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Herbana Witch: A Year in the Forest
The herbana witch is a green witch who uses the power of nature and the wisdom of the forest and who has a deep understanding of herbs, barks, mushrooms, roots, flowers, and woodland plants. This beautifully illustrated book from the author of Backyard Witchcraft is an almanac, designed to travel with the herbana witch throughout an entire year, exploring the seasons, the plants of each period, magical and healing recipes, and animal guides. It will help you get in touch with the forest and its subtle energy. Herbana Witch begins at the winter solstice and presents magical and healing practices, spirit animals, and subtle energies that change with the seasons. Each chapter begins with a suggestive description of the forest in a particular season. From there, the author includes meditations, visualizations, and rituals and a seasonal recipe that can be prepared with the available ingredients from the forest. Instructions are included on how to select and use woodland herbs, how to transform them for personal use, and how to make such crafts as incense, soaps, and candles—and much more.Let us welcome the wild wisdom of those who dwell at the edge of the forest, listening every day, in a way that opens the door to magic.Herbana A Year in the Forest
160 pages, Hardcover
Published September 11, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2505 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 19, 2023
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Red Wheel Books) for promotional purposes.
I had previously read the author’s other witchy nonfiction book, Backyard Witchcraft: The Complete Guide for the Green Witch, the Kitchen Witch, and the Hedge Witch, and enjoyed it, so I was excited to read this one. I was not disappointed.
This book centers on the Herbana Witch, which is a type of witch who is connected to nature. The book is divided up into the 4 seasons and provides witchy information on plants, animals, and activities to do during each season. It was highly informative and I learned a lot of new things, especially regarding the properties of certain plants. I particularly liked the Herbana Witch’s Message at the end of each section. They were all spot on.
I love the author’s writing style. There is something almost lyrical about it. It’s smooth and calming, which you often don’t encounter in nonfiction. Nonfiction can sometimes feel sterile and detached. At one part, the author talks about how the Herbana Witch lives on the edge and she wrote a beautiful quote. She writes, “The edge is thus a space that stands in opposition to the tenets of the majority, to what is ordinary; it is at times a difficult space, but if it is experienced as a space of resistance and revolution, it is a space that is rich in potential, freedom, and possibility” (pg. 15). This quote really stuck with me and I kept coming back to it to reread.
The illustrations were also gorgeous. It captured the witchy nature aesthetic and translated what the author was discussing perfectly. For example, in discussing elderberry, the author mentions Saturn. The picture for elderberry incorporated Saturn in the illustration. I loved that cleverness!
The last few pages are lined for any notes the reader may wish to add, which I thought was a nice touch.
Overall, this is a stunning witchy reference book that will have you thinking deeper about the seasons.
I had previously read the author’s other witchy nonfiction book, Backyard Witchcraft: The Complete Guide for the Green Witch, the Kitchen Witch, and the Hedge Witch, and enjoyed it, so I was excited to read this one. I was not disappointed.
This book centers on the Herbana Witch, which is a type of witch who is connected to nature. The book is divided up into the 4 seasons and provides witchy information on plants, animals, and activities to do during each season. It was highly informative and I learned a lot of new things, especially regarding the properties of certain plants. I particularly liked the Herbana Witch’s Message at the end of each section. They were all spot on.
I love the author’s writing style. There is something almost lyrical about it. It’s smooth and calming, which you often don’t encounter in nonfiction. Nonfiction can sometimes feel sterile and detached. At one part, the author talks about how the Herbana Witch lives on the edge and she wrote a beautiful quote. She writes, “The edge is thus a space that stands in opposition to the tenets of the majority, to what is ordinary; it is at times a difficult space, but if it is experienced as a space of resistance and revolution, it is a space that is rich in potential, freedom, and possibility” (pg. 15). This quote really stuck with me and I kept coming back to it to reread.
The illustrations were also gorgeous. It captured the witchy nature aesthetic and translated what the author was discussing perfectly. For example, in discussing elderberry, the author mentions Saturn. The picture for elderberry incorporated Saturn in the illustration. I loved that cleverness!
The last few pages are lined for any notes the reader may wish to add, which I thought was a nice touch.
Overall, this is a stunning witchy reference book that will have you thinking deeper about the seasons.
September 28, 2024
Herbana. Un anno nella foresta di Cecilia Lattari, supportato dalle splendide illustrazioni di Alice Guidi, ci fa pensare a un almanacco ma è molto di più… c’è anche una dimensione narrativa e contemplativa che esplora in profondità la relazione tra l’uomo e la natura. E’ un testo di consultazione, una lettura divulgativa e poetica al tempo stesso ma, soprattutto, un anno nella foresta… è il tempo che serve a imparare a vivere e interpretare i simboli del mondo naturale.
Qui l’autunno è subito associato al bosco, ai suoi colori e sapori: il pane con la farina di castagne… beh…vi consiglio di seguire la ricetta… che profumo!
Ogni stagione, infine, è accompagnata da un “animale guida”per rendere il ciclo naturale ancora più completo. Un libro che ci insegna a rispettare il ritmo della natura, a riconoscere e ad accogliere i cambiamenti, a trarre insegnamento dagli animali che la popolano. Ogni stagione offre opportunità uniche di crescita e introspezione.
Qui l’autunno è subito associato al bosco, ai suoi colori e sapori: il pane con la farina di castagne… beh…vi consiglio di seguire la ricetta… che profumo!
Ogni stagione, infine, è accompagnata da un “animale guida”per rendere il ciclo naturale ancora più completo. Un libro che ci insegna a rispettare il ritmo della natura, a riconoscere e ad accogliere i cambiamenti, a trarre insegnamento dagli animali che la popolano. Ogni stagione offre opportunità uniche di crescita e introspezione.
November 26, 2023
This is a fun volume with a few recipes, rituals, and details/ideas about the season/plants. The illustrations are very sweet and I especially loved reading about the history of different plants related to mythology/historical herbana etc.
December 7, 2024
Un libro che mi ha convinta moltissimo, grazie soprattutto allo stile diretto e sintetico e alle stupende illustrazioni. L'anno è scandito dalle stagioni e il libro è concepito benissimo: suddiviso in 4 sezioni a seconda della Stagione. In ogni sezione troviamo le erbe, i fiori, il contesto naturale analizzato e presentato benissimo. E anche rituali e ricette e Animale Guida associato.
Sì, è l'ennesimo manuale. Ma onestamente è fatto bene. Molto meglio di tanti altri.
Arriva al punto senza perdersi troppo in chiacchiere psicomagiche.
A differenza di molti, a me il linguaggio onirico e "poetico" non ha dato l'impressione di furbissima operazione commerciale quanto di allineamento sinestetico e spirituale alla dimensione raccontata. La foresta evoca da sola il Sogno. Con le sue Fate, i suoi abitanti silenziosi, i suoi mille palpiti di infiniti cicli vita/morte/sospensione della realtà.
Assolutamente consigliato sia alle Streghette appassionate e già avvezze all'argomento che - ancor di più - ai neofiti.
Sì, è l'ennesimo manuale. Ma onestamente è fatto bene. Molto meglio di tanti altri.
Arriva al punto senza perdersi troppo in chiacchiere psicomagiche.
A differenza di molti, a me il linguaggio onirico e "poetico" non ha dato l'impressione di furbissima operazione commerciale quanto di allineamento sinestetico e spirituale alla dimensione raccontata. La foresta evoca da sola il Sogno. Con le sue Fate, i suoi abitanti silenziosi, i suoi mille palpiti di infiniti cicli vita/morte/sospensione della realtà.
Assolutamente consigliato sia alle Streghette appassionate e già avvezze all'argomento che - ancor di più - ai neofiti.
September 14, 2023
Bellissime illustrazioni e bellissimo viaggio grafico. Le tre stelle sono date al contenuto di per sé: per un pagano navigato, o comunque per chi pratica stregoneria con una certa serietà, il libro non apporterà alcuna novità. È l'ennesimo libro sulla magia verde, sui cicli della natura, in cui si è voluto inserire un ritmo più poetico, affrontandolo come se fosse un viaggio all'interno di un bosco immaginario. Sarà che ho percepito il tono poetico come un tentativo di rendere più "misterioso" il cammino, che mi è risultato tutto sommato stucchevole, ma non l'ho apprezzato granché. Le illustrazioni sono fenomenali, ancora una volta, e il contenuto non è "sbagliato" (al contrario), ma è adatto a chi non conosce minimamente l'argomento o per chi vuole tornare un po' bambino lasciandosi cullare dai colori e da un percorso familiare.
August 25, 2025
On the positive note: The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! This is a visually stunning book!
I had to DNF this book and remove so many thoughts I had in my notes about issues within this book. It was just too long for a review.
I had to DNF this book and remove so many thoughts I had in my notes about issues within this book. It was just too long for a review.
October 7, 2023
Piccoli grandi suggerimenti dalla strega Herbana per connettersi alla natura nelle varie stagioni. Io ho decisamente apprezzato
October 15, 2023
I recently read Cecilia Lattari’s Herbana Witch: A Year in the Forest, a stunning, empowering guide on enriching our lives with the wisdom and gifts of the seasons.
Rest; listen; nurture; collect; Lattari invites the reader to observe the natural rhythm of the forest and mirror our behaviors in this mindfulness. By doing so, we can become an ‘herbana witch,’ a person whose actions and behaviors are deeply reflective and informed by the world around us.
Perhaps you know an herbana witch: she offers you tea cultivated from her garden; her home smells of fresh herbs and baking bread; she reaches down on long walks, collecting the bright red leaves of fallen maples, just for the pleasure of treasuring these jewels of the world.
Lattari’s guide to learning from the seasons is both spiritual and practical: she details the uses of seasonal plants and suggests behaviors and activities suited to their specific times, urging the reader to connect with the world around them first through education, then action, and finally, reflection. As I read through her guide, I found myself continually pausing and thinking, “I had no idea…” and “I didn’t know that!”
For instance, right now is the perfect time to make honey syrup, a syrup made from honey, lemon, and ginger, good for coughs and sore throats.
Each section identifies the trees and plants of its respective seasons, how to use them, what other seasonal activities we can do that incorporates the forest into our lives, and finally, offers a reflection based on an animal of the forest: the wolf, the hare, the lizard, and the fox.
Lattari’s work is all substance and direction, kindness and encouragement, with a core of earth magic at the center. I ended the book feeling excited and empowered to plunge out into the trees.
The book is lushly illustrated on every page by Alice Guidi (swipe to see a few pages!), who brings to life Lattari’s wisdom in the rich, flowing hues of the natural world. Gorgeous designs, enchanting artwork, and a well-researched guide all combine to create a book steeped in natural magic.
Rest; listen; nurture; collect; Lattari invites the reader to observe the natural rhythm of the forest and mirror our behaviors in this mindfulness. By doing so, we can become an ‘herbana witch,’ a person whose actions and behaviors are deeply reflective and informed by the world around us.
Perhaps you know an herbana witch: she offers you tea cultivated from her garden; her home smells of fresh herbs and baking bread; she reaches down on long walks, collecting the bright red leaves of fallen maples, just for the pleasure of treasuring these jewels of the world.
Lattari’s guide to learning from the seasons is both spiritual and practical: she details the uses of seasonal plants and suggests behaviors and activities suited to their specific times, urging the reader to connect with the world around them first through education, then action, and finally, reflection. As I read through her guide, I found myself continually pausing and thinking, “I had no idea…” and “I didn’t know that!”
For instance, right now is the perfect time to make honey syrup, a syrup made from honey, lemon, and ginger, good for coughs and sore throats.
Each section identifies the trees and plants of its respective seasons, how to use them, what other seasonal activities we can do that incorporates the forest into our lives, and finally, offers a reflection based on an animal of the forest: the wolf, the hare, the lizard, and the fox.
Lattari’s work is all substance and direction, kindness and encouragement, with a core of earth magic at the center. I ended the book feeling excited and empowered to plunge out into the trees.
The book is lushly illustrated on every page by Alice Guidi (swipe to see a few pages!), who brings to life Lattari’s wisdom in the rich, flowing hues of the natural world. Gorgeous designs, enchanting artwork, and a well-researched guide all combine to create a book steeped in natural magic.
October 11, 2023
This book is absolutely beautiful from the cover til the end. I love the information. It starts out explaining what an herbana witch is. Then it goes over each season. It tells you certain things to gather from nature during that season. And in each season is a bread recipe, along with other things that you can make during that time, or with things you’ve gathered from that time. Each season also has a special animal that it covers. And at the end of each season there is a little message from the Herbana Witch. And at the end of the book are empty pages for you to write whatever you need to write. Each page is for a specific season.
* I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. I was not influenced to give my opinion other than asking me to review this book and to leave either a good or bad review.*
* I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. I was not influenced to give my opinion other than asking me to review this book and to leave either a good or bad review.*
October 16, 2023
Thank you for sending this gorgeous book through a Good Reads giveaway. This book gives great insight into different plants throughout the different seasons that can provide health, well-being, and spiritual benefits along with simple recipes and insights into animals associated with the seasons. There are beautiful illustrations all throughout the book as well. I really enjoyed this book!
March 5, 2025
Le illustrazioni sono stupende e da sole valgono la spesa per il volume, ma per quanto riguarda il contenuto è decisamente troppo pieno di suggestioni pseudo-esoteriche a discapito di descrizioni effettive delle piante e dei possibili usi; insomma un po' troppe supercazzole
September 4, 2023
Beautifully illustrated with wonderful seasonal inspiration that could adorn any coffee table. My only complaint is it wasn't long enough.
March 30, 2024
The illustrations and the author's writing about the rhythms of the year and the Herbana Witch's place in them is gentle as well as lyrical.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews