Paul Beyerl’s 13 Laws of the Traditional Herbalist

In this week’s community class (which is now live on YouTube- there’s a link to it at the end of this post) shines a well-deserved light on one of my favorite parts of one of my favorite books from one of my favorite teachers. In Paul Beyerl’s celebrated classic The Master Book of Herbalism, we find, toward the end, an unassuming list of 13 laws of the traditional herbalist. This list of laws is more like a gathering of profound inspiration that references everything taught in the rest of the book while stirring up the herbwise wisdom within each individual person. The laws are not the kind of dogmatic ‘do or die’ we tend to think of; rather they are guideposts that help us to ensure that all we do on the plant spirit path will create harmony in the world and within ourselves.

If you’re new to the person of Paul Beyerl, let me tell you something with sincere seriousness- his books are essential for those on the plant spirit path, regardless of approach or tradition. While Paul comes from the American traditions of Wicca and founded his own tradition of Wicca, Lothlorien, his words and his wisdom can be inspiration to all of us. Paul was born in Wisconsin in 1945 and sadly passed from this world in December of 2021. He was the first person I really connected to in this work, and continued to respond to my questions and provide me with wise guidance up until his passing. I remain involved with Paul’s teachings through his school The Hermit’s Grove and have probably purchased the three essential books mentioned in the class below over a dozen times because I give them away so often!

Paul has been firmly established as one of our most cherished and celebrated herbwise ancestors. His life of selfless dedication to the green artes continues to be an inspiration to me- I look to him as an example of how to do this work and how to show up for the many ways this work ushers into the world.

In this week’s class entitled Beyerl’s 13 Laws of the Traditional Herbalist, I walk you through the laws one by one and unpack what I think they mean, how they’ve influenced and nourished my own work, and how some of them have unlocked mysteries for me in unexpected ways. I hope you’ll dig into this class and then stok your bookshelf with the three books mentioned… essentials!

In the video details you’ll also find links to Paul’s legacy programs and his YouTube channel.