Ellen Evert Hopman has been a guiding force in modern Druidry, herbalism, and Celtic spirituality for decades. As a master herbalist, author, and respected Druidic initiate, she has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing the ancient wisdom of the Druids, weaving together history, folklore, and practical magic in her work. With an extensive bibliography that includes books on herbal healing, tree lore, and Druidic practices, Ellen’s insights offer a profound connection to the natural and spiritual world.
In this exclusive interview, we explore her journey into Druidry, her thoughts on the resurgence of Celtic spirituality, and the powerful role of plants and trees in magical and healing traditions. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or simply curious about the rich traditions of the Druids, this conversation promises to be enlightening, inspiring, and deeply rooted in the mysteries of the natural world.
Let’s step into the sacred grove and welcome Ellen Evert Hopman!
W: What inspired you to focus your writing on Celtic traditions and nature-based spirituality, and what do you hope readers take away from your books?
EEH: That’s really two different questions! I was born in Austria and as a very young girl I would hear my mother talk about the Celts, for whom she had tremendous respect. I didn’t remember the facts she shared, just the respect she had. She was an artist and she followed the progress of archaeological digs closely. She loved the metalwork and other discoveries. It wasn’t until my thirties that I heard the word “Celtic” again. It was when I first heard traditional Celtic music on the radio. I fell in love instantly and even became a Ceili dancer. That eventually led me to find the Druid path which I understood was a Celtic spiritual tradition.
As far as nature spirituality, I had been a Sufi for eight years and then studied with Native American elders for five years. One of them said to me; “It’s great that you are honoring our ancestors and ways, but you need to honor your own”. I had no clue what that meant. Most of my relatives didn’t get along, and I couldn’t imagine what I was supposed to learn from them.
I became a trained herbalist with a practice in Philadelphia and when I moved to New England, I just couldn’t imagine how people lived here with just a three and a half month growing season. It made no sense until I looked out the window and saw all the trees. I reasoned that must have had something to do with it, so I went looking for a book on how to use trees for food and medicine. I couldn’t find one, so I made a completely illogical decision and decided I needed to write that book. I was in grad school at the time. So, in my copious spare time as a grad student, I wrote my first book; “Tree Medicine Tree Magic” which is still in print today, in a revised and expanded edition.
I hope that readers will get to know the trees and develop respect for them. As a Druid, of course, I appreciate the profound spiritual implications of trees – as I like to say “Every tree is a church for a Druid”. That’s because the roots go down to the Underworld of the ancestors and the Fae, the trunk exists in the middle world of humans and animals and plants, while the branches reach up to the Sky World of the Gods. Any time you sit under a tree you are in church.
I later wrote another book about trees, the ancient Irish Tree Ogham, and medicinal uses and ancient poetry of the trees; “A Druid’s Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine”.
W: How do you see ancient spiritual practices, like Druidry, fitting into the challenges and needs of the modern world?
EEH: Earth religions, all indigenous religions, teach respect for plants, trees, animals, birds, insects, sacred human beings, fire, water, air, rocks, soil, and unseen forces and Beings such as Nature spirits and the Gods and Goddesses. Too often our culture completely ignores them, acting to make maximum profit no matter the cost to life on Earth as a whole.
I think every person should learn who their ancestors were, and seek out the ancient, indigenous beliefs and practices of that culture. We would all be better off if we did that. Right now, we are close to losing everything, seventy percent of animal populations on Earth have already disappeared since 1970. We continue to belch poisons into the air and water and onto the soil. This can’t continue if humanity is going to survive.
W: Storytelling has always been a powerful tool for teaching and inspiring. How do you use fiction to explore deeper truths about spirituality and humanity?
EEH: I find that few people want to dive deeply into the literature. Very few people want to be scholars, even though we know that the ancient Druids were the intellectuals of the tribes. To really understand who the Celts and Druids were, you need to read widely; archaeology, art history, ancient tribal laws, linguistics, ancient religious practices, related cultures and history, ancient traditional tales and poems, folklore and folk practices in Celtic areas and more. Since the internet and smartphones have taken over, everyone, especially the young, wants a quick answer, a soundbite on YouTube, or a snippet of AI text.
Once I understood that, I set about creating fictional teaching tales that would incorporate basic Druidic beliefs, practices and rites. A painless way for people to absorb the Druid path and its rituals. That’s why I wrote the Druid Trilogy.
W: How has your connection with readers and the larger spiritual community shaped your journey as an author?
EEV: Well, I do enjoy getting out to conferences and festivals. As I get older it has become physically more difficult, but I like to talk about Druidism, Herbalism and my books with the general public. That keeps me inspired.
W: For new readers just discovering your work, which of your books would you recommend they start with, and why?
EEH: It depends what they are looking for. As far as herbs, I have a book that has won two awards and that some have even called “a classic”. That would be “Secret Medicines from Your Garden – Plants for Healing, Spirituality & Magic”. It’s a book that covers all the bases; wildcrafting, hands-on preparations, formula making, herb magic, and more.
I have several other herbals that are more focused on herb magic; "The Sacred Herbs of Samhain”, The Sacred Herbs of Spring”, and “The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas”.
As far as an introduction to Paganism writ large, I have a book of interviews with Pagans of many paths and traditions called “Being a Pagan – Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today”. I have another book of interviews with Druids from many different paths, which Philip Carr Gomm kindly wrote the introduction to; “A Legacy of Druids – Conversations with Druid leaders of Britain, the USA and Canada, Past and Present”. Both books provide a wide overview of their subject and both have become increasingly important as some of the people I interviewed have since crossed the veil.
My best non-fiction introduction to the Druid path is “Celtic Druidry – Rituals, Techniques & Magical Practices”, which has been well received by Druids of many traditions. It covers all aspects of modern Druidism with an emphasis on Celtic Reconstructionist Druidry. It has several contributed essays about deep ecology, and a foreword by Dr. Kenneth Proefrock.
I also wrote a book of interviews with the descendants of accused Witches and also modern Witches who live in the New England area called “The Real Witches of New England – History, Lore and Modern Practice”. It includes a timeline and history of the Witch persecutions in Europe that led up to the Salem tragedy.
W: Are there any upcoming projects or books that you're particularly excited about?
EEH: I have another children’s book that was recently finished and is looking for a publisher, and I am busy creating an Herb Magic weekend that I hope will be presented in Florida this fall, near Orlando. Stay tuned for announcements!
My other kids’ books, designed for Pagan families, Covens and Groves, are “Walking the World in Wonder – a Children’s Herbal” and “Once Around the Sun – Stories, Crafts and Recipes to Celebrate the Sacred Earth Year”.
W: Where can readers go to find more information about you and your work?
EEV: Readers can find all my books at www.elleneverthopman.com . I am also on Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, and I have an author page on Amazon.
For Druid studies, I recommend Tribe of the Oak www.tribeoftheoak.org, an Order I founded in 2014 which is going strong and now has a new Archdruid, for which I am immensely grateful!
The Ever-Growing Legacy of Ellen Evert Hopman
As we wrap up this fascinating conversation, one thing is clear—Ellen Evert Hopman’s work continues to shape and enrich the world of modern Druidry and herbalism. Her commitment to preserving ancient wisdom, honoring the natural world, and sharing her knowledge through books and teachings is a true gift to seekers everywhere.
If you’re inspired to dive deeper into Druidic traditions, herbal magic, or tree wisdom, be sure to explore Ellen’s books, workshops, and resources. Her work serves as a bridge between the ancient past and the present, reminding us that nature’s wisdom is always within reach—if only we take the time to listen.