Icelandic Plant Magic: Folk Herbalism of the North

by Albert Björn Shiell

The magic of Iceland is known to all those who have set foot on this seemingly desolate rock in the North Atlantic. Mystical staves, crafty hidden folk and the dangerous ghosts of long dead priests all have their place within the magic of the island. However, our plant life tends to go unnoticed. Hiding in the shadow of a misty mountain, thriving in the warmth of a geothermal stream, the plants of this island hold potent magic. Less often talked about in the mainstream, the magic of Iceland's plants is available to all. Iceland's plants have been utilised by the islands inhabitants, and the secrets they offer up are now available to you. This blend of folkloric and contemporary Icelandic magical practice draws equally from both the living and long dead traditions of the island, giving a voice to both the plant spirits and practitioners of the land. Learn how to work Icelandic plants and staves together in equally practical and powerful spells of invisibility, charms for protection from all manner of creatures, to win love, games and more.

Genres: Witchcraft, Magic, Occult, Nonfiction, Spirituality

286 pages, Hardcover

Published July 18, 2022

About the author

Albert Björn Shiell grew up in the shade of the South Downs of Sussex, England. He spent his days there walking ancient chalk hills, full of burial mounds and folklore. Trading it all in 2017 for cold and seemingly desolate Iceland, Albert picked up his life and moved north. He now lives in downtown Reykjavík, writing, researching, and translating old Icelandic books. He spends his days walking the land around him, learning and conversing with the many plant and land spirits of Iceland. Focusing now on an animistic framework of Nordic magic combined with the Sussex cunning of his homeland, Albert aims to deliver practical folkloric magic inspired by both his homes.

Reviews

[Shiro Mori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert has done a great job with Iceland's native plants, staying true to his own path and local traditions. It's definitely a great book to get a clear view of the locality-specific green magic working. In fact, there is no claim to speak of plants used in magic in a generic way, but only of those linked to a territory that one knows thoroughly and with which one has had a personal relationship and work. Definitely an excellent tool to begin to understand that magical work makes sense especially if it is linked to the land in which you live and with the elements that grow on that land.
The information is clear and the illustrations are very nice.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The enchantment of Iceland mesmerizes those who visit the seemingly barren island in the North Atlantic. Mystical symbols, elusive supernatural beings, and the haunting spirits of ancient priests all have a role in the island’s magic. However, the flora often goes unnoticed. Concealed amidst misty mountains and flourishing in the heat of geothermal streams, Iceland’s plants possess powerful magic.

In his book “Icelandic Plant Magic: Folk Herbalism of the North,” Albert Bjorn skillfully combines traditional and modern Icelandic magical practices. With a balanced approach, he incorporates both the living traditions and ancient wisdom of the island, allowing the plant spirits and practitioners to be heard. The book provides readers with guidance on utilizing Icelandic plants and staves in effective and potent spells, including invisibility, protection against different creatures, attracting love or success in games, and much more.

This was an immensely interesting book, especially for someone not overly familiar with Iceland. I found a wealth of captivating information within its pages, particularly about the language and terminology used in Icelandic plant magic. Moreover, there was a plethora of herbal knowledge shared throughout. My only disappointment was that I wished the graphics had been more eye-catching and that there had been a greater quantity of them. Nonetheless, overall, this book proved to be a valuable addition to my growing collection of folk magic books.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious because my knowledge of Icelandic plants and magic was near zero. The author did a good job and I learn more about plants and lore.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine