Blackthorn's Botanical Shadow Work

Healing Through the Dark with Plant Magic

Amy Blackthorn author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Red Wheel/Weiser

Publishing:10th Sep '26

£17.99

This title is due to be published on 10th September, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Blackthorn's Botanical Shadow Work cover

Soothing words and practical advice on how to use the power of plant spirits for healing through the “dark stuff” that prevents us from being our true selves.

Our “Shadow” consists of all of the unpleasant, even traumatic experiences that we encounter in our lives. It is where we store the pain of things that happen to us and how they subconsciously affect our behavior. Lack of understanding or integration of the Shadow can look like toxic positivity (love and light syndrome), as well as cause unregulated drinking, gambling, drug use, or other vices. Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work offers a deep look into the way we interact with plants and how they can help us release our trauma, fears, and personal stress.

With Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work, readers journey with Amy Blackthorn—herbalist, aromatherapist, and witch—to face their fears, wishes, and desires, and find harmony with themselves. Amy teaches ways to cultivate a daily relationship with plant spirits through the use of aromatherapy, meditation, journaling, and other practices. She also helps us to center ourselves and our magical practice so that we can be of service to others.

Throughout this book, there will be prompts, exercises, and encouragement for doing the hard work of confronting the Shadow and realizing the power that it can offer for personal growth. Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work provides a foundation for connecting our spiritual development, therapy, and magic or witchcraft.

“Even though shadow work is vital, by definition it is not easy. It’s even less easy to get started. Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work is the solution to this problem. Maybe I don’t always want to uncover my deepest shame or look at my most alarming fears, but I do always want to ally with plant spirits and smell some essential oil! This book offers the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down. Get it!”
—Tess Whitehurst, author of The Tarot of Secrets and The Oracle of the Vampire Fae

“With Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work, Amy Blackthorn offers a gentle, plant-guided way into the landscape of shadow work that feels both grounded and deeply compassionate. Within its pages, the reader will find a wide range of botanical practices for engaging the personal shadow, but what lingers most is Amy’s voice. She writes in a way that helps the reader feel seen rather than scrutinized and honored for lived experience rather than corrected, making the guidance genuinely accessible. The wisdom feels seasoned and steady and the trance journeys are an unexpected delight! This book is a balm for old wounds and belongs on the shelf of anyone doing the hard work of growing through what has shaped them.”
—Cairelle Crow Perilloux, author of The Magic in Your Genes and Motherline Grimoire

“If you’ve been nervous to step onto the path of shadow work alone, take Amy’s hand in the dark. Amy Blackthorn will be by your side in this trauma-informed, empathetic approach to active shadow work. Botanical allies meet you through aromatherapy and sacred smoke, as well as in trance through Blackthorn’s excellent guided experiences. Her comforting, personable approach makes an otherwise daunting part of your spiritual journey feel achievable, and even enjoyable.”
—Elyse Welles, author of Sacred Wild

“Thank you, Amy Blackthorn, for writing this much-needed book. We learn how to cast spells, work with oracles, and talk to divinity, but what do we do when our magical journey unlocks the shadows we have kept hidden even from ourselves? Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work is the guide every witch needs when we inevitably hit the dark spots in our journey. This is the book to not only keep near your altar but also to journey through. I bought a new journal as I was reading this, just to take myself through the exercises to meet my shadows and bring them home to nurture.”
—Jacki Smith, author of The Big Book of Candle Magic

“Blackthorn’s voice is both warm and inviting as she offers us a grounded companion for shadow work. Her botanical wisdom, paired with her accessible and embodied approach to working with the shadow, makes Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work a compassionate and creative guide worth turning to again and again.”
—Shannon Knight, author of Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow

“‘The plants we seek offer everything we need,’ writes Amy Blackthorn in her lovely new book, Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work. Amy is, once again, taking us on a healing journey, as all of her books are healing journeys. If you, like me, are in love with the plant world (or curious about it) and love magical recipes and spiritual homework, then you, like me, will love her new work. Whether you’re exploring your Shadow for the first time or are an old hand at dark nights of the soul, Amy is a trustworthy mentor through a garden of guidance and sumptuous botanical allies. The plants are your friends!”
—Aliza Einhorn, author of Tarot of the Unconscious

“In Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work, Amy Blackthorn cultivates an environment for the reader to not only feel safe while exploring the complex truth of shadow work, but her writing is also a self-empowerment support map that will educate and stimulate the seeker’s own courage to do the work.”
—Kristine Gorman, creator of Visionary Woman Tarot

Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work is a survival guide that takes the reader on a journey to meet some of the most powerful and transformative plants and fungi. What better allies to enlist for support than those that live in the shadows of the poison garden? Armed with the wisdom of one who has been to the shadows and back, Amy Blackthorn equips the reader with powerful tools and reliable support for this important work.”
—Coby Michael, author of The Poison Path Grimoire

“Amy Blackthorn takes you on a journey of discovery of self, botanical allies, and how working with intention can help shift your perspective of your own life. From a clear explanation of shadow work, to meditations with elemental guides, there is so much richness in Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work. It delves into talk therapy, deep breathing exercises, recipes for aromatherapy oils, talks with plant allies, and so much more. The meetings with plant allies are inspired, and each one, while being whimsical and delightful to read, carries a lesson. Do yourself a favor: work through this book from the very beginning. Go slow, do the exercises, journal, and add in your gratitude. Each chapter builds on the previous chapter, so try not to skip ahead. It doesn’t matter if you are new to witchcraft or a seasoned witch—everyone can benefit from Blackthorn’s wisdom.”
—Christine Cunningham Ashworth, author of Scott Cunningham—The Path Taken

“The prolific Amy Blackthorn has written a wonderful book, Blackthorn’s Botanical Shadow Work. As a fellow magickal herbalist, I admire the originality and creativity with which Blackthorn’s work is saturated. Sharing the shadow work aspect of plant magick is not only innovative, but also much needed. I am deeply appreciative of the deep insights this breathtaking book exhibits. I highly recommend reading it!”
—Priestess Stephanie Rose Bird, author of The Healing Power of African American Spirituality, 365 Days of Hoodoo, The Healing Tree, and African American Magick

ISBN: 9781578638314

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

240 pages