- The Moon Apothecary: Rituals and Recipes for Luna Phases.
- Author: Lorriane Anderson: https://www.rockpoolpublishing.com/lorriane-anderson
- Lorriane’s website: https://www.spiritelement.co
- Published by Rockpool Publishing, Australia, 2024
- RRP: GB£18.99, US$24.95
- ISBN 9781925946802
- Reviewed by: Twisted.Wicked
This beautiful book is based on recipes and rituals for the lunar phases, and is a wonderful compilation of herbalistic ways to bring this ever-renewing cycle into your practice. Its focus is on self-care and using the energies of the lunar cycle for growth, self-development and spiritual wellbeing. Perfect for both beginners and advanced practitioners, it gives guidance and inspiration on how to incorporate moon magic into their everyday lives.
Author Lorriane Anderson is a soul-based entrepreneur, who uses tarot, astrology and spirituality to teach others through her own journey. She currently lives in LA, California where she has her own business providing development and supplies to other spirituality-based businesses, and has co-published other well-known decks, such as the Season of the Witch Oracle deck series.
The book starts off with a brief introduction to Anderson, followed by Part I which includes guidance on responsible practice, working with nature and building a connection, through to sustainability and cultural mindfulness. Throughout, Anderson empowers readers to establish their own connection to the moon and the importance of self-care. The reader is also encouraged to create their own associations with ingredients and rituals, which is refreshing, as Anderson does not stipulate that you MUST use this and that like many other books do. Anderson highlights the use of natural ingredients and the healing properties of nature, and with this, discusses cultural appropriation. This section is sensitively written, however, I felt some parts were unnecessary and awkward, for instance, she delves into topics of great debate, which I found a little uncomfortable due to my own beliefs and practice. Nevertheless, the topic of ancestral DNA is something of interest and encourages readers to discover their own unique DNA heritage and profile.
Part II then guides you through the 8 main phases of the lunar cycle and the bonus events of eclipses, blue moons and super moons. Each chapter gives you numerous recipes and rituals that offer a simple yet unique insight to harnessing and understanding the magic of mother moon. Part II starts with a basic overview of lotions, creams, oils, sprays and scrubs, soaps, teas and much more. This section includes safety information on seeking guidance from a medical professional, and safety during pregnancy, and illness.
Throughout, she explains the different ingredients and their uses, including crystals and oils. She continues to empower the reader to build on their intentions, emotions and feelings throughout, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the craft and to stop, see, feel, smell and experience the whole process, not just the final product – and to create a connection with the items, to truly create a unique final product personalised to the user. There is something for everyone within this chapter; activities to help bring together one’s intentions through vision boards and gardening, plus making your own incense sticks and baking. There are many activities and product ideas to help create a basis for development for practitioners of all levels.
Most of the ingredients listed are easily accessible and commonly used so most practitioners may already have them. There were a few I had to google as I had no clue what they were, and upon doing so I noticed how pricey some of these were to access in the UK. This was a little disappointing as I am an advocate for keeping one’s practice as inexpensive as possible. However, at the beginning of the chapter (Part II) Anderson does advise to use her “recipes as a base, switching out ingredients to fit your needs”, which hopefully new practitioners will follow.
Each section of Part II delves into holistic ways to incorporate wellness and self-care both mind and spirit, through focusing on introspection, manifestation, release, and renewal, using the moons cycle of waxing and waning to draw upon the necessary energies for strength and empowerment. I intend to try out some of these recipes and practices in the future, particularly the Patience Floral Bath and Body Oil to align with my 2025 goals.
The extraordinary insight and collaborative content that Anderson has compiled within these pages makes this a practical and valuable resource for those looking to start their own self-care journey, or even those looking to learn more about rituals and working with the energies of the Lunar Cycle. My favourite part was the beautiful watercolour digital imagery that is scattered throughout its pages, the hardback cover makes its sturdy and robust, helping it feel like a staple book on any Lunar lover’s bookshelf.
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