A review by erynlasbelin
Seasons of a Magical Life: A Pagan Path of Living by H. Byron Ballard

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

2.5

 I was super excited about this book when I first saw it, especially because the author is from my region of the world! Unfortunately, it didn't end up being what I was looking for.

I think the first chapter on Animism, Mutual Aid, and Permaculture was the strongest. We were discussing important and interesting concepts and linking them together as part of a pagan lifestyle - a fascinating beginning! That was the high point for me, though.

For whatever reason, books claiming to be about the Wheel of the Year tend to be more focused on the author's personal beliefs and lifestyle than an exploration of the history behind each celebration. It's not that the more personal material isn't interesting - it's just that, if you're looking for something academic or highly researched, lengthy discussions about housekeeping are guaranteed to disappoint. I wish these books would be promoted differently.

It's really weird to read this book after reading Sharon Blackie - so much of the re-enchantment chapter specifically is rehashing Blackie's work from a pagan perspective. It's interesting that Ballard references the "magical thinking" line from The Enchanted Life; that book is obviously foundational to this line of thinking, yet this necessarily leans into the "woo-woo" that Blackie frowns upon in that book. For a book that helps reorient your perspective on life, I would probably recommend going straight to The Enchanted Life.

My overall complaint is that Seasons of a Magical Life feels like a series of blog posts rather than a book. Ballard skims the top level of many different subjects, but after that first chapter, she never really dives into them. I lost track of how many times she suggested looking up more information or instructions about something she mentioned online. Doing more research is great, but when I pick up a book, I expect it to cover its own topics within the text, citing sources when appropriate. This sort of format works much better when you're already online and the author is linking you to another page.

I'm also baffled by the inclusion of the glossary, which defines such terms as boundaries ("the lines that delineate a particular space; the emotional boundaries that humans set around their personal and energetic space"), hearing ("the act of observing sound, whether birdsong or music, human speech or waterfall; a spiritual act of devotion"), and home ("a place that can be physical, imaginary, or symbolic in which one may dwell in peace and comfort"). Why? Glossaries are for terms that readers may not be familiar with. There was very little here that any reader may not already know, and any of those terms could've been explained in the body of the book.

Seasons of a Magical Life has the gentle vibe of sitting down to chat with a friend over a cup of tea, so if that's what you're looking for, you will likely enjoy this. It offers a glimpse into life on an Appalachian homestead and a peek at the author's philosophies. If you're searching for something academic, historical, or highly detailed, this probably won't do it for you.