Rating: 
Summary: A beautiful and informative book
Review: The Winter Solstice (as with the solstices and equinoxes) hold a special place in our world because anyone can celebrate them. So many cultures and religions have customs, beliefs, rituals that occur on or around the Solstice.This book highlights some well known and not so well know European Solstice and Yule customs. It also delves quite a bit into Christmas customs that were influenced by eariler Pagan ones. But the information in this book is extended outside the Euro realm and reaches many cultures - really emphasising a common bond between all people. The book is nice enough to offer as a gift or a coffetable treasure. It has a wonderful layout and lots of beautiful pictures, drawings, and poems. In the back of the book it has a couple of Rituals/ Plays that are suitable for public Ritual or a seasonal play. This book can be enjoyed by anyone but definitely appeals to Pagans or curious/ liberal Christians.
Rating:
Summary: extensively rich and historical review of winter customs
Review: This is a wonderful text full of history and thought, and beautiful illustrations. The author extensively explores the origins of numerous Christmas traditions,e.g., lights, evergreens, yule logs, etc. by tracing these customs to the occurance and celebration of the winter solstice, and in later history, to many Roman celebrations. The text adds greater richness, understanding, and appreciation to many Christmas traditions. The author also offers suggestions for celebrating the winter solstice as the important celestial event that it is.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Very complete with history and lore as well as activites. Two thumbs up on this one. Great pictures too. Information is presented in a very straight-forward way. I love this book - made for a much more meaningful christmas for me this year. The table of contents has: 1) The Solstice Dream (this chapter talks to Solstice celebrations and lore across the world and across the ages - from egypt to china to Rome. Poetry and prose from other sources are included.) All chapters end with celebration activites 2) Child of Wonder (this chapter talks to the birth of different gods across the ages - such as apollo, mabon, jesus) 3) The Green Bough (this chapter talks to the symbolism of the tree, the use of evergreens versus cherry tree etc. Green man is also discussed) 4) Old Sir Christmas (this chapter talks to the jolly old elf as well as the Shaman in the Tree and others across the cultures) 5) The Solstice Animals (this is about the slaughter of animals - 'nough said there - go vegetarian!) 6) The 12 days of Christmas At the end of the book is a few pages on additional resources/references which is pretty good. Great book! Most complete I've found and I like how it looks across cultures.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Very complete with history and lore as well as activites. Two thumbs up on this one. Great pictures too. Information is presented in a very straight-forward way. I love this book - made for a much more meaningful christmas for me this year. The table of contents has: 1) The Solstice Dream (this chapter talks to Solstice celebrations and lore across the world and across the ages - from egypt to china to Rome. Poetry and prose from other sources are included.) All chapters end with celebration activites 2) Child of Wonder (this chapter talks to the birth of different gods across the ages - such as apollo, mabon, jesus) 3) The Green Bough (this chapter talks to the symbolism of the tree, the use of evergreens versus cherry tree etc. Green man is also discussed) 4) Old Sir Christmas (this chapter talks to the jolly old elf as well as the Shaman in the Tree and others across the cultures) 5) The Solstice Animals (this is about the slaughter of animals - 'nough said there - go vegetarian!) 6) The 12 days of Christmas At the end of the book is a few pages on additional resources/references which is pretty good. Great book! Most complete I've found and I like how it looks across cultures.
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