"The Onondaga author, Harvest McCampbell offers her years of first-hand experience on how to gather, prepare and use smudging herbs in ceremonial and healing situations. Fourteen plants and their uses are explained in detail. This expanded edition includes sections on "Reclaiming Tradition," research techniques, sources, and more. The (127) page book not only contains practical "how to" information but also includes cautionary words intended to help non-Natives to treat the medicine with proper respect."
December 11, 2002, page D4, "Holiday Gift Ideas," under the heading: "Listed here are some of Indian Country Today's Favorite book . . . selections.
Available from:
Native
Voices, Alibris,
Barnes
& Noble, Amazon.com;
As well as bookstores, herb shops, trading posts and libraries near
you!
A great book for for beginners AND experienced herbalists,
Review by VoGE
Recently, amazon.com delivered to my door a very wonderful book... Sacred
Smoke by Harvest McCampbell is a primer and reference text regarding how to
identify, collect, and even grow a wide range of sacred plants used for smudging.
In her book, Harvest has succeeded in writing of sacred things without "crossing
the line." She totally avoids being cloaked in shadowy mysticism and
strives to communicate facts which can then be applied to one's own traditions
and teachings.
I found this book to be valuable on two levels... As an "evening's read" I felt like Harvest was sitting next to me having a conversation about her grandmother and the wisdom she passed on regarding sacred plants. As a reference work, I found Sacred Smoke to be filled with well documented herbal facts and sources that are organized for easy reference.
One of the difficulties any author faces with works of this type is how to impart knowledge on paper that can really only be learned through experience. Harvest succeeds marvelously in this by introducing concepts, then directing the reader to other sources for further research - including the internet - all the while continually reminding us to seek out our own elders and find our own traditions.
In short, Harvest has crafted a book that should be of great interest both to beginning students and experienced herbalists.
It's been a long time since I've found a book I was so happy to have in my library for many years to come!
November 8, 2002
Voice of Golden Eagle
musician, dreamer...
www.HarvestMcCampbell.com
Graphics, Text, and Design Copyright
2007
Harvest McCampbell