First, I need to gush over how gorgeous this little book is. It’s a fabulous work of art, from the contrasting glossy leaves against the matte background on the hardcover, to the green botanical edging around the pages inside. And the size! Perfect for slipping inside a bag when traveling or just going out for the day. Llewellyn did such a marvelous job on the printing of this spectacular little gem.
I devoured this book in an afternoon, from cover to cover. I recommend reading it once through to get the full scope of everything it covers, then putting it into practice through the recipes, spells, etc., during the appropriate time of the upcoming year. We get to know the elementals, rituals, and correspondences for each season through the gorgeous pages, such as colors, crystals, flowers, deities, and planets. There are recipes to make jams, chutneys, and syrups for herb work. I freely admit that I’m not fond of cooking, but after reading this book, I was ready to pair some fruits with rosemary and thyme and create a delicious holiday spread. That’s a testament to how well the information is presented.
I was determined to make something from the book because I felt a review would not be complete without testing at least one of the recipes (swipe for photos). I chose rosemary syrup (health and luck), and it was so effortless and delicious that I decided to make some lavender syrup (stress and healing) immediately afterward. I can’t state enough how enjoyable and straightforward these recipes are. Both syrups have proven to be exceptional in both fresh-squeezed lemonade and tea. Set your intentions and do the work, and you’re sure to see the results.
Most importantly, what I took away from this book was far more than I imagined, as I gained a greater insight into the plants growing on my property and in my area. I have wild violets, onions, and honeysuckle, among other things. I can harvest my ingredients with a bit of attention to their growing habits – a plus for any spellwork. I can hardly wait for the honeysuckle to bloom.
