Review: The Poison Path Oracle

Title:  The Poison Path Oracle: Plant Allies for Divination, Spirit Communication,
and Trance States
Author:  Coby Michael
Publisher:  Destiny Books
Date:  March 31, 2026
Pages:  224 

This is the third book in the poison path series by Coby Michael. First was “The Poison Path Herbal” that introduced the medicine and magic of plants often found in a witch’s garden. His second book, “The Poison Path Grimoire,” explored dark herbalism, baneful allies and shadow work. “The Poison Path Oracle” dives deeper into using poisonous plants as partners for spirit communication, divination, and trance work. 

The first chapter covers the history of divination around the world, focusing on some of the most important spirits of plant-based psychedelics used by shaman, oracles, and seers. Plant spirits, Coby notes, are perhaps the easiest spirits to connect with because they can merge with the user’s body through eating, drinking, smoking, or inhaling. Humans have ingested these plants to access entheogenic states of consciousness for centuries. Communicating directly with the plant spirit can lead to connecting with spirits or deities, enhancing psychic perception, astral travel, journeying, and more. Belladonna, thorn apple, and six other potent plants in the nightshade family are introduced with information including their history, folklore, chemical constituents, effects, and applications. 

Their magic and medicine are powerful, and Chapter 2 explains ways to incorporate these plants into divinatory practice be it by inducing a trance state, using a divining rod, or interpreting apple peels. Also in this chapter are the symbolic and spiritual associations with the images on thirteen of the major arcana cards from the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, and botanical associations for seven ruins, offering a deeper understanding when using them.

Chapter 3 presents techniques and methods for using plants of the poison path to engage with the spirit world. Chapter 4 touches on the importance of spiritual hygiene and protection, and using poison to fight poison – all to recognize and address poisonous energies and other invisible things encountered during psychic work.

Trance work with nightshade plants is the topic of Chapter 5. Divination methods such as scrying and sciomancy (interpreting shadows) are also discussed. The book concludes with a chapter of recipes, charms, meditations, exercises, and rituals for safely and effectively using baneful plants and fungi as partners in magical practice. 

This handbook gives a beginner information needed to come to know and begin to use poisonous botanicals safely for connecting to the divine and enhancing psychic abilities. Throughout it, Coby shares his personal experiences and opinions in the hopes of inspiring readers to discover new perspectives and potentials for incorporating poison plants into their spiritual practices … with much understanding and care.

About the Author:
Coby Michael is an occult herbalist and magical practitioner living in St. Petersburg, Florida, who teaches the ritual use of poisonous and psychoactive plants. He owns and operates The Poisoner’s Apothecary, an online shop and educational resource.  

About the Reviewer:
As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.