Herbcraft by definition is the knowledge of, and ability to use herbs and plants for magick, healing and in foods (https://www.llewellyn.com/encyclopedia/term/Herbcraft). This definition gives an indication of the all-encompassing image we sought when creating the name for our business.

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All formal education surrounding Naturopathy & Herbalism in Australia has become hyper-focused on the Western allopathic model, with little to no focus on understanding the cultivation, harvest, and preparation of the herbs used. Students are rather encouraged to purchase commercial products, which results in something more akin to green pharmacy than herbalism. Our aim is to present another perspective. One that is much older, and far more complex and involved than chemical constituents. 

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Herbcraft has amassed an impressive collection of in excess of 150 culinary, medicinal and poisonous herbs, in our garden apothecary located in Western Australia. As a fourth generation witch and herbalist, Bella Donna has spent in excess of 35yrs researching and honing her inherited craft, learning all facets of herbalism, but developing a focus in recent years on the more spiritual aspects, and use of poison plants in particular. She has long understood that something that has the power to harm, in the right context should also have the power to heal, and as quoted by Paracelsus, that "the poison is in the dose". Bella also has a strong spiritual relationship with her plant allies, and emphasises the significance of this connection in all her work. 

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Therefore, Herbcraft is a reflection of the intention to combine herbal medicine with the knowledge derived from Bella's heritage of European cultural witchcraft. Our logo too, holds it's own significance. The double-headed eagle is a nod to Bella's Austrian ancestry, the rod of Asclepius, a recognition of her foundation in traditional herbal medicine of ages past, and the fire is a pic taken at the last full moon celebration at our winter camp in 2023, representing the occult leanings of the business. We hope this image communicates to those that see it, the passion and multi-faceted complexity that goes into all our work. The attention to detail, and the ability to draw from many different sources to bring together something entirely unique and distinctly our own. Hopefully it will also evoke a sense of wonder. Because ultimately, any journey incorporating herbalism, spirituality and the Poison Path will be unique and intensely personal. ​​

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Alchemical Herbalism

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Alchemical Herbalism seeks to understand herbalism past the healing of physical symptoms in the body. It looks at the bigger picture behind how the illness manifested in the first place. What spiritual imbalance, or energy block took place in the body that compromised your equilibrium. It is a place where herbs are seen within a greater context of correspondences which, when understood can result in spiritual transformation, and greater understanding of our place in this lifetime and others. 

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This form of herbalism looks back to the greats like Paracelsus, and a return to where planetary rulership, moon phases, crystals, elemental associations and crystals were all combined to optimise the use of every herb from seed through to the final product, to result in a truly holistic outcome. It is a system where every stage of the herb, through growth, harvest, preparation and production are treated with ritual, respect and honour. Connections with Tarot, Kabbalah, and other spriritual practices are used as guiding tools to direct the process. The aim is not to dispense products, but to engage the individual in their own healing, beginning at the physical, then continuing through emotional and spiritual, in order to return to the individual they truly are at their core, before the events of life, or multiple lives interfered.  

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Head to our Workshop page to see what events are taking place at our studio in Cowaramup soon.