| | |  | Gardening & Horticulture | Home » » » » Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Cunningham's Encyclopedia Series) | | | | | | | Description: | | Do you work magic with herbs? Do you use them in spells, for talismans or simply use their innate powers? If you don't have Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, you need to get it right away. This book has become a classic in its field. Paul Beyerl, a respected author on herbs calls it "…an essential reference book by students of herbalism and magick alike … Scott's personable charm touches every page… I highly recommend this book." And Jeanne Rose, famous author of books on herbs and developer of an herbal course says "I love books like this … It is accessible, easy to read, and with its encompassing index (all too often neglected), simple to use as well." Over 200,000 people already have this book and use it frequently.
In this edition of the book (it's expanded and revised on the 15th anniversary of original publication) you will find the magical properties and folklore of over 400 herbs! You'll also find lists of herbs based on their magical powers, their genders, their planetary rulers, and more. Perhaps the most important list is the folk name cross-reference. With that information, when a recipe calls for "bramble, " you'll know it needs blackberry. Or if the magic calls for "enebro," you'll know you that is juniper.
The main part of this book is the listings of the herbs. Each one includes names, associations, and magical attributions. Violets can be used for protection, luck, love, and more. Primrose is for protection and love. Garlic is for protection, healing, exorcism, lust, and prevention of theft.
This book is considered a classic. It is probably consulted more than any other book on this subject. If you want to learn the secrets of magical herbs, this book is a must!
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Scott Cunningham | | Paperback:
| 318 pages | | Publisher:
| Llewellyn Publications | | Publication Date:
| 1985-10 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0875421229 | | Product Length:
| 8.98 inches | | Product Width:
| 6.1 inches | | Product Height:
| 0.8 inches | | Product Weight:
| 1.2 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.9 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.9 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.2 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 175 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 175 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 122 found the following review helpful:
 A Reference for us modern witchesFeb 14, 2002
By C. Gorman
"book horder"
Scott Cunningham, in his time, turned out quite a few books and references for the modern, 'practical' witch. Though many of the herbs listed seem arcane- when I bought this book it was the first time I had heard of herbs like eryngo and life-everlasting- this reference is well done.
The herbs are organized alphabetically, and black and white drawings of the plant or flower are to the side of each entry, which typically includes the scientific (Latin) name, health codes (such as G for safe, and a guide is included in the book for all of the codes), any folk names, its attributed gender, planet, element, and deities, followed by brief (or sometimes long) descriptions of ritual and magical uses.
After the listings of herbs, there are lists of categories, under which are listed what herbs fit that area- such as masculine plants, herbs that correspond to certain ritual intentions, and elementary rulers. Also included are an index, a glossary, and a mail order list for those who do not have an herb store nearby (and it's hard to find something like mandrake in your local grocery store!).
Granted, this book is not the be-all and end-all of herbal studies. I recommend finding yourself at least three good sources and using them together when using herbs.
53 of 54 found the following review helpful:
 Tons of useful informationSep 05, 2001
By NYC Webwitch
This book contains at least two or three hundred magical herb listings shown with illustrations of the herb, deity correspondences, elemental correspondences, folk names of herbs, ritual use, and other historical information designed to give clues as to how these herbs are best used towards magical purposes (Devil's Shoestring, for example, is best carried in the pocket to bring luck in employment matters, so from reading this book you would know not to make an incense with the herb but to carry it). The detailed appendices full of correspondence tables are great time-savers. However, this is not a recipe book, in fact it doesn't contain a single recipe. Also, Cunningham doesn't really comment on which herbs are known to be MOST powerful in workings towards certain ends, so some additional self-research is required. This book pre-assumes a basic knowledge of herbs and doesn't offer anything in the way of general instruction, so this should be considered a reference book and not an instrument of instruction. In any case, I have found it a valuable reference, and recommend it.If you want a REALLY thorough herb reference and this doesn't sound like enough, I would try Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism
121 of 132 found the following review helpful:
Comprehensive & EssentialJan 22, 2000
By J. A. Kwan
"drago-merlin"
It does seem that one don't normally need to review the priceless works of the late sage, Scott Cunningham. His knowledge and gift to the Wiccan community is legendary. This book, like one of our learned reviewer mentioned, "is a BILBLE reference". It contains almost all imaginable herbs and their corresponding influences to assist in a successful magickal working. I have read many herbal books that claim to be complete and must have..blah blah...but nothing really comes close to this one. It's not that one has to pay alot of money in order to obtain knowledge but these days on the book front, you start to wonder if the writers and publishers of some expensive books on herbal lore should read up more before flooding the market with dubious contributions. You can tell when you have picked up a great book. With Scott Cunningham, he's never short on sharing everything useful he knows and my my, this man really really knows alot. Go get it!
27 of 27 found the following review helpful:
This book is incredible! Cunningham is the best! BUY IT!Jun 24, 2000
This book is perfect for those who like lists, pictures, instructions, and organized information. Cunningham presents the facts for each herb in a concise and organized fashion, and most of the herbs are sketched out in the right hand margin. Cunningham guides us through magic herbalism with sincerity and profound knowledge of the subject while never ceasing to amaze and impress the reader. The end of the book contains an index which lists the page numbers for each herb as well as ailments. For example, if you have a headache, look up "headache" and refer to those page numbers. This prevents the reader from looking through ALL the herbs' uses to find how to cure a headache. Cunningham is truly amazing. The fact that he is no longer here is certainly upsetting. BUY THIS BOOK if you love pictures, charts, lists, and genuine advice for the utilization of magical herbs.
27 of 27 found the following review helpful:
Researchers! Here there be gold!Feb 27, 2000
By E. Gilligan
"Lace"
I'm writing this review after ordering my 5th copy of the book. Why the 5th copy? Do I give them away? No, I use an edition until it -- literally -- falls apart in my hands! This is by far THE BEST reference for herbs to be found since it addresses brief magical, practical and medicinal uses, provides drawings and also folk names in a logical, readable order. Writers who want to get it right in their work, if you can only afford one book, buy this one (twice!). I heartily recommend it for people of the craft, writers and gardeners.
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