Full Description
In this guide to sacred plant initiations, medical herbalist and shamanic practitioner Carole Guyett explains how to commune with plants and their spirits through the traditional shamanic method of "plant dieting." A plant diet involves ingesting a particular plant over a period of time so you regularly receive the plant's vibratory energy as well as its medicinal actions. Adding a ceremonial element to plant dieting offers a sacred initiation by the plant world, allowing you to connect deeply with all aspects of a plant, receive its sacred teachings, and forge a relationship for guidance and healing, benefitting both yourself and others.
Each of the eight ceremonial plant initiations detailed in the book was personally developed by the author through extensive work with her ceremonial groups. They each center on an easily recognized plant or tree such as primrose, dandelion, oak, and dog rose. These common plants have powerful teachings and healing guidance to share with those who communicate with and honor them. The initiations, for both individuals and groups, work with the Wheel of the Year, honoring each plant's sacred timing and connecting with one of the eight Celtic and Pre-Celtic Fire Festivals--the solstices, equinoxes, and the holy days of Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and Imbolc.
Offering practical instructions so you can develop your own sacred plant initiations, the author also include access to 4 audio journeys to facilitate the initiations in the book. She also explains how to make plant elixirs for use in plant diets and for healing. She shows how connecting with plants allows us to deepen our relationship with Nature, access higher levels of consciousness and spiritual realms, and facilitate the full flowering of human potential.
Contents
Foreword Becoming Truly Human By Pam Montgomery
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1
Sacred Plant Initiations for Modern Times
Connecting with Plant Consciousness for Personal and Planetary Transformation
1
My Story
How We Started Dieting Plants at Derrynagittah
2
Ceremonial Plant Initiations
Dreaming with Plants for Healing and Awakening Consciousness
3
Connecting with the Spirit of Plants
Step-by-Step Instructions for Connecting with Plant Consciousness
4
Undertaking a Ceremonial Plant Diet
A Six-Part Guide
5
Herbal Basics
How to Make Standard Herbal Preparations
Part 2
Entering the Dream of the Plants
Sacred Plant Initiations for the Eight Fire Festivals
Introduction to Part 2 The Wheel of the Year
6
Primrose - Bealtaine
Initiation and New Beginnings
7
Dog Rose - Summer Solstice
Opening the Heart
8
Oak - Lughnasadh
Strength and Guardianship
9
Blackthorn - Autumn Equinox
Embracing the Shadow
10
Elder - Samhain
Ancestral Healing
11
St. John's Wort - Winter Solstice
Bearing the Light
12
Angelica - Brigid's Day
Walking with Angels
13
Dandelion - Spring Equinox
Connecting Heaven and Earth
14
Remembering Who We Are
Manifesting Heaven on Earth
Appendix 1 Deities Mentioned in This Book
Appendix 2 Summary Steps for Performing a Ceremonial Plant Diet
Appendix 3 Plants Associated with Each Fire Festival
Appendix 4 How to Use the Plant Initiation Audio Tracks
Resources
Bibliography
Index
