Braiding together insights from herbalism, ecology, neurobiology, psychology, Irish history, and magical tradition, Seán Pádraig O'Donoghue shows how we can tap into the flow of communication from the wild world and our ancestral traditions to transform our lives, culture, and worlds.
Introducing the seven principles of animist herbalism, he revitalizes the ancient Irish understanding of the "three cauldrons" of the body and shows how this framework can be applied to the practice of modern herbalism. He examines the importance of physical and spiritual nourishment, including the role of seasonal ritual in setting the rhythms of our lives. He shares ancient Irish stories, with precautions and protocols regarding the ethics of engaging the Otherworld and working with plant medicines, especially psychedelics.
O'Donogue introduces thirteen of his closest plant and fungi allies, discussing what it means to develop a relationship with a plant and how to work with their medicines for healing and magic. He also provides simple practices for rooting in nature, navigating the wheel of the year, and deepening your connections with wild plants, as well as trees, water, and the ancestors.
Revealing the depths of healing and magic available through wild plants, O'Donoghue helps us to reconnect body and spirit with the living world around us.
