The Earth Child’s Handbook - Crafts and
Inspiration for the Spiritual Child
Books 1 & 2
Brigid Ashwood
Genre: Pagan
Parenting, Pagan Kids
Book 1
ISBN-10: 1479265519
ISBN-13:
978-1479265510
Book 2
ISBN-10: 147927108X
ISBN-13:
978-1479271085
Book Description:
The Earth Child's Handbook is
a primer, reference, craft and activity book series for families that follow
Pagan, Wiccan and Earth Based spiritual paths. Designed to appeal to all
age groups (and grown-ups too!), the books address common Pagan beliefs and
practices, explaining the principles and traditions behind them.
Each chapter features:
•
Recipes
•
Instructional craft projects
•
Coloring pages, mazes and word searches
•
Color, cut and assemble projects
Younger children will delight
in the coloring pages and paper crafts. Older children will find educational
fun with word searches, mazes, connect-the-dots and instructional crafts. And
parents might find it a lifesaver with easy recipe ideas and inspiration for
teaching and building Pagan traditions.
The Earth Child's Handbook - Book 1 features chapters on the joy of
family and diversity, honoring the earth and the principles of the four
elements, the universe and Pagan beliefs regarding the Sun and the Moon,
explanation of Deities, and an introduction to Magick and Ritual with simple
spells and exercises.
Special topics include Shapeshifting, Runes, Book of Shadows, Animal
Guides, Chakras, Meditation, Astrological Signs, The Elements, Cycles of the
Moon, Magickal Correspondences, Sun Deities, Moon Deities, Triple Goddess and
Triple God, The Four Quarters and Casting a Circle.
Featured activities include making a Chakra shirt, rain stick, homemade
face paints, herbal infusions, bath salts, a moon phase wheel, moon cake
recipe, a complete "color, cut and assemble" paper altar and
much, MUCH more.
The Earth
Child's Handbook - Book 2 features chapters on the Seasons, the 8 Pagan Sabbats and the Wheel of
the Year. Each Sabbat chapter includes facts, traditions, correspondences and
information about that holiday as well as recipes, altar decorating ideas,
rituals and crafts, coloring pages, mazes and word searches.
Special topics include Seasonal Altars, Solstice Sabbats, Equinox
Sabbats, Quarters and Cross Quarters.
Featured
activities include cinnamon ornaments, Yule wrapping paper, Brigid's cross
weaving, handmade paper, flower beads necklace, Beltaine masks, prayer flag,
magickal broom and much, MUCH more.
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These books are an invaluable collection of crafts and seasonal activities for all members of a pagan household. Recipes, like the Samhain bread above. Yes, we are going into the season of Yule, but I wanted to include the autumn mix in the post as I think it will show how diverse these two books are.
Coloring pages, moon signs, Goddesses, Gods, Divination...anything you can think of are in the books. Author Brigid Ashwood has done a delightful job in her crafting of these knowledge filled books. I love how she teaches you to make runes.
I read these books for hours and they were so packed full of information that I couldn't put it down. The alter with the paper cauldron, athame, wand and chalice was perfect.
If you are looking for a book that covers all the basics with some creative craft ideas, then you need to check them out. These are going to be in my witchy library for a long time to come!
5/5
Excerpt from The Earth
Child's Handbook – Book 2
Fall/Winter – Samhain
Other Names: Third Harvest, Day of the Dead, Old
Hallowmas, Shadowfest, All Hallow’s Eve, Martinmas, Witch’s New Year,
Halloween.
Northern Hemisphere: October 31st November 1
Southern Hemisphere: April 30 -May 1
Herbs: Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Oak
leaves, Sage, Straw, Rosemary, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, pine needles, garlic
Incense: cinnamon, sage, mint, nutmeg, rosemary
Colors: black, orange, white, silver, gold, brown,
rust
Decorations: gourds, apples, cats, Jack-O-Lanterns,
brooms, pumpkins.
Foods: apples, nuts, cider, squash, corn,
soup, pumpkin
Gods: Herne, The Hunter, Anubis, The Sage
Goddesses: The Crone, Hecate
Spirit: Family, remembrance of the dead, introspection
Samhain is
sometimes celebrated as the Pagan New Year. It is considered a night when the
veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is thinnest.
This doesn’t have to be a scary thing. In fact there are many Samhain traditions
that are a lovely way of remembering those we love that have passed on. Some
families set a dinner plate at the table for every loved one that has passed
over. They set out pictures and photos albums of them and tell stories
remembering the ones they miss.
This holiday,
much like Yule, is a great time for resolutions. Write down what you hope to
accomplish in the new year and put it in a bowl on your Samhain altar.
Afterwards keep the slip of paper in a safe place, check it often to remind
yourself of your goals.
Samhain is a
wonderful Sabbat in its own right, but perhaps is even more popular because of
its close association with Halloween. Many Pagans celebrate both holidays. Some
have separate celebrations for each, dividing the serious topics from the
lighthearted; others incorporate the two together for a fun and inspiring
celebration. Whatever you choose I hope you have a fun and safe time.
Enjoy yourself
by decorating and making costumes but don’t neglect to consider the more
serious side of Samhain, and take a moment to remember those who have gone
before. Even if you have not lost anyone close to you, we can all find brave
and worthy people throughout history and in our local communities who deserve a
moment of quiet remembrance in honor of their good works.
Samhain Altar
The Samhain altar is an altar bursting with texture and
color. For this holiday you may want to drag out the full altar set up. If you
have a cauldron display it proudly. Fill it with candy, or floating candles.
Drape rich fabrics in gold and black across your table.
Prints with stars and moons echo the dark decoration of the Samhain night sky.
Witches on brooms are no stranger to Halloween decorations, but maybe you can draw
a portrait of one you know personally and display them at your table. Set up
framed pictures of loved ones, living and deceased. Pumpkins, and gourds make
great decorations. Carve a pumpkin in a fabulous design and set them up indoors
as well as out. Sprinkle flour around to give your table a dusty spooky look, and
set your broom up in the corner.
Samhain Recipe – Pumpkin Bread
Make a delicious bread to share from one of the best treats
of the season!
3 cups canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 cups sugar
6 eggs
4 3/4 cups flour (all-purpose)
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1 1/2 tsps baking soda
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 1/2 tsps cinnamon
2 regular size bread loaf pans or muffin tins with muffin cup
liners.
Have an adult preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your
bread loaf pans or spray them with oil spray.
In a large bowl mix the pumpkin, sugar, eggs, and oil
together. In another bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Stir this mixture into the pumpkin mixture bowl and stir everything well. Pour
the batter into the two loaf pans being sure to divide it up evenly. Bake the
loaves for about 45 minutes to an hour and have an adult check them to see when
they are done.
If you are making muffins you will bake them for only 30
minutes. You can add raisins, nuts, chocolate chips or white chocolate chips to
your loaves if you like. Wrap your loaves in plastic wrap to store them.
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These books are an invaluable collection of crafts and seasonal activities for all members of a pagan household. Recipes, like the Samhain bread above. Yes, we are going into the season of Yule, but I wanted to include the autumn mix in the post as I think it will show how diverse these two books are.
Coloring pages, moon signs, Goddesses, Gods, Divination...anything you can think of are in the books. Author Brigid Ashwood has done a delightful job in her crafting of these knowledge filled books. I love how she teaches you to make runes.
I read these books for hours and they were so packed full of information that I couldn't put it down. The alter with the paper cauldron, athame, wand and chalice was perfect.
If you are looking for a book that covers all the basics with some creative craft ideas, then you need to check them out. These are going to be in my witchy library for a long time to come!
5/5
Greetings! Thanks so much to Dana for allowing me
this opportunity to share with your audience.
The Earth Child's Handbook
is an educational, craft and activity book for children and families who follow
a pagan and earth-centric spiritual practice. One of the topics covered in the
books is the 8 Sabbats and the various traditions associated with them.
The Pagan holiday that is
most recognizable to Non-Pagans is Yule, which has a close association with
Christmas.
Yule is the holiday of
winter solstice. The Sun is below the Celestial Equator now and we have the
shortest day and hence the longest night. After Solstice night the days will
slowly get longer as the Sun climbs higher in the sky and stays out longer each
day. Yule is celebrated as a holiday because it is considered the rebirth of
the Sun God. Pagans celebrate this time as a return of light and warmth into our
lives. The Suns new light warms our frozen Earth and prepares her for the
coming seasons of growth and fertility. This is a time of renewal and
rejuvenation. Yule is is a festival of light and shares qualities with the
holidays of other religions found at this same time of year such as Hanukah,
Christmas, and Kwanzaa. All of these holidays recognize the principles of
light, rebirth, and joyous expectation of the coming new year.
Some common Christmas
traditions have Pagan origins. The Yule Log and the tradition of Wassailing in
particular have very ancient roots and are associated with well wishes,
celebration, good health and prosperity for the new year.
The Yule Log
The Yule log is an old
winter solstice tradition and often the highlight of solstice night.
Traditionally the log was acquired off of your own property or received as a
gift, you were not supposed to purchase your Yule log. Once a log was selected
it was decorated with evergreen, holly and other seasonal green plants found on
hand and placed in the fireplace.
It was then set to light
with a piece of wood saved from last years Yule log. In this way the fire from
this night was linked back to all those other fires that had gone before, all
lit from a piece of wood saved from the previous year. Then the log was left to
burn throughout the night and allowed to smolder for 12 days after.
On the twelfth night the
ashes are dispersed outside to fertilize plants. If you have a fireplace in
your home you and your family can create your own Yule log for celebration.
Wassailing
Wassailing means to wish
good health to. It is an old winter holiday tradition and was generally
performed on the 12th night, the same night that the Yule Log burns out.
Originally wassailing was an evening long event that included homemade apple
cider or “wassail” and involved caroling and singing to local apple tree’s to
wish them good health and a good production in the coming year.
This custom evolved into
general caroling and a wishing of good cheer and good healthy to family,
friends and neighbors alike throughout the holiday season. Traditionally drums,
bells and whistles were also used to wake up the tree and people often placed
cider soaked pieces of bread onto the trees branches or lay them at its roots.
About the Author:
Brigid Ashwood is an artist, illustrator, blogger and author of various
and sundry titles such as The Earth Child's Handbook (Books 1 & 2), Oracle
of the Tarot Deck and more.
She is a core contributor to Wired's GeekMom Blog and creates freebies
for Geeky Kids with her monthly Printable Fun feature.
Her
artwork ranges from New Brow contemporary, Pop Surrealism, Steampunk, Fantasy
and Fairy illustration, Celtic Knotwork, Witchy Pin-up to New Age, Pagan and
Goddess imagery.
The Book http://www.earthchildshandbook.com
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/brigidashwood
Amazon Author Page:
www.amazon.com/author/brigidashwood
Facebook page for
book:
Art & Blog
Wired Blogger author Page
Twitter: http://twitter.com/skwerlgrrl
Tumblr: http://www.skwerlgrrl.com
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105571732813733771460/posts
Tour wide Giveaway features: Both volumes of The Earth Child's Handbook, signed by the author. A one of a kind Pagan Kid's tote bag to hold your books. Your very own craft kit bag that includes safety scissors, glue stick, tape, colored pencils, crayons and 7 tubes of glitter glue. A $90 value!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour wide Giveaway features: Both volumes of The Earth Child's Handbook, signed by the author. A one of a kind Pagan Kid's tote bag to hold your books. Your very own craft kit bag that includes safety scissors, glue stick, tape, colored pencils, crayons and 7 tubes of glitter glue. A $90 value!
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