Plant and Fungus Spirits: Connect With Spirits of Field, Forest and Garden

by Lupa

Open up to a new realm of spiritual practice. Plant and Fungus Totems provides techniques for creating respectful partnerships with totems, archetypal spirits that embody the qualities of their respective species. Working with just plants and fungus--or in conjunction with their animal counterparts--you will discover the wisdom these spirit beings impart to those of us who listen.

Exploring three different models of totemism, Lupa invites you to be of service to the planet's ecology by developing relationships with these often-overlooked sources of insight. Providing meditations and suggestions for journaling and experimentation, Plant and Fungus Totems shows how to receive guidance and helps you connect more deeply with the totemic ecosystem. Also included are hands-on exercises for incorporating physical plants and fungi into your totemic work, as well as tips for working with herbs, gardens, urban wild plants, and more.

Genres: Spirituality, Agriculture, Occult, Plants, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Magick

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

"I am an author, artist, and wannabe polymath living in Portland, OR. I've been a pagan of various sorts since the mid-1990s. My primary focus has always been on totemism and animal magics, though in recent years I've been expanding into the general totemic ecosystem, working with plant, fungus, mineral and other totems. I've written several books based on my practices, and you can read my blog at http://www.thegreenwolf.com/blog as well.

Also since the mid-1990s, I've created ritual tools, sacred costumery, and other meaningful art out of hides, bones, beads, and other organics. It's been a strong part of my spirituality, and I even wrote a book about it, Skin Spirits: The Spiritual and Magical Use of Animal Parts. You can see what's currently available for purchase on my Etsy shop: http;//thegreenwolf.etsy.com

I am very involved in environmental and sustainable efforts. I volunteer with local environmental groups with tree planting and litter cleanup efforts, and I even adopted a small stretch of the Columbia River to clean litter, monitor flora and fauna, and do water testing. At home I do my best to follow Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in that order), and many of my art supplies are secondhand or otherwise reclaimed, and everything gets used one way or another.

When I'm not creatively working or volunteering, I love to hike, go out dancing, read voraciously when I have the time, and hit the gym a few times a week.

Reviews

[Jeannie Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reasons I love this author, is that she isn’t mimicking what others have already rehashed and recycled over and over again. Lupa’s work is both original and meaningful. This book is no exception.

Her respect for the physical, as well as the spiritual aspects of our world is a refreshing and welcome change. Her knowledge and ability to help others understand is remarkable and easy to read. I would recommend this book to those who are serious about their paths and understanding the spiritual aspects of the participants of the work, whether it be edible, ritual, or the mundane.

Incorporating her information into my system is seamless, because instead of teaching me a new belief system, she teaches information that is useful across spiritual paths.

Thank you for another addition to my library that is a resource on an ongoing basis, as well as a well written and well researched source of powerful information.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was an interesting read, i have always knew of and dealt with plant spirits but never taught of them to be totems to now. i have read trough the meditations but haven't done them yet, but from pass experience working with totems i feel they will be worth doing

[Mycelial Alchemy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that I've read by Lupa follow a layout of options/methods (depending on the topic), but most commonly I have seen across their books it goes (in no specific order):
a. Bioregional Model
b. Correspondences Model
c. Archetypal Model
And ofcourse, other chapters regarding more information/details regarding the topic at hand.
These 3 models work really well and Lupa always does a good job at introducing these methods to their readers, makes it easy to approach... I have always loved that Lupa encourages readers to take what works with/for them, and to leave the rest (also to be aware of the sources of which they are receiving their learning, knowing what is appreciation/appropriation, and being aware culturally of where you stand).

This book focuses specifically on Plant and Fungus Spirits, so for those of you into animism specifically for plants/fungi, this is the book for you!
For those of you who are interested in working with animal spirits (or animal specific animism), you might find what you're looking for in;
DIY Animism: Your Personal Guide to Animal Spirits, and/or
New Paths to Animal Spirits: Three Creative Models of Animal Spirit Work!

The Chapter List for this Book:
(Not including the 2 notes towards readers, one from 2014 (first publishing) + one from 2020 (newest publishing))

0. Introduction
1. What Are Archetypal Plant and Fungus Spirits?
2. What Makes Plant and Fungus Spirits Different From the Animals?
3. The Bioregional Model
4. The Correspondence Model
5. The Archetypal Model
6. Combining the Three Models
7. Leaves and Capes - The Sacred Remains of Plants and Fungi
8. Giving Back to the Spirits
Conclusion
+
Appendix A: Plant and Fungus Spirit Guided Meditation
Appendix B: Beneficial Nonprofit Organizations
Appendix C: A Bit of Recommended Reading
+
Glossary
Bibliography

I honestly say that if you have interest in ANY of the topics that Title Lupa's books, then pick it up and give it a shot, and if you find yourself wanting more info, either more of their books can be found, or in nearly every book, there is a Recommended Reading section near the back (and even within the book itself or in the footnotes!)
Lupa is ALWAYS giving out sources/websites/books/content to reach out to that isn't theirs, and I love someone who is open and willing to share their inspirations or content/info that they know can be best delivered by someone who did the work themselves!