Product Description
Angels have been around for thousands of years. They saw each civilization and language as it evolved, therefore, they understand all dialects. No part of the world is void of their presence. There are records of angels'names written on papyrus, clay tablets, stones and jewelry. This book contains angels who were invoked and sometimes worshipped in the ancient countries of Sumeria, Babylonia, Chaldea, Assyria, Akkadia, Egypt, Persia and also the Hebrew, Christian, Aramaic and Gnostic beings; plus the angels King Solomon and Moses called upon.Instructions on how to make amulets and a talisman using the angels' names are given. Also included are invocations and prayers to summon them to come to you and carry out your wishes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Remember, experimentation!
I must say that anyone who expects to pick up a book of rituals and use them exactly as written may have some problems with *any* book of rituals.

This book is a wonderful guide for a ritual structure, and for meanings behind festivals.We must remembert that Esbats are Goddess-oriented, and Sabbats are God-oriented, for the most part, in that it is celebrating the changes of the Sun as well as the life-death-rebirth cycle of the Sun King.

The Goddess does have her place, as always.

Please remember to read a book of rituals as a *guideline* for writing your own rituals.If you use ones that are written out for you and they do not feel comfortable for you, the magick will not flow properly.Write your own rituals.Use what appeals to you.Paganism is all about individuality.

Also, anyone familiar with the Church of W.I.C.A knows that they do not strictly follow Gardenerian, Alexandrian, or any other "Traditional Wicca" guidelines.Stanley has actually strove very hard to ensure that nothing in his Tradition will "step on the toes" of the Traditional Wiccans.Perhaps this should be labeled more of a "Pagan" BOS.Just remember, Stanley's wife is Initiated into a Mystery tradition, and scrutinizes his books to ensure that he reveals nothing that would break any vows of secrecy.

As an Initiate of Stanley's Tradition, I recommend the books.However, I do not practice his rituals as written, as he specifically encourages experimentation.I hope this is helpful to you.

Not my cup of tea.
i gave this book three stars, even though i didn't like it, because there really isn't anything wrong with the book.it just didn't appeal to me, and i thought others might be turned off by the same things.the ritual in this book are supposed to come from the point of view of gender polarity.there is a strong bias toward the heterosexual point of view.the moon rituals give a good balance of the Goddess and the God, but the festivals seem to over emphasize the God.almost all the sabbat rituals revolve around the Sun King.if this aspect of the god doesn't particularly apeal to you than this book will be useless--as it is for me.this is my main problem with the book.the book stresses light, and doesn't give much attention to darkness. the rituals for winter show it as a time of despair instead of appreciating the good things about the season.i guess this path of wicca seems very unbalanced to me--all light, and god and summer.there are two sections for moon rituals.the new moon and the full moon are covered, but not the dark or waning moon.a lot of the rituals are repetitive. they also don't seem very wiccan and perhaps the book should have been subtitled a "pagan" book of shadows... in order to be more accurate.its not a bad book, and i bet a lot of people would like it. in fact the ritual following Inanna's journey to the underworld in the Samhain section was intriguing.And maybe we can afford to have a few books out the stress the masculine to balance those that stress the feminine.but the "flavor" of the rituals didn't appeal to me.if you are more earthy, and less cermonial, more goddessy, more gender-fluid, than this book probably isn't for you.

A must have reference for beginners and established groups.
This is one of the few books that I have returned to time and again for guidance on developing rituals for individual and group use.

Great Step-by-Step Book
This book has it all written down step by step for a coven or group onwhat to do for the sabbats and the moons. I thought it was great. ... Read more

Product Description
Interviews an international mix of well-known Wiccan priests and priestesses, and offers an introduction to the diversity of Wiccan spirituality. The interviewees include internationally renowned Starhawk, a key figure in American Wicca, and Doreen Valiente, the UK's "mother of witchcraft". ... Read more

Product Description
is a far-ranging work of great beauty and insight bringingtogether previously unpublished Wiccan material from the tradition of Lothlorien. This definitive guide explains Wiccan ritual ethics and initiatory processes concluding with the exquisite Ritual for the Dead which is performed for seven consecutive days. Like the more familiar Tibetan Bardo Thodol, it provides a transformative experience for the recently departed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

let the fluff bunnies hop
this work is what makes it more worthwhile to expend energy absorbing this info and applying it rather than slamming the holographic pantomines of (largely Llewellyn-flavoured) fluff bunny wicca. if anything, lightly carbonated teen wicca is at least a better alternative than what the Church has to offer. or the mega McChurches.....

back to the point.

even if you aren't a strict wiccan, there is much to harvest here. for the heartfelt, the hardy and the untamed.

beautiful work.

Interesting information
I've not read the book as of yet, however, when I met and shook hands withRev. Beyerl this morning, he seemed very alive to me.I'll be buying thebook from him next week.I hope he's just as well then too :)

It's a travesty that this should go out of print
A Wiccan Bardo by Paul Beyerl is an in-depth look at the Lothlorien tradition of Wicca. This book analyzes in detail more than just the surface beliefs of the Craft: it describes ritual, including how and why everyaction takes place. It gives a system of training, music, everything aperson could possibly want to know about his tradition of Wicca. SinceBeyerl's passing I have noticed an unfortunate loss of interest in hiswork. I urge anyone seriously interested in Wicca to explore anythingwritten by this man possible -- what he offered to the world is incredible.

Highly recommended
One of the few books on Wicca to move beyond the beginner level. Includes good stuff on death and dying, and a tight, challenging outline of training ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Wicca places the responsibility for magickal and spiritual development firmly in the hands fo the individual. Through the practice of ritual Wiccans celebrate their Goddesses and God and the ever changing pahses of Nature.

It fulfils a need for Magick, Mysticism and Religion which are so often lacking in the modern world we live in. This book explored the core practices and symbolism of Wiccan ritual. The rituals can easily be adapted to suit the need of individual practioners and practical exampls are given throughout.

Subjects covered in this book include:

The Ritual Tools & ConsecrationRitual & Altar preparationCreation of Ritual SpaceThe Four Elements, Elemental Guardians & LandscapesInvocation of the Goddess, God & Old OnesPlanetary HoursMagickal Gestures ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Above Average Beginner's Book
I disagree with other reviewers who write that this is an advanced book that goes into the "whys" of Wiccan ritual. For a book that does fulfill that purpose I suggest Deborah Lipp's "Elements of Ritual".Since I bought this book based on those reviews that say it is advanced, I was a little disappointed.This book has the same information as other Wicca 101 books.But it wasn't a total loss for me because i would recommend it to new comers to Wicca.

As a Wicca 101 book, this book is far about average.I didn't give it 5 stars because of some flaws that it contains.One such flaw is that it sometimes uses terminology that a new comer would not understand.It doesn't define the word "deosil" until its third usuage and never defines "widdershins".It also describes the symbolism of the broom using the terms "yoni" and "lingam"--words that you would not know if you weren't familiar with Hinduism and were a Wiccan beginner.I feel the book could have been greatly improved if it contained a glossary for these specialized terms.

Another problem I had in the books were it contained some inaccuracies.For instance it describes the so-called "Celtic Lunar Calendar", which isn't Celtic at all, but was invented by the writer Robert Graves, who based it loosly on the ogham tree alphabet.Also, the authors imply that "drawing down the moon" cannot be done in solitary rituals, but i have found that aspecing deity can indeed be done, and is often done, by solitaries (including myself).

Otherwise, this is a fine beginner's book on Wicca and I would not hesitate to recommend it to those new to the religion.As long as this isn't the only book they read, they would do well to add it to their studies.

Fantastic Book & Highly Recommended
This book should be high on the list of recommended books for all interested in Witchcraft and in particular to those who wish to persue the tradition of Wicca.

The authors explain in detail the practices of a typical Wiccan ritual.On the surface of it, this may present the book in the "beginners" section of similar books - however, Circle of Fire presents the individual practices in a more detailed, informed and concise manner than other similar books.This makes Circle of Fire a fantastic reference work and manual for people working the tradition from a non-initiatory perspective.

Further more it allows those who do work from in an initiatory tradition of Wicca to test their own knowledge and improve their understanding of the symbolism.This is an important book which will help the practioner gain a deeper understanding of their own practices and challenge their existing views.

The authors are Alexandrian Wiccans and details of their other work can be found on their website at avalonia.co.uk.It is clear from their other work that they are students of the Western Mystery tradition from a more holistic viewpoint than many other contemporary authors writing on Wicca.Rankine is one of the founders of the Progressive Witchcraft movement which started in the 1990's and D'Este has created sustained communities in London for many years.They both have a long biography of involvement in both private and community events and groups in the UK, yet in this book they understate their own experience and achievements in favour of providing information and practical insights.

I have been practising for many years and found that this book still provided me with many insights on what I would consider the "basics" and for this reason I give this book a solid ***** 5 stars.

A Great Reference Workbook
This book is one of many I have read on Wicca and I only bought it because I enjoy other books by David Rankine, such as his excellent book on Qabalah (Climbing the Tree of Life) and decided to cure my curiousity.

As a non-wiccan I found this book to be far more readable and understandable than other books I have read in the past.It provides the reader with information on Wicca and the symbolism of the rituals and tools in a way that I have not seen elsewhere.It was also very refreshing to see visualisations for the different parts of the rituals as I have always felt this to be something lacking in Wicca.Maybe it has always been there, but the visualisations I have seen prior to that presented in this book has always left me wanting for clearer explanations.

Although this book is being billed by some as a beginners book, it is definitely in my own opinion an advanced book in comparison with books by Cunningham, Silver Ravenwold and Kate West. It is obviously aimed at those already practising, who have already made the decision to follow this tradition and who are serious about actually wanting to understand what they are doing and why.Its not a big book, but its worth every penny.

The authors' website www.avalonia.co.uk provides some extracts from this book, but sadly not the most exciting parts.All the same they should be congratulated on providing such a down to earth and as another reviewer put it straight to the point book on the subject.Their experience and understanding of the mysteries who through in the way they present their material, no need for trying to convince the reader that this is the only book, instead they seem to be saying the exact opposite - read this book to gain a deeper understanding on that which you already know and do.

Serious about Wicca?Then get this book now.
This book will give you all the answers on the symbolism and practices of Wiccan ritual.Yes, I said it : all the answers.

Its not a huge big tome, if it was bigger, it wouldn't be a waste of paper either.The authors are authorities on the subject of wicca and related subject and the material presented here is great.

Why do we cast circles?What does the elemental landscapes look like?What is the symbolism of salt and water consecration and purification?Together with some really good ideas for rituals and practical advice on ritual preparation, this book makes not only a good introduction for newcomers to wicca, but also a great reference work for those already practicing and proficient in the rituals.It will add an extra dimension, so to speak.

I loved it and I have been working within the Wiccan tradition for more than a decade!

Simple & to the point!
Wicca has become so fluffy!Everyone seems to be writing about it, never mind if they are Wiccan or not, have any experience of the system or not, ever practiced it or not!

Everything seems to go, but no-one ever tells you why exactly.It seems that it just feels right, so do it and its all ok, never mind what it is you are doing.

If this is all true then why ever bother doing anything?

THIS BOOK IS STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, SIMPLE AND THUS GREAT.

If you think of Wicca as your magickal path of choice you will love this book.It gives the symbolism and reasoning behind all the component parts of the ceremonies - such as why Salt & Water? Why Circle Casting?What is the symbolism of these things?Why do you use the tools you use?What are their purpose and what is their symbolism?

It may not be a wiccan bible with a million pages of wasted paper and ink, it may not have pretty barbie-like goddess figures on every page - but to me, that makes this book all the more excellent!

Buy this book if you are seriously interested in Wicca.Buy this book if you are a Wiccan (initiate or self-dedicant) wishing for deeper insights into the symbolism and practices. If you want practical thoughts and ideas on constructing and understanding Wiccan ritual you need this book.

If what you are looking for is a feel-good do-nothing book - then don't buy this book.If what you are looking for is a recipe book - then also don't bother buying this book.

But if you are serious about Wicca as a spiritual and magickal mystical path - what are you waiting for.Get it now. ... Read more

Product Description
This work is the first in-depth look at contemporary witchcraft, known as Wicca, in the francophone province of Quebec in Canada. Taking an ethnographic approach and placing itself within the context of two different languages and world, views this study evaluates the Wiccan experience in Quebec, arguing that this particular group claims a religious rather than spiritual relation with the world. In French. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Skeptic (Altadena, CA), published by Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine on January 1, 2004. The length of the article is 537 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Skewed study on Wiccans and Creationists.(Creation and Evolution Forum)
Author: Joseph Max
Publication: Skeptic (Altadena, CA) (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 2004
Publisher: Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine
Volume: 10Issue: 4Page: 21(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
According to legend, there were four women who founded the religion of Wicca long ago. Each of them hid her secret, and when the time came they called upon their respective elements to keep that secret. Today, there are four teenage girls who are descended from those women. Paiva Cerron could never have imagined that her mother was a Wiccan, and that she was the last of the Fireflint line, but now she must. Now there are evil witches being sent to kill her to keep the four girls from uniting to put an end to Marguerite, the Queen of all evil witches. If they cannot stop Marguerite, then the world will be plunged into darkness, and the line of Wiccans will end. Paiva must do what she has to in order to save her race. She is not just any Wiccan, but the Wiccan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Book
I read The Wiccan in 1 day. I could not put the book the down. It was amazingly captivating. It was such a thriller and I can't wait for a sequel.

I love The Wiccan!
This was the most influential book of my young adult years.I feel like I can relate to Paiva because she is such a genuine, realistic character.I would really like to meet April Zaccaria.It's amazing how she has written such a great book at such a young age.She's now my role model.I hope to be writing a book of my own soon.Thanks April! ... Read more

Product Description
Divination--the art of obtaining knowledge of the future or of secret things--has been practiced in one form or another since ancient times. This book explains how divination has become an essential part of modern witchcraft and discusses its many forms, including crystal gazing, tarot, astrology, palmistry, and reading tea leaves. Line drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The definitive reference guide on divination...
I am a teacher who teaches a class on occult beliefs and practices from around the world, and I often use this guide in the classroom. It is well-researched and extremely user-friendly.

HIGHLY Recommended!
If you are looking for a complete guide to the ancient and modern methods of divination, look no further. This book has it all, arranged in an a-to-z format. Well-researched and written by a fascinating young lady whopractices contemporary Witchcraft. ... Read more

Product Description
Practitioners of Wicca call on the Gods of our ancestors in their rites, they performrituals to mark the changing seasonsof the year and celebrate theGods in the light of the Full Moon. Wicca provides a system of magick, spirituality and mysticism which allows each individual to develop theirown relationship with the Gods and the world around them.Towards the Wiccan Circle was born out of the very popular Avaloniahomestudy course of the same name.It was designed by experienced coven leaders to provide a structured course of study for individuals whoare interested in Wicca and who want to explore the key principles andpractices of the tradition by themselves prior to making a commitment.Likewise, itwill benefit individuals who are working by themselves and who are seeking to build a solid foundation from which to further explore the tradition, with or without others. This thoroughly practical self-study course provides an excellentintroduction to Wicca as a mystery tradition in seven lessons, eachcovering a key aspect of the beliefs and practices, these are: Lesson 1 -Paganism, Witchcraft & Wicca Lesson 2 - Magick: Towards an Understanding Lesson 3 - The Gods & Goddesses Lesson 4 - The Four Elements Lesson 5 - The Times Of Magick - Cycles of Nature Lesson 6 - Sacred Space Lesson 7 - Initiation & Rites Of Passage Throughout the book, practical exercises,meditations and simple ceremoniesare provided, together with suggestions for further reading.You will learn aboutthe history, whilst exploring the practices and deepening your understanding of the fourelements and the natural world, whilst exercising your visualisation skills and building on your understanding of the tradition through an experiential approach. ... Read more

Product Description
It's not the first time Regan has experienced déjà-vu. But when the sensation involves finding a second body buried where one was found just weeks before, déjà-vu takes on new meaning.

Someone murdered a girl on her seventeenth birthday and, as Regan delves into the motive behind the girl's murder, she discovers many people are trying to hide secrets about their entanglement with the dead teenager.Regan must figure out which of them is a murderer -- and she has to do it carefully or she'll become the killer's next victim.

Santa Cruz, California real estate agent Regan McHenry, her husband Tom Kiley, and their friend police ombudsman Dave Everett are back in a new story of murder and invite you to come along forthe twists and turns of the mystery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Watch out, Regan!
Well, this is a shift from the author's first book to a more normal mystery style - more clues and red herrings and a later-in-the-book revelation of who done it.The reader gets to know who the murderer is just a bit before Regan does, so you find yourself yelling "Watch out, Regan!"Very Nancy Drew-ish - you'll see what I mean.

The wit between Regan and Dave continues and is perhaps even more entertaining than The Death Contingency.I got to learn more about Wiccans than I ever knew.And fog in the redwoods: I live in the redwoods, but there is new info here for me.

I read this book a second time to make sure all the clues are there.They are - very tight writing.I read it a third time just to enjoy the characters and the dialog one more relaxed time.

Ebook lovers: it's in Kindle and for my mother-in-law, large print.

Mystery at its finest!
"It's not the first time Regan has experienced déjà-vu. But when the sensation involves finding a second body buried where one was found just weeks before, déjà-vu takes on new meaning."

BACKYARD BONES is a wonderfully told story from the Regan McHenry Mystery Series that takes the reader on a non-stop ride of surprise and intrigue.

Ms. Jarvis once again weaves her magic as she takes everyday neighborhood events to another level. The reader is rewarded by a tale told with humor and the skill reminiscent of Agatha Christie. Another highly recommend mystery by a very talented writer!

Great Mystery!
I love female sleuths and Regan McHenry, Santa Cruz realtor, is a great female sleuth! I love the characters, the plotting is wonderful, the pacing is terrific, and all in all, this is a great read! Now I've got to go back and read the first one and I hope there will be many more in this series.

Buy the first for friendship, the second for good reading!
If the first hadn't been good enough, and the hints about the second weren't catchy enough, the second novel in the Regan McHenry series would not have been bought.

Things I liked--mild treatment of Wiccans as if it were a little known but mainstream religion, more twists and turns than the last novel, and still more Santa Cruz settings. There is a wide variety of personalities who are anything but flat, and there is an increasing sense of Santa Cruz culture showing.

There was a stream of thought process in depicting Regan's suspicions that allow you to see the inner workings of her mind--mistakes and lightbulb-on moments.

I agree with Joseph Perrone's review all the way. So, when are you going to buy this one? You know you want to...

Yes, I do know the author.But I also knew several well-known fantasy authors when they had their first books out, and I'm still reading them 30 years later because their books were that good.

Keep 'em coming, Nancy
This is the second in what we hope is an ongoing series of mysteries featuring Regan McHenry, Santa Cruz realtor.In "Backyard Bones," the body of a pregnant teenager is found bearing a pentagram carved into it, and one of the prime suspects is a Wiccan, who also just happens to be a client of Regan's.He, along with two other suspects, all have secrets relating to the dead girl, but refuse to give a DNA sample that might clarify their position as the possible father of the unborn child she was carrying.The plot is cleverly crafted, with lots of misdirects designed to keep you guessing right up until the very end, which I guarantee will leave you breathless.Don't miss this one.As the Twig is Bent

... Read more

Product Description
Wicca is an initiatory magickal traditionincorporating both Pagan spiritualphilosophies and witchcraft practices, with ceremonial magick.In doing soit combines magick, mysticism and spirituality into an experiential, practicebased tradition, which works with the divine as both masculine and feminine,emphasising growth through balance and discipline.It provides a spiritualway of life, constantly growing and evolving, placing the responsibility for spiritual growth and fulfillment firmly back into the hands of the individual.This book explores the core practices of the Wiccan Tradition, providinginsights on the symbolism and the ceremonies, including: * The divine feminine & masculine, Goddess & God * Wiccan ritual structure * The ritual tools * Planning your ritual * Preparing your temple space * The magick circle * The Guardians of the Watchtowers * Ritual content (including spells, divination & invocation) * Cakes and wine * Ritual refinements (including the use of visualisation and voice) * Purifcation and psychic protection * Ritual timing(including lunar, planetary, solar and elemental) * Elementaland other magickal gestures* Elemental pentagrams and landscapesCircle of Fire - A Practical Guide to the Symbolism and Practices of Wiccan Ritual by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine was first published in 2005.This second edition has been revised and expanded by the authors for this new 2008 edition.About the Authors: Sorita d'Este and David RankineThe authors are initiates of the Western Esoteric Tradition who have taught and lectured extensively for many years, as well as being experienced workshop and ritual facilitators, Coven leaders and ritualists.Between them they have authored more than 20 books on topics ranging from Celtic, Greek and Egyptian mythology, the Qabalah, Ceremonial Magick, Wicca, Witchcraft and the Grimoire Traditions.These include: "Wicca Magickal Beginnings", "The Isles of the Many Gods", "Practical Planetary Magick" and "The Guises of the Morrigan". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Covers all the basics!!!
I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in learning more about Traditional Wicca. It does a great job of covering all the basics, in a way that is well written and easy to understand. Great for those who are newly seeking or even if you have been at it for a while and are looking for additional knowledge to add to your practice. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by an experienced witch, Spell Bound answers every question young readers face as they explore Wicca and the practice of witchcraft. Teresa Moorey explains who witches are and what they believe, traces the secret history of witchcraft, discusses mystical symbols and lunar lore, and even includes an author’s note to allay any apprehension parents may have about witchcraft. The author shows how to find one’s power and use it responsibly, how to develop one’s intuitive senses and find a magical identity, and how to create positive spells and celebrate Wiccan festivals. Ultimately, Spell Bound helps teenagers strengthen their inner ability to guide their own lives. By discovering the mystical ways of witchcraft, teens can make magic a part of everyday life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A Child's Review
**This was a book report assignment I gave my 11 year old daughter. Instead it turned into a pretty well written review worthy enough to be shared here.


Do you ever wonder why witchcraft is really about? Well then you might want to pick up,"Spellbound: The Teenage Witch'sWiccan Handbook" by Teresa Moorey. Teresa explains the in's and the outs of witchcraft from her point view. The book is filled with fun quizzes and rituals including one called "Your First Ritual". In actuality though,properly named it should read "Your First Wiccan Ritual" because most of us have experienced "Sunday Ritual" and the whole church experience. She also includes simple spells here and there throughout the book making learning about the old times fun! The author even puts in two whole chapters devoted on the seasons and the celebrations associated with them.

The author removes the fantasy and misconceptions about witches. She desires that readers know that witches aren't evil and green faced old women who go about flying around on a broom and eating children as Ronald Dahl believes. (Although, I would find broom flying rather fun)Witches are just like everyone else except they are really connected to nature.

The truth is witches do not follow a patriarchal religion of the God of the bible and Jesus Christ but instead embrace the life affirming ideals of the Great Mother and look to Her divine presence in nature.

Near the end of the book, there is list of Goddesses and Gods with a paragraph of explanations for all them to help widen the young readers understanding of these divine figures. It's a great book that I would recommend to not only teens and pre-teens (like me) but to anyone who is very new and clueless about this wonderful nature loving path of the witch. It's a wonderful resource for the young and old.

Moon Breeze SpiritHawke

Good Information
I bought this book for my daughter and I found myself using it. Great for the teens and the teens in us all.

An okay book
I thought this book was great the way it explained witchcraft but I thought Teresa could of gave more details for the spells.
I'm only 12 so I don't understand all of it but if your really a teen this book would be for you.

VERY INFORMATIVE AND WELL-ROUNDED!
I purchased this book as an amateur. I payed about $15 for it (but I also bought a nifty bookmark with it!) and I got every cent worth out of it. I wanted to read a little about the actual craft, wanting to know what I was getting myself into, and ended up getting history, culture, spells, potions, definitions, and more. I would TOTALLY suggest buying this book! It is great, even for an adult!

Spellbound: The teenae witch's essential handbook.
I got this book with a different cover and title to the one here (I think maybe it's the english version that I've got) But it was brilliant! I have about 7 books on Wicca but this is definitely my favourite. I would recommend it to anyone starting Wicca as a solitary and without guidance. ... Read more

Product Description

More than 60 pagan leaders and teachers describe in their own words what they believe and what they practice.

• Addresses how Pagans view parenting, organized religion, and politics.

• Introduces the wide range of possibilities within the neo-Pagan movement.

• By Ellen Evert Hopman, author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year; Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal; and Tree Medicine, Tree Magic.

Who are the pagans and what do they stand for? Why would some of the members of the best educated, most materially comfortable generation of Americans look back to mystical traditions many millennia old? During the last few decades, millions of people have embraced ancient philosophies that honor Earth and the spiritual power of each individual. Ways of worship from sources as diverse as the pre-Christian Celts, ancient Egypt, and Native American traditions are currently helping their followers find meaning in life while living in the Information Age.

In this book Pagan leaders and teachers describe in their own words what they believe and what they practice. From Margot Adler, an NPR reporter and author of Drawing Down the Moon, to Isaac Bonewits, ArchDruid and founder of a modern neo-Druidic organization, those interviewed in this book express the rich diversity of modern Paganism. Hopman's insightful questions draw on her own experiences as a Pagan and Druid as well as on her extensive research. With coauthor Lawrence Bond, she examines how Pagans address such issues as parenting, organized religion, and politics. The resulting dialogues illuminate the modern Pagan revival.

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent Book on Our Pagan Trailblazers of Yestreday and Today.
This wonderful book is a great introduction on all the main neo-pagans of merit.I looked around for an older copy of 'People of the Earth',apparently it's out of print and now re-introduced as ,'Being a Pagan'.This is a step above Margo Adler's worthy book,'Drawing Down the Moon'(1979).I like both books,yet this is more informative,more authors discussed and cozier reading.I have not found a better collective pagan book out there ,that discusses the current best thoughts and opinions, of fellow modern heathen thinkers and writers yet.If you can't obtain the original copy,then i would recommend reading ,'Being a Pagan'.

Not all it was...
Just discovered that the extensive interview with Victor Anderson that appeared in the original edition (_People of the Earth_) has been cut from _Being a Pagan_. Disappointing, to say the least!

Revision of an excellent book -
Aside from the weirdness caused by the book's re-naming which caused some to purchase it twice (it was formerly known as 'People of the Earth') this is a great and diverse collection of ideas centered around Pagan spirituality. There are some wonderful interviews with a lot of different people. From Starhawk, to Victor Anderson, to Annie Sprinkle... a wealth of styles and philosophies are presented.

Re-write of "People of the Earth"
Ms. Hopman and Mr. Bond gave us a very memorable view of the pagan world in their book "People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out".Published in 1995, it was a look at a time in the early 90's from the point of view of some of the members of that pagan culture.It was a look at those who comprised the pagan community at that time.Drawn from interviews done around 1993 and 1994, many of which were done at the Starwood Festival in New York State, they were insightful and gave a picture of what paganism was at that time, at that place.

"Being a Pagan" is the re-release of this book.New title but the same material right down to the graphics and photos.
While some of you may not have had the opportunity to obtain the first book "People of the Earth", which is now out of print, this is an opportunity to obtain a new copy.

Those of you who already have "People of the Earth" may want to bypass this, as it really does not contain any relevant new material.

While this may be a wonderful look at the world of paganism in the early 90's, the pagan community has changed so much in the last ten years.This book now serves as a small window of history about an event and a time in the early pagan culture.

It's a shame that the cover does not mention this is a release of the older book.I've noticed many people upset by that fact and I feel it should have been made very clear on the front cover.The book is supposed to be "revised" but I was hard pressed to find any obvious revisions.

Otherwise, it is a book worth having for its look at the pagan culture at that time.

Duped As Well
I too was foolish enough to think that "Being a Pagan' today was a new work. Unfortunately, as stated by the other reviewers, it is simply a republication under a new title of a book that seemed pertinent and timely in 1996 but now seems outdated and a bit tired. Perhaps theauthors could have updated the interviews, as is the title should have been "Being a Pagan in 1996". Many of the interviews are interesting and the book is well put together... ... Read more

Product Description
Seasons of the Witch shows how the beliefs of Wicca can help people connect with the natural world and a sense of their spiritual heritage. The book shows how to celebrate each of the eight Wiccan festivals of the year: Samhain (Life and Death, October 31), Yule (Winter Solstice), Imbolic (New Beginnings, February 2), Ostara (Spring Equinox), Beltane (Sex and Fertility, May 1), Litha (Summer Solstice), Lammas (First Harvest, August 1), and Mabon (Autumnal Equinox). The author describes traditional rituals and offers meditations, chants, and spells that unite the theme of each festival with the contemporary world. Since the gatherings are intended to be celebrations, the author suggests creative ways to use food, wine, activities, decorations, oils, candles, and incense to create memorable, festive occasions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good if you're new to Wicca
If you're looking to purchase one of your first books on Wicca, this is a good choice.It covers our eight major holidays, including why we celebrate them, where they get their various names, and nice tips on decorating and celebrating.A full ritual is included for each, which you are encouraged to adapt (or scrap entirely) according to your own needs.A worthwhile buy.

If your shelf is already crammed with books on the subject, and in general if you're not new to Wicca, this book is likely to be a repeat.I found it well done, but definitely best suited to witches who are just starting out. My favorite part was Ms. Duff's poetry, much of which is lovely and evocative, through she says the poems are songs and then doesn't tell you what tunes they go with!Anycase, they really add to her explanations and rituals.Check it out of the library and have a look.

Either way -- buy it or borrow it -- please discount at least half of the introduction.Ray Buckland knows his stuff in many areas, but history and, occasionally, tact (regarding Christianity) don't seem to be his strong points in this short, tossed-off piece.

Well worth the purchase
The introduction by Buckland along with the first chapter of this book is worth the purchase.Here's a vision for you ...... copy the first chapter and mail it to everyone ..... maybe all would finally understand what Wicca is really all about. ... Read more

Product Description
The word "witch" calls up the image of a cackling crone hunched over a cauldron or riding through the air on a broomstick and putting curses on people. Surprisingly for some, there are groups of otherwise ordinary people who refer to themselves as witches and demand recognition as a legitimate religion. This reference presents a concise survey of the witchcraft movement worldwide, charting its development and covering neopagan concepts, rituals, practices and practitioners. It includes African religions, cross-quarter days, the horned god, Knot magic, sex magic, celtic tradition, evocation and invocation, incubi and sucubi, numerology and theosphy, amongst many other entries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Great Book For Learning More About Modern Witchcraft
When people think of Witches and Witchcraft, the image of a cackling crone hunched over a bubbling cauldron of poisonous brew often comes to mind. Therefore I appreciated Lewis' presentation of Witchcraft as a bonafied religion, deserving of the same recognition and respect accorded other religious belief systems.

Terms covered include words related to Neopagan traditions, holidays and rituals; Craft tools, organizations and practices; methods of divination; and much more. All information ispresented in a well organized manner which is easily understood and requires no prior knowledge of Witchcraft.I found the "See Also" and "Further Reading" suggestions included at the end of each reference to be extremely helpful aids that will greatly benefit those desiring to learn more.

The thorough introduction and informative appendixes are perhaps the most valuable part of this book. These include overviews of the origin and history of contemporary Wiccan and Neopagan beliefs; a chronology detailing their development; and documents important to Wiccan and Neopagan belief systems such as the "Charge of the Goddess," "Initiation Rituals," and "Craft Laws."

Overall, this is an excellent and informative piece of work but it does have some drawbacks. There are only about 284 terms covered so I felt more terms, "important names in Witchcraft," etc. should have been included.Also, some of the entries could have used a more thorough rendering.Common inconsistencies in spelling that might prove confusing to those not familiar with the Craft, such as "Caballa" and "Kaballah," should have been addressed. Finally, I feel the book is a bit pricey.

Although I wouldn't rely on Witchcraft Today as a main reference book on Wicca and Neopaganism, it would make a great companion to another reference book such as The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. ... Read more