How to plant a pollinator garden for the benefit of bees and butterflies:

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First, on the night of the new moon, in the season between winter and spring, assemble materials: 

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• potting soil

• flower pot or container with drainage

• foraged pebbles 

• wildflower seeds - lavender, sunflower, poppy, black-eyed susan, and of course, marigold. Purple or bell-shaped flowers are the bees' favorite. 

 

It is best to wear ceremonial garb, such as a velvet cape or a pair of steampunk goggles. Be sure to choose your garments carefully. Make sure they amplify your powers.

 

Call upon your familiars, if you desire. A black dog with cookies-and-cream markings on her paws makes for a prodigious magickal assistant. ​

 

Fill the bottom of your pot with pebbles. This will allow the water to drain. 

 

Next, add your potting soil. Feel free to experiment with soil type. Add toxic Martian Regolith if so desired. This will have necromantic effects, which may or may not affect the flowers. Beware of carnivorous Martian blooms, upon whose bloody soil feed hungry, thirsty roots (Rosetti). 

 

Spread seeds 4-6 inches apart. Plant seeds fingertip-deep in the soil. Cull when necessary. (This will be painful. Do it anyway.)

 

Cover with plastic wrap and place in a sunny windowsill. Keep the soil damp. You may remove the plastic when the seeds have begun to sprout. 

 

Observe the language of love between soil and seedling closely.

 

When the wildflowers have bloomed, and the weather allows, place the pollinator garden outdoors. Avoid too much sun or too much shade. 

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Remember that you are part of an interconnected network, as are the bees, the seeds, the soil. Speculate on your ability to conquer the inhospitable stars. Reflect on your capacity to change what has been done to the ravaged planet who loves you. Decide for yourself.

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Remember: you are no more and no less than a thirsty deer, a marigold seed, or a sleeping bee larva. Rejoice.

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