Book Review: The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic by Christina Oakley Harrington

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic by Christina Oakley Harrington has been on my to-purchase list for quite some time, and when Weiser announced they would be picking up the book, I was so excited. Previously, the book was only available through Treadwell's London store, making it expensive to purchase for those outside the UK. With Weiser picking up the book, it will be more widely available and cheaper to purchase. I 100% want to support authors, small businesses, and the like, but I also recognize that people are financially struggling and there is no end in sight. This new printing ensures more people have access to the information at an affordable price, and the author still gets paid. Its a win-win situation. Now, on to the review!

This is the first occult book of the year I have rated 5 stars and for a good reason. First, I absolutely love folklore, especially plant folklore, and that is what this book is all about. Harrington cites over 200 sources throughout the book, focusing on historical folklore and folk magic related to commonly found plants in Europe. This is probably one of the most extensively researched plant folklore books on the market, and among the most extensively researched occult book I have ever read. I appreciate the time and effort it took to provide accurate historical information.

Each entry includes the scientific name, folk names, planetary correspondences, a brief overview of the relevant folklore, and even magical spells and recipes incorporating the plants. While this guide is not as comprehensive as others, it covers a large number of plants, making it an excellent reference guide for new and old witches alike. Each spell/ritual/recipe is clearly outlined, with the use of the plant being bullet-pointed and bolded for easy access. For example, "Alder for protection" or "Apples for creating abundance." I appreciate that these spells/rituals/recipes are visually set apart from the rest of the text so I can quickly skim a page to find what I am looking for without slogging through pages of text. Furthermore, each herb is listed at the top of the page, allowing you to flip quickly to whatever plant you are looking for.

The only downside to this book is that it's not more comprehensive. It largely focuses on plants found in the UK and the surrounding areas, which makes sense considering the original intended audience of the book. This makes it less practical for those in widely different environments, but the information is still valuable, no matter where you live, especially those with European ancestors. It puts a lot of customs into perspective. Harrington also uses the occasional slur, referring to the Romani people (Roma) as g*psies. This may be because she is using the terms found in her research, but I can't be sure. Known that these terms are outdated and offensive.

I highly recommend any witch interested in the folklore of plants pick up The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic by Christina Oakley Harrington. It's an incredible quick reference guide that is well-researched, masterfully laid out, and full of helpful information. The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic by Christina Oakley Harrington is available now wherever books are sold.

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