About the Author

“We are in the midst of preparing a celebration about St. Lucia at Midwinter, in a series of seasonal celebrations in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. We use A Crown of Candles in our preparations. It helps us to understand what St. Lucia is about and we are inspired by the many activities we can choose from. We love the scripts for the ‘Numinous Beings,’ especially the script of the Child of Wonder. Well written and open all to ways of life.”
— Berthe van Soest, member of the team Feest van Aarde en Hemel

“I was enthralled by last year’s video of your Lucia party and when I saw the eBook I knew that I would love to own it. The book certainly does not disappoint — it is a joy from beginning to end! The photos and the colours used are beautiful and it is a wonderful mix of practical tips, recipes, costume suggestions, stories and myth and is all so beautifully presented. I also enjoyed reading about your past Lucia parties; your words create their own wonderful pictures in my imagination – thank you very much, Joanna!”
— Jacqueline B.

“I am gazing longingly at its gorgeous pages!  I'm looking forward to using this for a unit with my unschooled children about winter festivals. Thanks so much for putting it together, and including recipes!”
— Amanda F., Iowa

“For a child raised with no real sense of tradition other than the Big Two (Christmas and Easter), to pick up the threads again of my lost Celtic and now Scandinavian root history has become a joyful search.

As a Brighidine Flame Keeper it was such a pleasure it was to read about your St Lucia parties even before you wrote the 'how to' book!

You have successfully woven the Spiritual (all those carefully researched Legends and Stories) with the Practical (mouthwatering recipes and bless you for including the instructions on making the Crown of Candles!) into a Solstice Celebration Tapestry that could rightly take its place among anything already established.

Simply put: How far that little candle sheds its light, so shines a good deed in a naughty world.
 
Light Bringers Awake! And from us Darkness take.”
— Lady North, British Columbia

“I absolutely love the Lucia party book. I'm thrilled with your insight, creativity, and absolute love for your circle of women. It's all very apparent.”
— Darcy W., Washington

“I was entranced with the video you posted last year, and thought it was a delightful way to spend an evening during the holiday season.  When I saw the eBook, I was truly impressed with its beauty and organization.  The instructions are very clear and easy to follow.  There is even a sample invitation, recipes, song lists . . . I could go on. I am a fan of Waverly Fitzgerald and she is given a nod in this magnificent collection.  I imagine that my own Santa Lucia party is not far off!”
— Jo-Ann S., Michigan