• Monthly Columns

    Notes from the Apothecary

    Notes from the Apothecary: Columbine   The columbine, or Aquilegia, is a striking flower, with hooked spurs that resemble either eagle’s talons or the heads of doves gathered together. It’s in the same family as buttercups (Ranunculaceae), which while isn’t obvious in the shape of the flowers, becomes more apparent when you look at the hairy stems and the lobed leaf shapes. There are up to 70 species of columbines that we know about, with colours ranging from bright blue to deep red. Also known as Granny’s Bonnet, these fantastic flowers carry a wealth of folklore and magical associations.   The Kitchen Garden Columbine are one of those plants that…

  • Reviews

    Tarot Deck Review – Visionary Path Tarot by Lucy Delics

    Tarot Deck Review Visionary Path Tarot by Lucy Delics Publisher: Park Street Press (Inner Traditions) 32 Pages Publication Date: 11/03/2020     The Visionary Path Tarot invites us to explore the vibratory nature of the universe and how it shimmers in our dreams and visions. Lucy Delics has created a portal to the mysteries into which sacred plant medicine guides us. This is a black and white deck, with intricate line drawings and images described on the box as “psychedelic.” The black and white drawings are alive and animate against solid black backgrounds. With a softened gaze, the drawings move and come alive. The images containing many references to plant…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – Plant Magic for the Beginner Witch: An Herbalist’s Guide to Heal, Protect and Manifest by Ally Sands

    Book Review Plant Magic for the Beginner Witch An Herbalist’s Guide to Heal, Protect and Manifest by Ally Sands 192 Pages     “Plant Magic for the Beginner Witch” is a collection of herb-based magical spells for protection, love, abundance, healing, and personal power. Each spell is laid out like a recipe, with the ingredients on one side and a ritual for the spell on the facing page. In addition, there is a short summary of the herbs discussed in each chapter, and their associations. The herbs discussed are mostly traditional European herbs, and are easily grown or bought at any herb store, while the associations are based in European…

  • Reviews

    Television Show Review & Interview With Jane Velez Mitchell – A New Day/A New Chef

    Television Show Review – A New Day A New Chef     I was glad to be asked to review a new vegan cooking show; personally, I had been having some difficulty sticking to my vegan diet and watching this show helped. As we are all aware, plant-based foods are fast overtaking animal-based foods in sales. Even those who are avowed meat eaters will occasionally have a plant-based meal. This is a boon to our bodies, our environment and, of course, the animals. Because of this fast growing trend in taste and lifestyle, more and more guidance is needed for those who wish to try veganism. Cookbooks abound, but it…

  • Monthly Columns

    Notes from the Apothecary

    Notes from the Apothecary: Jack by the Hedge I don’t get a huge amount of time to spend keeping my garden super tidy, but that’s ok, because I like it to run a little wild. Because of that, we get plants that come in from outside the garden, often spread by birds and small animals, or simply by seeds blown in on the wind. Once such plant which is a star of British verges and hedgerows is this lovely plant, pictured. It has many names, but my favourite one is Jack by the Hedge, Latin name Alliaria Petiolata. Jack by the Hedge is also called Garlic Mustard, or even Poor…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – The Mindful Kitchen by Heather Thomas

    Book Review The Mindful Kitchen by Heather Thomas 192 Pages     Chockful of yummy recipes, “The Mindful Kitchen” is a vegetarian (not vegan) delight. Ms. Thomas introduces us to the concept of bringing Nature back to our food and Nature back into our eating. “You Are What You Eat” While this concept is about plant-based eating and/or eating mindfully, it is also more. It is eating to become a caring part of Nature through a connection with our food. Each Chapter – Eating for Vitality – Eating for Comfort – Eating for Creativity – Eating for Connection – Eating for Celebration is filled with lots of seasonal recipes, together…

  • Monthly Columns

    Notes from the Apothecary

    Notes from the Apothecary: Celery     Celery (Apium Graveolens) is an easily recognisable vegetable, available in most supermarkets or grocery stores. It’s a relative of carrots and parsley, part of the apiaceae family. It’s loved by dieters thanks to its high water content and low calorie content, plus it’s amazing for dipping into hummus or salsa. But is celery a medicinal or magical plant? Let’s take a look.   The Kitchen Garden Celery can be grown from seed and in fact can be planted at this time of year (February-March-April) as long as it’s kept warm until frost has gone. It needs to be kept moist so is ideal…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – Shamanic Plant Medicine-San Pedro: The Gateway to Wisdom by Ross Heaven

    Book ReviewShamanic Plant Medicine-San PedroThe Gateway to Wisdom by Ross Heaven 144 Pages   San Pedro: The Gateway to Wisdom is one in The Shamanic Plant Medicine series authored by Ross Heaven. Each book introduces a plant medicine teacher and medicine ally. This well-written, accessible book introduces us to the Cactus of Mystery, San Pedro, native to the Andes and used by Andean shamans in healing ceremonies. Mr. Heaven, who died in 2018, has left us with a practical and nuanced introduction to San Pedro. The book gives us an overview of the plant’s history and the lore relating to its sense of mystery, which certainly drew me in to…

  • Monthly Columns

    Plant Spirit Medicine in Shamanic Practice

    What’s in the Brew? Scientist: Mescaline. Shaman: God.   Shamans…believe that the information given to us… by other teacher plants or in non-ordinary states such as dreams and meditations is as valid (or more so) than that received from ordinary perception and thought. Furthermore, such information is given to us to be used in daily life not to be ignored, denied, or seen as lacking in merit or purpose. To deny our dreams, after all, is to deny a large part of our human and spiritual experience. Thus, for San Pedro shamans, the visions and insights gained from the plant are there to inform our everyday behavior in the ‘real world’…