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.
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
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10 comments:
what a great giveaway!
This sounds like such a neat set of books!
I've had my eye on these books!
would make such a great gift for the grandbabies!
So excited about these! My son will love them when he's older!
This is an awesome give-a-way! My daughter would love it - me too :)
Thanks for the recipe and excerpt.
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.
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
Hi everyone! So great to see such enthusiasm about the books! :)
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