The Hearth Witch's Year: Rituals, Recipes & Remedies Through the Seasons

by Anna Franklin

A Season-by-Season Guide to an Enchanted Natural Life The world is filled with magic, reflected back to us through the cycles of nature, if we can just slow down and learn how to channel it. This book is a journey through the year, exploring its tides, seasons, and festivals. It provides practical advice for celebrating the whole cycle―not just the eight sabbats―with rituals, meditations, projects, and invocations to help you discover the magical rhythms of the natural world. Join Anna Franklin, bestselling author of The Hearth Witch's Compendium , as she shares more than one hundred spells, recipes, remedies, and crafts designed to bring enchantment, healing, and joy into your life. Within these pages you will also discover natural cleaners and time-honored projects for the hearth and home to help you celebrate the cycles of the seasons, honor the Gods, and manifest your deepest spirituality.

Genres: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Magic

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2021

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because it promised seasonal information related to "magical rhythms of the natural world." While I am not Wiccan, I do live very seasonally and our family's life is very tied to nature and natural rhythms with activities like foraging, gardening, eating seasonally and changing the way we live according to the season (though 2020 has been like one long hibernating winter in many ways). There is some seasonal information here about nature, but it's best suited for those in the UK and there's not as much as I expected. It will probably be a lot for those who don't already live rather nature-based lives.

The bulk of the book is very detailed information on Wiccan, Pagan and Catholic history for each month of the year. There are rituals and there's lots of information about ancient holidays. There are no photos or illustrations, other than a few decorative black and white borders and such.

This will be a great book for those who follow this path and want to expand into more seasonal practices, especially those who live in the UK or in parts of the world with similar seasons. It is definitely best read a bit at a time as the year progresses, not all at once.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

[Liselotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly informative and not full with just Wiccan stuff! I really liked reading about all these different celebrations.

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Hearth Witch's Year’ is filled with spells, recipes, crafts, step-by-step instructions for bringing enchantment and joy into your life. The author provides hands-on tips for sabbats, solstices, saints' days, in depth breakdown with meanings of certain days of each month, and more than 100+ other auspicious dates which she guides readers month to month on how to connect with the earth's natural energies and manifest their deepest desires.

Though there were sections that did in fact drag, it was still an interesting read filled with history, myths, ancient traditions and of course unique celebrations that may have been forgotten with time. It’s a comprehensive guide for all practitioners and everyone can take something away from this even if they don’t dabble with wicca, witchcraft, or magic.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book to add to the Witch's Year collection. It had a lot more than the traditional Wheel of the Year celebrations, so it does really set itself apart. That said I think it would be more useful to British, Catholic, or Wiccian witches. Most of the rituals include language of "Lord and Lady" and not all witches have a matron/patron deity. Also the spells had a very Catholic cadence and language about them so if someone is converting to Wicca this could be a useful book. A lot of the rituals also suggest foraging items, which is not an option for urban witches or people with different ecosystems. Many of the holidays are saint days which is not something I practice, and while the author did usually relate the saint to a pagan deity, I don't usually love seeing witchcraft through a Catholic lens. I did particularly enjoy all the historical tidbits in each section. Seeing where mythology turns to practice throughout time was so interesting.

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a bit since I review a book like this on the blog. It's hard to explain my thoughts on religion in general. It's ever-changing and flowing but somehow I always come back to the path. The Hearth Witch's Year just takes you through a year with all the sabbats and seasonal ways to live your life. It's something I like to do. Try and live with the seasons, of course with 2020, that was really hard! My favorite thing about this one was the natural cleaners. I HATE store-bought cleaners so this was epic.

*Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review*

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

My recommendation with this one is to read it over the course of the year. I loved every aspect of this book but really think that readers will get the most benefit if you read it a little at a time through the seasons. I also say that this would be ok for beginners and advanced practitioners. The only way this could have been better would be if it had its own datebook/journal with it.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been drawn to Wiccan from a young age, so I really enjoy these types of books. And this one was no different. It's filled with spells, recipes, crafts, etc. Along with information about important dates and rituals. Definitely an interesting book to add to your collection.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Ophelia Feyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book Review: The Hearth Witch's Year: Rituals, Recipes and Remedies Through the Seasons by Anna Franklin.
Genre: Religion and Spirituality.
Publisher: Llwellyn Publications
Release Date: 8th January, 2021

Before going into this review I want to say that I don't consider myself a 'Hearth Witch', however, I do find it useful to read a variety of books related to Wicca and Witchcraft. Usually, there is a crossover between different areas of Witchcraft, so I'm always open to learning more, no matter the label attached to it.

I've mentioned in previous reviews that I like to know a little about the author, just to see if they are an authority on the subject they are writing about. Franklin definitely has the credentials. A practicing Pagan for over forty years, she has written over thirty books, and is a High Priestess of the Hearth. She lives the life she writes about. It's worth noting at this point that Franklin lives in England and the 'year' in the book pertains to the Northern Hemisphere and the seasons as we experience them here.

The book itself is organised by months. Each month is broken down into important dates on the calendar. There are many more key dates of the year given than just the eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year that you may be familiar with. Franklin covers a whole range of seasonal events and explores the history and mythology surrounding the date. Honestly, I found the delivery of this information quite dry. It could have been organised/ structured slightly better in order to keep the reader's interest and there are no visuals/images to compliment what the writer is discussing.

I started to realise that a lot of the 'traditions' featured in the book didn't actually suit my own practice. Some of the historical information about the origins of the traditions was interesting, however there was no context to the modern world.

Although some of the ideas featured came from Greek, Egyptian, and Celtic lore, I found a lot of it to be rooted in Christian or Catholic tradition, (which seems strange, given the title). Now, I know that some Christian traditions are adapted from Pagan beginnings, however the author chooses to focus on Christian myths and practices. At times it felt like they were trying to cram too much different history and myth into one book and it started to feel overwhelming.

Looking at the subtitle of the book: Rituals, Recipes and Remedies, you would expect these to be a prominent feature. However, I feel the proportion of rituals, recipes and remedies to the bulky historical information is less than a quarter. As this was what interested me most about the book I was disappointed. There were some cake recipes, a recipe for a lip balm and sore throat soother that I may try, but the others were not really for me; for example, a homemade oven cleaner. [The recipes I mentioned would not be suitable for vegans as they contain beeswax and/or honey.]

If this book is an actual insight into the Hearth Witch's year then I imagine it must be very exhausting. If you were to celebrate, or in some way honour, every date mentioned it would be very tiring. I would recommend honouring those dates that suit your personal practice, beliefs or life in particular.

As I said at the beginning, I went into this book hoping for some take-aways, but I can't say I found anything to add to my Grimoire. Yes, it could be because I am not a Hearth Witch (this book confirms it) or because the majority of the seasonal events featured did not suit my practice.

So, even though this book wasn't for me, who would I recommend it to? If your practice is very traditional and has a lot of Catholic or Christian crossover then you will probably appreciate the information more than I did. However, I would not recommend it to beginners; Witches just starting out on their journey, as you may find it overwhelming if you are not sure of where your path is going just yet.



Thanks to NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for allowing me to read and review an EARC of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Hearth Witch's Year: Rituals, Recipes and Remedies Through the Seasons by Anna Franklin.
Genre: Religion and Spirituality.
Publisher: Llwellyn Publications

If you are looking for a complete reference to the practices of a hearth witch through the cycle of the year, look no further. The author has compiled a reference filled with information to sort from and incorporate into ones own practice. Is it meant to follow page by page? Heck, no! The reader has the opportunity to learn about many traditions and practices and to take what resonates with them, discarding the rest.

People, this is YOUR practice. The true magic comes when you make it your own. Rituals are provided and can and should be altered to what speaks to you. These practices are experiential and personal and some will reap great results, while others will find different methods to be of greater benefit. I enjoyed reading about the history and traditional belief and practices behind the seasons of the wheel and learned new things along the way. Do I consider myself a hearth witch? No, I do not. Instead of a limited label, I would consider myself an eclectic witch, one that incorporates many different practices into MY work. I thank Anna Franklin for putting together a body of information that I could pick and choose from to incorporate into my own life's path.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for the opportunity to read and review The Hearth Witch's Year: Rituals, Recipes and Remedies Through the Seasons. All opinions expressed are authentically my own.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes the readers on a very well researched tour of holidays, festivals and customs that pertain to hearth and home. Month by month, and day by day, Franklin explores the history and cultural relevance of all manner of celebrations. The combination of recipes, crafts, rituals and spells makes this a handy reference for any level of practice. The dedication to research really shines in this book. In addition to the guidance on having a spiritual year, the history of how customs came to be, and how they have been altered or incorporated into modern religious practice, was fascinating. That so many cultures across the northern hemisphere developed (or absorbed for popularity) similar traditions based on the behavior of nature never ceases to amaze. For those looking to have a centered 2021, this book is a fantastic guide.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank both the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be a bit generally dry, and I waivered between giving it a 2 and a 3 star rating. The material was informative and interesting, so I went for the higher value.

I did read this book in a shorter period of time, and I think it would be better used as a book to accompany you throughout the year, reading each accompanying month at its proper time.

I enjoyed reading about the ancient traditions that went throughout the year, but I wanted to read more about the author. I wanted to connect with her more, and I found that aspect of the book lacking.

The recipes and instructions for different rituals were a nice addition to the book.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hearth Witch's Year is full of spells, recipes, and crafts to celebrate the rhythms of the natural world. It is broken down by month and special days for each month. It includes so much information it would be impossible to remember everything after only one reading. You will want to have a copy of his book to use as a reference. It reminds me of a Farmer's Almanac. It includes so much information, but it doesn't matter if you are new to paganism or if you have been practicing for years.

4 Stars

[Arwen Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I'd like this book when I read "The message of this book is to go out and understand the natural cycles where you live, and respond to them, rather than imposing something that doesn’t fit." Anna Franklin hits the perfect balance between being firm on what works for her and offering a variety of choices for those still looking. When the introduction ended with "The witchcraft method is experiential, personal and non-scripted. It is the path untrodden—revelation through your own effort." I nearly cheered.

Month by month, day by day, Franklin leads the reader down a very old path. She offers a worldview complete with recipes, rituals, and even crafts. Recipes are a mix of American measurements and English measurements. There was a discrepancy here for me. I would have liked to have seen all the recipes formatted the same way where English quantities are also given in American. But there were some great indices that offered a breakdown as well. The overall tone felt as if I was reading over her shoulder as she marked days and seasons in her own journal.

There are religions mentioned that range from Catholicism to Wicca. A terrifically balanced worldview is also here. Of course, the emphasis is on the English witch but you can find Lithuanian, Romanian, Native American, and more.

There is also some sly poking at things. "It is tempting to see a carry-over from pagan times when sacrificial offerings were made to the gods of the sea." This line made me cackle with glee.

Her advice on working with the land where you are is very wise. "It would be foolish to descend on a spot and demand its energies: it takes a long time for the spirits to get to know you and trust you. "

She applies modern sensibilities to old recipes so you know that certain herbs do not mix with certain health issues. And the amount of recipes is staggering. I read this on my Kindle. My bookmarks are out of control. :D

Her voice may come across as dogmatic to some. For me, she sounds like my own fierce German-Scot grandmother who spoke in a no-nonsense manner. She felt that if you asked her opinion, that was what you got. She didn't water her truth down to meet your truth. Neither does Franklin.

I recommend this book. My own background as a witch began in 1985. If you are looking for a book that will help you connect to where you are and live in rhythm with the seasons of your place, this book will become dog-eared as you constantly refer to it.

And I will end with this quote from Franklin's book "The festivals of the year teach us about the great cosmic pattern, showing us the ebb and flow of energy in the manifest world and the spiritual truths which underlie them."

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done and interesting high level summary history of myth and religion. Met my criteria of author having a normal name and footnoted sources. Can't speak to the rituals; I leave that for those so inclined but did note she had contraindications for some of the herbs interactions with various medicines or in pregnancy, so kudos.

I had known the Roman Catholic Church co-opted the December 25 birthdate from the pagans for Jesus. Did not know that it occurred after Constantine called the Council of Nicea in 325 CE. Also, I was unaware that many sun gods/goddesses were saviors of mankind, incarnated on Earth, born of virgin mother, have a star in the east, flee to distant country, are sacrificed to mankind, die and resurrect. Mithras even had 12 disciples.

Egyptian mythology pre-dated Christ and had Osiris and Horus. Osiris was "the good Shepherd". As corn god, he died, was buried, and brought back to life. His flesh was eaten in wheaten cakes. Like Mary, Isis was "Queen of Heaven", the god Thoth announced to Isis her pending conception and Virgin birth. The pictures of Isis suckling Horus are prototypes of the Virgin Mary and child.

Other interesting co-opts include:
1) St. Anne (July 26) of Goddess Danu or Anu.
2) St. John the Baptist (June 24) takeover of Midsummer Festival and attributes of green god.
3)Walpurgisnacht (April 30) 8th Century Abbess of German Monastery of Walpurg summer fleeing winter and traits of fertility goddess.
4) St. George slaying the dragon is green man slaying winter.

Interesting too how the RC church revoked the sainthood of St. Bridget, St. George, and yet pilgrimages to wells are still made.

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message of the book, in the author’s own words “is to go out and understand the natural cycles where you live, and respond to them, rather than imposing something that doesn’t fit.” The book is beautifully written and packs a lot of information. The underlying message of the book is that the path the book seeks to describe is experiential and provides revelations through you (the reader’s) work and dedication. The book is arranged according to a calendar year, January – December. This is different than most books like this that follow the wheel of the year and neglect the calendar months and everything else that happens in the year. I deeply appreciate the in-depth review of each month and everything that happens within the month. The author draws on history and folklore from all over to give context for what is written.

Cover art is nice, leaves in autumnal colors. However the cover art should include a visual representation of the book’s contents.

Overall my impression is that a lot of effort went into this book and it is evident. The author tries to not fall into the trap of cultural appropriation when speaking of other cultures and the holidays and observed practices that come from them. I think there is a level is sensitivity and acknowledgement that was done well.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! I've been looking for something like this for so long!

You know how sometimes you hear that some Christian holidays were set on Pagan celebrations' days, but so very rare there are more pieces of information offered? I have bumped into this situation many times and I always wondered: yes, but what kind of celebrations, what was happening?

The book answered this question, taking each month and sharing the history, the customs, rituals and traditions for each small period, from a lot of cultures and practices, which was such a treasure trove of information! But the book is more than this, it is a sort of natural calendar, following closely the changes inside and outside of us and it gives guidance on how to be more connected to nature and to the year circle.

The author did a tremendous job, I love how the book was ingrained with the witches' practices and the was writing very personal, the voice of experience was always there, but it was very accessible to a reader like me, who knew pretty few things about the Pagan customs. It's the kind of book you offer as a present to a lot of your friends and you keep close all year long.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[KatsCauldron R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author & have read some form of herbal of hers before & was delighted to find her again. There is something warm & comfortable about getting into a read by her like hot cocoa & cookies by a fire. She knows her stuff & writes in a ease to present things that are of benefit to new & old in the craft. She does great correlation over old pagan ways & how they have been brought forth in modern times under Christianity but still have their old power & meaning. I love her herbal tidbits & personal thoughts of how tos. This is a great through the year book that has a combo of herb plant & food dishes & craft. One thing I have wondered in the past as had heard similar way then was reinforced by Nigel Pennick in one of his books that covered secret Guilds and Houses which I believe in many cases had a lot of basis in Scotland originally & he reiterated the same. There are old customs here like blessing the trees & bees that are very Celt & older imo. All in all it is a fun merry romp through the year that is palatable & fun for any pagan to enjoy & maybe pick a few things up.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hearth Witch’s year by Anna Franklin is a great resource to help you celebrate Mother Nature all year long, whether you identify as a hearth witch or not. It goes well beyond the familiar holidays on the wheel of the year that many witches follow. As promised, this book includes a wide variety of information, from history to incantations to recipes to crafts, there’s something for everyone! My only complaint is that if you live in a different part of the world from the author, you may have a difficult time getting your hands on some of the ingredients the activities require. (I could probably find these items online, but that takes some of the connection away for me.) Some photos or illustrations of some of the recipes and crafts would also be helpful for readers. Overall, this is a wonderful guide that you can refer back to all year long if you’re looking to connect to nature on a deeper level. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Mangeuse de Livres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read the whole book, only the parts corresponding to the current season but I can confidently say that I love it !

It's very well done ! For each month you get - in a somewhat chronological order - history and folklore for the month from around the world and rituals and recipes ! (the rituals are more christian-y-based because I think they're used by the author's coven wich is of one tradition of course) It's got a LOT of ressources and bibliography to check out (for the folklore and history parts it has as much ressources cited as an essay and I LOVE IT !).

The table of content is very helpful to get and overview of the year too.

So I really liked how it was organised and I learned A LOT of things I didn't know !

[Rosemary Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightfully organized month-by-month compendium of well-researched folk customs for any given year, drawn from many cultural traditions: Roman and Greek, Gaelic, Christian, and European. There is more in this guide than rituals and prayers to perform–celebrants may cook, clean, divine, and dance to the changes of season. Besides the traditional holidays, the calendar months include wonderful recipes for drink, meals, incenses and cleaning formulas, along with protection oils and healing salves that pertain to their seasonal heroes and deities. If even a few of the guidelines in this book are followed throughout a given year, the reader will undoubtedly meet the changes of season with inspired and thoughtful enjoyment.

[Belle · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot really attest much to the content of this book because I have the same issue with it as I have had with all the books recently released with this publisher... The walls of text.

I sound like a broken record so I'll just say, it is perfectly possible to compile a book with a lot of information - in a reader friendly way.

Change up the formatting and layout. Make it aesthetically pleasing. We don't want reading to be work.

I can say that this book is no good for those of us in the southern hemisphere, as the entire book revolves around the seasons and correlating months.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like it was tying its entirety into Christianity, while Christianity has definitely pulled from different forms of "pagan religions". That is a one way exchange of culture, that in reality didn't really need to have a place hear.
I think this could be good for someone who is just now beginning to look into practising the craft, coming from a Christian background. But it's definitely not for everyone.

I will say that there are some awesome recipes for salves and other things though.

[Graceley Knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of books that are super structured when it comes to witchcraft, but this one... this one did it in a way that was not only easy to follow, but easy to adapt to.

The Hearth Witch's Year perfectly blends rituals easy enough to follow, (no eye of newt needed here), and an in depth breakdown of certain days of each month that might have been forgotten in time, or just not as celebrated as the eight sabbats.

I took copious notes, and I can't wait to apply some of what I learned to my current practice come January 1st!

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us celebrate festivals on the wheel of the year, but how about taking it further in the new year? How about spending a year celebrating the entire year and brining your practice to the next level. This book has become my roadmap for 2021 as I plan to make it a year to remember.

What I love most about this book is how the author shares history as well as rituals and recipes throughout the year. I am ready to up my game, are you?

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I like how it is broken up to months and and not just Sabbats. There are recipes and projects. The Meditations were something that I enjoyed doing. It is helping with my mental well being. That is something that I need right now. I enjoyed reading this book and what I have learned along the way. This has put me in a good place both me and my space.

[Dawn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hearth Witch’s Year by Anna Franklin

256 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Release Date: January 8, 2021

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Seasonal, Rituals

This is a collection of rites and recipes for special days of the year. There are also rituals for the traditional Sabbats. This is the type of book that is used throughout the year. The book is written in a very easy to read style and flows nicely.

The recipes and rites are simple to follow. I enjoy reading the history included with each month along with the individual days. The book is a wonderful reference book to be found on any practitioner’s bookshelf.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read that will get used a but during the year. It had a little bit about many days that are celebrated through the year. It was broke down by month so it was easy to follow or jump in mid year.
Thanks for the read NetGalley!

[Lori Lynn Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walking through the year and rituals of a Hearth Witch. Some spells and recipes as well. I loved the historical and mythological stories in this book. Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and informative book that made me learned something new and think about how the different holidays reflect the passing of time.
i appreciated the rituals and liked the explanations.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book as I find myself wanting to follow the seasons more closely in respect to all aspects of my life. The book is well written and very detailed for the months of the year. It covers a broad range of religions which I liked.