I'm all about crafting and cooking, so I was eager to dive into this one. It's laid out well, and I enjoyed the crafts and recipes. Hope to get this in print form to really dive in.

whoops forgot to review this one (sorry)
Highly interesting read
Made me think about how i structure my year
Loved the ideas
4/5

The Natural Home Wheel of the Year by Raechel Henderson helps the reader to incorporate the 8 wheel of the year celebrations into their lives through easy to do activities. The spirit of each of these sabbats/seasons is practiced through decorating, crafting, recipes, nature activities and journal prompts. The ideas Raechal puts forth are economical, many involving things you would already have, can make or forage for outside. There is a emphasis on being environmentally conscious and inclusive.
This book is divided into sections dedicated to each sabbat. First there's a brief history/explanation of the holiday. Then there are decor ideas featuring altar cloths/wreaths/candle work, there are recipies featuring in season foods, there are crafting ideas like making candles/balms/incense, journal prompts featuring the themes of the sabbat and activities to make the most of the season like seed prepping/making fire starters/dying eggs/nature walks. There are templates included to help with crafts and beautiful photos to inspire.
The book is easy to read and refer to, the crafts are approachable and it really helps to make magical practices easier to incorporate in your everyday life. This book provides easy ways to connect with the natural world and become more intune and grounded in its energies.

The Natural Home Wheel of the Year is an accessible and useful guide to the natural/magical calendar written and curated by Raechel Henderson. Released 8th Dec 2023 by Llewellyn, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

The book is graphically pleasing, with simple line drawn illustrations and clear color photography throughout. It's arranged around the 8 high holidays of the pagan/Celtic calendar (Samhain,Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon), with recipes, crafts, and activities for each. The crafts are simple, attractive, and do-able without a lot of extra tools or supples.

The author's voice is friendly and positive, and there's a lot of practical wisdom scattered throughout the book. Salient points appear in highlighted text boxes, and the author/publisher have included appendices with templates and links/bibliography lists for further reading and learning.

There's an emphasis on nature crafts, and ecofriendly tutorials. Each tutorial includes a bullet list of tools & supplies, followed by step-by-step instructions. The tutorials are well photographed and "action" shots are well staged without hands or other items blocking the steps.

High quality, well written book with useful tutorials. It has a definite pagan/wiccan slant, but the author is *not* heavy-handed or proselytizing in language or philosophy. The tutorials run the gamut from making runes, to creating wreaths, altars and ritual, and making teas and other recipes.

Five stars. This would be a great choice for public library acquisition (with the codicil that in the USA at least in some areas, there are active book bans happening and this book could be a lightning rod for controversy for some not very valid reasons). It would also be lovely for gift giving or for home crafters, smallholders, and self-sufficiency fans.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I've been reading up on a lot of books featuring the Wheel of the Year, and the first thing I noticed was that Henderson doesn't spend a lot of time reinventing the wheel (okay, pun intended, you got me) and wasting time explaining what all of these sabbats are. She gives a brief overview, but doesn't delve too deeply into any of them. Instead, Henderson spends her time providing real, useful, and practical techniques that readers can use, broken down by sabbat.

As someone who uses both natural and repurposed items, Henderson's techniques most often use items that are available within your house or can be gotten from natural areas nearby. I especially loved how there are journaling prompts that correspond to each sabbat, inviting us to reflect on various questions depending on the season and the changes that are going on in nature. This allows us to connect to the natural world in an entirely different way, but also in one that allows us to grow in novel ways.

There are tips for how to decorate your altar, colors and herbs that correspond to the season, recipes to prepare, crafts to make (including to decorate your altar), and specific blessings to incorporate at certain times of the year. Overall, this is a wonderful book if you're looking for ways to incorporate the wheel of the year into your practice, and find some relatively easy crafts and recipes to make. None of the crafts or recipes is too complicated, and don't require materials that you can't find easily.

I enjoyed reading this book. This is one of those books you keep on hand to refer to throughout your year. It is filled with ideas, projects and recipes that encourage you to slow down and be fully present in each of the seasons. I’m a huge fan of living seasonally and with intention and this book supports that quite well!

Book Review: The Natural Home Wheel of the Year: A Guide to Embracing Nature's Energies

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Natural Home Wheel of the Year by Raechel Henderson is a delightful guide that invites readers to embrace the natural energies that surround us throughout the year. With its emphasis on low-cost activities, craft ideas, and delicious recipes, this book offers a plethora of options to infuse creativity and meaning into every season.

Henderson's book is divided into sections dedicated to each sabbat, providing readers with a comprehensive range of ideas and inspirations. From creating an enchanting altar to engaging in journal prompts, from baking mouth-watering cookies to shaping ice lanterns, there are over 160 suggestions to choose from. The author's attention to detail and vibrant descriptions make it easy to envision the activities, making them all the more enticing.

One aspect that sets The Natural Home Wheel of the Year apart is its eco-friendly approach. Henderson encourages the use of found and foraged materials, enabling readers to connect with nature on a deeper level. The inclusion of color photos and graphics throughout the book enhances the reading experience and brings the ideas to life. Skimming through the pages becomes a joyous exploration of nature's wonders.

The layout of the book is well-organized, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you will find the information accessible and engaging. The combination of recipes, crafts, activities, and journal prompts ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of their interests or skill levels.

I particularly enjoyed the author's sustainable approach to seasonal themes and lessons. In a world that often neglects our connection to nature, The Natural Home Wheel of the Year fills the void by providing practical ways to incorporate nature-based practices into our lives. Henderson's insights offer new perspectives and opportunities for personal enrichment at each turn of the wheel.

In conclusion, The Natural Home Wheel of the Year is a visually appealing and informative guide that encourages readers to embrace nature's energies. With its abundance of ideas and emphasis on sustainability, this book is a valuable resource for those seeking to infuse their lives with meaning and creativity. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to the concept of sabbats, Raechel Henderson's book offers a delightful journey through the seasons, leaving you inspired and connected to the natural world.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Exploring the Sabbats

The author states that the Wheel of the Year refers to the cyclical nature of the seasons, and describes the it as a modern invention, first created as a Wiccan tradition, the wheel has been adopted by a larger group of non-Wiccan witches and pagans. She states that all three groups celebrate the cycle of nature and the turning of the year, and one doesn’t have to be Wiccan, pagan, or witchy to celebrate the Wheel of the Year.

The author has outlined this book into two parts, with the first part covering the various techniques and methods used in the crafts throughout the book, and the second part covers each individual sabbat with sections on the altar, rituals, activities, recipes, crafts, and decorations. Additionally, she discusses each sabbat in more detail proving each as follows and indicating the approximate Southern Hemisphere dates in parentheses:
1. Samhain: October 31 (April 30)
2. Yule: Winter Solstice ( June 21)
3. Imbolc: February 2 (August 1)
4. Ostara: Spring Equinox (September 21)
5. Beltane: May 1 (October 31)
6. Litha or Midsummer: Summer Solstice (December 21)
7. Lammas or Lughnasadh: August 1 (February 1)
8. Mabon: Autumn Equinox (March 21)

I found the section on ancestral altars and offerings very helpful and informative. Additionally, I enjoyed all the information on the many and various foods, recipes, rituals, and activities for each sabbaths for each sabbat.

This book is great, not only for a beginner, but a seasonal advanced practitioner as well. Highly recommend.

I enjoyed this lovely book about celebrating the Sabbats throughout the year through foraging, crafts, rituals, and recipes. What I like most is how practical and accessible the crafts and recipes are. I also appreciate how many great pictures there are and crafting templates and clear well thought instructions.

This book is gorgeous!! The photography throughout is beautiful and fits every page and subject perfectly. I enjoyed the way this book is divided and so easy to read and follow along. I read this one and took so many notes as I did so because there is so much information. This book includes decorations, crafts, and food and so there are plenty of things to do and use to celebrate each of the major holidays.

Sometimes the wheel of the year confuses me but I loved the way they broke it down and it made sense. Great Book for beginners who want to learn more about the wheel of the year.

The Natural Home Wheel of the Year by Raechel Henderson is bound to be a classic. This beautiful book shows you how to celebrate and make your home festive for the Sabbats of the year using little if no money. There are crafts and tons of useful information, as well as beautiful photographs. I can't wait to buy this book and put it to use!

This book is outstanding. I found a lot of useful and practical information in this book. I found the crafts to be of the most interest. The author's instructions on how to make ogham staves were of particular interest to me. I also found that the simple instructions for evergreen bundles and seed bombs were basic enough that most of the items were already in my environment. I look forward to applying this knowledge and trying the lilac sugar for Beltane.

Really enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I was hoping for. Lots of ideas for getting in the holiday spirit year-round. Being pagan there aren't always models in our life to base our holiday traditions on. I felt like this gave a well-rounded picture for creating traditions and celebrating in style.

More detailed review on my blog

This book is a goldmine of practical ideas and an abundance of crafts that even someone like me could easily tackle. It not only provides insights into the changing seasons but also teaches how to make the passage of time truly meaningful. Amidst the plethora of creative concepts, one particular gem that stood out to me was the ingenious method it shared for effortlessly removing labels from jars, cans, and bottles using everyday kitchen items.

The book is exceptionally well-illustrated, making every craft and idea easily accessible, and it exudes a delightful sense of positivity and creativity throughout. In essence, this book is an absolute delight, filled with wonderful inspiration and valuable insights.

What an absolutely gorgeous book! This is a perfect book for anyone wanting to incorporate easy, cozy rituals into their every day life - from the kitchen, to the craft table, to the journal pages. This is a wonderful collection of crafts, recipes, journal prompts, and ideas for anyone looking to enrich their everyday life and mark the season in meaningful ways.

While we are all familiar with the Sabbats, this book adds to how we celebrate them. With activities, recipes and crafts to add to your celebrations, this books a nice white to add some new things even creating new traditions, throughout the year.

This book is a treasure of practical ideas and lots of crafts that even I could do. The seasons are explained as well as how to make the passage of time mean something. My favorite idea I took away and I mean there are lots of them is the way to remove labels from jars and cans and bottles with common kitchen items. Very well illustrated and filled with good vibes this book is wonderful,

A great beginner look at the Wheel of the Year. Activities for the whole family and information to make things applicable and understandable to a novice.

This book is a stunningly beautiful guide to the wheel of the year. Working sabbat by sabbat the book has suggestions foraging, the altar, rituals and activities, recipes, crafts and decorations.
This book is definitely wicca leaning however the unique ideas and stunning photography would be interesting for any nature witch