Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe: Vol I: Trees & Shrubs / Vol II: Herbs

2-volume set in a nice slip case Dutch A modern reference work on the part played by herbs, shrubs and trees in mythology and religious and profane rituals and the symbolism that derives from them. Many customs that 21st-century man finds perfectly normal once had a far deeper significance. It is an academically sound survey of the knowledge of symbolic and ritual plants over the centuries, taking a broad view, plus a critical look at how correctly plant species are named in the literature. Botanical ? popular names, habitat, description ? Cultural ? rituals, mythology, symbolism, magic, popular customs, popular beliefs, fairytales, sagas, legends ? Uses ? herbalism, popular remedies, cosmetics, agriculture, industry, crafts, home, garden and kitchen. Modern man lives in the midst of symbolic representations, actions and rituals of which he is not always aware. Rituals, myths and symbols are interwoven with theatre, film, television, literature and music. Religious life is of course also peppered with symbols: not only the Christian baptismal, marriage and funeral ceremonies, but also the ordinary liturgy, pilgrimages, processions, and the veneration of the Virgin are also full of them. They are often universal symbols that existed long before Christianity and were later adopted by it or merged into it. Muslims, Jews and Buddhists are also faced with an abundance of symbolism. The thread running through this compendium is man's innate fear of losing his grip on his own environment and the ensuing escape into all manner of spirits and strange powers. It is a fear that has probably always existed, but can be clearly felt in the present turbulent and uncertain transitional period to the umpteenth 'new age'. What is more, at a time of major environmental pollution, it is a good thing to reflect on the age-old bond between man and nature and the plant kingdom in particular, and to recognize its deeper symbolism. The best justification for the publication of this compendium is the hope that this understanding may in some way contribute to a recovery of the lost harmony with nature. THE AUTHORS ? MARCEL DE CLEENE (1946) ? Studied at Ghent University, where he obtained his PhD in botanical sciences in 1975. In 1988 he was appointed Science Information Officer at the same university and in 1991 professor of Science Communication and Ethnology/Ethnobotany. He has written and co-written 130 publications, including four works for general readers, is a member of numerous international associations, and a member of the Steering Committee of the Association of European Universities Public Relations and Information Officers (EUPRIO). He headed three projects on bacterial rice diseases at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines and was the coordinator of an EU study on the physical weathering and bioreceptivity of European building stones. ? MARIE CLAIRE LEJEUNE (1955) ? Graduated from Ghent University with an M.Sc. in botanical sciences in 1977. She has a passionate interest in music and folk dance, plays the violin and guitar and conducts the Cantilene choir in Zandvoorde, Ostend. Together with Marcel De Cleene she wrote the "Compendium van Rituele Planten in Europa", which was published by Stichting Mens en Kultuur, Ghent, 1999 (reprinted in 2000). CONTENTS VOL I: TREES & SHRUBS ? Preface ? Acknowledgements ? Ritual plants in our daily lives ? Do old symbols, myths and rites still have any point? ? Tree symbolism ? Famous herbalists and herbalist writings ? The Gregorian calendar reform ? Symbolic and ritual trees and shrubs ? Acacia; Mimosa ? Alder ? Almond Tree ? Apple Tree ? Ash ? Bay ? Beech ? Birch ? Box ? Cedar ? Cherry Tree ? Citrus Tree; Lemon, Orange, Citron, Grapefruit, Pomelo, Shaddock ? Date Palm ? Elder ? Elm ? Fig Tree ? Grape-vine ? Hawthorn ? Hazel ? Heath/Heather ? Holly ? Incense Tree ? Ivy ? Juniper ? Larch ? Lime ? Mediterranean Cypress ? Mistletoe ? Mulberry Tree ? Myrrh Tree ? Myrtle ? Oak ? Olive.…