Design your own healing garden guided by the aura of plants and herbs

This wonderful book brings together the horticultural, spiritual and healing aspects of creating a garden that is pleasing to spend time in while being deeply healing and soothing for the soul. No matter how large or small, different outside spaces can be designed to create the most appealing layout, taking into account energy flow and the placement of trees, plants and herbs with certain healing benefits that bring mind, body and soul into a state of calm.

The Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants is written by Andy Cole LCHI who grew up on a family dairy farm, cultivating an interest in nature and natural wildlife in the surrounding area. With farming and market gardening being a generational family tradition, it was a natural progression for Andy to feel drawn to the healing energy of plants and herbs since starting his spiritual journey at the age of 20.

It turned out to be no coincidence that Andy had always been drawn to Roses and Foxgloves, not realising that these plants are of and for the heart. With heart disease being prevalent in the family, and following a stress-related scare, Andy made the connection between his attraction for the flowers and his heart-related condition.

The question was, had the energies from these plants helped Andy to recover and could this type of gentle healing help others?

We know that plants, leaves, roots, flowers and herbs have been used for centuries for their healing, nourishing and cleansing properties. I was interested to learn that a lost civilisation known as the Lemurias lived in harmony with Nature around 500,000 years ago. So much so that they did not need to ingest plant essences or remedies for healing, they only needed to be in the presence of the plant to receive its healing effects.

I know that when I walk in Nature, all my senses come into play to take in the sights, smells, textures, tastes and sounds around me. I always feel better from it and it makes me feel good. As Andy says, spiritual or sensory gardens are designed to stimulate our innate sixth sense that brings us into an overall sense of calm. It's a feeling that all is well, resulting in a relaxing experience and a beautiful memory that can be returned to again and again.

I have selected just a few of the ideas from this remarkable book to share with you here. It will be my go-to reference when I am ready to create my own spiritual healing garden.

Designing a sacred space

It is so helpful to find all the different aspects of a healing garden brought together in one place so that you can design a beautiful spiritual space to spend time in - however large or small.

It starts by establishing any natural energy lines that you can take advantage of by positioning paths and other features on, around or leading to these essential sources of lifeforce beneath your feet. It is helpful to find out all you can about existing trees and plants so that you can use them as features or to provide borders for different areas.

You need to decide where the sitting areas will be and for what purpose, where to install a moving water feature for ultimate meditative relaxation, where to install an archway, a wall or other permanent features that will bring pleasure all year round.

There are many things to consider and Andy provides wonderful examples with guidance on each depending on what your ideal outcome or usage will be. Items include:

• Soil and compost
• Trees and large shrubs
• Garden threshold or entrance
• Gates and doors
• Pathways
• Ponds, pools and water features
• Archways
• Functional and ornamental bridges
• Benches and seals
• Statues and ornaments

In summary, each design has to be especially created to be simple but effective. The simplicity of the garden will help in the relaxation of those who use it.

Plant directory

A tremendous amount of research, study and practical experience lies behind the pages of Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants including the actual aura of some of the most popular herbs which were captured on a special camera.

We learn that plants, flowers and herbs contain ancient symbolic meanings and provide the opportunity for us to connect with spirit through the varying frequencies maintained by different flora of the natural world.

Andy brings these ancient traditions forward to the present day where certain plants (and trees) offer physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. especially when they are treated with reverence and respect.

Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants describes more than 120 different trees, plants, herbs and flowers in terms of horticultural information, preferred soil type, PH value, aspect for planting, flowering periods and size. Information is also provided on culinary, medicinal and spiritual properties.

Herb directory

There is a good selection of herbs in Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants, one of which is a favourite of mine which I wanted to share with you here. I love Lavender for many reasons and Andy has opened up another level of understanding as to what this means. This is just a taste of what you can learn about your favourites:

A general description of the foliage and flowers for Lavandula Augustifolia (English Lavender Hidcote). Preferred habitat and soil, exposure, flowering period, height and spread, how to plant and prune and when. The many different culinary uses of Lavender surprised me with so many ideas and a warning not to eat flowers from Lavender purchased in florists, nurseries or garden centres as it is not considered a food crop and so they have usually been treated with herbicides and pesticides.

Medicinally, Lavender is used in herbal tea (sparingly), creams, tinctures and natural massage oils for a long list of ailments. Cosmetically, we know that Lavender has cleansing and anticeptic properties making it an ideal ingredient for handmade soaps, skin creams and bath oils.

Herbs are described in the first section of the book, followed by the Spiritual Properties of Plants, At the back of the book you will find lists of plants and herbs used for different purposes such as Relaxation, Working with Angels, Protection and Grounding, Spiritual Development, Depression, Meditation, Bereavement and Fertility. There is also an index so that you find the particular item you are looking for.

The healing garden

Simply reading Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants will fill your mind with ideas and take you on a journey through a quintessential healing garden where you will learn about its features, plants and herbs.

I imagine a curving pathway edged with each of the colours of the chakras where you can gently tune your inner self to the hidden healing aura of plants and herbs. I imagine breathing in the healing compounds continually being released into the air and certain essential oils that can be released by gently brushing the flowers or squeezing a leaf.

I am led to imagine beautiful colours appearing at different times of the year, the sight of features softened with climbing or hanging plants, the relaxing sound of water trickling into a pond and garden birds singing their songs all around. Then I notice all manner of wildlife that bring the garden alive such as butterflies, bees, spiders, beetles and ladybirds and another wave of wellbeing floods over me.

Andy's book shows us how we can create an outdoor space that provides sanctuary, calm and healing for mind, body and soul. It shows how every investment in Nature brings back invaluable returns and how easy it is to tune in and live in harmony with Nature without having to travel too far to do so.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy the book!

To purchase your own copy of The Spiritual and Healing Properties of our Gardens and Plants, please contact Andy Cole or Michele Hounsell at info@thetherapygarden.co.uk. Find out more about The Potting Shed in Middlemarsh, Sherborne, Dorset and how to visit as detailed on the National Garden Scheme website.