The Medicine Wheel Garden: Creating Sacred Space for Healing, Celebration, and Tranquillity
The transcendental nature of gardening is the focus of this pair  of books. Both discuss humans' innate need to cultivate and  nurture the earth. Ethnobotanist and herbalist Kavasch (American  Indian Healing Arts) delves into Native American mystical  symbolism to describe how to put together a garden that heals  body and soul. He clearly explains the basic layout of a  "medicine wheel" garden a circular arrangement built along axes  running north/south, east/west, and even into the air and into  the ground and how to adapt it to every zone. Also covered are  traditional plants and why certain colored plants belong in the  different quadrants of the circle. He also offers an illustrated  encyclopedia of 50 healing herbs, as well as recipes that  incorporate those herbs. Norfolk, a retired English osteopath, uses a much less  structured approach in his lovely meditation on the importance  of gardening in today's hustle-and-bustle society. During his 40  years of practice, he observed that his happiest and healthiest  patients were green thumbs. Here, he introduces his concept of  the "soul garden." He draws from literature and scientific  studies, among other sources, to back up his claim that, like  Voltaire's Candide, people would be happier and less stressed  out if they would just sit back and watch their gardens grow.  Kavasch's book is recommended for public libraries whose patrons  appreciate Native American mysticism and gardening; Norfolk's is  recommended for all public libraries. Pam Matthews, M.L.S.,  Olmsted Falls, OHCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.