If you have studied for a while, learned about paganism, feel like you’d like to make it a bigger part of your life, Timothy Roderick’s Wicca: A Year and a Day may be just what you need.

Roderick takes the reader on a day-by-day journey toward spiritual fulfillment. Each day provides an activity with corresponding questions to be answered in a journal format. Day one, for example, provides a quick introduction to earth spirituality, and allows the reader to establish a connection with nature and the people of the world. It ends with several questions to consider after the connection is forged, such as, “In what way was my connection to things weak? What actions can I take that may strengthen any weak connections?”

Each month, he provides a list of magical items to gather for the next activities—things from candles to herbs to oils to a Farmer’s Almanac. He always provides the materials list with ample time to gather the necessary items prior to engaging in the activities listed.

Sabbats, esbats, and various other rituals and spell work are all explored, as well as meditation, gods and goddesses, prayers, and recipes.  If you’ve ever wanted to make a fairy offering, perform a sacred rite, study the elements in depth, or consecrate magical tools, it’s all in the guide—as well as casting and banishing circles, divination explanations, tarot explorations and more.

“Word to the Wise” tips are also routinely offered, such as warnings about weather conditions, definitions for more difficult terms, and extra items that are not integral to the ritual but could be a beneficial addition if you opt to have them.

Each section ends with a devotional day to honor a specific goddess or god, followed by a day of contemplation, and finally a silence. This three-day ritual helps create an excellent way to review and digest everything you’ve learned so far, as well as to prepare yourself for more knowledge and activities to come.

Wicca: A Year and a Day is the closest thing I’ve found to having a real teacher at your disposal. Roderick has answered most, if not all, of the questions I had when I was starting my path, and has provided plenty of instruction and practical application advice in addition to keeping the book personal with its questions for the student to answer. If you are ready for your year and a day, Roderick’s book can help you through it.