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.

I love this book so much!!! I was drawn in right away and quickly found it will be a staple in my practice.

I'm a really big fan of the Hearth Witch series by Anna Franklin. I own the Hearth Witch's Compendium and The Hearth Witch's Kitchen Herbal. I plan to buy this book too as soon as I get the chance to. It was a great follow up to the series. The book itself takes you through the entire year with various rituals that are timely, along with focus on the holidays like Imbolc and the solstices.

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.

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.

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.

To me more relatable to those in the Northern Hemisphere, but those in the Southern Hemisphere still can get something from it. Good for those who really want to have celebrations/live by the months.

‘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.

This is a great year long journey through various holidays and times of the year. It's full of history, recipes and rites and there is something in here that could be useful to many practitioners. Because this follows the months of the Northern Hemisphere is may not be as useful to those in the Southern Hemisphere. It includes a mixture of backgrounds for the stories such as Christian, Roman, Greek, and Celtic. I don't think this is a book that most people should sit down and read all the way through, but something to pick up at various points throughout the month to heighten what they could practice and celebrate throughout the year.

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.

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.

As a hearth witch myself, I really enjoyed this read. This was a great comprehensive overview of house and hearth witchery and how to find magic in the everyday. I will definitely be buying this in print! Thanks to Llewelyn and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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.

This is a great book to keep in your reference section. There were some things I already knew, but there was new information too. It was well written and was really quite useful.

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 cleansing 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.

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!

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.

I really loved this book and plan to buy a hard copy. It is a must-have for both solo witches and covens. Each holiday and event is categorized by date with history, lore, and ways to celebrate included. Very comprehensive.

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.

"A Hearth Witches' Year" is a delight of a book, akin to having a kindly teacher or relative who can show you the ways of the craft, knowledgeable about history and the importance of sources, a skilled writer who can conjure up images or enthral with historical tales, and offers a wide source of inspiration and activity. The monthly format means every chapter is familiar, relevant and achievable. It is also an excellent guide for those whose craft is not simply tied to the 8 spokes of the 'Wheel of the Year', but who want something for the day-to-day, a respect and reverence for the world around us and those who came before.

The books reminds us there are many ways to practise. For those only tentatively dipping a toe into witchcraft, there are recipes for simple cakes, vinegar and wine. For those interested in mythology there are a wide range of deities, both familiar and less so, for study. Historians will enjoy the well-researched accounts of classical and Medieval writing relating to seasonal observances. There are simple, guided spells needing only basic accompaniments - water, candles and other household items - for curious spellcrafters, as well as guided rituals.

A real gem of a book, not only for beginners and the curious, but also for those on eclectic paths seeking focus on daily, natural witchcraft.