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If you've found your way to this website, then you are probably well aware of the Llewellyn line of Pagan books, mass marketed for many years now. Llewellyn was one of the first companies to mass market books to this target (and now captive) audience and for all of their pompous detractors (mostly just haughty folk proclaiming their collective works as "fluffy), THIS Diva has found Llewellyn's offerings to be just what the Wise Woman ordered! I have long depended on the prolific and wide-spectrum authors at Llewellyn to keep me informed and entertained and with the amazing volume of books published by their company on an ongoing basis, I would challenge that it would be difficult for anyone to look through their catalog and not come up with more coveted items than they can count on both hands. Being The Diva, I would also have to ask of those who complain about Llewellyn, "How many Pagan books have YOU published this year??" Thought so. :) This time of year, the calendars, astrological trackers and date books for next year are being released, so I know a lot of you are wondering which ones will best meet your needs. Several of Llewellyn's best are reviewed below for your convenience.
2004 WITCHES'
SPELL-A-DAY ALMANAC ISBN 0-7387-0228-5 Every day of the week, for the entirety of 2004, you will have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing what to cast. Spells that are well-thought through, with correspondences all in a row, are given to you for almost every day, with some days more free-form, with suggestions. One of the parts I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that it wasn’t too impersonal. There’s a section on Leap Day lore for the 29th of February, a section of Christmas lore on the 25th, and even a spell of peace for the third year after the September 11th attacks. It managed to stay somewhat relevant to the calendar, which I find very helpful for bringing magick in tune with the Spiral of the Year. However, if you’ve ever read a Llewellyn spell book, then you know what the number one problem here is going to be – Bad poetry. It’s tragic, really, but you’ll almost certainly have to rewrite your incantations for every spell. “I give love, and love is divine//Grant my wish in all due time” is not the sort of thing that I can chant with a straight face. But since I’m clever, and can figure out what to say, I find this book is a fantastic guide for Newbies and the experienced alike, helping to figure out what spell to do during a full moon ritual or just guiding a Newbie, this book is able to give as much or as little guidance as you need. Review By Dusty Hodges
This pocket planner is an essential reference for the practiced astrologer. It's very much a "no bones about it" tool for planetary, lunar and solar placement when determining astrological influences for charting transits or accentuating spell work. It is likely that the novice astrologer or Witch will be a little lost since this wonderfully distilled guide does little in the way of hand holding and leaps right into the meat and potatoes of the meal. Included is a complete 2003, 2004 and 2005 ephemeris, which certainly beats lugging around a 400 pound 25 year volume. Additionally, Mercury retrogrades and Moon Voids of the Course are listed in the front of the book. It's hard to believe a book so compact could hold so much info. This is perfect for the purse or briefcase and may be used as a wonderful quick reference tool. Each day for 2004 has its own astrological report via symbols and ample note room for jotting down personal influences or reminders. Particularly impressive is that next to each daily report, the times of specific transits and astrological changes and influences is noted both in Eastern Standard Time and Pacific Standard Time, which is unusual and welcome. A blank horoscope chart is provided, as are several pages designated for personal notes at the end. Summary: Outstanding and essential tool for the experienced astrologer, but may be over the head of the novice.
The opposite end of the spectrum from the Astrological Pocket Planner is the marvelous Witchy Day Planner, which is wonderfully set up for teen and younger Witchy folk. Spell work and tips are included for each page, as well as "priorities for the week" which help the reader to focus on positive changes and goals for the week. The weekly and daily planner is interspliced with wonderful short essays on a variety of subjects of interest specifically targeted to the younger audience, but also definitely educational for older Witches as well. These essays are written by several of the standard Llewellyn writers, including Kristin Madden, Elizabeth Barrette and Jennifer McDevitt. Pagan ethics, creatures of power and other basic Wicca 101 subjects are covered in an easily read and comprehensive fashion. Of particular interest and value is the section called "Rights and Rituals," by Julianna Yau, which focuses on the issue of intolerance and gives fledgling Craft folks advice on dealing with the prejudices and judgments of the uneducated mainstream public. For each day, simple transits are listed without going into complicated details. Color correspondences for the day, generous spaces for writing one's own notes and suggested activities are given, as well as notations on the lunar cycles, sabbats and other important events. In the back of the datebook, several tables are given, including the influence of different days of the week, sabbats, Mercury retrogrades, eclipses, effects of moon signs, planetary associations and work with waxing/waning moons. Summary: Marvelous tool for the young or novice Witch as well as good stuff for the seasoned Pagan.
Like the Astrological Pocket Planner, it's absolutely amazing the amount of information contained in such a small space. The saddle binding structure of this volume makes it extremely convenient for research and by the end of the year, I predict it will be dog-eared and ratty from a great deal of use. It incorporates the best parts of the Astro Pocket Planner and includes much, much more. The 40 or so pages are dedicated to a very concise and well-explained discussion of the key points of astrology, including genders, houses, aspects, elements, transits, signs, retrogrades just as a start. Moon cycles and signs are discussed at length, as well as eclipse dates, notable astrological phenomenon for the year and a business guide suggesting when to jump and when to sit still. One particular section is devoted to horoscope predictions based on planetary transits, a subject that is of great debate among astrologers (who say it's too general and should not be addressed) versus mainstream public (who eat up anything relating to horoscopes). I found this particular section to be specific enough to global influences to be used as effectively as "Moon in Aries" or a Mercury retrograde. Although the information for each week is specific, it is more of a discussion of general planetary influence toward the general atmosphere of the time. I will find this particular section to be useful when writing rituals through the next year. Again, the times of astrological events are given in EST and PST, which is extremely handy. A complete explanation for determining planetary hours is given, along with a business guide, eclipse dates, a 2004 ephemeris and retrogrades of planets is included. A rather confusing (and I fancy myself not a dumbass) table for determining the times of sunrise and sunset based on latitude is given, as well as an address book portion, lending an odd sense of permanence to find in an annual datebook. Each daily entry provides ample space for jotting notes, as well as a thorough astrological profile of the day. In one specific section of each daily block, the most important astrological notes are given, such as retrogrades and pertinent moon cycles, so as not to get them bunched up with the more complex daily astrological notes. Summary: Very info-extensive, sometimes to the point of being daunting, but the daunting bits are fairly contained and do not detract from the overall value of this guide.
Llewellyn never does anything half-way and their calendars are no exception. Definitely my favorite of any calendar, magickal or otherwise, this is the definitive compilation of necessary daily info for the fully functioning Witch. The artwork for each of the twelve months is spectacular and next to each is a wonderful narrative written by some of the writers from the Magical Almanac, detailing a different subject for each month. Each topic is seasonally specific and quite interesting. At the end of the calendar, full pages are set up for essays by the various authors on subjects from spirit guides to magical dance to the influence of the moon in signs and movement. The individual squares for days contain information pertinent astrological information without being overwhelming. The lunar symbology for the current phase is large and bold, which is helpful, as is the inclusion of the traditional names for each full moon. The blank squares for each month (that would complete the 7 days of the week if a month begins or ends in midweek) is filled by "color of the day" and suggested simple spells. Cross-culture holidays and sabbats are noted, as are planting and harvesting days through the month, helpful to creation and manifestation magick. The last page of the calendar is devoted to "How to Use This Calendar" and a listing of new Llewellyn books and products (which has the desired effect of prompting me to say, "Oooh, I want dat." Summary: An absolute necessity for the Witchy life. A joy to use.
All of the wonderful things I said about the calendar above may be applied to the Witches' Datebook since it is basically the calendar on steroids, and delightfully so. Minus the colored artwork (awww), it has so much wonderful information to delight the reader (Psst: Like the Almanac, it's perfect bathroom reading). Chock full of recipes, poetry and seasonal writings, its plethora of wonderful tidbits is a joy. The "How to Use the Datebook" section is extremely coherent and carefully navigates the reader through this extremely "user friendly" collection of information. The appendix is filled with wonderful information to book magickal workings, including the influence and color of the day of the week, of lunar phases and of the moon sign. Eclipses and Full Moons are listed, as well we planet retrogrades. The individual day blocks are large and open, despite including a good bit of astrological influence for the day, as well as pertinent events occurring on that day. Summary: Another wonderful tool good for all magickal working people and second only to the calendar, this has to be my favorite date tool for 2004.
Any of the items above may be
purchased through the Llewellyn link below:
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