Book Review

Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies 

by Rebecca Beyer

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

240 Pages

Publication Date: May 10, 2022

 

 

“The spirit of a place.”

In “Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies,” Rebecca Beyer gives readers ways to come to know the spirit of a place, forming deep, intimate relationships with its plants, animals, minerals and history. There will be a unique magic of that place, too.

A witch and a forager, Beyer specializes in folkloric plant history, as well as magical, edible, and medicinal uses. The detailed information about botanicals, and methods of growing and gathering them, will be a handbook for beginners and inspire those who have already begun walking the path of the bioregionalism witch.

Brief histories of Western herbalism, witchcraft, and folk healers in America comprise Part One. Part Two gives instructions for creating and maintaining an herb garden, detailed information about fourteen easy-to-grow medicinal and magical herbs, and information about a poison garden and five plants that can be used for magic. There is also a section covering the harvest, processing, and storage of herbs.

Part Three covers foraging, fifteen common plants, and how to be a steward these wild populations. The last part includes making basic folk medicines. Remedies, potions, spells, and rituals are arranged by the Wheel of the Year, including an egg wishing spell, and forsythia tea for coughs and flu for Beltane, and a sacred Italian liquor that is legendary on Midsummer Eve. A section also covers planting by the moon and zodiac signs.

“Wild Witchcraft” contains practical folk herbal and magical rites that are grounded in historical practices and a sustainable, green ethic. By reclaiming lost knowledge, readers can treat minor injuries and illnesses with herbs, as well as manage long-term conditions.

Working with plants is magical and as a spiritual practice, witchcraft is the worship of nature. This book assists witches to tap into the power that comes from the spirit of place.

Rebecca Beyer is an Appalachian folk herbalist, Traditional Witch, huntress, and wild food forager. Dedicated to living simply, she hopes to show people that living a seasonal life in connection with the Old Ways is possible. She makes medicines, sells will foods, writes, tattoos, and runs her school, Blood and Spicebush School of Old Craft. Beyer’s days are spent living in community, dedicating herself to Appalachian folk arts, primitive skills, folk music, and learning the names of all the beings with which she shares her bioregion.

 

Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies

 

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About the Author:

Lynn Woike

thewitchonwheels.com

All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.