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The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs

Judy Ann Nock

4.08 · Rating details · 77 ratings · 23 reviews

Incorporate herbs into spells, rituals, and divination with this all-inclusive guide to the benefits of using herbal magic in witchcraft.

From creating potions to using dried herbs in rituals, herbal magic is a natural way to practice witchcraft. Herbs can be used in many different ways to help set the intention through every part of a witch’s process.

In The Modern Witchc ...more

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Hardcover, 240 pages

Published December 10th 2019 by Adams Media

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· 77 ratings · 23 reviews

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Nov 09, 2019 destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries] rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned-ebooks, z-2019-reads, adult, craft, nonfiction, review-copies

Immediate lessons that we can take from herbs are to put down roots, turn toward the light, create what we need to survive, and to give back to those around us. We are in a symbiotic relationship with the denizens of flora upon the earth. In magick, we work together to bring about change.

This is definitely one of the best and most useful craft-related books I've picked up thus far, and I really recommend it to anyone interested in green and/or kitchen witchcraft! It details pretty heavily on both, as herbal magic is incredibly important in both walks of life (and to be fair, many green witches are also hearth/kitchen witches, and vice-versa). The other most notable thing I appreciate is that this isn't a book for beginners or seasoned witches; it fits both quite easily and I think anyone could find something worth learning or considering here.

The book kicks off with a bit of history into the art of herbal magic and some basic definitions of different types of herbs, the difference between herbs and spices, and so forth. There's a whole section on gardening and giving back to the earth, including a super informative how-to guide on building your own indoor or outdoor compost! There's also a healthy amount of information on the history of how different cultures have approached herbal magic, whether it's the Ayurvedic route, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or even Culpeper (considered by many to be the first general practitioner) and the ways he merged herbs with science.

For the aspects on kitchen craft, there are some great general tips as well as ideas for ways you can make teas, tonics, etc. Part II features an index of 100 herbs with illustrations, correspondences, and uses, before moving on to Part III, which features a long line of spells split into chapters related to their purposes such as divination, luck, etc. (including a chapter on dangerous herbs to avoid).

The only complaint I have about this entire book is that the beginning focuses a fair bit on "the law of three", which if you're unfamiliar with it, states that everything we do returns to us threefold, so we must only put positivity and light out into the universe. While that's a major facet of the Wiccan belief system, this isn't marketed as a Wiccan book (to my knowledge), and many non-Wiccan witches such as myself don't necessarily abide by the law of three. I'm not particularly bothered by its inclusion, but I thought it was worth mentioning in this review! Honestly, though, like I said: this is one of my favorite books on witchcraft I've ever read, and I'll definitely be grabbing myself a physical copy to flip through for referencing and spells in the future!

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review! ...more

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Oct 18, 2019 amanda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-reviews

I believe that there is magic in affirmations. Just as there is magic in the names of herbs.

That's right this is another witchy book about herbs so get ready to dive in.

I've been lightly dabbling in witchcraft for a few years and I'm settling on being a green witch/herb witch. I love growing things and I like herbs. Healing people and taking care of them is such a joy for me. The healthcare field gives me such a rush and I genuinely enjoy interacting with people and caring for them on a day to d ...more

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Jan 14, 2020 Fyre.Katz rated it really liked it

A witch always needs a good guide on herbs and this is a really good one. :)

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Oct 25, 2019 Teresa Barrera rated it really liked it

If you're looking for a great book full of information on herbs, their association and ways to incorporate them into your everyday life, this is it.
I really enjoyed the detail and description of each herb and it's use. I enjoyed the illustrations shown, but do wish there were a color or photograph version as it would be more helpful to those of us who are trying to identify herbs out in the world and are still learning.
But all in all, I really enjoyed this book.
I also enjoyed the use of herbs wi ...more

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Oct 31, 2019 Marisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, nonfiction, witches

3.5/5 stars

This is a delightful book on herbs’ use in modern witchcraft! Easy to read, thorough, and clear, this book left me with a deeper understanding of the history of herbs in witchcraft as well as how they’re continued to be used today by modern witches. Also, the cover is absolutely beautiful, and that certainly helps to heighten the overall visual appeal of the book for those who are drawn to covers! I would recommend this to anyone who’s interested in the history of witchcraft or the mo ...more

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Feb 07, 2020 Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) rated it really liked it

Shelves: february-2020

It gives the history of the herbs as well!!!! I'm such a sucker when it comes to that crap! ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 Katrina rated it it was amazing

I was thrilled to include "The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs", by Judy Ann Nock into my ever growing collection of this series.
In the 240 wonderfully crafted pages you will find not only about the herbs themselves and their many uses, but also the history behind them.
The author includes everything you'll need to know about setting up a magickal herb garden, from the soil to seeding to planting.
The common magickal herb section was very useful in sorting out what herbs should be u ...more

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Dec 27, 2019 Sosanna Olson rated it really liked it

Today I'm reviewing The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs - Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs by Judy Ann Nock.

Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am identify as a magical Buddhist. I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I believe in spiritually and holistic wellness. I find that we can heal the world if we just sit down and and listen to the breath. I believe that magic, science and nutritional well be ...more

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Nov 06, 2019 S.L. Saboviec rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, witchy-stuff

I've been a witch for a little over a year, and I've been working with herbs for almost that entire time, although I still feel like a beginner because there's so much to learn. My two bookshelf staples are Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism. I've not seen any need to expand my selections before now, but this cover is so LOVELY and also I JUST LOVE HERBS. (I hope they remember this when my not-so-green thumb tries some gardening next year. I've been a witch for a little over a year, and I've been working with herbs for almost that entire time, although I still feel like a beginner because there's so much to learn. My two bookshelf staples are Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism. I've not seen any need to expand my selections before now, but this cover is so LOVELY and also I JUST LOVE HERBS. (I hope they remember this when my not-so-green thumb tries some gardening next year.)

I love that the first third of the book starts off with the basics, assuming you know nothing, and then moves into the history of herbalism. For someone who has mostly piecemealed her knowledge together, it filled in some gaps that I didn't know I wanted to know. There are recipes ranging from simple stuff I could whip together in a few minutes, to a method of creating a garden labyrinth that seemed awesome but way beyond my skill set! And I definitely love the information on how to build an herb garden.

The section on the herbs themselves takes up the second third of the book. The properties of a few herbs I compared correlate with my aforementioned standbys. If I were going to use this book as a reference, it would be for magickal properties, which seems quite thorough. The medicinal properties are not quite as thorough as Paul Beyerl's Master Book (which can sometimes seem overwhelming), although this book gives a good starting point.

The final third OVERFLOWS with spells and recipes and rituals -- a chapter for nearly anything you can think of, including self-love, and even seasonal recipes. Although I would have loved a section on selecting alternative herbs if you don't have ready access to the recommended ones, there is so much here to experiment and play with.

One small nitpick was the author's use, again and again, of the Threefold Law. I thought that idea had been debunked as part of a work of fiction ad nauseum, so it frustrates me when people assert that it's nonfiction. Perhaps if this had been The Modern WICCAN'S Guide to Magickal Herbs, it wouldn't have bugged me as much. Witches aren't all Wiccans, and most non-Wiccan witches I know don't hold to the threefold law.

If you're a beginner (or even intermediate) herbalist and wanted one thorough book, I would tell you to get this one. It definitely lives up to the beautiful cover and title -- it updates some old standbys with a modern focus and is chock full of magick.

Please note that I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jan 27, 2020 Cindy rated it it was amazing

I wonderful overview on herbal magick. This book covers the history of herbs medically and magically, the various types of herbal preparations and herbs natural connection to magic. It also delves into the many herbal correspondences to help you layer your rituals and spells, including planetary and seasonal correlations. There is a section on planting and caring for your own herb garden whether grown inside in pots or in an outdoor plot. There are sections on kitchen magic and culinary herbs, e ...more

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Dec 11, 2019 Cozy Cat Reviews rated it it was amazing

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.
My review opinion is my own. I highly recommend this book.

This is a must read for all who practice their magic with herbs and all who want to learn more about herbal use, the history of and the magical properties of herbs. I found this extraordinarily helpful in my personal limited knowledge of basic herb use. This will expand your education for witches and non witches alike.

The author has given the reader the scope of the histor ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Kim rated it really liked it

The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs is a great addition to one’s reference library. A large part of the book includes information on 100 herbs including a short history, their growing preferences, what remedies they are good for, and their magickal properties. It is a great introduction to the herbs allowing you to see which ones you would like to explore more via other books or courses.

There are also a lot of spells and charms included. Some of the chapters include; Botanicals and Bea ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Riana Piccirillo-Delgado rated it it was amazing

Let me start by saying I've never read a book about herbs and didn't know how this was going to go. I am in love, love, love with this book. Not only does it give you a matter of fact approach, but it breaks everything down into useful tidbits. So if you're reading about a specific herb it breaks down its history, the characteristics of it and then its magickal properties. The author gives you just the right amount of information without it being overwhelming which is a beautiful thing. She give ...more

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Oct 11, 2019 Tarah rated it really liked it

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Dec 16, 2019 wonderfullyweird88 rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, wiccan

This is recommended to those who have an interest in Kitchen/green witchcraft. I am not a practitioner, but I do enjoy reading and learning about the craft. This book is full of information on herbs, their association and ways to incorporate them into everyday life. Focusing on the history of herbalism, the herbs themselves and rituals and spells this is an excellent source for anyone discovering herbs for the first time.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest rev ...more

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Jan 10, 2020 Denice Langley rated it it was amazing

Herbs have long been used to perform "magic". From chewing mint leaves for stomach ache to chamomile to calm, our mothers and grandmothers did not have access to drug stores so they used what was available and learned from their mothers and grandmothers how to keep their family healthy and happy. I had never seen a book focused on how modern witchcraft utilizes herbs in their craft so this was a look into another use for my home grown herbs. This book will stay in my kitchen while I experiment a ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 Patricia Brown rated it really liked it

Definitely not a 'read cover to cover' book. It is a great reference for those wanting to learn more about herbs and their uses. Its organized extremely well for those needing quick reference. I loved the bit of history in the beginning as it made it more welcoming and informative. I would have preferred more images or representations of the herbs to help with identification but overall a solid work. ...more

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Nov 12, 2019 Annarella rated it it was amazing

This is a well written and informative book that I found engrossing and entertaining.
I learned a lot and was more than happy to learn something new about herbs and witchcraft.
I liked the clear explanations and how the book is organised.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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Nov 02, 2019 Witch-at-Heart rated it liked it

Found this one pretty interesting. It is fairly well organized and a fu read. I chose it as research n my love for all things supernatural and the background and details are fu and interesting. Very much enjoyed this one. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

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Dec 06, 2019 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: 3-early-galley-copy, 3-kindle, book-of-shadows, garden

Lovely resource not just on the witchy ways of herbs, but on the history, medicinal and culinary uses, and growing/harvesting as well. Nock is a good writer and infuses this book with lovely descriptions and sentiments, as well as a handful of ideas for rituals, potions and magical objects.

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Dec 18, 2019 Heather Bennett rated it liked it

The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs is a interesting book on herbs. The written is good and There is some good information on herbs.

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Dec 05, 2019 Lesley Lane rated it it was amazing

Hands down the best magickal herbal book I've read. Fresh and innovative ideas for the uses of herbs in witchcraft. You can read a full review of this book on my blog flyingthehedge.com ...more

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Nov 16, 2019 Alexandra rated it liked it

Great for those who want to go into herbs and want a nice starting point. Get a brief introduction to some basic herbs. A decent selection and a starting point of spells one could do.

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