Dancing with the Sun: Celebrating the Seasons of Life [Paperback]

Yasmine Galenorn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 1999

Getting married soon? Is your child graduating and leaving home? Maybe you're ready to dedicate yourself to the gods? This book provides the directions and texts for 30 complete Pagan rituals, ready for use. In addition, you'll find recipes designed for each holiday, spellwork for different seasons of the year, and ceremonies for such Pagan-oriented days as the Feast of the Fallen Warriors, Lupercalia, and Kamehameha Day.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dancing with the Sun is a forward-looking book that weaves ancient seasonal celebrations and rites of passage into contemporary Wiccan practices. Galenorn works in celebrations from many cultures--such as the Finnish Kalevala day--but focuses mainly on the eight widely known Celtic sabbats and significant personal life events such as handfasting. Dancing with the Sun is more than just a calendar for planning when to perform your ceremonies, though: Galenorn also shares ideas for decorating your home; rituals appropriate for the season; and even recipes for celebratory drinks, dinners, and desserts. While observing these rituals won't turn back the clock to ancient days, you can establish traditions that affirm your connections to your land, your local environment, and your planet. --Brian Patterson

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy for Berkley: both the bestselling Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon Series for Berkley and the bestselling Indigo Court urban fantasy series. In the past, she wrote mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime, and nonfiction metaphysical books. Her books have hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists numerous times. Yasmine has been in the Craft for over 30 years, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland WA with her husband Samwise and their cats.

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (April 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156718300X
• ISBN-13: 978-1567183009
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes two bestselling urban fantasy series: the Otherworld Series (Sisters of the Moon Series), and the Indigo Court Series, both for Berkley. She's also written a paranormal mystery series (the Chintz 'n China Series) for Berkley Prime Crime, a short-lived mystery series (the Bath & Body Series) under the name of India Ink, again for Berkley Prime Crime, and eight metaphysical nonfiction books (Llewellyn Publications and Crossing Press).

Yasmine is a shamanic witch, and walks an eclectic path. She considers her life a blend of teacups and tattoos--the former in her china closet, the latter on her skin. She's a theatre major, a graduate of the Evergreen State College (Olympia WA). She lives in the Seattle WA area with her husband and is the mother of four cats.

Because so many people ask, you pronounce her name this way: Yaz-mihn (NOT Jasmine--it's a "Y", not a "J"). Last name is pronounced: Gal-eh-norn The accent is on the first syllable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book with a snag, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancing with the Sun: Celebrating the Seasons of Life (Paperback)

This book covers the Wheel of Year and other celebrations. Some of the other celebrations include rituals of childhood, naming ritual, dedication ceremonies, weddings, death, rituals of separation, etc. Each celebration starts off with a little history, then proceeds with craft and ritual ideas. Each celebration does contain a ritual; however, it assumes two are more people are performing the ritual. I did find this to be a snag, but modification to the rituals were not that difficult. With that said, I though this was a wonderful book - one that I use all the time.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some solid useful stuff here...., May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancing with the Sun: Celebrating the Seasons of Life (Paperback)

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it. It gives a nice summary of the pagan wheel of the year and Ms. Galernon is careful to include historical information along with the standard suggestions of how to celebrate the various holidays.

The rituals she provides sound innovative and fun, but I wish she supplied alternatives for solitaries, who don't have the luxury of other people to fill in the multiple roles and functions. This book is geared towards the beginner, and more often than not beginners practice their craft alone before venturing out to find a circle.

I did like the personal touch she put in recounting her own experiences with animal totems, spells and the path she took in dedicating herself to a goddess. Her style is friendly and folksy, not unlike that of Trish Telesco, who is one of my favorite writers. I hope to see more work from her in the future.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wheel of the Year and the Cycles of Life, December 15, 2001

By 

Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing with the Sun: Celebrating the Seasons of Life (Paperback)

Ms. Galenorn covers the different changes in the Wheel of the Year in a very thorough style. She gently leads you through the Turns of the Wheel, offering general history, well explained meanings of the Cycle, associations with each Turn and yet keeps the Path open for your own personal insights and preferences. She also offers activities for each Sabbat, some very good, simple rituals anyone can do, and even recipes for each season.

Ms. Galenorn also covers the Cycles of Life. Birth, death, handfastings, even a kitty birthday celebration that can be applied to any pet. She provides us with meaningful rituals, associations and some good, down to earth explanations.

Ms. Galenorn offers some insights into her own DarkMoon Tradition, with a ritual and explanation of Kalevala Day, a Finnish celebration, and Kamehameha Day, a Hawaiian celebration.

This is a wonderful book, covering much material, easy to use, very complete in its content. As a book for the new Path Walker, I recommend it. As a book for the established library, it is a fresh look at the Cycles of the Wiccan/Pagan life.