Seasons of the Sacred Earth: Following the Old Ways on an Enchanted Homestead

by Cliff Seruntine

"We are just one little family on a small homestead deep in a wild place. What we can do is small, but perhaps through this book we can impart the wisdom we have discovered. It is just spirit and enchantment and reality are bound together in a green world full of wonders." Living Green with the Spirits of the Land In 2007, the Seruntine family relocated to a secluded Nova Scotia homestead. They made it a point to live gently upon the land by growing and raising their own food, living in balance with the surrounding forest, and honoring Nature's spirits. In return, the land and the spirits looked after them. Seasons of the Sacred Earth follows life deep in their woodland hollow through a magical year. It is a marvelous journey into a place where gardens grow by love and magic, where children romp through enchanted forests, where mystery beckons by light of fireflies. And living close to Nature, they discover an ancient the magical and the mystical are never farther than Earth and Sky.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paganism, Memoir, Spirituality, Nature, Gardening, Witchcraft

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Cliff Seruntine is a naturalist, a practicing shaman, a writer and mandolinist, and a psychotherapist with a busy private practice. He grew up in the backcountry among French speaking Acadians. Cliff was always one to roam the outdoors and spent many hours among the elders of the countryside, absorbed in their folklore. Shortly after Cliff began college, he took a hiatus to see Alaska that turned into a decade and a half sojourn in the wilderness. Often dwelling at a remote cabin, Cliff became immersed in the art of gently living with nature.

Years later Cliff and his wife, Daphne, came to desire a place where they could cultivate their own food and keep horses and goats. They relocated to the misty wooded glens of the Nova Scotia highlands, ancestral Canadian home of the Gaels. When Cliff isn't writing or playing at a ceilidh, he is often in the woods working on his nature documentary: The Naturalist.

Cliff is the author of The Long Season (Amazon, 2018), The Wildwood Way (Llewellyn, 2015), Seasons of the Sacred Earth (Llewellyn, 2013), An Ogham Wood (Avalonia Esoterica Press, 2011) and The Lore of the Bard (Llewellyn, 2003). He has contributed to a number of publications, including The Faery Craft (Llewellyn, 2013) and The Faery Queens (Avalonia, 2013). Cliff has also been published in various magazines on Celtic history, paranormal phenomena and written for webzines about ecology, sustainable living and earth-based spirituality.

Reviews

[Jordan Daines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not far off finishing this book and I'm 100% certain on my feelings for it.

This has to be one of the most beautiful books ever written about living close to the earth and in tune with the great mothers cycles. Cliff and his family are so knowledgable and live in such harmony with the land, teaching us the rhythm of the old ways whilst retelling his enchanting stories of natural magic which is simply just every day occurrence out on his beautiful homestead in the deep Nova Scotia mountains. I've never yet come across a book that I literally did not want to end. I have been taking my time completely absorbing every word and highlighting various parts of inspiration and beauty as I've moved through these enchanting pages. I am so inspired to become ever more connected to nature and her hidden magic, the wild spirits who reside in her lands and to feed and fuel my body, mind and spirit with as much natural goodness as I possibly can! If you want a book of pure real life druidic/celtic/pagan enchantment of the otherworld told through the lives of an organic farming family then this is your book. I will be reading this book again and again I feel and can only hope he will release another masterpiece at some point in the future! I'll be reading one his previous writings also once this is finished 😊 thank you Cliff Seruntine and his beloved family for this piece of living beauty!

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m absolutely astounded by the author’s family’s ability to maintain a self-sufficient homestead in the Canadian wilderness. The author also selflessly shares his hard-won wisdom and farming knowledge gleaned through years of unpredictable weather and other forces of nature. His writing, however, is a bit rough and self-centered although he obviously loves his family and his life. I found myself drifting into the deeper forest more often than staying on the author’s path.

[Jillyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seasons of the Sacred Earth: Following the Old Ways on an Enchanted Homestead follows a year of life for the Seruntine family as they live close to their natural roots in Nova Scotia. They live their lives in a manner that is harmonious with nature, taking only what they need and in return cultivating and protecting the forests and lands that surround their secluded home. Part spiritual guidebook, part cookbook, and part campfire-like storytelling, Seasons of the Sacred Earth gives great insight into a life that most of us don't get to live, and often forget about.

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I loved this book. Cliff Seruntine writes with such beauty and detail that the reader can easily recognize the pure passion of nature and its spirits about which he speaks. I quickly became mesmerized by the landscapes and way of life that he narrated. Indeed, this book is nonfiction, but between the Celtic, Cajun, and Norse stories (among others) that are flawlessly woven throughout this book, the entire narrative has this magical tone to it that is hard to describe.

This book has a lot of components that work together to make this a unique piece of literature. First and foremost, this book tells about a natural, rural way of life. Cliff Seruntine describes the jobs and tasks that he and his family perform in order to keep the homestead afloat, as well as stories that happen in the surrounding woods, family memories, and animal tales from the critters on the land. Two things are certain in this book: the family's respect, adoration, and understanding of Nature and its spirits, and the family's love and strength of each other.

Then too, this book serves as a how-to guide and cookbook. From how to start an herb garden to how to properly make cheese, practical and helpful advice pepper this book. I know for sure that I'll be trying a few recipes provided in this book.

And then, there's the rich storytelling. Cliff Seruntine does a great job of mixing myths and legends from different belief systems/geographic locations, and tells them in such a fashion that one who is unfamiliar with them will understand. A very, very important part of this story telling that I appreciated is the emphasis on non-English words. If a word was in a different language, the author provided a definition, explanation, and a proper pronunciation along with it.

Throughout this novel, pictures accompany the text, giving more insight into the life that the author so vividly describes.

All in all, this book made me want to get back to my natural roots. It reminded me how much we as a society take for granted, and how little we give back. In all honesty, I found myself wanting to visit this homestead so that I could see this enchanted-sounding wood, drink some homemade cider, and eat tasty cheese hand made from their goats.

Written in a way that's comparable to Farley Mowat, Seasons of the Sacred Earth is a book that many pagans would love to have on their shelf, as well as naturalists and those with a high respect for nature.

Thank you to Netgalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for my copy. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.

[Kim H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff Seruntine’s book, Seasons of the Sacred Earth: Following the Old Ways on an Enchanted Homestead, is food for the soul.

My most memorable moments of feeling a connection to the sacred have been those times when I have felt most at one with nature. Although I identify myself as a Christian, I happen to believe that most differences between faiths (and people for that matter) occur because we are unwilling (perhaps at times unable) to understand or perceive the words that one faith might use could easily correspond to something within our own tradition. For example, when Seruntine uses the word “magic” what he is describing in his narrative is clearly what I have experienced as “spirit” or “immanence.”

I found the stories Seruntine shares of his family’s life on their Nova Scotia homestead endearing, moving, and powerful. His life strikes me as much more authentic than many of the people I know who like to profess their beliefs but then live in a way that seems contrary to those very values and beliefs. I applaud his willingness to share these intimate moments of deep meaning! I admit I am normally more inclined to keep my own such encounters with the sacred or other-worldly beings much more to myself. How refreshing to find someone who not only accepts these experiences as part of life, but is willing to let a world of readers in on the celebration of them!

Readers with an open mind will find it easy to connect with Seasons of the Sacred Earth no matter what faith or spiritual tradition they may identify with. I am thankful for the reminder to be more mindful, to slow my pace, to enjoy the here and now, and most importantly to be open to experiencing the gifts of spirit which surround us in this world each day.

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m getting more interested in books about how people actually experience their magical/pagan ways, rather than how-to books. This was interesting but it felt more like a homesteading memoir with a little bit of the Green Man sprinkled on top than a magical memoir. Not bad, and I’m not sorry I read it, but this one’s not a keeper for me.

[Elizabeth Grieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of this, and as a fan of Llewellyn publications in general, was captivated by it. So much in fact, that I'm envious of the writer! It's a wonderfully detailed month-by-month account of a family living in the 'old ways' - spiritually and otherwise, close to the earth and the changing seasons. It does help if you are fortunate enough to have a homestead and land as this family does, but we can all be inspired in some way to remember the old ways, the cycle of the seasons, to think about where our food comes from, to respect nature, and not to forget our ancestors and their traditions.

Reviewed in exchange for a preview Kindle copy.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I was unable to put a book down, but that was absolutely the case with this one. Seasons of the Sacred Earth is a strange but delightful mixture of stories, anecdotes and recipes that come from the author's time and experience living on a homestead in the wilderness of Nova Scotia. He and his family follow a pagan spirituality, but even for those who do not, this book is charming and the tone is friendly and informative without being condescending. Reading it brought back every desire I have ever had to live on a small farm, grow my own food and pattern my days close to the cycles of nature.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I had no idea it was a memoir/biography. I thought it was a novel. I follow the wheel of the year so I really thought I'd connect more to it. It was really drawn out and there weren't really tips about celebrating the seasons.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living with the earth.
But so many male gods there.
More female divine?

[Breanne Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most enchanting story of a homestead

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part philosophical musings, this book is a lovely journey through the year on Cliff Seruntine's Nova Scotia homestead.
Filled with stories about his family and life, and augmented by traditional craft how-to's, this is a book that readers will enjoy taking their time to read.
For those who enjoy mentions of old ways and beliefs, and who practise the fairy faith, this is a special book that provides a glimpse into the life of a practitioner of both.
For others, this is a glimpse into the "slow living" lifestyle and the busy life that it necessitates.

This is a lovely book that reminded me a little of Gladys Taber's Stillwater Stories, or Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass. It isn't really one that explores indigenous traditions like the latter, but the style is similar.
Recommended for fans of those two books, and for those who enjoy stories of a rural life.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the enjoyment I got from this book comes from living vicariously through the author and his family as they live semi-independently on a big piece of property in Nova Scotia. That whole "back to the land" narrative--living with the seasons and being close to nature--has always appealed to me, even though I'm sure I'd fail at it in real life. So reading about someone else doing it is perfect for me! The author clearly has a deep reverence for the plants and animals that surround him, but he also spends a lot of time talking about forest spirits and other supernatural/magical elements and I can't help but roll my eyes at that stuff. But I guess it's part of the charm, and pretty harmless in the end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this twice now, and will read it again, and again! I'm reading the sequel now, and enjoying it as much as this one. He's wonderful at drawing the reader into the Natural world, gently reminding us of the importance it has in all our lives, and of how we could also be living respectfully and in tune with it, regardless of *where* we are.
I very highly recommend this series!!

[Denielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about living in harmony with the land.

[Sue B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Gaile · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author and his family buy a homestead in a hollow on a mountain in Nova Scotia. Here they try to integrate themselves with nautre, feed themselves by living in harmony with the Earth and also raise animals. Among those featured in the book are Belgian horses, goats, chickens, cat, a dog.
The crops they put in vary according to the weather. This takes some doing as nature is a fickle thing but by using their heads, they managed to bring in an abundant harvest in a bad year.
The books starts out in Septemper and ends in August. There are recipes in here for apple beverages and the making of cheese. (My only complaint is there should have been more!)
The author also explains organic farming, tracking and hunting wild life although he is against guns preferring to use a long bow instead.
This is a real outdoor man book as well as a successful back to nature and paganism living book.

[Lisa Mitchem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I already reviewed this incredible book, I don't mind doing it again, it is that good. Cliff writes with a warm and witty point of view, one enriched with his love not only for his wife and two daughters, but also for the very land they live on. He writes as a true caretaker of the Earth, our one and only home that is in dire need of true tending. It matters not what your spiritual point of view when you read this: this is a read that will enrich your heart and soul, and open your eyes to understanding! A book well worth reading!

[Aisling Van Dam LaBauve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and took my time wandering through it. The anecdotes about wild living inspired me and the stories about encounters with spirit made me feel a little less like the oddball person who experiences such things. There are instructional portions to this book as well, little ways we can incorporate green living into our daily lives. I will most definitely read portions of this book again.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a year in the life of a family homesteading in Canada. While this book could easily be read more quickly, I read it over the span of a year--savoring it slowly as the wheel of the year followed its course in both the book and in my own life.

Seruntine spins a good tale, weaving the joys, triumphs, and magic with the harsher realities of a life lived close to nature.

[Mireille Prusak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part how-to manual, part memoir, and part mythology, all done by one of the most natural storytellers I've ever read. It's beautifully written and incredibly inspiring, and I was sad to reach the end. This is one of those books I'll revisit again and again.

[Lota Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting slightly less biography and more tips and tricks book. What you can do to follow the Old Ways - this kind of things. Yet I it was inspiring read for anyone dreaming of life where you mix the new and old and still manage to follow The Wheel of the Year.