A Druid's Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine Paperback - 2008

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.