{"id":28332,"date":"2023-05-01T01:10:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T05:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=28332"},"modified":"2023-06-23T17:30:08","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T21:30:08","slug":"book-review-9-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2023\/05\/01\/book-review-9-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review \u2013 The Green Witch\u2019s Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers by Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

The Green Witch’s Guide
\nto Magical Plants & Flowers<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

by Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Publisher: Skyhorse<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

280 Pages<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Publication date: June 6, 2023<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Plants are my bag, so any book aimed at \u201cGreen Witches\u201d is going to be hitting my shelves, sooner or later. The subtitle for this one is, \u201c26 love spells from apples to zinnias,\u201d which startled me a little, as the main title seems to indicate it\u2019s a general guide, rather than a book specifically on love spells. Oh well\u2014as with all things, I approached it with an open mind!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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 \u201clove dinner\u201d, additional plants, and how to break a love spell.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s something very nostalgic about Susan\u2019s artwork which I can\u2019t put my finger on, but it really resonates with me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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, \u201cDid You Know?\u201d facts with interesting snippets about the herb in question.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are tips on planting and growing herbs, and the origins of the plant\u2019s name. Each section also has a two-line snippet from the authors, which is a rhyming couplet about the plant\u2019s magical uses.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My Recommendation<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are a few statements within the book I don\u2019t agree with. It states, early on, that green witches are not part of a coven. I was a green witch and \u201cherb maiden\u201d 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 \u201cgood and positivity\u201d. While I appreciate that pagan and witchcraft writers don\u2019t want to show witchcraft in a negative light, a magical herbalist that doesn\u2019t understand about toxic plants and the ability to use magical plants for curses or other \u201cnegative\u201d 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\u2019m very passionate about. I also love the effortless inclusivity of the book.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a little bit of \u201cIt is known\u2026\u201d which goes on in this book. Known by who? Also see, \u201cFor ages\u2026\u201d (how many ages), \u201ctraditionally known as\u2026\u201d (in what tradition) etc\u2026 I love a carefully sourced book, but at times in this volume it\u2019s not clear that the authors know the origin of the facts they\u2019re stating. Having said that, there\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s illustrations are just beautiful, and together she and Chris have created a volume that\u2019s as magical to just flick through as it is to sit and pore over, while drinking herbal tea, of course.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I also adore that the reader is encouraged to try the love spells for themselves and by themselves. These love spells aren\u2019t just about enchanting another. They\u2019re about sending love through charmed or blessed letters, self-love, and even the love of pets or familiars. It\u2019s as if the authors have done an exploration of love and used plants and herbs as the medium through which to express that.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The book came out on June 6th and is available now for purchase. This is one I\u2019ll be getting in hardback and leaving close to my \u201cwork chair\u201d for precious little mindful moments.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

About the Author and Illustrator<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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
\nfood stylist for big-name clients like Grey Goose and Bon App\u00e9tit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Follow them on Instagram: @2greenwitches<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Green Witch’s Guide to Magical Plants and Flowers on Amazon<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mabh Savage<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mabh is the author of\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways<\/span><\/span><\/a>, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>and most recently, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 \u201cGreen Witches\u201d is going to be hitting my shelves, sooner or later. The subtitle for this one is, \u201c26 love spells from apples to zinnias,\u201d which startled me a little, as the main title seems to indicate it\u2019s a general guide, rather than a book specifically on love spells. Oh well\u2014as 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 \u201clove dinner\u201d, 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\u2019s something very nostalgic about Susan\u2019s artwork which I can\u2019t 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, \u201cDid You Know?\u201d facts with interesting snippets about the herb in question. There are tips on planting and growing herbs, and the origins of the plant\u2019s name. Each section also has a two-line snippet from the authors, which is a rhyming couplet about the plant\u2019s magical uses. My Recommendation There are a few statements within the book I don\u2019t agree with. It states, early on, that green witches are not part of a coven. I was a green witch and \u201cherb maiden\u201d 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 \u201cgood and positivity\u201d. While I appreciate that pagan and witchcraft writers don\u2019t want to show witchcraft in a negative light, a magical herbalist that doesn\u2019t understand about toxic plants and the ability to use magical plants for curses or other \u201cnegative\u201d 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\u2019m very passionate about. I also love the effortless inclusivity of the book. There\u2019s a little bit of \u201cIt is known\u2026\u201d which goes on in this book. Known by who? Also see, \u201cFor ages\u2026\u201d (how many ages), \u201ctraditionally known as\u2026\u201d (in what tradition) etc\u2026 I love a carefully sourced book, but at times in this volume it\u2019s not clear that the authors know the origin of the facts they\u2019re stating. Having said that, there\u2019s 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\u2019s illustrations are just beautiful, and together she and Chris have created a volume that\u2019s 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\u2019t just about enchanting another. They\u2019re about sending love through charmed or blessed letters, self-love, and even the love of pets or familiars. It\u2019s 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\u2019ll be getting in hardback and leaving close to my \u201cwork chair\u201d 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 App\u00e9tit. Follow them on Instagram: @2greenwitches   The Green Witch’s Guide to Magical Plants and Flowers on Amazon   ** About the Author: Mabh Savage\u00a0is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation. Mabh is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,\u00a0\u00a0Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":28333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[14310,10095,10015,14494,11140,13876,13686,10245,10075,14492,14495,14493],"class_list":["post-28332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-14310","tag-book","tag-book-review","tag-chris-young","tag-flowers","tag-green-witch","tag-herbalism","tag-plants","tag-review","tag-skyhorse","tag-susan-ottaviano","tag-the-green-witchs-guide-to-magical-plants-and-flowers"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28332"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28748,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28332\/revisions\/28748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}