The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs

Today I'm reviewing The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs - Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs by Judy Ann Nock.


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book


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Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am identify as a magical Buddhist. I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I believe in spiritually and holistic wellness.  I find that we can heal the world if we just sit down and and listen to the breath.  I believe that magic, science and nutritional well being are the cornerstone to a well rounded holistic life. I have recently updated my site from Confessions of a Modern Witch to my new page To Live Whole.  I welcome you to come along for my journey of health, wellness and self exploration.

I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 438,000 views.


As you know I'll be switching over to reviewing only e-copies of books shortly.  I will miss handling the books but the amount of trash that I had piling up for all the shipping was just overwhelming.  I will be doing a giveaway for the remaining physical books that actually arrive as well as asking my publishers to provide giveaway copies shipped directly to my winner's homes going forward for all giveaways.

I'll start out with a review of the physical book.  The cover is nice and smooth with a black background and some lovely illustrated herbs shown.  The size of the book is nice for fitting into a bag or a backpack to take on the go.  The pages however, have that same uneven edging that some publishers choose to use to make the book look aged. It is so annoying to me personally.  I dislike this style of binding and wish that they would stick to standard pages. The book boasts of a pretty impressive index which I really enjoy in a book, especially one that could be used as reference going forward.
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

The author  begins with an overview of magickal herbs and provides a brief history of herbal-ism, including references to John Gerard and Nicholas Culpeper. She gives us a look at herbs from a planetary perspective with a table provided on herbs associated with our solar system. There's even a table on the secret witch names for some herbs. The author covers basic preparation methods such as tonics, sachets, oils, teas and powders. 

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book


Chapter two takes us into cultivation and even references sustainability. I really enjoyed the part of this section called clearing and consecrating your site. This section contains some really well written information and includes a spell to set your intentions.

What good would an herb book be without a little bit of Kitchen Witchery! The author provides just that in chapter 3 with a table related to the magical kitchen and even a spot for adding magic into your recipes. While not provide a spell directly, the information given shows how using gestures while stirring for example, is a great way to add a dash of magic along with that flavor to your dish.
We get a wonderful consecration spell for our cupboard that goes as follows:


Blessed be the hand
Blessed be the heat
Blessed be the sustenance
The nourishment we eat
Blessed be the gathering
Blessed be the flame
Blessed be the creation
Assembled in Her name.



The book goes on to give us a lesson on elixirs and potions with recipes and tables to help us create suitable combinations for feasting and merriment and even has a chapter dedicated to self care. Self care is often missing from the majority of the books I review and I'm glad to see this author chose to give a space for that here.  This along with the herbal first aid kit on page 71 make this book an invaluable resource.

Part II of this book is simply a list of 100 Magickal Herbs.  There are a few illustrations included, but detailed information on each of the selected herbs. Part III takes us directly into how to use these herbs.  From herbal remedies to spells it contains the step by step instructions for things such as, basic hair rinses, how to amplify dark hair, lip scrubs and skin washes.
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book


Overall this book was a very good read. The text is well written and provided something I could walk away and practice right away. It takes the time to show you how to not only use but also create you own herbal supply and what to do with it once it is ready to harvest.  One of the better herb books I have read recently.


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