What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great Work: Self-Knowledge and Healing Through the Wheel of the Year
Fusing ancient Western spirituality, energy work, and psychology, The Great Work is a practical guide to personal transformation season by season. Learn to be truly holistic by incorporating key physical, emotional, and energetic practices into your life at times when the natural tides are in harmony with your process.
The Great Work captures the core essence of each festival with eight key themes that span the annual cycle—a cycle that reflects human development and experience. Discover how Yule can alleviate a painful childhood, how Beltane can facilitate conscious relationships, and how Mabon can assist with determining your life's purpose. Find guidance through daily journal questions, elemental meditations, and the author's unique energy-healing technique of Hynni. With this invaluable resource for your journey of inner alchemy, you'll develop an intimate connection with the earth's impulse to create balance and harmony.
The Great Work captures the core essence of each festival with eight key themes that span the annual cycle—a cycle that reflects human development and experience. Discover how Yule can alleviate a painful childhood, how Beltane can facilitate conscious relationships, and how Mabon can assist with determining your life's purpose. Find guidance through daily journal questions, elemental meditations, and the author's unique energy-healing technique of Hynni. With this invaluable resource for your journey of inner alchemy, you'll develop an intimate connection with the earth's impulse to create balance and harmony.
432 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
83 people are currently reading
549 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 25, 2022
It is difficult to describe this book more precisely than the title already does.
The Great Work part means - apart from the parallel with alchemy - that it is a huge amount of work. There are daily prompts for the whole year, and most of them are deep, serious questions it takes time to answer honestly. I often had to google various concepts to answer some of these questions.
So, imagine talking to a shrink every day for a year. Setting aside the fact that it would be inconvenient and financially implausible for most people, you would be bound to make progress if the shrink were any good, right?
But we go to shrinks partly because they hold us accountable, and partly because it's difficult to be objective enough when you're doing such work on your own.
Here I must add an important detail: I have not gone through this book alone! This was a journey I took with a dear friend, and this made a great difference. Every time I was thinking, 'This is a stupid prompt, I don't have anything to say, I just don't have the time for this' (or something else to the same effect), I knew that my friend might ask me, 'What did you reply to this question?', and I just couldn't say, 'Oh, I skipped this one'.
So I did every one of these prompts, from the 21st of December to the 20th of December. I cannot imagine anything being not helpful with this amount of dedication.
But it's difficult to keep up this amount of dedication through the year with all its gifts and losses without very strong support.
Self-Knowledge and Healing. Every week, new material is introduced. This material is very varied. We were considering, among other things: families and roles in them from the point of view of psychology; chakras; myths; spiritual and other guides; various forms of divination; finding purpose; dealing with grief...
Not all of these subjects are treated in-depth, but there's always a list for further reading.
So, you get to ponder on a certain concept, and then, armed with these insights, you work through a set of questions relating to this area of life or development.
Through the Wheel of the Year. If you believe that at certain times certain energies are predominant (like introspection around midwinter and growing activity in spring, that sort of thing), then it might help to analyze certain situations at certain times.
If you don't see any correspondence between what's happening inside you and outside you, though, you can go through the book in any order by addressing particular subjects. In theory, this should work, too, but since we were doing everything in order, this is all I can say.
I did not absolutely love all the chapters. There's a Futhark chart where Eithwaz stands for Raidho. Some of the questions drove me mad, like 'What do you feel is the significant connection between the navel and Divine guidance?' - do I feel a connection here? I am not interested in Pope Gregory's Orders of Angels. In a way, it is very easy to make fun of this book as a compilation of bits of mystical theories.
But I'm sure that if you commit to this book whole-heartedly, - preferably with a friend who will hold you accountable - you cannot but benefit from it.
I, personally, have learnt a lot about myself and how to make my life happier, - the main reason I decided to 'do' this book. I was depressed and suicidal before I bought it. Was I depressed and suicidal afterwards? Frankly, yes, but these episodes lasted less and left less devastation in their wake.
But you do have to have an open mind. Following the example with angels, I'd say you do not have to know the difference between the seraphim and the cherubim, or even believe that there exists a strict hierarchy of angels; but you do have to allow to some extent the possibility that there might be some supernatural power that cares about you. Partly just because if you allow this possibility, you may get a different view of your known situation.
Did I like this book? There were times, especially closer to the end, when I was counting how many more weeks I'd have to do this.
Has this book changed my life for the better? Absolutely. But it might not have worked out the same without my dear friend.
The only thing that really bugs me is there's a test in the end and nobody told us to take it before plunging into the book, so now I can more or less assess where I am now, but I don't know where I was before. So, take the test in the end before reading!
I am hugely grateful to the author, the publisher, and to my friend.
The Great Work part means - apart from the parallel with alchemy - that it is a huge amount of work. There are daily prompts for the whole year, and most of them are deep, serious questions it takes time to answer honestly. I often had to google various concepts to answer some of these questions.
So, imagine talking to a shrink every day for a year. Setting aside the fact that it would be inconvenient and financially implausible for most people, you would be bound to make progress if the shrink were any good, right?
But we go to shrinks partly because they hold us accountable, and partly because it's difficult to be objective enough when you're doing such work on your own.
Here I must add an important detail: I have not gone through this book alone! This was a journey I took with a dear friend, and this made a great difference. Every time I was thinking, 'This is a stupid prompt, I don't have anything to say, I just don't have the time for this' (or something else to the same effect), I knew that my friend might ask me, 'What did you reply to this question?', and I just couldn't say, 'Oh, I skipped this one'.
So I did every one of these prompts, from the 21st of December to the 20th of December. I cannot imagine anything being not helpful with this amount of dedication.
But it's difficult to keep up this amount of dedication through the year with all its gifts and losses without very strong support.
Self-Knowledge and Healing. Every week, new material is introduced. This material is very varied. We were considering, among other things: families and roles in them from the point of view of psychology; chakras; myths; spiritual and other guides; various forms of divination; finding purpose; dealing with grief...
Not all of these subjects are treated in-depth, but there's always a list for further reading.
So, you get to ponder on a certain concept, and then, armed with these insights, you work through a set of questions relating to this area of life or development.
Through the Wheel of the Year. If you believe that at certain times certain energies are predominant (like introspection around midwinter and growing activity in spring, that sort of thing), then it might help to analyze certain situations at certain times.
If you don't see any correspondence between what's happening inside you and outside you, though, you can go through the book in any order by addressing particular subjects. In theory, this should work, too, but since we were doing everything in order, this is all I can say.
I did not absolutely love all the chapters. There's a Futhark chart where Eithwaz stands for Raidho. Some of the questions drove me mad, like 'What do you feel is the significant connection between the navel and Divine guidance?' - do I feel a connection here? I am not interested in Pope Gregory's Orders of Angels. In a way, it is very easy to make fun of this book as a compilation of bits of mystical theories.
But I'm sure that if you commit to this book whole-heartedly, - preferably with a friend who will hold you accountable - you cannot but benefit from it.
I, personally, have learnt a lot about myself and how to make my life happier, - the main reason I decided to 'do' this book. I was depressed and suicidal before I bought it. Was I depressed and suicidal afterwards? Frankly, yes, but these episodes lasted less and left less devastation in their wake.
But you do have to have an open mind. Following the example with angels, I'd say you do not have to know the difference between the seraphim and the cherubim, or even believe that there exists a strict hierarchy of angels; but you do have to allow to some extent the possibility that there might be some supernatural power that cares about you. Partly just because if you allow this possibility, you may get a different view of your known situation.
Did I like this book? There were times, especially closer to the end, when I was counting how many more weeks I'd have to do this.
Has this book changed my life for the better? Absolutely. But it might not have worked out the same without my dear friend.
The only thing that really bugs me is there's a test in the end and nobody told us to take it before plunging into the book, so now I can more or less assess where I am now, but I don't know where I was before. So, take the test in the end before reading!
I am hugely grateful to the author, the publisher, and to my friend.
December 18, 2017
This a book that isn't just meant to be read. It's also a book that should be worked through and deeply considered.
The Great Work has done more to aid me in finding out who I am, what I want, and which parts of me need healing and attention than any other program or text. This book has been cathartic. It's helped me more than expensive therapy sessions. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you think that your issues couldn't possibly be addressed by this book, I assure you that you're wrong. While it never delves into specific traumas or issues, the work herein is designed to stimulate your mind and draw out what is hindering or harming you the most. That's what happened to me. This is a toolkit. Hell, it's a tool chest! One of the really big, really expensive ones you see only rarely go on sale at Lowe's hardware. The kind that are over 5 feet tall and have a built-in stereo system. Looking at a chest like that you can't help but think, "Damn. That thing can hold ALL THE TOOLS." And it does. And then some. If you don't like the way one of those tools works, there's a helpful pointer to assist you in modding that tool so that it's useful for you.
I can't really say anything beyond this. What you pull from this book is entirely up to you, just as what I pulled was entirely up to me and the effort I was willing to invest in the work. I stuck with this book for the full year. Tomorrow is my last day of reflection and work before the pause on December 20th. Appropriately enough, my birthday follows on the 21st. I can't think of a better way to end the process.
The Great Work has done more to aid me in finding out who I am, what I want, and which parts of me need healing and attention than any other program or text. This book has been cathartic. It's helped me more than expensive therapy sessions. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you think that your issues couldn't possibly be addressed by this book, I assure you that you're wrong. While it never delves into specific traumas or issues, the work herein is designed to stimulate your mind and draw out what is hindering or harming you the most. That's what happened to me. This is a toolkit. Hell, it's a tool chest! One of the really big, really expensive ones you see only rarely go on sale at Lowe's hardware. The kind that are over 5 feet tall and have a built-in stereo system. Looking at a chest like that you can't help but think, "Damn. That thing can hold ALL THE TOOLS." And it does. And then some. If you don't like the way one of those tools works, there's a helpful pointer to assist you in modding that tool so that it's useful for you.
I can't really say anything beyond this. What you pull from this book is entirely up to you, just as what I pulled was entirely up to me and the effort I was willing to invest in the work. I stuck with this book for the full year. Tomorrow is my last day of reflection and work before the pause on December 20th. Appropriately enough, my birthday follows on the 21st. I can't think of a better way to end the process.
April 1, 2015
This review can also be read at Witch, Wine & Words.
This book was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first came across this book, I was excited. Eastern tradition has long emphasized balancing our mind, body, and spirit, but Western spirituality has seemed completely out of touch with this concept.
To have a book, now, that takes the spiritual and natural balance of the Wheel of the Year, and combines it with the Eastern traditions, plus the author's background in Psychotherapy... at minimum, this book is a revolutionary approach using spirituality and psychotherapy to treat a myriad of psychological roadblocks for all kinds of people.
The unfortunate thing about this book, is it's not something that can be understood or resonated with all at one time. The usefulness of The Great work is tied directly to both the current phase of the Wheel of the Year, and one's own state of mind. Because of that, it could take years to get full benefit out of the materia.
That being said, I was able to feel attuned to one of the sections in the book immediately, and so can easily testify to the more practical elements of the material provided.
One of the many benefits of the way the book is presented is, even if you're not "spiritually inclined" or attuned to the natural cycles of your environment, there are other ways to find out where you're at within the cycles presented. It was as simple as paging through the contents section to find where I needed to begin. Between elements I have an aversion to, and where I personally feel my mental state stands, the answer practically smacked me in the face. (Ironically, we're in the middle of that phase as specified in the book right now.) Reading through the "prescriptions" for that section only serves to confirm it, using a broad swathe of criteria (again, not all being spiritual in nature.)
If you're a journaler, you will absolutely love having daily questions to think on and respond to. Even if you're not, the daily questions are thought provoking. One thing the reader definitely needs to keep in mind is this: no matter how open you are to the need for change, it could take repeating a cycle multiple times (not necessarily consecutively, either) in order to effect the fullest change possible.
If you've never meditated before, now would be a great time to learn. Each cycle has it's questions, but also it's element relating to the cycle to assist in understanding and implementing the material. Meditating on the element proved to be a great help in assimilating the information and ideas presented.
Whatever your approach to personal heading, this book will help you identify what areas you need to work on, and give you a myriad of ways to approach The Great Work you need to do on yourself.
I thank Tiffany Lazic from the bottom of my heart for being bold enough to write such a book!
This book was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first came across this book, I was excited. Eastern tradition has long emphasized balancing our mind, body, and spirit, but Western spirituality has seemed completely out of touch with this concept.
To have a book, now, that takes the spiritual and natural balance of the Wheel of the Year, and combines it with the Eastern traditions, plus the author's background in Psychotherapy... at minimum, this book is a revolutionary approach using spirituality and psychotherapy to treat a myriad of psychological roadblocks for all kinds of people.
The unfortunate thing about this book, is it's not something that can be understood or resonated with all at one time. The usefulness of The Great work is tied directly to both the current phase of the Wheel of the Year, and one's own state of mind. Because of that, it could take years to get full benefit out of the materia.
That being said, I was able to feel attuned to one of the sections in the book immediately, and so can easily testify to the more practical elements of the material provided.
One of the many benefits of the way the book is presented is, even if you're not "spiritually inclined" or attuned to the natural cycles of your environment, there are other ways to find out where you're at within the cycles presented. It was as simple as paging through the contents section to find where I needed to begin. Between elements I have an aversion to, and where I personally feel my mental state stands, the answer practically smacked me in the face. (Ironically, we're in the middle of that phase as specified in the book right now.) Reading through the "prescriptions" for that section only serves to confirm it, using a broad swathe of criteria (again, not all being spiritual in nature.)
If you're a journaler, you will absolutely love having daily questions to think on and respond to. Even if you're not, the daily questions are thought provoking. One thing the reader definitely needs to keep in mind is this: no matter how open you are to the need for change, it could take repeating a cycle multiple times (not necessarily consecutively, either) in order to effect the fullest change possible.
If you've never meditated before, now would be a great time to learn. Each cycle has it's questions, but also it's element relating to the cycle to assist in understanding and implementing the material. Meditating on the element proved to be a great help in assimilating the information and ideas presented.
Whatever your approach to personal heading, this book will help you identify what areas you need to work on, and give you a myriad of ways to approach The Great Work you need to do on yourself.
I thank Tiffany Lazic from the bottom of my heart for being bold enough to write such a book!
July 21, 2016
This is definitely my favourite self help book I've read so far. There is so much valuable information in this book it's impossible to take it all in on one reading. I recommend going through the book chapter by chapter according to the corresponding seasons that the book references. The book is broken down into weekly chapters that relate to the seasons or wheel of the year so I try to go back and read those chapters again at the appropriate time.
Of all the spiritual books I've read over the years, this is the one that makes me look at events and people in a different light. I think it has to do with Tiffany's unique ability to mix psychology with the pagan ideology.
It's a fantastic read! I highly recommend it.
Of all the spiritual books I've read over the years, this is the one that makes me look at events and people in a different light. I think it has to do with Tiffany's unique ability to mix psychology with the pagan ideology.
It's a fantastic read! I highly recommend it.
January 28, 2020
Nothing great about spending a year only touching the surface
This book is just another fluff self book with a different cover and theme. The topics are basic and the author’s expressed knowledge of deities shows a lack of research. I spent a year with this book questioning “why”. This is not meant for anyone who has already spent significant time plunging into the depths of self and healing one’s self.
This book is just another fluff self book with a different cover and theme. The topics are basic and the author’s expressed knowledge of deities shows a lack of research. I spent a year with this book questioning “why”. This is not meant for anyone who has already spent significant time plunging into the depths of self and healing one’s self.
February 26, 2015
From Netgalley for Review:
This was really quite the fascinating book! I love how it blended mythology, spirituality, and psychology with the Celtic year of the wheel calender, cleverly done. I am very much so a fan of self analysis and both spiritual and mental growth, taking an unusual approach to it really spoke to me, I could see going through this book as it is supposed to be where you use it as a guide throughout the year could be really helpful.
I did find the book a little rambling at times and found myself needing to put it down and come back to it later, though I can admit this might be because my mind has not been in the reading mood lately. I did enjoy it when I was able to focus on it.
This was really quite the fascinating book! I love how it blended mythology, spirituality, and psychology with the Celtic year of the wheel calender, cleverly done. I am very much so a fan of self analysis and both spiritual and mental growth, taking an unusual approach to it really spoke to me, I could see going through this book as it is supposed to be where you use it as a guide throughout the year could be really helpful.
I did find the book a little rambling at times and found myself needing to put it down and come back to it later, though I can admit this might be because my mind has not been in the reading mood lately. I did enjoy it when I was able to focus on it.
August 19, 2015
Started in June, when I bought it... Have done the journaling faithfully since then, not deep writing, but it is nice to have a prompt and theme for the day. It has also brought me back to concurrently reading "Kissing the Limitless". Concept is Awesome, promises delights, found some of the informatiin sections rather a waste of space, such as beginning tarot information that eats up several pages..I wanted more depth, less Wicca 101. HAD trouble repeatedly with opening the kindle edition
February 5, 2017
Beautiful cover and complex, multilayered content. Ultimately, I was disappointed and found very little of practical application or use within the copious content.
January 27, 2018
I worked through all the journaling yet but I really like this books approach. I may up date later after I've done the working end of the reading. So far I'm going 4 stars.
I have two issues with this book. One, not enough detail is given for the portions on tarot, runes, etc. Though references are given if you want to learn more. So far I feel like they are almost unnecessary. I think they could have been a separate chapter if you'd like to explore further. If you have ever tried to learn one method you know how much time and effort it takes to become accurate. IMO many people will get inaccurate rests using tools without experience. Certainly you can begin to explore but you won't master these in 6 weeks.
The second, was there was little information if you are having trouble in a certain area. In theory you can follow this book by the calendar or work through an area if you're having issues in a specific area. These issues are listed at the beginning of each chapter. This book is great at exploration but a little light on guidance if you're stuck.
Over I really like it, but we'll see after I do more journaling.
I have two issues with this book. One, not enough detail is given for the portions on tarot, runes, etc. Though references are given if you want to learn more. So far I feel like they are almost unnecessary. I think they could have been a separate chapter if you'd like to explore further. If you have ever tried to learn one method you know how much time and effort it takes to become accurate. IMO many people will get inaccurate rests using tools without experience. Certainly you can begin to explore but you won't master these in 6 weeks.
The second, was there was little information if you are having trouble in a certain area. In theory you can follow this book by the calendar or work through an area if you're having issues in a specific area. These issues are listed at the beginning of each chapter. This book is great at exploration but a little light on guidance if you're stuck.
Over I really like it, but we'll see after I do more journaling.
October 19, 2018
This is my first reading of this great resource. If you are looking for ways to be more intentional with your self care and healing this book is for you. It is broken up via seasons and provides prompts to work on during a particular month. The other good thing about this resource is that if you are working through some emotions, you can go directly to that section and work through the prompts and work through the emotions. I will be using this book yearly to help ground, inspire, and heal myself.
January 11, 2023
There's a lot to process and understand within this book. I struggle a lot with myself and this was helpful in ways. It took me a while to get through. Mostly because I am terrible at keeping up with it. It should be easy to one a day but here we are. I think is one I'll have to pull out from time to time as I grow myself.
October 19, 2021
Life changing
Seriously, this book has taught me so much about life. I highly recommend for shadow work. I will value what I habe learning d for the rest of my life. I will definitely be coming back to remind myself of these concepts.
Seriously, this book has taught me so much about life. I highly recommend for shadow work. I will value what I habe learning d for the rest of my life. I will definitely be coming back to remind myself of these concepts.
December 20, 2021
This books has been so immensely helpful in my life. Having a guide through the cycles of the year, along with daily journal prompts, was transformative for me. The deep wisdom and expertise of the author shines through, and the meditations and affirmations were so healing.
December 20, 2022
I’m out of words.
May 7, 2015
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley in exchange for a review. I also purchased this book because highlighting PDFs are hard.
The Great Work by Tiffany Lazic is indeed a "great work." This book is a year-long magical working that has the potential to change your life. It blends psychology, elemental working, divination techniques, breathing meditations, and alchemy in a workbook. It's a huge undertaking and I'm amazed at how well Lazic pulled in all these resources into a successful and cohesive book and program. Yes, this book is a year long program that includes journalling questions for you to answer daily.
It took me quite a long time to read; but it was so well worth it. In just a straight through reading I've learned a lot about myself, some of my own habits and where their source may have come from. Lazic distills the bits of alchemy down so well that I could begin to see the applications in my own personal life.
BOTTOM LINE: If you are looking for a group project book, or a way into doing your own version of The Great Work... then this is the book for you. I guarantee you'll learn something about yourself that helps you stay on your path.
The Great Work by Tiffany Lazic is indeed a "great work." This book is a year-long magical working that has the potential to change your life. It blends psychology, elemental working, divination techniques, breathing meditations, and alchemy in a workbook. It's a huge undertaking and I'm amazed at how well Lazic pulled in all these resources into a successful and cohesive book and program. Yes, this book is a year long program that includes journalling questions for you to answer daily.
It took me quite a long time to read; but it was so well worth it. In just a straight through reading I've learned a lot about myself, some of my own habits and where their source may have come from. Lazic distills the bits of alchemy down so well that I could begin to see the applications in my own personal life.
BOTTOM LINE: If you are looking for a group project book, or a way into doing your own version of The Great Work... then this is the book for you. I guarantee you'll learn something about yourself that helps you stay on your path.
December 23, 2016
If you were to buy one book this year, this is the book to buy.
I was incredible impressed by ALL of the information included throughout this book.
This book gives you something to do every single day of the year in the form of either a question to answer or a reflection to meditate on, but it is so much more than that.
It helps you to see what types of issues to work on when by using the phases of the moon and the natural energies for the specific time of year.
It covers far more than that as well.
In this book, you learn how to heal yourself not just by journaling and meditating on the given topics and questions, but also by learning how to use the chakras, animal guides, runes, drumming, tasseomancy, aquatic guides, singing and chanting, bird guides, oracles, dancing, wee guides, the Ogham, elementals, tarot, mythological beasts, I Ching, angels, scrying, spirit guides, and channeling.
If there is a more complete, more informative book on how to live your life in conjunction with, and heal yourself by using the energies present in the wheel of the year, I haven’t found it.
This book definitely lives up to its name as “The Great Work”.
I was incredible impressed by ALL of the information included throughout this book.
This book gives you something to do every single day of the year in the form of either a question to answer or a reflection to meditate on, but it is so much more than that.
It helps you to see what types of issues to work on when by using the phases of the moon and the natural energies for the specific time of year.
It covers far more than that as well.
In this book, you learn how to heal yourself not just by journaling and meditating on the given topics and questions, but also by learning how to use the chakras, animal guides, runes, drumming, tasseomancy, aquatic guides, singing and chanting, bird guides, oracles, dancing, wee guides, the Ogham, elementals, tarot, mythological beasts, I Ching, angels, scrying, spirit guides, and channeling.
If there is a more complete, more informative book on how to live your life in conjunction with, and heal yourself by using the energies present in the wheel of the year, I haven’t found it.
This book definitely lives up to its name as “The Great Work”.
December 22, 2023
I will say I enjoyed this book and got a lot of value from it. The Great Work uses a mix of different tools, a bit of Eastern tradition, psychotherapy, meditation and divination. There are daily questions that you can answer separately or read them all at once and answer them with a stream of conscience. I think the key to getting value from this book comes down to where you are at in the healing process. I did this book in a group setting there where people all over the spectrum. For me I was where I need to be. At the end of the book there is a survey that pins down chapters that you might need to review.
December 23, 2024
A wonderful journey for self discovery and reflection. This is a book I will return to quite often.
Want to read
January 12, 2018I'm on page 37 of 432 of The Great Work: I LOVE this book!! I started my year’s work on Winter Solstice (Dec 21) 2017, and plan to take the prescribed year to read each section and answer the daily questions in my journal.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews