Pagan, Shinto & Spiritual Book Reviews March 2016

Paganism 101: An Introduction to Paganism by 101 Pagans (Edited by Trevor Greenfield)

★★★ Read of the Month! ★★★

An introduction to the basics of Paganism by 101 Pagans! What a wonderful and ambitious idea, even if not entirely unique. It’s similar to two other books I’ve read, Pagan Planet (reviewed last month) and  Witchcraft Today: 60 Years On (also edited by Trevor Greenfield). Like Paganism 101, these two titles also consist of collections of essays about Paganism and witchcraft by a variety of individuals, and they are both very decent reads. But for me, Paganism 101 really stands out.

The main reason for this is the quality of writing.  The majority of the essays are of a high standard. There are some fairly well-known contributors here, including Alaric Albertson, Nimue Brown, Robin Herne, Emma Restall Orr and Cat Treadwell, to name but a few, and a comment by Professor Ronald Hutton at the beginning. It’s a general rule of thumb that when Prof. Hutton’s name appears on a book on Paganism, it’s probably going to be good.

I found all the essays interesting, but particularly the ones that highlighted practises that are less familiar to me; I loved reading about the symbel in Theodish Heathenry in which participants “boast” of their achievements (I may have to steal this idea). I also enjoyed reading about the work of Pagan Celebrants, as this too gave an insight into a side of Paganism I know less about. I wish that perhaps other paths could have been included in this book, but I appreciate that with 101 contributors already this might be a tall order. Other highlights in Paganism 101 for me include Scott Irvine’s account of acting as the Holly King at Stonehenge; Joanna van der Hoeven’s exploration of the relationship Pagans have with nature; Emma Restall Orr’s essay on Pagan ethics; Brendan Myers’ essay on ancestors; and Morgan Daimler‘s essay on the past and present in Paganism. The sections towards the end on magic, praying, healing herbalism also give a welcome practical element to the book.

Paganism 101 is a successful effort to give a broad and detailed insight into the lives and practises of the world’s diverse community of Pagans. Recommended for beginners and veterans alike.