The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom and Metaphysical Properties

Intuitive counselor Whitehurst follows The Magic of Flowers with an encyclopedia covering nearly 200 species of trees, some of which may be obscure to Western readers. Whitehurst provides a diverse mix of historical trivia, stories from around the world, traditional correspondences and uses, and literary references. These factual elements are jumbled with unabashedly invented (or “intuited”) material, such as elemental and gender correspondences (which Whitehurst intuited via pendulum dowsing) and whimsical (if anomalous) notions such as using dogwood for canine magic or plum for sugar plum fairy magic. The charms, spells, and rituals to be done in the presence of the tree or with materials derived from it are modern, creative, and varied; illustrative line drawings are vibrant and simple. Each entry comprises a series of short sections devoted to individual magical or practical aspects, which keeps the book feeling organized even when the details included vary considerably. An extended appendix of magical uses and correspondences allows readers to go to the appropriate tree for their needs rather than figuring out what to do with what they have. (Jan.)