The Illustrated Herbiary

I purchased The Illustrated Herbiary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Bewitching Botanicals by Maia Toll, and it has been a delightful addition to my collection. The book offers a unique blend of botanical wisdom and spiritual guidance, making it both informative and inspiring.​ Each of the 36 plant profiles is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated oracle card, allowing for a more interactive and personal experience. The rituals and reflections provided for each plant encourage mindfulness and a deeper connection to nature. As noted by Publishers Weekly, Toll's imaginative approach offers "fanciful descriptions and symbolic flights of fancy" that prompt introspection into the natural world. Overall, The Illustrated Herbiary is a beautifully crafted book that offers both visual pleasure and soulful insights. It's a treasure for anyone looking to deepen their connection with the plant world.

I own more books on the topics of plant magick and herbalism than I care to admit, but - despite this - I could not be more delighted with this addition to my collection. Maia's book is wholly unique and provides a very different way of connecting to the magic of the plant world. While she has undeniable street cred in terms of her knowledge of plant-based healing (having done an actual, year-long, old-world-type apprenticeship with a traditional healer and herbalist in Ireland), Maia has written a book that takes a step beyond the rote medicinal and magickal correspondences. The Illustrated Herbiary is an invitation to peel back the layers and sink into a deeper knowing. It's an opportunity to open up to a more personal relationship with these marvelous little beauties of the botanical world. Rather than looking at each plant as simply something to be harvested and used, this book invites you to get to know the personality of each plant, and - in doing so - get to know yourself a little better, too. The descriptions are evocative, speaking to your intuition and sparking your imagination. And the rituals and reflections provide simple but surprisingly effective ways to further your exploration and understanding. And then, of course, there are Kate O'Hara's rich and beautiful illustrations, which grace not only the pages of the book, but also the deck of oracle cards that come tucked in a vellum envelope attached to the back cover. Whether you are reading the book or using the cards for guidance and inspiration, there are so many ways this beautiful work inspires and facilitates a magical journey. Highly recommended.

I've been slowly working my way through The Illustrated Herbiary since receiving it on release day - I made sure to pre-order this one. This isn't a reference book - there are plenty of (wonderful) herbals and materia medicas out there, and this is not one of them. No, this is a feast for the senses. This book gets you out of your head and dares you to get into your body, to experience the colors of the illustrations, feel the magic of the plants. This is a feeling book, not a thinking book. Kate O'Hara's illustrations take it over the top - out of the head, into the heart. The cover has a light shimmer in spots - as though the wisdom shared inside is buzzing, excited to come out. The binding is sturdy, but loose all the same, allowing the book to lay flat, like a well-used family cookbook. I am very neurotic about my books - no cracked spines in my house. Thankfully, this was not a concern with The Illustrated Herbiary - the book falls open and invites you to dive in and get comfortable. No worries about "hurting" it - the Herbiary feels like a book your best friend would loan you - cherished and loved, yes, but ready to be put to work. Allow the Herbiary to fall open to a random page, then consider what you find. Did you land on Apple? Elderberry? Take in the illustration - look at the symbolism, consider how you feel, how it resonates with you. If you already know about the plants, excellent - allow your knowledge to intertwine with the gorgeous representation of the plant's spirit. Does Maia's interpretation incorporate smoothly with what you already knew? If you don't know the plants, this is an amazing introduction to them. Look upon the symbolism with fresh eyes, allow yourself to feel into the suggested rituals and reflections. You may be inspired to learn more about our plant allies, and what a beautiful point from which to start. Buy the hard copy. The Kindle version might be a nice addition later, but you will cherish the hard copy of the book - plus you'll have the oracle cards! I first learned of Maia Toll around a year ago, and have been enjoying her blog and classes ever since. She has shared a gift with the publication The Illustrated Herbiary. Thank you, Maia.

Una edición preciosista cuidada en cada detalle. Papel de muy buen gramaje, tintas de calidad para unas ilustraciones bellísimas y encuadernación cosida. El libro nos invita a un maravilloso viaje guiado por 36 plantas que nos adentran en el universo vegetófilo de una manera sutil y mágica, acompañando sus mensajes con unas hermosas cartas oraculares. Una delicia para los sentidos.

I bought the hardcover because I thought this would be a book in which I'd want to underline, highlight, and scribble notes in the margin. NOT going to happen–this book is far too beautiful for that! No attention has been spared, and no corners cut, from producing a truly beautiful, high quality book. The aesthetics are what grab your attention first: the colours, the quality of the paper, the illustrations, and the cards–even the endsheets. In the content, the charming descriptions, ritual suggestions, and the thought-provoking Reflections have the capacity to move one from knowing *about* the herb, to *knowing* the herb. If Maia Toll ever sets her sights on creating another book, I'll be first in line to buy it.

Ame este libro herbiary ! Bello y con mucho significado para mi con cada panta, árbol y fruto❤️

Très bon livre, avec de très belles illustrations et un jeu de carte plutôt sympa.

Ho ordinato questo libro a seguito di un consiglio di un'amica. È davvero meraviglioso, belle le immagine, belle le carte, bello il materiale. Se Vi interessa fare o farVi un regalo compratelo perché ne vale davvero la pena.