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Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden
Join bestselling author, activist, and garden expert Maria Rodale on her shamanic journeys as she reflects on her surprising conversations with the spirits of the familiar plants and animals around us―and the knowledge they share with us.
In Love, Nature, Magic, organic advocate and former CEO of a global health and wellness company Maria Rodale combines her love of nature and gardening with her experience in shamanic journeying, embarking on an epic adventure to learn from plants, animals, and insects―including some of the most misunderstood beings in nature. Maria asks them their purpose and listens as they show and declare what they want us humans to know. From Thistles to Snakes, Poison Ivy to Mosquitoes, these nature beings convey messages that are relevant to every human, showing us how to live in balance and harmony on this Earth.
Through journeys filled with surprises, humor, and foibles, follow Maria’s evolution from being annoyed with to accepting―and even falling in love with―our most difficult neighbors (including human ones). Along the way, she tells her own story of how she learned about shamanic journeying and its near-universal manifestation in traditional cultures worldwide. She describes what her experiences of shamanic journeying are like―simply, honestly, and with a touch of irreverence.
Maria’s journeys include conversations with: Mugwort • Vulture • Bat • Rabbit • Lanternfly • Lightning Bug • Osage Orange • Deer • Paper Wasp • Dandelion • Tick • Groundhog • Milkweed • And more!
Throughout, Rodale shares an essential truth that resonates across her shamanic explorations: We first must heal our own hearts, for only then can we truly love others and begin to heal planet Earth.
In Love, Nature, Magic, organic advocate and former CEO of a global health and wellness company Maria Rodale combines her love of nature and gardening with her experience in shamanic journeying, embarking on an epic adventure to learn from plants, animals, and insects―including some of the most misunderstood beings in nature. Maria asks them their purpose and listens as they show and declare what they want us humans to know. From Thistles to Snakes, Poison Ivy to Mosquitoes, these nature beings convey messages that are relevant to every human, showing us how to live in balance and harmony on this Earth.
Through journeys filled with surprises, humor, and foibles, follow Maria’s evolution from being annoyed with to accepting―and even falling in love with―our most difficult neighbors (including human ones). Along the way, she tells her own story of how she learned about shamanic journeying and its near-universal manifestation in traditional cultures worldwide. She describes what her experiences of shamanic journeying are like―simply, honestly, and with a touch of irreverence.
Maria’s journeys include conversations with: Mugwort • Vulture • Bat • Rabbit • Lanternfly • Lightning Bug • Osage Orange • Deer • Paper Wasp • Dandelion • Tick • Groundhog • Milkweed • And more!
Throughout, Rodale shares an essential truth that resonates across her shamanic explorations: We first must heal our own hearts, for only then can we truly love others and begin to heal planet Earth.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 21, 2023
About the author
Maria Rodale
17 books15 followersMaria Rodale is the CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc., the world's largest independent publisher of health, wellness, and environmental content and the largest independent book publisher in the United States. She is the third generation of the Rodale family to lead the company, which was founded by her grandfather J.I. Rodale in 1930 and later led by both her father, Robert Rodale, and mother, Ardath Rodale.
A lifelong advocate on behalf of organic farming and gardening, Maria is also the author of several books, including most recently Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe (2011, Rodale Books). She blogs regularly about news and information related to healthy living at Maria's Farm Country Kitchen.
A lifelong advocate on behalf of organic farming and gardening, Maria is also the author of several books, including most recently Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe (2011, Rodale Books). She blogs regularly about news and information related to healthy living at Maria's Farm Country Kitchen.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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June 22, 2023This is definitely the weirdest book I've ever read! I really enjoyed it, and read it in less than a day, but it was still so strange. I really appreciated all of the information about organic gardening, and treating nature with kindness. I cannot have any sympathy for poison ivy, that is probably the only thing I could not find a good solution to in this book. I read this as part of my local library summer reading challenge for adults, they always have a great summer reading recommendation!
October 20, 2022
In this book, Maria Rodale of the famous Rodale family, communicates with nature on her shamanic journeys, learning about the needs and desires of various types of plants, animals, insects, and weather. Shamanic journeying is an ancient spiritual practice that allows one to travel to the spirit realm in a deep meditation or trance. Maria shares the conversations she had with different aspects of nature, and how their insights and wisdom were able to shift her perspective on what living in harmony with nature is truly about.
I thought this was a brave and inspiring story to share with the world that bridged together ecology with spirituality. Some conversations were uplifting while others were a little strange. The message of each plant, insect, and animal was the same. We humans must learn how to love because the harm we are inflicting upon nature is a result of the lack of love present in humanity. This is how we can heal nature because her wisdom is one of regeneration, reciprocity, trust, gratitude, and happiness. When we can learn to respect and honour the earth for everything that she does both seen and unseen, we can learn how to live with her. What may seem like a nuisance or inconvenience in nature, might actually be a survival method to ensure balance and harmony. This is magic. This is healing, This is love.
I thought this was a brave and inspiring story to share with the world that bridged together ecology with spirituality. Some conversations were uplifting while others were a little strange. The message of each plant, insect, and animal was the same. We humans must learn how to love because the harm we are inflicting upon nature is a result of the lack of love present in humanity. This is how we can heal nature because her wisdom is one of regeneration, reciprocity, trust, gratitude, and happiness. When we can learn to respect and honour the earth for everything that she does both seen and unseen, we can learn how to live with her. What may seem like a nuisance or inconvenience in nature, might actually be a survival method to ensure balance and harmony. This is magic. This is healing, This is love.
July 6, 2023
I was so eagerly anticipating this book, and when it arrived I sat down with it like a cherished friendship awaiting whatever tales it had to tell. Like friendship it was heartwarming but also a teensy bit cringy. It was an honor to be given a glimpse of the greatness, heartache, and diversity in Maria’s family. I too am a heritage Pennsylvanian from way back and have the echoes and epigenetics of cultural and familial traumas. For me Nature has also been part of my healing path, my spiritual awakening, my deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all... and has also led me to the shamanistic practices. The path our ancestors walked was far more complicated than current popular narratives would have us believe and I didn’t not hear much understanding of that coming from this book, but it wasn’t called Love, Ancestors, Magic… yet, Maria’s connection with Nature continues to inspire. Thank you for sharing your efforts, vulnerabilities and strengths with us, Maria Rodale. You are nobility.
December 21, 2023
This “gardener” wants to undo the idea of invasive plants, suggesting that (despite scientific evidence to the contrary) that invasives equal biodiversity and actually compares killing invasives to protect the environment to fascism and wanting to kill immigrants. Dangerous and total garbage. Offensive to anyone trying to protect the environment and work with nature. Maybe the dumbest gardening book ever.
A lot of people will read this and see it as heartwarming while taking in information that is damaging to our environment. It’s a shame that she has such a platform, as the harm that will come to so many pollinators could be vast. She calls herself an explorer but she hasn’t explored anything.
A lot of people will read this and see it as heartwarming while taking in information that is damaging to our environment. It’s a shame that she has such a platform, as the harm that will come to so many pollinators could be vast. She calls herself an explorer but she hasn’t explored anything.
April 4, 2024
I never write reviews, but I was so upset by the author including her politics in the book that it really ruined the book for me. I will say that I enjoyed reading about her shamanic journeys, that’s why I grabbed the book in the first place. But I really felt that on her journeys, the bugs/plants/animals just told her what she already believed/knew. She does acknowledge this in the book. But it felt like after every journey she included her politics, which not only do I not agree with, it didn’t enhance the story, it’s just alienated me. It could have been a much better book without that.
The only point of alignment for us was regenerative agriculture, avoiding using toxins to grow food, and the pursuit of organic agriculture.
The only point of alignment for us was regenerative agriculture, avoiding using toxins to grow food, and the pursuit of organic agriculture.
November 23, 2022
Einstein said, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” This is LOVE, NATURE, MAGIC, an extraordinary and enlightening account of Maria Rodale’s quest to find answers from the animals and plants, both loved and unloved, in her mountaintop garden. Through a series of shamanic journeys she shares their profound, surprising, and sometimes hilarious views of our world. Written with vulnerability, confidence, laughter, and friendship, it’s like sharing a cup of coffee at Maria’s kitchen table. And her conclusion—how to heal our world and ourselves—is as surprising as it is simple. LOVE, NATURE, MAGIC is a fascinating and joyful read.
July 15, 2023
This is such a charming, magical, quirky and joyful book. It will probably resonate most with those who are avid gardeners and those who have a deep appreciation for the wildness of the outdoors and letting things be (rather than trying to manicure and tame nature to our will). It will certainly ask you to look deeper into the interconnectedness of the natural world and reevaluate our own place and role in it. I always love being invited in to take a new or deeper perspective on things and that is what this book did for me.
December 20, 2022
Love, Nature, Magic by Maria Rodale is not only about the love of nature. It’s about how Maria can have a conversation with herself and nature. How things in her life truly cherish these moments through gardening, the outdoors and even insects. She allowed herself to understand the point of nature, even from the past memories she had.
Thanks to both Chelsea Green Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.
Thanks to both Chelsea Green Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.
January 6, 2023
The last name Rodale was familiar to me as the publisher of Rodale's Organic Life Magazine, and I'm interested in organic gardening. Netgalley kindly allowed me to download a copy of Maria Rodale's new book, Love, Nature, Magic, but it wasn't quite what I expected. Some of her imagined conversations with things like vultures, ticks, and mugworts didn't work for me.
However, I think her book will strike a chord with many readers who love and want to protect nature and our planet.
However, I think her book will strike a chord with many readers who love and want to protect nature and our planet.
October 25, 2022
Nature combined with spirituality is the direction of this book. I found it to be very comprehensive and was an interesting journey to go on. The history of shamanism was briefly touched upon, despite much of the history being lost. I enjoyed the storytelling nature of this book and all the information it contained. I found it quite enlightening.
December 12, 2022
Maria Rodale is an important figure in holistic health and living as an author and publisher. This book is a mixture of memoir and her observations into the natural world. In this book she takes imaginative “journeys” with plants and animals to learn about each of them and herself.
If you enjoy nature and memoirs, then this would be an excellent book to add to your library,
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
If you enjoy nature and memoirs, then this would be an excellent book to add to your library,
I received a complementary copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
April 10, 2023
This book addresses the constant struggle we humans have where we think we are separate from nature. Maria does a great job of anchoring us back to that connection. I look forward to interviewing her for my podcast.
July 14, 2023
I may be a little biased because I found a kindred spirit when working for Maria in a creative little office adjacent to the Rodale Institute - just like her, this book feels serious but light-hearted, a little woo-woo, and so charming.
September 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the reminder to look more deeply at things, to see what they represent or what message they might have for us, if we will only slow down and listen. I appreciated the messages that we are all deeply connected and intertwined.
September 25, 2023
It has taken me a while to write this review because I keep going back to this book to reread sections. There is so much wisdom here and so much to challenge our way of thinking. The lessons in this work are some we need to absorb right now and to also teach those we love.
December 11, 2023
NetGalley Review
Interesting read, unique take and layout of writing. The author is the most authentic, well educated and educates her readers. This book may not be for everyone, as it’s a deep intense read at times, but well worth the journey through the pages.
Interesting read, unique take and layout of writing. The author is the most authentic, well educated and educates her readers. This book may not be for everyone, as it’s a deep intense read at times, but well worth the journey through the pages.
January 21, 2024
Interesting book. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm intrigued and following up on some of her suggested resources. I have personally experienced this sort of magic in my life and would love to invite more of it, especially as it relates to the land I call home.
January 29, 2023
Love, Nature and Magic
3 Stars
I'm interested in gardening and nature. So, I picked this book on a whim. Love, Nature, and Magic synopsis seemed interesting enough. However, it wasn't quite what I expected, or had in mind. I found myself confused and frustrated. Who is she talking to? What's going on? This wasn't a good fit for me, but I don't regret reading it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Chelsea Green Publishing, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.
3 Stars
I'm interested in gardening and nature. So, I picked this book on a whim. Love, Nature, and Magic synopsis seemed interesting enough. However, it wasn't quite what I expected, or had in mind. I found myself confused and frustrated. Who is she talking to? What's going on? This wasn't a good fit for me, but I don't regret reading it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Chelsea Green Publishing, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.
February 26, 2023
This book has filled my soul with love and magic. I believe in the magic of gardens. ♡♡♡
March 26, 2023
Even if you don't agree or believe in shamanic journeys (astral travel), the message from Maria and her garden are very clear.
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March 26, 2023This was very different and unique.
July 15, 2023
I loved it. It's woowoo, it's about letting nature do her thing, and I'm here for it.
July 22, 2023
Interesting. I enjoyed this more than I thought but I did think some parts were unnecessarily political.
Glory to God for all things.
Glory to God for all things.
July 26, 2023
I have no idea what to make of this book. Each sentence is a random thought the author has. Very poor execution , shocked that it was published.
May 1, 2023
I enjoyed this book immensely. As a gardener and a lover of nature I felt a connection to her experiences. She shares her own shamanic journeys and getting to know various plays, animals and insects. She shows reverence for natures intelligence and how we are all connected in the web of life, a great read!
January 14, 2023
When starting this book, I had so many questions on who Maria was talking to. Then I began to understand. When conversing with nature, you must know yourself. Forgive yourself. Love yourself. Then and only then can you be one with the natural force and Shamanic way.
Being with nature and having the many rewards is what all of her book is about. It’s enlightening and inspiring if you really want to learn a new way of appreciating what you have in front of you.
Being with nature and having the many rewards is what all of her book is about. It’s enlightening and inspiring if you really want to learn a new way of appreciating what you have in front of you.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews