What do you think?
Rate this book
SACRED CELEBRATIONS
A user-friendly sourcebook to celebrate and honor earth rhythms in the 8 Celtic Festivals: * How were these celebrations understood in the past? * What underlies the changing energy of the Earth? * How can this energy be used for meaningful celebrations today? Practical and down-to-earth, the celebratory instructions don't recreate the past, but guide the celebrant * to follow self-inspired interpretations of each sacred festival * to share in nature's power * to express feelings * to focus on spiritual regeneration and healing * to use creative activities to enhance and connect to the earth Subjects include the five elements, laws of manifestation, rhythms of the Moon, sacred landscape, meditation, healing energies of trees and herbs, and celebrations for children.
250 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2001
18 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 21, 2023
A book that I will read as the seasons progress; it has a permanent place on my desk! I am indebted to the author for her guidance in all things to do with how we should honour the Earth and Nature! Thank you, Glennie, 💓🙏🙋♂️
September 14, 2018
3.5
A very cute, nicely illustrated book that has become a classic when it comes to celebrating the 8 sabbats. I bought Glennie Kindred's book because I was interested in learning more about how to celebrate the sabbats, and I did learn a lot, especially when it came to the different Celtic trees and herb correspondences.
One of the things that did irk me about this book was its repetition and inconsistencies. There seem to be several sections where the content was copy and pasted from other portions in the book; instead of mentioning a celebration idea eight separate times, the editors could have just included a "for all festivals" section. I also found it bizarre that while many of the herb remedies had warnings in bold at the end of the section (which is a good thing!) in other places these warnings were lacking (i.e. in the Samhain section where the fact that all of the parts of yew are poisonous, and that burning elder is also poisonous; apparently this information did not merit a bold warning!)
Several of the mythology claims that Glennie Kindred makes are conflicting or dubious (I have seen no evidence that Pluto/Hades was ever female; however, Persephone did used to be worshipped as her own separate deity). This, unfortunately, is an issue in some feminist pagan traditions, where claims are made but aren't backed up with archaelogical evidence. But then again, the same can go for other religions.
Overall, I am happy that I bought this book, but it is aimed much more at group celebrations and giving a wide overview than it is an in-depth look with in-depth ritual suggestions. I do think this book does a better job than Cunningham's The Solitary Practitioner does however, and I think the book has made me interested in Glennie's other works on herbs.
A very cute, nicely illustrated book that has become a classic when it comes to celebrating the 8 sabbats. I bought Glennie Kindred's book because I was interested in learning more about how to celebrate the sabbats, and I did learn a lot, especially when it came to the different Celtic trees and herb correspondences.
One of the things that did irk me about this book was its repetition and inconsistencies. There seem to be several sections where the content was copy and pasted from other portions in the book; instead of mentioning a celebration idea eight separate times, the editors could have just included a "for all festivals" section. I also found it bizarre that while many of the herb remedies had warnings in bold at the end of the section (which is a good thing!) in other places these warnings were lacking (i.e. in the Samhain section where the fact that all of the parts of yew are poisonous, and that burning elder is also poisonous; apparently this information did not merit a bold warning!)
Several of the mythology claims that Glennie Kindred makes are conflicting or dubious (I have seen no evidence that Pluto/Hades was ever female; however, Persephone did used to be worshipped as her own separate deity). This, unfortunately, is an issue in some feminist pagan traditions, where claims are made but aren't backed up with archaelogical evidence. But then again, the same can go for other religions.
Overall, I am happy that I bought this book, but it is aimed much more at group celebrations and giving a wide overview than it is an in-depth look with in-depth ritual suggestions. I do think this book does a better job than Cunningham's The Solitary Practitioner does however, and I think the book has made me interested in Glennie's other works on herbs.
January 27, 2023
A lovely book full of ideas on how to deepen your connection with nature, flow with the seasons and celebrate the environment around you. Beautifully illustrated.
June 4, 2018
I read this for the insights into the history of the different festivals and celebrations that accompanied the changing cycle of the year, not for the ideas of how to incorporate them into your life, many of which seemed far fetched to me.
December 30, 2020
The most fabulous and accessible book for those interested in celebrating the seasons and Celtic festivals. With helpful guidance on ceremonies, craft and how to include children!
February 20, 2016
I have loved Glennie's books for many years, and this is no exception. This is a 'always reading' book! Every celebration in the Celtic Pagan year is covered with various ways of celebrating. It is also a book with families in mind with craft ideas you can do with children of various ages.
But one if the nicest things, from my own personal point of view, is it's not Wiccan centred. it's not even centred on witchcraft. It is a book aimed at all pagans who follow the Celtic Wheel of the Year. So any small rituals etc are not pigeon holed! Too many books are predominantly Wiccan and not all pagans/witches are Wiccan.
But equally well, as a Wiccan you can also enjoy Glennie's lovely writing...AND she is a British writer, not American. I have nothing against American authors, there's some excellent books out there. But just as most witchcraft/pagan books are Wiccan; most of these books are written by American's. So to have some excellent pagan writer's, is always a boon!
But one if the nicest things, from my own personal point of view, is it's not Wiccan centred. it's not even centred on witchcraft. It is a book aimed at all pagans who follow the Celtic Wheel of the Year. So any small rituals etc are not pigeon holed! Too many books are predominantly Wiccan and not all pagans/witches are Wiccan.
But equally well, as a Wiccan you can also enjoy Glennie's lovely writing...AND she is a British writer, not American. I have nothing against American authors, there's some excellent books out there. But just as most witchcraft/pagan books are Wiccan; most of these books are written by American's. So to have some excellent pagan writer's, is always a boon!
March 13, 2009
This is a wonderful book for anyone who wishes to understand about the nature of sacred space, celebrations and how to create them. Glennie uses her great wisdom to encourage and enable her readers to create their own ceremonies, both large and small.
December 24, 2016
I love this. Gives brief history of each Sabbat, correspondences, power animals, etc. Nice helpfulbook on celebrating the Sabbats.
May 1, 2017
Glennie Kindred is amazing - this is a comprehensive, beautiful and heartwarming guide to the year, with a wealth of information, magic and suggestions. I love this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews