The Talking Forest: Tree Runes for a New Millennium by Kay Broome is a comprehensive and unique guide introducing a divination system based on the trees of North America. The book is organized into three main sections: Section I explains the conceptual development and design of the Talking Forest rune system, detailing how each rune’s shape and symbolism were chosen to represent a specific tree and its cultural or mythological significance. Section II offers an in-depth exploration of each of the forty-two runes—one for each tree—unpacking their botanical features, folklore, mythological associations, and meanings. Section III presents a variety of methods for reading and interpreting the runes, both individually and in spreads, giving you insights into applying the system for personal growth, meditation, and spiritual guidance.

What fascinated me about this book is how the author demonstrates the connection between trees and humans. Kay Broome’s book is filled with symbolism, and the spiritual currents in this book will wash over your mind, inspiring you to look at trees and nature in a different light. In this book, you have history, mythology, and personal reflections. The Talking Forest brings the trees to life, endowing them with distinctive qualities and exploring their features and behaviors. I felt like I was interacting with real personalities. The overarching theme is one of reconnection with nature, ancestral wisdom, and with one’s own subconscious, and the author develops this theme fully and intelligently. The writing is crisp and highly descriptive, and the wisdom sprinkled throughout kept me turning the pages. You’ll be surprised at how this book enables the trees to talk to you.

Kay Broome’s The Talking Forest took me by surprise for many reasons. I have always seen the forest as a world that is inanimate and wild, featuring all sorts of living things. Thinking of trees as having souls of their own, being capable of communicating and showing wisdom, is the last thing that crossed my mind. But this book convinced me that trees are not just alive but are creatures that can deliver a unique perspective on life. This book is a guide to a unique system of divination rooted in North American tree lore. It has three main sections, introducing the creation and philosophy behind the Talking Forest runes, then explores the symbolism, folklore, and metaphysical qualities of over forty trees, and finally, it details practical methods for using these tree runes in divinatory practice.

Broome’s system reflects the human life cycle, with each tree rune symbolizing a distinct stage or aspect of life, from birth and growth to maturity and decline. Through accessible explanations, illustrations, and historical context, the book guides both beginners and experienced practitioners in creating a spiritual connection with the natural world, specifically the trees of North America. The Talking Forest examines the interconnectedness of humans and trees, discussing themes of growth, transformation, and the cyclical nature of existence. Kay Broome’s reverence for trees is evident in this groundbreaking work, and she uses examples to bring each rune to life. I enjoyed how the author helped me to see lessons and traits common in humans in these trees, like the Ash being associated with unity and integration, the Hawthorn with respect and righteous anger, and the Cherry with desire and quest. This is a unique book with lessons about life, connection, spirituality, and more; you’ll learn so much from these trees.

The Talking Forest by Kay Broome introduces readers to a unique system of divination based entirely on the trees of North America. Instead of traditional tarot or rune symbols, Broome’s book uses specially designed runes that each represent a different tree, its characteristics, folklore, and spiritual significance. The book is thoughtfully organized into sections that explain the origin and purpose of the Talking Forest runes, introducing each tree-rune in detail, and teaching readers how to perform readings using various layouts that mirror the natural growth and life cycles of trees. The system connects deeply with nature, aiming to guide users toward personal insight and harmony by linking human life patterns with those of trees, from birth to old age. Filled with botanical facts, mythology, and cultural stories, this book invites readers into a spiritual journey with trees as guides.

Kay Broome's writing flows confidently, blending clear explanations with evocative descriptions that capture the beauty and mystery of each tree-rune. The pace is balanced between detailed information and practical uses, making it accessible to both beginners and those familiar with divination. The characters in this book are the trees themselves, each with its own personality, energy, and lessons to offer, bringing nature to life in a fresh way. Themes of growth, connection, and reflection run throughout, underscoring the thoughtful relationship humans can have with the natural world. Reading The Talking Forest is like embarking on a forest walk where every tree quietly shares its secrets. It is a calm, insightful, and rewarding guide for anyone interested in nature, spirituality, and self-discovery.

We interact with nature every day, yet very few of us take time to notice and connect with its abundant beauty, beneath which lies vast knowledge and the secrets of the universe. Trees are among nature’s most common elements, and hold profound history and meaning, spiritually, culturally, and environmentally, to different races all over the world. In The Talking Forest: Tree Runes for a New Millennium by Kay Broome, we are introduced to a new system of divination, drawing inspiration from the trees of North America. Aiming to fill a gap in the Pagan lexicon, which lacks oracles using trees as their exclusive symbols, Broome has created a tree rune system, based on 42 native trees, that is both intuitive and definitive, integrating aspects such as the tree’s shape, plant lineage, and cultural significance into its symbolism. No detail is left out, from the Ivy to the Elder tree.

The Talking Forest by Kay Broome is a must-read for tree lovers, diviners, and interested readers. Splitting the discourse into three parts, Broome approaches each with earnest, descriptive, and reverent prose. The first part outlines the foundation behind the system's development, which focuses on the morphology, biological family, and heritage value of the tree. The second part profiles each rune, detailing the history, folklore, and spiritual significance behind the tree it represents. In the third part, Broome explains three methods for reading runes. They include the Thicket, Tree, and Forest methods. The runes are aligned in a manner that reflects the stages of the human life cycle, from childhood to old age. I learned such a lot. Reading this book felt like taking a walk into the woods, but with a wise hand guiding and enlightening me to see the intrinsic power of trees, learn how to connect with them, and appreciate them for the treasure they are to this world.