{"id":23454,"date":"2020-12-01T01:10:17","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T05:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=23454"},"modified":"2022-03-31T02:15:44","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T06:15:44","slug":"book-review-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-witchs-wheel-of-the-year-by-anjou-kiernan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2020\/12\/01\/book-review-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-witchs-wheel-of-the-year-by-anjou-kiernan\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations by Anjou Kiernan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats,<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Holidays & Celebrations<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

by Anjou Kiernan<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Fair Winds Press<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

208 Pages<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I had the pleasure of reviewing Ms. Kiernan\u2019s book entitled<\/span><\/span> <\/b>The Book of Altars and Sacred Spaces: How to Create Magical Space in Your Home for Ritual and Intention <\/i><\/span><\/span>for the<\/span><\/span> <\/i>July 2020<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> issue of PaganPages<\/span><\/span>Org<\/span><\/span> <\/i>and was impressed with the content and the beautiful photographs that underscored the visual components of creating altars. It was both a feast for the eyes and for the inspired mind. <\/span><\/span>The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span> <\/b>by Anjou Kiernan is another installment from Anjou that stimulates your creativity and uses photography and illustration to conjure up a diverse palette of possibility. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The contents of<\/span><\/span> The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span>give ample attention to each of the eight Sabbats and provide the reader at the onset with the origins and reason for the seasons. The <\/span><\/span>Resources<\/b><\/span><\/span> section at the end of the book provides the reader with a listing of the rituals suggested in each of the individual chapters with a quick look index guide to find them readily. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Each of the Sabbat sections is organized in such a way, that everything you would need to know, both as a beginner and more advanced practitioner, is presented in a clear and precise manner. Dates of the Sabbat, expanded <\/span><\/span>Correspondences, Astronomical Basis, Ancient Sites, Pagan Cultures and Deities, Ancient Traditions and Modern Spells<\/i><\/span><\/span> are some of the categories explored with rituals and active workings specific to that Sabbat strewn throughout. There is enough variety in recommended activities for celebration that would resonate with herbalists, craftspeople and ritualists, alike. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Being an Imbolc baby, I was especially interested to see the treatment given to this Sabbat and any new ideas I could use for my own celebrations. Additionally, being in my 60\u2019s and a new grandmother, the \u201cCrone Annointing Oil\u201d was timely in reading. The inclusion of the Cailleach, the Morrigan and Hecate at this time of the year was a nicely surprising intention. The Crone is not often associated at this time of the year, but entirely makes sense in alignment with the seasonal tides and the underpinnings of energy experienced. In keeping with the more traditional assignations of Imbolc, there is a recipe for crafting a candle honoring Brighid and her potent triple flames. Cleansing amulets, weather divination and ritual and poppets fill the pages for this Sabbat, offering a cornucopia of ways in which the magick and celebratory nature of the Sabbat can be accessed and flow nicely with a modern or more traditional approach. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This comprehensive style is used for each of the Sabbats and the overall sense is one of bolstering and feeling confident in at least one of the forms of honoring used, while being open and receptive to the implementation of new traditions. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Would I Recommend:<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations <\/b><\/span><\/span>by Anjou Kiernan could easily fit into the category of a coffee table book given its rich and beautiful imagery throughout. But the real gift here is the thoughtful crafting of a book that engages the reader at all levels while instructing in the fundamentals of the Witch\u2019s Wheel including the nuances of each celebration. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, this book is really all that is needed to craft meaningful, visually beautiful and powerful expressions of the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year. Additionally, if the reader takes the time to move through each of the possibilities presented in content and idea, the thread of continuity and flow from one Sabbat to the other as suggested by the \u201cWheel\u201d as semantic, comes to life in a dynamic and self-generated manner. <\/span><\/span>The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations <\/b><\/span><\/span>by Anjou Kiernan is definitely a book to proudly place on your shelf and return to frequently. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About Author Anjou Kiernan:<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anjou Kiernan\u00a0<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>is the hedgewitch and herbal alchemist behind Light of Anjou<\/a>, a witchery shop and virtual sacred space for magic and mysticism. She has been toiling in potions and occult writing since the age of 16 and has continued her journey in witchcraft on a magically-minded homestead in the rolling hills of mid-Maine.\u00a0Anjou has been named as one of Refinery29\u2019s \u201cMagical Women You Really Should Be Following on Instagram.\u201d\u00a0Her writing and photography of unique altars and sacred spaces have attracted a broad audience and customer base on both Instagram (@lightofanjou) and her online witchery shop (lightofanjou.com<\/a>). She is the author of <\/span><\/span><\/span>The Ultimate Guide to Witchcraft<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span> and the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Book of Altars and Sacred Spaces<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Ultimate Guide to the Witch?s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations on Amazon<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About the author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Robin Fennelly <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>is an Elder within\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and serves as High Priestess of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>C<\/a>oven of the Mystic Path<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the 12th Coven\u00a0within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches\u00a0and facilitates\u00a0classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that\u00a0serves as foundation for membership within\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Coven of the Mystic Path<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.\u00a0 A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge\u00a0base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to\u00a0Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her\u00a01st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies\u00a0she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25\u00a0years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin\u2019s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.\u00a0 She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.\u00a0 She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: <\/span><\/span><\/span>A Journey to the Inner Chamber<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: <\/span><\/span><\/span>Teachings on the Path with Robin.<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/u><\/p>\n

Robin is the owner of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Holistic Embrace\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance\u00a0and other related offerings.\u00a0 She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin\u2019s Website<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.robinfennelly.com<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.covenofthemysticpath.org<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For more info<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.robinfennelly.com\/books.html<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It\u2019s Written in the Stars-Astrology<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations by Anjou Kiernan Fair Winds Press 208 Pages     I had the pleasure of reviewing Ms. Kiernan\u2019s book entitled The Book of Altars and Sacred Spaces: How to Create Magical Space in Your Home for Ritual and Intention for the July 2020 issue of PaganPagesOrg and was impressed with the content and the beautiful photographs that underscored the visual components of creating altars. It was both a feast for the eyes and for the inspired mind. The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations by Anjou Kiernan is another installment from Anjou that stimulates your creativity and uses photography and illustration to conjure up a diverse palette of possibility. The contents of The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations give ample attention to each of the eight Sabbats and provide the reader at the onset with the origins and reason for the seasons. The Resources section at the end of the book provides the reader with a listing of the rituals suggested in each of the individual chapters with a quick look index guide to find them readily. Each of the Sabbat sections is organized in such a way, that everything you would need to know, both as a beginner and more advanced practitioner, is presented in a clear and precise manner. Dates of the Sabbat, expanded Correspondences, Astronomical Basis, Ancient Sites, Pagan Cultures and Deities, Ancient Traditions and Modern Spells are some of the categories explored with rituals and active workings specific to that Sabbat strewn throughout. There is enough variety in recommended activities for celebration that would resonate with herbalists, craftspeople and ritualists, alike. Being an Imbolc baby, I was especially interested to see the treatment given to this Sabbat and any new ideas I could use for my own celebrations. Additionally, being in my 60\u2019s and a new grandmother, the \u201cCrone Annointing Oil\u201d was timely in reading. The inclusion of the Cailleach, the Morrigan and Hecate at this time of the year was a nicely surprising intention. The Crone is not often associated at this time of the year, but entirely makes sense in alignment with the seasonal tides and the underpinnings of energy experienced. In keeping with the more traditional assignations of Imbolc, there is a recipe for crafting a candle honoring Brighid and her potent triple flames. Cleansing amulets, weather divination and ritual and poppets fill the pages for this Sabbat, offering a cornucopia of ways in which the magick and celebratory nature of the Sabbat can be accessed and flow nicely with a modern or more traditional approach. This comprehensive style is used for each of the Sabbats and the overall sense is one of bolstering and feeling confident in at least one of the forms of honoring used, while being open and receptive to the implementation of new traditions. Would I Recommend: The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations by Anjou Kiernan could easily fit into the category of a coffee table book given its rich and beautiful imagery throughout. But the real gift here is the thoughtful crafting of a book that engages the reader at all levels while instructing in the fundamentals of the Witch\u2019s Wheel including the nuances of each celebration. Overall, this book is really all that is needed to craft meaningful, visually beautiful and powerful expressions of the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year. Additionally, if the reader takes the time to move through each of the possibilities presented in content and idea, the thread of continuity and flow from one Sabbat to the other as suggested by the \u201cWheel\u201d as semantic, comes to life in a dynamic and self-generated manner. The Ultimate Guide to the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations by Anjou Kiernan is definitely a book to proudly place on your shelf and return to frequently. About Author Anjou Kiernan: Anjou Kiernan\u00a0is the hedgewitch and herbal alchemist behind Light of Anjou, a witchery shop and virtual sacred space for magic and mysticism. She has been toiling in potions and occult writing since the age of 16 and has continued her journey in witchcraft on a magically-minded homestead in the rolling hills of mid-Maine.\u00a0Anjou has been named as one of Refinery29\u2019s \u201cMagical Women You Really Should Be Following on Instagram.\u201d\u00a0Her writing and photography of unique altars and sacred spaces have attracted a broad audience and customer base on both Instagram (@lightofanjou) and her online witchery shop (lightofanjou.com). She is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Witchcraft and the Book of Altars and Sacred Spaces.\u00a0 The Ultimate Guide to the Witch?s Wheel of the Year: Rituals, Spells & Practices for Magical Sabbats, Holidays & Celebrations on Amazon *** About the author: Robin Fennelly is an Elder within\u00a0The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition\u00a0and serves as High Priestess of\u00a0Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven\u00a0within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches\u00a0and facilitates\u00a0classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that\u00a0serves as foundation for membership within\u00a0Coven of the Mystic Path.\u00a0\u00a0 Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.\u00a0 A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge\u00a0base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers. Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to\u00a0Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her\u00a01st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015. As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies\u00a0she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25\u00a0years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work. Robin\u2019s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.\u00a0 She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.\u00a0 She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin. Robin is the owner of\u00a0Holistic Embrace\u00a0providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance\u00a0and other related offerings.\u00a0 She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education. Robin\u2019s Website:\u00a0www.robinfennelly.com Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW:\u00a0www.covenofthemysticpath.org Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website: For more info:\u00a0http:\/\/www.robinfennelly.com\/books.html The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It\u2019s Written in the Stars-Astrology The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[12170,10346,12666,12668,12667],"class_list":["post-23454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-anjou-kiernan","tag-author","tag-book-review-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-witchs-wheel-of-the-year-rituals","tag-holidays-celebrations","tag-spells-practices-for-magical-sabbats"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23454"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25899,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23454\/revisions\/25899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}