Friday, October 26, 2012

Now on Tour The Earth Child’s Handbook - Crafts and Inspiration for the Spiritual Child Books 1 and 2





Greetings! I'm so pleased to be be on this virtual book tour and to finally, finally be sharing The Earth Child's Handbook with you. I say finally because this book really has been over a decade in the making. See, back in 1999 I was pregnant with my daughter, an experience that really sparked my personal spiritual journey. Swollen with life and new inspiration I came down with an intense case of nesting. I started creating coloring pages and paper dolls (all with a Pagan Earth Centric theme) for a little girl who wasn't even born yet, let alone capable of holding a crayon! All these I put on the internet for free - in fact The Pagan Paper Dolls became very popular with Pagan parents who were making their first forays on the internet to find community and content. (You can STILL download the Pagan Paper Dolls for FREE at my website.)

It was the Pagan Paper Dolls that attracted the attention of a Canadian New Age publisher. They contracted me to write the first incarnation of The Earth Child's Handbook - at that time called The Pagan Kids Activity Book (not to be confused with the classic volume by Amber K). The first year of my daughter's life saw me writing and illustrating, testing and engineering the crafts, recipes and activities found in what is now the 2 volumes of The Earth Child's Handbook. 

Alas the publisher went out of business and with that any momentum to publish the book seemed lost.  I poked around with a few other publishers but never found the right fit and indie publishing was not nearly as easy as it is now. The book project got delayed and I threw myself into raising a little girl and nurturing my career as an artist and designer. Thankfully that worked out pretty well and my artistic career has been very satisfying. (I'm pretty fond of the kid too!) 

This past year, 12 years later - I dug out the book and decided it was about darn time this thing got shared with the world! It's amazing how much has changed in 12 years. Now with Twitter, Facebook, social media and so many self publishing resources I've been able to release this book exactly as I wanted. I'm so proud of it. My daughter loves it and it's my fondest wish that you do to.

The Earth Child's Handbook truly has a very broad age range. There is something in this book for just about every age. I've even had spiritual teachers who've recommended the book to their adult students as an easy to understand (and fun!) primer in beginning Pagan spiritual concepts. 

Filled with facts and information, coloring pages and paper crafts, activities, recipes and correspondences the book aims to give a broad base to families. You can take what you like from the books and discard what doesn't fit your practice. However you use it, I hope you find it an inspiring addition to your family's spiritual practice. 



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.


October 26 Tour Intro 
Fang-tastic Books

October 27 Promo/Excerpt
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

October 30 Guest blog

October 31 Promo

November 1st review 

November 2 Promo
Blooding Book Reviews

November 5 Guest blog
Immortality and Beyond

November 6 Guest blog
Mama Knows Books 

November 10 Review, guest post 
On the Broomstick

November 12 Promo
Mila Ramos

November 13 Review
Wolf Majick Reviews

November 16 Guest blog
JeanzBookReadNReview       

November 19 Review

November 21 Interview
Simply Infatuated

November 23 Review both
~MoonStar`s FantasyWorld~

November 23 Review
Blooding Book Reviews


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.






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.




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.




Facebook page for book:
Art & Blog


Wired Blogger author Page





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10 comments:

sara said...

what a great giveaway!

kadiera said...

This sounds like such a neat set of books!

lokiwoman said...

I've had my eye on these books!

KRFoster said...

would make such a great gift for the grandbabies!

Joanie said...

So excited about these! My son will love them when he's older!

Trina said...

This is an awesome give-a-way! My daughter would love it - me too :)

bn100 said...

Thanks for the recipe and excerpt.

Penny said...

I LOVE these books.I have volume 2 which I bought for a kids class at our local goddess festival.I would love the set to give to my grandson as a Yuls gift.

AUTHOR JARNAIL BADHAN said...

Darling Brigid thank you so much for this great honour of Inviting me , I am so exited to see this wonderful handbook , I would love to read it .and possibility I will translate it In my Language . So I want you just send me your signed copy and oblidge . Greetings and love Jarnail

Brigid Ashwood said...

Hi everyone! So great to see such enthusiasm about the books! :)

 
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