Also known as a Hedge Witch, the Wise Woman, Herb Wives, Wild Herb Men, and Cunning Folk, records and accounts show that virtually every village at one point in Europe had a healing person of sorts. Having an altar with beautiful, inspiring objects, seasonal flowers, candles and other items that speak to your soul will help take the edge off those long hours cooking and cleaning. It's a huge book of interesting knowledge and I think it's going to fill many hours of my time looking through it. As much as decluttering can be annoying or exhausting, your home and psyche will be much freer and healthier when de-cluttered.

Any way you slice it… Hearthcraft is about maintaining the home (or your room/space if you have a shared living space with folks who aren’t as accepting) as a positive energy center in your life. Making your space: whether that’s online spaces you occupy, your neighborhood, your work, your house, any space you exist, safe by making it UNSAFE for racists, bigots, sexists, etc. I never would have thought at the time that being a Hearth Witch would appeal to me, as I wasn’t the most domestic person, nor did it sound very exciting! The numerous ways of preparing herbs are explained, and a lengthy directory describes the uses of many common herbs.Yet, I gave a copy to my friend, who is just beginning, and she couldn't get the consistency right because she had no experience. But, of course, the longer I’ve been practicing, with no guide or sacred text, the more I’ve had to dig into it on my own. She reminds me that she has only lived this long because of her high standards and she rewards our hard work with her safety and comfort.

I also keep a small ceramic bowl that I use as my mini cauldron, much like my mini broom, it’t for more symbolic workings.

The book can be divided roughly into three sections: food and drink, home life, and herbs/essential oils. Whatever your learning style, this book is suited to help you make the most of your herbal education. Because once you get yourself in hand, you realize that it’s time to start working on the rest of the world!