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TWPT: Your new book is called the Wicca Herbal, give me a little background
as to when the idea first occurred to you to write this book?
JW: About ten
years ago I was practicing looking for my aura between my fingers (ala Celestine
Prophecy) when I saw a green spark of light line my finger. This was immediately
followed by the presence of a green leafy man standing behind me. I asked for
his name, but did not get it until the next day when a friend told me about the
Findhorn experience where the people honored, acknowledged and listened to the
plant devas and Pan the spirit of vegetation. The herbs and flowers responded by
growing extraordinarily. Pan, of course, was the presence I had sensed. I was at
once intrigued by this connection to plants and herbs. In my research for the
first book, The Wicca Cookbook, I found no herbal that detailed our connection
with nature that satisfied this dirt worshiper. The Wicca Herbal filled a void
that appealed and outlined our connection to Mother Earth: one that spoke to a
true tree hugger's delight.
TWPT:
What sort of training and knowledge do you
have that helped you in the writing of this book?
JW: I have taken and lead
many diverse classes on herbs and their uses, and our connection with Mother
Earth, in both the magickal and non-magickal realms. Growing, talking with and
otherwise connecting with each herb or plant mentioned in the book helped
immensely. I also met with my Elder High Priestess regularly, grew many herbs,
and consulted with botanists and other Herbal experts.
TWPT:
What kind of
reader would you say that The Wicca Herbal is aimed at? Does a reader need a
solid foundation in herbs before this book will make sense to them?
JW: Due
to the unique compilation of practical and magickal information, the target
audience for this book is quite broad: reaching beginners as well as those who
have experience with herbs. I included well-known and rare information, so that
most any one could discover something new. With the breadth of medicinal,
magickal, beauty, and culinary recipes, hopefully the book will appeal to people
of different faiths as well.
TWPT:
What did you want to accomplish with the
publication of this book?
JW: The varied format also leads to my desires and
aspirations for The Wicca Herbal. Truly, I hope this book is part of the bridge
uniting pagans and those who, through their misunderstandings, fear pagans,
Witches, and Wiccans. I visualize the readers finding a common ground in this
resource for their many uses of herbs. And that muggles will understand
different spiritualities speak to the same Truth - it's merely a matter of
semantics that separate us. I pray all will recognize we all revere the same
Mother Earth and that it's the message, not the metaphor that matters
most.
TWPT: Could you give our readers an overview of the book and how it
is laid out.
JW: Folk and botanical names, preferred growing conditions,
historical lore, deity and planetary associations, medicinal and magickal
applications are outlined for 100 herbs. There is at least one recipe for each
herb, which may be either medicinal, magickal, beauty, or culinary. Other
sections include: Wicca, the sabbats (and associated herbs), natural gardening
(with emphasis on our connection), spell casting, ritual set-up, glossary, and
an extensive resource guide. The book also includes medieval woodcuts and
impressive pictures of most of the herbs and plants.
TWPT:
The title of
your book is The Wicca Herbal but wouldn't anyone who works with herbs or
wanted to learn about herbs find this book helpful?
JW: I do hope that anyone
with an interest in herbs or gardening will find cause to enjoy this book. Most
of our lives are so devoid of ritual and reverence. This book, while it empowers
one to create their own experience, offers many ideas on how to honor the
passage of the seasons as well as transitions into new phases of life as well as
yummy recipes.
TWPT:
What is it about your book that makes it a Wiccan book
as opposed to simply a Pagan book about herbs?
JW: The Wicca Herbal does
include much information to demystify basic elements of spell casting. An idea
also explored is that magick must be experiences to even maintain the smallest
grip on its vastness.
TWPT:
Your website bio says that you lead classes in
herbal healing, does your book address some of the information that you cover
in your herbal healing classes?
JW: Our connection to herbs as our green
brothers and sisters - the plant kin-dom, empowering each person to know how to
manifest their highest good, enthusiastic support for reverence and ritual, and
ideas on how to weave magick into your everyday life are all aspects I include
in my books, lectures, workshops, and retreats.
TWPT:
Do you think that
working with herbs helps to form connections to the earth that you won't get
in other ways? If so could you explain.
JW: By working with herbs, we form a
unique and deeper connection to Mother Earth because we become more grounded
with dirt in our fingernails. The pulse of Mother Earth taps into the
Yin/feminine energy, as we sift soil between our fingers. Observing how a plant
grows in diverse growing conditions works as a visceral reminder of the cycles
of the seasons - offering a guideline by which we can pattern our lives. Talking
with the plant and seeing how our kin responds, brings about an awareness of the
web of life that connects us all. It puts us on one strand and back into proper
perspective.
TWPT:
Do you think that those who live in the urban areas are
at a disadvantage when it comes to working with herbs?
JW: People living in
urban areas are merely offered a difference experience. They must find creative
ways to infuse their lives with herbs than someone living in the middle of a
forest. Plants may be sprinkled on paths and windowsills, instead of sprawling
throughout an expansive garden. However, if one connects with just one plant,
they have connected with all plants.
TWPT:
What kind of research went into
bringing this book to print?
JW: I researched this book for many years,
concentrating upon gardening or otherwise connecting with each plant I listed
for the last couple of years. I attended more classes (both magickal and not)
and submersed myself in my favorite landscapes of nature to fill my heart, mind,
and soul with herbs and the gifts they offer. I also asked many different people
to contribute, thereby offering many different ways to connect with Mother
Earth.
TWPT: Do you have any final thoughts about the Wicca Herbal that you
would like to share with our readers and how they might best use your book
in their own workings with herbs?
JW: It is important to make a connection
with each herb you plan on using. Meditate with it and you will be amazed at the
individualized message it has just for you. Allow the vitality of herbs to be
infused in your life. Don't ever miss an opportunity to share love.
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