The Invisible Harvest: A Microhistory of Heretical Herbs

by Bethany van Rijswijk

A five-part essay and accompanying series of hand-cut collages by Bethany van Rijswijk, The Invisible Harvest is an artist's publication that seeks to challenge the materialism of 'big history' by presenting a microhistory of heretical herbs. An analysis of hidden histories and obscure lore, in which poisonous and psychoactive plants open up passages into contrary states of being, van Rijswijk's publication is concerned, variously, with visionary sacraments, the flight of witches, sinister berries, fairy forts, rhizomes, underworld gardens, cursed bread, mushroom cults, and dancing plagues. An experiment in historical method as a means for re-enchantment, The Invisible Harvest nevertheless asks what these histories might disrupt, and how these old heresies, half-obliterated, might renew our thinking.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Folklore

50 pages

First published December 19, 2020

Reviews

[Leah Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book, well written, inspiring and informative. I liked the collages and format as well.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

* this is not the edition I have.
I own the 2023 edition.

2023 edition details:
ISBN: 979-8-9861645-2-6
Published by Broccoli
Copyright 2023
78 pages long.

[Jenna]

Brain candy. Pick it up if you want to read a short collection of academic essays about plant magic and folklore and witches.