Stormy

I post spells, rituals, curses, witchcraft information and helpful witch tips!

[solsken-advina]

Lunar Phases 🌜🌛

New moon:

new beginnings

new endeavors

new relationships

positive changes

hope and faith

planting seeds

optimism

Waxing moon:

growth

learning

accomplishments

creativity

healing

positive transformation

Full moon:

wish fulfillment

spell casting

harvest

protection

achievement

perfect ideas

Waning moon:

letting go

cleansing

breaking habits

release

opening up

making space

[witchkitch]

Edible Flowers and Their Properties

Arugula Blossom (attraction, abundance, psychic power) Basil Blossom (protection, love, abundance, purification) Borage (happiness, protection, courage, peace)  Calendula (protection, love, healing) Carnation (strength, protection, creativity, stability)  Camellia (abundance, love, happiness) Cilantro (protection, peace, love, health, abundance) Chamomile (calming, love, healing, protection, warding) Chive Blossom (protection, warding, love) Chrysanthemum (protection, warding, happiness, love) Dandelion (healing, purification, divination & psychic power) Dahlia (abundance, strength, creativity, self love) Garlic Flower (protection, healing, warding) Hibiscus (love, divination, creativity) Kale Flower (abundance, strength, protection, healing) Lavender (calming, protection, healing, purification, peace) Lilac (luck, wisdom, psychic strength) Nasturtium (happiness, love, purification, protection) Orchid (love, abundance, creativity) Peony (luck, protection, abundance, stability) Pansy (love, calming, self reflection, change) Pea Flower (abundance, love, friendship, protection) Rose (love, happiness, peace) Snapdragon (purification, protection, strength, perseverance)   Squash Blossom (creativity, vitality, healing, balance) Strawberry Blossom (love, abundance, luck, healing) Violet (peace, protection, healing, luck)

[dclcevita]

Cultural quarantine masterpost

Making the most out of social distancing. Feel free to add more!

2,500 Museums You Can Now Visit Virtually

If you’re feeling hungry for art while you’re stranded at home, here are our 12 selections out of 2,500 world-class museums and galleries th

A List Of Live Virtual Concerts To Watch During The Coronavirus Shutdown

We're updating a list of live musical performances from around the world, categorized by date and genre.

10 Art History Classes You Can Take Online (for Free)

11 Science and Tech Museums You Can Tour Virtually

Here are some awesome virtual tours of world-class museums from around the world.

Free Resources on MUSE During COVID-19

Dozens of Museums and Libraries Offer Free Downloadable Coloring Books

Since 2016, the New York Academy of Medicine invited libraries, archives, and cultural institutions to provide free coloring pages based on

We bring the museum to you - Van Gogh Museum

How to enjoy the museum from home? Take a look at the selection, inspired by Vincent van Gogh

Fill your ears with art: the top culture podcasts to listen to during the coronavirus lockdown

If you are craving creativity and are stuck at home, here are the best arty audios to keep you going

[binathewitch-blog]

🌛Moon Cakes🌜

Things you will need: -1 cup of finely grated almonds(optional) -1 ¼ cups flour -¼ cups of confectioner’s sugar -¼ cups butter -1 egg yolk

1.Combine almonds flour and sugar 2. Work in butter and egg yolk until well blended. 3. Set it in the fridge to until chilled 4.Pinch off pieces of walnut sized dough 5. Shape into crescents. 6. Place on greased sheets and bake at 325 Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

Enjoy these on full moon or sabbats! I like drizzling honey and powdered sugar on top.

[buddhaprayerbeads]

Did you know?

[gaiaxterrestria-deactivated2017]

🌿fruit & medicinal properties🌿

🍒 cherries: -help calm nervous system -cancer preventing compounds -reduces inflammation -reduces risk for gout -supports healthy sleep -arthritis pain relief -reduces belly fat -reduces muscle pain -lowers risk of stroke

🍑 peaches: -helps maintain healthy skin & vision -helps maintain healthy bones & teeth -anti aging properties -improves digestion -calcium -potassium -packed with vital nutrients -good source of fiber

🍉 watermelon: -cardiovascular health -maintains bones -significant source of vitamins -combats free radicals -reduces body fat -anti inflammitory -diuretic & kidney support -alkaline forming -improves sight

🍓 strawberries: -potentially fight against cancer -anti aging properties -prevent heart disease, reduces risk of stroke -helps relieve constipation -can help with allergies & asthma -anti depression properties -reduces blood pressure -regulates blood sugar -folic acid

🍍 pineapple: -helps fight arthritis -immune system support -bone health -vision health -can reduce risk of macular degeneration (eye disease) -anti inflammitory -aids in digestion -packed with vital nutrients

🍃 kiwi: -increases bone mass -more vitamin c than an orange -packed with vital nutrients -aids in digestion -helps manage blood pressure -protects DNA from damage -supports weight loss -detox -prevents heart disease -protects against macular degeneration

🍇 grapes: -relax blood vessels -prevents/slows many types of cancer -maintains heart health -packed with nutrients -aids in digestion -weight loss -can prevent alzheimers -improves brain function -protects body from radiation

🍎 apples: -build immune system -fiber -reduces risk of cancer -prevents heart disease -healthy teeth -prevent alzheimers -prevents larkinsons -decreases risk of diabetes -reduces cholesterol -prevents gallstones -reduces risk of hypertension

🍊 oranges: -help maintain skin & vision -excellent source of vitamin B & C -fiber -prevents stroke -lowers blood pressure

🍌 banana: -potassium -energy booster -aids in digestion -fiber -weight loss -lowers blood pressure -prevents asthma -fights cancer -treats diarrhea -preserving memory

🌳 blueberries: -protect heart -lowers cholesterol -packed with antioxidants -reduce DNA damage -maintains healthy cholesterol -lower blood pressure -improve brain function & memory

🍃 mango: -protects against several forms of cancer -lowers cholesterol -clears skin -improves eye health -alkalizes entire body -promotes healthy sex -improves digestion -helps fight heat stroke

🍋 lemon: -contain high amounts of potassium -lowers risk of stroke -fights cancer -maintains healthy complexion -prevents asthma -increases iron absorption -boosts immune system

🍐 pear: -packed with nutrients -great source of fiber -treats diverticulosis (inflammation of the lining in large intestine) -weight loss -lowers blood pressure -lowers cholesterol -prevents diabetes -promotes digestion -detox

🍅 tomato: -prevents cancer -manages blood pressure -protects heart -maintains healthy complexion -reduces depression -improves vision -improves digestive system

🍃 grapefruit: -weight loss -prevents stroke -maintains blood pressure & heart health -prevents cancer -promotes digestion -hydration -maintaining healthy skin -prevents asthma

🌿if youre taking medication, please speak with your pharmacist or doctor before trying ANY natural remedies. grapefruit, for example, can really hurt you if youre taking anti depression medication. please be cautious.🌿 **this post is speaking specifically of the fruit, not of the plant itself

[theclutteredbroomcupboard]

Messy Witch App Recommendations

These are some apps I have that I think are witchy related, and I’ll explain each one below. I got all of these for free for Iphone, idk about any other smartphone. 

1. Labyrinthos Academy - 

This was my first tarot app by Tina Gong which uses the Golden Thread Tarot deck, which is very simple and easy to learn from. This app goes through the cards and their meanings through memorization games. It’s very useful for beginners to learn the basic meanings for each card. There is also a daily card feature where you can log your interpretation, but I never used it much because it’s isn’t the best feature of the app. This one is definately best for using the memorizing games to learn specific meanings. 

2. Golden Thread Tarot - 

Another tarot app by Tina Gong, obviously it uses the Golden Thread deck. This one’s main function is a daily card where you can log your interpretation. The log also allows you to record your emotional state and specific feelings you had when reading your card. Then you can look at how many times suits or numbers come up in readings, and your most frequent feelings based on week, month, and year. I think it’s a great logging feature so you can keep checking your emotional state day by day. It also has a tarot database where you can look up any card through a search. It also has a collection of spreads. I use these as guidelines for physical cards, but you could also use this app as a digital deck which is also really interesting. What I don’t like about these is that it asks you to write you question after, and honestly, sometimes I forget to ask it before and it messes up the reading. You can also click on the cards after you flip them to see definitions but you can’t do that once you’ve started to log it, so if you forget you can’t go back. Otherwise, pretty good recourse app, I use it to look up meanings from the database a lot. 

3. Luminous Spirit Tarot - 

Yet another tarot app by Tina Gong, this time using the Luminous Spirit deck by Labyrinthos Academy. This is most similar to the Golden Thread app in format and features and function, however, it used a different deck and focuses on teaching tarot through connection with the moon. So for anyone particularly devoted to the moon, I would recommend this one. Instead of daily cards, this app keeps track of the phases of the moon. You come up with a monthly goal or focus and as the phases change you do a full reading about that topic through the cycle. It also asks you to meditate on your question by “charging the moon” where you can really focus on what you need to be asking. It keeps track of your readings and you can use the digital deck, but unlike the Golden Thread, it allows you to look up the meanings of the cards as you write your interpretations and helps you relate them to their position in the spread. This one is best for learning how cards function in spreads and in relation to each other. It also has a database and if you’re not in love with the Golden Thread deck, this deck is more realistic pencil drawings in black and white which has a more soothing appearance. Very simple and useful!

4. Seventh Sphere - 

Yes, it’s by Tina Gong, however, instead of another tarot deck, this is a Lenormand card deck. It has some short lessons about what a Lenormand Deck is as well as a database like the last two. It has another logging system, more similar to the Golden Thread or Labyrinthos Academy apps than to the Luminous Spirit one. It doesn’t have you meditate on your question beforehand but it gives you a list of interpretations to think about. Because this is a different deck, I don’t mind this set up because it helps me learn each card’s meaning through practice and how to use this set of cards. Also, this deck is gorgeous! Like screw all the other decks I was dreaming about this is first on my list when I get spending money again and want another deck. 

5. Stone - 

So this is the most simple app on this list. It is literally just a list of pictures of gems and crystals and you can click on any and it will show you its properties and a well-written description of it. That’s it. I don’t have my own correspondences for crystals or anything so it’s easier for me to use this. 

6. Planets - 

Okay, this one is cool. This is basically a digital sky. You can hold it up to the sky and move it around and it will show you exactly where all the stars, planets, and constellations are in real time. You can also set it to 2D mode where it rotates like a compass. There is also a section that will tell you the visibility of each planet and the moon, and if you click on each it will give you more details. I think you can also zoom in on planets and stars but I don’t use that much. I recommend for witches who like to time their spells to celestial movements or have a hard time of visualizing or don’t have access to look at the night sky always. 

7. PlantNet - 

This is one of my most popular post on here and it was a goddamn typo. Yes, this is PlantNet, not plannet. I got it, thanks. But seriously this is a super great app for identifying plants on the go. You take a picture of a plant and it searches a database for a list of possibilities of what it could be then, links you to their Wikipedia page. It’s not 100% accurate but it’s cool and sometimes useful. 

8. Infinite Storm - 

This is an audio app that I use for meditation on the go. You can customize the noises, the types of rain, the intensity, if you want thunder or not, and add other sounds. It’s simply lovely. 

9. Yummly - 

I just downloaded this today but I already love it. It’s just a food app but I’m a kitchen witch so, yeah. I have a couple food apps (tasty, pintrest, etc.) but I’m excited about this one. It customizes your feed by your food preferences and you can list your allergies and food you just don’t like. You can add recipes to lists and make a grocery list. You can search by what you’re in the mood for and you can even find recipes based on what you already have so you don’t have to go shopping. I miss cooking and hoping that this will give me a few more good recipies to try that are different than the same 6 that keep appearing on my pintrest feed.

These are about all the ones I have so far that I like. I used to have others but clearly haven’t used them enough to keep them. If you have any witchy apps you love send them my way, I’d love to check them out!

[auckie]

[biganimetiddiesbitch]

ambulance in my neighborhood: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

My dog: Oh shit! Oh shit it’s a bop

[lonley-witch]

Finally got my Aphrodite altar ready

How do you guys think it looks?

[foxtrotcitrus]

Your first Companion!

So you’ve just been chosen by your first companion! Congratulations! So, what now?

Adoption

Well, let’s start from the moment you get the message saying you’re the lucky one.

Vessels

For paid shops that provide vessels, you may have a message or two to respond to, but you do not have to worry about vessels. However, for free shops, that is something to consider. After getting the message asking if you are still interested in the spirit and you saying yes, the next message should be about vessels. If the spirit you applied for has their vessel preference on their bio, it would be smart to gather possible vessels now. If it is not listed, ask what the spirit may like, and while you wait for a response, gather some items that you think may interest the spirit. Talk with your conjurer to insure you have a vessel that best suits your needs and what the spirit would like.

Getting Ready

The conjurer should ask you when you are ready for the binding or for the spirit to be sent over. Before you say you are ready, run through a mental checklist. Are you home? Do you have everything you need? The conjurer should provide you with offerings, manifestations, their name and other information after the binding, but you can always ask for offerings before hand to make sure you’re ready. You do not need offerings right off the bat, so do not worry if you don’t have any. If you are the type to want an alter, do you have it ready? If the spirit needs an astral space or something, do you have it all ready? Don’t just say yes you’re reading for the binding because you’re eager. Take 5 minutes to make sure everything is ready. Maybe do a quick cleanse and clean up a little physically.

Bindings

When you say you are ready for the binding, the conjurer may or may not need a photo. If they say no photo is required, make sure you make it clear what you would like bound. If you say rose quartz, but have 5 chunks of rose quartz, things can get tricky. Without a photo, conjurers can bind by using your intent and using it like a mirror to reflect the binding onto the object. Both are equally strong if done by someone experienced. A good binding will never restrain or harm the spirit. It will simply amplify senses allowing for easier communication, and stronger manifestations and will let the spirit always be able to find the vessel. Some shops will also include things like “if binding is broke, return spirit to conjurer immediately” or “if spirit is hurt, return spirit to conjurer immediately” to insure spirit safety. As long as you are a good person though, you won’t need to worry about what else a trustworthy binding has. If you would like to change vessels simply talk to your conjurer!

Other Information

After the spirit has been bound, the conjurer should send you more information about the spirit. This includes their name, preferred offerings, manifestations, and any other information deemed fit. You typically won’t get a large amount, just the stuff that wasn’t public

Give the spirit 5-10 minutes for them to arrive (or the shipping time if the vessel was shipped) and then the adoption process is done! If you are unsure if the spirit as arrived, ask your conjurer, they should be able to help.

Companionship

Protection

So, now that you have your very first spirit companion!! What do you do? First you’re going to want to sit down (or walk around) and talk with your companion. Using a pendulum, tarot deck, ouija board, or any other physical means of divination, or if you already have spirit experience, telepathy or just talking in the astral, you’re going to want to talk with your companion.

It’s alright to first talk about things like how the trip was, maybe show them around your house, introduce them to your pets or family members or just do whatever! However, you’re going to want to set some ground rules, or as they’re called, House Rules. House rules are rules that a spirit will follow while in your space. Rules could include anything from “don’t touch my computer” to “don’t manifest as X” to anything you deem fit. These rules should be followed and make it clear that there will be consequences for any being broken. Consequences could be a stern talking to, or not carrying a vessel around for a day, or for major offenses, asking them to leave for a few days. It is NEVER!!! okay to hit or otherwise abuse your companion! Never!! Make sure to sit down and talk with your companion about these rules. Make sure that you both understand what each one means, and if there are exceptions. Answer any questions they may have and make sure you BOTH agree to them.

You may find house rules aren’t for you and that’s okay! They’re not for me personally, but sometimes it’s nice to just have some ground rules!

I would also like to say that most companions should have been vetted for the basics. No attacking anyone etc. While I cannot speak for all spirits, they should have a good idea of what is and isn’t acceptable in the majority of households.

Bonding

Bonding with spirits can be just how you would bond with physical friends! Grab a divination device (like a pendulum) if you can’t easily communicate with spirit and just sit down and talk! Talk about your day, or about a book you’re reading, or anything! For pendulum users, ask questions like “Isn’t that crazy?” or “do you understand what seminar is?” to make it less one sided and also fill in some blanks for the spirit! One thing I always personally said was if the spirit had a question or something to add, just start swinging like crazy and I’ll try to guess what’s up! Bonding could also just be watching a movie together, or reading a book (aloud or with the spirit looking over your shoulder), or just going for a walk and enjoying silence and nature together (or not silence, up to you and your skill/availability). Bonding can literally be just chilling! Or! If you’re talented or have a talented friend, you could do things like going roller skating together! You (or a friend) can create custom rollerblades for the spirit (depending on species, this may or may not be the best idea) and just zoom around! Or paint together physically and astrally! Or go out for coffee and split it (maybe double as an offering too). Bonding could also be just working on witchcraft or spirit skills together. Another way to bond would be to astral travel. Go into the astral and build a home together! Or just explore! Meet others! Find really awesome places! Discover new games and try those! Visit thousands of different planes! This is starting to sound like an MMO advertisement! But seriously, just chill in the astral, or do whatever you do there! But, just as much as you share about yourself and your activities, ask your companion if they have anything they’d like to do! Do they have games from their childhood they’d like to play? Do they have any traditions they’d like to share? Don’t push if they don’t want to talk about it, but be sure that not everything you two do is based around you and not your friend as well!

Offerings

The way offerings work varies from person to person. Your conjurer should have given you a list of possible offerings, and some find they like to give offerings weekly, or following the moon phases. Or they do it whenever the have the items to offer. Talk to your companion to see what works best for the both of you. If your offering is a food, ask your companion if it’s okay for you to eat it afterward. Some will say sure, some will say just leave it out for as long as possible first, or toss it, or anything! Make sure to ask first! It’s perfectly okay to ask if they even want offerings. For many companions, and my personal family, we don’t even do offerings. For us, it makes it seem like you’re bribing someone to be your friend, gifts are good, but offerings not so much. Or some companions will love the idea and give you offerings back!! It’s just important to talk to your companions about what works best for the both of you!

Day to Day Life

Spirit’s aren’t going to be at your side 24/7. Most have their own lives to attend to, although there are some who will try to be by your side all the time. They do respect your privacy and shouldn’t just follow you into a bathroom or watch you while you change. Many companions will set up a schedule. Maybe every other day you two will spend all day together. Or Monday is the day that you two will spend together. This is especially helpful when/if your family grows. Monday for one spirit, Tuesday for the next and so on and so forth. Schedules don’t work for everyone, and many families just have open doors, basically. Spirits will come and go as they want. Of course, companions will almost always be there for you when you call, or if you make plans to do something. This can be nice for larger families too, so that you get a more constant flow of spirits visiting and get to see everyone in a day, or over a few days, no matter how large the family is. Above all it’s important to talk to your friend about what works best for the both of you. Just like in any other relationship, communication is always key!

Feedback

If at any point in time you have problems with your companion, need a vessel replaced, or just need something confirmed/denied, please do not hesitate to ask your conjurer for assistance! Even after the spirit has been adopted (even if it’s 2 days, weeks, months, years, even decades later) it’s the shop owners responsibility to make sure both companions are happy. If a shop owner ever brushes you off, please talk to another member of the shop, or go to another shop entirely. A good shop owner should do all they can in order to help you, even if the spirit didn’t come from their shop. After a few weeks of getting to know your new companion and adjusting to your life, please leave a review for the shop! Not only will this let shop owners know what needs to be improved and what you enjoyed, it also helps other spirits from the shop find their homes! But yea, reviews are hard to write. Here are somethings to think about: Did the conjurer respond within a reasonable amount of time? Did they answer every question? Did they brush you off? Were they rude? Did you generally enjoy the service? Did you receive the spirit that you applied for? Are they a joy to be around? What do you two like to do together? Share your experiences (as much as you’re both comfortable with)! Do you have any last comments or concerns for the shop? Feel free to answer as many or as few of those as you’d like! Even a simple review of “I LOVE THIS SPIRIT!!!!” Is enough for the shop! Please feel free to share any stories or experiences you have with your companion with the shop, no matter how long it’s been since you’ve adopted.

Have fun with your companion! If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to ask me! I wish you all love and luck!!

[buddhaprayerbeads]

Build up a Buddha min and have some soul food

Follow back

[ashylily-deactivated20240506]

im really just in the mood to rot into a forest floor somewhere

[livekindlyco-blog]

Spread that kindness💓

[sosuperawesome]

Display Shelves

Drew Silvers on Etsy

See our #Etsy or #Shelving tags

[lunar-witches]

Hello, honey bees!  So, as promised, here is my personal Past Life Tarot Spread!  I would like to share it with all of you, so, please, feel free to reblog, like, and add it to your own catalog of tarot spreads if you wish!

I’ve decided that, based on current interest, I’m going to add this spread to my current list of readings I will be doing for purchase.  I plan to charge $20 (CAD) for this spread, which is very reasonable considering this specific spread, and I put a lot of time, care, and thought into giving you a proper, and thorough reading.  

If you’re interested in getting a Past Life Tarot Reading done by me, please send a message to my askbox, pop me an instant message, or check out my list of various readings, and services!  Feel free to talk to me about any, and all questions you may have, that’s what I’m here for!

[moonlightacademy]

Witchy Youtubers

Here’s a list of some of my favorite witchy/spiritual youtubers that I can’t get enough of. This is by no means a complete list, feel free to add onto it!

Anais Alexandre

Annie Tarasova

Ashera Star Goddess

Avalon Cameron

Azura DragonFeather

Broom Closet Artistry

Creosote Coyote

Dewdrop Dwelling

Ember HoneyRaven

Ethony

Harmony Nice

Hibiscus Moon

Jessi Huntenburg

Joanna DeVoe

Joey Morris

Kelly-Ann Maddox

Laura Daligan

Molly Roberts - HerSpeak

new age hipster

Oolong Witch

Orriculum

Owlvine Green

Samantha Valens

Scarlet Ravenswood

Snow Orchid

Sunshine MorningRae

The Sea Priestess 

The White Witch Parlour

The Ladygravedancer

WitchandMoon

WyllowWynd The Thrifty Witch

May the moon light your path.

[beardysgarden-blog]

Ten Mistakes New Herb Gardeners Make (and How to Avoid Them!)

Mistake 1: Growing from seed. When you first start out trying to grow fresh herbs, I recommend you begin by trying to grow from seedlings rather than planting your own seeds. These great little starter plants are widely available in grocery stores in the late spring. For the same price as a packet of fresh herbs from the produce section, you can buy your own little starter plant. Lots can go wrong in the seed to seedling transition (including not thinning out plants properly), so its probably best to begin by skipping that complicated task or you are in danger of washing out before you really begin.

Mistake 2: Starting with the wrong varieties. I recommend you start by trying to grow fresh basil. It is the perfect trainer herb. First, basil grows quickly, allowing you to observe the effects of your care more easily. Second, basil leaves wilt visibly when not watered enough, but recovers well if you water the wilted plant. This makes basil a great ‘canary in the mineshaft’ to help you figure out how much water is enough.

Mistake 3: Watering herbs like houseplants. Instead, water herbs a moderate amount every day. While some houseplants flourish with one solid watering per week, most delicate herbs require moderate and regular watering. This is particularly true during hot summer months. If you have good drainage at the bottom of your pot (at least a drainage hole, possibly rocks beneath the soil), it will be difficult to water herbs too much.

Mistake 4: Not cutting early and often. As a novice gardener, it may seem like your puny little plant just isn’t ready for a trip to the barber, but then you will find yourself sitting there wishing for leaves without much success. Again, basil is a great herb to practice pruning. As with all herbs, you want to cut the herb just above a set of growing leaves. With basil, when you cut the plant that way, the originally trimmed stem will no longer grow. However, two new stems will grow around the original cutting, creating a “V” shape (see the photo above, can you spot the Vs?). If you don’t trim basil aggressively, it will continue to grow straight up, and become too tall and top-heavy. Making your first trim approximately 3-4” above the soil produces a nice sturdy plant. Of course you want to be sure you are always leaving a few good sturdy leaves on the plant (see below). As it continues to grow, continue to prune it approximately every 3-4” for a nice solid plant. I like to let it grow for some time and then cut back to within 2-3 inches of the original cut. After only a few early trial cuts, this usually makes for a nice clipping with plenty of basil to use for a pizza.

Mistake 5: Taking the leaves from the wrong place. When you are just starting out it seems to make so much sense to pick off a few big leaves around the bottom of the plant, and let those tender little guys at the top keep growing. Wrong. Leave those large tough old guys at the bottom alone. They are the solar panels that power your herb’s growth. Once your plant is big enough to sustain a decent harvest, keep on taking from the top, as you have been when you were pruning. That way you get all those tender new herbs that are so tasty, and your plant gets to keep its well developed solar power system in place. Plus, if you pluck from the base and leave the top intact, you get a tall skinny plant that will flop over from its own weight (and yes, I know this from experience). When you pluck from the top, instead of clipping off just below a pair of leaves, you want to clip off just above a pair of leaves. It is a bit counter-intuitive as a novice, but trust me it works. The place where the leaf joins the stem is where new growth will occur when your plant sends off new stems in a V.

Mistake 6: Letting your plants get too randy. If you are pruning regularly, this may never become an issue, but unless you are growing something for its edible flowers, be sure to cut back herbs before they start growing flowers. My friend once brought me to her backyard garden and pointed, frustrated, at her wimpy, small basil plants. “I just keep tending them, but they don’t even produce enough leaves to put on a salad!” she lamented. I pointed to the glorious stalk of flowers at the top of each plant, “That’s your problem” I explained. Because herbs are kind of like college boys: if you give them half a chance, they will focus all their energy on procreation and neglect growth. If you want leaves, keep cutting off the little flower buds whenever you find them (see photo above), and it will encourage your plant to focus on growing more leaves.

Mistake 7: Using tired soil with no nutrients. Tired soil that has been sitting in your garden or lawn for ages often looks grey and a little depressing. Would you want to grow in that stuff? Give your plants a dose of the good stuff and they’ll thank you for it. I grow my herbs in a combination of potting soil, used coffee grounds (with a near-neutral PH, available for free at Starbucks), and organic compost. If I have some on hand, I also throw in crushed egg shells. Those without access to compost (and no deep commitment to organic growing) may find Miracle grow useful. My momma swears by it for tomatoes. A diluted solution of Miracle grow occasionally can help many herbs flourish.

Mistake 8: Getting in a rut. There is an element to passion about herb gardening. In order to be good at it, you need to feel rewarded. So don’t stick too long with one or two herbs just because they work. Branch out to a few other basic herbs that you will use regularly in your kitchen. There are few things more rewarding as an urban foodie than being able to pop out to the fire escape to clip fresh herbs to use in my cooking. Once you have become comfortable with basil, I recommend moving on to try growing oregano, mint, rosemary and thyme. All are regularly useful herbs in the kitchen, and all are relatively easy to grow. You will notice that rosemary cleaves after cutting in a somewhat similar way to basil, but grows much more slowly, so the effect is difficult to notice. Some plants also respond to clipping by throwing out more full leaves at their base. I have long wanted to grow cilantro but have not had much luck with it.

Mistake 9: You mean there’s more than one kind of mint?When choosing herbs, read the label carefully. For example, there are two main varieties of oregano: Mediterranean and Mexican. Mediterranean oregano is the more common variety, and what you likely own if you have conventional dried oregano in your cupboard. I have Mexican oregano growing on my back fire escape. I love Mexican oregano in spicy dishes, for making beans from scratch, and often use it in tomato dishes where I don’t want the flavor to seem too much like marinara. Similarly, there are many different kinds of mint. You don’t want to be thinking of the pungent spearmint plant and accidentally take home the much more subtle (and not mojito savvy) applemint by mistake.

Mistake 10: Feed me Seymour! If you are planting in soil instead of pots, take care that your cute little herb seedling doesn’t become a giant plant that takes over your garden. A word of warning for oregano and mint: both can be voracious growers. If you are planting outside in a garden, rather than in pots, you may want to consider potting these herbs and then burying the pots in the ground. This will add a measure of control to the root systems of these herbs, which can otherwise take over a garden and strangle nearby neighbors. When in doubt, check out wikipedia, they usually are careful to point out which herbs are in danger of overwhelming your garden.

Some really useful info here if you’re new to herb gardening.