Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice | 
 enlarge |
Author: Anna Franklin
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Category: Book
Buy New: $125.94
New (5) Used (8) from $39.63
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 546920
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.3 x 0.7
ISBN: 0738700525
Dewey Decimal Number: 394.263
EAN: 9780738700526
ASIN: 0738700525
Publication Date: March 1, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Book is brand new, and has never been opened. Thousands of satisfied customers!
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Summer solstice celebrants will find plenty of inspirational rituals, magic spells, and recipes in Anna Franklin's Midsummer. As in her previous book about the early fall festival of Lammas, Franklin can be whimsical as well as reverent. From the building of a magical bonfire to the staging of elaborate solstice rituals involving priests and priestesses, Franklin offers something for every level of pagan. In the section on "Midsummer Magic and Divination," Franklin gives instructions for placing various herbs and charms beneath the pillow to welcome prophetic dreams. Those who are inspired by the more romantic Shakespearean take on Midsummer's Eve can try some of Franklin's love divination techniques, such as flicking an apple seed toward the ceiling to see if your love is requited. Franklin also gives specific instructions for performing the "Rites of Midsummer." For instance, "The altar should be decorated with golds and yellows--this theme is echoed through candles, clothes and flowers.... Centrally placed should be a sun wheel or sun representation." And for the Martha Stewart-style pagan there are some excellent recipes, including Anise Tea and Comfrey Fritters. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
Celebrate Midsummer-A Day of Warmth and Light, A Night of Fairy Folk and Magic Midsummer is one of the most ancient, widespread, and joyful Pagan festivals. The sun rises to the height of its power on the summer solstice, and Midsummer Eve is filled with fairy mischief and magic. Anna Franklin reveals the origins and customs of this enchanting holiday with: Myths and lore: The gods and goddesses of Midsummer, rolling wheels, the Midsummer tree, circle dancing, and torchlight processionsMidsummer magic and divination: Fairy contact, spells, empowering magical tools with solstice sun energy, Midsummer Eve pillow divinationTraditional summertime treats: Elderflower Fritters, Gooseberry Fool, Coamhain Soup, Strawberry Wine, Heather Ale, Clary Sage TeaSeasonal rituals: Rite of the Oak King and the Holly King, Cornish Flower Ritual, Witch Rite for Midsummer Day, Drawing Down the SunMidsummer herb craft: Gathering and drying herbs for magical oils, incenses, inks, and teas; herb recipes, from Amun Ra to Sun Goddess OilFirst Runner Up for the 2003 Coaltion of Visionary Resources (COVR) Award for Best Non-fiction Book
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 only book of it's kind April 30, 2008
I think this book is great. Thoroughly focusing on all aspects of Midsummer, or summer solstice. It reviews the holidays history and has wonderful ideas for how to celebrate. Definately a worthy buy.
 A fun book on Summer Solstice June 7, 2007
This book is a great collection of everything under the sun for solstice. The author really threw in a little bit of everything - ancient holiday customs, spellwork, recipes, and suggested rituals for the holiday. The sections are well marked, and well layed-out, so it's easy to flip through and find something quickly.
The only downside to the material is that in covering such a mix of topics, the information is very surface, and only a smattering of sun deities and cultures get touched on. Of course this is not meant to be a dry scholarly tome, but a fun book to flip through and use. I recommend it to anyone wanting to celebrate their own SS or just read more about it.
Get the whole series May 7, 2007
Each Llewellen book has a cool introduction about the history of the holiday. I recommend all the sabbat books in this series - - they have a lot more information than in any individual sabbat book.
So what ARE the customs? May 5, 2007
Midsummer is my favorite time of celebration. The longest day of the year is recognized by numerous cultures and embraced by people all over the world. What is it all about, really? It is a magickal time with many traditions and customs to honor it. Anna Franklin explains them all and invites you to embrace the holiday.
Franklin begins with the origins of the Summer Solstice. Technically, the word Solstice means "sun stands still" and the sun may appear to do just that on the longest day. But there is much more to it than that. Midsummer is one of four solar festivals that mark the wheel of the year. It is likely a time that has been noted since people started taking notice of such things, thousands of years ago. The Celts and Druids, the Saxons, Finnish, Romans, Greeks, Islams, Russians, Europeans, Spanish, Americans, and many others, all have some part in the history and traditions known as Summer Solstice.
So what ARE the customs? They are as varied and many as there are those who honor the day. Some more notable customs include bonfires, torchlight processions, circle dancing, and divination. Then there are the very simplest of customs, such as my children staying up late to fill a jar with fireflies and letting them go again with a wish before bed. Franklin explains them all, very well, and goes on to explain the details of the customs and what brought them about. She even explains the conflict of the actual date of the day, the eve and the confusion of the name MID summer, when in many areas, Summer has just begun at the time of celebration.
Being a magickal time, optimum for fairy spotting, and other mystical adventures, "Midsummer" includes a few tips on divination, including Tarot card directions, the use of Runes, playing cards, and Oghams. The use of crystals and gems is something that many cultural traditions adhere to; the inclusion of a list of properties and descriptions is a useful portion of the book. Since Midsummer is the best time to make a magickal wand, Franklin offers instructions, advice and a list of wood properties for your information and a little story of how she followed the teachings in her own quest for a branch. And what book on Midsummer would be complete without a few spells for the beginner to work?
Herb craft is something easily worked on at this time of year, as the herbs have been growing nicely and can even benefit from your taking a sprig or two to dry. "Midsummer" offers plenty of recipes for the herbalist to enjoy, from a simple tea for the nerves to detailed guides to making incense. More substantial recipes for traditional Midsummer foods are also included.
Detailed directions for Rites and Rituals, including handfasting, fill a complete chapter. What follows are several useful appendixes of such things as animal totem descriptions, a calendar of festivals, and Gods and Goddesses. You could not find a more complete guide to the Summer Solstice, and what's more is the tone in which Anna Franklin offers this information is embracing and encouraging. For anyone wanting to celebrate the Summertime, from the simple joy of catching fireflies to the student of cultural traditions, and the experienced circle dancer, "Midsummer" is a must have for your collection. (Review originally written on 6/17/03)
Summer Magick March 29, 2007
I have not fully read this one yet, but when looking up certain things, I find it has the same layout as my books on the first three holidays. Full of old traditions, lore, which I LOVE, recipes, and positive spells and rituals to make everyday life just a little happier. I would recommend these and any of the holiday books to anyone who really wants to learn about the old ways and incorporate them into their lives.
|
|
|
|
