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The Wheel of the Year: A Nurturing Guide to Rediscovering Nature's Seasons and Cycles
Rediscover nature’s cycles through the Wheel of the Year: a celebration of eight key moments within the turning seasons – from solstices to equinoxes and those midpoints in-between.
The Wheel of the Year allows its celebrants a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life every six weeks, to observe what is happening in nature and to reflect on the turn of their own lives.
This nurturing new guide is an exploration and celebration of the Wheel of the Year – from Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain to the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. Our expert guide, Rebecca Beattie, traces the cycles of nature and the rhythms of the seasons, exploring enchanting traditions and folklore for each celebrated moment.
This book is alive with what is happening in the nature and in ourselves, offering tools and rituals to rediscover and appreciate each seasonal festival, to pause and reflect. It will connect you to the wheel of your own life, allowing its readers to explore and chart the turning of their own seasons alongside the cycles of the natural world.
The Wheel of the Year allows its celebrants a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life every six weeks, to observe what is happening in nature and to reflect on the turn of their own lives.
This nurturing new guide is an exploration and celebration of the Wheel of the Year – from Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain to the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. Our expert guide, Rebecca Beattie, traces the cycles of nature and the rhythms of the seasons, exploring enchanting traditions and folklore for each celebrated moment.
This book is alive with what is happening in the nature and in ourselves, offering tools and rituals to rediscover and appreciate each seasonal festival, to pause and reflect. It will connect you to the wheel of your own life, allowing its readers to explore and chart the turning of their own seasons alongside the cycles of the natural world.
201 pages, Hardcover
Published October 27, 2022
70 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 15, 2023
As I have spent more time in the natural world I have found those moments when the world turns at the solstices and equinoxes a framework for my own life. For me, there was something about seeing the sunset at Knowlton on the midsummer solstice last year that felt timeless. These moments when the world pivots onto a different time, have affected and influenced many forms of religion and spirituality across the world and far back in time.
One of the old religions that has had a deep and long contact with the natural world is Wiccan. In this, the cycles use these four points in the year along with Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain at the midpoints between the main points. In this book, Rebecca Beattie gives pointers and ideas for ritual moments to reconnect to the natural world and the seasons once again. As well as the ritual side, there are several practical suggestions on this to make and do.
I liked this book. It comes across as non-threatening too, these witches are more interested in the natural world mindfulness and self-care than corrupting the minds of others. It is a very personal guide to how they perform their rituals and seasonal tasks of each of the eight festivals throughout the year.
If you want to find your inner pagan or find a different spiritual way to connect to nature then this is a good book to start with. This is written in a straightforward and accessible way for those wanting an introduction to the Wiccan and pagan year and the associated festivals. It has some similarities to The Wheel by Jennifer Lane, and I would recommend reading that as well as this book.
One of the old religions that has had a deep and long contact with the natural world is Wiccan. In this, the cycles use these four points in the year along with Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain at the midpoints between the main points. In this book, Rebecca Beattie gives pointers and ideas for ritual moments to reconnect to the natural world and the seasons once again. As well as the ritual side, there are several practical suggestions on this to make and do.
I liked this book. It comes across as non-threatening too, these witches are more interested in the natural world mindfulness and self-care than corrupting the minds of others. It is a very personal guide to how they perform their rituals and seasonal tasks of each of the eight festivals throughout the year.
If you want to find your inner pagan or find a different spiritual way to connect to nature then this is a good book to start with. This is written in a straightforward and accessible way for those wanting an introduction to the Wiccan and pagan year and the associated festivals. It has some similarities to The Wheel by Jennifer Lane, and I would recommend reading that as well as this book.
December 7, 2022
The perfect book for this season of Christmas and festivities!
For someone like me who’s totally ignorant about the background and the cultural aspects mentioned in the book, I would say it’s quite a struggle to get through the book. That’s my personal issue I would say.
However, the book is concise and would not take up much of your time. The writing is very engaging for a nonfiction read. It’s impressive.
Further, the author makes it a point to make the read a fun and interactive one. Just check out the activities and the tools we can do. They won’t cause much effort on our part. I wish more nature parts are there though.
Thank you, Elliott & Thompson, for the advance reading copy.
For someone like me who’s totally ignorant about the background and the cultural aspects mentioned in the book, I would say it’s quite a struggle to get through the book. That’s my personal issue I would say.
However, the book is concise and would not take up much of your time. The writing is very engaging for a nonfiction read. It’s impressive.
Further, the author makes it a point to make the read a fun and interactive one. Just check out the activities and the tools we can do. They won’t cause much effort on our part. I wish more nature parts are there though.
Thank you, Elliott & Thompson, for the advance reading copy.
December 21, 2022
I decided to read this book, not because I was a practising Wiccan or planning to become one but because I wanted to connect better with the natural world, I wanted to find a way to become more in sync with what is happening out there, I always feel that I'm missing out as I always witness what others did to celebrate life after the time has past. Thanks to this one I am now one switched-on-dude! I'm actually writing this review on Yule, the 21st December and this is the part of the wheel that Beattie takes us on and the first time I've ever recognised this date (past focus has always be 4 days later).
I'm really impressed with how this book is laid out, each section of the wheel gets a chapter, you discover what that section of the wheel means to a Wiccan and there is an impressive chunk of history weaved in with folklore and traditions, I have learnt a huge amount from this, and the focus is not just on Wicca, other religions and festivals around the world are considered too, to help you find the most comfortable way for you to celebrate. Each chapter ends with a ritual, for those wishing to fully immerse themselves in this guide, the pages before this ritual are all to prepare you for said ritual and it is in these pages where I think I fit. It's all about discovering yourself and what's around you, finding that balance to make you a more centred person, here Beattie shares a most interesting idea, a nature map, create a map of a nearby area and mark on it where you can find certain plants and trees and where you see wildlife, I think this is a grand idea for getting to know what's around you.
There are lots of suggested activities, weaving a crown, baking bread and even making sloe gin. I was quite surprised to find I had already done one of the activities mentioned in this book, The Magical Miracle Box, take an old shoebox, decorate it and fill it with interesting keepsakes and beautiful things you discover on walks, this was an activity I did with both of my kids whilst being completely unaware of it's meaning.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think I now have a greater appreciation for the world around me, and as a promise to myself I shall be making bread more often and drinking plenty of sloe gin.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2022...
I'm really impressed with how this book is laid out, each section of the wheel gets a chapter, you discover what that section of the wheel means to a Wiccan and there is an impressive chunk of history weaved in with folklore and traditions, I have learnt a huge amount from this, and the focus is not just on Wicca, other religions and festivals around the world are considered too, to help you find the most comfortable way for you to celebrate. Each chapter ends with a ritual, for those wishing to fully immerse themselves in this guide, the pages before this ritual are all to prepare you for said ritual and it is in these pages where I think I fit. It's all about discovering yourself and what's around you, finding that balance to make you a more centred person, here Beattie shares a most interesting idea, a nature map, create a map of a nearby area and mark on it where you can find certain plants and trees and where you see wildlife, I think this is a grand idea for getting to know what's around you.
There are lots of suggested activities, weaving a crown, baking bread and even making sloe gin. I was quite surprised to find I had already done one of the activities mentioned in this book, The Magical Miracle Box, take an old shoebox, decorate it and fill it with interesting keepsakes and beautiful things you discover on walks, this was an activity I did with both of my kids whilst being completely unaware of it's meaning.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think I now have a greater appreciation for the world around me, and as a promise to myself I shall be making bread more often and drinking plenty of sloe gin.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2022...
September 22, 2022
Lots of people will, I think, love this book. It’s filled with stories, folklore, traditions and activities to do, try and think about centred around the seasons. It’s sort of a part spiritual guide, part almanac, part activity book and part autobiography.
A lot of the activities are quite simple such as going for a ‘silent walk’ e.g. not wearing headphones and just listening to the natural world- however I think it’s always good to be reminded of these things. Other activities included making items, self reflection and writing. I especially liked stories of folk lore and from the authors own life that were interwoven throughout the chapters.
Personally this book wasn’t really for me however. I went into it a bit unknowing and was expecting a generic seasonal activity guide (the title probably should have been a clue!) The author is a Wiccan Priestess and quite a lot of the book centres round Wicca. This in itself is fine however I found that her writing on it not being a religious book and talking about how different cultures and religions merged clashed a bit with the actual book. I feel it could have benefited from either being a book that just focused on bringing together different seasonal beliefs, festivals and activities in an overall sense or focused entirely on Wicca and pagan beliefs around the seasons.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A lot of the activities are quite simple such as going for a ‘silent walk’ e.g. not wearing headphones and just listening to the natural world- however I think it’s always good to be reminded of these things. Other activities included making items, self reflection and writing. I especially liked stories of folk lore and from the authors own life that were interwoven throughout the chapters.
Personally this book wasn’t really for me however. I went into it a bit unknowing and was expecting a generic seasonal activity guide (the title probably should have been a clue!) The author is a Wiccan Priestess and quite a lot of the book centres round Wicca. This in itself is fine however I found that her writing on it not being a religious book and talking about how different cultures and religions merged clashed a bit with the actual book. I feel it could have benefited from either being a book that just focused on bringing together different seasonal beliefs, festivals and activities in an overall sense or focused entirely on Wicca and pagan beliefs around the seasons.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2022
The Wheel of the Year by Rebecca Beattie is a beautifully written and researched book.
I really enjoyed this book as it is written in a way you feel is easy to understand and it feels like Rebecca has put a lot of thought into her words. I really enjoyed hearing about her own experiences which she writes about in the book.
The book would be great for someone who is just starting out following the wheel of the year or someone who has followed it for a long time as it has many great ideas for ways to celebrate the sabbats.
Thanks to Netgalley and Elliot and Thompson for the ARC Copy. My review is my own opinion.
I really enjoyed this book as it is written in a way you feel is easy to understand and it feels like Rebecca has put a lot of thought into her words. I really enjoyed hearing about her own experiences which she writes about in the book.
The book would be great for someone who is just starting out following the wheel of the year or someone who has followed it for a long time as it has many great ideas for ways to celebrate the sabbats.
Thanks to Netgalley and Elliot and Thompson for the ARC Copy. My review is my own opinion.
September 26, 2023
Even though there is a tonne of material in this book, it doesn't feel overly detailed or exhaustive. I don't practise Wicca, but I love being outside and have a strong connection to the natural world. I appreciate that the book doesn't pressure you to identify with Wicca/Witchcraft or act in a way you don't want to or feel comfortable doing.
Some of the exercises I did find a little bizarre though, so I will not be doing them, that's not to say they will not work for other people. I love that the book is sectioned out in the way it is, meaning you can come back to it throughout the year to re-read and practice the rituals.
Some of the exercises I did find a little bizarre though, so I will not be doing them, that's not to say they will not work for other people. I love that the book is sectioned out in the way it is, meaning you can come back to it throughout the year to re-read and practice the rituals.
July 12, 2023
Another book that brings all eight sabbats into one book and looks over them. An introduction to the sabbat and things you could do for that day.
June 14, 2023
Very Good Information
The author, Rebecca Beattie, states that while living in London and on tour, she discovered her passion for her craft during one particular tour while performing in Macbeth, her favorite of Shakespeare’s plays. She states that while on this tour they were staying in farmhouses, surrounded by nature at every turn and was getting up with the sunrise, walking in the rural landscape and spending contemplative time in solitude surrounded by trees and fields, and she had time to breathe the air and inspiration flowed in. She states this was what had been lacking in my life, that in all the urban streets she walked down to auditions, in all the dusty rehearsal rooms, and the admin jobs she took to pay the rent, she had been missing her connection to nature and, more importantly, she had been looking in the wrong place for fulfilment – that she had been seeking outside myself. Thus, she realized that her journey to self-discovery had begun, and this path led to her training in Wicca.
The author states that it was on this path that she learned all about the Wheel of the Year, a concept that helped her to understand her place in the world, to deepen that connection to nature she had felt when touring the countryside and to appreciate fully the wonders of its cycle, no matter the season – or location. There are various ways of carving up the year into smaller, more manageable time periods, and our Graeco-Roman months of the year are one way, but other faiths also have their own methods of measuring time. For pagans, since the 1940s or 1950s, the year has been defined and delineated by the Wheel of the Year.
She discusses that Nichols’ druids began celebrating quarter days: the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the beginning of each quarter of the year while the Gardner’s witches were celebrating the Celtic equivalents, which had become known as cross-quarter days as they fell in between the English ones, and in the late 1950s the two practices merged, and the Wheel of the Year was born. Since that time, modern pagans have organized their practices around it, with the following sabbats:
1. Yule or Midwinter – 21 December Imbolc – 1 February
2. Spring equinox – 21 March
3. Beltane or May Eve – 30 April Midsummer – 21 June
4. Lammas – 1 August
5. Autumn equinox – 21 September
6. Samhain or November Eve – 31 October
(The exact dates can vary due to Earth taking slightly more than 365 days to travel around the sun, hence the need for leap years.)
Throughout this book, and in each of the sabbats, the author provides short rituals to help give one a moment to pause, to connect to nature and reflect on our inner thoughts, and she states that the rituals will help all of us to mark transition points and to give them meaning. She further states that we should try to let ourselves go a little, allowing for spontaneity: that is where we will encounter the divine – and find a little magic.
I found the following recipe quite unique: Recipe for Solar Healing Oil:
• A teaspoon of frankincense pearls
• A cup of ‘carrier’ oil – if we want to be properly solar, then olive or sunflower oil would be appropriate, but any plain oil will do just as well
• Six drops of orange essential oil
• Six drops of neroli essential oil
• An empty bottle or clean glass jar to keep it in – do use recycled if you can.
The author states that for her Samhain provides a space to focus on a wider sense of ancestral connection, because whenever life calls us to rebuild ourselves from the foundations up, our ancestors can be crucial in that process. Additionally, Rebecca points out that sometimes, for whatever reason, we cannot look to our biological ancestors. If this is the case, one can turn our ‘logical family’, can be an termed an ‘ancestor’ because they may be someone who have walked path before us in numerous different ways.
Rebecca Beattie discusses each of the sabbats in detail, providing techniques and rituals to awaken our inner child. This is a very good book that I highly recommend for anyone starting their spiritual journey.
The author, Rebecca Beattie, states that while living in London and on tour, she discovered her passion for her craft during one particular tour while performing in Macbeth, her favorite of Shakespeare’s plays. She states that while on this tour they were staying in farmhouses, surrounded by nature at every turn and was getting up with the sunrise, walking in the rural landscape and spending contemplative time in solitude surrounded by trees and fields, and she had time to breathe the air and inspiration flowed in. She states this was what had been lacking in my life, that in all the urban streets she walked down to auditions, in all the dusty rehearsal rooms, and the admin jobs she took to pay the rent, she had been missing her connection to nature and, more importantly, she had been looking in the wrong place for fulfilment – that she had been seeking outside myself. Thus, she realized that her journey to self-discovery had begun, and this path led to her training in Wicca.
The author states that it was on this path that she learned all about the Wheel of the Year, a concept that helped her to understand her place in the world, to deepen that connection to nature she had felt when touring the countryside and to appreciate fully the wonders of its cycle, no matter the season – or location. There are various ways of carving up the year into smaller, more manageable time periods, and our Graeco-Roman months of the year are one way, but other faiths also have their own methods of measuring time. For pagans, since the 1940s or 1950s, the year has been defined and delineated by the Wheel of the Year.
She discusses that Nichols’ druids began celebrating quarter days: the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the beginning of each quarter of the year while the Gardner’s witches were celebrating the Celtic equivalents, which had become known as cross-quarter days as they fell in between the English ones, and in the late 1950s the two practices merged, and the Wheel of the Year was born. Since that time, modern pagans have organized their practices around it, with the following sabbats:
1. Yule or Midwinter – 21 December Imbolc – 1 February
2. Spring equinox – 21 March
3. Beltane or May Eve – 30 April Midsummer – 21 June
4. Lammas – 1 August
5. Autumn equinox – 21 September
6. Samhain or November Eve – 31 October
(The exact dates can vary due to Earth taking slightly more than 365 days to travel around the sun, hence the need for leap years.)
Throughout this book, and in each of the sabbats, the author provides short rituals to help give one a moment to pause, to connect to nature and reflect on our inner thoughts, and she states that the rituals will help all of us to mark transition points and to give them meaning. She further states that we should try to let ourselves go a little, allowing for spontaneity: that is where we will encounter the divine – and find a little magic.
I found the following recipe quite unique: Recipe for Solar Healing Oil:
• A teaspoon of frankincense pearls
• A cup of ‘carrier’ oil – if we want to be properly solar, then olive or sunflower oil would be appropriate, but any plain oil will do just as well
• Six drops of orange essential oil
• Six drops of neroli essential oil
• An empty bottle or clean glass jar to keep it in – do use recycled if you can.
The author states that for her Samhain provides a space to focus on a wider sense of ancestral connection, because whenever life calls us to rebuild ourselves from the foundations up, our ancestors can be crucial in that process. Additionally, Rebecca points out that sometimes, for whatever reason, we cannot look to our biological ancestors. If this is the case, one can turn our ‘logical family’, can be an termed an ‘ancestor’ because they may be someone who have walked path before us in numerous different ways.
Rebecca Beattie discusses each of the sabbats in detail, providing techniques and rituals to awaken our inner child. This is a very good book that I highly recommend for anyone starting their spiritual journey.
November 11, 2022
Great Book
The author, Rebecca Beattie, states that while living in London and on tour, she discovered her passion for her craft during one particular tour while performing in Macbeth, her favourite of Shakespeare’s plays. She states that while on this tour they were staying in farmhouses, surrounded by nature at every turn and was getting up with the sunrise, walking in the rural landscape and spending contemplative time in solitude surrounded by trees and fields, and she had time to breathe the air and inspiration flowed in. She states this was what had been lacking in my life, that in all the urban streets she walked down to auditions, in all the dusty rehearsal rooms, and the admin jobs she took to pay the rent, she had been missing her connection to nature and, more importantly, she had been looking in the wrong place for fulfilment – that she had been seeking outside myself. Thus, she realized that her journey to self-discovery had begun, and this path led to her training in Wicca.
The author states that it was on this path that she learned all about the Wheel of the Year, a concept that helped her to understand her place in the world, to deepen that connection to nature she had felt when touring the countryside and to appreciate fully the wonders of its cycle, no matter the season – or location. There are various ways of carving up the year into smaller, more manageable time periods, and our Graeco-Roman months of the year are one way, but other faiths also have their own methods of measuring time. For pagans, since the 1940s or 1950s, the year has been defined and delineated by the Wheel of the Year.
She discusses that Nichols’ druids began celebrating quarter days: the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the beginning of each quarter of the year while the Gardner’s witches were celebrating the Celtic equivalents, which had become known as cross-quarter days as they fell in between the English ones, and in the late 1950s the two practices merged, and the Wheel of the Year was born. Since that time, modern pagans have organised their practices around it, with the following sabbats:
1. Yule or Midwinter – 21 December
2. Imbolc – 2 February
3. Spring Equinox – 21 March
4. Beltane or May Eve – 31 April
5. Midsummer – 21 June
6. Lammas – 1 August
7. Autumn Equinox – 21 September
8. Samhain or November Eve – 31 October
(The exact dates can vary due to Earth taking slightly more than 365 days to travel around the sun, hence the need for leap years.)
Throughout this book, and in each of the sabbats, the author provides short rituals to help give one a moment to pause, to connect to nature and reflect on our inner thoughts, and she states that the rituals will help all of us to mark transition points and to give them meaning. She further states that we should try to let ourselves go a little, allowing for spontaneity: that is where we will encounter the divine – and find a little magic.
Rebecca Beattie discusses each of the sabbats in detail, providing techniques and rituals to awaken our inner child. This is a very good book that I highly recommend for anyone starting their spiritual journey.
The author, Rebecca Beattie, states that while living in London and on tour, she discovered her passion for her craft during one particular tour while performing in Macbeth, her favourite of Shakespeare’s plays. She states that while on this tour they were staying in farmhouses, surrounded by nature at every turn and was getting up with the sunrise, walking in the rural landscape and spending contemplative time in solitude surrounded by trees and fields, and she had time to breathe the air and inspiration flowed in. She states this was what had been lacking in my life, that in all the urban streets she walked down to auditions, in all the dusty rehearsal rooms, and the admin jobs she took to pay the rent, she had been missing her connection to nature and, more importantly, she had been looking in the wrong place for fulfilment – that she had been seeking outside myself. Thus, she realized that her journey to self-discovery had begun, and this path led to her training in Wicca.
The author states that it was on this path that she learned all about the Wheel of the Year, a concept that helped her to understand her place in the world, to deepen that connection to nature she had felt when touring the countryside and to appreciate fully the wonders of its cycle, no matter the season – or location. There are various ways of carving up the year into smaller, more manageable time periods, and our Graeco-Roman months of the year are one way, but other faiths also have their own methods of measuring time. For pagans, since the 1940s or 1950s, the year has been defined and delineated by the Wheel of the Year.
She discusses that Nichols’ druids began celebrating quarter days: the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the beginning of each quarter of the year while the Gardner’s witches were celebrating the Celtic equivalents, which had become known as cross-quarter days as they fell in between the English ones, and in the late 1950s the two practices merged, and the Wheel of the Year was born. Since that time, modern pagans have organised their practices around it, with the following sabbats:
1. Yule or Midwinter – 21 December
2. Imbolc – 2 February
3. Spring Equinox – 21 March
4. Beltane or May Eve – 31 April
5. Midsummer – 21 June
6. Lammas – 1 August
7. Autumn Equinox – 21 September
8. Samhain or November Eve – 31 October
(The exact dates can vary due to Earth taking slightly more than 365 days to travel around the sun, hence the need for leap years.)
Throughout this book, and in each of the sabbats, the author provides short rituals to help give one a moment to pause, to connect to nature and reflect on our inner thoughts, and she states that the rituals will help all of us to mark transition points and to give them meaning. She further states that we should try to let ourselves go a little, allowing for spontaneity: that is where we will encounter the divine – and find a little magic.
Rebecca Beattie discusses each of the sabbats in detail, providing techniques and rituals to awaken our inner child. This is a very good book that I highly recommend for anyone starting their spiritual journey.
January 3, 2023
Title: The Wheel of the Year
Author: Rebecca Beattie
Genre: Wicca - Witchcraft - Spirituality
Publisher: Elliott & Thompson - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: February 1, 2023
Read: January 1, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: Rediscover nature’s cycles through the Wheel of the Year: a celebration of eight key moments within the turning seasons – from solstices to equinoxes and those midpoints in-between.
The Wheel of the Year allows its celebrants a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life every six weeks, to observe what is happening in nature and to reflect on the turn of their own lives.
This nurturing new guide is an exploration and celebration of the Wheel of the Year – from Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain to the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. Our expert guide, Rebecca Beattie, traces the cycles of nature and the rhythms of the seasons, exploring enchanting traditions and folklore for each celebrated moment.
This book is alive with what is happening in the nature and in ourselves, offering tools and rituals to rediscover and appreciate each seasonal festival, to pause and reflect. It will connect you to the wheel of your own life, allowing its readers to explore and chart the turning of their own seasons alongside the cycles of the natural world.
Review: Rebecca Beattie introduces the Wheel of the Year by delving into its history, which is surprisingly recent as it was created by a merging of ideas originally conceived by Ross Nichols (Father of Modern Druidry) and Gerald Gardner (Father of Modern Witchcraft) in the 1950s and 1960s. Since then, the wheel has gained wide acceptance in pagan communities and even in the larger mundane world as a way to mark the seasons.
Each Sabbat is given its own chapter: Midwinter/Yule, Imbolc/Candlemas, Spring Equinox, May Eve/Beltane, Midsummer/Summer Solstice, Lammas, Autumn Equinox, November Eve/Samhain. The amount of information Beattie includes for each holiday ranges from history, folklore, rituals, recipes, crafting ideas, and tips/suggestions for marking the days in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, which isn't something I've seen often in books that cover the topic of the Wheel as most available to me tend to be Northern Hemisphere-centric.
Overall, The Wheel of the Year is a great addition to any Witch's or Pagan's library. Written in an easy-to-read style, the information isn't hard to follow, and yet the amount of research Beattie has obviously done on the subject is on full display, making this a good reference for anyone looking for more in-depth information regarding individual Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year as a whole.
Author: Rebecca Beattie
Genre: Wicca - Witchcraft - Spirituality
Publisher: Elliott & Thompson - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: February 1, 2023
Read: January 1, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: Rediscover nature’s cycles through the Wheel of the Year: a celebration of eight key moments within the turning seasons – from solstices to equinoxes and those midpoints in-between.
The Wheel of the Year allows its celebrants a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life every six weeks, to observe what is happening in nature and to reflect on the turn of their own lives.
This nurturing new guide is an exploration and celebration of the Wheel of the Year – from Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain to the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. Our expert guide, Rebecca Beattie, traces the cycles of nature and the rhythms of the seasons, exploring enchanting traditions and folklore for each celebrated moment.
This book is alive with what is happening in the nature and in ourselves, offering tools and rituals to rediscover and appreciate each seasonal festival, to pause and reflect. It will connect you to the wheel of your own life, allowing its readers to explore and chart the turning of their own seasons alongside the cycles of the natural world.
Review: Rebecca Beattie introduces the Wheel of the Year by delving into its history, which is surprisingly recent as it was created by a merging of ideas originally conceived by Ross Nichols (Father of Modern Druidry) and Gerald Gardner (Father of Modern Witchcraft) in the 1950s and 1960s. Since then, the wheel has gained wide acceptance in pagan communities and even in the larger mundane world as a way to mark the seasons.
Each Sabbat is given its own chapter: Midwinter/Yule, Imbolc/Candlemas, Spring Equinox, May Eve/Beltane, Midsummer/Summer Solstice, Lammas, Autumn Equinox, November Eve/Samhain. The amount of information Beattie includes for each holiday ranges from history, folklore, rituals, recipes, crafting ideas, and tips/suggestions for marking the days in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, which isn't something I've seen often in books that cover the topic of the Wheel as most available to me tend to be Northern Hemisphere-centric.
Overall, The Wheel of the Year is a great addition to any Witch's or Pagan's library. Written in an easy-to-read style, the information isn't hard to follow, and yet the amount of research Beattie has obviously done on the subject is on full display, making this a good reference for anyone looking for more in-depth information regarding individual Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year as a whole.
July 24, 2023
"The Wheel of the Year: Your Rejuvenating Guide to Connecting with Nature's Seasons and Cycles" by Rebecca Beattie is an enchanting and immersive book that takes readers on a magical journey through the cycle of the seasons. As a Wiccan priestess with over two decades of experience in practicing witchcraft, the author offers a unique and insightful perspective on embracing the ebb and flow of the natural world.
The book is structured around the Wheel of the Year, which consists of eight significant points in nature's cycle, including the Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Imbolc, among others. Each of these moments presents an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the changing seasons and ourselves.
Rebecca Beattie guides readers through these restorative moments with nurturing rituals, rejuvenating wisdom, and journal prompts that encourage personal growth and transformation. By immersing ourselves in the natural rhythms of the Wheel of the Year, the book offers a way to sow seeds of positive change and thrive in harmony with the world around us.
The writing style is enchanting and evocative, drawing readers into a world of wonder and wisdom. Beattie's deep connection to nature and her spiritual practices shines through, making the book not only informative but also deeply inspiring and engaging.
Throughout the book, readers are invited to explore their own spiritual journey, connect with the cycles of nature, and find meaning and purpose in the changing seasons. The book serves as a rejuvenating guide, providing valuable insights and practical tools for fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and our inner selves.
In conclusion, "The Wheel of the Year: Your Rejuvenating Guide to Connecting with Nature's Seasons and Cycles" is a captivating and enriching book that offers a fresh perspective on embracing the rhythms of nature and finding renewal in the changing seasons. Rebecca Beattie's expertise as a Wiccan priestess, coupled with her enchanting writing style, creates a magical reading experience that encourages readers to connect with the world around them on a deeper level. For anyone seeking to embark on a transformative journey through the Wheel of the Year, this book is a rejuvenating and inspiring guide that will leave a lasting impression on the heart and soul.
The book is structured around the Wheel of the Year, which consists of eight significant points in nature's cycle, including the Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Imbolc, among others. Each of these moments presents an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the changing seasons and ourselves.
Rebecca Beattie guides readers through these restorative moments with nurturing rituals, rejuvenating wisdom, and journal prompts that encourage personal growth and transformation. By immersing ourselves in the natural rhythms of the Wheel of the Year, the book offers a way to sow seeds of positive change and thrive in harmony with the world around us.
The writing style is enchanting and evocative, drawing readers into a world of wonder and wisdom. Beattie's deep connection to nature and her spiritual practices shines through, making the book not only informative but also deeply inspiring and engaging.
Throughout the book, readers are invited to explore their own spiritual journey, connect with the cycles of nature, and find meaning and purpose in the changing seasons. The book serves as a rejuvenating guide, providing valuable insights and practical tools for fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and our inner selves.
In conclusion, "The Wheel of the Year: Your Rejuvenating Guide to Connecting with Nature's Seasons and Cycles" is a captivating and enriching book that offers a fresh perspective on embracing the rhythms of nature and finding renewal in the changing seasons. Rebecca Beattie's expertise as a Wiccan priestess, coupled with her enchanting writing style, creates a magical reading experience that encourages readers to connect with the world around them on a deeper level. For anyone seeking to embark on a transformative journey through the Wheel of the Year, this book is a rejuvenating and inspiring guide that will leave a lasting impression on the heart and soul.
July 2, 2023
⭐⭐⭐.5
The Wheel of the Year by Rebecca Beattie is an enchanting celebration of nature’s cycles, offering readers a chance to nurture themselves through the turning seasons. As a Wiccan priestess and nature lover, Beattie takes us on a magical journey around the Wheel of the Year, exploring eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle.
Rooted in an appreciation of the rhythms of the seasons, this book provides readers with opportunities to pause and find stillness amidst the chaos of modern life. With each chapter dedicated to a specific point in the wheel, from solstices and equinoxes to midpoints in-between, Beattie invites us to connect with the rejuvenating power of nature. Through rituals, folklore, and traditions associated with each seasonal festival, readers can celebrate and experience the ebb and flow of the natural world.
Moreover, The Wheel of the Year encourages readers to embark on a personal journey alongside these external changes. By charting their own moments of transition, reflection, and healing, individuals can deepen their connection with their true inner selves. This book offers wisdom and wonder as it guides readers towards living in harmony with nature.
One notable aspect of The Wheel of the Year is its stunning cover. It instantly captivates attention and sets the tone for what lies within. Furthermore, Beattie’s expertise shines through her writing - it is evident that she possesses a deep knowledge and understanding of her subject matter. The well-organized layout allows for easy navigation through each section of the wheel.
While this book is packed with activities and rituals to keep readers engaged, one downside is that my copy (an ARC) did not contain any illustrations. As someone who typically enjoys visual aspects in books like these, I missed having that additional layer.
In conclusion, The Wheel of the Year is a captivating exploration into nature’s cycles that will leave readers feeling connected to both the external world and their inner selves. Beattie’s expertise, combined with the well-structured layout, makes this book an enjoyable read. Although lacking illustrations in my copy was disappointing, the content itself more than makes up for it.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
The Wheel of the Year by Rebecca Beattie is an enchanting celebration of nature’s cycles, offering readers a chance to nurture themselves through the turning seasons. As a Wiccan priestess and nature lover, Beattie takes us on a magical journey around the Wheel of the Year, exploring eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle.
Rooted in an appreciation of the rhythms of the seasons, this book provides readers with opportunities to pause and find stillness amidst the chaos of modern life. With each chapter dedicated to a specific point in the wheel, from solstices and equinoxes to midpoints in-between, Beattie invites us to connect with the rejuvenating power of nature. Through rituals, folklore, and traditions associated with each seasonal festival, readers can celebrate and experience the ebb and flow of the natural world.
Moreover, The Wheel of the Year encourages readers to embark on a personal journey alongside these external changes. By charting their own moments of transition, reflection, and healing, individuals can deepen their connection with their true inner selves. This book offers wisdom and wonder as it guides readers towards living in harmony with nature.
One notable aspect of The Wheel of the Year is its stunning cover. It instantly captivates attention and sets the tone for what lies within. Furthermore, Beattie’s expertise shines through her writing - it is evident that she possesses a deep knowledge and understanding of her subject matter. The well-organized layout allows for easy navigation through each section of the wheel.
While this book is packed with activities and rituals to keep readers engaged, one downside is that my copy (an ARC) did not contain any illustrations. As someone who typically enjoys visual aspects in books like these, I missed having that additional layer.
In conclusion, The Wheel of the Year is a captivating exploration into nature’s cycles that will leave readers feeling connected to both the external world and their inner selves. Beattie’s expertise, combined with the well-structured layout, makes this book an enjoyable read. Although lacking illustrations in my copy was disappointing, the content itself more than makes up for it.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
June 19, 2023
The Wheel of the Year is the term used by many pagans to describe the eight sabbats or holidays that herald the changing of the seasons, but as Beattie points out in this new book, you don't have to be pagan to find meaning in the Wheel, just a love for nature and a desire to have your life line up more closely to the seasonal changes around us. She devotes a section to each of the sabbats, beginning at Midwinter/Yule, and for each she shares information about the festivals, traditions, myths, and spiritual practices as well as ideas for crafts, rituals, and other ways to engage with nature.
This book differs from other books about the Wheel that I've read in two key ways. First, it unpacks some of the modern myths surrounding the Wheel and offers a much more inclusive approach to the practices, especially in moving beyond the gender binary so often found in pagan rituals that call on the God and the Goddess. Second, it offers a much more approachable look at the ways to celebrate the changes of the seasons for folks who are not familiar with (or comfortable with) pagan or especially Wiccan ritual. The emphasis here is on connecting with and nurturing both nature and our inner selves, and aside from a few recipes, the book is not loaded with practices using typical witchy tools like crystals, wands, herbs, candles, and more. Yes, there's a glimpse of that aspect of witchcraft, but the general vibe of the book is less witchy and more nature lover, which may be appealing to a broader audience.
While Beattie draws on her own UK setting to describe the change in seasons, she also acknowledges the differences of climate and latitude among possible readers -- another way of making the book more inclusive. Simple and straightforward, this book is a lovely introduction for those who want to follow the year's rhythm in outward attention and inward reflection. 4 stars,
Thank you, Elliot & Thompson and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
This book differs from other books about the Wheel that I've read in two key ways. First, it unpacks some of the modern myths surrounding the Wheel and offers a much more inclusive approach to the practices, especially in moving beyond the gender binary so often found in pagan rituals that call on the God and the Goddess. Second, it offers a much more approachable look at the ways to celebrate the changes of the seasons for folks who are not familiar with (or comfortable with) pagan or especially Wiccan ritual. The emphasis here is on connecting with and nurturing both nature and our inner selves, and aside from a few recipes, the book is not loaded with practices using typical witchy tools like crystals, wands, herbs, candles, and more. Yes, there's a glimpse of that aspect of witchcraft, but the general vibe of the book is less witchy and more nature lover, which may be appealing to a broader audience.
While Beattie draws on her own UK setting to describe the change in seasons, she also acknowledges the differences of climate and latitude among possible readers -- another way of making the book more inclusive. Simple and straightforward, this book is a lovely introduction for those who want to follow the year's rhythm in outward attention and inward reflection. 4 stars,
Thank you, Elliot & Thompson and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
June 29, 2023
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Wheel of the Year is a thoughtful volume on the cyclical nature of life and our connections to it by Rebecca Beattie. Released 15th June 2023 by Elliott & Thompson Books, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback format.
This is a beautifully calming and charmingly presented guide to re-learning awareness of our natural rhythms and re-learning to live more in sync with our natural environment. Built around the Celtic calendar, there are 8 chapters based on each of the sacred days (midwinter, Imbolc, spring equinox, Beltane, summer solstice, Lammas, autumnal equinox, and Samhain).
The writing is nature based and contemplative. Suggested activities and tutorials will allow readers to connect to the deeper rhythms in their own lives as well as (no matter what our personal belief system) to slow down and *be* and *breathe*. It's written from the author's own viewpoint as a Wiccan, but for readers who subscribe to other belief systems, or none at all, there are still lots of valuable insights and activities which will be of interest.
It's not specifically written serially with seasonal activities; readers can start at any point on the circle. Whether the reader follows the prompts in order or not, there are real, proven benefits to slowing down and spending more time interacting with nature. I have no doubt that following the prompts regularly over the course of a year would give measurably positive results.
Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, self study, homesteaders, and gift giving to a like minded recipient.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Wheel of the Year is a thoughtful volume on the cyclical nature of life and our connections to it by Rebecca Beattie. Released 15th June 2023 by Elliott & Thompson Books, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback format.
This is a beautifully calming and charmingly presented guide to re-learning awareness of our natural rhythms and re-learning to live more in sync with our natural environment. Built around the Celtic calendar, there are 8 chapters based on each of the sacred days (midwinter, Imbolc, spring equinox, Beltane, summer solstice, Lammas, autumnal equinox, and Samhain).
The writing is nature based and contemplative. Suggested activities and tutorials will allow readers to connect to the deeper rhythms in their own lives as well as (no matter what our personal belief system) to slow down and *be* and *breathe*. It's written from the author's own viewpoint as a Wiccan, but for readers who subscribe to other belief systems, or none at all, there are still lots of valuable insights and activities which will be of interest.
It's not specifically written serially with seasonal activities; readers can start at any point on the circle. Whether the reader follows the prompts in order or not, there are real, proven benefits to slowing down and spending more time interacting with nature. I have no doubt that following the prompts regularly over the course of a year would give measurably positive results.
Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, self study, homesteaders, and gift giving to a like minded recipient.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 18, 2022
Whether you believe in Wicca, magic and spirituality or don’t, this book is for everyone. It helps you appreciate and connect to life around you, to nature and to the environment. Even just to look within, to you yourself and gives you a gift of calm appreciation throughout the pages.
It’s a journey through the year, with sprinkles of history and mythology, small activities and prompts to have fun with (if you so chose) and some fantastic information about the wheel of the year. It’s one of those books that you can put as little or as much as you want into it, taking what you want and giving you the choice to ignore those you don’t, or adapt to whatever works for you. I also love that the author was mindful to vegan alternatives throughout which isn’t normally a consideration in many books! Thank you.
Its wonderfully informative and I love the authors world view. This book is non preachy, respectful of every religion, belief, thought process and identity. It’s a book to help you connect with your world, the seasons and nature and to yourself. It’s beautifully written and I connected to it immediately.
I read another review that said upon reading, they went straight to buy a physical copy and I feel myself thinking the same way too! An ebook is fantastic but a physical copy for this book is something you need on your shelf too (or at your altar!). I can imagine myself coming back to this book regularly and found it to be a lovely and insightful read. Definitely manifesting a physical copy of this for the future to look back on and reference throughout the year. It was brilliant!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
It’s a journey through the year, with sprinkles of history and mythology, small activities and prompts to have fun with (if you so chose) and some fantastic information about the wheel of the year. It’s one of those books that you can put as little or as much as you want into it, taking what you want and giving you the choice to ignore those you don’t, or adapt to whatever works for you. I also love that the author was mindful to vegan alternatives throughout which isn’t normally a consideration in many books! Thank you.
Its wonderfully informative and I love the authors world view. This book is non preachy, respectful of every religion, belief, thought process and identity. It’s a book to help you connect with your world, the seasons and nature and to yourself. It’s beautifully written and I connected to it immediately.
I read another review that said upon reading, they went straight to buy a physical copy and I feel myself thinking the same way too! An ebook is fantastic but a physical copy for this book is something you need on your shelf too (or at your altar!). I can imagine myself coming back to this book regularly and found it to be a lovely and insightful read. Definitely manifesting a physical copy of this for the future to look back on and reference throughout the year. It was brilliant!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
August 12, 2023
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to social media and different software app's, it is easy to get overwhelmed when you are searching for a specific topic. Unless the author lists their sources, it is hard to know if the information you are reading is factual or their opinion. That is not the case with The Wheel of the Year by Rebecca Beattie and the last thing you feel as you read her book is anything but overwhelmed.
Starting with the introduction of The Wheel of The Year, Rebecca shares who she is, what she follows and believes in and why she wanted to share this information. The Wheel of the Year is just that - a wheel of the seasons, eight festivals - known as sabbats. Each chapter goes into detail of the history behind that wheel, the festival being celebrated, ways to celebrate it along with a ritual, the supplies you need for it and sometimes a recipe to make.
I loved reading this and will definitely be using all of this information for each celebration. Although not quite a newbie, I don't know all the in's and out's of what to do and still learning it all. Each time one of the festivals come up, I research what I should possibly do to celebrate it, what foods to make, what rituals to possibly do and so much more which ends up me doing a very small portion of it because of being overwhelmed. Thanks to Rebecca, I don't have to do all that because The Wheel of The Year has everything for me that I can use. I'm looking forward to using this book for many years to come.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC. Thank you so much again Rebecca Beattie for sharing your knowledge and history of The Wheel of The Year with us.
Thanks to social media and different software app's, it is easy to get overwhelmed when you are searching for a specific topic. Unless the author lists their sources, it is hard to know if the information you are reading is factual or their opinion. That is not the case with The Wheel of the Year by Rebecca Beattie and the last thing you feel as you read her book is anything but overwhelmed.
Starting with the introduction of The Wheel of The Year, Rebecca shares who she is, what she follows and believes in and why she wanted to share this information. The Wheel of the Year is just that - a wheel of the seasons, eight festivals - known as sabbats. Each chapter goes into detail of the history behind that wheel, the festival being celebrated, ways to celebrate it along with a ritual, the supplies you need for it and sometimes a recipe to make.
I loved reading this and will definitely be using all of this information for each celebration. Although not quite a newbie, I don't know all the in's and out's of what to do and still learning it all. Each time one of the festivals come up, I research what I should possibly do to celebrate it, what foods to make, what rituals to possibly do and so much more which ends up me doing a very small portion of it because of being overwhelmed. Thanks to Rebecca, I don't have to do all that because The Wheel of The Year has everything for me that I can use. I'm looking forward to using this book for many years to come.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC. Thank you so much again Rebecca Beattie for sharing your knowledge and history of The Wheel of The Year with us.
January 15, 2025
Magic is natural. It is a harmonious movement of energies to create needed change. If you wish to practise magic, all thoughts of it being paranormal or supernatural must be forgotten.(Scott Cunningham)
Rebecca Beattie uses this quote in her introduction and this is why I immediately felt that ‘Yes! This is the book that I have been looking for’. (She also did her PHD on Mary Webb - my favourite author, so this is also a massive plus point for me!)
If you have an interest in our connection with the seasons on different levels but don’t want to have to wade through a load of unnecessary ‘woo’, then this is also the book you may have been looking for.
I have absolutely no doubt that my love for nature and my personal connections to it are hugely important to me but sometimes I feel that I would like to involve myself more fully. When reading literature on the subject, I’m often left feeling a bit put off by some of the theories. So the best I can do is dip in and out of different books, coming from different angles and just take what resonates with me personally.
I’ve found this book to be a really good and solid reference point as I feel that it really allows the reader to apply or delete as necessary to their own personal feelings and beliefs.
Sections are easy to locate, with some great ready-reference information. I really appreciated the history that was provided and particularly references to all religious faiths and acknowledgement of Pagans, Agnostics and Atheists too. Rebecca Beattie has an incredible way with words and is so uplifting whilst avoiding cloying over-sentimentality. Again, I really appreciated this.
I’ll need to get a hard copy of this so I can keep referring back to it again and again.
Rebecca Beattie uses this quote in her introduction and this is why I immediately felt that ‘Yes! This is the book that I have been looking for’. (She also did her PHD on Mary Webb - my favourite author, so this is also a massive plus point for me!)
If you have an interest in our connection with the seasons on different levels but don’t want to have to wade through a load of unnecessary ‘woo’, then this is also the book you may have been looking for.
I have absolutely no doubt that my love for nature and my personal connections to it are hugely important to me but sometimes I feel that I would like to involve myself more fully. When reading literature on the subject, I’m often left feeling a bit put off by some of the theories. So the best I can do is dip in and out of different books, coming from different angles and just take what resonates with me personally.
I’ve found this book to be a really good and solid reference point as I feel that it really allows the reader to apply or delete as necessary to their own personal feelings and beliefs.
Sections are easy to locate, with some great ready-reference information. I really appreciated the history that was provided and particularly references to all religious faiths and acknowledgement of Pagans, Agnostics and Atheists too. Rebecca Beattie has an incredible way with words and is so uplifting whilst avoiding cloying over-sentimentality. Again, I really appreciated this.
I’ll need to get a hard copy of this so I can keep referring back to it again and again.
November 8, 2022
4.25/5
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
As a pagan, I often like to read books by others on similar paths and so when this popped up on Netgalley, I requested a copy. The book goes through each of the Sabbats of The Wheel of the Year, detailing themes, ritual ideas and personal anecdotes from the author.
- I enjoyed how the book was structured and the reasoning given by the author. This book is a balanced mix between information, inspiration and encouragement to develop your own practice and I think Beattie strikes that balance very well. I like the inclusion of ideas for rituals, poetry and stories to encourage the reader to go forward and find their own path for each Sabbat.
- Whilst acknowledgement is given to other geographies and pagan paths, this book heavily focuses on the authors location and sect of paganism. It mainly centres around the northern hemisphere (in particular the UK) and around the Wiccan faith. The contents could be used by anyone worldwide with small adaptation though and the author does heavily encourage deciding your own path in terms of the spiritual side. She clearly intends it to be used as inspiration rather than a rulebook to be adhered to.
If you're looking for a book to begin or enrich your journey through the Wheel of the Year, this book is an excellent choice. It's simple enough for beginners and contains fresh ideas for those with some experience.
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
As a pagan, I often like to read books by others on similar paths and so when this popped up on Netgalley, I requested a copy. The book goes through each of the Sabbats of The Wheel of the Year, detailing themes, ritual ideas and personal anecdotes from the author.
- I enjoyed how the book was structured and the reasoning given by the author. This book is a balanced mix between information, inspiration and encouragement to develop your own practice and I think Beattie strikes that balance very well. I like the inclusion of ideas for rituals, poetry and stories to encourage the reader to go forward and find their own path for each Sabbat.
- Whilst acknowledgement is given to other geographies and pagan paths, this book heavily focuses on the authors location and sect of paganism. It mainly centres around the northern hemisphere (in particular the UK) and around the Wiccan faith. The contents could be used by anyone worldwide with small adaptation though and the author does heavily encourage deciding your own path in terms of the spiritual side. She clearly intends it to be used as inspiration rather than a rulebook to be adhered to.
If you're looking for a book to begin or enrich your journey through the Wheel of the Year, this book is an excellent choice. It's simple enough for beginners and contains fresh ideas for those with some experience.
January 24, 2023
This was my first introduction to this topic (about which I was curious due to a friend’s novel recommendation) and it far exceeded my expectations. For a relatively small book, it is full of information without feeling dense. The tone is conversational and well-informed. Cultural, ethnic, and religious information are liberally supplied, so it is an anthropological and historic exploration. And the organization is clear and logical.
The introduction is valuable in providing a sketch of the author’s history, and also previews the organizational structure of the book. She makes clear the emphasis on nature and how we can benefit by remaining attentive to it. Then each chapter addresses one of the 8 seasonal celebrations, or Sabbats (akin to compass points on the wheel), including multicultural overlaps, and how the reader could prepare, celebrate, and reflect on this stage in the natural annual cycle, along with their own life.
The reader is offered suggestions on how to increase our alignment with the cycles in our natural world, as well as improve our mindfulness and develop or enhance our habit and power of reflection and intention.
I was impressed by the author’s elegant balancing of providing matter-of-fact information about practices some may consider “not mainstream” alongside how any of us, regardless of our ethnic background or religious beliefs, may benefit from reflecting on the cycles of the natural world.
The introduction is valuable in providing a sketch of the author’s history, and also previews the organizational structure of the book. She makes clear the emphasis on nature and how we can benefit by remaining attentive to it. Then each chapter addresses one of the 8 seasonal celebrations, or Sabbats (akin to compass points on the wheel), including multicultural overlaps, and how the reader could prepare, celebrate, and reflect on this stage in the natural annual cycle, along with their own life.
The reader is offered suggestions on how to increase our alignment with the cycles in our natural world, as well as improve our mindfulness and develop or enhance our habit and power of reflection and intention.
I was impressed by the author’s elegant balancing of providing matter-of-fact information about practices some may consider “not mainstream” alongside how any of us, regardless of our ethnic background or religious beliefs, may benefit from reflecting on the cycles of the natural world.
December 8, 2022
Can you even stand this cover? 🔆🌲✨ So good!
I have mad respect for this part too — where the author states that this book is not about religion but about connecting to nature and all that you find there. I also really like Beattie’s open approach to using what’s available and subbing out supplies.
So, fast forward to the Midwinter because we’re almost at Winter Solstice, (and it also happens to be where she starts exploring the wheel) 🕯❄️ and yes the solstice day is magical in so many ways historically celebrated as a turning point in our return to the light — and for me it holds a special place in my heart as it’s also the day that my husband proposed! 💃🌙♥️🔥
Ok, back to Yule … Beattie’s a talented writer, very knowledgeable and her writing is also completely relatable, and readable. It’s almost like, you're sitting down for afternoon tea while you learn about archetypes and our ancient ancestors.
And let me just tell you — I was blown away in this section. Like Beattie, I’ve traveled to Stonehenge, Newgrange and Abu Simbel, and yet today, I learned some fascinating exciting things that feel very synchromystical and exceptionally aligned. ✨
Good stuff! It’s true, I’m completely drawn into Beattie’s teachings and looking forward to circling the wheel with her over the next year. Highly recommend!
I have mad respect for this part too — where the author states that this book is not about religion but about connecting to nature and all that you find there. I also really like Beattie’s open approach to using what’s available and subbing out supplies.
So, fast forward to the Midwinter because we’re almost at Winter Solstice, (and it also happens to be where she starts exploring the wheel) 🕯❄️ and yes the solstice day is magical in so many ways historically celebrated as a turning point in our return to the light — and for me it holds a special place in my heart as it’s also the day that my husband proposed! 💃🌙♥️🔥
Ok, back to Yule … Beattie’s a talented writer, very knowledgeable and her writing is also completely relatable, and readable. It’s almost like, you're sitting down for afternoon tea while you learn about archetypes and our ancient ancestors.
And let me just tell you — I was blown away in this section. Like Beattie, I’ve traveled to Stonehenge, Newgrange and Abu Simbel, and yet today, I learned some fascinating exciting things that feel very synchromystical and exceptionally aligned. ✨
Good stuff! It’s true, I’m completely drawn into Beattie’s teachings and looking forward to circling the wheel with her over the next year. Highly recommend!
October 12, 2023
I've always been very drawn to celtic Paganism and Wicca but have struggled to find resources to learn more about it, as much of the information we have on it today is very limited and often incorrect or made up. In this book I think Rebecca Beattie does a very good job of drawing comparisons to tradition and the way it has influenced how she practices now. I also really appreciate that she addresses the correct pronunciation of the pagan celebrations, and talks about how a lot of the names were made up by American neo-pagans because they wanted them to sound more authentic.
There isn't much more to say about this book, for me it's definitely a book I flick through rather than read in cyclical order. The practices she shares are not strick or things you necessarily have to do yourself to celebrate the seasons, but she gives a beautiful insight into the meaning behind these celebrations to help guide you if you want to create your own rituals.
Overall I'd definitely recommend this as a way to get started, it's not too preachy and doesn't dramatise Paganism the way a lot of American interpretations do. You can tell there's been fact checks and a lot of heart and soul poured into it.
There isn't much more to say about this book, for me it's definitely a book I flick through rather than read in cyclical order. The practices she shares are not strick or things you necessarily have to do yourself to celebrate the seasons, but she gives a beautiful insight into the meaning behind these celebrations to help guide you if you want to create your own rituals.
Overall I'd definitely recommend this as a way to get started, it's not too preachy and doesn't dramatise Paganism the way a lot of American interpretations do. You can tell there's been fact checks and a lot of heart and soul poured into it.
May 2, 2023
I have never really explored Wicca, but this was a really cool introduction into understanding time as a nature cycle. I appreciated that the author let the reader determine whether they wanted to incorporate pagan or Wicca into their celebrating of the seasons. Each of the seasons (which are not four -- there's eight) has a bit of history behind it, a way to connect with nature, some rituals to mark the days, and bits about practices from around the world. It was very neat that it wasn't just one culture she explored, but there were Druid and Eastern European with sprinklings of connected practices in Eastern Asian cultures. I loved being able to see how different cultures have evolved similar customs to celebrating the different turnings.
This is definitely a book for someone who is newly interested in this sort of thing and trying to figure out where they fit into the idea of marking the days and the wheel as a calendar. It felt very open ended and from this groundwork able to delve into whichever way works best for them. I haven't quite figured out how that will go for me just yet, but I appreciated the history and the nature activities I can now do with my children.
This is definitely a book for someone who is newly interested in this sort of thing and trying to figure out where they fit into the idea of marking the days and the wheel as a calendar. It felt very open ended and from this groundwork able to delve into whichever way works best for them. I haven't quite figured out how that will go for me just yet, but I appreciated the history and the nature activities I can now do with my children.
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December 11, 2022I love this book! I love living the seasons of the year in synch with the wheel of the year so I was excited to read this book to deepen my understanding.
The book description states -
“The Wheel of the Year allows its celebrants a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life every six weeks, to observe what is happening in nature and to reflect on the turn of their own lives.”
This is exactly what it does.
I find this way of living builds intention in my days, creating opportunities to pause, reflect and come into balance when needed. This is a wonderful way to live closely with nature as our ancestors did.
This book explores celebrations throughout the year including Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain, the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. The reader is taken through natures cycles and seasons while exploring traditions and folklore.
Tools and rituals are detailed for each season to help you connect with the wheel of the year and the natural world. I highly recommend it!
The book description states -
“The Wheel of the Year allows its celebrants a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life every six weeks, to observe what is happening in nature and to reflect on the turn of their own lives.”
This is exactly what it does.
I find this way of living builds intention in my days, creating opportunities to pause, reflect and come into balance when needed. This is a wonderful way to live closely with nature as our ancestors did.
This book explores celebrations throughout the year including Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain, the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. The reader is taken through natures cycles and seasons while exploring traditions and folklore.
Tools and rituals are detailed for each season to help you connect with the wheel of the year and the natural world. I highly recommend it!
January 19, 2023
This is a very eloquent book, written in an easy to read, flowing style. Each chapter covers one festival from the Wheel of the Year starting, refreshingly, with Yule.
The book intimately links each Sabbat with the cycle of nature and how we can connect with the seasons and the land which is, after all, the essence of Paganism. We are given ideas for rituals, recipes and other activities to help us to go deeper with each festival and it certainly inspires you to want to reconnect with nature. It is clear that a lot of research has gone into this book and it is beautifully presented.
Although this is a Pagan book, the author also references other religions, while encouraging the reader to decide what works best for them and celebrating the Wheel in their own way.
This book is suitable for both those new to the Wheel of the Year and those well-versed in it. There is so much in this book that there is bound to be something new here for everyone.
With thanks to Netgalley and Elliott and Thompson for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
The book intimately links each Sabbat with the cycle of nature and how we can connect with the seasons and the land which is, after all, the essence of Paganism. We are given ideas for rituals, recipes and other activities to help us to go deeper with each festival and it certainly inspires you to want to reconnect with nature. It is clear that a lot of research has gone into this book and it is beautifully presented.
Although this is a Pagan book, the author also references other religions, while encouraging the reader to decide what works best for them and celebrating the Wheel in their own way.
This book is suitable for both those new to the Wheel of the Year and those well-versed in it. There is so much in this book that there is bound to be something new here for everyone.
With thanks to Netgalley and Elliott and Thompson for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
September 15, 2022
I really loved this book. I thought the author's writing was very beautiful and easy to understand. I loved that she included personal details of her life. I will admit, I was nervous at first when she started talking about other cultures, but she put it very nicely. I loved how she tied in other cultures so we can learn from them and be open-minded but not necessarily adopt it into our own practices.
I enjoyed the recipes a lot. I almost wish there were more recipes to enjoy but I can always research on my own for those. I thought the rituals were well done. I liked that they weren't the same for each turn of the wheel. Each chapter felt unique and not once was I bored reading this.
I highly recommend this book for beginner witches or for those that would like to learn more about these pagan holidays since not every witch celebrates them. It's informative but fluid enough for you to form your own thoughts and opinions.
I enjoyed the recipes a lot. I almost wish there were more recipes to enjoy but I can always research on my own for those. I thought the rituals were well done. I liked that they weren't the same for each turn of the wheel. Each chapter felt unique and not once was I bored reading this.
I highly recommend this book for beginner witches or for those that would like to learn more about these pagan holidays since not every witch celebrates them. It's informative but fluid enough for you to form your own thoughts and opinions.
October 25, 2022
Firstly I wish to thank the lovely folks at Elliot & Thompson for sending me a copy of this gorgeous book with a request to read and review it.
This book is so well written and full of intriguing information, folklore, stories and is really endlessly fascinating.
The book very deftly discusses the seasons of the year and the specific times and events that occur within the cycle the seasons follow.
Reading this book, I truly felt I was nurturing my soul. “Nourishment in the form of words” is a thought I continually had during my time with the book, which was, in all honesty, all to brief.
After the last couple of years of the pandemic, political upheavals and monumental societal change we all need to take the time to recalibrate, reset and plant all our feet firmly on the ground.
This is a fantastic book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the world around them and how the seasons of the year affect us all on a daily basis through the cycle of year.
This book is so well written and full of intriguing information, folklore, stories and is really endlessly fascinating.
The book very deftly discusses the seasons of the year and the specific times and events that occur within the cycle the seasons follow.
Reading this book, I truly felt I was nurturing my soul. “Nourishment in the form of words” is a thought I continually had during my time with the book, which was, in all honesty, all to brief.
After the last couple of years of the pandemic, political upheavals and monumental societal change we all need to take the time to recalibrate, reset and plant all our feet firmly on the ground.
This is a fantastic book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the world around them and how the seasons of the year affect us all on a daily basis through the cycle of year.
July 7, 2023
With a gorgeous cover, The Wheel of the Year is a cosy, informative read about nature's cycles through a Wiccan perspective. Focusing on the eight key turning points through the year, the author offers a brief history, plus many activities and things to enjoy during the changing seasons. The book would work well as a personal resource or for research purposes, and I found it calming and restorative. As is often the case with books on this topic, the author goes for broad appeal over honing into one specific aspect, which is completely understandable, but which meant for my personal reading preferences there were many areas of the chapters I skimmed, while wanting a little more information on those areas I found more interesting. Not a criticism, but more an explanation of where one star was dropped.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of The Wheel of the Year in exchange for an honest review.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of The Wheel of the Year in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2023
With a gorgeous cover, The Wheel of the Year is a cosy, informative read about nature's cycles through a Wiccan perspective. Focusing on the eight key turning points through the year, the author offers a brief history, plus many activities and things to enjoy during the changing seasons. The book would work well as a personal resource or for research purposes, and I found it calming and restorative. As is often the case with books on this topic, the author goes for broad appeal over honing into one specific aspect, which is completely understandable, but which meant for my personal reading preferences there were many areas of the chapters I skimmed, while wanting a little more information on those areas I found more interesting. Not a criticism, but more an explanation of where one star was dropped.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of The Wheel of the Year in exchange for an honest review.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of The Wheel of the Year in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2023
The Wheel of the Year by Rebecca Beattie
This is a book to be savored…not to be read in a day. I can see taking it out a few weeks before the next celebration to start thinking about and preparing to benefit the most from it. Trying to read it word for word from cover to cover in one go was overwhelming but I can see having this book in my library to refer to throughout the year.
The author speaks about her personal journey providing anecdotes and insights, provides rituals, activities, and ideas to personalize and make them special, gives history and insights to similar celebrations around the world, and provides a wealth of information that will help any interested in the Wheel of the Year and the eight times during the year that nature changes and can be celebrated while tapping into the earth energies of those seasonal times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
This is a book to be savored…not to be read in a day. I can see taking it out a few weeks before the next celebration to start thinking about and preparing to benefit the most from it. Trying to read it word for word from cover to cover in one go was overwhelming but I can see having this book in my library to refer to throughout the year.
The author speaks about her personal journey providing anecdotes and insights, provides rituals, activities, and ideas to personalize and make them special, gives history and insights to similar celebrations around the world, and provides a wealth of information that will help any interested in the Wheel of the Year and the eight times during the year that nature changes and can be celebrated while tapping into the earth energies of those seasonal times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
July 1, 2023
The Whell of the Year by Rebecca Beattie - 5/5
Outdoors & Nature - Religion & Spirituality - Self Help
Your rejuvenating guide to connection with Natures seasons and cycles.
As a beginner, I found this seasons and cycles guide to be useful in my learning. I love learning about new things involving nature and this book caught my attention. It is warm and inviting, beginner friendly and I enjoyed the words and storytelling of this book. There are 8 chapters that are based on each of the sacred days, midwinter, Imbolc, spring equinox, Beltane, summer solstice, Lammas, autumnal equinox and Samhain. This is a book I would recommender for beginners and would make a great addition to any home library.
Available for purchase June 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the eARC.
Outdoors & Nature - Religion & Spirituality - Self Help
Your rejuvenating guide to connection with Natures seasons and cycles.
As a beginner, I found this seasons and cycles guide to be useful in my learning. I love learning about new things involving nature and this book caught my attention. It is warm and inviting, beginner friendly and I enjoyed the words and storytelling of this book. There are 8 chapters that are based on each of the sacred days, midwinter, Imbolc, spring equinox, Beltane, summer solstice, Lammas, autumnal equinox and Samhain. This is a book I would recommender for beginners and would make a great addition to any home library.
Available for purchase June 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the eARC.
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