Tarot Interviews | S01E02
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In our second episode of Tarot Interviews, we explored the magical world of plants and nature with bestselling author and renowned herbalist Amy Blackthorn. The conversation, guided by tarot cards, revealed profound insights about connecting with plant allies, regardless of where you live or your financial circumstances.
Amy's journey began in the concrete landscape of Baltimore City, where biodiversity was limited to "one tree per block" neighborhoods. Despite this urban environment, her connection with plants started when she discovered a mint plant in her backyard at kindergarten age. This simple discovery sparked a lifelong curiosity about where our food comes from and how plants live their own experiences. This early encounter demonstrates how profound connections can begin in the most unlikely places – a powerful reminder that we don't need elaborate gardens to begin our relationship with plant magic.
One of the most enlightening aspects of our conversation was Amy's insight that you don't need to grow your own plants to develop meaningful relationships with plant allies. She emphasized multiple pathways to connection: cooking with herbs, using aromatherapy oils, or even developing spiritual relationships with plants without physical material present. This democratizes plant magic, making it accessible regardless of living situation, finances, or geography. Amy's philosophy centers on the idea that magic resides within us, not in expensive tools or materials – a refreshing perspective in a world often focused on consumption.
The transformation of Amy's plant preferences over time reflects a deeper ecological awareness and an evolving relationship with nature – from appreciating beauty to understanding interconnection and ecological importance. Her mention of nighttime pollinators like bats and moths opened up a whole dimension of plant life that many of us overlook, reminding us that nature's rhythms continue beyond our observation.
Perhaps most touching was Amy's reflection on how her experiences with childhood poverty and homelessness influenced her approach to both writing and magic. She spoke candidly about the financial challenges of being an author who gets paid in royalties twice a year, and how this connects to deeper questions about needs versus wants. This vulnerability transformed into a commitment to ensure her books emphasize that while beautiful tools are nice, they aren't necessary for magical practice. The magic, she insists, "lives within each of us" – our presence, time, energy, and intention are what truly matter.
Amy's garden, backing onto a nature preserve where wildlife freely wanders, serves as a beautiful metaphor for her approach to both magic and life. With mugwort creating boundaries, a tea garden full of calming herbs, and spaces created specifically for visiting wildlife, her garden represents a conscious effort to coexist with nature rather than control it. Her description of creating water stations for pollinators, newts, and frogs demonstrates a practical application of her magical philosophy – creating space for connections to flourish naturally.
