Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley and Callisto Publishing for this ARC.
This is a nice plant introductory guide to green witchery, a little basic and lacking some context to some practices mentioned but has the potential for something great.
I did like the book structure and the illustrations were adorable.
Don't buy this book. For starters, it is a very basic introduction to green witchery which has been done better elsewhere. There's a few spells, but again, nothing groundbreaking. Morgana also encourages wild foraging, which is fine for some plants, but not for others. She does encourage you to utilize findaforager.com to find a local foraging group and to ask permission of the landowner before going out.
However. She also is a little loosey-goosey with toxicity warnings -- one ritual calls for foxglove flowers to be placed around an altar with no warning for toxicity or suggestions to use gloves to handle the flowers. She suggests that African violets are edible -- nontoxic does not mean edible. (Thanks to another reviewer on Goodreads who pointed this out.)
I was also 99% sure that she had talked about smudging with either sage or sweetgrass, but I can't find the mention now. Anyways, the act of smudging is a closed practice, if you want to burn some sage, grow some in your garden and work with that.
Apparently, I have feelings about this. I would read Arin Murphy-Hiscock or Amy Blackthorn for green witchery. Scott Cunningham also has an encyclopedia of herbs.
The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia is a great reference guide for those getting into working with plants. There's a mix of both practical gardening information and magical uses/spell ideas. How to grow, harvest, store and uses the plants for your magical practice.
It's laid out in a way that makes it easy to find information on a specific plant.
I loved the focus on toxicity to humans and animals so you know when to be cautious with a plant.
It's a great introduction to the green witch life.
This is super informative and definitely a game changer for a hearth witch just getting her bearings in herbology with a Black Death thumb when growing plants of their own!
This book on green witchcraft explores numerous plants and herbs to use in spells. Not only that, it provides lovely meditations to use. Handy guide to growing, foraging, harvesting, and usage. I found this book a lovely resource, something that can be referred to again and again. Well written and with a simple layout.
I really like how this book is not just a simple list of plants and their properties like you find it included it most introduction books on witchcraft. There are short chapters about plant magic, creating a magical garden space (including basic garden care like pruning and fertilizing), 20 useful starter plants for green witches, and also spells and rituals. I appreciated the information regarding drying/preserving and storage!
The plant profiles themselves are very short and I couldn’t help but think that sometimes, a few properties or correspondences were missing. I also would have liked a few more practical examples of how to use the plant each time. I have a few other plant encyclopedias and see myself reaching for those over this one when I need more details.
Thank you, Callisto Publishing, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
This was clearly laid out and easy to use as a quick reference guide rather than a read through front to back.
Some great tips for beginners included!
I really appreciate that this title is set up to be more of an encyclopedia and less of a how to guide. Part 1 is short and sweet, covering topics in a complete and thoughtful manner but not so much in depth that you aren't able to skip ahead to get to the herbs/plants, because of this I feel it is appropriate for beginners and experts alike. I also like that the herbs and plants are then listed in a-z fashion, this makes navigating to a specific one much easier than having to sort out a subcategory. A well done reference text that is beautiful to look at! Thank you netgalley and Callisto Publishing | Callisto for access to the digital arc. This title is complete and will make an excellent gift for any green witch - a one stop shop!
There are many things I liked about this book, but I'll start with how it felt to read it. It was a very pleasant experience and I feel like a dear friend was explaining everything to me, while making it really easy to understand.
While I feel like this kind of practice is not for everyone (personally I don't feel like it is totally for me), I think that reading and learning about what means to be a green witch is very useful and you can still use some principles from this book.
I really liked the encyclopedia part where you have so much information about each plant and it was quite entertaining to learn new things about common plants.
If you are just starting your journey and/or feel a connection to plants, you should give this book a try, because the format is easy to read and understand, and will give you enough information to see if this is what you want to do or not
I really like this book. The layout is really easy to use. I just wish for more plant photos so that new to herbal use can find is easier for identification.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
This is a beautifully illustrated, simple introduction to Herbs and Plants. Would make a great addition to the “coffee table” pile.
I LOVED how useful this book was and easy to use and/or read. I would recommend this book to any witch, new or old. The writing is easy to read and you can tell how well researched this book was and how much care the author put into it. Each plant and/or herb is well represented and is very easy to adapt to your own practices or beliefs.
Herb & Plant Encyclopedia
This is one of those, for the looks not the information, type of books. It’s really pretty and there’s some fairly useful basic information in there, but it’s not the most in depth. I don’t know that I’d call it a full encyclopedia. Maybe an introduction to herbs and plants.
Book Review: The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia by Rowan Morgana
Rating: 4 Stars
As someone who is interested in the craft of green witchery, I was eager to dive into The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia: 150 Ingredients for Everyday Witchcraft by Rowan Morgana. This book struck me as a treasure trove of information that seamlessly blends education with practicality, making it an essential read for both beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.
Morgana’s encyclopedia is not just another reference book filled with dry facts; it serves as a guide for tapping into the powerful connection we can have with Mother Earth through the use of plants and herbs. With detailed profiles of 150 magical plants, readers will find everything they need to know about growing, foraging, and utilizing these natural allies in their witchcraft. The entries include beautiful photographs, explanations of each plant's magical properties, and practical tips on how to cultivate them in your own garden.
Notably, the book goes beyond merely listing herbs; it provides actionable steps for integrating these plant allies into your practice. Whether you’re looking to banish negativity with catnip or create a fairy altar using foxglove, Morgana offers beginner-friendly rituals to enrich your spiritual journey. Additionally, sections on setting intentions and maintaining a sacred space make this book a comprehensive resource for cultivating your own magical apothecary.
I found The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia to be an incredibly resourceful read filled with plenty of useful information. As someone who has explored various books on this topic, I was genuinely impressed by Morgana's approach. The writing style is easy to digest, making it accessible for those just starting their journey into witchy herbs and plants. The beautiful photographs throughout the book add a layer of inspiration that many similar titles often lack.
One feature that stood out to me was the initial list of herbs designed to help you start growing your magical apothecary. This practical guide sets the perfect tone for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by the vast array of possibilities. Unlike other books that focus solely on encyclopedic listings of herbs, Morgana provides actionable steps to implement plant allies into your practice.
The inclusion of gardening tips for each plant profile makes this encyclopedia even more valuable. It’s clear that Morgana understands the needs of her readers and wants to empower them to cultivate their own green spaces. And the book offers a selection of beginner-friendly rituals, that I’m particularly excited to try out!
In conclusion, The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia is a delightful blend of reference guide and grimoire that encourages readers to embrace their inner witch. With its wealth of information, stunning visuals, and practical advice, it’s undoubtedly worth four stars in my book!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rowan Morgana's "The Green Witch’s Herb and Plant Encyclopedia" is an exceptional guide to green witchcraft, perfect for both beginners and experienced practitioners. This comprehensive encyclopedia is packed with useful information that makes it an indispensable reference guide.
Morgana has meticulously compiled details about each herb and plant, including their ruling planet, moon phase, element, zodiac, gender, deity, and associated lore. This depth of information provides a holistic understanding of the magical properties and uses of various plants, making it easier for practitioners to incorporate them into their rituals and daily practices.
One of the standout features of this encyclopedia is its accessibility. Morgana's writing is clear and engaging, making complex concepts easy to understand for newcomers. At the same time, the book offers enough depth and detail to serve as a valuable resource for more experienced witches looking to deepen their knowledge.
The organization of the book is also praiseworthy. It is easy to navigate, allowing readers to quickly find the information they need. Each entry is well-structured, ensuring that all relevant details are readily available, my only very slight criticism is that there could be more pictures to enhance the ability to identify each plant.
Overall, "The Green Witch’s Herb and Plant Encyclopedia" is a must-have for anyone interested in green witchcraft. Morgana's expertise and thoroughness shine through on every page, making this a highly recommended addition to any witch's library.
The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia" by Rowan Morgana is a comprehensive guide to the world of herbs and plants for aspiring green witches. Packed with information on everything from identifying and harvesting herbs to incorporating them into magical practices and recipes, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in herbalism and witchcraft.
Morgana's writing is engaging and easy to follow, making the book accessible to both beginners and experienced herbalists. She provides clear instructions for using herbs safely and effectively, and her explanations of the magical properties of plants are insightful and inspiring.
"The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia" is a must-have for anyone interested in herbal magic. It's a great resource for learning about the power of plants and incorporating them into your witchcraft practice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Callisto Publishing for this ARC.
The Green Witch's Herb and Plant Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive herb guide I have seen in my 6+ years as a practicing pagan. My favorite thing about this book is that it does not lean heavily into wicca beliefs (which is a religion), but is more well rounded. This guide can be used by any pagan (or non-pagan) at any experience level wanting to incorporate green witch aspects into their practice or life overall. I found the plant guides to be very useful and again very well rounded. They include things such as toxicity to pets and humans, Sabbat associations, chakra associations, and even information about foraging. Everything suggested in the book was safe including the parts about interacting with fairies (such as a warning about not inviting them into your home). I would say that, in fact, safety was a high priority in this book. Multiple times it was mentioned to wear gloves, to not touch plants that you can definitively identify, to not ingest certain plants, and when drying plants that can be toxic or poisonous to keep them out of reach of children and pets. I look forward to additional works by Rowan Morgana.
I think it's an excellent reference book if you are a beginner as it's easy to follow and informative.
It's a good reference also if you are more expert
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Good information on what it is to be a green witch, and how you can incorporate more plants and herbs into your magical practice. It is a good compendium for referencing more common plants and herbs. I would recommend this book.
This had great tips and information about herbs, plants and the witchcraft meaning / history behind it.