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katiemorgan77's review
4.0
Just like Llewellyns Sabbat Essentials, this is not only a detailed, informative and well written book about the Wheel of the Year and the Sabbats, but also a great book to reference back to every now and then when you need to
invincibleink's review
3.0
This is a friendly and accessible book of seasons and holidays. It calls for readily available materials. which is good. I didn't really like that it suggests fake flowers and at the end of every working, it says that spent herbs or the candle stub "can be disposed of in the trash." Maybe it's the phrasing, but that just feels very consumer-oriented. I also skipped the guided meditations for each season, but others might like them. I enjoyed a lot of the ideas, and the information on local English festivals is interesting. Because it's UK based, I can't really recommend it for smaller US libraries or those without a large Anglophile population. I would love to see a similar book for the US/Canada. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ebook review copy.
jmbq_reads's review
4.0
Looking for new ways to celebrate the turn of the seasons? This new handbook from kitchen witch Patterson provides a new look at the Pagan Wheel of the Year, breaking it down by seasons and then months in order to give the reader inspiration for enhancing old celebrations and developing new ones. Patterson begins the book by explaining that the Wheel is not so much about dates as it is about making connections with the world around us, whether that's in paying attention to seasonal changes in the plants and animals that share the land where we live or in learning more about the history and culture of place and finding new things to celebrate.
Each month's chapter begins with the etymological origins of the month's name before exploring what's happening in nature in that time frame, the holidays and traditions associated with the month, as well as ways to incorporate practices such as moon magic, spells, corresponding animals and crystals, making incense or oils, plant magic and kitchen witchery, setting an altar, meditation, and connecting with deity. While there is some repetition in the introductory information for some of these headings, the book is intended to be used as a reference tool, picked up when needed, so the information carried over offers good reminders for occasional practitioners.
Patterson's lists are based on what she experiences in England, so readers in other parts of the world may find that dates and natural observations, plants, and other traditions may not be as relevant to their own practice. It might have been useful to have space within each chapter for readers to fill in associations of their own as they deepen their knowledge of the place where they live.
As an additional note, I appreciated the author's acknowledgment that the male-female duality used in the Sacred Marriage at Beltane is outdated, but I would have liked to see that acknowledgment applied to correspondences as well (items noted as having "masculine" or "feminine" energy). That gendered language was not applied to all items, so I wonder why it is necessary at all, and I'm sure this is an area that practitioners will grapple with for some time to come.
In general, this is a solid reference tome for those looking for ways to connect to the seasons through ritual and celebration. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks, Llewellyn Publications and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Each month's chapter begins with the etymological origins of the month's name before exploring what's happening in nature in that time frame, the holidays and traditions associated with the month, as well as ways to incorporate practices such as moon magic, spells, corresponding animals and crystals, making incense or oils, plant magic and kitchen witchery, setting an altar, meditation, and connecting with deity. While there is some repetition in the introductory information for some of these headings, the book is intended to be used as a reference tool, picked up when needed, so the information carried over offers good reminders for occasional practitioners.
Patterson's lists are based on what she experiences in England, so readers in other parts of the world may find that dates and natural observations, plants, and other traditions may not be as relevant to their own practice. It might have been useful to have space within each chapter for readers to fill in associations of their own as they deepen their knowledge of the place where they live.
As an additional note, I appreciated the author's acknowledgment that the male-female duality used in the Sacred Marriage at Beltane is outdated, but I would have liked to see that acknowledgment applied to correspondences as well (items noted as having "masculine" or "feminine" energy). That gendered language was not applied to all items, so I wonder why it is necessary at all, and I'm sure this is an area that practitioners will grapple with for some time to come.
In general, this is a solid reference tome for those looking for ways to connect to the seasons through ritual and celebration. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks, Llewellyn Publications and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
jaderscorner's review
5.0
Great well grounded researched, as well the author adding her own personal touches. Highly recommend to anyone that like to have cozy books like this on their shelf.
liadanblue's review
5.0
This book is officially one of my go-to’s. It was written for newer, more open thinking witches and not someone stuck in such a set path or way of practicing. I felt scene and validated in my beliefs.
snailwhisperer's review
5.0
I loved this book. This book is definitely formatted to be a book that you pull out once a month and read the section for that month. Some of the parts of the month-by-month are repeated and if you read the book straight through ( as I did for this review) then that gets too repetitive but as a book that you read in sections month-by-month, it makes sense.
The author is in south England and the holidays and suggestions are based on that locale. I think the people who will get the most out of this book will be the people who are either in a similar location or who want to connect to the traditions of that location. I am in Washington state in the US but my weather is pretty similar and many of the cultural holidays are similar.
I really liked how many topics it covers each month. It goes over what's happening in nature, holidays, activities to go with those things, plants and other correspondences, and a recipe.
This is a great book to get you started on shaping your yearly traditions.
The author is in south England and the holidays and suggestions are based on that locale. I think the people who will get the most out of this book will be the people who are either in a similar location or who want to connect to the traditions of that location. I am in Washington state in the US but my weather is pretty similar and many of the cultural holidays are similar.
I really liked how many topics it covers each month. It goes over what's happening in nature, holidays, activities to go with those things, plants and other correspondences, and a recipe.
This is a great book to get you started on shaping your yearly traditions.
mrsj_readsbooks's review
5.0
This is a great resource if you are interested in connecting with nature and how it relates to the world around us. Rachel takes us step by step through the following topics. Each month of the year is its own separate chapter. It is very easy to follow along.
Nature
Holidays and Celebrations
Traditions
Moon Lore and Magic
Spells
Animals
Crystals and Stones
Plant Magic
Incenses and Oils
Food
Tea
Altar and Mediation
Deity
Ritual for Creativity
I appreciate all the hard work that went into this book. I loved how each chapter focuses on a specific month. This is a resource that I will continue to reach for each month. I am looking forward to starting with the tea and mediation.
Each of us is on our path and this book will help guide and nurture everyone differently. I have always been fascinated with all witch related books and I am looking forward to slowly dipping my toes into this amazing community.
Thank you so much to Llewelyn Books for my complimentary copy.
Nature
Holidays and Celebrations
Traditions
Moon Lore and Magic
Spells
Animals
Crystals and Stones
Plant Magic
Incenses and Oils
Food
Tea
Altar and Mediation
Deity
Ritual for Creativity
I appreciate all the hard work that went into this book. I loved how each chapter focuses on a specific month. This is a resource that I will continue to reach for each month. I am looking forward to starting with the tea and mediation.
Each of us is on our path and this book will help guide and nurture everyone differently. I have always been fascinated with all witch related books and I am looking forward to slowly dipping my toes into this amazing community.
Thank you so much to Llewelyn Books for my complimentary copy.
annarella's review
5.0
I love Rachel Patterson's books and her no nonsense approach to the Craft and the path. This is an interesting book and it was easy to think the proposed rituals and ideas to the different festivals.
It's easy to follow, full of ideas, and well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
It's easy to follow, full of ideas, and well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine