The Witching Herbs: 13 Essential Plants and Herbs for Your Magical Garden

This is exactly what I was looking for! I wanted thorough instructions on germinating, planting, and growing of the deadly nightshades. I'm fascinated by the use of deadly nightshades in ancient medicine and their ancient medicinal history. That's not to say that they're not dangerous plants and all cautions should be headed when embarking on such an endeavour as growing these plants, or any psycoactive plant for that matter. Personally I have taken the route of researching these plants before anything else, and learning as much as I can about them before I plant their seed. I also enjoyed the lore as well as the facts in this book. The author does provide free information on his website alchemy-works.com, but it's nice to have his work with these plants all in one place, and there is more to this book than what is presented on his site. This book is well written, nicely organized and enjoyable. I appreciate the fact that the author thoroughly presents 13 plants in detail, rather than a whole slew of plants with little information. I have been gardening since I could plant a seed, but nightshades are new to me. I learned a lot from this book about the nightshades and the other herbs presented. I'm happy to have this book and the information it contains. I honestly wasn't expecting as much information as it contains, it's very thorough! I definitely recommend this book to anybody interested in learning about these plants. The 13 plants are: Poppy, Clary Sage, Yarrow, Rue, Hyssop, Vervain, Mugwort, Wormwood, Datura, Wild Tobacco, Henbane, Belladonna, and Mandrake. I learned a few things about plants I've been growing for years too, there's a lot of knowledge here.

For those that follow a more green path of herbalism and gardening Harold Roth's website, Alchemy Works has been an unbounded resource for working with the classical herbs in a more practical way. Rather than just posting up a blend or a product Mr. Roth has taken the time and care to lay out practical growing and using lore garnered from his own experiences. Reading both his site and blog over the years has been a treasure trove of information for the classical witch. Now the book that has for so long been promised has come out and a wonderful tome it is. Any work on herbs that starts you with a practical analysis of the Doctrine of Signatures is just bound for great things, and this book does not disappoint. Rather than just being a long list of ever herb ever used and the traditional associations of it the author has taken a scant 13 to allow you to get to know them and truly work with them. Each herb gets its own sizable chapter broken out into three sections: Lore, Practice, and In the Garden.I would recommend reading the book from start to finish just because there is much information on types of plants and how to use and grow them that will cross over from chapter to chapter. My copy is less than 48 hours old and I already am doing some heavy highlighting in it to aid me in this spring's​ planting. Truly a book practical knowledge that you will not find anywhere else.

This book is awesome. Very interesting.

I was very excited to see Mr. Roth's announcement of this work, and awaited its arrival with high expectations. This book does not disappoint. The information contained therein is not the same regurgitated list of correspondences. It contains theories and concepts that have been developed through years of the author's own personal experience as an herbal apothecary and alchemist. The thirteen plants featured in this book have extensive folklore and potential in modern magical practice. Roth goes into more detail on plants like Henbane and Belladonna than many authors are comfortable doing explaining both cultivation and practical use as well as obscure folk lore of interest specifically to witches and other magical practitioners. This book adds many additional layers, revisiting classical plants used in spiritual practice throughout history, and after many years of working with the plants planetary and elemental genius Roth has pages of fresh information to share on the occult qualities held by these green allies.

Great book. Lots of information on traditional witchcraft herbs seldom used in today's fluffy bunny Wicca. I'm very old school so this is right up my alley. I've been gardening forever so I'm very familiar with most of the plants in this book, but for someone who is not; this is an EXCELLENT resource. I really enjoyed the chapters on mandrake, datura and belladonna. This goes into detail about the listed plants botany, pharmacology, history, magical and practical use. If you're not into today's goody-goody light and airy crap that passes as witchcraft today, this is a book for you. It's the real deal and will help you understand these often misunderstood plants.It belongs on every trad's' bookshelf. Good job!

Wow. This is a classic, whether one is a student of magick or herbal medicine. Don't let one or the other keep you from it. I am an herbalist and it is next to impossible to find hands-on information about these plants that pulled the short straw of history. The writing is top-notch, as though he were walking you through his own garden and relaying experience and myth, both with equal regard. One of my favorite herbals, certainly, after decades of wanting more from the so-called witching herbs. Brilliant.

Well writen and informative. I am not into baneful magic but found it useful to have a understand and some knowledge background to have a conversation. Only a couple uses of female pronouns. Witch and witchcraft is not a females only club. Also a couple of the redunit phases like "that said", "having said that". Other then these to con's a good read.

I really appreciate how he sets up each chapter: he gives historical information, gardening information, and how to use each herb in your craft. Many books gives lists of correspondences, but most books never tell you the reason behind the correspondence

Love this book, well written and good format, recommend.

The book gives you many information about working with herbs. It really helped me with my craft!

Ben scritto ed interessante

An excellent book! I have already recommended it to a number of friends and will continue to do so. Written by someone who knows the theory and the practise. A refreshing change :)

Great book. Not only for understanding the plant lore but also how to grow the plants. Great fir gardeners as well