2006 Magical Almanac © 2005

2006 Magical Almanac        ©  2005    Llewellyn  ISBN  0-7387-0150-5   Paperback  384 pages   $7.99 (U.S.)  $10.50 (Canada)

Thirty four authors contributed seventy five articles which are divided among four basic divisions – one for each season.  The almanac section contains all the usual Llewellyn offerings – a color for the day (drawn from the ruling planet), an incense for the day, moon phases, moon sign and a note on observances for the day, both mundane and religious.

The Magical Almanac debuted in 1989 and is fact approaching an age which, in a human child, often signals a rebellious stage preceding maturity.  That may be manifested in this volume by some of the authors assuming that “everyone knows” certain background details.  For example, on page 42 (Using Mantra by S. Y. Zenith) one is advised to use a ghee lamp.  Now, I happen to know that a ghee lamp burns clarified butter, but is it really fair to assume that the casual reader will know that?

The articles are extremely general in tone and relatively short (2 to 6 pages on average) which is what regular readers of this annual offering have come to expect.  The purpose of the articles is to spark your interest and steer you to a more in-depth study of those topics which grab your attention.

A number of authors make statements which are at odds with what I have been taught in the field of magick, but given the wide variety of magickal systems in existence, that isn’t too surprising.  It is necessary to explore multiple ways of doing things, experiment carefully, and avail yourself of whatever more experienced help is available.  DO NOT assume that just because it is in print it must be correct.  This applies even more when dealing with Internet sources.  The operative phrase here is BE CAREFUL in all your workings.  Do your research and be patient.

The articles cover a very wide range of topics and should provide at least something to spark the interest of every readers.  Cultures covered range from ancient Roman to Pictic and from India to Mesoamerica.  You can learn how to make a book amulet or a Pagan rosary.  There are some ritual suggestions as well.

Overall, as in most years, this book deserves a place on the bookshelf of an Pagan who has wide-ranging interests, and wants to expand the horizon of their knowledge.