A Druid's Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - by Ellen Evert Hopman (Paperback)

About the Book

Hopman reveals the secrets of the Ogham Tree Alphabet which the Druids used to work magic and honor the dead. She explains the history, herbal uses, and spiritual aspects of the 20 sacred trees of the alphabet heretofore preserved through oral tradition.

Book Synopsis

An in-depth look at the history, herbal uses, and spiritual aspects of the sacred trees in the ancient Celtic Ogham Tree Alphabet

- Details the 20 trees of the ogham alphabet and their therapeutic and magical virtues

- Examines the Forest Druid practices associated with each tree as well as the traditional uses in Native American medicine

- Describes the Celtic Fire Festivals and how each tree is featured in these holy days

- By the author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year

The Druids used the ancient Ogham Tree Alphabet to work magic and honor the dead, surrounding each letter with medicinal and spiritual lore. Poets and bards created a secret sign language to describe the letters, each of which is named for a tree or a plant. For centuries this language was transmitted only orally in order to protect its secrets.

Combining her extensive herbal knowledge and keen poetic insight, Ellen Evert Hopman delves deeply into the historic allusions and associations of each of the 20 letters of the Ogham Tree Alphabet. She also examines Native American healing methods for possible clues to the way ancient Europeans may have used these trees as healing agents. Druidic spiritual practices, herbal healing remedies, and plant lore are included for each tree in the alphabet as well as how each is used in traditional rituals such as the Celtic Fire Festivals and other celebrations. Hopman also includes a pronunciation guide for the oghams and information on the divinatory meanings associated with each tree.

From the Back Cover

PAGANISM / HEALING The Druids used the ancient Ogham Tree Alphabet to work magic and honor the dead, surrounding each letter with medicinal and spiritual lore. Poets and bards created a secret sign language to describe the letters, each of which is named for a tree or a plant. For centuries this language was only transmitted orally in order to protect its secrets. Combining her extensive herbal knowledge and keen poetic insight, Ellen Evert Hopman delves deeply into the historic allusions and associations of each of the twenty letters of the Ogham Tree Alphabet. She also examines Native American healing methods for possible clues to the way ancient Europeans may have used these trees as healing agents. Druidic spiritual practices, herbal healing remedies, and plant lore are included for each tree in the alphabet as well as how each is used in traditional rituals such as the Celtic Fire Festivals and other celebrations. Hopman also includes a pronunciation guide for the oghams and information on the divinatory meanings associated with each tree. ELLEN EVERT HOPMAN is a Druid priestess, master herbalist, and lay homeopath who holds an M.Ed. in mental health counseling. She is a founding member and co-chief of the Order of the White Oak (Ord na Darach Gile), serves on the Grey Council of Mages and Sages, and is a professor of Wortcunning at the Grey School of Wizardry. She is the author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year; Walking the World in Wonder; Tree Medicine, Tree Magic; and Priestess of the Forest. She lives in Massachusetts.

Review Quotes

"Not only will you get a lesson in language, but also in the various uses available to anyone wishing to connect with the magic carried by each individual type of tree. The Gaelic pronunciation guide in the back of the book alone is worth the price of this book. There is a plethora of information jammed into this one and well worth the turning of the pages."-- "Veritas Newsletter"

" . . . this will not be a one-read through book, but a book you will return to again and again, making new discoveries each time."-- "Christopher Blackwell, AREN Alternative Religions Education Network, Jul 2008"

"As a guide for Celtic Reconstructionists, this book is invaluable. . . . Hopman's version of the Ogham meanings and use is just one of many; yet this book is so well researched and written that one cannot help but see the truth."-- "Eolas, Wisdom of the Oaks, Sept 2009"

"Ellen Evert Hopman has put together a great resource for tree lore in A Druid's Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine. Not only does this book offer an historical perspective on the culture and civilization of the Druids of Ireland, it provides a description of the herbal uses and spiritual aspects of each tree described by the Ogham Tree Alphabet."-- "Kathryn Price, book editor, WomensRadio"

"Ellen Evert Hopman is a sister to Trees, and can hear their countless whispers and songs, which is what makes this book so magical."-- "Crow Birchsong (Mabyn Wind), reviewer"

"Hooray! A book that tells us how to pronounce a tongue-twisting Celtic phrase like Craobh a b'áirde de 'n abhall thu . . . the whole book is interesting to read, with its accounts of life and magic in Celtic Ireland."-- "Barbara Ardinger, Pan Gaia, No. 50, Spring 2009"

"Hopman is an incredible resource for all of us seeking to take our health, medicine, and spirituality into our own hands. A Druid's Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine deserves a place on the shelf next to her other guides of magical and medicinal love."-- "Witches&pagans.com, September 2010"

"Not only is Hopman a Druid priestess extraordinaire, but a master herbalist. . . . I would suggest this book to anyone interested in Celtic history, mythology, herbalism, and/or Pagan religious practices. In other words, most everyone."-- "The Magical Buffet, Nov 2008"

"The herbal remedies will be of great use to myself, and to anyone who decides to read the book. . . . this will be a cherished addition to any Neo-Druid's library."-- "Druidic Dawn, June 2009"

"This book is indispensable reading for anyone following the Druidic path and indeed anyone interested in the wider Pagan movement. But also, it has been expertly written in a way that any modern practitioner of traditional healing methods, or herbalist, will find a wealth of knowledge that will inspire and guide them to a much greater understanding of the use and history of each tree."-- "Eolas, Wisdom of the Oaks, Feb 2009"

"This could be a reference to keep in your library, or used as a place to start an entirely new avenue of education and learning. The presentation is simple enough not to be intimidating, but the depth of information and the bibliography are quite impressive."-- "D. Tigermoon, The Pagan Review, Nov 2008"

"This is a great resource book for anyone looking to learn more about the herbal practices of the Druid's and to add working with herbs to their own practices. . . . This book also includes a pronunciation guide at the end that is really a nice added bonus."-- "The Pagan Review, Mar 2009"

About the Author

Ellen Evert Hopman is a Druid priestess, master herbalist, and lay homeopath who holds an M.Ed. in mental health counseling. She is a founding member and co-chief of the Order of the White Oak (Ord na Darach Gile), serves on the Grey Council of Mages and Sages, and is a professor of Wortcunning at the Grey School of Wizardry. She is the author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year; Walking the World in Wonder; Tree Medicine, Tree Magic; and Priestess of the Forest. She lives in Massachusetts.