Garden Spells

by Claire Nahmad

In "Garden Spells", Claire Nahmad reveals some of the marvel, mystery and magic associated with the garden. She explores the magical properties of trees, herbs and flowers, and shows how, by fostering the growth of herbs that have proven healing powers, one can create a magical garden. The book provides instructions for designing a lover's floral clock, and for making pot pourries which will bless the house, give hope to lovers and inspire creative works. There is advice on how to attract fairies to the garden and keep on good terms with them, how to create flowerbeds which will produce `harbours of peace and goodness', and a wealth of magical folklore linked to the birds, animals and insects that visit the garden. This collection of ancient wisdom is drawn from and inspired by the writings of Claire Nahmad's great-grandmother, a nineteenth-century wisewoman who lived in Yorkshire and used her knowledge to help others. Embellished by Camilla Charnock's illustrations, this book offers a healthy gardening philosophy, based on love and respect for all natural things, that will enrich our gardens and our lives. Claire Nahmad lives in an isolated village in South Yorkshire, the area in which her great-grandmother spent her life. A freelance writer, she specialises in healing, and herbalism, the study of magic and local folklore. Her previous books for Pavilion include "Lovespells" and "Catspells".

Genres: Nonfiction, Herbs, Gardening

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Claire Nahmad is descended from a long line of herbalists and wise women, and has spent her life learning the ancient arts and attuning herself to the life of the spirit. She has published eight books on new age themes. She lives in a remote part of South Yorkshire where she is studying the local lore and legends.

- description from cover jacket of the 1998 edition of Fairy Spells

Reviews

[Alicia Hofstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure if I was the target audience for this book but it was surely something else entirely.
I think it must be extremely hard if you were to use all of the instructions this books gives you but I do agree that if you treat all animals and plants with respect, you and your garden will benefit from it.

Although I don’t recommend putting a spider in your pocket so you might spawn silver in there. I don’t think the spider likes that very much.

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like romance novels but I enjoyed this one. The heroine is a witch but never labels herself as such; her magic is herbal cuisine.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book on information pulled from the authors Great Grandmothers notes. Her Great Grandmother was a wisewoman, aka white witch, in England. A few of the plants like briony are not common to the USA but it is an interesting little read. There are not many spells but there are what were the believed uses for the plants mentioned. Some are things I have seen in modern herbal books. Others I would take with a grain of salt since they come from plants that can be dangerous.

[S H · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as the author, in the introduction, explains that " it is a Victorian wise-woman's guide " I cannot help finding the misunderstanding of Lore unnerving. Yet another booklet about Angels and Good Fairies. For someone who advocates the treasuring of our Folklore, she sure is making a right mess of it.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dear friend gave me a copy of this book many years ago and i enjoyed it thoroughly. Interesting to read even if you are not a gardener...and even if you dont believe in fairies!

[Charles Qin · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a brilliant take on the traditional value of family and community, and tradition. it's a fabulous read. i loved it.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Different.

[Ann Farnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Mary Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and charming with some wisdom thrown in the mix.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

magical tale