21 Lessons of Merlyn: Stupidest Druid Book Ever

By lisala on 7/19/09 11:23pm
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The 21 Lessons of Merlyn: A Study in Druid Magic and Lore - Douglas Monroe (Llewellyn Publications, 1992).

This has got to be one of the stupidest Neo Pagan books ever; it's hands down the stupidest ostensibly 21 lessons21 lessonsCeltic or Druidic text ever. First, some background: the book purports to be a re-telling of the lore from a "lost" druidic 16th century manuscript entitled The Book of Pheryllt. In 21 Lessons, Merlyn ostensibly imparts this knowledge to a young Arthur. It's a load of well, crap. Seriously, there's almost nothing actually true in this book with respect to Celtic myths, languages, or druids.

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Wicca: A Year and a Day

By sarajean on 7/14/09 6:15pm
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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?”

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Sacred Pagan Places in the United States, Part 1

By sarajean on 7/11/09 4:56pm
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Serpent MoundSerpent MoundWe’re all familiar with Stonehenge, Ayer’s Rock and a number of other international places that are considered sacred by their people. But did you know that there are quite a few places in the United States that are considered sacred, too? We think of our country as a rather young one—and it is, technically—but it existed long before many of our ancestors were here, and the people who occupied it before we did had some very hallowed grounds that are still here today.

Patti Wigington, the About.com guide to paganism, recently released a great introduction to these places, including Sedona, Arizona, the Land’s End Labyrinth of San Francisco, the Serpent Mound of Ohio, and many other wonderful places.

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Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

By sarajean on 6/30/09 1:40am
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If you’re looking for an introduction to Wicca that’s simple, accessible, and easy to start practicing with (if you choose to), look no further than Scott Cunningham’s bestselling Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.

Today there are a number of primers on the market, but back when I started studying Wicca as a preteen there weren’t so many. I remember having to piece together bits of information I gleaned from different outdated books at the library and thinking, there’s got to be more than this. Enter Cunningham’s masterpiece.

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Pagan Book Review: 365 Goddess

By sarajean on 6/15/09 5:16pm
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If you’re interested in learning a little bit about the goddesses of the world, Patricia Telesco’s daybook, 365 Goddess, is a great book to dive into. Each day introduces you to a new goddess, following a theme of daily goddess festivals and observances.

For example, today’s goddess is actually a group of goddesses, the Ratna Dadinis of India. Telesco chose these goddesses because today is traditionally the Hemis Festival, which celebrates the battle of good and evil. In Tibet, the Ratna Dadinis rule over gestures of good and compassion. Coordinating the place and festival with matching goddesses, Telesco provides a peek into both culture and deity.

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Welcome to the Pagan Journey

By sarajean on 5/22/09 9:13pm
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The Pagan JourneyThe Pagan JourneyIf you identify with paganism, are just interested in different philosophies and traditions, or are plainly curious, join us on the pagan journey. Here we will explore the many facets of paganism, including different paths and traditions people take, “eclectic” paganism in which people mix and match their own traditions, and everything in between.

Pagan news, rituals, meditations, different gods, goddesses and mythologies… Wicca, shamanism, druidism, and folk religions of all kinds are all welcome here. Post your news stories, images, resources, knowledge, odes to the god/goddess of your choice, and anything else pagan.

Paganism literally means “country dweller,” and encompasses many different belief systems and cultures. One thing that most pagans have in common is that they are typically polytheistic (believe in multiple gods and/or goddesses), though some pagans do consider themselves Christians. Most pagans also have some kind of connection with nature.

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