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The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year: From Samhain to Yule, Your Guide to the Wiccan Holidays
From the Modern Witchcraft series comes a complete guide to all of the sacred days and holidays of the Wiccan calendar—with spells, rituals, and other tips to celebrate.
In The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year , you’ll learn about the most celebrated days in the Wheel of the Year—Samhain, the end of the harvest season; Yule, the celebration of the New Year; Imbolc, the celebration of rebirth; Ostara, the arrival of Spring; Beltane, the celebration of Earth’s fertility; Litha, the song of the summer; Lughnasad, the halfway point between Summer and Autumn; and Mabon, the festival of home and harvest.
For each of these special days, there will be information about the history and its meaning, and the ways you can fully celebrate. Each chapter describes the celestial events associated with the sabbat, astrological influences during that time, meditation rituals, and charms to perform. It also includes a practical craft, such as candle making, that you can create to celebrate each day.
The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year is your complete guide to everything you need to know to celebrate the Wheel of the Year and the Wiccan sabbats, from Yule to Samhain, as part of your own spiritual practice.
In The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year , you’ll learn about the most celebrated days in the Wheel of the Year—Samhain, the end of the harvest season; Yule, the celebration of the New Year; Imbolc, the celebration of rebirth; Ostara, the arrival of Spring; Beltane, the celebration of Earth’s fertility; Litha, the song of the summer; Lughnasad, the halfway point between Summer and Autumn; and Mabon, the festival of home and harvest.
For each of these special days, there will be information about the history and its meaning, and the ways you can fully celebrate. Each chapter describes the celestial events associated with the sabbat, astrological influences during that time, meditation rituals, and charms to perform. It also includes a practical craft, such as candle making, that you can create to celebrate each day.
The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year is your complete guide to everything you need to know to celebrate the Wheel of the Year and the Wiccan sabbats, from Yule to Samhain, as part of your own spiritual practice.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 16, 2018
I would like to preface this review with a confession. I do not practice Wicca. I am a solitary atheist witch. I work in alchemy and dabble in metal work. I use chants, herbs and metals to cast my spells and do a bit of image reading. I also receive no compensation for the reviews that I do. I am sent the books at no cost to me and I provide a review to share with you, and sometimes a freebie to use as a giveaway as well.
Now, that we have that out of the way let's have a look at this book. Like most of the of these style books our author takes on on a journey around the wheel of the year. Beginning with Samhain, we have a break down of the history behind each of the holidays and including meditations, a rituals, crafts, references to the astrological influences of the season and some legend and lore. As the title indicates this is a look at the Wiccan holidays and hence employees the typical Wiccan perspective on the seasons and rites. In one of the Samhain meditations titled "Descend to the Realm of Hecate" the author refers to the Goddess as "the crone goddess of wisdom", of which there is no historic reference. In fact quite the contrary. Hecate is most often depicted as a maiden and only Aleister Crowley referred to her as such. I have written several pieces related to this reference and they can be found on my blog. I did like the reference to the Dead Supper and the ritual carving ideas. Most books leave out a way to incorporate our modern traditions into the seasons of the past.
The rest of the book continues through the wheel with similar set up. Ostara of course lists egg decorating as the craft and includes a table of natural dyes which is a nice addition to those wishing to stay along the lines of the natural witch. I found the Litha Mediation "Dancing with the Sidhe" especially rewarding. I can also see how the Edible Lammas Effigy would work wonders, if for nothing else but satisfaction in our current political climate, but I digress. In additional to the standard wheel, the author included a year and a day lunar calendar as well as several tables in the back of the book. Over all a great addition to any Wiccan library and a great companion book to the two books I reviewed last year in the series. You can find that review on my blog.
Now, that we have that out of the way let's have a look at this book. Like most of the of these style books our author takes on on a journey around the wheel of the year. Beginning with Samhain, we have a break down of the history behind each of the holidays and including meditations, a rituals, crafts, references to the astrological influences of the season and some legend and lore. As the title indicates this is a look at the Wiccan holidays and hence employees the typical Wiccan perspective on the seasons and rites. In one of the Samhain meditations titled "Descend to the Realm of Hecate" the author refers to the Goddess as "the crone goddess of wisdom", of which there is no historic reference. In fact quite the contrary. Hecate is most often depicted as a maiden and only Aleister Crowley referred to her as such. I have written several pieces related to this reference and they can be found on my blog. I did like the reference to the Dead Supper and the ritual carving ideas. Most books leave out a way to incorporate our modern traditions into the seasons of the past.
The rest of the book continues through the wheel with similar set up. Ostara of course lists egg decorating as the craft and includes a table of natural dyes which is a nice addition to those wishing to stay along the lines of the natural witch. I found the Litha Mediation "Dancing with the Sidhe" especially rewarding. I can also see how the Edible Lammas Effigy would work wonders, if for nothing else but satisfaction in our current political climate, but I digress. In additional to the standard wheel, the author included a year and a day lunar calendar as well as several tables in the back of the book. Over all a great addition to any Wiccan library and a great companion book to the two books I reviewed last year in the series. You can find that review on my blog.
February 22, 2023
Well, I thought I'd finally gotten through every book in my collection about the NeoPagan "Wheel of the Year", until I found this one hiding in the corner... I also thought that, when it came to the topic of the "Wheel of the Year", it couldn't get much worse than The Ultimate Guide to the Witch's Wheel of the Year and The Mystical Year- which I'd already read. This book proved me wrong at every single page turn.
"The Modern Guide to Witchcraft" completes the holy trifecta of horribly put together and utterly ahistorical Neopagan books on the topic of the "Wheel of the Year". And nearly everything I've already said for the other two (save for critiques on tables and photography) can easily be applied to this one as well- right down to the same nonsensical eclecticism, bad ritual design, lack of actual substance and depth, and overabundance of bad Neopagan pseudohistory (including down right making things up about history and folklore); it's every typical problem rolled up into one, and somehow made worse.
Through and through, this book is a mess on every conceivable level... No, scratch that. That's too nice... This book is complete shite ; there's not one ounce of good- let alone competent- among its pages.
If you want a book on the "Wheel of the Year", just go buy Witch's Wheel of the Year. There's a lot wrong with that one, too... But Jesus... At least Mankey makes some kind of actual attempt. This, though, is pure unadulterated trash. Don't waste your breath, your time, or your money.
"The Modern Guide to Witchcraft" completes the holy trifecta of horribly put together and utterly ahistorical Neopagan books on the topic of the "Wheel of the Year". And nearly everything I've already said for the other two (save for critiques on tables and photography) can easily be applied to this one as well- right down to the same nonsensical eclecticism, bad ritual design, lack of actual substance and depth, and overabundance of bad Neopagan pseudohistory (including down right making things up about history and folklore); it's every typical problem rolled up into one, and somehow made worse.
Through and through, this book is a mess on every conceivable level... No, scratch that. That's too nice... This book is complete shite ; there's not one ounce of good- let alone competent- among its pages.
If you want a book on the "Wheel of the Year", just go buy Witch's Wheel of the Year. There's a lot wrong with that one, too... But Jesus... At least Mankey makes some kind of actual attempt. This, though, is pure unadulterated trash. Don't waste your breath, your time, or your money.
March 26, 2024
I swear by the book: 'The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Tarot', by Skye Alexander, wich is the one guide that taught me the most about tarot reading and is also a book that's part of the same series as this volume. As so, I kind of expected to have the same level of enthousiasm for this book about the Wheel of the Year. Unfortunatly, I didn't learn alot of new stuff from this one. Perhaps it's the fact that this book was written by a different author, but I wasn't captivated by the writing either.
I did really like the list with names for all of the famous Faeries of Ireland, and annotated the entire chapter about the relation between Litha and the Fae.
So, it's a three star rating for me.
I did really like the list with names for all of the famous Faeries of Ireland, and annotated the entire chapter about the relation between Litha and the Fae.
So, it's a three star rating for me.
September 13, 2019
A moment of silence for all of the beauty I witnessed while reading this book... And the moment is over! Let's talk about this glorious piece of writing!
Judy Ann Nock NEVER disappoints in her MODERN WITCHCRAFT series! When I first picked this up I was convinced it couldn't be better than the previous volume I had read, but I was utterly wrong. Honestly, I might even like this a bit more than the other one? I definitely used way more sticky tabs (Three entire sheets), so take from that what you will.
Judy writes a lot of information about the old gods into her non-fiction work, which would be easy for someone to hear and think it would be boring and bland. NOPE! You will honestly think you're reading a work of fiction. All of her information is true, down to the teeniest fact, but you wouldn't guess that at all. Not once was I bored during the tales of Aphrodite and Persephone and Demeter. I was completely engulfed in it.
The best thing about these books, despite the imagery and the detail and the liveliness, is that Judy doesn't talk a lot about spell work. Instead she writes elongated meditations that connect you to your inner self and the goddess above. She writes of the tales behind constellations and how they interpret into your own craft, even thousands of years after first being documented. And she writes rituals to preform while longing for messages from the Goddess herself.
A truly spectacular work of non-fiction. Every time I read one of her books I feel infinitely closer to my craft and to the Goddess.
Judy Ann Nock NEVER disappoints in her MODERN WITCHCRAFT series! When I first picked this up I was convinced it couldn't be better than the previous volume I had read, but I was utterly wrong. Honestly, I might even like this a bit more than the other one? I definitely used way more sticky tabs (Three entire sheets), so take from that what you will.
Judy writes a lot of information about the old gods into her non-fiction work, which would be easy for someone to hear and think it would be boring and bland. NOPE! You will honestly think you're reading a work of fiction. All of her information is true, down to the teeniest fact, but you wouldn't guess that at all. Not once was I bored during the tales of Aphrodite and Persephone and Demeter. I was completely engulfed in it.
The best thing about these books, despite the imagery and the detail and the liveliness, is that Judy doesn't talk a lot about spell work. Instead she writes elongated meditations that connect you to your inner self and the goddess above. She writes of the tales behind constellations and how they interpret into your own craft, even thousands of years after first being documented. And she writes rituals to preform while longing for messages from the Goddess herself.
A truly spectacular work of non-fiction. Every time I read one of her books I feel infinitely closer to my craft and to the Goddess.
September 30, 2019
I've been reading a chapter on each pagan holiday before the holiday itself throughout the year, so it took me a long time to finish the book. I must admit I did not love each chapter equally, but I've found a lot of inspiration in the book in general.
Each part lists the constellations one can see at the particular time of year and the meanings associated with them; offers a seasonal meditation, some holiday-related spells and crafts.
The crafts section I liked the least; I wonder, for instance, has anybody tried cornucopia weaving? The book has a text description, no pictures or schemes, and, frankly, I find this instruction next to impossible to follow. There are some other paragraphs, too, that would have benefited from illustrations.
That said, this is a nicely published book by a respected author. A pleasant addition to a pagan library.
Each part lists the constellations one can see at the particular time of year and the meanings associated with them; offers a seasonal meditation, some holiday-related spells and crafts.
The crafts section I liked the least; I wonder, for instance, has anybody tried cornucopia weaving? The book has a text description, no pictures or schemes, and, frankly, I find this instruction next to impossible to follow. There are some other paragraphs, too, that would have benefited from illustrations.
That said, this is a nicely published book by a respected author. A pleasant addition to a pagan library.
August 31, 2019
I think that it’s a really useful book for beginners (I can’t speak por advanced people). It’s well organized and gives you a good amount of information for every sabbath.
Every chapter consists on a description of a sabbath and different kind of performances (rituals, cooking recipes, meditations, DIY tools…) that have a connection with the celebration. The things that I have liked the most are the celestial descriptions and the mythological explanations that go with them.
In my opinion, the best way to read this book is to read a chapter one week before the sabbath so you know the things that you can do. To read it in one go can be confusing as there’s too much information that can confuse a person if it’s given all at once.
Every chapter consists on a description of a sabbath and different kind of performances (rituals, cooking recipes, meditations, DIY tools…) that have a connection with the celebration. The things that I have liked the most are the celestial descriptions and the mythological explanations that go with them.
In my opinion, the best way to read this book is to read a chapter one week before the sabbath so you know the things that you can do. To read it in one go can be confusing as there’s too much information that can confuse a person if it’s given all at once.
January 2, 2021
This book isn't bad, but it isn't good. I learned nothing knew and it felt more like an introduction than a thoroughly written book. Do I recommend it? Maybe if you are just starting out reading about Wicca and witchcraft (which isn't the same thing but overlaps sometimes), but if you've read more than 2 books on the subject you can skip it.
January 22, 2021
Some cool information, but just not really what I was looking for. For a book called "The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year," there wasn't a ton about, y'know, modern witchcraft.
March 27, 2019
This is a lovely addition to a pagan library. It's a journey we have seen in other books that discuss the Wheel Of The Year, but what I especially loved was the emphasis on the astrological influence that create these markers along the calendar year as well as the meditations, craft activities and recipes the writer provides for each seasonal turn of the year. It was beautifully written and a great resource.
January 7, 2018
Good basic primer. Given minor detail on lore, meditation, craft projects, but strong astrology link. Does give ritual for covens, but meditation and divination for solitaire. Its decent, but not great personally.
December 30, 2022
Nicht so furchtbar wie der Quatsch von Danu Forest, aber:
- sMuDgInG
- Zielgruppe unklar, einerseits werden die Basic Principles erklärt, andererseits werden bestimmte Vokabeln mit kaum bis gar keiner Erklärung eingestreut (Magick, Zodiac houses, unfassbar viel old Irish)
- es werden random Verbindungen von Sternzeichen mit Celtic, Greek oder Egyption mythology gezogen
- einige der Bastelideen so nicht umsetzbar
- das handfasting ritual und die Seitenlange Beschreibung der Mystics of Demeter wirken wie Seitenfüller, das kann höchstens der Startpunkt für eigene Recherche sein, dafür nimmt es dann aber zu viel Raum ein (und warum ist das Teil des Buches über das Wheel of the year?)
- was mich zum nächsten Punkt führt: WO IST DIE BIBLIOGRAPHIE?? Es werden so viele Informationen einfach runtergeschrieben, es ist nicht klar, aus welcher „Denkschule“ das alles kommt
- die Esbats kommen viel zu kurz
Bottom line: aus meiner Sicht viel zu durcheinander, am besten gelungen sind die jeweiligen Beschreibungen der sichtbaren Sternzeichen zu jedem Fest, ansonsten für Baby-Heiden nicht ernsthaft hilfreich und für alle anderen repetetiv und das eigentliche Thema wurde mir persönlich nicht näher gebracht, bin aber auch keine Wicca
- sMuDgInG
- Zielgruppe unklar, einerseits werden die Basic Principles erklärt, andererseits werden bestimmte Vokabeln mit kaum bis gar keiner Erklärung eingestreut (Magick, Zodiac houses, unfassbar viel old Irish)
- es werden random Verbindungen von Sternzeichen mit Celtic, Greek oder Egyption mythology gezogen
- einige der Bastelideen so nicht umsetzbar
- das handfasting ritual und die Seitenlange Beschreibung der Mystics of Demeter wirken wie Seitenfüller, das kann höchstens der Startpunkt für eigene Recherche sein, dafür nimmt es dann aber zu viel Raum ein (und warum ist das Teil des Buches über das Wheel of the year?)
- was mich zum nächsten Punkt führt: WO IST DIE BIBLIOGRAPHIE?? Es werden so viele Informationen einfach runtergeschrieben, es ist nicht klar, aus welcher „Denkschule“ das alles kommt
- die Esbats kommen viel zu kurz
Bottom line: aus meiner Sicht viel zu durcheinander, am besten gelungen sind die jeweiligen Beschreibungen der sichtbaren Sternzeichen zu jedem Fest, ansonsten für Baby-Heiden nicht ernsthaft hilfreich und für alle anderen repetetiv und das eigentliche Thema wurde mir persönlich nicht näher gebracht, bin aber auch keine Wicca
August 13, 2019
I found this book at a local used book store and was incredibly excited by it. The cover art is beautiful and the illustrations and tables at first glance are precise and tasteful.
Unfortunately I quickly discovered that this book relied heavily on Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. I felt as if the title and subject matter would have leaned in a different direction and focused more on Celtic mythology or even Norse traditions which I feel are more closely associated with Wicca and more often covered. This makes the spells and rituals and meditations almost entirely useless to those who do not work with Greek or Roman deities.
The plus side is the crafts are pretty fun, the writing is well researched and the actual information regarding astrology and lore of each Sabbat is fantastic.
So If you're looking for a basic rundown and easy to practice spells- I'd say it's a no from me.
However, if you do work with predominantly Greek or Roman deities and you can visualize very well for the meditations it may be worth it.
I just didn't find what I expected but this doesn't mean the book was bad per say.
Unfortunately I quickly discovered that this book relied heavily on Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. I felt as if the title and subject matter would have leaned in a different direction and focused more on Celtic mythology or even Norse traditions which I feel are more closely associated with Wicca and more often covered. This makes the spells and rituals and meditations almost entirely useless to those who do not work with Greek or Roman deities.
The plus side is the crafts are pretty fun, the writing is well researched and the actual information regarding astrology and lore of each Sabbat is fantastic.
So If you're looking for a basic rundown and easy to practice spells- I'd say it's a no from me.
However, if you do work with predominantly Greek or Roman deities and you can visualize very well for the meditations it may be worth it.
I just didn't find what I expected but this doesn't mean the book was bad per say.
September 15, 2022
Lots of info in this book and it makes a wonderful reference book. The only thing I felt it was missing was a modern witchcraft angle if that makes sense. I was thinking there might be some more ideas for celebration that are readily available. Still, though, this is full of info and I do recommend if you want to learn more about each sabbat.
December 3, 2020
An introduction to the Wheel of the Year. The focus is on astrology, meditations, and current Wiccan rituals, with only some information on the traditions of Celtic people and other ancient civilizations.
August 3, 2024
I'm always looking for new ways to honour the wheel of the year. This book provides stars to notice, long meditations, and a few additional activities. While well thought out, nothing really sparked my interest to add to my own practice.
August 28, 2018
A good overview of the Wheel of the Year.
October 27, 2018
Excellent
December 20, 2018
Lots of interesting things to do along the calendar wheel for pagans.
April 26, 2019
Love this book! Love returning to it throughout the year for recipes, crafting ideas, folklore, and more.
October 11, 2020
Very concise.
February 19, 2022
This book has a lot of focus on astrology and ancient mythology. There were amazing guided mediations as well as small and larger rituals. More solitary rituals than group led one.s
June 12, 2022
good basics
Another easy and accessible foundational book that introduces one to the major holidays in a pagan year. Better than I thought it would be.
Another easy and accessible foundational book that introduces one to the major holidays in a pagan year. Better than I thought it would be.
August 22, 2022
Okay intro information. Writer gets side tracked a lot
November 16, 2022
I found this book useful for general explanation of Sabbats and Esbats. Overall, it had some good information that could be used for beginners.
April 3, 2023
It was okay, but not really what I was looking for 🤷♀️
August 17, 2023
The information in this book is really fascinating.
October 4, 2023
I got exactly the information I was looking for in these books, to better understand wiccan holidays and traditions. This also has extra material for references and common rituals and traditions.
January 16, 2024
Very informative, one of my most treasured books.
February 19, 2024
I didn’t finish this book. From the very beginning I did not vibe with the writing style and was hate reading it so I stopped.
July 11, 2025
language was a bit too difficult for me amd I couldn't follow easily
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews