Rating: Summary: It's a good resource. Review: I bought this book so I'd have information about each of the Sabbats all in one source. This book does just that -- it offers project ideas, recipes, various traditions, stories, etc. I refer to it with each holiday, and almost always use one of the ideas given to add a meaningful activity or dish to our celebrations. There are stories about the different cultural manifestations of each holiday, so it's pretty interesting to see that across the globe, each one is celebrated in a similar but unique way.
Rating: Summary: not much there Review: i don't think this is a _bad_ book, it's just that there's not much there. it may be helpful for beginners, but i got it looking more involved activities and information related to the holidays and it just wasn't there. in particular, i found the crafts and activities simplistic- again, nothing wrong with them but if you can go through the holidays naming them, saying a few words about when they occur and what they mean and listing a few activities and other things associated with each, it is my opinion that you won't get much from this book. i bought it and gave it away.
Rating: Summary: Essential Sabbat Reference Guide Review: I have owned this book for years and find myself referencing it on a nearly ritualistic basis (no pun intended). McCoy does a magnificent job covering all 8 Sabbats, including the origins, histories (pagan or otherwise), the symbolism of each, diety relationships, and even ways to celebrate each holiday (menus, recipes, craft ideas/instuctions, etc). And she does it without the mundane, "this-is-the-most-serious-thing-you'll-read" voice that so many Pagan guides can't seem to avoid. It's easy to flip through to find the correct Sabbat, and just as easy to skim the chapter for the exact item you're looking for (recipes, craft instructions, symbols, etc). Even after years of owning this book and re-reading it again and again, I still find myself referencing it for celebrating the Sabbats more than any other book I own. The absolute best.
Rating: Summary: An excellent resource for any pagan or witch! Review: If you know mythological, cultural and general history, you will not get confused by her disregard for verifiable historical facts. For beginners, I suggest Scott Cunningham's Solitary Practicioner (both books), the Farrar's Witches Bible Compleat, the Campanelli's Wheel of the Year, or Raymond Buckland's big blue witchcraft step-by step instructional (his wiccan history is fairly accurate too!). Also reading the Witches God/Goddess by the Farrar's is also a good suggestion for the cyclical nature of Wicca. Reading a book from the mythology or anthropology section of Amazon.com is preferable for an educational background. However, if you leave out the poor history, Ms.McCoy's ritual ideas and receipes are pretty good. I have her Maiden, Mother,Crone book and the meditations are excellent. Make wise and informed choices and always consider the source of the material you're reading (an old history student's mantra).Blessed Be, Denise
Rating: Summary: A Wonderful Activity Book for the Pagan/Wiccan Family Review: My husband and I are very pleased with this book as a "family title". It includes all kinds of crafty celebration ideas, recipes, rituals for the major Sabbats (or Pagan Holidays). It offers several pages on the origins of the traditional celebrations and the historical significance of each. This goes much more indepth than most Pagan/Wiccan books that only mention Sabbats in passing. The activities are group/family oriented and give the reader a few ideas for new (and also steadfastly traditional) ways to celebrate our holidays of the year. Well written and enjoyable for everyone!
Rating: Summary: A Wonderful Activity Book for the Pagan/Wiccan Family Review: My husband and I are very pleased with this book as a "family title". It includes all kinds of crafty celebration ideas, recipes, rituals for the major Sabbats (or Pagan Holidays). It offers several pages on the origins of the traditional celebrations and the historical significance of each. This goes much more indepth than most Pagan/Wiccan books that only mention Sabbats in passing. The activities are group/family oriented and give the reader a few ideas for new (and also steadfastly traditional) ways to celebrate our holidays of the year. Well written and enjoyable for everyone!
Rating: Summary: A Celebration Of The Pagan Sabbats Review: The Sabbats are pagan and witches' most important celebrations. Pagan tribes and witches' covens celebrate the Sabbats according to local tradition. It is difficult for novices and solitary practitioners to learn Sabbat history and rituals. Ms. McCoy's excellent book fills this void. The author addresses the Sabbats from a broad pagan perspective. She discusses the history of each Sabbat, and relates each Sabbat to ethnic celebrations held globally. Ms. McCoy provides both solitary and group rituals for each Sabbat, and explains each ritual's meaning. She describes activities, recipes, and crafts for each Sabbat, and describes natural items appropriate to each Sabbat's celebration. Ms. McCoy provides several useful appendices. Appendix I describes how One can construct their own rituals. Appendix II describes elements of spell construction. Appendix III is a *very* comprehensive glossary which itself is a valuable reference. Appendix VI lists items (e.g., activities, foods, plants, and symbols) appropriate to each Sabbat. I recommend this book as a companion volume to Ms. McCoy's excellent beginner's book "Inside A Witches' Coven". Together, these two books provide good insight into what beginners should expect if they choose to join a pagan tribe or witches' coven.
Rating: Summary: The Sabbats with a little 101 Review: This book contains lots of material on the sabbats, complete with recipies, fun crafts for the pagan family, and sabbat rituals for both coven and solitary. If you're past the 101 stage, just ignore the those sections of the book, or read them anyway like I did, just to see Edain's point of veiw. It's an exellent book, for those wanting more background info on the sabbats, but most of it can be found in other books aswell. Despite that I knew most of it already, I still found something I could use and did'nt know about, plus it contains a wonderful story/guided meditation that, just by reading it made me feel warm and happy. I look forward to read other books by Edain:o)
Rating: Summary: excellent book Review: This book is a must have for any witch. Each holiday is written about in great detail with accompanying recipes, crafts, and rituals for group or solitary practice. I would highly reccommend this book, my only complaint being that (like most books on witchcraft) there is an element of revisionist history. The author doesn't really cite her historical sources. It is still a wonderful resource, however.
Rating: Summary: Lots of good ideas on how to celebrate the Sabbats Review: This book is full of lots of ideas on how to celebrate each Sabbat. I can't imagine someone not finding at least one idea they like a lot for each Sabbat! I like the way she includes recepes in most of her books! My coven uses this book as a starting point in planning our Sabbat rituals! As always, her writing style is readable and enjoyable. Edain McCoy is a very reassuring writer for a new Witch to read who might still have some lingering fears or misconceptions about The Craft.
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