Llewellyn's 2008 Astrological Calendar: With Horoscopes for Everyone

ISBN 0-7387-0550-0
Price $12.99

Llewellyn’s astrological calendars rarely disappoint, and the 2008 version is no exception. 

The calendar days show all sorts of lunar information: phase and quarter change, the sign it is found in, and void of course times.  Sun signs, planetary motion (retrograde/direct), and daily planetary aspects are noted, as are the astrologically advantageous days for fishing and planting.  Plenty of room left in each day’s square for your appointments, too.

Also included are horoscopes for each sign, including dates that are challenging or rewarding.  Kim Rogers-Gallagher does a nice Intro to Astrology explaining all the information on the calendar.  There is a very informative set of keywords explaining the aspects, a piece on lunar gardening, and an article on lunar activity with respect to planting times. Bruce Scofield contributes forecasts for each sign for our travel and vacation planning.

The last pages include instructions and explanations for the use of the calendar and its plethora of information, and the dates for eclipses and retrograde planets for 2008.  My favorite feature of the calendar is the ephemeris tables for the year – much easier to read than the teeny print in the Rapheal’s.

Once again, five out of five.

 

Llewellyn's 2008 Herbal Almanac

ISBN 0-7387-0554-3
Price $8.99

To me, an almanac has more of a calendrical feel to it that the Llewellyn herbal ones do, but I see my Mac dictionary backs up the use of the term:   

an annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as astronomical data and tide tables.

a handbook, typically published annually, containing information of general interest or on a sport or pastime.

Now that that’s settled, let’s see what’s inside:  over 300 pages of useful and fun information on herbs and their uses.  The first section, Growing and Gathering Herbs, includes an article by Elizabeth Barrette on those rare friends, herbs for shade.  Here, too, are articles on endangered herbs, mints, and comfrey.

The second section, Culinary Herbs, has all sorts of delightful recipes, including a very informative article on soy products by Zaeda Yin.  The Herbs for Health section 3 has a timely piece on herbal treatments for colds and flu, herbs for baby, and one I intend to try out, herbal treatments for weary feet.

Section 4, Herbs for Beauty, has info on hennas, skin care, and a guide for a teen girl’s garden (which I probably would have put in the Growing chapter.)  Section 5 is Herb Crafts, and has articles on crafts for kids as well as the home, and suggestions for a “scentual” wedding.    The last section is my favorite, devoted to Herb History, Myth and Lore.  There are all kinds of fascinating things here, from Paracelsus and alchemy to quarters and signs of the moon and moon tables.

Lots of our favorite authors contribute to this year’s Almanac, including Susan Weed, Kaaren Christ, Krystal Bowden, Sally Cragin, Mark Stavish and Karen Creel.  Some of the articles are a little basic or repetitive, but they’re good for beginners and are balanced by the more detailed and esoteric articles.

Four out of Five.

Ghost Worlds: A Guide to Poltergeists, Portals, Ecto-Mist, & Spirit Behavior (Paperback)
by Melba Goodwyn (Author)

ISBN 0738711950
Price $14.95
 

Ms. Goodwyn writes from her perspective as a clairvoyant, clairaudient psychic, which is something of a nice change from the usual ghosthunter laden with high tech toys, and the book is full of tales from her own experiences. 

There is a chapter on locations that could be haunted, from the cliché old house or cemetery to the less-familiar cave or community building.  Another chapter talks about objects such as a “weird” doll, and there’s a scary story about a crystal ball. (You’ve got to wonder what some people use for common sense.)  Goodwyn talks about the times and methods ghosts may be found manifest and the different types of ghosts and their kin: shadow, imaginary playmate, poltergeist, orb, vortex, and ecto-mist.  She discusses portals and how they may be employed by ghostly visitors, and touches briefly on the “energy anomalies” that show up on camera films.   

The last part of the book is devoted to ghosthunters, ghost-hunting expeditions and tools of the trade, and tips on how to communicate with the Other Side.   Nothing new here, although there are a couple of creepy stories that are worth reading.    

Conclusion?  Fine for a beginner, but if you’ve read other ghosthunter books, you’ve pretty much read this one as well.  Goodwyn offers “explanations” of various phenomena that are of little or no value scientifically, yet they are presented as straight fact.  The good part, to my mind, is the telling of her personal experiences.  We all love a good ghost story. 

Three out of five:

Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick (Paperback)
by Ellen Dugan 

ISBN 0738709220
Price $16.95

Let’s start with the cover: beautiful young woman, very garden-y feel, but I do so wish that redheads would wear some color other than green!  It’s like it’s in their darn contracts or something! 

 Had to get that out of my system.  Sorry.  No points deducted. 

I’ve read all of Dugan’s previous books, and while we disagree on some gardening details, I like Ellen.  I really do.  So it is with utmost respect that I suggest the following:  Natural Witchery is not so much a new concept, tradition, or witchy way of being as it is Ellen maturing as a person.  She defines “natural Witch” as someone who “claims the right to live as they choose...”, going about their lives, quietly using whatever spells, ingredients, intuitions, powers, and understandings they want to use, without needing to tell other people about it, gather degrees to show their mastery of it, or follow other people’s instructions.  To me this is less a different kind of Witch than one who has simply matured beyond external focus into the land of inner direction. 

Dugan discusses types of intuition and how psychic powers may be developed, has a chapter on psychic/lunar interactions, and discusses the how personal magick may be developed through interaction with nature..  A chapter I found particularly interesting was the one on personal power explained through the elements.  There’s an informative section on starting a Circle, suggestions as to how to relate to others, both magickal and non-, and Witch in the Workplace.  That section closes on a discussion of how to keep a sacred focus in the mundane world. 

The last section of the book, The Book of Witchery, is a collection of correspondences, a few spells and charms, and some craft projects to try. 

While I didn’t learn a whole lot here, having trod these same paths myself, it was a fun read with a fresh perspective. 

Four out of five

Reviews by Karen Albeck