Customer Reviews

Mugworts in May: A folklore of herbs

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If you're interested in the ancient us of herbs, than you've found the right book.

Linda Ours Rago starts by giving us the history of herbal use during the early part of civilization and brings us into modern times. She tells us of the ancient Wise Women and how they used herbs in the art of healing and also in the use of charms. This is from the chapter on Herbal Charms for Aid and Protection: O, AND I WAS A DAMSEL SO FAIR BUT FAIRER I WISHED TO APPEAR. SO I WASHED ME IN MILK AND I DRESSED ME IN SILK AND PUT SWEET THYME IN MY HAIR....Devonshire song

The gardens that these Wise Women grew are discussed along with the safe herbs and the ones that are considered dangerous.

The final chapter of the book is A Compendium Of Magical Herbs. The following little gem is from that chapter. THYME (Thymus) THIS PLANT IS AN ANCIENT SYMBOL OF ENERGY AND MAGIC. ALMOST EVERY OLD CHARM TO SEE FAIRIES INCLUDES THYME. ITS FRAGRANCE HAS BEEN CALLED DAWN IN PARADISE.

Every page of this book is filled with herbal folklore that has been cherished and passed down throughout the ages.

Linda Rago is a great author! It is because of this book in particular that I recognized the good luck of having Mugwort in my own garden. Without this book, i would have attached no significance at all to having Mugwort, and would have just considered it a pesky weed adding to my frustration and depression regarding war on such things. However this book made me open to the wonders and magic of Mugwort. Not only can i use it in herbal smoking blends ("Sailor's Tobacco"), but it actually competes in the garden with worse weeds like crab-grass, poison ivy, etc. and is far easier to weed when the time comes.