Enchanted Plants: A Treasury of Botanical Folklore and Magic, by Varla A. Ventura
Weiser Books, 1578638607, 288 pages, April 2025

Varla A. Ventura’s book Enchanted Plants: A Treasury of Botanical Folklore & Magic incorporates stories/legends, scientific/botanical information, folk information, magickal uses, and medicinal purposes for each selected plant.

First, let me start by commenting on the sheer beauty of this book:

1. The colors are rich and vibrant – from the spot gloss front and back cover to all the pages in between.

2. The art-nouveau-inspired illustrations are stunning. (The first thing I did was to flip through all the pictures, then go back through and really STUDY the artwork.) Each illustration magnificently enhances the experience.

3. The organization and layout is easy to follow and wonderfully presents the information in a visually appealing manner.

4. The gold gilded page edges are of collector’s quality which is additionally enhanced by the gold foiling on the front and back cover.

It is absolutely beautiful.

As a budding herbalist, my first stop was Chapter 4 “Among the Fields and Valleys: Wildflowers, Meadowlands, and Other Things to Gather – Dandelion.” After noting the botanical name, native locale, common names, medicinal properties, and magical properties, the Ventura provides general conceptions and/or personal insights for the plant, noting that it is and has always been considered a weed. She then recalls the story of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Conceited Apple Branch” which plays with the theme of vanity and gratitude.

“Just then, the young countess who had placed the bough in the vase and her ladies came into the room. Cradled delicately in her hand was a flower of some kind. Carefully, the countess removed the leaves and then the apple branch saw it. [T]here appeared the feathery seed crown of the despised yellow dandelion… ’Isn’t it beautiful?’ the young lady exclaimed.”¹

In organizing the information in such a way, Ventura creates a template for organic learning and teaching. Rather than simply providing factual information, the information is embedded and enhanced with modern traditions and folklore that can help with retention of information and practical applications.

Each chapter feels like a warm and inviting visit with my grandmother – full of wisdom, insight, stories, lessons, and love/respect for the natural/botanical world that is all around. My only regret is that there are not more chapters; however, it leaves room to hope for a second book!

I plan to use Enchanted Plants as a starting point and reference to teach, guide, and grow my children. With its mixture of stories, botany, general medicinal information (if applicable), and life lessons the possibilities are extensive! When teaching the chapter on the dandelion, I envision teaching my kids how to make daisy chains, the folklore of blowing seeds to the wind, how to make dandelion honey, and the benefits of dandelion tea.

And lastly, while this book does not provide specific recipes or spells, it pairs wonderfully with home apothecary guides (like Nicole Apelian’s, Forgotten Home Apothecary), herbalism books for magical purposes (like Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs), and tarot cards (like Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin’s The Herbal Tarot).

Enchanted Plants would be a valuable addition to both beginning and advanced herbalists looking to add additional insight to repertoire, magic users, plant enthusiasts, folk-lore lovers, and collectors of beautiful books. This book would also make a thoughtful gift for plant-loving bibliophiles.

What a gem of a book!