Discovering the Healing Powers of Herbs with Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia

Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a resourceful and comprehensive guidebook for anyone interested in the magical properties and uses of various herbs. This book is an invaluable tool for those who practice herbal magic or are interested in natural healing methods. Scott Cunningham, a well-respected and influential author in the field of Wicca and magic, shares his extensive knowledge and research on the subject, making this book a must-have for any aspiring herbalist or practitioner. The book begins with a helpful introduction that provides readers with a basic understanding of herb magic and how to work with herbs effectively. Cunningham explains the importance of intention, visualization, and working with correspondences in order to harness the magical properties of herbs. The main body of the book is divided into two sections.

Do any of these scents ring your chimes? Have you sampled Solstice Scents yet? Are you eyeing any of the Valentine's releases? Do tell!

The second Gardnerian then made a funny comment that the amber and bet emphasis might have been a Farrar influence and that the only rule we got is that the necklace had to be CHUNKY no pearls unless they were FABULOUSLY BIG. The pool of black the gathered company presents seems to ripple as women sway unsteadily in their heavy gowns, their restricting corsets robbing them of much of what little air there is.

The main body of the book is divided into two sections. The first section focuses on individual herbs, providing detailed information about their magical properties, energies, and associations. Cunningham covers a wide range of herbs, from the common to the obscure, and provides useful facts such as planetary and elemental correspondences, deities associated with each herb, and suggested magical uses.

Proteam amber and midnight witchcraft

Ah! Solstice Scents. I could scan and browse and window shop at Solstice Scents all day. Reading the descriptions, scent notes and even just the names while gazing at the evocative photography sweeps me off to day dream adventures. Angela, the nose behind Solstice Scents, announced on Facebook that she would be retiring some of the Autumn offerings once they ran out. That spurred me on to window shop in earnest to bring some of those fall goodies home.

"Sweetly spiced cauldron cakes full of raisins and a dash of rum lie steaming on a knotty wooden platter. The cheery gingerbread cake aroma is cut with the barest hint of smoky woods and sweet amber. This witch could lure me by the nose into her cottage any time."

I wrote that mini review back in October when I first sampled Witch's Cottage. It still pretty much sums up my experience. On first spray the spiced and peppery ginger pulls through with just a shallow slice of green herb peeking out. The heart of the Witch's Cottage unfolds with those boozy dark fruits marbling the ginger cakes, curling ribbons of smoke escape the stone oven where they were baked. The wooden embers inside winking out from the ancient bricks. After the evening taps out its last heart beat under the silent eye of nightfall, all that lingers in the cottage is the familiar yet mystical vanilla deep with amber resin and woods.

Love the rustic branding and labels. The frosted glass and shiny black caps are well done. Of course, I had to sample a few extras. Samples of EDP fragrances come in a 2.5 ml spray and cost $8.00 each.

Angela paints with notes in a very real sense. Skeletons of leaves, bones breaking, the husks of chloroplasts shattering, rain on the dank humus below. This trembling copse on the outskirts of a quaint New England village lays its leaves to rest one after the other in the eucalyptus breeze. A rickety wooden rail fence lines the rutted road, pointing splintered fingers towards town and the chimneys casting smoke clouds into the grey sky. Take one last whiff of the tiny wood before stepping toward Foxcroft. The blonde mahogany and birch will linger, a farewell kiss on the flesh.

Peppermint icicles dripping clear vanilla in the opening. Quickly melting under the warmth of creamy coconut and spongy white cakes, the vanilla takes on a robust softness that was chilled crystal a moment before. The drydown is a downy layer of tonka and marshmallows that I want to pull up to my chin and wallow inside of, a vanilla coconut cocoon. A delight.

Oh man. This one. This is a joss stick in a tiny glass cylinder. This encapsulates my first college experiences in Gainesville shopping in New Age stores and Ward's natural market, surreptitiously trying to burn incense in the scholarship house. Soft musks and florals lead into that earthy tang of mouldering carnations, dried patchouli and wooly incense. The serene base drapes velvet cedar and dusky myrrh into folds of tenderness on the skin, light and smooth as joss ash.

Butter Rum Mallow- Notes: Rum, marshmallow, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar and allspice.

Peppery allspice and nutmeg flakes dust the senses in the succor of spice. Bucolic kitchens shimmering under the haze of heirloom spices and warmth. After the spices introduce themselves, that butter rum flows in underneath. Never too sweet and very much realistic. Those primitive spices of cinnamon and clove, nutmeg and cardamom all lend just a hint of woody earthiness to the scent.

I am already wishing for a roller-ball oil of the Butter Rum Mallow, a full bottle of Snowmint Mallow and more Gehenna and Foxcroft. Somehow. Who knows. Maybe I can mow a few lawns.

Do any of these scents ring your chimes? Have you sampled Solstice Scents yet? Are you eyeing any of the Valentine's releases? Do tell!

The second section of the book is a practical guide that offers instructions for various magical techniques, such as making herbal oils, ointments, and incenses, as well as creating herbal amulets and talismans. Cunningham emphasizes the importance of ethical and sustainable harvesting practices and includes tips for growing and harvesting one's own herbs. One of the highlights of the book is the author's personal anecdotes and experiences with the herbs. Cunningham's writing style is approachable and engaging, making the information accessible to readers of all levels of experience. Overall, Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in incorporating herbs into their magical practice. From beginners to seasoned practitioners, this book provides a wealth of information and inspiration. Whether used as a reference guide or read cover to cover, this book is sure to enhance one's understanding and appreciation of the magical properties of herbs..

Reviews for "Magical Herbalism in Everyday Life: Lessons from Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia"

1. John - 2/5

I was really disappointed with "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs". The book lacked practical information and was more focused on the author's personal beliefs and experiences rather than providing useful knowledge. The classification of herbs was confusing and inconsistent, making it difficult to find specific information. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in substance and not worth the price.

2. Sarah - 3/5

While "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" had a nice collection of herbs listed, I felt that the information provided was not as detailed or accurate as I had hoped. The book lacked scientific explanations and relied heavily on folklore and mystical beliefs. As someone looking for more practical and evidence-based information, I found myself frustrated with the lack of depth in each entry. Additionally, I noticed quite a few typographical errors throughout the book, which further affected my overall impression.

3. David - 2/5

I found "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" to be highly misleading. The author claims to provide comprehensive information about various herbs, but the reality is that most of the entries are extremely brief and lacking in substance. There is a heavy reliance on personal experiences and beliefs, which alienates readers who are looking for more factual and well-researched information. Furthermore, the lack of references and sources makes it difficult to verify the credibility of the content. Overall, I was unimpressed and would not recommend this book to serious herbalists or researchers.

4. Lisa - 2/5

I expected "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" to be a reliable and informative resource for anyone interested in the subject. However, I found the book to be quite repetitive and lacking in originality. Many of the entries simply reiterated common knowledge found in other herbals, without offering any unique insights. The author's biased views and personal beliefs overshadowed the factual information, making it difficult to separate fact from opinion. I would recommend looking for more dependable sources if you're seeking accurate and well-rounded information on the subject of magical herbs.

Creating Personalized Herbal Correspondences with Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia