Green
A garden blessing
For a pot, a plot, or a windowsill. Includes the compost and excludes the salt.
Timing. Planting day, or the day you admit the plant is dying of your mythology.
Materials
- A plant you can identify or a seed packet with a name.
- Water.
- A saucer if you are indoors.
- Optional: a label.
- Your hands.
Steps
- 1Read the plant’s actual needs once: light, water, pet toxicity if you have pets.
- 2Water it the amount it needs, not a ceremonial flood.
- 3Name it by its botanical or common name. “Prosperity bean” is not a care instruction.
- 4Say the words.
- 5Put a reminder in your calendar for the next watering.
- 6If you are outdoors, offer nothing but water and attention. No salt, oil, milk, or crystal buried in the bed.
- 7Wash your hands.
I will keep you as a living thing and not as a metaphor only. If I fail, I will compost honestly and try a smaller pot.
Close. If the plant dies, thank it and learn one fact about why. Do not declare yourself cursed. Most houseplants die of overwatering and dark rooms.
The practical action, which is not optional if you want the rite to be honest. Set the reminder. Keep the next watering.