What do you think?
Rate this book
The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Magickal Herbs and How to Use Them
An herbal magick grimoire of philtres, elixirs, essential oils, incense, and formulas with dozens of recipes from a trusted author.
Herbs have been used for medicine, magic, and ritual for centuries. The ancient arts of herbal alchemy and herbal magick combine the healing and energizing effects of herbs (roots, leaves, flowers, resins, and essential oils) with the cycles of the natural world—the astrological movement of the stars and planets, and the cycles of the earth’s seasons.
In this easy-to-use compendium of herbs and their energy associations, master herbalist and magick practitioner Karen Harrison offers formulas anyone can use to obtain courage, creativity, lasting health, prosperity, and enhanced psychic and spiritual powers.
Harrison shows how to select herbs based on their astrological associations as well as their medicinal properties. With a materia magica of more than 150 herbs and a multitude of recipes, readers will learn how to blend incense, ceremonial oils, bath salts, herbal amulets, fluid condensers, and herbal philtres and how to use them in meditation, ritual, or energy work.
Herbs have been used for medicine, magic, and ritual for centuries. The ancient arts of herbal alchemy and herbal magick combine the healing and energizing effects of herbs (roots, leaves, flowers, resins, and essential oils) with the cycles of the natural world—the astrological movement of the stars and planets, and the cycles of the earth’s seasons.
In this easy-to-use compendium of herbs and their energy associations, master herbalist and magick practitioner Karen Harrison offers formulas anyone can use to obtain courage, creativity, lasting health, prosperity, and enhanced psychic and spiritual powers.
Harrison shows how to select herbs based on their astrological associations as well as their medicinal properties. With a materia magica of more than 150 herbs and a multitude of recipes, readers will learn how to blend incense, ceremonial oils, bath salts, herbal amulets, fluid condensers, and herbal philtres and how to use them in meditation, ritual, or energy work.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2020
80 people are currently reading
1200 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 15, 2021
I went into this liking this book and finding the correspondences for herbs and crystals helpful, but once it starts to get into the types of things to make with those herbs, I started finding multiple issues with safety and health in the recipes for philters and elixirs - including items that were made to be ingested. For example, it recommends using ashes of burnt herbs in an elixir to be added to tea later. Even with the helpful information, I can't ethically recommend this to other people interested in magic or herbalism because of that; if you do read this, be sure to double check and cross reference everything.
October 21, 2021
A wonderful reference book!
October 20, 2020
I've been eyeing this book for a while, so I was super ecstatic when Weiser sent me a copy to review. Honestly? I was very much expecting this to not be a positive review, as I made the mistake of assuming it was overhyped. Yet, this has been not only one of the most informative, but also one of the most inspiring books I've read this year.
Harrison has a charismatic and traditional tone that reminds me a lot of Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, one of the first books I purchased back in the day as a baby witchling. Except as you dive into this book, Harrison provides an entirely different realm of expertise in regards to the importance of planetary correspondences and how creating in accordance with astrological events really impacts our craft. Her chapters and explanations are thorough and detailed, leaving just enough room for the reader to walk away feeling curious and eager about their work.
There are 3 major sections of the book: planetary signatures, the creation of different kinds of herbal mixtures, and creating custom formulas. Each section builds upon the last, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to work with and combine herbs in a manner that fulfills a purpose. Plus, there are a whopping 8 appendixes at the back of the book for quick use when you're looking for a specific correspondence. I adore having multiple appendixes that make the book super easy to utilize.
If you are interested in working with herbs at all, I highly suggest adding this book to your shelf. There is so much information in here, helpful charts that Harrison uses to break herbs into different groups, and so many ideas for concrete rituals you can try to get more familiar with specific herbs. I might even go so far to say that this book might be helpful for anyone from beginner to intermediate to even advanced witches. There is just so much packed into these pages that I believe everyone will find something useful. Definitely (and surprisingly) one of my top books of the year!
Harrison has a charismatic and traditional tone that reminds me a lot of Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, one of the first books I purchased back in the day as a baby witchling. Except as you dive into this book, Harrison provides an entirely different realm of expertise in regards to the importance of planetary correspondences and how creating in accordance with astrological events really impacts our craft. Her chapters and explanations are thorough and detailed, leaving just enough room for the reader to walk away feeling curious and eager about their work.
There are 3 major sections of the book: planetary signatures, the creation of different kinds of herbal mixtures, and creating custom formulas. Each section builds upon the last, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to work with and combine herbs in a manner that fulfills a purpose. Plus, there are a whopping 8 appendixes at the back of the book for quick use when you're looking for a specific correspondence. I adore having multiple appendixes that make the book super easy to utilize.
If you are interested in working with herbs at all, I highly suggest adding this book to your shelf. There is so much information in here, helpful charts that Harrison uses to break herbs into different groups, and so many ideas for concrete rituals you can try to get more familiar with specific herbs. I might even go so far to say that this book might be helpful for anyone from beginner to intermediate to even advanced witches. There is just so much packed into these pages that I believe everyone will find something useful. Definitely (and surprisingly) one of my top books of the year!
September 15, 2020
This is a Fascinating book I will be studying this book for a long time. Karen Harrison has included many thought provoking elements to the the world of herbal study
March 19, 2024
For a book published in 2020, this book uses some cringe-worthy terms and ideas that are pretty out of date.
From the use of spelling magic with a "ck" to using the term "smudging" without any reference to First Nation's cultures AT ALL...get with the times, please.
Also of note: reference to the threefold law as like a be-all-end-all.
There's some good information in here, but you need to ignore the BS.
Also its incredibly repetitive and has the same information in 3 and sometimes 4 places throughout the book.
From the use of spelling magic with a "ck" to using the term "smudging" without any reference to First Nation's cultures AT ALL...get with the times, please.
Also of note: reference to the threefold law as like a be-all-end-all.
There's some good information in here, but you need to ignore the BS.
Also its incredibly repetitive and has the same information in 3 and sometimes 4 places throughout the book.
May 6, 2020
A fairly good book on understanding and messing around with herbs in a magical sense and using planetary correspondences. The book is short, but does cover most of what a person would need to know to get their herbal practice off the ground.
I enjoyed learning what this book had to offer, and am excited to put the information to use come harvest time.
I enjoyed learning what this book had to offer, and am excited to put the information to use come harvest time.
July 7, 2021
It provides very useful info for future use.
July 13, 2022
What a great fun book to delve into as a beginner.
This book has inspired me in my craft. I've also learned alot.
This book has inspired me in my craft. I've also learned alot.
November 22, 2024
Lots of solid information on common herbs, the planetary alignment and good recipes.
February 14, 2025
Such a good overview for anyone interested in learning more about magical herbs
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews