A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year (Paperback)

by Ellen Evert Hopman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
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
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

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

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

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

This is another excellent book to add to your herbal library. -- Circle Magazine, Spring 2001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892815019
• ISBN-13: 978-0892815012
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #206,974 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Source for All, April 9, 2000

By	Jennifer G. (NYC) - See all my reviews

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.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thorough guide to druidic herbalism, October 30, 2002

By	Rachel Watkins "Rachel Watkins" (Joshua, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Book, October 10, 2001

By	Dana L. Riemer (Portland, or United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.