TITLE: The Wheel
AUTHOR: Jennifer Lane
PUBLISHER: September Publishing
ISBN: 9781912836901
PODCAST EPISODE: Book Club 21
REVIEWER: Carly Tremayne
“The Wheel turns, and our old selves burn away.”
Throughout the course of the past couple of years many of us have undergone a kind of change. More time for self-reflection has shown that the current default way of life isn't sustainable for many in the long term, and so we find ourselves reaching for new paths, something that will bring meaning and hope. The detour of my little world recently led me to this book and, my goodness, consider my cauldron STIRRED.
Jennifer starts her journey of the Wheel on Yule, the first day of winter. Here we find her in her late twenties, suffering from anxiety, depression and burn-out, estranged from the pagan practices that brought her so much joy as a teenager and instead battling the mundanities of computer screens and daily commutes. She finally decides enough is enough, quits her job and invites us to watch as she reconnects with her pagan roots.
The writing is funny and relatable – even to someone who has never practised witchcraft in her life (which is not to say I'm not considering it after reading this). Her descriptions of different landscapes (and worlds!) are so immersive you feel as though you are right there with her, holding her hand through her anxiety and cheering on as you watch her overcome it. I, personally, have been going through something remarkably similar to her over the past few years and know a few people who are going through the same – by around page 20 I was recommending this to all of them. In short – it's a book that has grabbed me by my very core and inspired me to make some long-awaited changes in my own life. Also, she's really funny and has a fantastic cat. What else could you need?
More than a spiritual guide for modern-day witches, this book calls for all of us to pay more attention to the world around us. The theme for the UK Mental Health Awareness Week this year was Connect With Nature, reminding us of the proven health benefits of going outside and paying attention to what the Earth is trying to tell us. Our connection with the soil keeps us present and in sync with the seasonal cycles, and that connection and awareness will in turn allow more stability for life on this planet. Jennifer's passion for this subject emanates from the page, pulling the reader in so that we begin to look at the trees around us through her eyes, with that child-like sense of wonder. It's a joyous and magickal experience.
The Wheel by Jennifer Lane is available through all book retailers, and is best enjoyed sitting in the garden with a mug of hot ginger, or in a candlelit bubble bath, or on that bitter morning commute to your 9-5.
AUTHOR: Jennifer Lane
PUBLISHER: September Publishing
ISBN: 9781912836901
PODCAST EPISODE: Book Club 21
REVIEWER: Carly Tremayne
“The Wheel turns, and our old selves burn away.”
Throughout the course of the past couple of years many of us have undergone a kind of change. More time for self-reflection has shown that the current default way of life isn't sustainable for many in the long term, and so we find ourselves reaching for new paths, something that will bring meaning and hope. The detour of my little world recently led me to this book and, my goodness, consider my cauldron STIRRED.
Jennifer starts her journey of the Wheel on Yule, the first day of winter. Here we find her in her late twenties, suffering from anxiety, depression and burn-out, estranged from the pagan practices that brought her so much joy as a teenager and instead battling the mundanities of computer screens and daily commutes. She finally decides enough is enough, quits her job and invites us to watch as she reconnects with her pagan roots.
The writing is funny and relatable – even to someone who has never practised witchcraft in her life (which is not to say I'm not considering it after reading this). Her descriptions of different landscapes (and worlds!) are so immersive you feel as though you are right there with her, holding her hand through her anxiety and cheering on as you watch her overcome it. I, personally, have been going through something remarkably similar to her over the past few years and know a few people who are going through the same – by around page 20 I was recommending this to all of them. In short – it's a book that has grabbed me by my very core and inspired me to make some long-awaited changes in my own life. Also, she's really funny and has a fantastic cat. What else could you need?
More than a spiritual guide for modern-day witches, this book calls for all of us to pay more attention to the world around us. The theme for the UK Mental Health Awareness Week this year was Connect With Nature, reminding us of the proven health benefits of going outside and paying attention to what the Earth is trying to tell us. Our connection with the soil keeps us present and in sync with the seasonal cycles, and that connection and awareness will in turn allow more stability for life on this planet. Jennifer's passion for this subject emanates from the page, pulling the reader in so that we begin to look at the trees around us through her eyes, with that child-like sense of wonder. It's a joyous and magickal experience.
The Wheel by Jennifer Lane is available through all book retailers, and is best enjoyed sitting in the garden with a mug of hot ginger, or in a candlelit bubble bath, or on that bitter morning commute to your 9-5.