What
people are saying:
"As
you make your way through the rituals in this book,
you will learn the meaning of many of the symbols, tools
and the origins of the Holidays and Esbats and various
traditions. There is some background into the Wheel
of the Year and the book is easy to understand and clear
in what the author is saying. The book is well written,
easy to follow, provides and interesting bibliography
and is indexed."
– The Wiccan / Pagan Times |
|
"As a High Priestess of nearly twenty years, it
takes a lot to impress me in the venue of rituals...
The rituals are extremely versatile, adapting easily
from solitary practice to coven work and through a myriad
of traditions. This book is like meeting a new priestess
and finding that the two of you have very, very much
in comon."
–
The Diva Digest |
| |
|
|
About
A Year of Ritual
Ritual is an essential part of life because it helps us find
our true selves. We are not just physical and mental creatures
we are also spiritual. We have this thing called a soul and
for some of us we cannot shove it in a closet and keep it
locked away. It will pound on the door for attention. We know
that we must acknowledge this part of ourselves, otherwise
we feel incomplete. Ritual provides the means to hand ourselves
over to spirit and to participate in the great dance of life.
Entering into ritual helps us awaken to what is eternal within
ourselves. When we do this, we find where we fit in the web
of life that surrounds us and touches everything in the universe.
This connection also extends over time because as we engage
in traditional celebrations with the Sabbats, we connect ourselves
with those who have gone before us. In a sense we also project
out to the future to those who will follow in our footsteps.
Our energy becomes part of a spiral that stretches through
time and space.
Ritual is not a passive event. That part of us that we awaken
cannot be stuffed into a box to await the next ritual. The
energy that we raise changes us slightly each time so that
when we go back into the world at large, we take some of the
energy, some of the magic with us. Through ritual we are transformed
and we learn that we become transformers. As the chant suggests,
“we are the weavers, we are the web” – we
realize that we can weave and transform our lives.
We are sometimes called to help others in their transformation,
and so this book practically demanded to be created. Not everyone
is a Bard and that's okay – we all have our strengths
and gifts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner,
sooner or later when putting together a ritual you may be
pressed for time, or creative inspiration may remain elusive.
After all, I would frequently turn to my Book of Scribbles
(I’m not that well organized to have a formal Book of
Shadows), and pull pieces from here and there.
As a set of Sabbat rituals took shape, I felt something was
missing. The Sabbats are important to me, but so are the Esbats.
Marking all these occasions help bring me into balance with
the rhythms of the natural world. Together the Sabbats and
Esbats celebrate the interconnected cycles of the three most
important celestial bodies: sun, moon and earth. Through these
celebrations we bring our bodies, minds and spirits into alignment.
While this sounds like serious business, ritual is also meant
to be joyful – reverence and joy are not mutually exclusive
feelings. The rituals contained in A Year of Ritual
are intended to reflect both. They are presented in group
and solo format and can be easily modified to suit coven structure,
or used simply to brainstorm your own ideas.
While this book provides ideas, words and direction for ritual,
the most important part must be supplied by you – faith
in your beliefs. Without this vital ingredient, ritual is
only a performance. Use this book as a framework for your
truth and live the magic.
A
Year of Ritual Includes:
• An introduction to ritual, the Sabbats and
Esbats
• A guide for creating your own rituals
• An easily-modified script for twenty seasonal and
lunar celebrations
• Rituals presented in group and solitary format
• Preliminary and background information for each ritual
• A special ritual as tribute to the
author's favorite author, J.R.R. Tolkien
• Glossary and pronunciation guide for Elvish, Gaelic
and Latin words used in the rituals
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Reviews
In
the Library Reviews (www.inthelibraryreview.com)
– Reviewer: Ayden Delacroix
With rituals for not only the sabbats but also the esbats,
A Year of Ritual is perfect for solitaries or coves. I enjoyed
the fact the complete ritual for solitaries was written out
in its entirety rather than saying "Change this for solitary
use", it went a long way in confirming being a solo practitioner
isn't a bad thing. In addition, Sandra reminds readers of
the reason rituals were and are important. They help us regain
and strengthen reverence for the natural world' and 'keep
us balanced and in tune with nature's cycles. In addition
to the wonderful ritual ideas, suggestions for preparation,
themes and even background information, make this the perfect
resource book for beginner or advanced practitioners.
I received this book right before Samhain and immediately
opened it, hoping to make the upcoming esbat and sabbat special.
Sandra Kynes' suggestions were just what I wanted. Something
different yet familiar. Tolkien's excerpt, a longtime favorite,
and Sandra's ritual served to make this particular esbat,
the first spent with my best friend, all the more memorable.
On Amazon.com – Reviewer: Mary Barrett
Beautiful and Soulful
I have been a Pagan since I was a teenager in the 1970s. I've
dabbled in this, that and the other, and attended lots of
festivals in my travels around the U.S. My bookshelves are
loaded with volumes on ritual, Wicca and Paganism and so I
was somewhat reluctant to buy yet another. I'm glad I listened
to that little voice that said I needed this one. I have been
following its rituals for nine months now, and it's been a
wonderful journey.
The
format of the rituals in this book are the way I have done
them for years. Sure, from time to time it's fun to do things
differently, but I find comfort in familiar things. I also
find that my experience is deeper this way. I work mainly
on my own, but enjoy ritual with friends when we can manage
to synchronize our schedules. It's great to not have to "transpose"
everything for solo ritual. Ms. Kynes' intention that the
book be used to brainstorm our own rituals has proven to be
an incredible catalyst for our group.
I
think I am one of the few Pagans not wild about Lord of the
Rings, but the Tolkien ritual is very heartfelt. It really
illustrates the power of myth and the importance of storytelling
-- stuff we've lost in our crazy society. I think it's a nice
tribute from one writer to another. The other rituals have
a good balance of creativity, history and meaning for today.
This
is what I would call a soft and gentle approach to ritual
-- not to be confused with fuzzy bunny because that it is
not. The rituals are not wild and showy. They have kept me
in touch with my inner self and I can feel the cycle of the
year in my heart. I recommend this book for anyone who calls
themselves a Pagan.
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