Customer Reviews

Praise to the Moon: Magic & Myth of the Lunar Cycle

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A friend of mine was looking for a special book, and she said "why aren't there any good moon books out there, one that would tell me when to do stuff?" She wanted to know what phases of the moon were the most powerful, best for gardening, and maybe learn about some full moon rituals since she had always purified and cleansed her sacred items in the full moonlight. Most moon books available are tied in strongly with astrology, and this isn't the type of book either of us were looking for. When I stumbled onto Elen Hawke's Praise to the Moon, I knew our search was over. You can learn about the magic and myth of the lunar cycles, and it is exciting to expand my collection of works from this author, as her books In the Circle and The Sacred Round are excellent as well. Praise To The Moon is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the moon's power that is available to us.

A thorough and comprehensive approach to the role that the moon plays in modern paganism and occult practise. In this book, Elen Hawke goes way beyond the usual brief descriptions of waxing, full and waning, covering unusual events such as eclipses as well as the less commonly worked quarter phases. The author, who is also a very experienced astrologer includes chapters on the full moon through the signs of the zodiac, and how this may be utilized magically as well as the Indian lunar zodiac and how the moon's position within it may indicate personality traits. There is even a chapter on the celtic tree calendar which relates to the moons cycle. If you are drawn to the beuty, energy and symbolism of the moon and only have funds for one book, then you should seriously consider this one.

Having enjoyed both of her previous books, I was really looking forward to reading Praise To The Moon, and again I wasn't disappointed. It's so refreshing to open a book and not find the same old material in different words.

This book delves deeper than the "waxing for growth, blah blah blah" mentality, and seriously explores the uses of the main phases as well as quarter phases, eclipses etc. The result is a much clearer perception of the lunar orb and her changing faces.

Elen has also included a consideration of some Goddesses whom could be considered of a lunar nature, and gone that step further to present some lunar Gods, thus allowing one to develop a sense of the masculine in the traditionally feminine luminary. Of course, many books have taken the feminist approach to reclaim the Sun for the Goddess, so it's nice to see this imbalance redressed.

There is also a chapter on the Indian lunar zodiac, which makes for interesting comparison with the western solar based zodiac. There is also material on the Ogham, gardening by the Moon and a lot more besides. It really is a fantastic resource of material with which one might explore the influence of the Moon, and in it's depth it is unrivalled. It's such a shame that there aren't more books out there that take a risk and go beyond the "how to cast a circle" stage and seriously explore some of the many parts that make up this diverse practice. My only question after reading this was whether or not we can expect a "Praise to the Sun"?!!

This is a truly special guide to using the lunar cycle in honoring the Goddess (and God), and creating magic. Well written although occasionaly the rituals just end where I would have like one or two more lines of explanation. Definetly a must have on a Witch's reference shelf.

A well thought and practically laid out book written in a lyrical style. There is information readily available in the book which is not often found in books on witchcraft such as the quarter moon, eclipses and the vedic (Indian) zodiac. It also gives gods for the moon as well as goddesses, a rare treat. There is a useful appendix at the back for correspondences, ritual formila etc which links in with the moons phases, spells, pathworkings, recopes, rituals and beautiful descriptions of the main body of the book. I have been a fan of Elen since In the Circlecame out and she hasn't let me down with this new book.

This is a wonderful book packed full of information, exercises, spells and meditations relating to working magically with the moon. Each moon phase is fully discussed - new, full and the quarters plus eclipses. Other chapters include the Moon in Vedic and Western astrology, the Celtic Tree calendar and information on circle casting, spells and rituals. Throughout the book are snippets of the author's own experiences and feelings as well as recipes and suggested practical work.
Within each Moon phase is a discussion of how to work with that energy, suggested personal development. spells and meditations plus fascinating descriptions of Gods and Goddesses associated with the phase in question. I found these particularly interesting.
Elen Hawke's writing is very easy to read and down to earth yet a huge amount of material is packed into it and I found this inspiring. Included are several meditations and visualisations and these are beautifully written - rich in detail and texture so even just reading them you feel like you are being transported into another world.
I feel that this is a valuable inclusion for every witches library.

There could be no better title for this book! Praise to the Moon has "gratitude" glowing from it, for this will be what all those that read Elen Hawke's latest masterpiece feel! The moon has controlled every ounce of fluid on this earth, from the smallest of molecules to the tides of the ocean. For all the moon-lovers, worshippers and novelists alike, this is the book for you!

Ms. Hawke begins Praise to the Moon with "In the Beginning." This chapter harkens back to the eons when the moon was earth's only satellite. She discloses the many aspects of the moon in history, scientific fact, different religious beliefs, legends and lore. Moving on, Ms. Hawke explains the cycles in "New Moon", "Eclipses", "The First Quarter", "The Man in the Moon", "Full Moon", "Initiation" and "The Last Quarter". She continues on this wonderful journey with "The Indian Lunar Zodiac", "Old Moon", "The Moon in Astrological Signs" and "The Celtic Tree Calendar".

Just as you think Praise to the Moon is winding down, you are amazed at all there still is: "Circle Casting","Color Correspondences", "Moon Gardening", "Related Websites" and a very thorough glossary.

Adding her own Magic to Praise of the Moon, Elen blends in recipes, crafts, spells, gardening, rituals and invocations along with the many lunar deities from around the world. This is the book we have all been waiting for. Kudos to Ms. Hawke for Praise of the Moon...Bravo!

M.L. Benton, Publisher, Echoed Voices.
Copyright © 2002