Thank you so much to everyone for joining me for another Great October Book Giveaway! I wish I had treats to send to everyone who stopped by to toss their name into the hat or wish me some October cheer!
The two folks taking home the prize packages are:
Flutter
Jenny Rosa
and I've got a special treat - a third copy of Besom, Stang & Sword! I pre-ordered a copy of the book when it went up for sale last autumn but was then supplied a copy by the good folks at Weiser, so I have a brand new book here waiting on a home.
That copy will be going out to Theresa N.
Thank you again, for always making this month so much fun for me! I hope November is extra nice to you, and you get some rest in before the next holiday season arrives!
We have come to the last days of October. The sky is a purple bruise as I write this, and a cold wind grabs at the tree limbs outside my window. Dusk is creeping in earlier each day and the morning dawns sharp and frosty, having gnawed the few stalwart plants in the garden until they have curled in on themselves in a feeble attempt at protection. There are folks who are morose at the sight of all this decay but I am a grinning fool as I walk by dry, whispering corn stalks and apples left to rot on the ground. I am endlessly fascinated by the cycle of my valley - how the land blooms and thrives, only to drop itself into deep sleep (or seed itself and release to death) and awaken again in the spring. Every chapter closes, but there is always a new page waiting to be turned.
So too, have we arrived at the last gasps of our month of giveaways. I have something that I think is really special to round out our October fun. Two very magical gift packages have arrived from the extraordinary folks of Blacktree Coven. You may know them better as Christopher Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire, the brilliant minds and voices behind the occult podcast Down at the Crossroads. Chris and Tara published their first book together at the close of last year and I've wanted to pass out some copies ever since I first heard about it.
Besom, Stang & Sword: A Guide to Traditional Witchcraft, the Six-Fold Path & the Hidden Landscape has been raved about by some of my favourite magical folks since its publication. And for good reason. This is one of those rare witchcraft books that doesn't try to be either a catch-all of every sort of magic that exists, or The One and Only Authority™ on what a witchcraft practice looks like. Instead the authors delve into their own practice (which has coalesced in their coven, Blacktree) and share how they work with their landbase and the spirits they encounter there.
I was very fortunate to get a sneak peek at this work before it was published, and this is what I had to say at the time (and I still stand by it):
I could go on at length about this tome, but I want to be sure to pass along the extra goodies too! Tara and Chris are not only authors and podcasters, but they are skilled in herbalism, alchemy, and art. They've come together in another bewitching project, "Two of Cats Apothecary," which allows them to share some of their ritual work and magical recipes with you. You can find them vending at local events in and around the New Jersey area, as well as online. And for this giveaway, you'll get a generous taste of their creations.
I have two fabulous prize packages to give away, direct from Blacktree Coven. You'll receive a copy of Besom, Stang & Sword, as well as two incense blends, a witch's salt blend, a witch's ointment, and a couple other little treats. You will have until the last moments of October fade away to get your name into the hat. I'll draw the two names and contact the winners on November 1st.
As always, your comment is your entry. You must provide an email address (in a safe manner) or a link to a functioning social media page where I can contact you. If you would like an extra entry, please share this post or any promotional information about our wonderful authors, and that will earn you a second chance at winning. If your privacy is of importance, you can private message your entry to me at the Rue and Hyssop Facebook page. Please note that if you win, the name you've given me will be posted at the top of this page.
I want to thank Christopher Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire for making this last giveaway so special. Do check out the excellent podcast, Down at the Crossroads, and their assorted social media haunts - they are some very fine humans, in my opinion.
Tara-Love on Instagram
Chris on Instagram
Down at the Crossroads on Facebook
The two folks taking home the prize packages are:
Flutter
Jenny Rosa
and I've got a special treat - a third copy of Besom, Stang & Sword! I pre-ordered a copy of the book when it went up for sale last autumn but was then supplied a copy by the good folks at Weiser, so I have a brand new book here waiting on a home.
That copy will be going out to Theresa N.
Thank you again, for always making this month so much fun for me! I hope November is extra nice to you, and you get some rest in before the next holiday season arrives!
We have come to the last days of October. The sky is a purple bruise as I write this, and a cold wind grabs at the tree limbs outside my window. Dusk is creeping in earlier each day and the morning dawns sharp and frosty, having gnawed the few stalwart plants in the garden until they have curled in on themselves in a feeble attempt at protection. There are folks who are morose at the sight of all this decay but I am a grinning fool as I walk by dry, whispering corn stalks and apples left to rot on the ground. I am endlessly fascinated by the cycle of my valley - how the land blooms and thrives, only to drop itself into deep sleep (or seed itself and release to death) and awaken again in the spring. Every chapter closes, but there is always a new page waiting to be turned.
So too, have we arrived at the last gasps of our month of giveaways. I have something that I think is really special to round out our October fun. Two very magical gift packages have arrived from the extraordinary folks of Blacktree Coven. You may know them better as Christopher Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire, the brilliant minds and voices behind the occult podcast Down at the Crossroads. Chris and Tara published their first book together at the close of last year and I've wanted to pass out some copies ever since I first heard about it.
Besom, Stang & Sword: A Guide to Traditional Witchcraft, the Six-Fold Path & the Hidden Landscape has been raved about by some of my favourite magical folks since its publication. And for good reason. This is one of those rare witchcraft books that doesn't try to be either a catch-all of every sort of magic that exists, or The One and Only Authority™ on what a witchcraft practice looks like. Instead the authors delve into their own practice (which has coalesced in their coven, Blacktree) and share how they work with their landbase and the spirits they encounter there.
I was very fortunate to get a sneak peek at this work before it was published, and this is what I had to say at the time (and I still stand by it):
“What an absolute treat to the senses it has been to delve into Besom, Stang & Sword! This text presents a cohesive system of practice, thorough in exploring the fundamentals of magic, yet unafraid to delve into the dimly lit corners of witchcraft. Christopher Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire offer their own meticulously curated system based on theory, history, folklore, and trusted praxis. They cover an astonishing array of topics in a refreshingly concise manner and offer clear instruction along with their own rituals and spell work. What they present to us is intelligent methodology, and a powerful and spirit-fueled practice that reminds you that your tradition is a living creature to be respected and nurtured. Though a primer for their own magical system, there is no feeling of witchcraft-light here. This book encourages a deepening of your magic, a connection to your own bioregion, and a passion for the work you do with the land and your own spirits. This is sure to become a foundational text among magical practitioners. Orapello and Maguire have offered a treasure to their community with this tome. “Magick is magick” they say, and this book truly is just that.”I genuinely appreciated the way that Christopher and Tara-Love opened their door to us with this book. It's not often we get to see very deeply into the personal practices of public witches, but Besom, Stang & Sword gives us a glimpse of how a well functioning magical discipline can be formed. They are also eager to recommend alternate books/reading and openly supportive of you finding your own way to work with your land, history, and spirits.
I could go on at length about this tome, but I want to be sure to pass along the extra goodies too! Tara and Chris are not only authors and podcasters, but they are skilled in herbalism, alchemy, and art. They've come together in another bewitching project, "Two of Cats Apothecary," which allows them to share some of their ritual work and magical recipes with you. You can find them vending at local events in and around the New Jersey area, as well as online. And for this giveaway, you'll get a generous taste of their creations.
I have two fabulous prize packages to give away, direct from Blacktree Coven. You'll receive a copy of Besom, Stang & Sword, as well as two incense blends, a witch's salt blend, a witch's ointment, and a couple other little treats. You will have until the last moments of October fade away to get your name into the hat. I'll draw the two names and contact the winners on November 1st.
As always, your comment is your entry. You must provide an email address (in a safe manner) or a link to a functioning social media page where I can contact you. If you would like an extra entry, please share this post or any promotional information about our wonderful authors, and that will earn you a second chance at winning. If your privacy is of importance, you can private message your entry to me at the Rue and Hyssop Facebook page. Please note that if you win, the name you've given me will be posted at the top of this page.
I want to thank Christopher Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire for making this last giveaway so special. Do check out the excellent podcast, Down at the Crossroads, and their assorted social media haunts - they are some very fine humans, in my opinion.
Tara-Love on Instagram
Chris on Instagram
Down at the Crossroads on Facebook
Legal Bits:
* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America, who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law. Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.
* Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada). The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =
* This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.
* This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.
* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.
I have chosen all the books/cards featured this month myself. I have not been paid to feature a book, nor have I been asked to advertise for anyone. This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by anyone other than Rue and Hyssop* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America, who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law. Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.
* Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada). The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =
* This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.
* This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.
* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.
