Book Review – The Green Witch’s Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers by Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano
Book Review
The Green Witch’s Guide
to Magical Plants & Flowers
by Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano
Publisher: Skyhorse
280 Pages
Publication date: June 6, 2023
Plants are my bag, so any book aimed at “Green Witches” is going to be hitting my shelves, sooner or later. The subtitle for this one is, “26 love spells from apples to zinnias,” which startled me a little, as the main title seems to indicate it’s a general guide, rather than a book specifically on love spells. Oh well—as with all things, I approached it with an open mind!
First impressions, this book is gorgeous. The artwork from the cover design to the internal illustrations is bursting with colour and an absolute joy to behold. Incredibly, there actually are 26 chapters that each cover an herb beginning with one letter of the alphabet. Quite an achievement. There are also preliminary chapters on the definition of green witchcraft, tools you might need, and the essentials for tea making, baking, and gardening. After the 26 herbs, there are notes on how to make a “love dinner”, additional plants, and how to break a love spell.
The most surprising thing at the start of this book is the foreword, by none other than Deborah Harry of Blondie. She certainly seems to be a fan!
The introduction is really lovely, promoting magical mindfulness and instantly evoking images of a sun-drenched, scent filled garden. The essentials sections are short and to the point, and lovingly illustrated with baking gear and teacups. There’s something very nostalgic about Susan’s artwork which I can’t put my finger on, but it really resonates with me.
Each herbal section is set out in a visually appealing way, with short sections separated by borders or more glorious illustrations. The text highlights the magical properties of plants or of the other ingredients in recipes or crafting instructions. There are instructions for spells, bath salts, teas, and even quick, “Did You Know?” facts with interesting snippets about the herb in question.
There are tips on planting and growing herbs, and the origins of the plant’s name. Each section also has a two-line snippet from the authors, which is a rhyming couplet about the plant’s magical uses.
My Recommendation
There are a few statements within the book I don’t agree with. It states, early on, that green witches are not part of a coven. I was a green witch and “herb maiden” within my (now defunct) coven for some time, so this is obviously different among differing traditions. It also states that green witches only use their powers for “good and positivity”. While I appreciate that pagan and witchcraft writers don’t want to show witchcraft in a negative light, a magical herbalist that doesn’t understand about toxic plants and the ability to use magical plants for curses or other “negative” reasons is perhaps missing a section of their craft. However, that is purely my personal opinion and, of course, if more people focused on positivity and kindness, the world would be a lovelier place! I absolutely do agree that green witches should be champions for the environment, which I something I’m very passionate about. I also love the effortless inclusivity of the book.
There’s a little bit of “It is known…” which goes on in this book. Known by who? Also see, “For ages…” (how many ages), “traditionally known as…” (in what tradition) etc… I love a carefully sourced book, but at times in this volume it’s not clear that the authors know the origin of the facts they’re stating. Having said that, there’s plenty of cool info in here, for example, I never knew that cats went wild for catmint (or catnip) because it stimulates their pheromone response.
Final quibble: Not everyone has a broom! Witches come from all paths and not all of us sweep or cleanse with brooms. I use a feather, for example. With my minor and nit-picky complaints out of the way, I have to say this is a fun, engaging, and relaxing book to read. Susan’s illustrations are just beautiful, and together she and Chris have created a volume that’s as magical to just flick through as it is to sit and pore over, while drinking herbal tea, of course.
I also adore that the reader is encouraged to try the love spells for themselves and by themselves. These love spells aren’t just about enchanting another. They’re about sending love through charmed or blessed letters, self-love, and even the love of pets or familiars. It’s as if the authors have done an exploration of love and used plants and herbs as the medium through which to express that.
The book came out on June 6th and is available now for purchase. This is one I’ll be getting in hardback and leaving close to my “work chair” for precious little mindful moments.
About the Author and Illustrator
Chris Young is an avid gardener who believes that all plants are innately magical. He has his own highly acclaimed garden, Tiny Sur, which is also a certified wildlife habitat. His gardening writing has appeared in famous publications such as WestCoast Magazine, L.A. Parent, and Country Living.
Susan Ottaviano is an artist, songwriter, and a performer, as well as a green witch. Her career has traversed the journey from being the lead singer for her band, Book of Love, to being an acclaimed
food stylist for big-name clients like Grey Goose and Bon Appétit.
Follow them on Instagram: @2greenwitches
The Green Witch’s Guide to Magical Plants and Flowers on Amazon
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About the Author:
Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She’s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she’s a massive plant nerd. She’s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children’s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.
Mabh is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors, Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Search “Mabh Savage” on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.