For the ancient Druids, the healing and magical properties of herbs were inseparable from the larger cycles of the seasons, the movements of the planets, and the progression of a human life.
A Druid’s Herbal shows the reader how to use herbs when creating rituals to celebrate festivals and significant life passages such as births, house blessings, weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies.
Drawing on extensive research and a deep personal experience with Pagan traditions, Ellen Evert Hopman explores the history and folklore surrounding the eight major Celtic festivals: Samhain, Winter Solstice, Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltaine, Summer Solstice, Lugnasad, and Fall Equinox. Included in each discussion are complete instructions on the medicinal and magical uses of the herbs associated with each celebration.
Using these Celtic traditions as examples, the author suggests ways to incorporate the symbolic and magical power of herbs into personal rituals that honor all phases of life from childbirth to last rites. Also included are chapters on how to prepare herbal tinctures, salves, and poultices; herbs used by the Druids; herbal alchemy and the planets; and the relationships between herbs and sacred places.
Filled with practical information and imaginative suggestions for using herbs for healing, ceremony, and magic, this book is an indispensable and comprehensive guide to age-old herbal practices.
Hopman provides the religious and historical background of the Druids before proceeding to the herbal information in chapters that progress through the seasons from All Hallows (the beginning of the Druidic year) through the fall equinox. Each of these chapters first sets the seasonal context, then presents a list of the herbs pertinent to that season. Each entry in a list cites the parts of the plant that are used and their herbal, homeopathic, and magical uses. Hopman follows the herbal with a discussion of planetary effects on herbs and the herbs used for major life events. Helpful appendixes guide the non-Druid in pronunciation, list sources of information and plants, and give a short list of references. Hopman's effort will fascinate anyone interested in herbs and their lore as well as that sizable group that finds the Druids and their approach to life intriguing. William Beatty
Review
"Ms. Hopman demonstrates a wide knowledge of the Celts and their mythology as well as her understanding of modern homeopathy. Her book includes a Celtic dictionary, which makes it all the more appealing to anyone interested in ancient Celtic lore. She moves through the year describing rituals and herbal uses for Druidic holidays and celebrations. Herbs for marriage, funerals, births, and house blessings are discussed in detail. A fascinating herbal." (Country Living )
"A Druid's Herbal will certainly promote your own wisdom and health, and it makes a valuable addition to any home library." (Anke Kriske, Sage Woman )
"An absolute must for Druids and Ban-drui (which includes the modern Avalonian path), A Druid's Herbal also holds significant appeal for herbalists and anyone interested in plant magic. Accessible to beginners but with plenty of detail for experts, this book is ideal for all levels of experience. Highly recommended." (Hypatia's Hoard )
"This book is a good summary and introduction to medicinal and magical herbs used by the Druids. This is another excellent book to add to your herbal library." (Circle Magazine, Spring 2001 )
Ellen Evert Hopman is a Master Herbalist and lay Homeopath who holds an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling.
Ellen Evert Hopman is the author of a growing number of books. Her newest offering is Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore (Pendraig Publishing, 2011), a study of the folk magic and healing plants of the Highlands and islands of Scotland.
Her first novel, Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey (Llewellyn, February 2008), was an exciting new project for her, combining a heart-warming fictional romance with practical Druid rites and rituals. The sequel is called The Druid Isle (Llewellyn, April 2010). The third book in the series is Priestess of the Fire Temple: A Druid's Tale (Llewellyn) which will be released in March of 2012
Her newest book on tree medicine and tree lore is A Druid's Herbal for Sacred Tree Medicine (Inner Traditions - Bear and Company, June 2008) Other books include Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today (Destiny Books, 2001), People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out (Inner Traditions, 1995), Walking the World in Wonder - A Children's Herbal (Healing Arts Press, 2000), A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year (Destiny Books, 1994) , and Tree Medicine -Tree Magic (Phoenix Publishing, Inc.,1992, currently out of print).
Hopman is a founding member of The Order of the White Oak (Ord Na Darach Gile, www.whiteoakdruids.org) and its former Co-Chief, a Bard of the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri, and a Druidess of the Druid Clan of Dana. She was Vice President of The Henge of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years. She has also been at times a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and of ADF, A Druid Fellowship. She is the co-creator of the Virtual Shrine of the Goddess Brighid (http://shrineofbrighid.com/)
Hopman has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990. She is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. Hopman is a member of the Grey Council of Mages and Sages and has been a professor at the Grey School of Wizardry.
Hopman has presented on Druidism, herbal lore, tree lore, Paganism, and magic at conferences, festivals, and events in Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. She has participated in numerous radio and television programs including National Public Radio's "Vox Pop" and the Gary Null show in New York. She presented a weekly "herb report" for WRSI radio out of Greenfield, MA for over a year and was a featured subject in a documentary about Druids on A&E Television's "The Unexplained" (Sacred Societies, February 1999).
She has also released video tapes and DVDs on the subjects covered in her books through Sawmill River Productions. See clips at: http://vimeo.com/user2687064/videos Purchase the DVDs for $20.00 plus $4.00 from Ellen at POB 219, Amherst, MA 01004
She has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990 and co-leads tours to Celtic and Neolithic sites in Europe. She was the founder of The New England Druid Summit, a yearly gathering of Druids in New England.
She has participated in numerous radio and television programs including the Gary Null show in New York, and presented a weekly "herb report" for WRSI radio, out of Greenfield, MA for two years. She was a featured subject in a February, 1999 documentary on Druids on A&E Television's "The Unexplained". She has been on the staff of Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick and has been a contributing author to many New Age and Pagan journals.
Visit www.elleneverthopman.com to read Ellen's monthly blog.
Praise for Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore;
Many of the herbal and magical practices of the Scots are echoed in traditional Norwegian folk medicine and magic. This is a valuable resource book not only for the serious folklorist, but also for a wider audience interested in a deeper look at rural Scottish practices. Ms. Hopman has done an amazing amount of research, and her Scottish herbalism section is far more detailed than I've seen elsewhere. A "must have" for the northern European folklorist's library. Jane T. Sibley, Ph.D., author of "The Hammer of the Smith" and "The Divine Thunderbolt: Missile of the Gods".
Through her books, Ellen Evert Hopman lifts the veil between worlds of the present and the past. She guides the reader on a fascinating journey to our ancient Celtic history, simultaneously restoring lost knowledge and entertaining the reader. Be prepared to be educated and delighted. Wendy Farley, Clan McKleod
"The first things is WOW! Ellen Hopman has given us a volume that belongs in Harry Potter's library. This wonderful collection of enchantments, faery lore and herbal potions, is presented by a practicing herbalist and (I suspect) magician. It is a useful manual of magic, an unusual tourist guide to Scotland, certainly a delightful read, and at the very least, a comprehensive and thoroughly footnoted collection of folk lore for humorless librarians and scholars." Matthew Wood MS (Scottish School of Herbal Medicine) Registered Herbalist (American Herbalists Guild)
Every now and again, a book emerges from the waves of occult and magical authorship that delves into the deep and ancestral waters of old magic! This book is one of those rare occasions. From the lore of herbs to the blessing of stones; from avioding the elf-blast to healing through Faerie blessing - Ellen guides the reader through ancient groves of oral lore to discover a power and spirit that connects the reader to the oldest of magics, the earth and her elements. I am confident that the Scottish Ancestral Wise Ones, are renewed through this book and the old ways live once again! Orion Foxwood
Ellen Evert Hopman takes us deep into a world where folk magic and herbal medicine are part and parcel of a daily life guided by the cycles of the sun and the moon and the land. She strikes a perfect balance, combining rigorous scholarship, deep understanding of the Scottish worldview, and clear and accessible writing with just the right measure of the mystical and poetic. At once a rich and detailed study of traditional Scottish ways and a practical manual for bringing healing and magic into your own life. A truly masterful work. Sean Donahue, Traditional Herbalist http://www.brighidswellherbs.com
Like a wee bairn sitting on grandma's lap absorbing legend, lore and instruction from the talk around the hearth, you will learn from and delight in this richly accomplished book. Take a sip or a long draught, you will be nourished deeply. Susn S. Weed author of the Wise Woman Herbal series.
Woven into this well-researched and beautifully presented book is a magical thread. This thread forms a path and this path winds its way into the very marrow of the old and forgotten ways of Scotland. Throughout these pages Ellen lavishes the reader with a body of knowledge that she means to be used in direct participation with Nature. The message is clear: The old Wisdom endures and is more vital to us than ever before. Michael Dunning - Scottish shaman, writer, artist and teacher.
A recent review of A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine;
SageWoman BBI Media, Inc. www.witchesandpagans.com
REVIEW:
As a practicing herbalist, I am always on the lookout for books rich with herbal lore. The problem is that most books are either medicinal or magical, and when they're both, the information therein is not always especially helpful. Enter Ellen Evert Hopman, whose book, however, is a thorough and complete look at both. Hopman is not only an herbalist but a Druid priestess, as well and she obviously has a keen intuitive sense of tree medicine that she couples this with Druid lore (as well as Native American lore). Sacred Tree Medicine traces through the Druid Ogham Tree alphabet, giving the symbolic, liturgical, poetic, medicinal, and spiritual aspects of each sacred tree.
Though there is focus on herb lore, the Goddess is given plenty of attention, too. Hopman teaches her reader how each sacred tree assists in spiritual practice and which face of the Goddess it represents. I had the most fun taking this book to the forests by my home, identifying trees and sampling their offerings. The book closes with a section on the Druidic arts including magic, tools, festivals, and divinations. This gives the reader the opportunity to put her newfound knowledge of trees and magic to practical use.
Hopman is an incredible resource for all of us seeking to take our health, medicine, and spirituality into our own hands. Sacred Tree Medicine deserves a place on the shelf next to her other guides of magical and medicinal lore.
This review is from: A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year (Paperback)
Wow! Whether you are a witch, an herbalist, a druid enthusiast, or just an interested party, this book is incredibly thorough, interesting, and informative. It thoroughly explains the origins, uses (both medical and magical), and preparations of many herbs. Unlike many other herbals, this book freely discusses poisonous and intoxicating herbs, which is a blessing to those using herbs in magical work. It also covers the preparations (and uses) of tinctures, salves, poultices, teas, and other remedies. On top of all of this, you get a glimpse of the Druidic culture! I highly recommend this book.
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This review is from: A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year (Paperback)
Greetings!
If you are looking for a book on herbal healing, this is not your book. If you are, however, looking for a book on the historical uses, as well as the spiritual connotations of the herbs that you use, this is the book for you. Herbs have become a big part of my rituals since I read this book several years ago. I kept it in my library, even when I was selling most of my other books so that I could continue to eat. I recommend it to anyone interested in Druidry, or herbal lore.
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This review is from: A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year (Paperback)
Within the pages of this book's beautiful exterior lies much information for pagans, heathens, druids who are interrested in the use of herbs. This also has an overview of Ogham, the tree alphabet.
Starting with Samhain, the Celtic New year, this book explains the herbs which are used at the great tides of the year along with the traditional practices of each of the yearly tides. It has ideas for acorn and oak cakes as gifts, along with a song, for the tree spirits at Samhain. For Yule Tide it gives suggestions on use of Holly, Chamomile, Frankenscence, and other yule herbs. And it does the same for Imbolic, The Spring, Summer and Fall equinoxes, Beltane, Lammas. Medicinal uses are also included.
After that, there is a section on herbs and thier uses. And then a section on the herbs associated with The Sun, Mercury, and the rest of the celestial astrology and how to use them, and ritual ideas for them as well.
Following that is a section of use of herbs in rituals for cleansing, gifting to spirits, groves and circles ect. There are also sections on life tides of death, marriage/handfasting, childbirth and more. Throughout the book there is information about the druids and thier traditions.
At the back there are apendixes for pronunciation, herb index so you can find the specific herb you are looking for, and suggested further reading. There is also a listing of resources from which you can find supplies.
All in all a thorough refrence and guide to using herbs in ritual. There aren't any of the colorfull pictures common in most herbal refrences specifically for medicinal herbs, and I still think you would need additional herbal books specifically about medicinal properties and preperation to learn to identify plants and how to prepare them(Penelope Ody has some good ones). I think this is an excellent addition to any pagan herbalist's library.
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