Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year is a thoughtful volume on the cyclical nature of life and our connections to it by Rebecca Beattie. Released 15th June 2023 by Elliott & Thompson Books, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This is a beautifully calming and charmingly presented guide to re-learning awareness of our natural rhythms and re-learning to live more in sync with our natural environment. Built around the Celtic calendar, there are 8 chapters based on each of the sacred days (midwinter, Imbolc, spring equinox, Beltane, summer solstice, Lammas, autumnal equinox, and Samhain). 

The writing is nature based and contemplative. Suggested activities and tutorials will allow readers to connect to the deeper rhythms in their own lives as well as (no matter what our personal belief system) to slow down and *be* and *breathe*. It's written from the author's own viewpoint as a Wiccan, but for readers who subscribe to other belief systems, or none at all, there are still lots of valuable insights and activities which will be of interest.

It's not specifically written serially with seasonal activities; readers can start at any point on the circle. Whether the reader follows the prompts in order or not, there are real, proven benefits to slowing down and spending more time interacting with nature. I have no doubt that following the prompts regularly over the course of a year would give measurably positive results.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, self study, homesteaders, and gift giving to a like minded recipient. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.