While many of the books I researched are old and possibly out of print, others are readily available. Candlegrove visitors have also generously offered recommendations for related books.
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Freeman, Mara Kindling the Celtic Spirit. Harper San Francisco, 2000. Following the format of the Celtic calendar, Freeman shares the
stories, recipes, spells, and Gaelic expressions that go with each of the monthly festivals and celebrations, offering "a bright window into the Celtic world."
Heinberg, Richard. Celebrate the Solstice; Honoring the Earth's Seasonal Rhythms. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books, 1993. If you read only one book as a result of visiting this site, I hope it's this one. Richard Heinberg, fine writer who lives near me in Sonoma, California, traces solstice celebrations across cultures and tells you why seasonal festivals are not cultural relics, but profound, life-affirming events that connect us deeply with the Earth. Read my review of this book for Amazon.com
Heilbron, John L. The Sun in the Church: Cathedrals As Solar Observatories. Harvard University Press,1999. How and why the Catholic Church built the best solar observatories in the world during the Middle Ages.
Henes, Donna. Celestially Auspicious Occasions; Seasons, Cycles & Celebrations. New York, NY: Berkley Publishing Group, 1996. Donna Henes's book would be the second one I would add to my library, after Richard Heinberg's, above. A poetic celebration of the varied and wonderful ways people have interpreted and observed seasonal cycles across the planet and across time.
Hole, Christina. Christmas and Its Customs. New York: M. Barrows and Company, 1958.
Hottes, Alfred Carl. 1001 Christmas Facts and Fancies. New York: A.T. De La Mare Company, 1954. This book is long out of print, but can be found among used booksellers. One of the earlier explorations of ancient and medieval winter holiday folklore and traditions. I found my copy through the Advanced Book Exchange.
Jackson, Ellen and Ellis, Jan Davey. The Winter Solstice. Millbrook Pr Trade, 1994. A delightful book for children that ranges broadly over the origins of winter solstice observances.
Karas, Sheryl Ann The Solstice Evergreen: History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree. Aslan Pub, 1998. Highly recommended; great for families. Karas has gathered some 40 myths, legends and tales from cultures around the globe. She demonstrates in a charming way how the evergreen has come to symbolize ideas and ideals that connect all human beings, making it a true symbol of peace on earth regardless of nationality or religion.
Matthews, John and Caitlin. The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Chrismas. Wheaton, Illinois: Quest Books, 1998. This beautiful book is like a scrapbook, lavish with photographs and paintings, to share the rich history of celebrations at this time of year. Many ideas for creating your own more meaningful holiday rituals based on ancient traditions, including how-tos and recipes. Highly, highly recommended!
Panati, Charles. Sacred Origins of Profound Things: The Stories Behind The Rites and Rituals of The World's Religions. New York, NY: Penguin Arkana, 1996.
Rätsch, Christian and Claudia Müller-Ebeling. Pagan Christmas: The Plants, Spirits, and Rituals at the Origins of YuletideA new, from two German authors, one an anthropologist and the an ethnopharmacologist.
Starhawk, Anne Hill, Diane Baker Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions. Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1998. Truly delightful for families -- ideas for holiday ritual throughout the wheel of the year, stories, songs, recipes and just plain wisdom. Highly recommended.
McKibben, Bill. Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a Joyful Christmas. Simon & Schuster, 1998. In less than 100 pages, the author suggests ways to limit holiday spending to $100 and make room for the gifts that really matter: time, meaningful family connections, periods of silence, and a relationship with the divine.
A new, from two German authors, one an anthropologist and the an ethnopharmacologist.
