Customer Rating: 

This is a lovely book about herbs that though it is written as a sourcebook for the practice of magic, it is not restricted to that usage. It is an excellent sourcebook as it contains information on practically every herb. Apart from the detailed description, illustration and information regarding each herb, there are so wonderful stories and traditions from around the world. So many customs, traditions even recipes that survive today and are part of each country's culture originate in ancient or medieval pagan religions and it is fascinating to explore their origins. The use of herbs in our everyday life whether it is a lavender pillow for a good night's sleep or a red rose as a sign of love, may or may not be magical in a religious sense, but these are certainly old traditions that pass from generation to generation and somehow are still effective.

In this book one can find how all these nature based traditions began. For instance I always wondered why almost every country house or store has a pot of basil in its front door or window, and yet this little tradition always made me feel positive and welcomed. Now reading this book I discovered that basil is considered protective, as "where it is, no evil can live" and that it brings luck to a new home and wealth and prosperity to a business. So is basil magical? Well, I may not believe that a witch can drink its juice and fly but I am keener to enter a store with basil by the door and I always keep basil at my kitchen window. This is a magical book not only because it is intended for magic, but because it explores a wider 'magic', that of nature and its effect on contemporary culture and everyday life.

Customer Rating: 

Having hunted around looking at various texts on herbs and their uses I was recommended this book by a herbalist that I met at an esoteric fayre, it has everything I need and goes into good depth with each herb it deals with, including ones which are difficults to get hold of.

The impact working with this book has had upon my meditative practice and energy work has been quite dramatic. Since getting a copy of it I have been formulating my own blends for incense which has moved to deeper more rewarding levels, plus has aided me in the achievement of certain other endeavours I have set out to attain.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone desiring a sound knowledge of herbs and wishing to work with herbs on any kind of energetic or magical level.

Customer Rating: 

While this book is concise, easy-to-read and provides basic information for those who have never touched magic before. It is only for the curious minds who want some fun with herbs, but I see this as incomplete and somewhat sloppy. But I always tend to go back to this book though, that's only because I have only recently been interested in obtaining books concerning this subject...

Customer Rating: 

I found this book a bit lacking in information about uses & traditions.
The illustrations are just 'space fillers' no use at all for identification of the herbs. (for this get- Francis Rose Wild flower key)
The contents were just like any other of the dozens of 'wicca herb 'type books with nothing to make it stand out as special.
If you are serious about learning this craft & have to learn from books, I would go for the above mentioned Francis rose book for I.D & the best book of this type that I have found Is - 'Herb Craft' By Susan Lavender & Anna Franklin. A bit more expensive, but loads more info. (but also useless for I.D of the plants!)

Customer Rating: 

i will admit, it frustrates me a little that there is only magic herbal properties in this book. however, I understand that cunningham has done this so as not to confuse readers
despite this it is a book i constantly read through for all my magical herbal needs. clearly written with helpful tables, pictures and a folk name cross reference, it is my first recommendation for a magical herbal book