Magical Monday: A Samhain Ritual

Since Samhain (Halloween to you non-witchy folks) is coming up at the end of the week, I thought I'd share a ritual I wrote for my book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals (Llewellyn). I hope it inspires you to do a little sabbat magic of your own. As always, with a few alterations, this ritual can be done by an individual instead of a group.

SAMHAIN: Grief and Rejoicing at the New Year

If there is any one holiday that epitomizes the Witch, it is Samhain, the Sabbat from which the modern Halloween originated. Also known as The Witches’ New Year, October 31^st marks the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. The Wheel of the Year has completed another cycle, and begins to turn again, as it always has and always will.

Samhain can be a bittersweet day, for we mourn all that we have lost over the last year at the same time we look forward to the blessings we hope we’ll reap in the year to come. On this night, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, and we say our final goodbyes to people and animals who have moved on to the lands beyond the veil. Some use this time for prophecy and prediction, looking ahead or communicating with the spirits. Others use it to honor their ancestors with a special altar or a Dumb Supper, in which places are set at the feast table for the dead, and food is eaten in respectful silence.

This night is a special magical time, with particular meaning to Witches. And so this Samhain ritual has two parts; one which looks back towards the year passing away and allows us to mourn all we’ve lost, and the second which focuses on the future, welcoming in the new year with celebration and hope.

Tools needed:

• Fire-safe cauldron or plate
• Tea lights OR sand to fill cauldron and small tapers (which are then stuck in the sand)
• Optional: small second altar table to put cauldron/plate with candles on [if your main altar is large enough, you can put the cauldron/plate there]
• Small bowls filled with confetti (you can buy this, or cut up colored paper into small pieces) OR noisemakers OR small instruments like whistles, kazoos, clappers, etc. [note: the confetti will make a mess, so you may only want to use it if you are going to be outside]
• Black pillar/taper candle in fire-safe holder
• White, red, or silver pillar candle in fire-safe holder
• Table to use as an altar, and a cloth to cover it
• Copies of the spell for all participants
• Sage smudge stick
• Optional: a large feather for wafting the sage
• Cakes and ale (corn muffins are good, or any apple bread or cake, or apples sliced in half to show the pentacle in the middle, and wine or cider)
• Four quarter candles (1 each yellow, blue, red, and green, or 4 white)
• Goddess and god candles (cream and yellow, silver and gold, or both white or yellow, or two black if desired)
• Matches and candle snuffer

(HPS = High Priestess and HP = High Priest, but this can be done by any individual)

Before starting:

If you can be outside (and I recommend it for this night if it is at all possible), a bonfire is a wonderful addition to a Samhain celebration. It is good to have torches or other lights so you can see to read the spell. If you must be inside, dim the lights and add some extra candles for atmosphere, if it is safe to do so. This ritual should start out solemn and quiet for the first half, then become lighter and more cheerful during the second half. The energy can be quite intense, so it is wise to only include children if you are sure they will not be overwhelmed. Since this is the Witches’ New Year and the third and final harvest festival, it is nice to have an especially bountiful feast afterwards, if you can. [I recommend a pot luck, where everyone brings their favorite dish to share.] NOTE: Samhain is pronounced SOW-WEN

If desired, you can have people process into the circle (start on the outside and go into the circle one by one, usually down a path or from another room) and then be anointed by a member of the group as they enter the circle. If so, the person greeting should say something like: Welcome and blessed be, or Welcome to our Samhain celebration. Participants can be given copies of the spell now, or it can be handed around the circle later if desired.

Otherwise, simply have everyone assemble in the circle. If you have particular people picked out to lead or call quarters, they should stand in the appropriate spots. 

Cleanse and consecrate the circle and those within it by having someone walk around the outside of the space with the smudge stick (you can use a large feather to waft the smoke inward, if desired) OR pass the sage from person to person clockwise around the circle. Each person should then waft the smoke over them from feet to head.

Cast the circle. The HPS or HP can walk around the circle clockwise and point an athame towards the ground, saying: I cast this circle round and round, from earth to sky, from sky to ground. I conjure now this sacred space, outside of time, outside of place. The circle is cast, we are between the worlds.

ALTERNATELY—the circle can be cast “hand to hand,” in which case the leader takes the hand of the person to his/her left and says: I cast the circle hand to hand. That person then takes the hand of the person to his/her left and repeats, and so on around the circle until all are holding hands. Then the HPS/HP will say: The circle is cast; we are between the worlds.

Call the quarters. (This can be done by one person, or by four. Face the proper quarter and point in that direction with an athame or your finger. All present should also turn and point in that direction. Or people can hold their hands up, palms open to receive the energy.)

East: I call the Watchtower of the east, the power of Air, to protect our circle, blowing out the old year and welcoming in the new. (light yellow candle)

South: I call the Watchtower of the south, the power of Fire, to protect our circle, bringing the warmth and light of an autumn bonfire. (light red candle)

West: I call the Watchtower of the west, the power of Water, to protect our circle and wash away sorrow and regret. (light the red candle)

North: I call the Watchtower of the north, the power of Earth, to protect our circle and keep us grounded on this magickal night. (light the green candle)

HPS/HP invokes the goddess by raising arms to the sky and saying: Great goddess, Hecate, Lady of the Crossroads—we find ourselves at the crossroads of another year and look to you for guidance and comfort. Welcome, and blessed be. (light goddess candle)

 HPS/HP invokes the god by raising arms to the sky (hands may form the “horned god” sign by folding down three middle fingers, leaving pinky and thumb pointed up) and saying: Great Horned God, who rules the forests and the fields—keep us safe and strong on this dark night. Welcome and blessed be. (light god candle)

HPS/HP SABBAT INTRO: We have gathered here to celebrate Samhain, the third and final harvest festival of the year. It is the Witches’ New Year, and we have come through another cycle of the Wheel of the Year, and can look forward to the blessings of the days to come. Tonight, the veil between the worlds grows thin, and before we move on we must look back, letting go of all that we have lost in the last year. This may be a person or an animal who was dear to you, it may be a task at which you did not succeed, a wish that did not come to fruition, a job, a relationship, or anything else that causes you sorrow with its loss. Even things we have given up or walked away from voluntarily or those we lost in years before, whose loss still haunts us. All those people and things we will now say goodbye to, leaving us free to move on, at peace, without regrets.

[HPS/HP carries black pillar or taper candle over to table with tea lights /smaller candles, lights the candle and then lights a smaller light off of it] 
 HPS/HP: Each of us will now say goodbye—you can do this aloud or silently, as you chose.
[HPS/HP says goodbyes, then next participant steps up and lights candle, moving clockwise around the circle – IF DESIRED, DRUM QUIETLY IN THE BACKGROUND AS THIS IS HAPPENING]

When all have finished, have a moment of silence. [drumming should stop]

HPS/HP: Now we have put the past and our sorrows behind us, and we move on to our celebration of the New Year. We start clean and fresh, with eager hearts and lighter spirits. And so we will say a spell together to turn our pain into joy, and our losses into limitless potential, for within darkness there is always light, and the turning Wheel brings new possibilities for those who are open to them.
[HPS/HP lights white/red/silver candle and drumming can start again, pass out confetti, noisemakers, or small instruments if using, and copies of spell if not given out before]

ALL RECITE TOGETHER:

Hecate, Hecate, Hecate

Bless us with your light

Hecate, Hecate, Hecate

Let the year be bright

Horned God, Horned God, Horned God

Keep us safe and strong

Horned God, Horned God, Horned God

Send joy the whole year long

Hecate! Horned God!

Bless us one and all

Hecate! Horned God!

Bless us one and all!

Huzzah!

Throw confetti, make loud noises, or simply clap and cheer.

Have cakes and ale. Pass around circle, saying, “May you never hunger” (cakes) and “May you never thirst” (ale).

 Pass speaking stick, if using, and let each person have a moment to speak.

Dismiss the quarters. Each person who called a quarter should dismiss it, starting with north, then west, south, and east. Say: Power of ________, I thank you for your attendance in our circle. Stay if you will, go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust. So mote it be. (snuff out candle)

Thank the god and goddess. HPS/HPS says: Great god, we thank you for your strength and energy, shared with us this day, in this sacred space. (snuff out candle) Great goddess, we thank you for your wisdom and love, shared with us this day, in this sacred space. (snuff out candle)

Open circle. If circle was cast hand to hand, all should grasp hands and then release with a yell, throwing hands up into the air. HPS/HP can also formally walk counter-clockwise around outside of circle, reversing their actions casting the circle. Otherwise, HPS/HP simply says: The circle is open but never broken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!

 Feast, if you’re having one!

Last Workshop of the Year!

I can't believe it, but this month's class over at the Witchcraft and Writing Workshop loop
is the LAST ONE FOR THE YEAR! When Heather Long and I started this endeavor at the beginning of this year (mostly as an experiment, because people had been asking me to give classes on witchcraft for Wiccans and authors for ages), we weren't sure if there would be enough interest to keep it going.

To which I simply say...boy, were we wrong! The participants have been enthusiastic, fun, smart folks, and I have been having a great time giving the classes. But we are heading into my crazy time of year, when I need to focus on finishing the current novel, making jewelry to sell at the holiday season, and running The Artisans' Guild. So the upcoming class, which starts on the 29th, is the last one for the year. Based on how many people sign up for this one, we'll decide how many workshops we want to try to give next year.

Registration closes at 6 PM sharp, EST on Sunday 28th, so go to the link above and register NOW. *taps foot* No, really, I'll wait :-) I'd love to see the class fill up by the end of the day.

Oh, and did I mention that I'll be GIVING AWAY a signed copy of the Everyday Witch Book of Rituals to one lucky class participant? (Considering that the book costs more than the entire class, that's a pretty good deal!)

And don't forget, you still have a few days to enter my BIGGEST CONTEST EVER. You can come back every day and click on a couple of the options more than once. (And that one lucky person will win a free class registration. If you are waiting until the end of the contest to register, don't--we'll either refund your registration fee if you win, or give you a free class next year.) And pretty please, I'd love it if you would spread the word about the contest, the class, and the book. Thanks--you guys are the best!

Here is the info about the class:
For: Practicing Wiccans, witches and more. (If you are writing a witchy character, or one who associates with witches, there will probably be some helpful info here.)

Time: 3 Days
Dates: October 29-31
Cost $15
Optional Texts: Everyday Witch Book of Rituals

Day One –

Samhain, Halloween, and All Hallow’s Eve: Celebrating October 31st past & present

The Witch’s New Year: Saying goodbye to the old and welcoming in the new

Mourning the dead, ancestor altars, and the dumb supper

Q & A

Day Two—

Ritual basics: circle casting & purification, creating sacred space, elements of ritual

Staying safe and keeping focused: what to do and what not to do during ritual

Ritual etiquette for practicing with others

Q & A

Day Three—

A Samhain ritual

A Full Moon ritual

Giveaway of Deborah’s New Book!

Biggest Givaway Ever!

I've been promising to give away another copy of the new book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals, and as you can see from the giveaway taking up half the blog above, I might have gotten a little carried away.

I'm not only giving away a signed copy of the book, but I'm also giving away a free registration for the next online class, a piece of my handcrafted gemstone jewelry (perfect for yourself or to give as a gift for the holidays), as well as a $25 Amazon gift card. Which, of course, you could use to buy yourself a copy of the book, if you don't already have one :-)

I'm experimenting with "Rafflecopter" which I've seen other people use, and which seems to make participating easy, on whichever level you choose. You can do one thing or many, and add up points as you do it. And some of the options can be done every day until the contest ends next Saturday the 27th.

The prizes will be given to randomly chosen winners. I hope you all take part and have fun! 

Here are links to the book on
Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

A Full Moon Ritual

As you know, I have a new book out, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals. I thought for this Friday (since the full moon is coming up on Sunday), I'd give you a taste of the book. So here is the September full moon ritual from the new one! I hope you enjoy it.

SEPTEMBER: The Beat Goes On

Pagans have been using drums since the beginning of time for connection with the gods and with each other. Almost every culture in every country has some kind of drum or percussion instrument, from rattles to hollow logs, to ornate carved drums with heads made from the skins of sacred animals.

The beat of the drum mimics the beat of the human heart, as well as the living pulse of the world around us. It can connect us with spirit, draw us deep within to help us find the path to our inner journeying, and take a scattered group of strangers and turn them into a cohesive and connected whole. It can sooth and create trance states or inflame our bodies in a frenzy of passion. There is much power in drumming, whether done on your own or in a group.

The purpose of this drumming ritual is simple: to connect us with our ancestors—the Pagan folk who went before us—and to connect us with our own inner wisdom and the power and pulse of the universe around us. If you chose to do this ritual with others, it will connect you with them as well.

If you don’t have a drum, you can use a drumming recording and clap your hands or stomp your feet instead. But I believe you will find this traditional Pagan activity so addictive, you will almost certainly want to get a drum of your own.

Tools needed:

·        A drum (any kind—you can even make your own from materials you find around the house, although the sound from home-made drums is rarely as deep and rich as that from a real drum) or a drum CD if you don’t have a drum

·        Sage smudge stick

Before starting:

This is as simple a ritual as there is. You don’t need to cast a circle, unless you want to. Simply sit outside under the full moon, or inside in a darkened, comfortable space if you can’t be outside, and open your heart and spirit to the beat of the drum.

  

 Cleanse yourself before starting by wafting the sage over your body. You can sage your drum as well if you wish.

 Hold the drum loosely in your hands and close your eyes. Feel the moon overhead, and sense the presence of the goddess. Reach back through history and think of all those other folks whose hands beat upon a drum—hands of different colors, and sizes and shapes, but all with the same intent as you have on this night.

Start beating the drum slowly (you can leave your eyes closed or open them) or start the music and begin clapping. As you drum, feel the echo of your drumbeats in the rhythm of the world around you. Feel your heart beating in time with the drum and matching the pulse of the natural world beneath you. If you are drumming with others, reach out your inner senses to feel them too. As you beat the drum faster, you can sense the beating of the goddess’s heart, filling and surrounding you. Go as fast or slow as feels right to you, feeling the beat of your drum carrying your spirit out into the universe to connect with everything.

When you are ready, slow down your drumming gradually until you are only beating once or twice a minute, then stop and take a deep breath. Come back to the mundane world, but take a moment to internalize that feeling of connection, so you can carry it inside yourself from this point onward.

Magic’s Mischief, Meddling, and Merriment—

To go a step beyond, try attending a local drumming group. These can be found in many areas and even those which are not specifically Pagan can help you connect with that primal energy.

IT'S OUT! (Surprise!)

The anticipated release date on EVERYDAY WITCH BOOK OF RITUALS wasn't until October 8th, but apparently it got sent out earlier than anticipated. So that when I checked Amazon and Barnes & Noble, there they were!

The book is out!!!!
Amazon even already has a note that says "ONLY 6 LEFT"!
B & N will have it at some brick and mortar stores in their New Age or Spirituality sections, and also online, of course. And both Amazon and B & N have it on sale, although I don't know how long that will last.

If you would rather support your local Independent bookstore, any store can order it for you, too.

Or you could get it right from Llewellyn

And if you live near Oneonta, NY there are a few at The Artisans' Guild (I know, because I brought them in this morning.)

OMG--I'm so excited! What should I do to celebrate this unexpected early release day? (Besides shouting about it everywhere?) I hope you'll all celebrate with me by spreading the word that...IT'S OUT!

Happy book release day to me!

Winners!

Wow. Just...wow. I am over the moon about the great response to the giveaway of the new book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals -- thanks to everyone who entered, and who helped to spread the word about the book. You all ROCK. I wish I could give each and every one of you a book :-)

I said I was going to give away one of my author copies of the new book, and one of the very cool cover flats that Llewellyn sent me (like a poster form of the entire cover, back and front). But I was so blown away by the amazing enthusiasm everyone showed, I'm going to give away TWO books and TWO cover flats.

And the lucky winners are..... (drumroll, please)

Bert Hansen (a book)
Carrie Trimble (a book)
Anna Lipari (a cover flat)
Anne (who said that a copy of one of my other books brightened her week) (a cover flat)

These folks were all picked randomly, and should contact me either on FB if they know me there, or by email at magicmysticminerva at yahoo to tell me the address they want their prize sent to, and who if anyone they want the book signed to.

If you didn't win this time, don't despair! I'll be doing at least one more contest in a couple of weeks, closer to the official release date of October 8th. (Although bizarrely enough, I was just checking Amazon, and it actually looks like the book is available NOW. And there are only 4 left already!!)

I'm going to be asking people to come up with more ideas for unusual or fun ways to spread the word about the book, so start thinking about that... And I might give away a piece of my handcrafted jewelry in addition to a book, if people think that would be fun.

Thanks again for making this author feel so loved. You guys made my week!

That New Book Smell! GIVEAWAY!

Look what I got today!

*insert happy dance here*

Hot off the presses, the first copies of my new book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals along with a few cover flats (one of which I will frame and add to the collection on the wall...but the others...)

The book looks AMAZING. And it is huge; lovely and thick, and filled with cats. (And rituals, of course.) The official release date isn't until October 8th (although if you order them directly from Llewellyn, you will probably get it sooner, since obviously, they have copies in their warehouse already!) but I'm going to give away one of my precious early copies to one of my readers. Because hey--why should I be the only one doing a happy dance? I'll also give away one of the cool cover flats, too.

Here's all you have to do to win: spread the word about the book somewhere, then come back here and tell me what you did. This can be as simple as following the link above and "liking" the book on Amazon (or you can go to B & N instead, if you'd rather--they even have a "repin" option for Pinterest). Or you can post about it on Facebook or Twitter or your blog, or anyplace else where someone else might see it. Then be sure and leave a comment saying you did it, so I'll enter you. Let me know if you're rather win the book or the cover flat, or either one. The contest will run through the end of the week (ending at midnight EST on Friday) so you've got plenty of time to enter.

YAY--I love that new book smell!

Some Happy Thoughts

Here are a few things that made me happy in the last couple of days:

A reader posted a lovely review of Witch Ever Way You Can over on Amazon.uk  [Here's the GREAT REVIEW if you're curious.] It completely made my morning. And reminded me that I don't really promote this book enough. Have you read it? If so, what did you think? And did you spread the word?

Yesterday afternoon, my editor at Llewellyn, the amazing Elysia Gallo, sent me the cover proof for the upcoming mini eBook, A Witch's Dozen. This is the one that is coming out as a companion to the new Everyday Witch Book of Rituals, due out in October. [Holy crap--October is soon!] The cover for the eBook was so cool, I can't wait to show it to you. I think you're going to love it as much as I did!

Clearly I need to start thinking about promotion for the new book. Anyone have any suggestions? (That don't involve travel or large expenditures of money...)

Speaking of promotions, for the first time I am doing a Goodreads giveaway for a new release. I wasn't sure if there would be any real interest in a witchcraft book, so I was really happy when I went to check on the contest yesterday and discovered that 321 people had already entered! *insert happy author dance here* If you want to win a free copy of the ritual book, be sure to enter. The contest runs until October 1st.

In general, I'm also happy that the sun is shining, it isn't 90 degrees out anymore and I am slowly clearing my desk of all the nonfiction obligations (articles, guest blogs, and such) so that I can back to work on the super sekrit novel project.

What's making you happy today?

Today's Harvest OMG CARROTS

Most years I struggle to get my carrots to grow. I'm not sure why. But I tend to throw a LOT of seeds into the ground in the hope of getting a few. For some reason, this year...

They seem to be doing pretty well :-) That's about 2/3rds of what's out there, maybe a bit less. And no, you're not imagining it...some of them are purple. They're a kind called "Purple Haze" and they taste sweeter than a regular carrot and have extra beta carotene. Also, they're pretty. I think that's important in a carrot, don't you?

Of course, not all carrots are pretty. Some are kind of...perverse looking. LOL

So--anyone have any good carrot recipes???

Here's today's Frog Prince picture

And the rest of today's harvest

Three kinds of potatoes, a few tomatoes, two scrawny ears of corn (not a good corn year, alas) and also, a huge bunch of edamame (soybeans) that I need to take off the plants and cook.

I'd forgotten I put a copy of the upcoming Everyday Witch Book of Rituals up on a Goodreads giveaway last week, and was amazed to discover that there were almost 300 people entered already! You can enter HERE.

And don't forget that the new online class, Witchcraft on a Shoestring class is going to start on August 27th over on the workshop loop. Registration is open now, and one lucky participant will be gifted with a signed copy of the new ritual book as soon as it comes out!

So, about those carrot recipes...

NEW CLASS: Witchcraft on a Shoestring & GIVEAWAY

As many of you know, my last book from Llewellyn was a little treasure called Witchcraft on a Shoestring which was full of suggestions for ways to practice Witchcraft without breaking your budget. It included all sorts of Craft crafts (heheheheh) and recipes, and a lot more.

Because so many people seemed to like this topic, I've added it as a class over on the Witchcraft & Writing Workshop Loop. The class runs August 27th-29th and only costs $15. Registration is open now, so why not make my day and run over and sign up now? No, really...I'll wait :-)

As a special bonus, since we're getting close to the release date of my next book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals (official release date October 8th, but I will get a few author copies some time in September), I am giving away a copy of the new book to one of the people who takes this class!

That's right, you read that correctly: one of the folks who takes the Witchcraft on a Shoestring class will receive a pre-release, signed copy of my new book. And what's more, I don't care where you live. I'll send the book to whichever class attendee is chosen at random, even if she/he is one of my Australia fans.

So go sign up now. And if you get a friend to sign up, come back here and let me know, and I'll enter your name TWICE.

Yes, it has been very hot here and I'm a little punchy...why do you ask?

[If you want a chance to win a copy of the new book, and aren't interested in taking this class, don't despair--I'll be doing more giveaways between now and October, I promise.] 

I hope to see you in class. We always have a great time!

Copyedits, how they work and such

I spent the last week doing final copyedits on Everyday Witch Book of Rituals, my next book from Llewellyn, coming in October.

Here's what happens: you write a book, send it off to your acquisitions editor, who okays it, sends it off to your production editor, and then...well...nothing, for a long time. That editor, in my case the fabulous Becky Zins, has a bunch of authors, after all.

But eventually, the editor edits, and sends the next-to-final manuscript back to the author, covered with scribbled notes in red pen. [Some editors are doing it electronically these days, but we're not there yet.] Some of those notes are questions, like "Did you really mean this?" or "Could we do X here instead?" Some are comments or explanations, like "I'd like to remove this bit because you said the exact same thing three pages ago. You ninny."

Becky and I have been working together since my second book (this one is #6, is case you haven't been keeping track) and we work really well together. I think she's amazing. She thinks I'm a great author. It's a publishing marriage made in heaven. Of course, that means that she knows I can be depended on to plow through final edits quickly, and so she only sent me the ms about a month before it was due at the printer... But that's okay, since when these things show up on my desk, I just want to get them done and back out anyway.

Here's the interesting thing about rereading your manuscript after a long time has passed: you never know if you are going to be pleased or disappointed. Most authors positively dread this moment of truth, me among them. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Some of the rituals actually moved me to tears, or made me laugh out loud (that's the Croning/Eldering ritual). Hopefully they will have the same effect on my readers.

Now the book is back in Becky's capable hands, where she will make the last few changes, then send it off to the printer. Raise your hands, anyone who is going to run out and buy it! (It's available for pre-order right now, she mentions casually, fooling no one.)

Whew.

A Witch's Dozen, Finished!

You may have seen in my last post that I got the cover to my upcoming 6th book from Llewellyn, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals. [Pause for happy dance. Ahem. Okay, I'm good now.]

Last night, I finished the revisions to its little companion, A Witch's Dozen. You see, a funny thing happened on the way to the 6th book... Some of you might have seen me mention this before. The Ritual book turned out to be too long, so I had to cut the last 12 rituals. But thankfully, my fabu editor Elysia Gallo and I were able to put our heads together and come up with a clever idea for a way to still use them.

A Witch's Dozen (those 12 rituals, plus one "fill in the blank" ritual that can be adapted however you need it) is coming out a little bit before the main Ritual book, as a mini-ebook. Elysia tells me it will be available in September (the Ritual book will be in the Llewellyn warehouse then too, but if you order it from Amazon or anywhere else, they won't have it until October). We're not sure what it is going to cost yet (the marketing folks make those decisions), but we know it will be inexpensive and accessible. I'll put up an update when I know more.

I had so much fun working on this little ebook, I can't tell you! Which just goes to prove that sometimes when things don't go the way you expect them to, they work out EVEN BETTER.

*Bounce bounce bounce*

I can't wait to share this with you. It is going to be so much fun....

New Cover! I've Got a New Cover!

There are a few really stellar days in an author's life: the days when you sell a book, finish the first draft, finish the edits (whew!), and of course, the day the book is released. But one of my--and many other authors'--favorite days is NEW COVER DAY!

That's the day when you finally get to share the cover of your upcoming book with all your fans and friends. Well, guess what today is??????

I just got the okay from my lovely editor, Elysia Gallo at Llewellyn, to share the cover of my upcoming book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals, coming out in October. The cover isn't even up on Amazon yet, although the book IS available for preorder at a spiffy sales price. [Everyday Witch Book of Rituals]

So, with no further ado, HERE IT IS! Tell me, what do you think? Isn't it magickal?