An illustrated collection of stories and activities to celebrate traditional Pagan festivals and the changing of the seasons

• Shares original stories, based on traditional folktales and designed to be read out loud, for each festival, such as Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasad, the solstices, and the equinoxes

• Includes traditional games, hands-on projects special to each holiday, and seasonal recipes to enjoy the tastes and smells of each feast day

• Discusses the sacred symbolism, magical lore, and cultural practices within each story and the healing and magical uses for the trees and flowers featured

Once upon a time, when only candles lit the inside of homes and people traveled on foot or by horse, the family would finish their supper, wash and dry the dishes, and sit down before the hearth to hear a tale. These tales were not only entertaining but also passed down both history and tradition to the next generation. And as the wheel of the year turned, these tales also served to teach the children about the holy days and festivals of the Pagan calendar and the Gods and Goddesses who reigned over the changing seasons.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Ellen Evert Hopman shares rich stories drawn from traditional folktales, hands-on crafts, and seasonal recipes to help families and classrooms learn about and celebrate the traditional Pagan holy days and festivals of the sacred earth year. Designed to be read out loud, the stories are complemented with pronunciation guides and translations for foreign words. You will learn of the Cailleach, the ancient Goddess of winter; La Befana, the Italian new year’s witch; Eostre, the Goddess of spring; Wianki, the Polish feast of wreaths at midsummer; Yule among the Vikings; Garlic Sunday; and many other deities and celebrations.

For each story, the author includes traditional games, hands-on projects special to the holiday--from crafting magical wands, runes, and brooms to flower crowns, Brighid’s Crosses, and corn dollies--as well as seasonal recipes, allowing families to enjoy the tastes, smells, and sounds associated with the feast days and celebrations.

Ellen Evert Hopman has been a Druidic initiate since 1984. She is a founding member of the Order of the White Oak, an Archdruidess of the Tribe of the Oak, and a member of the Grey Council of Mages and Sages. She is the author of several books, including Walking the World in Wonder. She lives in Massachusetts. Lauren Mills has won national acclaim as both an author/illustrator and a sculptor. The author and illustrator of the award-winning The Rag Coat, she lives in western Massachusetts.

Foreword: Stories That Bring the Sun Up
by Jane Yolen

Introduction: The Circle Will Go ’Round

1 A Tale of the Cailleach, the Great Goddess of Winter
An Irish Tale for Samhain (October 31–November 1)

2 Old Nisse and the Return of Sunna, the Sun Goddess
A Norse Tale for Yule and the Winter Solstice (December 20/21/22/23)

3 La Befana, the Christmas Witch
An Italian Tale for the New Year (January 1)

4 Waiting for Brighid
An Irish Tale for Imbolg (February 1–2)

5 Eostre, the Goddess of Spring, Hares, and Eggs
An Anglo-Saxon/Germanic Tale for the Spring Equinox (March 19/20/21)

6 A Magical Beltaine Journey
An Irish Tale for May Day (May 1)

7 Kupalnocka and the Magical Fern Flower
A Polish Tale for the Summer Solstice (June 20/21/22)

8 Lugh of the Long Arm and the Blessing of the Early Harvest
An Irish Tale for Lúnasa (August 1)

9 The Spirit of the Grain and the Spirits of the Sea
A Scottish Tale for the Fall Equinox (September 21/22/23/24)

Index of Recipes

Index of Activities