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Summary: Celebrating Samhain will be special with this book.......
Review: .......I just purchased "Celebrate the Earth" because, as a new Wiccan, I am planning my first holiday, Samhain. Cabot's book is really special because she takes us into the history behind each holiday. This helps to explain why Wiccans celebrate as they do today and also shows us how many non-pagan holidays have their roots in pagan traditions. She shows us how, in elaborate detail, to prepare our home and altar for each celebration. She also takes us through sample rituals which we can, of course, use entirely or just take ideas from. She gives us recipes for traditional meals as well as herbs, oils and incense. My impression of this book is that Ms. Cabot has tried to stick close to tradition. This is evident based on the history of our faith that she is sure to instruct us on. Note, though, that some of the spells she includes ingredients such as "dragon blood" or "wolf's hair". She will often, but not always, offer a substitute to a difficult to find item or will inform on how to obtain such items. The book's layout is divided into chapters that are each devoted to one of the eight Wiccan sabbats. I'm truly looking forward to celebrating the sabbats using this book. Other books that I own that introduce readers to Wicca don't do nearly as good of a job at helping newbies prepare for the holidays. I recommend this book to anyone who is new to Wicca or who is looking for new holiday ideas.
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Summary: It lacked ONE obvious chapter...
Review: As an avid fan of Ms. Cabot's books, I must say that there was one Witch celebration which she should have devoted at least one entire chapter to. And, that is the New and Full phases of the moon. She needed to go over the celebrations of the 13 full moons, and I would have LOVED it if she had given an incense and oil recipe for each one!! But, all she did was list 12 of the 13 moons in the last few pages. So, THIS is all that the book was lacking. Oh, and maybe a few more Samhain specific Oil recipe, as well as some magickal recipes which are a bit easier to make, IMHO...
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Summary: Like always, Laurie Cabot has turned out a masterpiece!
Review: As I have said in my review of Power of the Witch ( a reader from Texas ), Laurie Cabot's books are never a disappointment. This book, though based on Celtic Traditions, is perfect for any Witch who wants to understand the meaning and symbolism of our solar holidays. Each Sabbat is given it's own chapter which includes a story, preperations, ritual, spells, recipies, and enough personal annecdotes to make you want to know more about this fabulous woman who has done so much for our Craft. Whether you use Celtic traditions or not, you will not be disappointed by this book, so buy it today. Blessed Be!
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Summary: Like always, Laurie Cabot has turned out a masterpiece!
Review: As I have said in my review of Power of the Witch ( a reader from Texas ), Laurie Cabot's books are never a disappointment. This book, though based on Celtic Traditions, is perfect for any Witch who wants to understand the meaning and symbolism of our solar holidays. Each Sabbat is given it's own chapter which includes a story, preperations, ritual, spells, recipies, and enough personal annecdotes to make you want to know more about this fabulous woman who has done so much for our Craft. Whether you use Celtic traditions or not, you will not be disappointed by this book, so buy it today. Blessed Be!
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Summary: celebrate the earth year of holidaysinthe pagan tradition
Review: i agree with all the reviews every one,s got a rite to voice.ialso agree with laurie being of celtic background myself. she honors her ancestors thru her studies ,beliefs,traditions.yes some spell,s contents were hard to get.but readcloser she states adon,t be afraid to add bits more or less to come up with your( underline that) own concoctions.meaning create from within to have it work better for you,your spell, yourincense or philtres(herbalmixs)where oils&charms can be added.i,m blessed enough to have her occult shoppe next town over in salem mass.she does a lot for all of us as witches her voice was heard many bias walls came down because laurie stopped to explain the rites of all of us,i cherish my two signed copies her books &powerofthe witchher 1st one.they are all full of imagination,childlike, wonder,fairiestalesof oldwe can alluse alittle ofseeing our world thru open eyes rather than closed.rhia~sun
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Summary: One of the Best Sabbat Books
Review: I have been searching for a good Sabbats Book for a long time. Finally, one day I came across this book. It was great! I go back to it all the time. After an information filled section on each sabbat, you will find a short story on some aspect of that holiday, followed by a section entitled Earth Magic. In this section you will find sample rituals, garb, prepartation, herbcraft, spellcraft, magical stones and lore. The rituals are for groups though, that is the only problem, but I suppose you could change them for solitary use. Earth magic also has recipies for oil mixtures and some spells to try out. Following Earth Magic you will find the section entitled Holiday Fare. This is where you will find recipies for dishes you can make for meals or desserts. After that you will find Ancient Activities which includes crafts and lore related to the season. Even the appendices have valueable information that will have you looking back again and again. I don't rate many books with 5 stars, only the ones I believe truly deserve it, and this book is one of them.
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Summary: Unnecessarily complicated...
Review: I have not read any other of Laurie Cabot's books, and probably never will, but that is not because I did not enjoy this one. For a newcomer to the traditions and meanings within the pagan wheel of the year, this book was a good starter in experiencing those festivals and holidays. This book is a perfect companion and lays a good spiritual foundation for enjoying and exploring the ancient world of the Celts and paganism in general. A bit more depth on the historical background of each festival would have made the book that much better, but that is not really its purpose, and I find myself returning to this slim volume again and again as my understanding grows, enjoying it more each time. The language is simple and straightforward, and the writer seldom stumbles, taking the reader flowing through the days of the year to return to where it all began.
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Summary: Unnecessarily complicated...
Review: There is much to recommend this book to a new person. Even one that's been around awhile will find new ideas here. If one is interested in a book with a Celtic bent, this is a fine book. However, the shear amounts of ingredients for oils, incenses, etc, is unnecessary for a successful ritual. A new person trying to follow all the recipes might go mad trying to collect everything. I guess I come from the "Less is more" school of Wicca...
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