Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #682136 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 183 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Caduto, a storyteller, accomplished author and Aesop Prize winner, reminds readers that Eastern and Western medicine grew in large part out of a relationship to healing properties found in the natural world, and he offers this book to help us remember this powerful spiritual connection to a gift from the Creator. Caduto's passion for the power of herbs is brightly reflected in his thorough, well-researched, engaging multicultural volume. In seven chapters exploring healing, aesthetics and virtue, meals and rituals, the balance of life, the sacred cosmos, meditation, and practical tips, Caduto explores practically every pistil, stem, blossom and more of the herbal world. Arcane facts about Egyptian embalming rest comfortably alongside advice on growing and harvesting herbs. Herbal experts will treasure the extensive spiritual application contexts, and beginners will find comfort in the cultivation basics. Especially soothing and bonding are the Islamic connections summoning the exquisite, sumptuous gardens of the Middle East. Each chapter has more than a handful of activities, ceremonies and projects. Some, such as Bathing Balms and Valentine's Day Cards seem overly simplistic, but all recall the sweet elemental connection among aspects of the living world. (Aug.)
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About the Author
Michael J. Caduto is a renowned author, ecologist, educator and storyteller who has written and coauthored fifteen books, including Native American Gardening, the Keepers of the Earth series, In the Beginning: The Story of Genesis and Earth Activities for Children, and Abraham's Bind & Other Bible Tales of Trickery, Folly, Mercy and Love (SkyLight Paths). His articles have appeared in many magazines, including Organic Gardening, Sanctuary, Nature Study and Instructor. In 1984 he founded a service called P.E.A.C.E.--Programs for Environmental Awareness and Cultural Exchange--which promotes understanding, awareness, appreciation and stewardship as the foundation for building a harmonious, sustainable relationship between people and Earth, and among the cultures of the world.

Customer Reviews

An invaluable and very strongly recommended addition
"Everyday Herbs In Spiritual Life: A Guide To Many Practices" by author, ecologist, educator and storyteller Michael Caduto is a practical and informative guide to incorporating herbs into a spiritual life through the use of rituals and ceremonies. "Everyday Herbs In Spiritual Life" provides descriptions of the herbs and their applications across many cultural traditions. Of special note is the advice on how to utilize these herbs for personal spiritual growth. For example, creating herbal art inspired by faith and the beauty of nature; crafting herbal wreaths, sachets, garlands, pillows and soaps; preparing herbal teas, infused oils and meals; making potpourri and candles infused with herbs; celebrating holidays, births, weddings, and memorials with herbs; designing a simple herb garden of plants chosen from among different spiritual traditions; even how to construct spaces in which to use herbs for reflection and mediation. All this and more make "Everyday Herbs In Spiritual Life" an invaluable and very strongly recommended addition to personal and community library Metaphysical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Not what I expected
If the reader is interested in exploring the world spiritually, this is a nice book. I was expecting a list of plants with ritual and symbolic uses and found instead an intimate, soul-based interaction between plants and the author. Readers who approach the world using information available through the five senses will find it silly. Those interested in exploring Shaminism will find a realm of possibilities they might not have previously appreciated.