transfix the person until rescue arrives. For women worried about their husbands wandering off with other women, placing some caraway in the pocket will do the trick.

• Carrot: Write the word “carrot” on a piece of paper and hide it. Ask some-one to quickly answer your questions, ask “what is 1 + 1?”, “what is 2 + 2″ etc. until the answer is 128, then ask them to name a vegetable, they will almost always answer with “carrot” – reveal your paper.

• Garlic: In the Far East garlic is believed to have the power to bring back lost souls and it is  heavily used in religious ceremonies. Garlic is also thought to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

• Leeks: Old Welsh tradition is to rub themselves with leeks before going into battle to bring extra strength and power while providing protection from injury.

• Lettuce: The Romans believed that the lettuce plant was a powerful aphrodisiac and to prevent drunkenness. It was served in quantity at feasts and weddings for these reasons. In England, on the other hand, country people traditionally believed that planting lots of lettuce in the garden could prevent conception!

• Mushrooms: Japanese believed that mushrooms and toadstools were made by thunder. Greeks and Aztecs believed they were made by lightning.

• Peas: Finding a single pea in a pod when shelling them is a sign of good fortune. Finding nine means that you can make a wish once you’ve thrown one of the nine over your shoulder.

• Parsley: Parsley has traditionally been associated with death and disaster. Bad luck will come your way especially if you cut Parsley for your cooking, transplant it or give it away  and you are in love at the same time.

Whether you garden by myth and folklore or you by hard work, sun, rain and prayer- or maybe both- it’s fun and interesting to learn the stories around the garden.

If you have any fun gardening folklore, magic or myths to share…please do!