It\u2019s that time of year again, when I\u2019m setting up little water features in each of the gardens to help the bees and birds stay hydrated, as well as making sure that our livestock and dogs have the freshest healthiest water too.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been setting up \u201csummer water features\u201d for many years and have used so many different kinds. It\u2019s always been a small bit of Magic that I can perform to demonstrate to the land and its spirits my commitment to caring for it. Being able to make Magic right at home, too, is so powerful that I encourage you to look at how you can partner with the birds and the bees by providing them a drink of water.<\/p>\n
The photos above show a variety of ways to provide water. We went really big this year and dug a pond. Thanks to the generosity of friends, who really were key in making it happen, we were able to get some extra livestock water storage and a new goose habitat. The geese will not be the only ones using it however, you know those honey bees (who will be the spotlight of my next chronicle entry), dragon flies, frogs, and the like will be hosted there as well. We seeded it with native grasses, sedge, and wild flowers and can\u2019t wait until we can reveal it to our Trio of Geese and their future goslings (almost that time ~ 10 days).<\/p>\n
But being in a place where we could dig a pond has been a lifetime of work. Before that I used simple and easily approachable methods to make sure my local fauna had little water bars about.<\/p>\n
In picture four you\u2019ll see one of the simplest ones that I use – an old clay pot tray and some marbles or small stones. Fill it with water and you\u2019ll notice bees stop by like it\u2019s the local coffee shop. I have noticed (#ObserveAndInteract) that keeping these water features mostly away from the house keeps the bee highways no longer dissecting our house. You can put together similarly with that lid from the giant Costco-sized M&Ms you and the Fam just finished. Glass beads from a craft store, or as pictured, just small rocks from around the property work well.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s always commercial bird baths. My Viking got me the one pictured above for Mother\u2019s Day back in 2021. But I also find creative ways with different things I find when we \u2018treasure hunt\u2019 and turn those into water features. Repurposing things in the garden is something I\u2019ve done for decades. Currently here at Villa Westwyk, I\u2019ve turned an old coffee maker into a little feature in my Birch Garden. An old bird feeder whose important pieces were long ago forgotten has been upcycled into a critter hydration station in our North Orchard (which is slowly earning its \u2018food forest\u2019 stripes). \u00a0Or the giant shell that the covenstead\u2019s former owners left; I turned it into a little fountain with the help of an inexpensive solar-powered float.<\/p>\n
This season we\u2019ll be continuing to create the habitat around our new horseshoe-shaped pond. The frogs have already moved in, as many of you may have seen the photo on my IG. However, we have just created a Moon garden (another post on that to come) and the Crow Garden is in need of a water feature. Both of these places I\u2019m looking for particular things in the water feature. The moon garden feature should be highlighted in the moonlight. The Crow Garden water feature should be simple and sturdy but help our Corvid partners in keeping our livestock safe from the Eagles and Hawks easily hydrated. I have some ideas and can\u2019t wait to get those employed. Of course I\u2019ll share those when we have them completed. Who knows it may take until next year. #SmallSlowSolutions have always been the best problem solvers when it comes to the practice of Permaculture.<\/p>\n
Connecting with Water was one of the first \u201ccraft\u201d practices I learned way back in my Witchling years. Every time I attend to one of these features, including blessing them during regular maintenance (hello Moon work!), I am recalling that connection and how this element has blessed my life so much. It reminds me how much of my body is water; how it is vital and sacred. And my respect grows in that micro moment of making sure the bees have water, or the hummingbirds have water, or pointedly that my dear familiar crows have water. And in my small witchy way I am making one small impact in a small space on this wondrous planet. But it is an impact and a big ol\u2019 positive, even mystical, one.<\/p>\n
My Water Connection Exercise, that I still do often, will be published in my upcoming book – for which you dear Patreon Covenstead members will get all the scoop way earlier than anyone else. So stay tuned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the meantime, how can you help the wildlife thrive during the heat of summer? How can you connect to them through water? If you\u2019re in the mood for a water blessing (outside making your moon water), here\u2019s a little chant to make any water more Magical:<\/p>\n
Oh blessed water<\/p>\n
That Swims Within My Soul<\/p>\n
That flows around my bones<\/p>\n
And makes the Earth a Bowl<\/p>\n
I bless this water<\/p>\n
As daughter of Earth<\/p>\n
And All of Her Blessings<\/p>\n
Move from my heart, hand, and gut<\/p>\n
Back to this liquid of life<\/p>\n
I pray my ancestors and the spirits of the land<\/p>\n
Aid me in the mission to heal the land and all its inhabitants<\/p>\n
My gratitude pours into this water<\/p>\n
The Blessings of the Ancients pour into this water<\/p>\n
May it be healthy; pure, and sacred<\/p>\n
Always.<\/p>\n
This or better, So It Is.<\/p>\n
Then sit outside and watch the birds and bees come and have a drink with you. Maybe pour yourself some sweet violet lemonade and watch your good Magic spread.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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