Book Review: Wild Witchcraft by Rebecca Beyer

TW: Alcohol mentions and tallow mentions. Poison Path things as well. This is: Wild Witchcraft by Rebecca Beyer Rating: 9/10 Pros: An amazing outlook into animism, herbalism, and foraging in a safe, sustainable and non-appropriative way! The instructions on how to garden were very to the point and explained some complicated ideals in an easy to digest way, I think one of my favorite quotes from the book that stuck with me while reading was,

“Just when I think magic has been cut down and paved over; a dandelion has pushed it’s way out of the cracks in the cement.”

I hope that quote helps you understand what sort of writing to expect out of this book! As someone that grew up learning planting from my Papaw who took classes on the subject after getting out of WWII through a governmental program and was a farmer before that, some of the information on growing was things I already knew. But for a beginner just looking into ‘wildcrafting’ or foraging or just plain growing your own herbs for witchy things?

Get this book.

The author, while an herbalist, breaks down each plant she mentions and includes plenty of warnings and suggestions for use both magical and holistically. She covers the poison path in a very easy to understand way while making sure you understand it’s not a beginner’s thing, and certainly not one to take without serious consideration first. The author takes careful note of Indigenous practices and makes sure to drive it home that their voices are to be heard over anyone else’s when it comes to taking care of American land. There are so many rituals and remedies included in this book that I have a feeling I’ll be referencing it quite a lot, and not just for the gardening and foraging tips!

Did I mention the entire 11 pages of a bibliography in the back?? No? Well there’s that too. My academic heart is thrilled.

Cons: Honestly? The only real con I have is that the author spends a chunk of time going over the Wheel of the Year which is a wiccan construct in a book that otherwise doesn’t have any wiccan imagery or practices up until this point. It feels…weirdly thrown in? But she also includes multiple folk traditions that were common amongst those particular time periods so…it is worked in but it still feels a little odd and jarring to me.

The author also mentioned the use of tallow as a commonly used oil for salves, which is correct but some people are uncomfortable with the idea and I understand that! Since the author has tincture recipes as well she does mention the use of alcohol in steeping purposes.

Overview: Animism, foraging, herbalism, and being safe to the environment. Good stuff all around!

I just went for a walk in the woods with my brother to pick berries and I feel a lot better than I have in weeks. Sometimes I forget how much good going outside does for my mental health so reminder to go outside every now and again if that's a thing you can do. Sitting on a rock isn't going to fix your problems but it does help

You ever go for a nice trip in the woods and leave with acorns, blue rocks, and the knowledge that you might’ve just made some kids believe in God.

also some miscellaneous turtle bones

It’s coming up to fly agaric season so just a warning, yes they look cottagecore/fairycore as heck but don’t eat them. 🍄

Different Edible Mushrooms

Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken-of-the-woods / Zwavelzwam): vanaf april met een groeipiek in juni. Daarna, vanaf augustus tot en met oktober. Te vinden op eiken.

Boletus edulis (Porcini / Eekhoorntjesbrood / Boleet): juli tot en met november te vinden in dreven en bermen met eik of beuk.

Lycoperdon perlatum (Common puffball / Parelstuifzwam): zomer en herfst in humusrijke grond in loof- en naaldbossen.

Coprinus comatus (Shaggy ink cap / Geschubde inktzwam): mei tot in november vaak in groepen te vinden op grond die pas is omgewerkt op akkers, weilanden, parken en wegbermen. In de stad op bemest gras.

Cantharellus cibarius (Cantharel / Chanterelle): juni tot oktober in zure zandgrond in naald- en loofbossen bij den, eik, beuk en berk.

foxes should NOT have to do math tests!!!!!!!!

Please reblog, im really curious about the collection tendencies of the autsim webbed site, tell me about what you collect in the tags!

Don’t ask an AI for plant advice from Tradescantia Hub

Hobby / Special interest I would make content out of if I had the spoons / attention span to post on social media with any amount of consistency: #108

An ongoing series of reels / tiktoks / youtube videos where I make lovely stylized videos of myself gardening or forraging for wild edible flowers / herbs / etc. I talk about their historic witchcraft, holistic medicine, and culinary uses while I process them into various tinctures, syrups, meals, spells, etc.

It would be my own digital book of shadows.

I harvested a batch of lilac from my neighbors bush. This batch is being processed into a simple syrup to use in mixed drinks, and to flavor deserts. Cross your fingers that it turns out!

my apartment is a mess not in a depression way but in a doomsday prep way. the trash all over my floor is actually a carefully designed assault course that i use daily to hone my survival skills ready for the inevitable collapse of society.

ah fuck motherfuck. Forgot to feed both half the pets and myself this morning.

Sometimes you gotta let the urge to lick random forest plants win

me collecting various posts and images to send to my lover while i await her return to the DMs

Oklahoma Cottage Food Law from the Forrager Cottage Food Community