The Sacred Herbs of Spring
Magical, Healing, and Edible Plants to Celebrate Beltaine
by Ellen Evert Hopman
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Pub Date Apr 07 2020 | Archive Date Mar 18 2020
Inner Traditions | Destiny Books
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Description
• Explores the identification, harvest, and safe practical and ritual use of more than 90 plants and trees
• Details rituals for honoring the traditional Gods and Goddesses of spring, such as the Goddess Chloris, the Goddess Flora, and the Daghda
• Reveals which herbs to use for luck, magic, protection, purification, abundance, fertility, and love as well as the herbs of the Faeries and Elves and herbs for journeying to the Otherworld and for contacting the High Gods and Goddesses
The festival of Beltaine, May Day, is a celebration of the return of spring and the promise of summer, a time for love magic and spells for increasing the fertility of the land and the plants that grow upon it. Like Samhain in autumn, Beltaine is also a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual world is at its most transparent and the ancestors and denizens of the Otherworld easily interact with the world of humans.
Presenting a practical guide to the celebration of Beltaine, Ellen Evert Hopman examines the plants, customs, foods, drinks, and rituals of May Day across many cultures. Discussing the gods and goddesses of spring, Hopman details the rituals for honoring them as well as traditional poems, prayers, incantations, folk rhymes, and sayings related to this time of year. She explores well dressing, the custom of honoring the source of sacred water by decorating a well. She also looks at Beltaine’s association with Walpurgisnacht and Hexennacht, which fall the preceding evening.
In the extensive section on the sacred plants of Beltaine, the author explores more than 90 herbs and trees, offering spells, rituals, and recipes alongside their medicinal healing uses. She reveals sacred woods suitable for the Beltaine fires and Beltaine flowers for rituals and spells. She explores herbs for luck, magic, purification, abundance, and love; herbs for protection, such as bindweed, elder, and St. John’s wort; herbs of the Faeries and Elves, such as burdock and dandelion; and herbs for journeying to the Otherworld and contacting the high gods and goddesses. She also details the identification, harvest, and preparation of seasonal edible herbs, greens, mushrooms, and flowers.
Woven throughout with mystical tales of folk, Faery, and sacred herbs, this guide offers each of us practical and magical ways to connect with Nature, the plant kingdom, and the Spirits that surround us in the season of spring.
Advance Praise
“Hopman provides a beautifully researched, international, cross-cultural, pan-millennial framework for understanding the ancient festival and its evolution into modern times. . . . …Iit shines with the author’s love of the plant tribes of the earth.”
--Michael R. Gorman, M.A., Ddruid and author of The Celtic Philosopher’s Stone
“The green world through the lens of Hopman will transport you to magical realms yet unseen. This book is destined to be a classic!”
--Orion Foxwood, author of The Tree of Enchantments
“A must-read for anyone on the Druid path, and of great interest to anyone in herbal lore and Pagan traditions.”
--Joanna van der Hoeven, Ddruid, best-selling author of The Book of Hedge Druidry,, and director of Druid College UK
“Occasionally there comes along a work whose treatment of a specific topic is not only comprehensive but thoroughly engaging. Hopman has brought to bear her ability to enliven a topic that is beyond most authors . . . …an in-depth treatment of the lore, mythology, and culinary traditions of both Eeast and Wwest. A book that is meant to be worn through use over the years and should be at hand each year when the green first appears on the trees.”
--Andrew Theitic, editor and publisher of The Witches’ Almanac
“Folk beliefs and modern ritual imagery are supplemented by a wide variety of seasonal recipes and concoctions, from Dandelion Mead and Rowan Berry Liqueuor, to Lilac Scones and Marigold and Lemon Balm Cheesecake. There will undoubtedly be plenty of materials in this book to intrigue and delight many of those who celebrate the Earth—as well asincluding all of her plant spirit medicines.”
--Sharon Paice MacLeod, author of Celtic Myth and Religion
“The Sacred Herbs of Spring enchants us into the history and lore of the Celtic healing and magical plants. This amazing book weaves together the magick of sacred herbs with wonderful recipes. Her easy- to- follow herbal formulas and remedies will fill the beginner as well as the advanced practitioner with inspiration and magick of the herbal spirits.”
--Chris Allaun, author of Underworld
“This book reconfigures the information and provides us with not just a reference of herbs for this time of year, but also a collection of useful information for understanding the Sabbat. I especially liked the literary references that helped tie everything together. This excellently researched work is a must- have for any herbalist as an important resource.”
--T. Scarlet Jory, M.A., editor of WynterGreene Magazine
“Beautifully illustrated . . . … a book to keep on a shelf in the heart of your home, as you'll be reaching for it often. The Sacred Herbs of Spring is a springtime cornucopia of sacred knowledge and Celtic wisdom.”
--Gary and Ruth Colcombe, hosts of Celtic Myth Podshow
“Opening with Druidism and Celtic customs, it expands to a discussion of Walpurgisnacht in Germany before continuing on to herbs of protection, herbs of the Ffaieries and Eelves, herbs for luck, and so on. This rich compilation should be on the shelf (or e-reader) of anyone interested in herbs or Pagan practices.”
--Morven Westfield, author of The Old Power Returns
“Hopman shows us how the old lore worked, all around the world—and still works now. This book will bring the herbs of spring to light for each of us.”
--Elen Sentier, author of Shaman Pathways—-Trees of the Goddess
“Rife with rare treasures of history, wise woman's lore, and practical magic. Her research is unparalleled and encompasses a lifetime of scholarship and devotion. This book gives great hope to the human relationship with the procession of the seasons and our Mmother Earth.”
--Elyse Poppers, author of The Little Love Book
“A comprehensive view, including recipes, illustrations, lore, and caveats, about of the various herbs, barks, berries, etc.and so on for your Beltaine celebration. I really enjoyed the depth of knowledge here, and heartily recommend it to those of you who follow the Druidic and Pagan paths.”
--J. T. Sibley, Ph.D., author of The Way of the Wise
“The powers of The Sacred Herbs of Spring go much beyond their medicinal preparations. Hopman takes us on an enchanted journey into the world of Ffairies and Eelves, spirits that lead us along an avenue into the Ootherworld, the world beyond.”
--Nicholas Brink, Ph.D., author of Beowulf’s Ecstatic Trance Magic
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781644110652 |
PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 376 |
Links
Featured Reviews
A beautifully illustrated and lovingly researched book. An excellent resource for those interested in Celtic folklore and/or green witchcraft.
A really interesting look at herbs and plants linked to this sabbat and time of year. Topics like origins of Beltaine, the 3 worlds (Celts), some fairies, how to make some stuff and more. Nice for those who have an interest in herbs and the sabbat.
It is interesting to read about herbs, trees, and flowers in the context of a specific holiday (Beltane) and history - I enjoyed learning more about the beliefs and practices of the Celts, Greeks, Romans, and others.
If you're looking for detailed plant information though, this probably isn't the book for you: The details are scattered throughout multiple sections broken out by ritual, there aren't many images to help identify plants for foraging, and many of them seem to be poisonous(!).
A well researched and well written book full of informations and entertaining.
It's a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The Sacred Herbs of Spring is way more than just a wee book about herbs.
It tells you lots of interesting information about Beltane and how to celebrate it.
Well Researched and beautifully illustrated its a great read and one that you will go back to time and again.
Thank You to Net galley and Destiny Books for the ARC. My review is my own opinion.
Beautiful. artwork is your first impression of this lovely collection of plant lore, information on receipes and use as well as Beltane. I love that Celtic lore was included. This is a book to buy in hard cover to add to your collection. Its truly lovely to read and very informational.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. I highly recommend this book for all who want to learn about spring herbs.
I loved this book! A wonderful reference guide to springtime and the many different plants, herbs and trees of the season. She examines the customs, foods, drinks, and rituals of May Day across many cultures. Discussing the gods and goddesses of spring, Hopman details the rituals for honoring them as well as traditional poems, prayers, incantations, folk rhymes, and sayings related to this time of year.
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