Gerina Dunwich's forte' as an author is the making of lists. This volume
is an excellent example. There are lists of magickal herbs, faerie-related
herbs, herbs for various sabbats, mind-altering plants, herbs sacred to
particular deities, divinitory herbs, medicinal plants, dangerous plants, and
herb-related omens and superstitions. There's also a chapter on the famed
mandrake plant.
The material on each plant and its use in the lists is
much more detailed than that given by Cunningham (Encyclopedia of Magical
Herbs), and well-researched. It's still very basic, and all too often the
author simply lists herbal names. On the other hand, the chapters on
mind-altering plants and dangerous plants contain material not available in
other sources.
This volume is a serious, if somewhat plodding, reference
work for the serious magickal herbalist, one who is already familiar with
herb gardening, herbal basics, medicinal herbal use, and standard magickal
practice. It is directed especially toward traditional Wiccans and those who
use a variety of deities in their workings. It supplements, and for some
people will supplant, Cunningham's Encyclopedia, but should be used in
conjunction with other herbal works, especially Cunningham's Magickal
Herbalism and Ravenwolf's work with Pow-wow herbalism (Hexcraft).