Book Recommendation

My first ever pagan / witchy / crafty book I ever bought was Embracing the Moon by Yasmine Galernon. It was way back in 2000 when I realised that there is more to the world than the general religions, Chrstianity in all its shapes and forms, Hindu, Islam, etc.

I was born and raised in a very religious household. Both my parents were fond of going to church, I sang in the choir, I taught Sunday school, and yet, there was something lacking. My mom strongly believed in the spirit world, and since I had been born with a caul, I could see things others couldn’t. The preachers at church were scared senseless by my potential and they convinced my mom – for my own good, to a certain extent – to have this Gift removed from me, until I was older, so that I could understand it. So, they prayed and implored God to remove the gift, but it still showed me glimmers of things. I grew used to the shadows moving, to seeing people no one else saw, of hearing half-heard conversations and catching faint smells of old perfume and such when there was no one around. It didn’t scare me. It never has. My mother was my loadstone, keeping me safe and on track, and we spent many hours discussing the other world, spirits, tarot, all such things. When she passed away, a year after we lost my dad to throat cancer, I lost all will to go to Church as the ministers just seemed so callous and suddenly wanted to run my life. I rebelled and turned my back and started my search. I got my first set of tarot cards from a friend and it started from there.

It is still one of my favourite books – it is a gentle break-in into a different path which really did resound within me. Around four hundred books later, I still refer to this one for information and inspiration. It isn’t a fluffy book, by any measure. The author made you feel welcome, sat you down, gave you tisane. This is from another reader on Amazon:-
“The content of Embracing the Moon was one that a new seeker or experienced crone could follow to gain new insight into our craft. I appreciated this book because it took a step beyond the standard beginner instruction to explain concepts that most witchcraft books fear to mention. Particularly interesting to note are the descriptions and sample spells for exorcisms, hexing with responsibility, faerie magic, and protecting our earth and endangered species. The charts and correspondence tables are wonderfully useful and the powder and oil recipes invaluable.”
The author gives many examples from her own life. Importantly she never talks down to the reader. The exercises are fun and interesting to do.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Old Ways.