I knew I'd like this book when I read "The message of this book is to go out and understand the natural cycles where you live, and respond to them, rather than imposing something that doesn’t fit." Anna Franklin hits the perfect balance between being firm on what works for her and offering a variety of choices for those still looking. When the introduction ended with "The witchcraft method is experiential, personal and non-scripted. It is the path untrodden—revelation through your own effort." I nearly cheered.

Month by month, day by day, Franklin leads the reader down a very old path. She offers a worldview complete with recipes, rituals, and even crafts. Recipes are a mix of American measurements and English measurements. There was a discrepancy here for me. I would have liked to have seen all the recipes formatted the same way where English quantities are also given in American. But there were some great indices that offered a breakdown as well. The overall tone felt as if I was reading over her shoulder as she marked days and seasons in her own journal.

There are religions mentioned that range from Catholicism to Wicca. A terrifically balanced worldview is also here. Of course, the emphasis is on the English witch but you can find Lithuanian, Romanian, Native American, and more.

There is also some sly poking at things. "It is tempting to see a carry-over from pagan times when sacrificial offerings were made to the gods of the sea." This line made me cackle with glee.

Her advice on working with the land where you are is very wise. "It would be foolish to descend on a spot and demand its energies: it takes a long time for the spirits to get to know you and trust you. "

She applies modern sensibilities to old recipes so you know that certain herbs do not mix with certain health issues. And the amount of recipes is staggering. I read this on my Kindle. My bookmarks are out of control. :D

Her voice may come across as dogmatic to some. For me, she sounds like my own fierce German-Scot grandmother who spoke in a no-nonsense manner. She felt that if you asked her opinion, that was what you got. She didn't water her truth down to meet your truth. Neither does Franklin.

I recommend this book. My own background as a witch began in 1985. If you are looking for a book that will help you connect to where you are and live in rhythm with the seasons of your place, this book will become dog-eared as you constantly refer to it.

And I will end with this quote from Franklin's book "The festivals of the year teach us about the great cosmic pattern, showing us the ebb and flow of energy in the manifest world and the spiritual truths which underlie them."

Being a non-witch, I enjoyed the myths and histories of different celebrations that can be observed throughout the year. The stories are Greek, Roman, Christian, Irish, Russian, and from a variety of other countries. There are numerous recipes as well as a catalog of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can be grown.

I would like to thank both the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be a bit generally dry, and I waivered between giving it a 2 and a 3 star rating. The material was informative and interesting, so I went for the higher value.

I did read this book in a shorter period of time, and I think it would be better used as a book to accompany you throughout the year, reading each accompanying month at its proper time.

I enjoyed reading about the ancient traditions that went throughout the year, but I wanted to read more about the author. I wanted to connect with her more, and I found that aspect of the book lacking.

The recipes and instructions for different rituals were a nice addition to the book.

I don't think I've ever seen a book on pagan rituals broken down and explained so thoroughly, and it was fascinating to go so in depth on each month of the year. I could see this being a book that you read slowly, to prepare for each month's rituals. I liked how it described each celebrational season and gave ideas for spells, activities, and ways to practice the craft, but some of the ingredients may be difficult for beginners to procure, or too daunting to have so many different ingredients on hand. Overall it's a wonderful resource.

This book takes the readers on a very well researched tour of holidays, festivals and customs that pertain to hearth and home. Month by month, and day by day, Franklin explores the history and cultural relevance of all manner of celebrations. The combination of recipes, crafts, rituals and spells makes this a handy reference for any level of practice. The dedication to research really shines in this book. In addition to the guidance on having a spiritual year, the history of how customs came to be, and how they have been altered or incorporated into modern religious practice, was fascinating. That so many cultures across the northern hemisphere developed (or absorbed for popularity) similar traditions based on the behavior of nature never ceases to amaze. For those looking to have a centered 2021, this book is a fantastic guide.

The Hearth Witch’s year by Anna Franklin is a great resource to help you celebrate Mother Nature all year long, whether you identify as a hearth witch or not. It goes well beyond the familiar holidays on the wheel of the year that many witches follow. As promised, this book includes a wide variety of information, from history to incantations to recipes to crafts, there’s something for everyone! My only complaint is that if you live in a different part of the world from the author, you may have a difficult time getting your hands on some of the ingredients the activities require. (I could probably find these items online, but that takes some of the connection away for me.) Some photos or illustrations of some of the recipes and crafts would also be helpful for readers. Overall, this is a wonderful guide that you can refer back to all year long if you’re looking to connect to nature on a deeper level. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Most of us celebrate festivals on the wheel of the year, but how about taking it further in the new year? How about spending a year celebrating the entire year and brining your practice to the next level. This book has become my roadmap for 2021 as I plan to make it a year to remember.

What I love most about this book is how the author shares history as well as rituals and recipes throughout the year. I am ready to up my game, are you?