This book explains the wheel of the year, the eight pagan/Celtic days that are celebrated every six weeks or so throughout the year. This is a good introduction to each of these holidays and includes practical ways to celebrate them.
The Wheel of the Year is highly recommended for people who want to nurture their relationship with the natural world and connect to the seasons. If you have questions about the history of these holidays, myths connected with them, traditions, foods, and crafts associated with each one. It's a great book for the pagan family or for those curious with pagan lifestyle.
Thanks to Elliot Thompson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a comprehensive introduction into the natural rhythms of the year and the traditions and folklore which surround them. Great for those already familiar with these markings of time or those who are completely new to them. Easy and interesting to read and a great reference to return to throughout the year.

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.

As someone who is still new to learning about wicca, this book about the wheel of the year was really informative. I really appreciated how easily the sections were laid out for me to follow. I liked that the author included personal tidbits throughout but the contents were still presented in a way that anyone can incorporate into their lives. It was a very beginner friendly book and I learned a lot about the 8 (not 4 as ~tradition~ is) seasons and its history, traditions, and practices!

This just seems like it is a copy and pasted version of the same old Wheel of the Year books that have been coming out for years. It has great text but it is not unique.

Very informative book. Full of a lot of useful information. This book will also be very useful for future reference

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.

A little backstory from me, I've been having a difficult time connecting to my craft this year. However, this book has filled me with an "I can do it" attitude. Ill explain how: The Wheel Of The Year breaks down and goes into detail about the different pagan holidays. Rebecca first goes over the history, importance, and correspondences of each. It is very informative and easy to follow along! This book will forever be a great reference for me each year and will stay on my shelf!!

I highly recommend this to new and old practitioners! We are always learning and the great thing about this book is you can read it whenever you want, be it around an upcoming holiday or all at once!

Thank you to Netgalley and Elliot & Thompson

Well written, informative, and all in all enjoyable. Definitely recommend and would see myself purchasing and referencing in my life. I will say, I'm a practicing wiccan, which could add to my overall interest and connection with the book!

What a lovely read. This would be an excellent gift for a new Witch, be she Wiccan, or not. This book beautifully describes the eight Sabbats of the year. The Wheel of the Year describes when and how each Sabbath came to be, and how they are celebrated around the world, and in different cultures. The book also has lots of ideas/suggestions about how you can celebrate each Sabbat, such as activities, recipies, and Spells of course. There are also some gentle exercises here and there on mindfulness, and to honor and take care of oneself. I know it will improve a Witches spellcraft. The book was was a joyful easy read. I would recommend it to any Witch.

This book had such gorgeous writing. I also liked that there was a lot of research done about the history of all the sabbats and how they are celebrated in different cultures and throughout history. While the information is applicable to anyone who wishes to celebrate the sabbats, the book is definitely geared towards the Wiccan practice. I still believe you can still take something from the book even if you don’t follow Wicca.

Informative introductory read but a little basic.
If this was the first book you had read I think it would be perfect

I have so much love for this book. What a fantastic way to spend your time through the year. I love how the book is formatted and the information contained within each section is both informative and practical. A brilliant read for anyone, specifically those like me who follow the wheel of the year.

This book is very helpful to those starting their magickal journey or for those just simply wanting to know more about the wonders of the year. The content is well-researched and simple to understand. It provides all that it promises while delivering even more. Truly recommend it!

This book is really great if you are a beginner and looking to learn about the wheel of the year. Each chapter breaks down each sabbath and when it is in the northern and southern hemispheres. It then gives you the theme, planet, direction, tarot card and astrology for each one. Then you get the break down of the history and meaning and some ways to celebrate. Very informative quick read.

This is an excellent nature-forward introduction to the concepts behind the pagan Wheel of Year.

The book is divided into eight sections - one for each Sabbat, beginning with Yule. Dates are included for both Northern and Southern Hemispheres. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of information included in this book. I especially enjoyed the variety of activities and traditions included for each Sabbat. There is an emphasis placed on observing and building a connection with the natural world, which I appreciate. In addition, there are ideas that would be great for including friends/family who are unfamiliar with the individual Sabbats. The included rituals are interesting and well-written. The author also includes planetary correspondances and associated cardinal directions, tarot cards, and astrological signs for each Sabbat.

Though Rebecca Beattie is a Wiccan priestess and includes personal stories and experiences throughout, the book is not overtly Wiccan in its presentation. Speaking as a (non-Wiccan) pagan myself, I think anyone could integrate the aspects of the Wheel of the Year presented in this book into their own individual practices and/or beliefs.

I honestly don’t have anything negative to say about this book. I would recommend it to anyone curious about, or just getting started with, living in accordance with the Wheel of the Year. I’d also recommend this book to those looking to reinvigorate their existing practices. I am not new to marking the Sabbats and I found inspiration in many of the suggestions.

For such a concise book, it really does contain a plethora of information, but it doesn't feel dense or like an encyclopedia with it. I am not a practicing Wiccan/witch, but I am someone who spends a lot of time in nature and feels very connected to the natural world. I like that the book doesn't force you into becoming one, or engaging in ways you don't want to/feel comfortable with. It very gently guides you through the seasons, and encourages you to connect in your own way with suggestions for activities, thought excercises and rituals. I think a lot of people from different walks of life will be able to take a lot away from this lovely book, and I will certainly be picking up some copies to gift to friends.

I really enjoyed this exploration of nature, time and the changing of the seasons. For a short volume, it offers a plethora of wisdom, folklore and suggestions on connecting with nature by being more in tune with the cyclical changes of the year.
Recommended.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #ElliottandThompsonbooks

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.

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.