The Language of Plants – A Guide to the Doctrine of Signatures
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It is only in the age of technology that human beings have lost a sense of nature being alive. Throughout history, people spoke to nature, and nature communicated with them. During the Middle Ages, reading the “book of nature” was called the doctrine of signatures, which had always been an important part of interacting with nature for traditional healers and herbalists.
“As a child, I just knew which plant to pick up and hold to my head for a headache to go away. Once I heard about the concept of a ‘doctrine of signatures,’ I would just stand silently, in awe of nature talking to me, talking and talking in her silent, direct speech. The book of nature seemed so obviously spelled out, and in oddest contrast to what I learned in medical school. My professors seemed never to have heard of nature being vibrant and alive and brimming with patterns of energy that are right there for us to understand and use…. This direct and primordial experience of being part of nature’s omnipresent, cyclic course taught me more in the realm of no-words than any university ever could have.” —Julia Graves
The Language of Plants covers all aspects of the doctrine of signatures in an easily accessible format, so that everyone, whether nature lovers or healers, can learn to read the language of plants in connection with healing.
Reviews:
“A powerful and unique book, The Language of Plants is without doubt the most in-depth discussion of plant signatures available to us today. A brilliant medical herbalist, Julia has drawn from ancient and modern sources and blended this knowledge with her own rich experience and personal wisdom to create a marvelous resource, designed to take us deeply into the healing energetics of plants. While reading it, I felt a modern alchemist at work.” — Rosemary Gladstar, Herbalist and Author
“I have written on these subjects in the past and considered writing a book about the doctrine myself. However, when Julia Graves told me of her intention to write this book, I knew the project was in good hands. The following book on the doctrine of signatures is the most thorough and systematic text written on the subject to date. It unites wisdom gleaned from plants through the ages, revealing that signatures are the universal underpinning of all traditional systems of plant healing. In doing so, the Language of Plants is a remarkable achievement.” —Matthew Wood, Herbalist and Author (taken from the Foreword)
“I am sending a message of appreciation to you for the lovely book you wrote “The Language of Plants”. Having met you and by participating in your workshops, your voice comes through so clearly in your writing; it is like you are sitting beside me on the sofa. I enjoy the time spent taking in the vast information in this work of love. I find I can only read a limited amount of pages at a time because the information is so profound that sometimes my soul cannot keep up.” — Jill Shepherd, Student
“I often recommend the Language of Plants as the only book you need to own to read and understand nature’s tongue. It is in fact the codex that creates a connection between us and the elements, linking us and the dancing life force around us that gives form to all things. This is the type of knowledge that was taught in oak groves, by mystery schools in ancient times, to those chosen few with open minds and hearts. If you only add one herbal book to your shelves, make it this one.” — Jamie Golledge, Student and Herbalist
“The Language of Plants is an incredibly rich source of holistic herbal information. Not only does one learn a lot of interesting things about a lot of plants, one learns how to figure out new or different aspects of plants and how to put them to use in the most optimal way for the individual patient. This is not an “esoteric” book that suggests “shamanic” trips to talk to plants but rather a fresh and detailed look at a straightforward, age-old method of learning about and utilizing medicinal plants. Ms. Graves takes care to point out that one should approach the use of signature with care, utilizing good, known resources to double check ones discoveries to insure safe practice.This book is fascinating, educational for all herbalists – from beginner to advanced – and can also be used as an excellent reference book if one wanted to look up i.e. what a shape or colour might be a signature for or if one wanted to learn about plants that are useful for pain, asthma or Lyme disease etc. I cannot find enough words of praise for this unique book and highly recommend it to any herbalist, holistic practitioner or anyone who is interested in plants, especially medicinal ones.” —Swanie Simon, Nutritional and Herbal Specialist for Dogs and Animals, German Naturopath
“I bought one of your books for a friend and fellow acupuncturist…. Well, it inspired her so much that she wants to go back to school for an herbal training!” — Michelle LaDue, Acupuncturist and Doula, NYC
A Practical Guide to the Lily Essences
$30.00Add to cart
A concise reference guide for both practitioners and non-practitioners. This pocket guide contains descriptions of the individual essences, as well as a detailed repertory by Julia Graves. 134 pages, illustrations in color and black and white.
Reviews:
“The Lily Circle Practical Guide and Repertory is a complete guide to the Lily Circle, including color pictures of the essences, as well as in-depth descriptions. Julia Graves expertise shines forth in her descriptions which are so rich and layered that new information continuously reveals itself with multiple readings. In short, she portrays each essences in its thorough complexity, instead of reducing it to a couple of key terms. The second half of the book is comprised of an astonishing glossary which not only categorizes the essences into psychological traits (such as essences for motivation and insight) but also into their energetic traits – this is especially useful for body-workers, but is also of great value to any essence practitioner. Because flower essences are energetic preparations, it is refreshing to have a practitioner’s guide which details the subtle physical effects of these essences.” — Megan Mook (Certified Yoga Teacher, Flower Essence Practitioner)
This book about Lily family flower essences manifest Julia’s clear and deep understanding of the energetics of plants and the multiple uses they have shown through her compilation of patient’s experiences with them. The book is written in some of the most clear and pragmatic prose in print about flower essences – which makes it a great help in matching essence to person.” — Peter Schell LAc MTOM
“My dog-eared Lily Circle Guide and Repertory is essential to my work; it lets me dig deeply into the layers of what each lily can do so I can be intimately specific for each client’s bath. The cross referencing of essence definitions with the emotional and energetic conditions they heal is both thorough and easy to navigate. I have seen such spiritual expansions of the heart with the Lily Circle that I now use Madonna Lily and Lily Joy as part of the foundation for every bath I prepare.” — Jan Scott (Spiritual Bathing Practitioner)
Healing Animals with Lily Flower Essences
Healing Animals with Lily Flower Essences offers detailed entries on each essence with specific therapeutic consideration to all animals, as well as the relationship to the pet owner. It covers topics such as separation anxiety and toilet training with precise indications and a rich repertory section with all the special keywords for our beloved animals, as well as for animal trainers and breeders by Julia Graves. 188 pages, illustrated with color photographs as well as black and white drawings.
$35.00Add to cart
The Breath of the Divine
In this masterful work, Jacquelin Guiteau gives us a glimpse of the sophistication and complexity of the traditional art of smudging. Far from being merely about nice scents to feel good, smudging in the hands of a trained traditional practitioner is a powerful tool for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. Within the context of traditional holistic healing, a precise energetic assessment of the ills is crucial. Depending on what the healer finds, different prayers, techniques, plant helpers and other actions are called for, as clearly outlined in the book. Ultimately, the smudging scents are The Breath of the Divine, linking our life’s path to the divine and the universe. 70 pages.
Jacquelin Guiteau is a Haitian-born US American electrical engineer, who grew up with Haitian folk medicine and studied Western mysticism and Tibetan Buddhism from an early age. Jacquelin Guiteau is a spiritual teacher and healer who teaches internationally and directs a free naturopathic street clinic in Haiti.
Reviews:
“I love this book! There is so much information on smudging in this book you can’t find anywhere else! Although I am an incense maker, I could not put the book down until I had read it all the way to the end.” – Michelle LaDue, licensed acupuncturist
$25.00Add to cart
“I got so much into Breath of the Divine that I read all through the night. The next morning, I immediately gave my partner a smudging treatment, which brought up surprisingly deep issues. Thank you for writing the book!” – Josephine B., New York
“Even though I am Haitian and come from a culture in which we traditionally smudge, I got so captivated by this book that I missed my train stop twice! The book really helped me understand my native culture and validated what I remember from childhood. It inspired me to go back to those customs.” – Bernard G., Florida
Lily Circle Photo Cards
Set of 30 beautiful color postcards featuring all the lilies from the Lily Circle.
$18.00Add to cart
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