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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for for beginners AND experienced herbalists, November 8, 2002
This review is from: Sacred Smoke: The Ancient Art of Smudging for Modern Times (Paperback)
Recently, amazon.com delivered to my door a very wonderful book... Sacred Smoke by Harvest McCampbell is a primer and reference text regarding how to identify, collect, and even grow a wide range of sacred plants used for smudging. In her book, Harvest has succeeded in writing of sacred things without "crossing the line." She totally avoids being cloaked in shadowy mysticism and strives to communicate facts which can then be applied to one's own traditions and teachings. I found this book to be valuable on two levels... As an "evening's read" I felt like Harvest was sitting next to me having a conversation about her grandmother and the wisdom she passed on regarding sacred plants. As a reference work, I found Sacred Smoke to be filled with well documented herbal facts and sources that are organized for easy reference. One of the difficulties any author faces with works of this type is how to impart knowledge on paper that can really only be learned through experience. Harvest succeeds marvelously in this by introducing concepts, then directing the reader to other sources for further research - including the internet - all the while continually reminding us to seek out our own elders and find our own traditions. In short, Harvest has crafted a book that should be of great interest both to beginning students and experienced herbalists. It's been a long time since I've found a book I was so happy to have in my library for many years to come! Voice of Golden Eagle
musician, dreamer...
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautifully-Written and Insightful Book, May 30, 2005
This review is from: Sacred Smoke: The Ancient Art of Smudging for Modern Times (Paperback)
I have long been interested in the use of plants by various cultures around the world, and it was this fascination that led me to Harvest McCampbell's wonderful book.
Sacred Smoke details the sacred practice of smudging, the ceremonial burning of aromatic herbs by many Native American tribes.
The book offers detailed information on eighteen plants: Balsam Fir, Bayberry, California Bay, cedar, Desert Sage, Epazote, Fennel, Hemlock, Juniper. Mint, Mullein, Mugwort, Pine, Spruce, Sweet Grass, Uva Ursi, Wild Tobacco and Yerba Santa. Information includes cultural uses, growing tips, a list of nurseries where plants may be obtained, and even an extensive listing of related web links. The information is detailed and very well organized.
However, it is the personal accounts by the author that makes this book so special. I particularly loved the section on suffering. She writes of embracing suffering instead of trying to rise above it: "The mosquito suffers in the dragonfly's jaws so that there will always be dragonflies. The dragonfly suffers in the little bird's beak so there will always be little birds. The little bird suffers in the hawk's talons so there will always be hawks. I suffer the bite of the mosquito, so there will always be dragonflies, little birds and hawks."
In short, this is a beautifully-written, insightful book that deserves a space on every nature lover's bookshelf.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smudging 101, April 14, 2002
This review is from: Sacred Smoke: The Ancient Art of Smudging for Modern Times (Paperback)
All that you need to know about the art of smudging (purification with sacred plants and fire) is contained within the pages of this well-written, informative, and interesting book. One of the most highly respected and nationally known Native American herbalists today, Harvest began her training at the knee of her Native grandmother. She has been healing and educating others for over 20 years, and few herbalists today can claim the scope of knowledge that she possesses. Harvest wrote this greatly expanded second edition of her popular first self-published work from the seclusion of her home in a small northern California native community. As an herbalist and an educator, Harvest is unsurpassed in her knowledge and skills as well as her ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. If you buy one book about herbs this summer, let it be Sacred Smoke.
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