About the author
Loren Cruden is the author of a group of books published by Destiny Books in the 1990s that draw on shamanic and medicine-wheel traditions of the Americas. Medicine Grove: A Shamanic Herbal catalogues common herbs and wild plants of North America alongside their traditional uses, going beyond a standard herbal to include ritual and ceremonial dimensions of plant medicine. Compass of the Heart: Embodying Medicine Wheel Teachings is organized around the six directions of the medicine wheel, East, South, West, North, Sky and Earth, as a framework for daily spiritual practice, while The Spirit of Place: A Workbook for Sacred Alignment focuses on techniques for aligning practitioners with the land and its plant, animal and mineral life. Taken together, the books form a consistent body of work on nature-based, indigenous-influenced spirituality, written for readers seeking structured practices connecting personal life to the natural world rather than historical or comparative analysis.
📖 Where to start with Loren Cruden
💬 What our editors say about Loren Cruden's books
“Medicine Grove successfully bridges the gap between practical herbalism and profound spiritual practice, offering detailed insights into North American herbs. Cruden’s approach is respectful and deeply informed by indigenous…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Medicine Grove: A Shamanic Herbal (Original)
“Cruden provides a gentle, accessible entry point into Medicine Wheel teachings, emphasizing practical integration over dense academic analysis. The focus on daily rituals makes the esoteric feel immediate and personal. However,…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Compass of the Heart: Embodying Medicine Wheel Teachings (Original)
“Cruden’s workbook offers a compelling entry point into sacred alignment, focusing on the seamless blending of inner consciousness with tangible life forms. The strength lies in its accessibility and invitation to awaken to the…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Spirit of Place: A Workbook for Sacred Alignment (Original)
📋 Editions by Loren Cruden in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Grove: A Shamanic Herbal (Original) | 1997 | Destiny Books | 224 | 9780892816477 |
| Compass of the Heart: Embodying Medicine Wheel Teachings (Origin | 1996 | Destiny Books | 224 | 9780892816002 |
| The Spirit of Place: A Workbook for Sacred Alignment (Original) | 1995 | Destiny Books | 232 | 9780892815111 |
