Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The November New Moon Is Out--Check Your Inbox!

For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our November issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-Yule Ideas for Everyone
-Shelftalkers (From the Cauldron Born, Great Sex Made Simple, New Paths to Animal Totems, and Our Children Live On)
-December New Releases
-Llewellyn's Winter 2013 Catalog
-Indie Stores' Top Five Picks
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, November 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Yule Ideas for Everyone

Sigh. It seems as though another year has flown by; wasn’t it just Labor Day yesterday, and Midsummer the week before that? Though many of us will be loathe to see the longer, warmer days of summer and autumn end, there is something magical about the palpable change in the air, the feeling of renewal that comes with that change, even if we are entering the dying, and then dormant, portion of the seasonal cycle.

The crisp autumn air, the smell of wood-burning fireplaces, followed by the promise of the season’s first snowflakes…to me, these things bring such happiness. And Yule! A most magical of holidays, when we celebrate the turning of a new year, and the promise of warmth and rebirth ahead.

As we near this magical time, it can be hard to reconcile plans (both personal and business) between the sacred and the secular, as well as between the spendy and the thrifty. That said, there are many ways to make Yule more than just trees and candles –without breaking the bank—at both your home and your store.

Décor
For me, decorations are always a great way to set the mood for any holiday season, Yuletide included.
  • Candles. One of my favorite parts about having shorter days (or, perhaps, the only thing I really like about having shorter days) is lighting candles around my home, creating a sparkling, warm atmosphere. Candles can be found at many retailers, both offline and on, and made from many different ingredients.
  • Incense. Smell is one of the first things we notice when we enter a building or home; why not use some that celebrates the season? For a magical, uplifting, and thrifty option, try making your own incense or potpourri.
  • Decorations. At this time of the year, stores are overflowing with a vast assortment of holiday decorations; however, I think it is much more magical (not to mention cheaper!) to create my own. These crafts also make for fun party activities.
  • Colors. Colors are a huge part of décor, and I like to use those that are not only traditionally seasonal but also magically appropriate. White is great for spiritual strength and purity, and reminds us of the snow outside our windows; Green is reflective of the renewal and generosity of the season; Blue brings us inner peace and tranquility; and Silver removes negativity and reflects the beauty of the Full Moon.
  • An Altar. Perfect for store or home, a Wheel of the Year altar can be suited to any Sabbat, including Yule.

Rituals
Another strong way to connect to the season, to our friends and family, and to our ancestors is through rituals. These make great activities to do alone, to do with friends or family members, or to host as a store activity.

Activities and Parties
There is something about Yuletide that just seems to warrant having a party or other event. Looking for ideas? Look no further!

Still looking for more ideas? Check out "Celebrating Yule without Losing Your Mind—Or Your Life Savings."