Gail Bussi - Enchanted Herbal: Connect to Nature & Celebrate the Seasons

T his book is lovingly dedicated

to all who share this beautiful earth of ours and

walk upon it with love, grace, and wisdom.

introduction

I n ancient beliefs, alchemy was defined as the art of taking base metals and turning them into pure gold. But I believe we have a simpler and accessible kind of alchemy available to us, whoever and wherever we are. Green alchemy taps into the natural world and its power to transform our base metals of fear, illness, anger, loss, and stress into the gold that is our true selves. Living an enchanted herbal life gives us a gentle door into that golden and serene place; it also reminds us that not only do we have a duty to support and nurture the world around us in all its forms, but its vitally important that we nurture ourselves at the same time. Self-care is vital for all of us. Without a true sense of love for ourselves, we cannot be fully present to others and life itself, whether it be human, plant, or animal. Authenticity is the way we become healthy and whole, and in turn we can then offer ourselves and our lives as a true gift to all around us, without fear or self-doubt.

The concept of herbalism means many different things to different people, depending on ones background, spiritual outlook and beliefs, and much more. Medically based herbalism is, obviously, a way of healing ailments of body and spirit using natural remedies and plant energies; when I talk about magic or enchanted herbalism, though, it can lead to confusion, and often people have queried me as to what exactly that means.

Quite simply, I believe magic herbalism uses the unique energies of the plants, herbs, flowers, and trees all around us to help us on every possible level, not just the physical, important though that is. And the opportunities for enchanted herbalism are limitless: we can find them in every moment of the dayin the kitchen, bathroom, garden, or just out on a quiet walk in the woods. There is literally no end to what we can create, grow, harvest, or nurture in a simple and heartfelt way if we are open to the magic that surrounds us and willing to work with it. I would love for you to join me on this beautiful seasonal journey, whoever and wherever you are. Come just as you are. The earth is waiting for you with her gifts, her warmth, and her unconditional love and acceptance.

I grew up in the 1960s and was definitely a flower child from the start; I could spend hours in my mothers beautiful rose garden or under the indigo African sky, drinking in the intoxicating scent of the pale night-blooming jasmine. (Perhaps even then I already sensed the path I would someday follow.) Today I am sometimes asked if I am a green witch, and although I dislike labels, considering them limiting and oftentimes judgmental, thats one I am happy to wear with both joy and pride. I prefer the term hearth witch, which I first came across several years ago when I lived in England. It relates to anyone who lives a life close to the earth and her natural gifts and who also uses these gifts in the home to create delicious foods, healing products, and other traditional green magic. I think being a green witch is probably one of the best and most sacred callings anyone can have, as well as being one of total enchantment on every level.