Occult Botany: Sédir's Concise Guide to Magical Plants — Occult Philosophy

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Occult Botany: Sédir's Concise Guide to Magical Plants

Name: Occult Botany: Sédir's Concise Guide to Magical Plants
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781644112601

✍️ Paul Sédir, R Bailey

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$50.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Delve into the mystical realm of plant life with Sédir's seminal work, a foundational guide to traditional magical herbalism. This volume bridges scientific botany with ancient occult practices, offering a comprehensive understanding of plant energies. It presents an extensive catalog of nearly 300 magical plants, detailing their elemental, planetary, and zodiacal correspondences, alongside their medico-magical applications. Beyond identification, it explores practical phytotherapy methods, from ritual tree pacts to the creation of potent magical philters, making it indispensable for any serious student of plant esotericism.

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Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“Reading Occult Botany was a deeply enjoyable experience that satisfied many diverse urges for botanical knowledge, from within one compendium.This strange and intriguing miscellany leads one through portals and fields, gardens and celestial realms. The plant entries are helpful for quickly finding zodiac and planetary correspondences; they also include a peppering of rare pieces of occult lore alongside many…”

— Corinne Boyer, folk herbalist, teacher, and author of Under the Witching Tree

🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2021 📖 448 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781644112601

Fun Fact

Sédir’s "Occult Botany" remains an indispensable cornerstone for anyone exploring the historical and theoretical underpinnings of magical herbalism. Its strength lies in its comprehensive plant dictionary and its detailed exposition of esoteric botanical principles, offering a rare glimpse into the Paris occult revival. While it provides immense historical and philosophical value, those seeking a purely modern, step-by-step practical guide might find it less directly applicable. Nevertheless, it's essential reading for serious students of the esoteric arts and the history of Western esotericism.

📝 Description: Occult Botany: Sédir's Concise Guide to Magical Plants

A classic text on esoteric traditional herbalism from one of the most influential herbalists of the Paris occult revival - Includes a dictionary of nearly 300 magical plants with descriptions of each plant's scientific name, common names, elemental qualities, ruling planets, and zodiacal signatures, with commentary on medico-magical properties and uses - Explores methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, including the Paracelsian "transplantation of diseases," ritual pacts with trees, the secret ingredients of witches' ointments, and the composition of magical philters - Explains the occult secrets of phytogenesis, plant physiology, and plant physiognomy (classification of plants according to the doctrine of signatures) Merging the scientific discipline of botany with ancient, medieval, and Renaissance traditions of occult herbalism, this seminal guide was first published in French in 1902 as a textbook for students of Papus's École hermétique and sparked a revival in the study of magical herbalism in early twentieth-century France. Author Paul Sédir, pseudonym of Yvon Le Loup (1871-1926), explains the occult secrets of phytogenesis (the esoteric origin and evolutionary development of the plant kingdom), plant physiology (the occult anatomy of plants), and plant physiognomy (classification of plants according to the doctrine of signatures). Unveiling the mysteries behind planetary and zodiacal attributions, he provides readers with the keys to make their own informed determinations of the astral properties of plants. Moving from theory into practice, Sédir explores various methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, including the Paracelsian "transplantation of diseases," the secret ingredients of witches' ointments, and the composition of magical philters. In the third section of the book, Sédir offers a dictionary of magical plants that covers nearly 300 plant species with descriptions of their astral signatures, occult properties, and medico-magical uses. Compiled from an array of rare sources and esoterica, this classic text includes a wealth of additional materials and supplemental charts and diagrams drawn from Sédir's occult colleagues, all of whom adopted and expanded upon Sédir's pioneering system of plant correspondences.

📑 What's inside

Symbols and Tables Translator's Foreword Introduction
PART ONE The Plant Kingdom
1 Phytogenesis
2 Plant Physiology 3 Plant Physiognomy
PART TWO
Plants and Humans
4 Alimentation
5 Phytotherapy
6 Plant Magic
7 Occult Horticulture
8 Vegetation Magic
9 The Vegetable Phoenix
10 Plant Palingenesis in History and Practice
PART THREE
A Concise Dictionary of Magical Plants
A Acacia-Asphodel
B Bachelor's Button-Buttercup
C Cabbage-Cypress
D Daffodil-Dittany of Crete
E Edelweiss-Eyebright
F Fava Bean-Fumitory
G Garlic-Grapevine
H Hazel-Hyacinth
I Iris-Ivy
J Jimsonweed-Juniper
K Knotweed-Kusha Grass
L Larkspur-Lungwort
M Madder-Myrtle
N Needleleaf-Nutmeg
O Oak-Oregano
P Palm-Purslane
Q Quince
R Raisin Tree-Rue
S Saffron-Strawberry
T Tamarind-Turnip
U Usnea
V Valerian-Violet
W Wallflower-Wormwood
Y Yarrow
APPENDIX 1 Occult Medicine
APPENDIX 2
Paracelsian Physiology
APPENDIX 3
On Opium Use
Glossary of Herbal Actions
Concordance of Elemental and Astral Plant Signatures
Notes Bibliography Index of Ancient Sources Index of Plant Names Index of Authors and Subjects

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Sédir’s guide stands as a foundational text for traditional magical herbalism, offering rigorous detail on plant energies and correspondences. It is highly recommended for occultists and herbalists eager to explore ritual applications and phytotherapy methods within an esoteric context. However, it does not suit casual readers seeking simple gardening advice or those uninterested in the metaphysical aspects of botany. The dense categorization of magical properties may overwhelm beginners looking for accessible, non-theoretical herbal guides. It remains a specialized tool for those committed to the serious study of plant magic and its historical occult roots.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an essential resource for serious students of plant esotericism who wish to deepen their understanding of magical herbalism. It serves practitioners seeking a comprehensive catalog of nearly three hundred plants, detailing their specific elemental, planetary, and zodiacal correspondences. Readers interested in the medico-magical applications of flora will find immense value in its exploration of ritual tree pacts and potent magical philters. By bridging scientific botany with profound esoteric wisdom, it offers a unique framework for those dedicated to mastering the mystical realm of plant life through both identification and practical application.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of historical occultism, a practicing herbalist seeking deeper esoteric insight, or simply fascinated by the hidden connections between plants and cosmos, this classic text offers unparalleled wisdom and a rich historical perspective.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Sédir’s guide stands as a foundational text for traditional magical herbalism, offering rigorous detail on plant energies and correspondences. It is highly recommended for occultists and herbalists eager to explore ritual applications and phytotherapy methods within an esoteric context. However, it does not suit casual readers seeking simple gardening advice or those uninterested in the metaphysical aspects of botany. The dense categorization of magical properties may overwhelm beginners looking for accessible, non-theoretical herbal guides. It remains a specialized tool for those committed to the serious study of plant magic and its historical occult roots.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, it delves into various methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, covering topics from ritual pacts with trees to the preparation of magical philters and witches' ointments, offering both theoretical understanding and practical applications.

It’s much more than a list. While it includes a comprehensive dictionary of nearly 300 plants, it also thoroughly explains occult principles like phytogenesis, plant physiology, and the doctrine of signatures, providing a deep dive into the esoteric understanding of botany.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Esoteric Plant Compendium

A detailed dictionary profiles almost 300 magical plants. Each entry thoughtfully lists its scientific and common names, elemental associations, ruling planets, and zodiacal signatures. Furthermore, Sédir provides insightful commentary on their unique medico-magical properties and practical uses within traditional herbalism, offering a foundational reference for practitioners and scholars alike.

Practical Plant Magic

This book goes beyond theory, delving into concrete methods of phytotherapy and plant-based magic. Readers will discover techniques like the Paracelsian concept of 'transplantation of diseases,' the art of forging ritual pacts with trees, the hidden components of witches' flying ointments, and the intricate composition of magical philters, providing practical insights for esoteric work.

Occult Botanical Principles

Sédir illuminates the deeper mysteries of plant life by explaining concepts such as phytogenesis (the esoteric origin and development of plants), plant physiology from an occult perspective, and plant physiognomy. This includes the fascinating 'doctrine of signatures,' which classifies plants based on their physical resemblances to their magical or medicinal uses, revealing cosmic connections.

📜 Historical context

First published in French in 1902, Sédir’s work emerged as a foundational text for Papus’s École hermétique, significantly revitalizing the study of magical herbalism during the vibrant Paris occult revival of the early 20th century. It stands as a testament to the era's synthesis of scientific inquiry and esoteric tradition.

📚 Glossary

Phytogenesis
Doctrine of Signatures
Philters

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider a common plant you know well. How might its physical characteristics, according to the doctrine of signatures, hint at a hidden magical or medicinal property?
Reflect on the concept of 'ritual pacts with trees.' What does this suggest about the relationship between humans and nature in esoteric traditions, and how might you approach such a connection today?
Sédir connects plants to elemental, planetary, and zodiacal qualities. Choose a specific plant and explore how these correspondences deepen your understanding of its potential spiritual or energetic uses.