Projects
What’s going on announcements!
Austin Witchfest 2025!
I will be in Austin TX on April 28th presenting my lecture titled The Poison Path: Dark Herbalism, Occult Poisons and Magical Practice! The Poisoner’s Apothecary will also be at the vendor martket! Hope to see you there!
Check out my interview with Nathan Hall of The Wild Hunt!
Leo Witch
By Ivo Dominguez Jr. and Coby Michael
Learn more from Llewellyn Worldwide
Witchcraft to Celebrate Your Charismatic & Generous Self
Boost your magical practice and personal development with the power of your Leo Sun sign. Ivo Dominguez, Jr. and Coby Michael share what strengths and challenges your sign brings to both witchcraft and everyday life. Featuring recipes, exercises, stories, rituals, and spells from the authors and a host of Leo contributors, this book teaches you how to best connect with your sign's energy, manage your power, cleanse and shield yourself, tailor-fit magical workings to your sign, and more.
Contributors to this volume:
Jaime Gironés • Aly Kravetz aka BronxWitch • Fio Gede Parma • Gwendolyn Reece • Lady Rhea • David Salisbury • Dawn Aurora Hunt • Sandra Kynes
Alraune II: The Poisoner’s Guild
This second edition of Alraune Journal is dedicated to the exploration of the Poison Path with a focus on personal gnosis and practices offering a reification of what has been gained through the Poisoners dealing with the Spirits and Genii of the Verdant, Divine and Daimonic Intoxication. As the many plants haunting the enchanted grove of the Midnight Eden possess their own particular signatures, this second Alraune offers a unique panacea of visions, experiences and practices, reflecting in their diversity the various modalities of expression, gnosis and personae of those engaged in the Poisonous Artes. A compendium of refined Veneficia offered as the Serpent’s Gift of Gnosis from Practitioners to Practitioners.
Authors: Chthonia, Rebecca Beyer, Tugce Okay, Idlu Lili Regulus, Coby Michael, B Drinnon and more.
Artists: Poison Plant Cult, The Witch Art of Azk, Dolorosa De La Cruz, Odona Bones, Cartis Mandua and others.
Click photo for more info!
The vampire is an ancient and powerful archetypal image that originated in early history as seen poi in countless myths of nocturnal and blood thirsty creatures, taking many forms over the pou centuries. The archetype of the vampire spirit can be found the plant world, sharing an affinity, • Subtl with certain plants through symbolism, folklore, and energetics. Not every plant radiates bright-healing energy, some have a more shadowy nature when it comes to their interaction with humans. Through the use of certain plants, herbs and trees, we can tap into the vampiric current which can be applied to spellwork, energy healing and meditative ritual practice. In this presentation we will explore different plant allies associated with the vampire and how they can be employed in vampiric ritual and energy work. Attendees will learn more about the vampiric spirit through various herbs, plants and woods associated with the vampire.
Spellwork with Entheogenic Herbs and Fungi PSANCTUM PDX July 2023
It is one thing to go on an entheogenic or psychedelic journey and take everything in as an experience, commune with divinity or connect with the ancestors. It is another to go on this journey with a specific request and ritual actions to follow through with to demand the attention of the spirit world. When we combine the power of spell casting with altered states of consciousness we tap into something powerful and primal beyond description. In this presentation Coby Michael will discuss how to approach this kind of magical practice and what can be expected before during and after. We will explore this in the context of various different allies from the plant and fungi kingdoms.
Dark Herbalism: From the Nefarious to the Numinous
In this presentation, connect with transgressive and adversarial forces for personal empowerment and tap into the "Other" through the aid of spirits from the plant kingdom. Coby with explain the dualistic nature of the green realm and how we can access a wide spectrum of occult forces through the plants that we work with in ritual and how we employ them. All plants have a darkside and lightside, and this evening we will explore the shadows, delving into the spirits, magical applications and consciousness altering effects of some important botanical allies. In this 90 minute workshop we will meet Cain the first farmer, explore the nightside of Venus and walk in the Garden of Hekate.
Ars Venenum: Herbalism for Rebellion and Empowerment
The world is changing, and nature is ready to fight back. There are many plant allies that are willing to help us in that struggle against patriarchy, capitalism and colonialism. They strengthen our bodies, protect our spirits and open our minds. They are sources of wisdom and healing. Power plants that help to dismantle the thoughts and patterns that keep us contained. Passive resistance is no longer an option and the natural world has always known that. From fiercesome poison plant allies that undermine our enemies and make us stronger through their wisdom, to healing balms that have been women's allies for millennia, to patron plants of queerness. In this class we will explore many of the botanical allies that, through their magic, medicine and occult associations have helped marginalized and persecuted groups of people. We will explore "venenum" or "poison" as a metaphor for the rebellious spirit that seeks to catalyze change.
Tickets and full list of presenters here: @salemwitchfest
Events | Salem Witchcraft & Folklore Festival | United States (salemwitchfest.com)
Join me…if you dare…for a nice cup of tea. Bring your ipecac syrup, activated charcoal and adder’s tongues because this is going to be a TOXIC afternoon! This is part of my monthly patreon subcription on the PHARMAKOS tier, where I also share all of the presentation material from my past classes and workshops. If you are already subscribed you will get access to this event included with your monthly access.
I think it is easy to pigeonhole the “Poison Path” into a very specific set of things. However, what I have found in the decade that I have dedicated myself to this work is that poison is in everything. I don’t mean that just in the sense of “the dose makes the poison,” but that poison is just as ubiquitous an occult, spiritual and magical force as fire, water, earth and air.
Sign up @ thepoisonersapothecary.com
Join us for an afternoon of oracle decks, tarot readings, witchy wares, herbs and more at Wild Roots in St. Pete!!!!!
Oracle deck creator Stacey Williams-Ng and The Moon and The Muse creator Auralis Flores will be in town teaming up with author Lorraine Monteagut for an afternoon you won’t want to miss!
Leo Witch, Llewellyn Worldwide by Ivo Dominguez Jr and Coby Michael (Oct 2023)
Ignite your witchcraft with the mighty roar of your Leo sun sign. Featuring eye-opening insight and numerous spells, exercises, and stories, Leo Witch reveals what strengths and weaknesses this sign brings to both your practice and everyday life. Ivo Dominguez Jr. and Coby Michael, along with a variety of Leo contributors, teach you how to best connect with your sun sign energy.
This book deepens your relationship to yourself, providing many ways to channel your natural tendencies into stronger witchcraft. Explore your moon and rising sign traits, discover what correspondences are best for Leo, perform a ritual to meet the spirit of your sign, and cleanse and shield yourself. This book in the Witch's Sun Sign Series helps you light up the night with your warmth, strength, and showmanship.
Contributors include BronxWitch, Jaime Gironés, Fio Gede Parma, Gwendolyn Reece, Lady Rhea, David Salisbury, Dawn Aurora Hunt, and Sandra Kynes.
will be in HOUSTON again the weekend of December 3rd & 4th!!!! The Poisoner’s Apothecary will be vending at Thorn and Moon’s monthly market on Saturday, and then Sunday morning I will be teaching a brand new class! Sign up at thornandmoon.com or CLICK THE PHOTO!
Shadow Work With Baneful Herbs
There are many different ways that a plant can be considered “baneful” or taboo. These qualities set these plants apart from those that humans are more comfortable with. How can connecting with these plant spirits through ritual help us work through some of the most uncomfortable and taboo aspects of life? In this class, we will discuss the different types of “bane” and how those qualities give us a clue to that plant’s power. We will look at the occult properties of plants like deadly nightshade, foxglove, rose, and bramble and how they can be used to empower and uplift during the darkest times. We will discuss safe ways to work with the magickal energies and spirits of these plant allies in ritual for shadow work, transition, transformation and healing. Attendees will each be creating their own “baneful” flower essence formula to take with them.
The second annual Botanica Obscura Conference is coming this spring!!! This is a week long event of presentations, interviews and discussion panels with some of the leading voices in esoteric herbalism, psychedelic spirituality, folk herbalism and THE POISON PATH!!! Tickets are on Eventbrite!!!
Visit the website for more info on the line up!!! TBA Botanica Obscura
JUNE 8th - 11th IN PERSON IN ORLANDO
Summer Magick Festival is an earth-based spirituality convention with workshops, celebration, and community in a comfortable hotel setting. Headliners, rituals, and musical entertainment have been chosen to encourage tolerance between the many different earth-based faiths and foster planetary stewardship. We are a family-friendly event with programming for our young ones as well as close proximity to all the wonders of the Orlando theme parks. Join us for a new kind of Florida festival!
summermagickfest.org to REGISTER!!!
CHECK OUT MY LATEST INTERVIEW WITH JUSTIFY AND CAIN AT SATYR’S AND SINNERS FOR A TRULY SINFUL 90 mins xXX
POSTPONED
Join author and herbalist Coby Michael for an evening of botanical brews and herbal enchantment. We will be exploring the practice and philosophy of esoteric or spiritual herbalism, tapping into the unseen properties of plants and fungi for healing, wellness and magic!
There are literally thousands of different herbs out there, and many more ways of incorporating them into your life. Once you learn a few simple concepts you can begin infusing magic and intention into all of your herbal creations.
In this class Coby will introduce students to the different ways that plants manifest their hidden properties, and how to begin choosing herbs with properties that match your intention. We will learn how to connect to plant spirits, create magical formulas for any purpose, and most importantly how to re-connect with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.
This class will be held in the atmospheric Sumitra Espresso lounge which serves a variety of botanically infused beverages, elixirs and teas. Coby will also be sharing samples from some of the herbs offered upstairs from Staff and Snake Apothecary, attendees will have an opportunity to peruse the apothecary after class.
Tickets available at thepoisonersapothecary.com
Plants, flowers and herbs usually make us think of growth, fertility and abundance. However, there are many plants that are associated with death, the celebration of life and connecting with those who have passed on. In this workshop, author and herbalist Coby Michael will share the stories of the plants associated with this liminal time of year. We will explore the tales of plants associated with Samhain, the ancient Celtic feast of the Dead and we will discuss the role of flowers in the Mexican Día de Los Muertos celebrations. We will also take a “walk” through the cemetery, and learn the importance of plants that grow among the dead, and the special qualities that this gives them. Working with the dead and honoring one’s ancestors is a core part of many of the world’s spiritual practices, and the one of the oldest forms of human spirituality. In this class we will go over some of the most important herbs for doing that, and we will create our own herbal formula that can be use as an offertory incense or potpourri for honoring and connecting to the spirits during this magical time.
Virtual and In Person at Fae’s Cabinet in Fort Wayne, Indiana v
Virtual Tickets at thepoisonersapothecary.com
The Glass Coffin Austin, TX
I will be doing a book signing and teaching two back-to-back classed on the connection between poisonous plants and witchcraft, and how we can utilize that connection to enhance our own magical practices. Tickets can be purchased through the venue Glass Coffin Events — THE GLASS COFFIN
Thorn and Moon Apothecary Houstin, TX
I will be in Houston on Friday August 12th for a book signing and I will be teaching a class on the Nightshades! Stop by and say hi! More information can be found through the venue Events – Thorn & Moon (thornandmoon.com)
Witch City Tarot Gathering in Salem, MA
July 23-25 I will be at Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA. I am vending at the Witches’ Night Market which is open to the public, and also teaching a class earlier in the day on the use of entheogenic plants for divination! The Poisoner’s Apothecary is also a proud sponsor of this event!
witchcitytarotgathering.com
Botanica Obscura 2023
The second annual, Botanica Obscura Conference is right around the corner! This event takes place online around the Spring Equinox (northern hemisphere). It is a gathering of plant spirit practitioners, herbalists, academics and plant medicine people from around the world! Last year’s conference was a such a success and we had lots of positive feedback! We are looking forward to doing it again. To learn more or to contact us to be a sponsor or presenter please email thepoisonersapothecary@gmail.com or visit botanicaobscuraconference.com
Headed to Austin, TX in August!
Super excited to be spending the weekend with all of the vampires and witches in Austin! The Poisoner’s Apothecary is vending at the Bat City Antiques & Oddities Market for PRIDE! I am teaching a class on Sunday in person at The Glass Coffin called Poisonous Plants & Witchcraft and will be signing copies of my book!