Ep. 228: Black Paths & Green Cathedrals with Sian Sibley

About this episode

Sian Sibley discusses building relationships with plant spirits and critiques modern pagan practices that harm ecosystems.

In this episode of the Plant Cunning Podcast, hosts Isaac & AC Hill talks with Sian Sibley—witch, author of Black Paths and Green Cathedrals , and founder of the Dragon Oak Coven in Wales—about building real relationships with plant and tree spirits, including mugwort as an initiator and yew as a teacher around death and continuity. Sian shares how to approach trees respectfully, how to recognize a clear “no,” and why taking plant material without permission can undermine magical work. They discuss key allies like hazel, apple, hawthorn (including timing Beltane by local hawthorn bloom), and elder’s seasonal “three faces,” plus practical astral/meditation safety and grounding. The conversation also critiques modern pagan and wellness habits that harm ecosystems—crystals, frankincense, wasteful candles, and commodified entheogens—calling for smaller, more local, less consumerist practice. 01:24 Meet Sian Sibley 01:54 Springtime Blackthorn 02:29 Finding the Plant Path 03:07 Mugwort Opens the Gate 06:06 Yew and Death Mysteries 08:53 Patience and Plant Consent 09:37 Blackthorn Says No 13:57 When Plants Reject You 14:37 Buttercup and Monks Hood 17:30 Who Is Charubel 19:54 Sigils…

People in this episode

Hosts: Isaac, AC Hill

Guest: Sian Sibley

Topics covered

• plant spirits
• pagan practices
• ecological awareness
• meditation safety
• tree relationships
• herbal allies

Keywords

• plant spirits
• paganism
• ecology
• herbalism
• meditation
• tree lore
• Black Paths and Green Cathedrals

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Black Paths and Green Cathedrals

Places: Wales, Beltane, Elder, Hazel, Apple, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Mugwort, Dragon Oak Coven

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