Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful guide to obscure holiday
Review: A very well done book that taught me a lot of information about an obscure Sabbat holiday. Never having celebrated the Christianized Candlemas, my celebration of Imbolc this year was far more inspirational and meaningful with this book as a guideline. Kudos.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly well done
Review: Although disappointed that Llewellyn has chosen to name the books in this series mostly by their Christianized names rather than their pagan names (Imbolc), I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The introductory information seemed a stretch but the rituals are really outstanding. I was tremendously inspired by their sabbat and Brigit celebrations. It made me rethink my entire festival. They clearly know how to craft a ritual. Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Juvenile & Absurd
Review: I have all 8 of the LLewlyn pagan holiday books and found this one to be very disappointing. I know that of all of the holidays, Imbolc has the least historical records but I still expected some research. The authors merely repeat info they gleaned (unknown if it is accurate or not) from other modern day pagan writers. And the rituals - please! In one chapter I am told to make my need fire 'the old fashioned way' from either rubbing sticks together or a magnifying glass (magnifiers are old fashioned?) - no matches or else it is not as meaningful? Then in the very next chapter, I am told, for safety sake, to not wear the St Lucia head garland with real candles but instead try aluminum foil with birthday candles or maybe electric lights. So I am to work 5 hours lighting a need fire but it is ok to wear foil and plug in lights??? I laughed out loud at that one. You'd be better off reading basic Wicca books or Internet sites to gather Imbolc information.
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD AND THOROUGH INTRO TO THE SABBAT
Review: I've been interested in the goddess Brigid for a long time, and jumped out of my chair when I heard this book existed. I was even more ecstatic when it didn't disappoint me. I was afraid the book would be a skim-over-the-surface effort, touching only briefly on Brigid and then continuing on to subjects having nothing to do with her. Basically, I was afraid the book would try too hard to be eclectic. Fortunately, the two Ladies K did a wonderful job with their subject. They briefly mentioned other holidays celebrated in other cultures at the same time, and then settled down quite comfortably to talk in-depth about Brigid in her several forms: as an ancient goddess, as a faery of the Sidhe, and as a human saint. I was especially impressed with the section on St. Brigid. Most pagan authors, when writing about Brigid, simply frown angrily at the end of the goddess's myth and rant, "And then the Christians stole her and made her into a saint!" Lol. Here, St. Brigid gets respect. There is an impressive collection of St. Brigid wonder tales, several of which were completely new to me. The authors even see a silver lining in the replacement of the goddess by the saint--by recasting Brigid as a human woman, the Irish may have felt closer to her, since she was more like an old friend than a distant deity. Then the authors get into practical suggestions: rituals, crafts, and recipes. They include rituals for one, for a family, and for a coven. There is a thick chapter on making your own candles. And the recipes, which I didn't get to try yet since I got the book the day before Imbolc, look yummalicious! And for the authenticity police, there is a note by each recipe saying whether it's ancient, post-Crusades, or post-Columbus. Overall, a warm and approachable guide to the Imbolc Sabbat, by two authors who seem like really great people. I have tons of ideas for next year now.
Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive resource for observing the Imbolc Sabbat
Review: Llewellyn publishes a series of books on the eight sabbats of the Pagan year. The books in the series vary quite a bit in quality. This one, devoted to Imbolc ("Candlemas" being the Christianized name) and written by Wiccan priestesses Amber K and Azrael Arynn K, is the best one in the series to date. What sets this book apart is the substance of its content. There is very little padding here. February festivals from various cultures are reviewed, and the information given is well researched and accurate. Many of the customs and folkways described cry out for adoption into one's own seasonal routine. There is an enormous amount of material of the Celtic goddess Brigid (pronounced Bree-id), later identified with a 5th-century Irish saint, a rough contemprorary of St. Patrick. After reading the material collected here, the goddess comes alive as something much more than a symbol of smithcraft, poetry, and healing. She emerges as a powerful personality, central to the land, its people, and their identity. The cross-quarter days are all associated with divination magick, and this book offers some fine, original suggestions suited to the season. I particularly appreciated the instructions for scrying with fire. This is such a primal magickal operation, accessible to human beings thousands of generations before the first tarot card saw the light of day. The ritual suggestions (for solitaries, families, and groups) are thorough and carefully thought out, and will carry significant personal meaning when performed. There is, naturally, a section on candle-making and candle magick, which gets into the details of traditional methods and materials, not often encountered in other books. The table of correspondences for candle magick also displays the authors' characteristic attention to detail and thoroughness. The book winds down with a fascinating selection of recipes appropriate to the ancient and medieval Irish roots of the Imbolc festival. The practice in other books in this series has been to feature mostly "fun" recipes that somehow carry out the theme of the holiday, in color, decoration, or sometimes just name. There's a place for this, but it was a delight to open this book and find something more-an attempt to make some kind of connection with the original people for whom this festival was an important milestone in the passage through winter. In fact, that seems to be what this whole book is about from cover to cover, a vigorous and lively attempt to forge a link-to the extent that it's possible for us-with Brigid and her people at this, her most sacred time of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Jammed packed with info.
Review: Llewellyn publishes a series of books on the eight sabbats of the Pagan year. The books in the series vary quite a bit in quality. This one, devoted to Imbolc ("Candlemas" being the Christianized name) and written by Wiccan priestesses Amber K and Azrael Arynn K, is the best one in the series to date. What sets this book apart is the substance of its content. There is very little padding here. February festivals from various cultures are reviewed, and the information given is well researched and accurate. Many of the customs and folkways described cry out for adoption into one's own seasonal routine. There is an enormous amount of material of the Celtic goddess Brigid (pronounced Bree-id), later identified with a 5th-century Irish saint, a rough contemprorary of St. Patrick. After reading the material collected here, the goddess comes alive as something much more than a symbol of smithcraft, poetry, and healing. She emerges as a powerful personality, central to the land, its people, and their identity. The cross-quarter days are all associated with divination magick, and this book offers some fine, original suggestions suited to the season. I particularly appreciated the instructions for scrying with fire. This is such a primal magickal operation, accessible to human beings thousands of generations before the first tarot card saw the light of day. The ritual suggestions (for solitaries, families, and groups) are thorough and carefully thought out, and will carry significant personal meaning when performed. There is, naturally, a section on candle-making and candle magick, which gets into the details of traditional methods and materials, not often encountered in other books. The table of correspondences for candle magick also displays the authors' characteristic attention to detail and thoroughness. The book winds down with a fascinating selection of recipes appropriate to the ancient and medieval Irish roots of the Imbolc festival. The practice in other books in this series has been to feature mostly "fun" recipes that somehow carry out the theme of the holiday, in color, decoration, or sometimes just name. There's a place for this, but it was a delight to open this book and find something more-an attempt to make some kind of connection with the original people for whom this festival was an important milestone in the passage through winter. In fact, that seems to be what this whole book is about from cover to cover, a vigorous and lively attempt to forge a link-to the extent that it's possible for us-with Brigid and her people at this, her most sacred time of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Jammed packed with info.
Review: So far, this is the best book out of the Llewellyns series on the sabbats. There is so much information, spells, and recipies. There are loads of activites and different things to do during this holiday, and the authors are very straight forward and its easy to read. It has inspired me to make an Imbolc altar, to make bridgit crosses and to make the recipies and crafts. I absolutely love this book!
Rating:
Summary: Best of Brigit
Review: This book is an excellent resource for those wishing to celebrate Brigit and the first hint of Spring at Imbolc.It was extensively researched, lovingly compiled, and obviously sent out with a blessing. An excellent book, one of the most useful and complete in the Llewellyn Sabbats series.
As to the previous reviewer's complaint about using ancient methods for lighting fires, I just used a magnifying glass to start a fire in 30 seconds, and I can use flint and steel to light one in 10 seconds (look in a Boy Scout handbook for instructions, then practice). As for the candles-on-the headdress--there's nothing to prevent you from using candles, but I'm sure the authors were aware of the possibility of being sued by someone if they recommended such a potentially dangerous practice. To denigrate a book based on minor points like this is like saying the Mona Lisa is a bad painting because the background is not exciting.
Enjoy the gift of this book as it was given. Blessed Be.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully And Meaningfully Written!
Review: This book is quite poetic in the way it's written and since Brigit is my Matron Deity, obviously I'm hungry for any information I can get about her! And this book provides a lot of information. It added an even greater depth to my annual rededication to Brigit! The meditation about Brigit is sublime! Highly reccomended!
Rating:
Summary: Juvenile & Absurd
Review: This was the first pagan book I ever bought and its served as a great reference for me. It provides great stories, and history of the holiday and background on the Goddess (the first 60 pages or so are all wonderful stories, history and lore). Its written in an easy relaxed way so its enjoyable to read. There's a good solid chapter (30 pgs) on customs, traditions and symbols. I've started to do seasonal decorating and this chapter had some neat items to make that I've added to my decorating. There are also some great blessings included here which are nice to welcome the season, hobor the transitions of the year. There's a chapter on divination that provides a number of differnt methds ranging from tarrot cards to melted wax in water. I haven't tried these yet so I can't really comment on them but the instructions and relevancy/interpretations all seem very straightforward. There's a section on cleansing which I love - it feels so good to clean things out, and cleansing the home and your self are wonderful to take time in. A number of activities ranging from baths to spring cleaning are provided here. There's a chapter on celebrations and Rituals - here there is a collection of things such as music, and candlemas rites (for one or for small or lage groups). I love the rite for one - its a nice soothing bath with candles and such. Quite peaceful. There's also a wonderful meditation at the end of winter - a wonderful nature meditation. There's a chapter on candles (how to make them - very fun)And then there's a chapter of recipes. I'm vegetarian so many of these did not appeal to me. There's a short section on resources at the back - I wish they had included some recommendations for music cds. Overall great book that is down to earth, and seems to really provide the basics in understanding the history of this celebration and great ways to honor/mark the day. Highly recommended especially for those new to paganism.
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