Author: Starhawk, Diane Baker, and Anne Hill
Trade Paperback, 483 pages
Publisher: Bantam
Publication date: February 2000
ISBN: 0553378058
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Although this book is obviously written with a Wicca-style tradition in mind, it would be an excellent manual for most parents in Neo-Pagan traditions to have on hand. It is a 438-page book chock-full of ideas for incorporating the family into worship.
The book is divided into four basic sections. The first section, entitled "Welcome to the Circle" is about introducing children to magick and/or nature based religions, and making religion accessible to children. The second section entitled "Cycles of the Sun and Moon" covers the cycles of the sun and moon, as well as the eight Sabbats traditionally celebrated as part of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. The third section, entitled "The Life Cycle" focuses on transitions from one part of life to another. This section includes writings on pregnancy, coming of age, handfasting, death, and other events that commonly mark important changes in people’s lives. The fourth section focuses on the five elements of air, fire, water, earth and spirit.
I appreciate this book because if fills an important niche that many Wicca 101 books seem to ignore. People have children and they want their children to become part of their spiritual lives. This book provides ideas for structuring rituals with children in mind, how to talk to kids about the nature of the Divine, how to deal with tough spiritual questions such as when a family member dies and many other important issues that all mommies and daddies have to face. The three authors (all parents) write in a very down to earth style and share their own difficulties and how they managed to overcome them.
If you are thinking of teaching religious courses to younger Pagan children (or supplementing the instruction of your own kids), this book is invaluable. It is full of stories from many traditions, songs with words and music, games, crafts, rituals and recipes to help explain and get kids involved with spirituality.
Even if you are dealing with older kids, (like teens) I think this book is still helpful. Many of the activities and stories could still be quite useful. In particular, many of the sections dealing with adolescence and coming of age are written by teens. There are also ideas for helping teens to construct their own rituals, such as first-blood rituals.
In summary, I found this to be an excellent book with ideas and advice for adults, teens, and young children on how to more thoroughly incorporate spirituality into daily living.
Reviewed by Sperran
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