Harmony Garden's Roots

Meet Margaret

When my second Saturn return occurred, my life changed. That sounds mystical and wildly astrological, doesn’t it? But much cooler than saying, when I turned 60, my life changed. Saturn takes about 29 and half years to make it’s trip around the sun - back to where it started in our natal chart; often a time for upheaval and change. My 29 year old self was busy with family and work, so unfortunately, no major epiphanies. When Saturn returned the second time,I was presented with an opportunity to go back to school to study Horticulture. This felt so natural because I grew up in a backyard garden watching and eventually helping my mother as she spent hours planting and nurturing her garden with homemade compost. I learned early there is something healing about being in Nature, getting my hands dirty and sitting among the plants.

In my past life (not an actual past life, just my younger days), I started a journey to discovering self and human behavior with a degree in Psychology and an early career in social services. In these first 60 years, I’ve been a wife, mom, grandma, paralegal, realtor, mental health technician and early interventionist. My life path has taken lots of twists and turns in many directions but when I started taking college classes *again*  my passion for learning was rekindled. In fact, going back to school put me on a broader path of self-discovery. During that time, I gained the confidence I needed to try new things (hello power saws + design software)! I met new people who opened the doors to spirituality and self in a Universal context. This led me to the Gaiananda School of Herbal Studies where I learned the magical healing power of herbal medicine while participating in an amazing apprenticeship that opened my eyes and heart to even more than I could have imagined. 

In 2014, I started Harmony Garden Design after receiving my Landscape Design certificate. And in 2018 I dropped the design to become Harmony Garden, introducing more ways to support others on their life path. I still create custom outdoor spaces but my design approach has evolved. My intention is to encourage clients to view their landscape as a sacred space where they can find peace, relaxation, healing, connection, fun, spirituality or whatever it is they desire. And, as my own sacred space garden grew, this objective unfolded into small batch herbal products for holistic self care.  I also develop and teach community classes designed to impart a sense of well being and confidence in subjects that are fun and creative. New directions yes, but the center piece of helping others take control of their own health and wellness is still the same.  Welcome to Harmony Garden.

UPDATE - The evolution continues! Through my Giananda apprenticeship, I was introduced to Reiki, an energy practice that fit naturally with my Community Herbalist path. I wavered back and forth but, when 2020 rolled around, the opportunity to study with my former teacher and another herbalist/reiki master presented itself and, well I did it! Just in time for the pandemic! Long story short, I received my Reiki I & 2 and completed my Certified Crystal Practitioner course as well.

2022 Update-An amazing opportunity presented itself to me in April. I was fortunate to be attuned to Reiki Master in a unique and beautiful one on one class with my former teacher. I am humbled and honored to be able to level up my reiki sessions with reiki III energy.