Customer Reviews

Sabbats: A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magick)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book contains lots of material on the sabbats, complete with recipies, fun crafts for the pagan family, and sabbat rituals for both coven and solitary. If you're past the 101 stage, just ignore the those sections of the book, or read them anyway like I did, just to see Edain's point of veiw.
It's an exellent book, for those wanting more background info on the sabbats, but most of it can be found in other books aswell.
Despite that I knew most of it already, I still found something I could use and did'nt know about, plus it contains a wonderful
story/guided meditation that, just by reading it made me feel
warm and happy.
I look forward to read other books by Edain:o)

The Sabbats are pagan and witches' most important celebrations. Pagan tribes and witches' covens celebrate the Sabbats according to local tradition. It is difficult for novices and solitary practitioners to learn Sabbat history and rituals. Ms. McCoy's excellent book fills this void.

The author addresses the Sabbats from a broad pagan perspective. She discusses the history of each Sabbat, and relates each Sabbat to ethnic celebrations held globally. Ms. McCoy provides both solitary and group rituals for each Sabbat, and explains each ritual's meaning. She describes activities, recipes, and crafts for each Sabbat, and describes natural items appropriate to each Sabbat's celebration.

Ms. McCoy provides several useful appendices. Appendix I describes how One can construct their own rituals. Appendix II describes elements of spell construction. Appendix III is a *very* comprehensive glossary which itself is a valuable reference. Appendix VI lists items (e.g., activities, foods, plants, and symbols) appropriate to each Sabbat.

I recommend this book as a companion volume to Ms. McCoy's excellent beginner's book "Inside A Witches' Coven". Together, these two books provide good insight into what beginners should expect if they choose to join a pagan tribe or witches' coven.

My husband and I are very pleased with this book as a "family title". It includes all kinds of crafty celebration ideas, recipes, rituals for the major Sabbats (or Pagan Holidays). It offers several pages on the origins of the traditional celebrations and the historical significance of each. This goes much more indepth than most Pagan/Wiccan books that only mention Sabbats in passing. The activities are group/family oriented and give the reader a few ideas for new (and also steadfastly traditional) ways to celebrate our holidays of the year. Well written and enjoyable for everyone!

I have owned this book for years and find myself referencing it on a nearly ritualistic basis (no pun intended). McCoy does a magnificent job covering all 8 Sabbats, including the origins, histories (pagan or otherwise), the symbolism of each, diety relationships, and even ways to celebrate each holiday (menus, recipes, craft ideas/instuctions, etc). And she does it without the mundane, "this-is-the-most-serious-thing-you'll-read" voice that so many Pagan guides can't seem to avoid. It's easy to flip through to find the correct Sabbat, and just as easy to skim the chapter for the exact item you're looking for (recipes, craft instructions, symbols, etc). Even after years of owning this book and re-reading it again and again, I still find myself referencing it for celebrating the Sabbats more than any other book I own. The absolute best.

I amin the process of buying all of the books mentioned in a book called The Well Read Witch. This book is one of the books listed as a must-read for Witches. I wholeheartedly agree with that and list the reasons why this is such a good book in my review.

This book is full of lots of ideas on how to celebrate each Sabbat. I can't imagine someone not finding at least one idea they like a lot for each Sabbat!

I like the way she includes recepes in most of her books! My coven uses this book as a starting point in planning our Sabbat rituals!

As always, her writing style is readable and enjoyable. Edain McCoy is a very reassuring writer for a new Witch to read who might still have some lingering fears or misconceptions about The Craft.

If you know mythological, cultural and general history, you will not get confused by her disregard for verifiable historical facts. For beginners, I suggest Scott Cunningham's Solitary Practicioner (both books), the Farrar's Witches Bible Compleat, the Campanelli's Wheel of the Year, or Raymond Buckland's big blue witchcraft step-by step instructional (his wiccan history is fairly accurate too!). Also reading the Witches God/Goddess by the Farrar's is also a good suggestion for the cyclical nature of Wicca. Reading a book from the mythology or anthropology section of Amazon.com is preferable for an educational background. However, if you leave out the poor history, Ms.McCoy's ritual ideas and receipes are pretty good. I have her Maiden, Mother,Crone book and the meditations are excellent. Make wise and informed choices and always consider the source of the material you're reading (an old history student's mantra).

Blessed Be, Denise

Edain McCoy has been criticized, and fairly, for her lack of scholarship. So be it. But in this volume, she makes atonement for all. Here are the ancient ways, for new practitioners, presented simply and honestly, for all who are curious about the ancient ways (where did the Yule log originate anyway?). Rituals, customs, and even receipes for every major holiday in the pagan year are represented. A thoughtful and delightful book that is of use for all seeking to reclaim the old ways.

I love this book, but I took away a star because of the repeated assumption that using synthetic materials for crafts is more environmentally friendly than natural materials. However, the book is full of good ideas and help for those of us discovering our spirituality and for those of us who may be in a climate that does not understand or accept paganism. Her emphasis on doing what feels right for you and not following some formula is very good.

I just got this book and I think it is amazing for several reasons. The first reason I really like this book is that I am new to the study of Witchcraft and Wicca and I find this book to be an informative way to begin living in these ways. It is hard to know where to begin (so much info - start with herbs, crystals, candles - I mean who can get enough info, but where to start is a difficult one) and this book guides you through the year and introduces you to areas most associated with that time of the year and helps (at least the novice) to guide your studies.

The second reason I enjoy this book so much is that it shows those of us still in the broom closet to feel closer to our chosen paths and incorporate traditions and rituals without stepping out of sync with family traditions which I feel are equally important in my life. It has been a long time since I believed in any sort of Christian religion, but I still find the Christmas holidays to be one of my favourite times with my children and most of my favourite memories from my childhood come "Christian" holidays. It is refreshing to feel like I don't have to start from scratch and can just change and develop my family's traditions over time.

Finally, this book does three things very well: a) it is easily readable and entertaining; b) it references several different traditions and tells about the practices of these traditions for the various Sabbats; and c) the history and trivia is fascinating!

I recommend this to any novice and hope that those with more experience and knowledge would find it refreshing as well!

This is a wonderful resource for information about the 8 sabbats of the year. A chapter for each sabbat includes history, practices, related crafts, recipes and activities. McCoy does an admirable job of including explanations of the pagan origins of current holiday practices: the Easter Bunny, Maypole, on and on. I especially admire this book because McCoy's writing is packed with useful information without rambling. A must have for your library and for anyone wanting to learn more about modern paganism/Wicca