Archive for the ‘ Paganism ’ Category
Goddess Initiation: A Practical Celtic Program for Soul-Healing, Self-Fulfillment and Wild Wisdom by Francesca De Grandis. © 2001 Harper SanFrancisco. ISBN 0-06-251715-5. Paperback. New Age. 334 pages. $16.00 US. [ Purchase ]
Review
Hold out your hand, top facing you. See your knuckles? See the small space between your first finger’s knuckle and your middle finger’s? Yeah, that’s about how little “Celtic” this book actually contained. Read more
The Tree of Enchantment: Ancient Wisdom and Magical Practices of the Faery Tradition by Orion Foxwood. © 2008 Weiser Books. ISBN 978-1-57863-407-1. Paperback. Paganism / Witchcraft. 264 pages. $19.95 US. [ Purchase ]
Synopsis
The Tree of Enchantment is the symbol for the relationships we must cultivate to find the truths we seek—with the Lower realm, where the roots of the tree entwine with the dead; and with the Middle realm where we dwell beside both the living and hidden earth; and with the Upper realm that reaches to the stars. When we communicate with all three we will begin to know our truths and work the magic of the Faery Tradition. [from back cover]
Review
The Tree of Enchantment reads more like a new age, self-help book than a book about a spiritual path. Read more
Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals That Work by Isaac Bonewits. © 2007 Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 978-0-7387-1199-7. Paperback. Body, Mind, Spirit / Spirituality / Paganism. 222 pages. $15.95 US. [ Purchase ]
Synopsis
Practical and engaging, this guide represents the best practices from Isaac Bonewits’ over thirty-five years of experience creating, attending, and leading public ceremonies as a Neopagan priest and magician. Ideal for Earth-centered spiritual movements and other liberal religious traditions, Neopagan Rites explains how to design powerful and effective rites of worship for small groups or large crowds. [from back cover] Read more
Sacred Land: Intuitive Gardening for Person, Political & Environmental Change by Clea Danaan. © 2007 Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 978-0-7387-1146-1. Paperback. 266 pages. $15.95 US. [ Purchase ]
Because of the horrible drought and intense heat wave the south has been through (and is still experiencing), gardening is the farthest thing from my mind at the moment. I was intrigued to be able to review this book though, as I was curious as to how gardening could possibly cause a political change. I understand the personal and environmental.
The author has divided the book into chapters based on each of the four Greek elements, supplying not only spiritual and organic ways of gardening, but also shares with us goddesses of nature and sacred sisters in the world who have used their love of the earth and gardening to make a change in their lives and in the lives of those around them. The political aspect was then made clear to me. We are also generously supplied with room at the end of each chapter for personal notes and thoughts; of which I had many.
The way Clea draws connections from gardening into the spiritual lives of Wiccans and Witches is fantastically brilliant. She has thoughtfully poured her heart and soul onto these pages and it’s unmistakable when reading it. This is a wonderful read and powerful journey. Be prepared for a change if you choose to read this (which I suggest). If you are drawn to gardening and have an affinity to authors like Ellen Dugan and Ann Moura, this is the perfect book for your collection.
Composing Magic: How To Create Magical Spells, Rituals, Blessings, Chants and Prayers by Elizabeth Barrette. © 2007 New Page Books. ISBN 1-56414-935-8. Paperback. 240 pages. $14.99 US. [ Purchase ]
This book is informative and brilliant, the author even takes you step-by-step through the entire writing process to help you better create words of power. After you have learned what it takes to write, you a taken into the world of Writing Tools and Techniques, where you will be shown what reference books come in handy and the different techniques of sound effects, literal language and figurative language. Next, you are shown the various, basic forms of poetry, how to spin special spells, create colorful chants and powerful prayers, beautiful blessings and wonderful rituals, and finally advice on sharing your work with the pagan community.
This will be one book that gets much wear and tear from my use. This is a blessing to the pagan community and writers everywhere. Get ready to flex those bardic muscles!
