title: Whispers from the Woods: The Lore & Magic of Trees
author:  Sandra Kynes 
description: Kynes, who has written about pagan spirituality previously in <i>Gemstone Feng Shui</i> and <i>A Year of Ritual, </i>helps readers to incorporate the wisdom of trees in this how-to guide. She begins with an overview of the biological and historical importance of trees, touching on multiple ancient mythologies in a breathless and rather unfocused introductory survey. Better are the subsequent chapters, which elucidate various techniques for trying tree magic. She begins by suggesting that readers forge connections with trees through means both physical (the yogic tree pose) and spiritual (performing "tree meditation," though it's not clear that this differs substantially from traditional meditation). She offers a tree calendar, discussing which trees are associated with which months and seasons, makes suggestions for using trees in spellwork and explores how to engage trees in shamanic journeys and quests. The book's second half offers specific information on 50 kinds of trees and their magical properties. Kynes's book is carefully researched and generally well presented, though sometimes she loses the literal forest for the trees. For example, her chapters on the Ogham, an ancient Celtic musical scale, can be overly detailed for the novice practitioner who may not be initially aware of how the Ogham relates to trees. Overall, though, this is a useful guide for druids and pagans. <i>(Feb.)</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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  ## Praise for  
  Daughter of the Forest
  
  
  “A world rich with magic and legend, full of heroic—and a few decidedly nasty
  characters. Lush, poetic, and surprisingly romantic.”
  
  
  —Romantic Times
  
  
  “Ms. Marillier’s ability to use such a well known legend and make it both
  logical and exciting is an outstanding gift. I am now, of course, eager to see
  ‘what happens next’ and that interest is what every writer hopes to arouse in
  the reader of a trilogy.”
  
  
  —Andre Norton
  
  
  “What sets Marillier’s work apart is how she wraps this traditional plot with
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  Ireland in the Dark Ages…Marillier is a new writer to watch.”
  
  
  —VOYA
  
  
  “The story line is fast-paced, filled with action, and loaded with romance yet
  brimming with magical elements that seem real. The lead characters are warm,
  compassionate, and share a sense of family loyalty that adds to the
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  —Midwest Book Review