Judy Ann Nock

Some of this isn't bad but it wouldn't be the only book of this ilk I would have in my library, nor would I rely on it for safety's sake. Of course my opinion was solidified by the acknowledgement part of which reads "...It is interesting to note that the United States does not have a sanctioned herbal tradition, There are no officially recognized certifications, no governing body, nor state corruption of the herbal tradition of healing and magick that has spanned millennia. Every now and again, some government regulation will attempt to regulate and consequently stifle the wisdom and power of plants and witches' ability to use them. During these times, I quietly nod respect to the trailblazers to eschehwed the medical industrial allopathic model of wellness and instead claimed, reclaimed and disseminated the ancient wisdom of herbs. .."
I may have missed it somewhere, but I'm usually pretty good at noticing this stuff, but I didn't see a piece that mentioned patch testing stuff you put on your skin. The author suggests that a good herbal is one with illustrations rather than photographs. But doesn't mention any modern herbals that I could see that were relatively scientific. She also used scientific names for some things, but insstead of saying that Lavundula officialis and augistifolia are also know as rather than variants (fairly interchangeable, with minor scent differences. She doesn't mention the big advice in buying herbs and essential oils; to buy herbs from somewhere that has expiry dates and looks like they refresh stock frequently and that essential oils should be different prices. Also she mentions foraging but doesn't talk about checking local regulations about it; not overcropping and not foraging unless you know what you're doing, this is the way people have poisoned themselves and their family. While she seems to have issues with regular "allopathic" medicine (and I have to admit that I'm a happily treated for cancer by it person) mentioning that you need to check with health professionals if you use herbal treatments on top of prescribed or OTC medications as interactions can range from annoying to deadly.
There's also an annoying "Greater Celtic Supernation" attitude to gods and goddesses and practices and shortly after when mentioning Henna discusses how you have to have respect for a culture and not cultularly appropriaate it. The blindness to the cultural appropriation of Irish, Scottish, Welsh etc culture is such a peculiar American trait. There's also uncritical use of American herbs into seasonal celebrations tthat originate elsewhere.
It's not a bad book and has some interesting ideas but I would have it as a secondary book and definitely not rely on it as a primary text. As someone living in Ireland some of the herbs could be hard to obtain as they are primarily American and I believe that some can be hard to access, or quite expensive when they could be substituted for more available herbs.… (altro)

The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs is a great addition to one’s reference library. A large part of the book includes information on 100 herbs including a short history, their growing preferences, what remedies they are good for, and their magickal properties. It is a great introduction to the herbs allowing you to see which ones you would like to explore more via other books or courses.

There are also a lot of spells and charms included. Some of the chapters include; Botanicals and Beauty, Aphrodisiacs and Attraction, Fate and Fortune, Omens and Oracles, Belladonna and Bane, Dragon’s Blood and Dreams, and Rites and Rituals.
Nock also includes information on altars, magickal tools, smudging, and more.

It would be a perfect book for someone just beginning to get into witchcraft and herbs. And for those who have been practicing with magickal herbs for awhile, they might find some new information to add to their Book of Shadows or grimoire.… (altro)