Customer Reviews

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Cunningham's Encyclopedia Series)

5 star:		(121)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Scott Cunningham, in his time, turned out quite a few books and references for the modern, 'practical' witch. Though many of the herbs listed seem arcane- when I bought this book it was the first time I had heard of herbs like eryngo and life-everlasting- this reference is well done.
The herbs are organized alphabetically, and black and white drawings of the plant or flower are to the side of each entry, which typically includes the scientific (Latin) name, health codes (such as G for safe, and a guide is included in the book for all of the codes), any folk names, its attributed gender, planet, element, and deities, followed by brief (or sometimes long) descriptions of ritual and magical uses.
After the listings of herbs, there are lists of categories, under which are listed what herbs fit that area- such as masculine plants, herbs that correspond to certain ritual intentions, and elementary rulers. Also included are an index, a glossary, and a mail order list for those who do not have an herb store nearby (and it's hard to find something like mandrake in your local grocery store!).
Granted, this book is not the be-all and end-all of herbal studies. I recommend finding yourself at least three good sources and using them together when using herbs.

This book contains at least two or three hundred magical herb listings shown with illustrations of the herb, deity correspondences, elemental correspondences, folk names of herbs, ritual use, and other historical information designed to give clues as to how these herbs are best used towards magical purposes (Devil's Shoestring, for example, is best carried in the pocket to bring luck in employment matters, so from reading this book you would know not to make an incense with the herb but to carry it). The detailed appendices full of correspondence tables are great time-savers. However, this is not a recipe book, in fact it doesn't contain a single recipe. Also, Cunningham doesn't really comment on which herbs are known to be MOST powerful in workings towards certain ends, so some additional self-research is required. This book pre-assumes a basic knowledge of herbs and doesn't offer anything in the way of general instruction, so this should be considered a reference book and not an instrument of instruction. In any case, I have found it a valuable reference, and recommend it.

If you want a REALLY thorough herb reference and this doesn't sound like enough, I would try Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism

It does seem that one don't normally need to review the priceless works of the late sage, Scott Cunningham. His knowledge and gift to the Wiccan community is legendary. This book, like one of our learned reviewer mentioned, "is a BILBLE reference". It contains almost all imaginable herbs and their corresponding influences to assist in a successful magickal working. I have read many herbal books that claim to be complete and must have..blah blah...but nothing really comes close to this one. It's not that one has to pay alot of money in order to obtain knowledge but these days on the book front, you start to wonder if the writers and publishers of some expensive books on herbal lore should read up more before flooding the market with dubious contributions. You can tell when you have picked up a great book. With Scott Cunningham, he's never short on sharing everything useful he knows and my my, this man really really knows alot. Go get it!

This book is perfect for those who like lists, pictures, instructions, and organized information. Cunningham presents the facts for each herb in a concise and organized fashion, and most of the herbs are sketched out in the right hand margin. Cunningham guides us through magic herbalism with sincerity and profound knowledge of the subject while never ceasing to amaze and impress the reader. The end of the book contains an index which lists the page numbers for each herb as well as ailments. For example, if you have a headache, look up "headache" and refer to those page numbers. This prevents the reader from looking through ALL the herbs' uses to find how to cure a headache. Cunningham is truly amazing. The fact that he is no longer here is certainly upsetting. BUY THIS BOOK if you love pictures, charts, lists, and genuine advice for the utilization of magical herbs.

I'm writing this review after ordering my 5th copy of the book. Why the 5th copy? Do I give them away? No, I use an edition until it -- literally -- falls apart in my hands! This is by far THE BEST reference for herbs to be found since it addresses brief magical, practical and medicinal uses, provides drawings and also folk names in a logical, readable order. Writers who want to get it right in their work, if you can only afford one book, buy this one (twice!). I heartily recommend it for people of the craft, writers and gardeners.

I purchased this book years ago, probably around 1991, when I was starting off on the "pagan path." I ended up giving my copy to a friend because I didn't care for it. Recently I purchased another copy, because I thought perhaps my tastes would have changed, and I had also recently purchased Cunningham's incense book and liked it. Now I remember why I gave this one away.

I do like the fact that the book has an encyclopedic aspect with drawings of the herbs, elements, gender, planetary aspects. I like Cunningham's intro chapters to the material as well. But the main problem I have with this book is a problem I have with several of Cunningham's books of this type ("Magical Household" comes to mind) is that it's big on folklore and superstitious uses of plants and herbs. Another reviewer mentioned that noting the actual magical effectiveness of herbs would have been nice. I totally agree. At least distinguishing which is folklore/old wives tales and which are classically magical would have been nice. I read an article once which I believe was written by Cunningham's former roommate Donald Michael Kraig, who stressed how much research Cunningham did in writing this book, including brewing up herbal mixtures, testing, etc. If that were the case, I really don't see the practical result here, which is too bad. When looking through it, what I see most is folklore, which may or may not help you. To me, it seems a little lightweight and not as practical as it could be.

Also, he doesn't touch upon any sort of herbal medicine/healing information. I realize this is covered in any number of books on herbalism, but, to me, that is part of the "Magick" of herbs. A little bit of info along these lines would have been more useful to me than wearing an herb to ward off gunshots or scorpions, or putting something under your pillow to make your dreams come true.

Cunningham has millions of fans who will probably disagree with me and that's just fine. I don't feel I'm bashing this book, because it does has some useful information. But if you are on the fence about purchasing this, I highly recommend reading through a copy in your local bookstore before purchasing outright. The intro chapter is all that's shown in the "Look inside the book" feature here on Amazon, and I don't think that always gives an accurate feel.

this the book that i always use for making incense and doing spells. when ever i find some herbs,flowers,trees,or plants outside i look them up in this book. this book has alot of plants in them even the most basic one like grass which i had no idea it could be used in magick. he loves me,he loves me not is an actual form of divination used by taking the petals off a daisy. want prophetic dreams put bayleaf under your pillow. cactus are very protective plant. to bring money to you leave a jar of sesame seeds open in the house. this is an excellent book and should be on every witch's shelf

If there is one book to have on herbalism, this is the book to have. Not only is the book one that is destined to stay off your shelf and on your altar, but it is the absolute best herbal reference out there. Scott Cunningham does a beautiful job with popular and folk lore on hundreds of herbs, going past "traditional" one or two word associations and really getting into herbal lore within his descriptions. The herbal cross reference toward the end is extremely useful for anyone who is using spells and recipies from outer sources... you never realise how many folk names exist for a single herb! The book is well organized, in depth, and easy to follow. A MUST HAVE for any aspiring herbalist.

This book has a wealth of knowledge of herbs, including folk names, magickal uses, and other information. Hundreds of herbs are listed in complete detail, many descriptions seen along side a picture. The book has more about herbs and their magickal uses than has any other book I have seen so far. For an excellent guide, buy Cunninghams's Guide. Blessed Be, Serval-Lilyth Eumagi

There are some real problems with this book. I gave it two stars because, for what it's worth, kids who want to rub some leaves together and think they made a difference can find something of use here.

Beyond all the myriad problems with any Llewellyn magickal "sourcebook" (and most of them have little to do with either word), there is the fact that Cunningham applies so many qualities to most of the herbs listed that they can all do pretty much anything. When there is an herb with which there is not much lore associated, he simply makes something up, usually based on colour. For instance, purple loosestrife is a lovely plant in a brilliant light purple, so Cunningham associates it with peace and harmony. The problem is that loosestrife spreads like wildfire wherever it germinates, choking out all the local flora, thus killing off indigenous wildlife. Sound peaceful and harmonious? A little research into the true nature of the BEHAVIOUR of the plant could have remedied this. In Michigan (I don't know about elsewhere), it has long been a folk custom to use loosestrife to bind and banish. Maybe that's a little risky for a Llewellyn book, I don't know.

Another serious issue in the book is Cunningham's habit of, when unable to find the proper herbs, just "charging" whatever herbs he has around the house to do his bidding. Whilst plant slavery may be a practice that worked for him, it sounds a little dodgey to me. I come from a magickal background in which we "charge" nothing. Gems, for instance... what the heck am *I* going to do to a stone that millions of years of roasting in the womb of GOD herself hasn't already done? Sorry but a little salt water ain't gonna do a whole lot to change the nature of a creation with that kinda time under it's belt.

In our training we learn to ask the blessing of a plant or other creature of God herself and ask its aid, acknowledging its power and grace. While that might not work for some, and I'm sure putting ingredients together and charging them may be extremely effective for others, perhaps a little humility might add a new dimension(?). At the very least, only "charging" plants whose natural energies contribute to the work would probably be a good rule of thumb.

Grump grump grump ... Now I'm all grumpy.