GARLIC

The last of the previous year's garlic. It still looks good

Ancient herb of magic and health
Assertive fire of healing and protection
Planted around the garden gate
For families guard and manifestation
​

This year's garlic is already growing

Ah, garlic, both mysterious and common.  This ancient herb has been cultivated for at least 5000 years.  It's actual origins has been largely lost in the mists of time, and its ancestors, as far as I know, is no longer found in the wild.  It is believed to have originated in the Dead Sea region as there is evidence there of its use from sites dating back to the Neolithic age.

Garlic was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, Chinese, and Babylonians.  By the middle ages, this powerful herb had spread throughout much of Europe and Asia.  It was introduced into the Americas by the voyages of Columbus.  This spread is largely due to the benefits of garlic on every level from cooking, to health, to magic.

This highly valued culinary herb is a beautiful flavoring for many savory dishes of vegetables, grains, and meats.  Many of its health benefits can be enjoyed by cooking with garlic regularly.

It is also considered to be a medicinal herb that has been used for healing since before recorded history.  Traditional uses range from protection against infections, support for healing, and relief from coughs and colds.  The ancients believed that it is a broad spectrum remedy to support general health.  I am not going to go deeper into this aspect of garlic here.  The  information is widely available and you should consult an herbalist or medical practitioner for further information.

Garlic is considered to be a highly energetic and magical herb.  It is believed to be an herb of fire and to be very assertive in its action.  In most cultures, it is believed to be protective against all kinds of evil, from evil spells and negative intent, to vampires.

It is considered to be protection from thieves and plague.  Sailors believed that it was protection against mishaps at sea.  It is believed to protect the home and family when it is placed in the windows and doorways, or planted around the home.

This herb is believed to bring health, strength, and courage.  It is often used in magic spells to bring prosperity, endurance, and healing.  Garlic is believed to bring abundance to a household, attract good luck, and to encourage rain.  The Romans believed that it brought strength and courage in battle.  In some places, it was rubbed on cooking pots to remove negative influences before cooking.

Garlic is considered to be sacred to a number of deities around the world.  The ancient Egyptians seem to have offered it to a number of their gods and remains of garlic have been found in some of the tombs.  It was  also used as an offering to Hecate, and other gods.  Even the Catholic church found uses for garlic.

I have been growing garlic for years.  This ancient crop is relatively easy to grow if you can give it a chill period.  There hundreds of varieties to choose from, both hard neck and soft neck.  I often use at least one clove a day in my cooking for both its wonderful flavor and its health benefits.

My additional sources for this article are:
flyingthehedge.com
magikalspot.com
wonderlust.com
scholarworks.iu.edu
​50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs by Boon and Smith