Thought Provoking Questions on Witchcraft Medicine Healing Arts Shamanic Practices

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Start your review of Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants

I bought this book with some pretty high expectations.....A bit of a let down. All I can say is nothing new hear. The volume gave a pretty basic over view of the intertwining history between witchcraft and herbalism. Those with a knowledge of Witchcraft 101 or college I advise you lot to expect elsewhere.

The forest or the wilderness was at onetime home for human kind and believe me Europe was covered with dumbo forests. Human was a nomadic hunter moving to this place and that place with the animals he chase

I bought this book with some pretty high expectations.....A bit of a let down. All I can say is nothing new hear. The book gave a pretty basic over view of the intertwining history betwixt witchcraft and herbalism. Those with a knowledge of Witchcraft 101 or higher I propose you to look elsewhere.

The forest or the wilderness was at onetime dwelling house for homo kind and believe me Europe was covered with dense forests. Man was a nomadic hunter moving to this place and that place with the animals he hunted. In time man mastered agriculture and learned how to domesticate animals. With this domestication man began building his villages and becoming alienated from the forests. A hedge surrounded the wood and it was in the deep nighttime forest where all sorts of scary things dwelt. To keep himself safe man grew a hedge effectually his village to go along the wood out and his family safety inside.

The witch of the wise women used to alive close to the hedge. They would communicate with the plant spirits and learn about dissimilar cures and how to work with the plants. The women were guided by the spirit of the plants. Wise women were respected and feared. To cure meant that ane was able to poison.

The earth was considered the female parent, Frau Holle, who later on would become demonized as an old hag in faery tales. The Horned God was represented by the sun or the sky and was the one who ploughed the field and placed his seed. The female parent gave birth and received the dead torso after life was over.

The book does embrace the mythos of witchcraft rather well. Christian Raatsch writes good chapters on Ethneogens and Hekate the Goddess of the witches. Reading his chapters did clarify things with regards to Hekate and her relation to the moon, Roman Diana, Prosperina and Artemis. I finally understood how Ayahuasca worked and the office of DMT and MAO inhibitors. Written throughout the chapters are lengthy descriptions of the herbs along with a woods cut illustration. I would rather see a photo.

Noxious herbs similar Aconite, belladonna, henbane and others were used by witches to astral project and get to the realm of the spirits. The church would later ban these herbs for their association with witchcraft and possession was enough to have someone prosecuted during the burning times. Even so these baneful herbs had many medicinal uses that are over looked.

The persecution started past the church and male dominated medical manufacture continues to this mean solar day. Backed past a staunch Christian mentality herbs like hemp, coca and a few others are outlawed despite the scientific proof demonstrating their wellness benefits. If someone does get intoxicated here and at that place like a drink afterward work what of information technology? Information technology is incorrect because someone chewed on a a coca leaf or smoked a articulation. The witch scare continues under the form of a scare against drugs.

Despite the over all proficient view of history and uses of various herbs the book would accept benefited the inclusion of some herbal recipes, especially flying ointments which seem rather hard to detect. The book could have also added in more historical details.

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A blatant stroking of the newly new age feminine ego. There were so many blatantly Incorrect facts by page 3, it was hard for me to read further. I opened the volume to the hedgewitch affiliate. OMG... "In the neolithic age, farms were passed down matrilinearly." Okay, prove that fact... you lot got this information how, past pottery shards? Really, bulloney! You mean the men just upwardly and gave up their hegemony to hand over a valuable matter like that? Where's the proof? At that place is none! and it went downhill A breathy stroking of the newly new age feminine ego. There were then many blatantly WRONG facts by folio 3, it was difficult for me to read farther. I opened the volume to the hedgewitch chapter. OMG... "In the neolithic age, farms were passed down matrilinearly." Okay, testify that fact... you got this data how, past pottery shards? Really, bulloney! Y'all mean the men just up and gave upwardly their hegemony to paw over a valuable thing like that? Where'due south the proof? In that location is none! and it went downhill from there... that women did this and women had that power, all intuitively guessed of course, as there is no fact to dorsum this up. stroke me stroke me!
The historical facts were and so wrong and the books that they quoted were and so general. Course not many people would be reading Hans Peter Duerr at the same time then they wouldn't know that this book which uses his book equally some kind of proper name dropping reference, didn't really quote him. And since they didn't directly quote him, merely DROPPED HIS Book NAME, people wouldn't know the funny business organisation going on.
This is a existent shame as I call back the herbal information may concur some water.... why fill the rest of it with new age fantasy?
*sigh* if you but Accept to take this book, don't read anything but the herbal information and take THAT with a grain of salt... information technology may be truthful, just is it worth it to prove every little thing? This is really the type of book Llewellyn would publish, so if you like Llewellyn books, really, this book is for you, slim on facts, peachy on fantasy. ...more

Jul 22, 2021 Megan rated it actually liked it

Witchcraft Medicine is a well-researched, informative read. It was written in the 1990s and as with any book, the time information technology was written needs to be taken into account when reading the book. This is past no means a reason to not read this book. If anything, it is interesting to anthropologists and historians to meet how culture and perspectives change over time. Every bit enquiry continues to be conducted, theories evolve. As such, some theories discussed in this volume (evolution/Neanderthal theory, Wicca be Witchcraft Medicine is a well-researched, informative read. It was written in the 1990s and as with any volume, the time it was written needs to be taken into business relationship when reading the book. This is by no ways a reason to not read this book. If anything, it is interesting to anthropologists and historians to see how civilisation and perspectives alter over time. As research continues to be conducted, theories evolve. Every bit such, some theories discussed in this book (development/Neanderthal theory, Wicca beliefs, etc.) are interesting to read to see the perspective of the time but need to be read with a critical middle. These theories are only a small portion of the text; all the same, and the book is overall extremely well written.

It can exist a bit slow since it is more academic in nature. While a lot it typically lost in translation, there are still many subtle nuances in the text where y'all can glean more past reading betwixt the lines. I would recommend this book to historians, boyfriend anthropologists, and believers in witchcraft medicine.

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I could never quite get a handle on this book, either how information technology was written or how information technology was organized; I wonder if perchance something was lost in the translation from the German.

In any case, this is a strange animal. Information technology's meticulously cited when it comes to matters of herbal medicine, but the authors will periodically make incredibly controversial claims with no commendation whatsoever. For example, at one bespeak in the book they state that Moses was probably a sorcerer who managed to fool the Jews into belie

I could never quite go a handle on this book, either how information technology was written or how it was organized; I wonder if perhaps something was lost in the translation from the German.

In whatsoever case, this is a strange beast. It's meticulously cited when it comes to matters of herbal medicine, but the authors will periodically make incredibly controversial claims with no citation whatsoever. For example, at one point in the book they country that Moses was probably a magician who managed to fool the Jews into believing he was divinely inspired...and at that place'south no commendation to any work that backs upward this theory. Why put in something that could potentially alienate so many readers when it'south not even relevant?

Furthermore, the volume doesn't brand a strong example for the fact that herbal and folk medicine is much more constructive than modern science gives it credit for, which appears to be the principal point. Virtually every herb is credited with beingness good for menstrual cramps, equally an abortifacient, and easing inflammation, or some combination thereof with a few more than maladies thrown in. How useful could these herbs have been if they were all used for basically the aforementioned things, and incredibly varied symptoms that don't seem to have much to exercise with each other? All the herbs blur together since none of them seem to accept specific uses; just about the only thing I specifically remember is that Belladonna is poisonous-- and information technology's probably Besides an abortifacient.

Please annotation, I'm not saying that herbal medicine necessarily isn't useful, just that this book doesn't brand that case very well.

Information technology probably seems like I'm writing off the book as useless, which isn't actually true; it'due south a lavishly illustrated, beautiful book. And the lore sections, which become into the associations between unlike plants and different pagan goddesses, are interesting, even if they practise suffer from the same general problem of every goddess seemingly being associated with nevertheless herbs, considering they're all "faces" of the aforementioned deity, or something. I don't regret buying it just for the illustrations and lore, merely I think anyone who comes into it looking for solid information on herbal medicine, as used past the "witches" of yore, will probably exist disappointed.

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Aug 02, 2007 Gh0zt rated it it was astonishing

Recommends information technology for: ethnobotanists, students of the arcane and sacred mother goddess

The most important volume for anyone who is because the path of the Mother Goddess. This volume shows the states the true side of the witch: she is not a crazed woman flying on a broom in league with the devil, nor is she a wicca follower doing blind rituals. She is an herbal woman; a healer from the hedgerow. She uses sacred plants that tin transform her conciousness and let her to properly worship the Earth. The witch is a shaman.

This volume is filled with sources and references, and unlike any random

The almost important book for anyone who is considering the path of the Mother Goddess. This book shows us the truthful side of the witch: she is not a crazed woman flight on a broom in league with the devil, nor is she a wicca follower doing blind rituals. She is an herbal woman; a healer from the hedgerow. She uses sacred plants that can transform her conciousness and permit her to properly worship the Globe. The witch is a shaman.

This book is filled with sources and references, and dissimilar any random witch/wicca book information technology is written past acclaimed historians, anthropologists, and ethnobotanists. Christian Rätsch is one of the leading anthropologists and ethnobotanists in the world and brings to the book the accent of the witch equally a shaman. He is the author of Marijuana Medicine, The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants, The Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants, and co-author of Plants of the Gods. Claudia Muller-Ebeling and Wolf-dieter Storl besides contribute to the volume.

The volume contains valuable information and preperations of medicinal and psychoactive plants. It gives historical accounts and folkloric traditions backside many of these plants. It discusses the similiarity betwixt the persecution of the psychoactive plant using woman and the current persecution of psychoactive institute users some 500 years later. The Inquisition, the authors tell us, has not yet ended.

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Aug 21, 2021 Krisanne Lane rated it really liked it

This was a difficult, dense read. Translated from German, it contained a lot of the original German (with translations) also as clear information on plants using the Latin names. I struggled to follow a flow to the book, but that may exist because different chapters were written by different authors. The volume contains a huge amount of replications of fine art, footnotes, and quotes, all very much cited. Most of the art, unfortunately, was relegated to postage-postage stamp sized black and white pictures in t This was a difficult, dumbo read. Translated from German, information technology independent a lot of the original German (with translations) every bit well as clear data on plants using the Latin names. I struggled to follow a menses to the book, simply that may be considering unlike chapters were written by different authors. The volume contains a huge amount of replications of art, footnotes, and quotes, all very much cited. About of the art, unfortunately, was relegated to postage-postage stamp sized blackness and white pictures in the margins, which made information technology very hard to see them. The authors often described the art they referenced, which was helpful, since I could not run into what they were talking about.

The volume culminated into a chapter equating witchcraft medicine with the mod drug state of war. Although this is a logical progression, and a completely viable and defensible position, some of the statements in this chapter were patently wrong. They described modern pharmaceuticals as "inert." They basically dismissed the entire modern pharmaceutical system every bit a hoax. It was a footling likewise much for me. In that location was a paragraph most a specific patent containing several errors regarding the patent system and how it functions. This was surprising given the heavy research that went into this book.

At that place is a lot of interesting information in here. It'southward definitely worth a slow read. It may exist worthwhile to pull up some of the fine art online and then you lot can encounter it better. Those who take a stronger groundwork in visual art or herbalism may find this to be easier to follow than I did.

What I would say, though, is that past the terminate, I retrieve I understood the theme that eluded me every bit I read most of the book. Herbs and herbal medicine has been connected to witchcraft throughout the centuries, both in reality and in mythology. As witchcraft became demonized by the rising of Christianity, so did the herbs and herbal medicines connected to them. Ultimately, the current drug war, specifically on cannabis and coca leaves, is an extension of that. Natural herbs that accept benign qualities are demonized and banned past the Christian Right that controls about Western countries. This is not to say there aren't problems with these plants. The point is that most of the plants that have been used over the centuries accept both positive and negative attributes, and the job of the witch is to strike a residue between poison and healing medicine. The persecution of and attempt at eradication of witches has led to the loss of the noesis so essential to the use of these plants.

Though I struggled somewhat with the text, the overarching theme and much of the information within the book was interesting and worth earthworks into more.

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Feb xviii, 2020 Lorna Vivi rated information technology did non like it

I was then disapointed with this book, information technology looked beautiful and sounded perfect for my interests. However the corporeality of misinformation such a Samhain beingness an Irish god was not only laughable but slightly worrying that people with Phd due south deceit practise proper enquiry.
The images are cute admittedly only when you cant even get uncomplicated facts correct you deceit be expected to believe anything else thats written in it.

A piece of information I needed.

I gave it a skilful rating because it had a small-scale piece of information which i did non know. And it was of a topic i am intimately familiar with only did not know this one part. And with that function it has lead me forth a staff of life crumb trail that volition reply what I question.

Oct xviii, 2017 kate rated it information technology was amazing

This was an extremely enjoyable and intriguing collection. If you want to know more about medieval European witchcraft lore especially equally it relates to the use of constitute medicines, read this book. I just wished it was longer, this is a verdant topic.

Aug 01, 2021 ?0?0?0 rated information technology it was amazing

As with any other book with Ratsch as a co-writer, this is a must read and I'd submit a must ain. Every bit with any other book with Ratsch as a co-author, this is a must read and I'd submit a must own. ...more

Oct 03, 2019 Cyndi Brannen rated information technology it was amazing

Absolutely 1 of my fave reference books nearly pharmakeia, the practice of holistic herbalism descended from ancient Hekatean Witches.

A really dense and fascinating resource.
If you are interested on European and German language folk practise and herbal lore this is a peachy resource

I am getting a lot out of

There are sections by

May 05, 2013 Fran rated information technology liked it

Recommends it for: Political activists, ethnologists, those interested in feminism and folk practices exterior the The states

Recommended to Fran past: Amazon.com

This book suffers desperately from undecided organization. Is information technology a collection of loosely related articles past several authors, a joint project, someone's theses?

Subject matter rambles from chapter to affiliate covering such topics as artistic portrayals of witches and the herbs associated with them, universal shamanism, and comparisons of modern drug laws to the Inquisition. A lot of it, salve for the occasional tidbit of mythology or botany, presumes heavily on Margaret Murray's now disproven theories re

This book suffers badly from undecided organization. Is it a collection of loosely related articles by several authors, a joint project, someone's theses?

Subject matter rambles from chapter to chapter covering such topics every bit creative portrayals of witches and the herbs associated with them, universal shamanism, and comparisons of modern drug laws to the Inquisition. A lot of it, relieve for the occasional tidbit of mythology or phytology, presumes heavily on Margaret Murray'south at present disproven theories regarding the presence of a universal pagan religion in Western Europe which is then combined with radical New Historic period feminism. The entire volume is colored by the authors' obviously negative view of Christianity. The authors also commit the cardinal sin of using either their own or each others' past works with no farther resources or support to bolster their claims.

It simply doesn't deliver what the title promises.

Information technology does, however, take value as a expect at western European --- especially German --- mindsets regarding the various subjects within the context of their own culture. By reading carefully and supplementing with more reliable resources, one can yet glean quite a bit of useful information on western European folk medicine and lore, medicinal and culinary uses for herbs, and descriptions of the plants in all stages of life. The illustrations of the plants, specially in early chapters, are beautifully rendered. Where they are genuinely knowledgeable, the authors highlight some interesting correlations which the reader might not have previously considered.

Non recommended for those just beginning their studies and the contents will simply annoy those who are experienced in the field of study matter. Information technology would be grwat for grouping give-and-take or a humanities course. As a volume about medicine and witchcraft or fifty-fifty plant medicine it's useless.

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I loved the first half of the volume which was written by Wolf Storl. He'southward got excellent information and is able to meet the whole, big picture. The history chip by Müller-Ebeling was alright, merely yeah... knew that already. Women herbalists accept always been vilified. The Medieval historical recipes were kind of interesting but along the "heart of newt" kind whipped together for the Christian interrogators, rather than something I could actually discover useful. While the very final fleck was a rant against t I loved the beginning half of the book which was written by Wolf Storl. He's got fantabulous data and is able to encounter the whole, big picture. The history bit past Müller-Ebeling was alright, but yeah... knew that already. Women herbalists take ever been vilified. The Medieval historical recipes were kind of interesting just along the "heart of newt" kind whipped together for the Christian interrogators, rather than something I could actually find useful. While the very concluding bit was a bluster against those who are restricting admission to plants but to make a buck. Which is frustrating I agree, only a bit of preaching to the choir since the book seems to be geared towards magical practitioners who want to acquire more most herbs and shamanic practices. That said, it's entirely worth the coin but for Wolf'southward great data. ...more

Jul 26, 2008 Angie rated information technology liked it

European, aboriginal, ritual use of herbs, herbal lore, new names, stories

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