Customer Reviews

A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is a wonderful and informative presentation of the Druidic beliefs organized around the Calendar. The herbal lore provides the backbone of discussion, with practical guides to collecting and using the herbs. Great source of Celtic pronunciation and a delightful workbook or sourcebook.

Extremely helpful for those interested in learning about the magic properties of herbs. Historical, gorgeous illustrations and has wonderful information on the druids and their ancient society.

This is an excellent book for those who would consider themselves more than beginners in the study of practical herbal knowledge, esoteric herbal knowledge and herbal lore. The book contains in depth information on Druid celebration and the uses of Herbs therein, during the Druid Spiral of the Year. One gets a good sense of Druid spirituality and the inherent spirituality of our sisters, the Healing Plants. Information on Celtic cultural attitudes to do with the changing seasons gives a good indication of the depth of integration with Nature this culture and its Druids practiced. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Celtic spirituality and the intricate role Herbs, and Nature, held within that spirituality.

This is a good primer and starting place for anyone interested in delving deeper into Druid lore and thought, as well as some of the larger pagan spiritual traditions that were active around that same time. Definitely a breath of fresh air from valentines day and labor day celebrations.

A great book for Novice or for reference teaching. I will be recommending this book to anyone wanting to understand and work with herbs at key times. Its information is clear, concise and not too much to absorb when one has 20 or so other books to read at the same time; I'm glad I bought it.

I have been a magickal herbalist for years, and I collect books on Herbalism of all paths. This book is my latest addition to my collection and it is a wonderful book! The author's writting style is clear, easy to read and engaging. She weaves in folklore along with with magickal practice and really gives you a wonderful big picture view of why things are done in a certain way.

She has detailed information of Druidic use of herbs for all Sabbats, as well as life changes (such as Handfasting, Rites of death, etc). The book is well organized, and is a wonderful resource both for novices and for the advanced practitioners. Although I read this book cover to cover it is also a wonderful reference book to keep around in case you wish to look up specific practices or even specific herbs. All in all a wonderful addition to anyone's herbal library - and well worth the cost!

I was asked to place my review of this book as part of my own studies with the Henge of Keltria. This is one of the books you are given the option to study in their correspondence coursework which I am finding very personally satisfying.

I have owned this book, or a copy of it, since it was first published. What attracted me to this book initially was the fact it was on herbs. After having read it a few times, including this last read, I find it an invaluable a wonderful resource not only for herbal lore, but also for actual usage for healing. This makes it an excellent resource for both the herbalist as well as the Pagan/Druid. Allow me to summarize this lovely tome for you.
The book opens with a wonderful invocation to Brighid. I have used this invocation for a number of different reasons from ceremonial invocation to prayer. Truly a blessing. The book is organized by chapters with the first covering what a Druid is and isn't, how to's and definitions of various herbal preparations, moving on into seasonal celebrations (Pagan associated times of the year), a bit of astrology and plants connections and on into information on groves, circles, marriage, blessings and rites of passage.
I cannot say one chapter is more a favorite than another, but I am partial to the Samhain and Imbolc chapters myself merely because those are favorite times of year for me. This book is not laid out by herbs found at certain times of the year, but by the use of herbs ceremonially at certain times of year. This is not to say those herbs are used only at that time of year, but in the Druid path they are more typically associated with these seasonal celebrations. For instance we see mention of Yellow Cedar, Ash, Bay Laurel, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Frankincense, Holly, Juniper, Mistletoe and Pine all discussed at the Winter Solstice chapter. I did find it interesting that she uses Irish lore to teach and relate the tales of these festivals throughout the book. This makes it excellent for those who seek knowledge with a more Irish perspective.
After going through seasonal recognitions and herbal uses both medicinal as well as magical, she moves into Druidic uses for these herbs medicinally as well as continuing to mention the magical properties. Next she moves into the astrological and planetary alignments of the herbs presented. I did not see any new herbs presented here but she did use herbs that were mentioned before and now associated with the astrological correspondence. Her following chapters all involve rites of passage be they marriage, puberty, death or others. There are no new herbs presented but the ones already mentioned are reinforced in their uses for these various rites. I do love how she opens each chapter with a bit of history or lore as well as Bardic poetry.
The book ends with a lovely concise pronunciation guide, resource guide and excellent bibliography that will allow a reader to pursue further studies. All in all, Ellen has written a very nice introductory book to herbs of the Irish as well as their uses for various healing or ritual aspects. I have and will continue to recommend this text to students of herbalism as well those seeking to know about herbs of use in various types of rites of passage. This book is an invaluable resource for its many facets it presents and does so very clearly and concisely. There are many more herbs, but this book focuses on those that are useful to people on the Irish path as healer or pagan.