The Grandmother of Time: A Woman's Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every Month of the Year

by Zsuzsanna E. Budapest

In The Grandmother of Time, Zsuzsanna Budapest teaches both beginners and experieced practioners how to intergrate wiccan spirtuality into their everyday lives. Here are new approaches to today's rituals, from birthdays and dedications of newborn babies to purifying our homes and protecting us in travel.

Genres: Spirituality, Witchcraft, Wicca, Nonfiction, Paganism, Religion, Goddess

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some current day 'wiccans' seem to be put off by Budapest's strong feminist approach. Budapest is very much a feminist and makes no bones about it. You may not care for her work but you can still garner some valuable information from her books. I identify very much with very primal types of magick and that can be offputting to some practitioners. I read one review where after having read this book, the woman was sorry for having a vagina. Please keep in mind, Budapest is from a older generation of witches who fought very hard to make modern witchcraft something that could be available to everyone here in North America - during a very politically vibrant time of social change. I love her work as I find it affirming and empowering. For any woman having gone through abuse, rape, or being stepped on by others, her books offer a way to empower your spirit and (re)connect with the divine within yourselves - however you choose to envision it to be. I consider her books a must have for any magickal and spiritual library.

[D. R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I consider myself a strong feminist, so I was excited for this book. There are inaccuracies throughout. In several places I found myself having to just walk away dumbfounded. The mythology and history of nearly every section has a fifty-fifty chance of being just wrong. (Pallas Athena is Greek, not Roman!). Some of the author's personal stories and emphasis on reproduction me extremely uncomfortable. I'm all for being a creatrix and reclaiming our sexuality at all stages, but geez. There is more to womanhood than motherhood. The spells are standard fare and I appreciated the recipes at least. Overall, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. If you like facts, sources, informed writing, and sympathize with women who have no interest in or ability to physically reproduce, this book is not for you.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was singularly responsible for me becoming a goddess worshiper. The structure inspired me and the beauty enticed me. Even as I have moved away from a literal belief in the existence of Gods and Goddesses, this book remains on my shelf. It has forever colored the way I look at the seasons, the cycle of birth and death, and my life as a woman.

[Darceylaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to think about the cycle of the year. Nice introduction to feminist goddess traditions in the US and Europe, and a good history of the movement for us younger folks.

I decided to read one chapter a month, and it was a nice way to observe the year as it unfolded

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made me feel real sorry that I had a vagina.

[Bettina Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book since it came out in the 90's. I use it a lot for spells and inspiration.

[Asounani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro muy interesante como lectura curiosa desde mi punto de vista

[Sandy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone gifted me this gem. I have used excerpts for my blog many times this year. Highly recommend.

[Desiree']

The author introduces the reader to the goddess calendar in European traditions and practices.

[Yolanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good monthly reference book to have for a quick read.

[Armando · Rating 5 out of 5]

De mi época esotérica. Una amiga, al ver que estaba leyendo este libro me comentó que lo de la Wicca era asunto de mujeres, a lo que respondí que eso no me importaba. La autora escribe de una manera esplendida, transmitiendo todo el sentimiento mágico existente en la naturaleza. Gracias a la lectura de este libro pude darme cuenta de que las celebraciones dedicadas a las dioses y dioses se dan practicamente a lo largo de todo el año. El espiritu pagáno se persive fortisimo en el libro. Muy bien escrito, lectura fascinante, y ojo, no es sólo para mujeres. La edición en español es de Editorial Obelisco, y el titulo es Cada Día es una Fiesta.

[Narkitsa Orada · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm honestly not getting the high ratings at all. I'll be upfront on the fact that feminist witchcraft isn't at all my thing, but there have still been books in that vein that have surprised me by how enjoyable and well-written they were. This isn't one of them. The prose is unimaginative and the tone vaguely preachy, but I think its worst fault is that it's impossible to actually use. Each holiday is described in minimal detail, and I couldn't figure out any logical arrangement behind the placement of the spells. There's probably the potential for a really good book in here, but the execution's terrible.

[Berbernator · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read filled with uplifting and empowering suggestions, spells, and celebratory activities for women, home, family, etc. The brief "herstory" at the beginning of each chapter telling the story of that month's goddess was interesting. Very enjoyable. Have applied several tidbits to my seasonal celebrations. Eager to read more of Z. Budapest's work.

[Araminta Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would want to confirm much of what I read here that was not clearly cited (though Tacitus and Ovid are listed as sources recounting goddess-worship scenarios, the placement of these moments within the text are questionable). It's nice to read something feminist and thought provoking from Zsuzsanna again.

[Maria De La Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un clásico , si alguien le gusta celebrar desde el paganismo , día a día con el calendario , lo recomiendo usar con la gran madre luna , para poder realizar así un trabajo completo de devocionario ( hay un vídeo en mi canal con mas informacion de ambos libros)

[Inara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title in German:
Das magische Jahr - Mythen, Mondaspekte, Rituale

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read & something that will be used year round, not just read once & then shelved.

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing wealth of information!