Skye uses 13 Goddesses from the Celtic and Norse pantheon to work through the sabbats and five moon faces. Each section is based on a particular Goddess. She has a summary of associations and myths; summary of the sabbat and associations to the Goddess, Pathworking; Guided Meditation; Invocation and Activity; and Ritual. The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter are pencil drawings. These drawings are individual based on the general description of the particular goddess being featured. The nice thing is they aren’t all beautiful, slim women who are idealized and unrealistic.
The associations she uses are the general ones most would know. For winter she classifies it as rebirth which is a bit off as it is more a time of regeneration with spring being the time for rebirth. Additionally in one meditation she talks about a full moon and bright stars which typically these two occurrences don’t happen together because the full moon is typically so bright the stars seem to fade.
Skye’s writing style is easy to read and pleasant to work through. She gives little direction on how to meditate but goes simply into the meditation so for someone who has not meditated before these might be a bit difficult. The meditations aren’t all light and superficial. She delves into the underworld helping the reader to face the underworld. This is not for someone who is all about good and lightness. It is for a well rounded person who understands that it takes both to make a balanced individual. The meditations help the individual face the difficult issues.
In her moon Goddesses, she only addresses five faces rather than the typical eight phases. She lumps the waxing and waning phases into one. This is a bit disappointing as the different phases of the moon have such unique energies. However, in this section of the book she is just as thorough approach to the energies of these Goddesses.
Skye uses rituals which are complicated and generally call for a lot of materials. She gives no direction as to how to simplify or use with a group but just presents the ritual. This makes it more difficult to adapt to simpler rituals and for use in a group. The rituals are well written and good for connecting to the Goddess and energies of the season or moon face. However, if the reader is uncomfortable with complex rituals it may be hard for them to incorporate the rituals in the book in their practices.
Using Goddesses from the Celtic and Norse paths, Skye has created a book that is easy to follow and allows the reader to pick it up for the sabbat or moon phase and work with the energies of the time and the Goddess. Her writing style is easy to follow and well organized. Her associations are pretty much on target. Sky provides a book a good way for readers to connect with the energies of this pantheon of Goddesses. While there are a few blips, overall this book offers a good connection to the energies of these pantheons, the sabbats, and the moon face.
3.5 broomsticks out of 5
~review by Eileen Troemel
Author: Michelle Skye
Llewellyn Publications, 2007
pp. 271
