The Moon Watcher's Companion: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Moon, and More [Paperback]

Donna Henes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2004

From the very earliest time, people have watched the moon's mysterious and fascinating nocturnal sky show with amazement and intrigue. Even in today's modern, busy world there are many of us who have taken a step back, looked upward, and wondered: What is it made of? How was it formed? What does it look like up close? In The Moon Watcher's Companion, urban shaman, writer, and teacher Donna Henes enlivens the imaginations of those who have contemplated the moon by providing poems, drawings, stories, ancient wisdom, and scientific findings from a diverse blend of people and cultures throughout the world. Bringing together a wide range of writings about the moon, from Mother Goose to Joseph Campbell, Galileo to Audre Lorde, Sappho to Black Elk, as well as providing a comprehensive encyclopedia of lunar terminology, a timeline of lunar explorations, and three sections that detail the moon's faces, phases, and known facts, author Hene has created a fascinating compendium of lunar science, myth, folklore, poetry, curious facts, and old wives' wisdom culled from cultures throughout the ages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Moon: as goddess, as science, as inspiration for poetry--almost everything you could want to know about the moon in a beautifully crafted book. Donna Henes' lovely work will have an honored place near the altar and near the telescope."

About the Author

DONNA HENES, urban shaman, is a contemporary ceremonialist and the author of The Queen of My Self and Celestially Auspicious Occasions. She and her annual vernal equinox celebrations have been profiled in The New York Times, The New Yorker, USA Today, and many other media outlets. Mama Donna, as she is affectionately known, has offered lectures, workshops, circles, and celebrations worldwide for thirty years. She lives in Exotic Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569244669
• ISBN-13: 978-1569244661
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Moon Watcher's Start Up Kit, July 23, 2004

By 

Daile Kaplan Galleries (New York, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Moon Watcher's Companion: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Moon, and More (Paperback)

Ever gaze up at that luminous body in the night sky and feel enthralled? Donna Henes's latest book brings the moon vividly to life. In simple beautifully written prose she deftly weaves magic, myth, personal anecdotes, and cool scientific facts. A celestial expert, Henes presents an encyclopedic array of information in this volume. Yet, the wonderful design lends itself to a quick, satisfying read. And, the illustrations make this a must see item for kids too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming book for Moon lovers, August 22, 2009

By 

mypetconcubine (Waianae, Hawaii U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moon Watcher's Companion: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Moon, and More (Paperback)

As long as I can remember, the moon has enchanted me.

That slivery splendour shining down at me, I have always wondered what is it made of. How was it formed? What does it look like up close? How big is it? How far is it?

Through the years, those questions have been answered, but that did not mean the moon still did not intrigue me. I have collected books on the subject of the Sky. However, thinking I had every book on the subject I was excited to come across this little gem.

This book is a charming collection of facts, poems of everything you ever wanted to know about the moon.

The Moon Watcher's companion has a comprehensive encyclopaedia of lunar terminology. A timeline of lunar explorations and three sections that detail the moon's faces, phases, and known facts.

This book has put together a wonderful blend of myth, folklore, poems. It is beautifully anchored by l interesting lunar science.

This book is necessary in any Pagan/Wiccan's library or anyone who wants a little knowledge of that splendour in the sky.

I give this books five stars.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute charmer of a book, March 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moon Watcher's Companion: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Moon, and More (Paperback)

Who knew that we have had such a long and wonderful relationship with the Moon? This delightful and beautifully produced book is full of information about the Moon in science, myth, and legend -- from cultures all around the world. I got the book as a gift and it's a great idea for a birthday, a ritual, or a celebration of "lunacy". You will never think of the Moon in the same way again.