The Provenance Press Guide to the Wiccan Year: A Year Round Guide to Spells, Rituals, and Holiday Celebrations

by Judy Ann Nock

In The Provenance Press Guide to the Wiccan Year, Judy Ann Nock offers you a definitive guide to "the wheel of the year." Capturing the essence of the major and lesser holidays, this complete and practical reference will appeal to Wiccans of all levels of experience. The handbook offers something for everyone: recipes, crafts, activities, spells, rituals, and meditations. In these pages, Wiccans will find several appropriate cyclic activities.
Written to inspire and expand the practice as a reader moves through the eight sabbats, Nock provides the practitioner with:
the astrological and astronomical influences that govern the seasons
meditations that reflect timely themes
rituals and crafts that anyone may enact in order to enhance spiritual expression.

Genres: Wicca, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Paganism, Reference, Spirituality, Magic

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2007

Reviews

[Keitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most well written books I've read on a Wiccan subject. I never found myself bored while reading. This book is full of great information, rituals, and recipes that I would recommend to anyone.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Wiccan Year, Rev. Judy Ann Nock, Fellowship of Isis priestess of the Iseum of Urania Celesta and the Iseum of the Muses, has written a practical guide to the cycle of the year, with a focus on the star energy of each season.

The preface describes the development of Judy’s idea for a book based on the Wiccan wheel of the year with its branches in the stars and its roots in the old agrarian seasonal festivals.

This is an evolutionary concept, which will be especially meaningful to members of the Fellowship of Isis, as it reflects the continuum of energy and consciousness that connects the core of the earth and the farthest reaches of the cosmos, as shown in the spiral galactic glyph of the Fellowship of Isis. The Wiccan Year also embodies ideas found in the FOI liturgy cycle Psyche, a collection of psychic journeys to a variety of star systems and constellations.

The seasonal and celestial events in this book are based in the Northern hemisphere. The constellations discussed in this book describe groupings of stars that are visible overhead, or on the horizon, at the time a festival occurs, as well as an overview of the zodiacal signs through which the sun travels during each season..

Each chapter is devoted to a single solar or cross-quarter festival. The quality of that time of year is described, and very good historical background and interpretation of the festival’s significance is provided. Celestial events occurring during that time in the yearly cycle are pointed out, and their mythological and legendary associations explained. Each chapter also includes meditations for each festival based on what is happening in nature, star meanings, and traditional meanings. There are also rituals attuned to the events and stars of the season. The astrological significance of the festival is also included. There are also charms, spells, practical crafts, recipes, and more, for each festival.

There is a chapter devoted to the moons in each month, with a meditation for each full moon.

The appendix includes tables of correspondences for the Sabbats and the Zodiac, with dates for festivals up to 2020, and astronomical information about the seasons. There is also a great bibliography and glossary of term.

This is a great handbook for those new to Wicca and Paganism, as it provides high quality, balanced information and observations. Those who have been in the Craft for many years will find the refreshing new ideas and perspectives provided in this handy manual to provide another dimension of meaning to a beloved celebration.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! It was very interesting and awesome knowledge gained. I will definitely keep this book in my library for reference throughout the year.

[Violet]

It was okay. Could have been more suggestive to multiple traditions of the craft and of multiple ways to celebrate. Other than that it has creative ideas for celebrating in an old world style other than neo-pagan ways.

[Bladestryke · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of information. astrology, history, mythology. I just wish there were more on the ceremony of the sabbats. at least she included info on the esbats. still a good read.

[Tyler Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the wiccan calendar. The author delivers plenty of mythological inspirations, ritual and meditation ideas, as well as small projects to enhance your spirituality and align your mind and emotions to the presiding sabbat.
Mostly geared towards the novice wicca, the book is centrally focused on astrology and deity, and doesn't delve too far into magick and ritual, although it is mentioned. For that reason, I probably wouldn't reccomend it to the experienced practitioner, as you've likely already heard all these stories before.
However, if you're just starting your journey along the path and seek inspiration and knowledge of ancient wiccan ways, I would definitely recommend this as a quality all around starter text.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I often find these books difficult to read, partially because they give me so many good ideas for rituals that are more for group use rather than solitary (which I am). That said, it's also a "lazy-pagan's" book.

I say that because the best rituals come from the heart, not from someone else's words in a book. Unfortunately, many pagans ARE lazy and will use the rituals in this book as rote and will bristle when others deviate from it. They don't seem to understand that these books are here to INSPIRE you and help you to write your own rituals.

Because of that, (and the fact that I am more of a psychological deist than anything) I really can't give books like this more than 3 stars.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting meditations and practices to incorporate into your Sabbat celebrations. I especially liked the suggested nine days of contemplation prior to the autumn equinox based on the historic practices of the Eleusinian mysteries (the lesser mysteries and festivities).
A handy reference book to add to your bookshelf.

[アレツクス コツト · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been reading this on and off. Overall has a lot of interesting information and neat crafts, meditations, and rituals to practice as well as recipes. This book really helps you understand the Wiccan year and history that is associated/behind it. Really good for reference as well. Great for beginners.

[Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's informational. It certainly helped me to understand more about the Wiccan Year. However, for a newcomer, it was a bit too compact? Like it's rather heavy. I think it's because on the font or typeface arrangement? And because I am a newcomer, it took me some time to understand how the step-by-step spells. If there was an illustration, it would help the newcomers understand more.

[Trang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. The book is informative from sabbaths to detailed horoscopes impact. I was just looking for a book that shows one’s nature living journey, aka wiccan way, throughout the year. Many complicated concepts were unnecessary for me to digest. I would actually recommend reading Seasons of a magical life instead if you’re more interested in experience than concepts

[Marti Doktorchik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful reference book for the Wheel of the Year. Something you can go back to time and again when you need reminders and ideas for pagan holidays and rituals. Lots of astrological information about constellations that I found useless as I can’t pick out a star in the sky to save my life, but otherwise I enjoyed the information.

[Cass Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-have on my desk when working on a story with modern day witches. The break down of each pagan holiday is thorough with additions about constellations, recipes, and traditional lore. Not to mention the physical book is so pretty. It's a keeper!

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing particularly new in this one. More myth than ritual. This would be a good book on sabats for those who are particularly interested in astrology and astronomy, though.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author provided me with information on the holiday, the background story and ways to use it in my everyday life which I found very enlightening.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, its so detailed and had many rituals, spells and crafts. Couldnt be happier.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

[Lady W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this cute little book stumbled into the bookstore and I bought it!

[The Mad Mad Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely necessary for a blossoming or senior witch! Amazing historical and multi-cultural references, well written, and the guided meditations were absolutely amazing! A new fav on my bookshelf.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does the Pagan/Wiccan Wheel confuse you? No fear now! This book is a journal of all the Sabbaths and gives you recommendations as to how to celebrate them!

I use mine as a journal for influences of the season. I'm a Priestess and am trying to organize a coven at this time and I highly recommend buying this book to keep track of all the important dates for Pagan/Wicca.

I'm an eclectic and don't believe in doing the exact same ritual the same way each time. Other ministers write their sermons for each Sunday and Sabbaths, so why not do the same in Paganism? Wicca is a bit more dogmatic and inflexible, but still related to the original Pagan beliefs.

I recommend you view the recommended rituals in this book with a grain of salt. How you observe each Sabbath depends upon your discipline, so you can use the outlined rituals as a "template," but not as hard fact. Research your discipline and adjust the rituals accordingly.

[Heather turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must have for anyone want to follow the wiccan year

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best reference works of the Sabbats in the Wiccan Year

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely combination of religion, mythology and astronomy. I enjoyed more than I expected!

[Jonathon Hayes]

this was a informative book regarding the wiccan year and it's different celebrations.