Two Pagan Subjects Merged into an Excellent Craft-Book=

books:

	• A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year Ellen Evert Hopman Destiny Books, 1994 - 228 pages average customer review:based on 16 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Good starter resource on Druidism

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.

Excellent Book

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!

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A surprise every time

A friend picked this book up for me when she noticed it said druid and herbal. It was cheap so I thought I would give it a try, it has yet to disappoint me. I have slowly been reading it for a while and find that it has moved from a random book in my library to one of my top must haves. Easy to read and from a librarian's point- the layout is nicely organized. A wonderful reference book to learn about the sacred times of years and some insight into the history and herbs for each.

Two Pagan Subjects Merged into an Excellent Craft-Book=

I like Druidry and i like Herbcraft. So, when i read this book ,it was a wonderful surprise.As expected ,it's a specialised reading,for those of us in the Craft.So,if you do not like druidism,yet enjoy studying about pagan use of herbs, you may be only half satisfied.Or if you enjoy Druid rituals,minus the natural herb aspect,you might be turned-off .I guess anyway.Yet,you may learn something about the complete Druid experience.The synergy of these two distinct subjects into one cohesive book,is an excellent united topic to explore.I gave this book the full five Druid stars.Enjoy!

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An Excellent Part of Your Studies!

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.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

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.

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