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The Druid Plant Oracle: Working With the Magical Flora of the Druid Tradition
In the Druid tradition, many plants, herbs, flowers, and mushrooms are considered sacred and to have special meanings, and are prominent features of mythology and legend. The Druid Plant Oracle presents these stories and the virtues and qualities that have been traditionally ascribed to these plants, through an oracle that is able to offer unique guidance and inspiration. The thirty-six cards each show a plant within its natural habitat and offers details within this 'miniature landscape' that are also described in the text. The book gives detailed descriptions of the meaning of each card, with keywords for upright and reversed positions, and information on the mythology and lore associated with each plant. Six ways of conducting a reading are offered, ranging from The Pentagram, a simple spread useful when exploring blockages to personal and spiritual development, to Ceridwen's Cauldron, recommended for issues concerning creative projects, and for
128 pages, Cards
First published December 5, 2007
6 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Philip Carr-Gomm
65 books184 followersPhilip Carr-Gomm was born in London, raised in Notting Hill Gate, and educated at Westminster School and University College London.
He met his first spiritual teacher, Ross Nichols, the founder of The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, when he was 11. He began studying with him when a teenager, and joined the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids at 18. He studied meditation with Olivia Robertson in Ireland, who later founded the Fellowship of Isis, and in his twenties he founded The Esoteric Society in London, which organised journeys for members to Bulgaria and Egypt, and hosted talks by well-known authors such as Gareth Knight, W. E. Butler, and Arthur Guirdham.
In 1975 his Druid teacher died, and he followed a Bulgarian teacher, Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov for seven years, giving talks on his teachings and helping with the translation and publishing of his books into English. He also travelled to Bulgaria and studied the work of Aivanhov’s teacher, Peter Deunov, visiting Sofia annually for fourteen years, teaching Deunov’s Paneurhythmy dance in England and at Findhorn in Scotland. In his thirties he turned to a study of psychology, taking a BSc degree at University College London and Jungian analysis, with plans to become an analyst. On discovering Psychosynthesis, he trained instead as a therapist at the Institute of Psychosynthesis in London and began a private practice.
In 1988 he was asked to lead the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He organised the Order’s teachings into a distance-learning course, and edited his teacher’s book with John Matthews [1]. Since that time, the Order has grown to become the largest Druid teaching order in the world.
He met his first spiritual teacher, Ross Nichols, the founder of The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, when he was 11. He began studying with him when a teenager, and joined the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids at 18. He studied meditation with Olivia Robertson in Ireland, who later founded the Fellowship of Isis, and in his twenties he founded The Esoteric Society in London, which organised journeys for members to Bulgaria and Egypt, and hosted talks by well-known authors such as Gareth Knight, W. E. Butler, and Arthur Guirdham.
In 1975 his Druid teacher died, and he followed a Bulgarian teacher, Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov for seven years, giving talks on his teachings and helping with the translation and publishing of his books into English. He also travelled to Bulgaria and studied the work of Aivanhov’s teacher, Peter Deunov, visiting Sofia annually for fourteen years, teaching Deunov’s Paneurhythmy dance in England and at Findhorn in Scotland. In his thirties he turned to a study of psychology, taking a BSc degree at University College London and Jungian analysis, with plans to become an analyst. On discovering Psychosynthesis, he trained instead as a therapist at the Institute of Psychosynthesis in London and began a private practice.
In 1988 he was asked to lead the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He organised the Order’s teachings into a distance-learning course, and edited his teacher’s book with John Matthews [1]. Since that time, the Order has grown to become the largest Druid teaching order in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 29, 2012
While this deck is pretty and a decent introduction to working with plants as totems, I just didn't connect with it. Having been a devout student of modern Druidry for some time, as well as a neoshaman and plant spiritualist, my approach to such has been largely guided by personal relationships to the plants, themselves.
Trusting the Carr-Gomms' reliable track record on druidic research and modern application, I felt comfortable making this investment. As with all of their work piecing together a reasonably cohesive path through Druidry, the sources for their information on plants is from varied sources, some of which are indeed lore and legend. I appreciate their ability to state that the sources are a bit fuzzy as they relate directly to Druidry, instead of stating presumption as fact.
That said, having spent a fair amount of time with horticulturists and botanists, the presentation of the scientific data on the plants presented is fairly thorough and sound, if not informative. It is imperative to distinguish that while medicinal use of the presented herbs is covered, that is not the intent of the material.
One thing that is evident in the feel of this deck is the inclusion of the Divine Feminine and that nurturing comfort of the plant world. However, in the writing, itself, Her voice doesn't come through. From a divinatory tool observation, the deck includes the usual features of plant name and meaning, along with reversed meaning and lore--not limited to druidic sources. Despite the inclusion of thirty-six plants, all valiant efforts, the insatiable plant enthusiast in me wanted more. Three blank cards are included for use as an "Unknown" response to inquiries or to create personal plant symbols. I would have rather seen more effort put into the perfection of the existing cards. Imperfections in the production of the deck, itself, yields uneven coloring of the card backs--some are a vibrant green and some are a forest green-- and some blurry artwork. Generally speaking, the artwork is nice, with each card including the focus plant and symbolic backdrop. Suggestions for spreads are for the most part stock, though The Airmid's Cloak Spread resonated with me, given its chakra correspondences and their connections to plants.
While some of the information included in this book and deck doesn't have the "official Druid" stamp, regarding authenticity and bonafide use, the scholarly method of culling the available information and honoring it on the mundane and spiritual levels to some helpful end is decidedly Druidic. It is a good starting place for beginners working with plants as spirit teachers, though I think seasoned animists will crave more depth. I hope the level of detail given to the research of this deck will yield future additions to it.
Trusting the Carr-Gomms' reliable track record on druidic research and modern application, I felt comfortable making this investment. As with all of their work piecing together a reasonably cohesive path through Druidry, the sources for their information on plants is from varied sources, some of which are indeed lore and legend. I appreciate their ability to state that the sources are a bit fuzzy as they relate directly to Druidry, instead of stating presumption as fact.
That said, having spent a fair amount of time with horticulturists and botanists, the presentation of the scientific data on the plants presented is fairly thorough and sound, if not informative. It is imperative to distinguish that while medicinal use of the presented herbs is covered, that is not the intent of the material.
One thing that is evident in the feel of this deck is the inclusion of the Divine Feminine and that nurturing comfort of the plant world. However, in the writing, itself, Her voice doesn't come through. From a divinatory tool observation, the deck includes the usual features of plant name and meaning, along with reversed meaning and lore--not limited to druidic sources. Despite the inclusion of thirty-six plants, all valiant efforts, the insatiable plant enthusiast in me wanted more. Three blank cards are included for use as an "Unknown" response to inquiries or to create personal plant symbols. I would have rather seen more effort put into the perfection of the existing cards. Imperfections in the production of the deck, itself, yields uneven coloring of the card backs--some are a vibrant green and some are a forest green-- and some blurry artwork. Generally speaking, the artwork is nice, with each card including the focus plant and symbolic backdrop. Suggestions for spreads are for the most part stock, though The Airmid's Cloak Spread resonated with me, given its chakra correspondences and their connections to plants.
While some of the information included in this book and deck doesn't have the "official Druid" stamp, regarding authenticity and bonafide use, the scholarly method of culling the available information and honoring it on the mundane and spiritual levels to some helpful end is decidedly Druidic. It is a good starting place for beginners working with plants as spirit teachers, though I think seasoned animists will crave more depth. I hope the level of detail given to the research of this deck will yield future additions to it.
August 17, 2014
After having read the Druid Animal Oracle it was just a small step to the Plant Oracle as soon as I knew it existed.
The cards:
I'd like to point out right at the beginning that the one star I deducted is for the fact that the cards really are of poorer quality than the ones with the animals. The quality isn't bad but the sharpness of the images as well as the colouring could definitely be better.
Other than that, the artwork is wonderful as I am used to by now from the other sets this artist made. There are lots of details in all the images which I like very much.
The book:
The book gives insight into the historical meaning of the respective plant, what it looks like, where it can be found and what properties the plant supposedly has (what it was/is used for). Every plant gets about three pages so there really is enough information. Additionally, you get the plant's Gaelic name, the Latin name as well as the contemporary English name so you can look up further details if wished.
All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and having the cards.
The cards:
I'd like to point out right at the beginning that the one star I deducted is for the fact that the cards really are of poorer quality than the ones with the animals. The quality isn't bad but the sharpness of the images as well as the colouring could definitely be better.
Other than that, the artwork is wonderful as I am used to by now from the other sets this artist made. There are lots of details in all the images which I like very much.
The book:
The book gives insight into the historical meaning of the respective plant, what it looks like, where it can be found and what properties the plant supposedly has (what it was/is used for). Every plant gets about three pages so there really is enough information. Additionally, you get the plant's Gaelic name, the Latin name as well as the contemporary English name so you can look up further details if wished.
All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and having the cards.
October 4, 2014
This book and beautiful botanical cards have a place of honor on my desk and I consult them every day. There is so much depth in the description of each plant, some of which I knew already, some that is new and from the mystical depths. I especially love The Guardians card and made an immunity syrup in its name. A wonderful daily companion for medical herbalists and anyone who loves and lives and works among our green allies.
July 17, 2008
Beautiful cards, lovely notes and a pleasure to use. Plus its compatible with the animal oracle as the cards are the same size.
July 23, 2025
Marvellous oracle, but what truly shines is the book.
Carr-Gomm are experts in tackling druidism and spirituality making it manageable, easy to understand and more interesting when you finish their books.
Love this duo, Phillip and Stephanie!
Carr-Gomm are experts in tackling druidism and spirituality making it manageable, easy to understand and more interesting when you finish their books.
Love this duo, Phillip and Stephanie!
October 2, 2021
I really appreciate that this beautiful deck isn't just another ill-researched cash-grab. The creators drew upon accurate info from five sources:
1) Paleoethnobotany / Archaeobotany, the study of past human-plant interactions through the recovery and analysis of ancient plant remains
2) Records from the time of Ancient Druids, though there are few because apparently the Druids were eclectic and preferred to pass knowledge orally, and what little documentation exists is mostly from Ireland and the UK
3) Accounts from later herbalists
4) Irish and Welsh legends and folklore
5) Botanical pharmacology
This is a no-nonsense deck that has enough imagery in each card to work my with intuition rather than relying solely on the guidebook, even as someone who’s only dabbled in Herbalism.
The deck is designed to be the same size as The Druid Animal Oracle so they can be combined.
This deck also pairs well with The Master Book of Herbalism.
1) Paleoethnobotany / Archaeobotany, the study of past human-plant interactions through the recovery and analysis of ancient plant remains
2) Records from the time of Ancient Druids, though there are few because apparently the Druids were eclectic and preferred to pass knowledge orally, and what little documentation exists is mostly from Ireland and the UK
3) Accounts from later herbalists
4) Irish and Welsh legends and folklore
5) Botanical pharmacology
This is a no-nonsense deck that has enough imagery in each card to work my with intuition rather than relying solely on the guidebook, even as someone who’s only dabbled in Herbalism.
The deck is designed to be the same size as The Druid Animal Oracle so they can be combined.
This deck also pairs well with The Master Book of Herbalism.
September 25, 2014
Why won't a sphere socket a father? The beloved worm forgives the starring fabric. My catalog crawls past a twisting terrorist. Throughout a grace dines the spoof. The filter beefs the volunteer. A spy marches in the sunshine.
September 24, 2013
this is great - a fun way to work with herbs!
July 11, 2020
https://youtu.be/8hLxSnjYRR0
Click on the above link to see a walkthrough of this deck.
Click on the above link to see a walkthrough of this deck.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews