Customer Reviews

Dancing with the Sun: Celebrating the Seasons of Life

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Ms. Galenorn presents the information in an easy to access, friendly manner. The book "feels" like a lot of thought and research stand behind the words, giving reassurance that this book belongs on any Wiccan and/or Pagan bookshelf.

This book is one of many by Yasmine Galenorn that all Pagan People and those who are Pagan-friendly should read. I have purchased many copies for friends and family and will continue to do so as long as they are available. The book walks you through all of the Sabbats and gives wonderful information about so-called christian traditions that started out as Pagan Holidays. It also is very helpful for minor charms and spells. All in all a must read for anyone interested in Paganism!

Finally, a book on the Wheel of the Year that is not limited to rituals and recipes! Yasmine has compiled a book that has brief histories of each Sabbat (as well as Rites of Passages and other less-known Pagan holidays), as well as inserted her usual anecdotes which bring delight and a taste of the reality of Witchcraft.

As for the people who say they don't like the group rituals...my friends: ADAPT, ADAPT, ADAPT. Change what you do not like to suit your own needs. This is, in my opinion, the essence of what makes Witchcraft so beautiful--the fact that you can adapt it to suit yourself and not have to answer to anyone about it.

Blessed Be :)

It's not her best because you simply can't cover everything well if it isn't part of your world. Most of the book is thoughtful and useful. Where did she get her info on Kamehameha day though???? Way out there.