I absolutely love Llewellyn Publications. They were the publisher that I first turned to when I started down the pagan path. I'm really excited to share with you my reviews of the first three books from Llewellyn Publications new line of books, Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials. As a series, I think this is a handy collection of reference books for those new to the path or those who are a bit out of touch with their beliefs (that would be me). If you area a more practiced or advanced pagan, then you might want to pass these by- you already know most of this! I also love the way that the covers all compliment one another- you can tell that they're from the same series. Across the board, this is a four star collection from me. Now shall we break it down by book?
Title: Ostara
Series: Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials
Author: Llewellyn Publications, Kerri Connor
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: January 8th 2015
Source: Llewellyn Publications
Book Description via Goodreads:
Celebrate the season of returning sunlight and the bursting forth of the birds, bees, and trees
Ostara--also known as the Spring Equinox--is a time of renewal, a time to plant seeds as the earth once again comes to life. This guide to the history and modern celebrations of Ostara shows you how to perform rituals and work magic to renew your power and passion for living and growing. Rituals Recipes Lore Spells Divination Crafts Correspondences Invocations Prayers Meditations
Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials explore the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones of the witch's year.
Review:
Ostara is the first of the Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials that I received to review. This reference book is in a very easy navigate format, with just six simple chapters: Old Ways, New Ways, Spells & Divination, Recipes & Crafts, Prayers & Invocations, and Rituals of Celebration.
The first section, "Old Ways", explains the historical context and more anciently tied traditions of the sabbat. The section of "New Ways" offers more modern day ways to connect to the holiday, like gardening or taking walks or meditation. Things that you can do in your daily life, without a lot of difficulty or struggle. It also suggests places to visit and places to go so you're out in the wonderful springtime.
The "Spells & Divination" chapter contains just that- spells and divination tips and ideas. Some of these include a spell to assist in difficult changes, and a Spring is in the Air Love Attraction Spell. These are written in step by step format, and include lists of the things you will need to follow them. There are also prayers and words to say included. These serve as good jumping off points for beginners to the path. This is expanded on within the "Prayers and Invocations" section as well.
The "Recipes and Crafts" section, again, includes just what you'd think. Some of the recipes included in this book are Mint Lamb Chops and Hot Cross buns. They're short and relatively simple recipes, with the steps written in more of a paragraph format as opposed to a step-by-step list. There are desserts, drinks, and meals for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Crafts include Eggshell Plant Pots and Painted Garden Stones. These are largely family friendly and relatively easy crafts that are a fun way to spend the day. I'm not the craftiest person, so I was happy to see that these are things that (I think) I can actually do.
The last chapter, "Rituals of Celebration" includes a ritual for a solitary practitioner, one designed for two people, and one designed for a group.
All in all, I think this is a great place to start as a beginner, or a relatively quick way to brush up on things if you're not in the regular study habit. Reading this book made me request the next book in the series.
Title: Beltane
Series: Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials
Author: Llewellyn Publications, Melanie Marquis
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 1st 2015
Source: Llewellyn Publications
Book Description via Goodreads:
Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials series explores the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones in the witch’s year.
A well-rounded introduction to Beltane, this attractive book features rituals, recipes, lore, and correspondences. It includes hands-on information for modern celebrations, spells and divination, recipes and crafts, invocations and prayers, and more!
In agricultural societies, Beltane marked the start of the summer season. We all have something we want to harvest by the end of the year—plans we are determined to realize. Beltane is the time to put our plans into action, and this book will show you how.
Review:
The second book in Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials series is Beltane by Melanie Marquis. Beltane is generally thought of as the first day of summer on the pagan calendar. Like the first book, this book is in a very easy navigate format, with just six simple chapters: Old Ways, New Ways, Spells & Divination, Recipes & Crafts, Prayers & Invocations, and Rituals of Celebration.
In the first chapter, entitled "Old Ways", this book introduces and explores the history of the holiday of Beltane. It talks about May Day and things such as the Maypole that are even still used in modern spring and summer celebrations. The "New Ways" chapter explains modern rituals, and talks about how different paths of pagans, from Heathens to Wiccans, celebrate Beltane. It talks about where it's still celebrated and gives advice on how to celebrate in a modern day lifestyle. It also suggests some activities, such as ways to be creative and how to refresh your life for the new season.
Then, there is a chapter called "Spells & Divination" that includes spells and other means to help achieve goals during this time of Beltane. These include the Sun and Citrine Spell for Energy and Purification and Fortunetelling with Eggs and Bannocks. There are good steps to follow to help you through it, which is good if you're a beginner to paganism. This chapter also includes a nice rundown of the basics of tarot cards. This chapter partners well with the chapter on prayer. The following chapter includes recipes and crafts, such as Blessed Lemon Custard, Supercharged Sun Cakes, and a Beltane Floral Crown. There are well detailed, step-by-step instructions for all of these, and there's a nice variety to the recipes.
There is a final chapter for Rituals of Celebration. These include fully detailed rituals from prayers to actions to meditations for the solitary practitioner, a handfast union, and a group ritual too. There's also additional reading, and a cheat sheet of sorts for symbols and things associated with Beltane.
This is a great continuation in this series that I think is best suited to beginners of the craft.
Title: Midsummer
Series: Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials
Author: Llewellyn Publications, Deborah Blake
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 8th 2015
Source: Llewellyn Publications
Book Description via Goodreads:
Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials series explores the old and new ways of celebrating the seasonal rites that are the cornerstones in the witch's year. A well-rounded introduction to Midsummer, this attractive book features rituals, recipes, lore, and correspondences. It includes hands-on information for modern celebrations, spells and divination, recipes and crafts, invocations and prayers, and more!
Review:
The third book in Llewellyn's new "Sabbat Essentials" is Midsummer. Midsummer, or Litha, is one of the four sun-associated holidays on the Wheel of the Year, and is otherwise known as the summer equinox. This is the day where the sun shines the longest. Like its predecessors, this reference book is in a very easy navigate format, with just six simple chapters: Old Ways, New Ways, Spells & Divination, Recipes & Crafts, Prayers & Invocations, and Rituals of Celebration.
The Old Ways section of this books goes discusses the history of the holiday and how it was celebrated by different cultures, including communicating with fairies and bonfires. The New Ways section that follows includes how to celebrate in a modern setting, whether you're out in the country or in a big city, and also includes descriptions of different pagan paths and how they may celebrate Midsummer.
There are two chapters, Spells & Divination and Prayers & Invocations, that discuss how to pray, meditate, and cast spells. Some of the ones included in Midsummer include Modern Tarot Divination as well as Herbal Spells and Charms. The following chapter has to do with recipes and crafts, and includes things such as Ale for the Gods Bread, Cherries Jubilation Fruit Soup, Viking Boats, and Cinnamon Brooms. These are easy to follow instructions that even beginners and those who aren't so crafty (like myself) can follow along. There's also a list of rituals, additional readings, and a cheat sheet for facts about the sabbat.
This book blends in well with the rest in its series, and is something I'd recommend more to new pagans than old practitioners.
I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review.
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